Finite element model set-up of colorectal tissue for analyzing surgical scenarios

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has gained an extensive application in the medical field, such as soft tissues simulations. In particular, colorectal simulations can be used to understand the interaction with the surrounding tissues, or with instruments used in surgical procedures. Although several works have been introduced considering small displacements, as a result of the forces exerted on adjacent tissues, FEA applied to colorectal surgical scenarios is still a challenge. Therefore, this work aims to provide a sensitivity analysis on three geometric models, taking in mind different bioengineering tasks. In this way, a set of simulations has been performed using three mechanical models named Linear Elastic, Hyper-Elastic with a Mooney-Rivlin material model, and Hyper-Elastic with a YEOH material model

Refinements in maximum likelihood inference on spatial autocorrelation in panel data

In a panel data model with fixed effects, possible cross-sectional dependence is investigated in a spatial autoregressive setting. An Edgeworth expansion is developed for the maximum likelihood estimate of the spatial correlation coefficient. The expansion is used to develop more accurate interval estimates for the coefficient, and tests for cross-sectional independence that have better size properties, than corresponding rules of statistical inference based on first order asymptotic theory. Comparisons of finite sample performance are carried out using Monte Carlo simulations

Higher-Order Least Squares Inference for Spatial Autoregressions

We develop refined inference for spatial regression models with predetermined regressors. The ordinary least squares estimate of the spatial parameter is neither consistent, nor asymptotically normal, unless the elements of the spatial weight matrix uniformly vanish as sample size diverges. We develop refined testing of the hypothesis of no spatial dependence, without requiring negligibility of spatial weights, by formal Edgeworth expansions. We also develop higher-order expansions for both an unstudentized and a studentized transformed estimator, where the studentized one can be used to provide refined interval estimates. A Monte Carlo study of finite sample performance is included

Adoption and motivational factors for online grocery shopping in the UK

Following upon the results of previous qualitative research (Authors, 2005), the objective of this paper is to confirm the role of situational variables in the adoption process of online grocery shopping. Situational variables and life events in particular (e.g. having a baby, health problems) emerge as the trigger for starting online grocery shopping for two clusters. However, the adoption of e-grocery shopping seems to be re-evaluated frequently and consequently post-adoption evaluation appears crucial to the decision of whether to continue with or to drop internet grocery shopping

Digital design of medical replicas via desktop systems: shape evaluation of colon parts

In this paper, we aim at providing results concerning the application of desktop systems for rapid prototyping of medical replicas that involve complex shapes, as, for example, folds of a colon. Medical replicas may assist preoperative planning or tutoring in surgery to better understand the interaction among pathology and organs. Major goals of the paper concern with guiding the digital design workflow of the replicas and understanding their final performance, according to the requirements asked by the medics (shape accuracy, capability of seeing both inner and outer details, and support and possible interfacing with other organs). In particular, after the analysis of these requirements, we apply digital design for colon replicas, adopting two desktop systems. ,e experimental results confirm that the proposed preprocessing strategy is able to conduct to the manufacturing of colon replicas divided in self-supporting segments, minimizing the supports during printing. ,is allows also to reach an acceptable level of final quality, according to the request of having a 3D presurgery overview of the problems. ,ese replicas are compared through reverse engineering acquisitions made by a structured-light system, to assess the achieved shape and dimensional accuracy. Final results demonstrate that low-cost desktop systems, coupled with proper strategy of preprocessing, may have shape deviation in the range of ±1 mm, good for physical manipulations during medical diagnosis and explanation

Embedding TEL in an initial course in Teaching & Learning in HE: a co-design approach

This research project explored how best to embed the use of social web tools in an initial teacher education programme by involving participants in the design process. A mixed-methods approach was used to find out participants experience of participatory learning using social web tools and interest in learning more about their use in higher education as part of the course.It also sought out participants preferred ways of learning and levels of interest in giving and receiving peer support. Results indicate that overall many participants have experience of using a range of social web tools as students, professionally or for personal use. The social web tools most participants selected to learn more about were cloud-based software for creating slides and topic curation tools and the least popular choices were video and podcast creation for courses or as assignments for students. Although participants expressed interest in a range of ways of learning, using the technology as part of a session and reading a bi-monthly newsletter were the most popular means.A proposal for introducing social web tools into the programme was made following on from the findings and the activities have been reviewed and adapted as part of an ongoing process

