Embodiment as a means for scaffolding young childrenʼs social skill acquisition

In this paper, we discuss the notion of embodiment in the context of the ECHOES project, which aims at developing a multi-modal interactive environment for scaffolding young typically developing (TD) children and children with Asperger Syndrome (AS) in acquiring social interaction skills. Whilst, our approach to embodiment is in line with the current HCI trends, the pedagogical nature of ECHOES and the specific target users pose unusual challenges to the design and implementation of embodied interaction

Osteoporos Int

SummaryThe aim was to meta-analyze randomized controlled trials of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention. Meta-analysis showed a significant 15\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of total fractures (summary relative risk estimate [SRRE], 0.85; 95\uc2\ua0% confidence interval [CI], 0.73\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.98) and a 30\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95\uc2\ua0% CI, 0.56\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.87).IntroductionCalcium plus vitamin D supplementation has been widely recommended to prevent osteoporosis and subsequent fractures; however, considerable controversy exists regarding the association of such supplementation and fracture risk. The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs] of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and fracture prevention in adults.MethodsA PubMed literature search was conducted for the period from July 1, 2011 through July 31, 2015. RCTs reporting the effect of calcium plus vitamin D supplementation on fracture incidence were selected from English-language studies. Qualitative and quantitative information was extracted; random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to generate summary relative risk estimates (SRREs) for total and hip fractures. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Q test and the I2 statistic, and potential for publication bias was assessed.ResultsOf the citations retrieved, eight studies including 30,970 participants met criteria for inclusion in the primary analysis, reporting 195 hip fractures and 2231 total fractures. Meta-analysis of all studies showed that calcium plus vitamin D supplementation produced a statistically significant 15\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of total fractures (SRRE, 0.85; 95\uc2\ua0% confidence interval [CI], 0.73\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.98) and a 30\uc2\ua0% reduced risk of hip fractures (SRRE, 0.70; 95\uc2\ua0% CI, 0.56\ue2\u20ac\u201c0.87). Numerous sensitivity and subgroup analyses produced similar summary associations. A limitation is that this study utilized data from subgroup analysis of the Women\ue2\u20ac\u2122s Health Initiative.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis of RCTs supports the use of calcium plus vitamin D supplements as an intervention for fracture risk reduction in both community-dwelling and institutionalized middle-aged to older adults.2015-10-28T00:00:00Z26510847PMC471583

Assessment of safety and efficacy of a dietary supplement KaraLiv™ in supporting liver health: a double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

Background: The liver is responsible for many critical functions within the body. If the liver becomes diseased or injured, loss of those critical functions can cause significant damage to the body. KaraLivTM is a novel herbal formulation which contains a blend of different herbal extract ingredients. The current study tested the safety and efficacy of KaraLivTM versus a placebo control in supporting liver function.Methods: The study is a randomized, double-blind, parallel, and placebo-controlled study. A total of 60 patients were divided into 2 groups of 30 each. One group was given KaraLivTM and the other group was given a placebo for a period of 56 days. Treatment results were assessed by evaluating the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in both groups.Results: The herbal supplement KaraLivTM significantly supported healthy liver function compared to the placebo following the 56 days of treatment. The treatment (KaraLivTM) group showed a statistically significant improvement in assessed liver enzyme levels compared to the placebo group.Conclusions: The all-natural herbal supplement KaraLivTM is a safe and effective product that can significantly help support healthy liver function

On Measuring the top quark mass using the dilepton decay modes

We demonstrate a new likelihood method for extracting the top quark mass from events of the type ttbar-->bW(l+nu)bW(l+nu) This method estimates the top quark mass correctly from an ensemble of dilepton events. The method proposed by Dalitz and Goldstein [1] is shown to result in a systematic underestimation of the top quark mass. Effects due to the spin correlations between the top and anti-top quarks are shown to be unimportant in estimating the mass of the top quark.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the 1996 DPF/DPB study on new directions for High Energy Physics, Snowmass, Colorad

