Stabilizing control of two-wheeled wheelchair with movable payload using optimized interval type-2 fuzzy logic

The control schemes of a wheelchair having two wheels with movable payload utilizing the concept of a double-link inverted pendulum have been investigated in this article. The proposed wheelchair has been simulated using SimWise 4D software considering the most efficient parameters. These parameters are extracted using the spiral dynamic algorithm while being controlled with interval type-2 fuzzy logic controller (IT2FLC). The robustness and stability of the implemented controller are assessed under different situations including standing upright, forward motion and application of varying directions and magnitudes of outer disturbances to movable (up and down) system payload. It is shown that the two-wheeled wheelchair adopted by the newly introduced controller has achieved a 94% drop in torque for both Link1 and Link2 and more than 98% fall in distance travelled in comparison with fuzzy logic control type-1 (FLCT1) controller employed in an earlier design. The present study has further considered the increased nonlinearity and complexity of the additional moving payload. From the outcome of this study, it is obvious that the proposed IT2FLC-spiral dynamic algorithm demonstrates better performance than FLCT1 to manage the uncertainties and nonlinearities in case of a movable payload two-wheel wheelchair system

Malaysian children’s attitudes towards television advertising

Explores the attitudes of children in Malaysia’s competitive children’s market towards TV advertising, and how this affects their spending; children influence the market as immediate consumers, as influencers of their parents and other people, and as future adult consumers.Outlines the objectives and methodology of new quantitative research conducted into predictors of children’s attitudes, which also includes the effect of children’s attitudes on parents; the current research involved two primary schools in the Jitra town area, with a total of 252 children.Gives the background of child attitude research since Piaget, and explains the Rossiter scale.Identifies children’s preferences in products, themes and types of TV advertising.Finds that children’s awareness of advertising, and the influence on parents’ purchase decisions, are important predictors of child attitudes to advertising; the influence of TV advertising does impinge on consumer behaviour, whether of children or of their parents as a result of pestering, and younger children and children from lower social classes are especially susceptible to TV advertisements

Does true Gleason pattern 3 merit its cancer descriptor?

Nearly five decades following its conception, the Gleason grading system remains a cornerstone in the prognostication and management of patients with prostate cancer. In the past few years, a debate has been growing whether Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 prostate cancer is a clinically significant disease. Clinical, molecular and genetic research is addressing the question whether well characterized Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 disease has the ability to affect the morbidity and quality of life of an individual in whom it is diagnosed. The consequences of treatment of Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 disease are considerable; few men get through their treatments without sustaining some harm. Further modification of the classification of prostate cancer and dropping the label cancer for Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 disease might be warranted

RNA Interference in Schistosoma mansoni Schistosomula: Selectivity, Sensitivity and Operation for Larger-Scale Screening

RNA interference (RNAi) is a technique to selectively suppress mRNA of individual genes and, consequently, their cognate proteins. RNAi using double-stranded (ds) RNA has been used to interrogate the function of mainly single genes in the flatworm, Schistosoma mansoni, one of a number of schistosome species causing schistosomiasis. In consideration of large-scale screens to identify candidate drug targets, we examined the selectivity and sensitivity (the degree of suppression) of RNAi for 11 genes produced in different tissues of the parasite: the gut, tegument (surface) and otherwise. We used the schistosomulum stage prepared from infective cercariae larvae which are accessible in large numbers and adaptable to automated screening platforms. We found that RNAi suppresses transcripts selectively, however, the sensitivity of suppression varies (40%–>75%). No obvious changes in the parasite occurred post-RNAi, including after targeting the mRNA of genes that had been computationally predicted to be essential for survival. Additionally, we defined operational parameters to facilitate large-scale RNAi, including choice of culture medium, transfection strategy to deliver dsRNA, dose- and time-dependency, and dosing limits. Finally, using fluorescent probes, we show that the developing gut allows rapid entrance of dsRNA into the parasite to initiate RNAi

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Studies on resistance to yellow rust in barley

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D33583/81 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Knowledge and preventive behaviour among pregnant women with latent toxoplasmosis in Malaysia

Latent toxoplasmosis could induce various hormonal and behavioural perturbations in infected hosts. We aimed to study the latent seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and the relationship between infection, knowledge and behaviour among 400 pregnant mothers. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of T. gondii IgG antibodies while a structured questionnaire was used to record respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, general information and knowledge on plausible risk factors, symptoms, timing of infection, and preventive knowledge and behaviour regarding toxoplasmosis. The seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis among respondents was at 31.8%. This study indicated that 69.5% of them had poor knowledge of toxoplasmosis but most of them (99.8%) practised preventive behaviours. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women with low education levels (aOR: 1.91, 95% CI 1.18, 3.10; p = 0.008) and past medical history (aOR: 2.32, 95% CI 1.32, 4.06; p = 0.003) were both twice as likely to have anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity. Besides, women who were unsure regarding the transmission mode of the disease via blood transfusion were four times more likely (aOR: 3.93, 95% CI 1.54, 10.01; p = 0.004) to have chronic toxoplasmosis seroprevalence. Women who were unsure regarding the necessities of avoiding stray cats had aOR of 0.42 (95% CI 0.24, 0.71, p = 0.001) for chronic toxoplasmosis seroprevalence. Translating the knowledge on toxoplasmosis into the practice of preventive behaviour via a health education programme is crucial in reducing the risk of disease transmission especially among pregnant women