A Universalist strategy for the design of Assistive Technology

Assistive Technologies are specialized products aiming to partly compensate for the loss of autonomy experienced by disabled people. Because they address special needs in a highly-segmented market, they are often considered as niche products. To improve their design and make them tend to Universality, we propose the EMFASIS framework (Extended Modularity, Functional Accessibility, and Social Integration Strategy). We first elaborate on how this strategy conciliates niche and Universalist views, which may appear conflicting at first sight. We then present three examples illustrating its application for designing Assistive Technologies: the design of an overbed table, an upper-limb powered orthose and a powered wheelchair. We conclude on the expected outcomes of our strategy for the social integration and participation of disabled people

Non-linear finite-element analysis of the shear response in prestressed concrete bridges

For the structural assessment of concrete bridges, the non-linear finite-element method has become an important and increasingly used tool. The method has shown a great potential to reveal higher load-carrying capacity compared with conventional assessment methods. However, the modelling method used for reinforced and prestressed concrete members subjected to shear and torsion has been questioned. The aim of this study is to present an analysis method for evaluation of the load-carrying capacity of prestressed concrete bridges, when failure resulting from shear and torsion is the main problem. The modelling method used was previously worked out and verified for shear-type cracking and shear failure. Here, shell elements with embedded reinforcement were used together with non-linear material models, taking into account the fracture energy of cracking plain concrete and the reduction of the concrete compression strength owing to lateral tensile strain. Analyses with the method proposed have shown to predict the shear response and the shear capacity on the safe side. In the work presented here, the load-carrying capacity of a box-girder bridge was evaluated as a case study. The whole bridge was modelled, but only the part that was most critical to shear and torsion was modelled according to the method previously worked out and was combined with beam elements for the rest of the bridge. The case study showed a substantially higher load-carrying capacity for the bridge compared with the assessment with conventional methods. In the evaluation, several possible safety formats were used in combination with the non-linear finite-element method. It was shown that the format using partial safety factors gave unrealistic conservative results; it is more correct to use the semi-probabilistic formats for non-linear finite-element analysis. \ua9 2009 Thomas Telford Ltd

Development of modelling strategies for two-way RC slabs

Analyses of tested two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs were carried out with varying modelling choices to develop better modelling strategies. The aim was to study how accurately the response of a slab subjected to bending could be predicted with nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis using three-dimensional (3D) continuum elements, and how the modelling choices might influence the analysis results. The load-carrying capacity, load-deflection response, crack pattern and reaction-force distribution of the two-way slab studied were compared to experimental data available. The influence of several modelling parameters was investigated, including geometric nonlinearity, element properties, concrete model, reinforcement model and boundary condition. The results show the possibility of accurately reflecting the experimental results concerning load-carrying capacity, load-deflection response and crack pattern giving proper modelling choices. Moreover, the reaction force distribution was found to be highly influenced by the stiffness of the supports

Understanding experiences of participating in a weight loss lifestyle intervention trial: a qualitative evaluation of South Asians at high risk of diabetes

<b>Objective</b> To explore the reasons for enrolling, experiences of participating and reasons for remaining in a family-based, cluster randomised controlled trial of a dietitian-delivered lifestyle modification intervention aiming to reduce obesity in South Asians at high risk of developing diabetes.<p></p> <b>Design</b> Qualitative study using narrative interviews of a purposive sample of trial participants following completion of the intervention. Data were thematically analysed.<p></p> <b>Setting</b> The intervention was conducted in Scotland and resulted in a modest decrease in weight, but did not statistically reduce the incidence of diabetes.<p></p> <b>Participants</b> We conducted 21 narrative interviews with 24 participants (20 trial participants and four family volunteers).<p></p> <b>Results</b> Many participants were motivated to participate because of: known family history of diabetes and the desire to better understand diabetes-related risks to their own and their family's health; ways to mitigate these risks and to benefit from personalised monitoring. Home-based interventions, communication in the participant's chosen language(s) and continuity in dietitians supported their continuing engagement with the trial. Adaptations in food choices were initially accommodated by participants, although social and faith-based responsibilities were reported as important barriers to persevering with agreed dietary goals. Many participants reported that increasing their level of physical activity was difficult given their long working hours, physically demanding employment and domestic commitments; this being compounded by Scotland's challenging climate and a related reluctance to exercise in the outdoors.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Although participants had strong personal interests in participation and found the information provided by dietitians useful, they nonetheless struggled to incorporate the dietary and exercise recommendations into their daily lives. In particular, increasing levels of physical exercise was described as an additional and in some cases unachievable burden. Consideration needs to be given to strengthening and supporting lifestyle interventions with community-based approaches in order to help overcome wider social and environmental factors