Ethnomedicinal Plants of Sirumalai Hills of Dindigul District, Tamilnadu, India

The present investigation is an attempt to an ethnomedicinal plants survey was carried out in Sirumalai Hills, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, for the exploration of various ailments herbal remedies. They routine use 40 medicinal plants for the treatment of several disease either in single or in combination with some other ingredients. The information on correct botanical identities with family, local name and traditional practice of 40 plant species belonging of 27 families are discussed here for the treatment of various illnesses

Ethnomedicinal Survey of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes and Jaundice Among the Villagers of Sivagangai District, Tamilnadu

The present study revealed that totally 12 and 10 modes of treatment were followed by the rural people of Sivagangai district to cure diabetes and jaundice respectively. The rural people of the study area were used 17 plants for diabetes and 12 for jaundice. Among them, 6 plants viz., Azadirachta indica, Carum nothum, Cynodon dactylon, Lablab purpureus, Momordica charantia and Phyllanthus amarus were used to cure both diabetes and jaundice. The plants were used either separately or in combination with other plants. These ethnomedicinal data may provide a base to start the search the new compounds related to phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacognosy. Attention should also be made on proper exploitation and utilization of these medicinal plants

A Combined Dual Leader and Relay Node Selection for Markov Cluster Based WSN Routing Protocol

The major challenge in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is to increase the node’s lifespan and decrease energy utilization. To avoid this issue, many Clustering Routing Protocols (CRPs) have been developed, where Cluster Head (CH) in each cluster accumulates the data from each other node and transfers it to the sink through Relay Nodes (RNs). But both CHs and RNs dissipate more energy to aggregate and transfer data. As a result, it is vital to choose the appropriate CHs and RNs concurrently to reduce energy utilization. Hence, this article proposes a Weighted Markov Clustering with Dual Leader and Relay node Selection based CRP (WMCL-DLRS-CRP) in WSNs. This protocol aims to lessen energy dissipation during inter- and intra-cluster communication. Initially, a Markov Clustering (MCL) algorithm is applied by the sink to create nodes into clusters based on a threshold distance. Then, a dual leader selection scheme is proposed to elect dual CHs in each cluster according to the node weighting factor that considers the node’s remaining energy, the distance between CHs and sink, the distance among all nodes, and abundance. Also, an RN selection scheme is proposed to choose the appropriate RNs based on a new Predicted Transmission Rate (PTR) factor. Moreover, the elected RNs transfer the data from the CHs to the sink, resulting in a tradeoff between the node’s energy utilization and lifetime. At last, extensive simulations illustrate that the WMCL-DLRS-CRP achieves better network performance compared to the existing protocols

Change in the room temperature magnetic property of ZnO upon Mn doping

We present in this paper the changes in the room temperature magnetic property of ZnO on Mn doping prepared using solvo-thermal process. The zero field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC) magnetisation of undoped ZnO showed bifurcation and magnetic hysteresis at room temperature. Upon Mn doping the magnetic hysteresis at room temperature and the bifurcation in ZFC-FC magnetization vanishes. The results seem to indicate that undoped ZnO is ferromagnetic while on the other hand the Mn doped ZnO is not a ferromagnetic system. We observe that on addition of Mn atoms the system shows antiferromagnetism with very giant magnetic moments.Comment: 5 figure

The Role of Soft skills in Empowering Fresh Engineering Graduates in India

Soft Skills are personal attributes that enables one to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. During campus recruitment process students with high grades fail to get a job due to poor soft skills. NASSCOM-McKinsey report (2005), states that only 25% of technical students and 10-15% of the general graduates in India are employable. In the recent past the awareness regarding soft skill has increased but the studentrsquos attitude and efforts to imbibe these qualities hasnrsquot.nbspConsidering the above facts it is high time that the present generation should change their attitude towards imbibing soft skills in their daily life. The growing population, increasing number of engineering colleges across the country, shrinking number of job opportunities and volatile market conditions will only add further burden to our younger generation.nbs