Condition sensor system and method

The condition sensor system comprises a condition detector which produces a pulse when a parameter of the monitored condition exceeds a desired threshold. A resettable condition counter counts each pulse. A resettable timer is preset to produce a particular time frame. The counter produces a condition signal when the accumulated number of pulses within the time frame is equal to or greater than a preset count. Control means responsive to the incoming pulses and to the condition signal produce control signals that control utilization devices. After a suitable delay, the last detected pulse simultaneously resets the pulse counter and the timer, and prepares them for sensing another condition occurrence within the time frame. The invention has particular utility in the process of detecting rocking motions of blind people. A controlled, audible, bio-feedback signal is provided which constitutes a warning to the blind person that he is rocking

Zoogeography, ecology, and systematics of the genus Rhagovelia Mayr (Heteroptera: Veliidae) in Borneo, Celebes, and the Moluccas

The genus Rhagovelia is revised for the region comprising Borneo, Celebes, and the Moluccas. Redescriptions are given for species previously described from the area, and 26 new species are described. Figures of the dorsal habitus and key characters are provided for all species, accompanied by a key to species and distribution maps. Species occurring in the region are divided into eight monophyletic intrageneric species groups, some of which also contain members outside the region, based primarily on wing venation, thoracic morphology, and genitalia. A zoogeographic analysis is presented based on the distribution of these groups within the Malay Archipelago and surrounding regions. We conclude that the present Rhagovelia fauna of the Malay Archipelago is derived from species which originated in continental Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Caledonia. Distinct lineages have entered the region from each of these three source areas, penetrating the archipelago with differing degrees of success and contributing to the fauna of each individual island to varying extents. Species groups of Asian origin do not extend beyond Celebes and the Lesser Sunda islands, while species groups of Papuan origin are absent in the Lesser Sundas and do not extend west of Borneo. Endemic species groups have also arisen on New Guinea, the Philippines, the north Moluccas, and Borneo. A section on ecology and behavior is provided, dealing in particular with the altitudinal segregation of species on individual islands. The following new Rhagovelia species are described: bacanensis, borneensis, celebensis, christenseni, grayi, hamdjahi, incognita, lorelinduana, meikdelyi, melanopsis, minahasa, obi, pruinosa, ranau, sabela, samardaca, samarinda, sarawakensis, silau, simulata, sondaica, sulawesiana, tawau, lebakang, unica, and wallacei. Rhagovelia mindanaoensis Hungerford and Matsuda 1961 is synonymized with Rhagovelia orientalis Lundblad 1937 (new synonymy)

A new species and new records of Engytatus from the Hawaiian Islands (Heteroptera, Miridae)

Engytatus henryi sp. n. is described from the Waianae Mountains of Oahu. This new species feeds on Abutilon sandwicense (Malvaceae), an endangered understory plant in mesic forests. A dorsal habitus photograph and line drawings of key male genitalic structures are provided for E. henryi, accompanied by a photograph of the host plant. Cyrtopeltis kahakai Asquith is given a new generic assignment as Engytatus kahakai (Asquith) new combination, and additional locality and host-plant records are provided for four other Hawaiian endemic Engytatus species

Application of advanced technology to space automation

Automated operations in space provide the key to optimized mission design and data acquisition at minimum cost for the future. The results of this study strongly accentuate this statement and should provide further incentive for immediate development of specific automtion technology as defined herein. Essential automation technology requirements were identified for future programs. The study was undertaken to address the future role of automation in the space program, the potential benefits to be derived, and the technology efforts that should be directed toward obtaining these benefits

Connecting real-world digital mobility assessment to clinical outcomes for regulatory and clinical endorsement-the Mobilise-D study protocol

BACKGROUND The development of optimal strategies to treat impaired mobility related to ageing and chronic disease requires better ways to detect and measure it. Digital health technology, including body worn sensors, has the potential to directly and accurately capture real-world mobility. Mobilise-D consists of 34 partners from 13 countries who are working together to jointly develop and implement a digital mobility assessment solution to demonstrate that real-world digital mobility outcomes have the potential to provide a better, safer, and quicker way to assess, monitor, and predict the efficacy of new interventions on impaired mobility. The overarching objective of the study is to establish the clinical validity of digital outcomes in patient populations impacted by mobility challenges, and to support engagement with regulatory and health technology agencies towards acceptance of digital mobility assessment in regulatory and health technology assessment decisions. METHODS/DESIGN The Mobilise-D clinical validation study is a longitudinal observational cohort study that will recruit 2400 participants from four clinical cohorts. The populations of the Innovative Medicine Initiative-Joint Undertaking represent neurodegenerative conditions (Parkinson's Disease), respiratory disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), neuro-inflammatory disorder (Multiple Sclerosis), fall-related injuries, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and frailty (Proximal Femoral Fracture). In total, 17 clinical sites in ten countries will recruit participants who will be evaluated every six months over a period of two years. A wide range of core and cohort specific outcome measures will be collected, spanning patient-reported, observer-reported, and clinician-reported outcomes as well as performance-based outcomes (physical measures and cognitive/mental measures). Daily-living mobility and physical capacity will be assessed directly using a wearable device. These four clinical cohorts were chosen to obtain generalizable clinical findings, including diverse clinical, cultural, geographical, and age representation. The disease cohorts include a broad and heterogeneous range of subject characteristics with varying chronic care needs, and represent different trajectories of mobility disability. DISCUSSION The results of Mobilise-D will provide longitudinal data on the use of digital mobility outcomes to identify, stratify, and monitor disability. This will support the development of widespread, cost-effective access to optimal clinical mobility management through personalised healthcare. Further, Mobilise-D will provide evidence-based, direct measures which can be endorsed by regulatory agencies and health technology assessment bodies to quantify the impact of disease-modifying interventions on mobility. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN12051706

