cBDI-based Collaborative Control for a Robotic Wheelchair

In this paper we present a collaborative control architecture for a robotic wheelchair with the aim of providing "assistance as required". The architecture is based on cBDI - an extension to the Belief-Desire-Intention model to support human-machine collaboration. We present results of an evaluation of the architecture in a simulated environment and conclude that collaborative control could ensure "feeling in control" even under assistance

3D printing in biomedicine: advancing personalized care through additive manufacturing

The integration of three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques into the domains of biomedical research and personalized medicine highlights the evolving paradigm shifts within contemporary healthcare. This technological advancement signifies potential breakthroughs in patient-specific therapeutic interventions and innovations. This systematic review offers a critical assessment of the existing literature, elucidating the present status, inherent challenges, and prospective avenues of 3D printing in augmenting biomedical applications and formulating tailored medical strategies. Based on an exhaustive literature analysis comprising empirical studies, case studies, and extensive reviews from the past decade, pivotal sectors including tissue engineering, prosthetic development, drug delivery systems, and customized medical apparatuses are delineated. The advent of 3D printing provides precision in the fabrication of patient-centric implants, bio-structures, and devices, thereby mitigating associated risks. Concurrently, it facilitates the ideation of individualized drug delivery paradigms to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Notwithstanding these advancements, issues concerning material biocompatibility, regulatory compliance, and the economic implications of avant-garde printing techniques persist. To fully harness the transformative potential of 3D printing in healthcare, collaborative endeavors amongst academicians, clinicians, industrial entities, and regulatory bodies are paramount. With continued research and innovation, 3D printing is poised to redefine the trajectories of biomedical science and patient-centric care. The paper aims to justify the research objective of whether to what extent the integration of 3D printing technology in biomedicine enhances patient-specific treatment and contributes to improved healthcare outcomes

Detection of species-specific genetic markers in goat, sheep and pig by molecular characterization of Cytochrome b gene

Present work was designed to know the inter-species genetic variation by detecting polymorphisms and analysing the nucleotide sequences of cytochrome b gene. Blood samples were collected from apparently healthy adult animals of indigenous goat, sheep and pig of Asom, and mitochondrial DNA was extracted for amplification by PCR. One half of the PCR product was used for restriction digestion while the other half after purification was sent for sequencing. Species specific restriction patterns were observed for cytochrome b gene amplicon upon digestion with AluI, HinfI, and HaeIII. The nucleotide sequence results were further analyzed using ClustalW and Mega5 softwares for unambiguous species typing. The percent similarity study showed that goat cytochrome b gene had 89.64 and 82.12% similarity with sheep and pig respectively. Phylogenetic tree also revealed close relationship of goat and sheep cytochrome b gene. Lowest pair wise distance was observed between goat and sheep (0.123) followed by goat and pig (0.227). Pig and sheep cytochrome b gene showed the highest degree of pair wise distance (0.255) between the nucleotides. From the present study, it can be concluded that RFLP and sequence analysis of cytochrome b gene provided the information about the extent of inter-species genetic diversity and can be used as a powerful tool for genetic traceability of species

Sex Ratio at Birth in India, Its Relation to Birth Order, Sex of Previous Children and Use of Indigenous Medicine

Objective: Sex-ratio at birth in families with previous girls is worse than those with a boy. Our aim was to prospectively study in a large maternal and child unit sex-ratio against previous birth sex and use of traditional medicines for sex selection. Main Outcome Measures: Sex-ratio among mothers in families with a previous girl and in those with a previous boy, prevalence of indigenous medicine use and sex-ratio in those using medicines for sex selection. Results: Overall there were 806 girls to 1000 boys. The sex-ratio was 720:1000 if there was one previous girl and 178:1000 if there were two previous girls. In second children of families with a previous boy 1017 girls were born per 1000 boys. Sexratio in those with one previous girl, who were taking traditional medicines for sex selection, was 928:1000. Conclusion: Evidence from the second children clearly shows the sex-ratio is being manipulated by human interventions. More mothers with previous girls tend to use traditional medicines for sex selection, in their subsequent pregnancies. Those taking such medication do not seem to be helped according to expectations. They seem to rely on this method and so are less likely use more definitive methods like sex selective abortions. This is the first such prospective investigation of sex ratio in second children looked at against the sex of previous children. More studies are needed to confirm the findings

ZnO nanoparticles catalyzed C–N bond-forming reactions: A highly efficient protocol to convert electron-deficient anilines to formanilides

573-581Herein, we report a protocol for the conversion of electron-deficient anilines to formanilides at room temperature using ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The ZnO NPs of different shapes have been synthesized by conventional co-precipitation techniques and are characterized fully using different microscopic, diffractometric and spectroscopic techniques. The developed protocol is simple, green, inexpensive, and highly efficient. The products can be conveniently separated from the reaction mixture without using the conventional tedious and expensive chromatographic techniques. The protocol is effective for a wide range of substituted anilines, aliphatic amines and heterocycles with moderate to excellent yield. The catalyst is highly stable and is reusable up to the 5th cycle without loss of catalytic activity

Iodine mediated novel and facile dehydration of aldoximes to nitriles

2109-2111Aldoximes can be induced to loose water to yield nitriles at room temperature by treatment with iodine in acetonitrile in excellent yields

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