1,734 research outputs found
WFOT special issue
In May 2018, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) held its congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The discipline of occupational science has a longstanding relationship with occupational therapy and the congress was an exciting opportunity to come together to showcase diverse perspectives on a shared occupational lens framing our understanding of the world, and our collaboration with the communities with which we research and work. Increasingly there has been a call within occupational science to consider more diverse perspectives; therefore, the timing was right to hear prominent, contemporary and highly relevant voices from the Global South, specifically those from the African continent
Adaptation to High Altitude
Hypoxia is inconsequential for physiologically fit persons below an effective altitude of 2640 metres. At higher altitudes, the adaptation is brought about by four main factors, viz., hyperventilation, increased diffusion of oxygen across alveolar membrane, erythrocythemia and maintenance of body hydration. Carbon dioxide sensitivity is markedly elevated at high altitude, both in sojourners and acclimatized low-landers. The greater pulmonary diffusing capacity observed in high altitude natives is well documented. RBC count, haemoglobin and haematocrit increase whereas arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation percentage decreases at high altitude. Diuretics (Furosemide) have no role in adaptation to high altitude and adequate body hydration must be maintained.The ultimate adaptive mechanisms occur at tissue level which facilitate the diffusion of oxygen from blood to tissue and its utilization. The work capacity decreases at high altitude and a relationship between load carried and speed of marching has been determined at various altitudes. Although altitude has an adverse effect on process of cold acclimatization, yet it is possible to induce cold acclimatization by exposing subjects to a temperature of 0┬░ to -5┬░C for a period of three hours daily for three weeks. The caloric requirements increase at high altitudes and are 4,286 K Cal and 4,380 K Cal at 13000 feet (3950 m) and 17000 feet (5170 m), respectively
A preliminary account of the fisheries of Vizhinjam
As a part of the research programme of the Central Marine Fisheries
Research Station, it was decided in 1948 to conduct a survey of the Indian
coastline to estimate the marine fish landing s,and to find out the types of
fish stocks available. As very little work (Bal and Banerji, 1951) has been
done in the past regarding the fishery resources of our country, a preliminary
survey was found essential before embarking on the final programme. With
this in view, the author conducted a preliminary survey in 1949 to ascertain
the number of fishing villages, boats, nets and fishermen along the coastal
strip extending from Cape Comorin in the south to Ponnani River in Malabar
District in the north. Based on the data thus collected, the final design to
estimate the landings was made. Initially five observation centres, Blangad
in South Malabar, Narakkal and Malippuram in Trichur District, Wadi
in Quilon District, and Vizhingam in Trivandrum District, of the erstwhile
Travancore-Cochin State, were selected. Regular observations were taken
at these centres in 1950. From 1951 onwards observations were restricted
to two centres, Narakkal and Vizhingam, and from January 1953 to August
1954 observations were confined to Vizhingam alone. From September
1954 onwards two more centres. Cape Comorin and Wadi, were also included
for the estimation of fish landings. As Vizhingam is a very important
fishing centre, and as data for five consecutive years were available it was
decided to embody the observations in the present paper as suggested by
Dr. N. K. Panikkar, the then Chief Research Officer, Central Marine
Fisheries Research Station, Mandapam Camp
AirCode: Unobtrusive Physical Tags for Digital Fabrication
We present AirCode, a technique that allows the user to tag physically
fabricated objects with given information. An AirCode tag consists of a group
of carefully designed air pockets placed beneath the object surface. These air
pockets are easily produced during the fabrication process of the object,
without any additional material or postprocessing. Meanwhile, the air pockets
affect only the scattering light transport under the surface, and thus are hard
to notice to our naked eyes. But, by using a computational imaging method, the
tags become detectable. We present a tool that automates the design of air
pockets for the user to encode information. AirCode system also allows the user
to retrieve the information from captured images via a robust decoding
algorithm. We demonstrate our tagging technique with applications for metadata
embedding, robotic grasping, as well as conveying object affordances.Comment: ACM UIST 2017 Technical Paper
Biomimetic route to hybrid nano-Composite scaffold for tissue engineering
Hydroxyapatite-poly(vinyl) alcohol-protein composites have been prepared by a biomimetic
route at ambient conditions, aged for a fortnight at 30┬▒2┬░C and given a shape in the form of
blocks by thermal cycling. The structural characterizations reveal a good control over the
morphology mainly the size and shape of the particles. Initial mechanical studies are very
encouraging. Three biocompatibility tests, i.e., hemocompatibility, cell adhesion, and toxicity
have been done from Shree Chitra Tirunal, Trivandrum and the results qualify their standards.