Using an open digital space assessment on a course for new teachers in higher education

An assignment was devised in an open online space to enable participants on a year-long initial teacher education course to deepen and share their knowledge on a teaching-related topic of interest, to develop their digital skills and to enable reflection on their experience of the task. After two cohorts had completed the assignment, a small research project was then carried out to explore participants experience of and attitudes towards this type of assessment. Survey responses suggest that, overall, participants found it to be a worthwhile activity that encouraged them to engage with the literature and reflect on their own and others practice. Participants also critiqued the task implementation and commented on how they would adapt it within their own teaching contexts to encourage fuller engagement with the tasks. Following feedback the assignment brief was fully revised for the following year

A Multisite Evaluation of Pediatric Asthma-Related Treatment in Accordance to the 2007 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Expert Panel Report — 3 Guidelines

Background: To determine if Georgia-based healthcare providers who received continuing education on pediatric asthma as described by 2007 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Expert Panel Report – 3 guidelines demonstrated improvements in asthma-related treatment. Methods: We used a multi-site, cross-sectional design. Data were collected via surveys administered to healthcare providers and via randomized medical chart abstractions. Chart abstraction occurred at 12 months prior to intervention (n = 149); one month post-intervention (n = 208); and three months post-intervention (n = 123). Results: Substantial improvements were observed among the providers who used pre/post bronchodilator spirometry (5% at baseline, 12% at one month, and 19% at three months), and there was a significant increase in the number of patients being advised to improve conditions at home or school to avoid asthma triggers (9% at baseline, 43% at one month, and 37% at three months). However, prescription of preventive medications and patients being taught proper medication/spacer technique by providers decreased from baseline to three-months (69% vs 55% and 41% vs 27%, respectively). Providers’ self-reported barriers and patient load were consistently associated with poorer treatment outcomes. Healthcare providers who received continuing education on NHLBI - EPR 3 guidelines demonstrated an increase in spirometry use and in advising patients on improving home and school conditions. While these findings are useful, provider-reported barriers such as time, organizational, and insurance barriers prevent providers from effectively systematically incorporating all of the EPR 3 guidelines. Conclusions: Internal efforts to address clinical barriers combined with continued education may result in improvements in pediatric asthma-related treatment outcomes

Strong genetic influences on the stability of autistic traits in childhood

Objective: Disorders on the autism spectrum, as well as autistic traits in the general population, have been found to be both highly stable across age and highly heritable at individual ages. However, little is known about the overlap in genetic and environmental influences on autistic traits across age and the contribution of such influences to trait stability itself. The present study investigated these questions in a general population sample of twins. Method: More than 6,000 twin pairs were rated on an established scale of autistic traits by their parents at 8, 9, and 12 years of age and by their teachers at 9 and 12 years of age. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: The results indicated that, consistently across raters, not only were autistic traits stable, and moderately to highly heritable at individual ages, there was also a high degree of overlap in genetic influences across age. Furthermore, autistic trait stability could largely be accounted for by genetic factors, with the environment unique to each twin playing a minor role. The environment shared by twins had virtually no effect on the longitudinal stability in autistic traits. Conclusions: Autistic traits are highly stable across middle childhood and this stability is caused primarily by genetic factors

YouthBuild Providence: Public Relations Plan

We are targeting small local businesses because our survey showed us that they are the best source to solicit donations from. Small businesses also tend to care about their image within the community they operate in. If a business decides to donate to YouthBuild, they will be perceived as caring and philanthropic within the community. This action makes people feel more comfortable with their organization and therefore more willing to choose their business over their competition that may not give back. Due to that reasoning, businesses tend to look for charitable organizations to donate to. Small businesses also often times feel a sense of responsibility towards the communities they are a part of, making them more prone to return the wealth