Samarbetsprojekt för effektivare brobyggande

Den svenska anläggningsbranschen har i ett flertal utredningar fått skarp kritik på grund av dålig produktivitet. Forskning visar på samma tendenser i övriga Europa och USA. Vissa mätningar tyder på att byggandet i den svenska anläggningsbranschen har en kostnadsökning som är dubbelt så hög jämfört med övriga branscher under de senaste 20 åren. Låg produktivitet och låg innovationsförmåga i byggbranschen leder till högre kostnader som inte garanterat ger en högre kvalitet. Trenden behöver vändas så att avkastningen på investeringar i vår infrastruktur ökar! Det första steget är att integrera konstruktions- och produktionsprocesserna, vilket ger kortare ledtider för både planering och uppförande av byggnadsverk. Onödigt långa byggtider orsakar störningar för andra aktörer i samhället. I ett pågående doktorandprojekt, som är ett samarbete mellan Trafikverket, WSP och Chalmers, söks möjligheten till att öka produktiviteten inom den svenska anläggningsbranschen. Huvudspåret är att utveckla och industrialisera brobyggandet. En effektivare byggindustri skapar möjligheter till att generera ett mervärde för samhället där mervärdet exempelvis kan motsvaras av att konstruktioner byggs med högre kvalitet till samma kostnad som idag alternativt samma eller högre kvalitet till en lägre kostnad än idag. Bortsett från rena kostnader bör naturligtvis en effektivare byggindustri också se till att lösningar väljs utifrån ett hållbart samhälle men med bibehållen fokus på produktivitet och innovation. En sådan lösning kan variera från själva processen till konstruktionsdetaljer

Medicalization of global health 2: the medicalization of global mental health

Once an orphan field, ‘global mental health’ now has wide acknowledgement and prominence on the global health agenda. Increased recognition draws needed attention to individual suffering and the population impacts, but medicalizing global mental health produces a narrow view of the problems and solutions. Early framing by advocates of the global mental health problem emphasised biological disease, linked psychiatry with neurology, and reinforced categories of mental health disorders. Universality of biomedical concepts across culture is assumed in the globalisation of mental health but is strongly disputed by transcultural psychiatrists and anthropologists. Global mental health movement priorities take an individualised view, emphasising treatment and scale-up and neglecting social and structural determinants of health. To meet international targets and address the problem's broad social and cultural dimensions, the global mental health movement and advocates must develop more comprehensive strategies and include more diverse perspectives

Metodology for Risk-based Indicators Impementation

The article describes the principle of creating a riskbased indicators in companies operating in an air transport. The first part deals with the description of safety indicators and introduce the concept of risk-based indicators. The next section describes the procedure for creating the base of risk-based indicators and describes specific examples of developed indicators

Correction: Modelling Influence and Opinion Evolution in Online Collective Behaviour.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157685.]

Knowledge and attitudes about health research amongst a group of Pakistani medical students

Background Health research training is an important part of medical education. This study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding health research in a group of Pakistani medical students at Aga Khan University, Karachi. Methods It was a cross-sectional pilot study conducted among a group of Pakistani medical students. Through stratified random sampling, a pre-tested, structured and validated questionnaire was administered to 220 medical students. Knowledge and attitudes were recorded on a scale (graduated in percentages). Results Mean scores of students were 49.0% on knowledge scale and 53.7% on attitude scale. Both knowledge and attitudes improved significantly with increasing years of study in medical college [Regression coefficient 4.10 (p-value; 0.019) and 6.67 (p-value; \u3c 0.001) for knowledge and attitudes, respectively]. Conclusion Medical students demonstrate moderate level of knowledge and attitude towards health research. Intensive training in this regard is associated with significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes of students towards health research