Samples are being sent for more biocompatibility tests. Optimization of the blocks in terms of
hydroxyapatite and polymer composition w.r.t the applications and its affect on the
mechanical strength have been initiated. Rapid prototyping and a ╬▓-tricalcium тАУ
hydroxyapatite combination in composites are in the offing
Pearl culture
Most scientific studies on oyster resources, biology and farming have been carried out in the twentieth
century. New approaches to our understanding of the intricate pattern of the oyster behaviour in respect
of feeding, reproduction, larval development and disease control have enabled scientists to plan and undertake
highly successful oyster farming in recent years. This is not only the situation in advanced countries but
has become a distinct possibility in India. Scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
have achieved remarkable success by carrying out extensive investigations relating to the breeding and farming
of the edible oyster during the past one decade. In addition to the evaluation of the potentialities of natural
resources in several zones of Indian coastal waters, estuaries and backwaters, suitable technologies for oyster
farming and hatchery production of oyster seed have been developed by the CMFRI. It would only be a
matter of time before commercial farming of the edible oyster takes place in the country
Studies on Raschel knotless netting
Production of knotless webbings is of recent origin in India. An attempt has been made to evaluate the quality of the product consequent to its introduction in the fishing industry. A method has been presented to fix up yarn specification for Raschel knotless nettings equivalent to a given knotted netting
Pearl and Chank Fisheries - A New Outlook in Survey and Fishing
The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay Zones of the east coast of the Madras state,
particularly the area from Rameshwaram to Manapad, are of very great fishing importance
as far as the pearl and chank fisheries are concerned. The submarine plateau of the inshore
areas of the sea here affords excellent habitat for the growth of the shell fish, Xnrcvs
pyrum (Linn.) (the sacred chank) and Pivcunla jucaia (Gould) (the pearl oyster).
Chank fishing and pearl fishing in this zone had been conducted from time immemorial
under the control of the State. All along the stretch of the sea-bottom, extensive, flat rocky
patches occur at a distance of 8-12 miles from the shore within 7-12 fathoms, separated
from one another and surrounded by equally extensive patches of fine sandy areas at the
same or slightly deeper zones. Whereas the chanks prefer fine and soft sandy areas called
locally 'Poochi-manal' or 'pirals' as their abode, the oysters are sedentary and are attached
to hard rocky substrata called'Pa ar'. Occasionally tfe one is found in the natural habitat
of the other. There are more than 65 well known'Paars' (rocky sea-bottom) and lesser in
number of good chank grounds in the Gulf of Mannar known to fisherman by their depth
and location fixed by land bearings. The sea bottrm on Palk Bay side is not rocky, at the
same time less shallow also. The chanks rrowing in this zone are classified as 'Patti' variety
which is priced less than the 'Jadhi' variety fished from Rameshwaram to Tiruchendur. The
differentiation between these two lie in the latter being elongate, elegantly formed, comparatively
narrower and with well balanced spire whereas the former is with a short spire.
The Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram chanks now constitute the bulk to meet the demand
from Bengal for chank bangle industry
Oyster culture- Status and prospects
Most scientific studies on oyster resources, biology and farming have been carried out in the twentieth
century. New approaches to our understanding of the intricate pattern of the oyster behaviour in respect
of feeding, reproduction, larval development and disease control have enabled scientists to plan and undertake
highly successful oyster farming in recent years. This is not only the situation in advanced countries but
has become a distinct possibility in India. Scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
have achieved remarkable success by carrying out extensive investigations relating to the breeding and farming
of the edible oyster during the past one decade. In addition to the evaluation of the potentialities of natural
resources in several zones of Indian coastal waters, estuaries and backwaters, suitable technologies for oyster
farming and hatchery production of oyster seed have been developed by the CMFRI. It would only be a
matter of time before commercial farming of the edible oyster takes place in the country
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