Matrix Black Holes

Four and five dimensional extremal black holes with nonzero entropy have simple presentations in M-theory as gravitational waves bound to configurations of intersecting M-branes. We discuss realizations of these objects in matrix models of M-theory, investigate the properties of zero-brane probes, and propose a measure of their internal density. A scenario for black hole dynamics is presented.Comment: 26 pages, harvmac; a few more references and additional comment

Nitric Oxide Contributes to Vasomotor Tone in Hypertensive African Americans Treated With Nebivolol and Metoprolol

Endothelial dysfunction is more prevalent in African Americans (AAs) compared with whites. The authors hypothesized that nebivolol, a selective β1 -antagonist that stimulates nitric oxide (NO), will improve endothelial function in AAs with hypertension when compared with metoprolol. In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, 19 AA hypertensive patients were randomized to a 12-week treatment period with either nebivolol 10 mg or metoprolol succinate 100 mg daily. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured using plethysmography at rest and after intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside to estimate endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation, respectively. Physiologic vasodilation was assessed during hand-grip exercise. Measurements were repeated after NO blockade with L-N(G) -monomethylarginine (L-NMMA) and after inhibition of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) with tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA). NO blockade with L-NMMA produced a trend toward greater vasoconstriction during nebivolol compared with metoprolol treatment (21% vs 12% reduction in FBF, P=.06, respectively). This difference was more significant after combined administration of L-NMMA and TEA (P\u3c.001). Similarly, there was a contribution of NO to exercise-induced vasodilation during nebivolol but not during metoprolol treatment. There were significantly greater contributions of NO and EDHF to resting vasodilator tone and of NO to exercise-induced vasodilation with nebivolol compared with metoprolol in AAs with hypertension

Examining the difference between 10- and 20-min of immersive virtual reality on symptoms, affect, and central sensitization in people with chronic back pain

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is increasingly used as a treatment for chronic pain. In this crossover randomized pilot study, we examined the effect of 10- and 20-min dosages on back pain intensity, affect, and measures of pain sensitization in people with chronic back pain (CBP). Twenty-one people with CBP were seen for two visits of IVR. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 10- or 20-min of IVR in Visit 1 and the other dosage in Visit 2. Our primary analyses were effect sizes and simple inferential comparisons for pain intensity, affect, fatigue, and measures of pain sensitization assessed using quantitative sensory testing. Overall, IVR had a moderate, significant effect in reducing back pain intensity, negative affect, and painful aftersensations. When dosage was examined, 20-min had a moderate, significant effect on pain while 10-min had a small, non-significant effect, although the between-dosage difference was non-significant. Interestingly, effects were much larger in Visit 1, particularly for 20-min, but this diminished in Visit 2, and both dosages had a smaller effect in Visit 2. We interpret these results to indicate that pain modulation may be associated with novelty and engagement that can attenuate over time if the IVR encounter is not sufficiently engaging. Moreover, that if participants are engaged in a single session, 20-min may be necessary to obtain sufficient competency with IVR, while in subsequent sessions, 10-min of IVR may be sufficient to affect pain

Evaluation of the Implementation of a Home-Based Exercise Training Program for People With COPD: A Mixed-Methods Study

Introduction: Recently, we developed a home-based, minimal-equipment exercise training program HOMEX for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tested its effectiveness over 1 year in a randomized controlled trial. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the implementation of HOMEX from the perspectives of all involved persons and to optimize the program to ensure its long-term sustainability.Methods: In this mixed-methods study, we used qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate the implementation of the intervention on the level of patients with COPD and coaches who provided the intervention and relevant stakeholders. To assess the implementation outcomes dose, reach, fidelity, and adherence, we summarized information recorded in the notes of the coaches and the diaries of patients, complemented with results from qualitative assessments. To assess acceptability and appropriateness, we conducted surveys with patients and coaches, and semistructured interviews with selected patients, coaches, and stakeholders.Results: The coaches delivered the three home visits with one exception according to the protocol (fidelity). Of the 53 intervention group participants, 37 (70%) conducted HOMEX training until the end of the study and 43 (79%) trained for at least 10 months. The exercise behaviors of the participants could be separated into the phases “Starting the training and stabilizing into regular training routine” and “Managing training disruptions” (adherence). Overall, patients, coaches, and stakeholders conveyed a very high “acceptability” of HOMEX, noting the home-based aspect as a particular strength and interaction with other patients as future need. All involved groups perceived the strength-training exercises as appropriate, efficient for people with COPD, and relevant to maintain improvements after pulmonary rehabilitation. The most important facilitators of the patients for long-term motivation were self-perceived improvement in strength, supervision by a coach, and integration of the training in daily routine. Based on these insights, we redesigned and reworded the exercise cards, introduced three new exercises, and refined the training book.Discussion: The results of this study provided insights of the involved persons in the frame of the HOMEX intervention implementation with a particular focus on the long-term training behavior of the participants and their perception and experience with the exercise program. These findings enabled us to optimize the training material and adapt the structure of the program for sustainable further use in clinical and other settings