On the complexity of curve fitting algorithms

We study a popular algorithm for fitting polynomial curves to scattered data based on the least squares with gradient weights. We show that sometimes this algorithm admits a substantial reduction of complexity, and, furthermore, find precise conditions under which this is possible. It turns out that this is, indeed, possible when one fits circles but not ellipses or hyperbolas.Comment: 8 pages, no figure

Cavitation analysis of a double acting podded drive during ice milling

Propeller ice interaction is a complex phenomenon, which relies on innovative and complex experimental research in dedicated ice tank facilities. Whilst the ice tanks model the contact forces with good agreement, the hydrodynamic loading is often only assumed due to the inability to scale atmospheric pressure during these experiments. A small amount of research is however being conducted in cavitation tunnels using innovative methods to represent full scale ice milling conditions. Propulsor ice interaction tests in a cavitation tunnel are therefore both novel and uncommon due to their complexity. The Emerson Cavitation Tunnel at the University of Newcastle (ECT) has pioneered a series of ice milling tests within a cavitation tunnel using model ice. These ice milling tests allow an ice propulsor to experience correctly scaled cavitation numbers as a propeller interacts with ice. In all of the conditions tested, the current research observed presence and influence of cavitation and showed it to be a significant factor, something that is missing from standard ice tank tests. The work published in this paper forms part of a PhD research into the topic by the principal author [1].http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84309/1/CAV2009-final135.pd

Proximate Composition and Consumer Acceptability of Wheat-Soy Composite Rock Cake

Cookies are traditionally made from soft wheat, a cereal, which is cultivated mostly in temperate regions but imported by countries in the tropics with unfavorable climatic conditions to cultivate the cereal. The aim of the study was to determine the proximate composition and consumer acceptability of rock cakes developed from soy flour. Four different products were thus formulated viz., 0%, 20%, 25% and 75% being replaced with soy flour equivalence in each sample. Samples were examined for their proximate composition using AACC, 2000 methods. Sensory evaluation was also conducted under a 7-point hedonic scale, where 1 represented dislike extremely and 7 represented like extremely. Data was analyzed using SPSS v 20 at 95% confidence interval. Proximate composition analysis showed no significant difference between the means of the constituent nutrients measured. However, the proportionate increased percentage fat, fiber and protein; 26+2.45, 2.00+0.28 and 16.80+2.94 respectively, showed the potential effect of soybean flour in the production of rock cakes. The sensory analysis also showed no significant difference at P < 0.05 between the means and according to the hedonic scale evaluation, WSR11, WSR12 and WSR13 composite rock cakes compared to WSR10, the 100% wheat flour rock cake were “moderately liked” and “like very much” that is, between 5.3 to 6.6 by the fifteen semi-trained panelist. In effect, soybean flour could serve as a nutrient fortification raw product component and as well, to be accepted by consumers of pastries. Keywords: Rock cakes, proximate analysis, sensory analysis, consumer acceptability, hedoni

The effectiveness of interventions to improve the care and management of people with dementia in general hospitals: a systematic review

Background: People with dementia are at greater risk of being admitted to hospital where care may not be tailored to their needs. Interventions improving care and management are vital. Aim: Assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve the care and management of people with dementia in hospital. Method: Six medical and trial registry, and grey literature databases were searched (1999‐1998/2018). Search terms included “Dementia,” “Hospital,” and “Intervention” and limited to experimental designs. Interventions designed to improve the care and management of people with dementia in the general hospital setting were examined. Outcomes included behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), psychosocial, clinical, staff knowledge, and length of hospital stay. The CASP tools, Cochrane risk of bias tool, and GRADE system assessed methodological quality and certainty of evidence. Results: 9003 unique citations were identified; 24 studies were included. Studies were limited in study design and their conduct was at a risk of bias. There is very low‐quality evidence that multisensory behaviour therapy reduces BPSD. There is low‐quality evidence that a multidisciplinary programme reduces postoperative complications and that robot‐assisted therapy, music therapy, multimodal‐comprehensive care, person‐centred care, and family‐centred function‐focused care interventions improved staff knowledge, competence, efficacy, and communication. No studies reported reduced length of stay. Conclusions: Whilst we found that these interventions improved the care and management of people with dementia in hospital, it was low‐ to very low‐quality evidence. New clinical recommendations cannot be made based on current evidence, and robust trial designs are necessary to inform evidence‐based care

Defining end of life in dementia: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Dementia is a life-limiting condition that affects 50 million people globally. Existing definitions of end of life do not account for the uncertain trajectory of dementia. People living with dementia may live in the advanced stage for several years, or even die before they reach the advanced stage of dementia. AIM: To identify how end of life in people with dementia is measured and conceptualised, and to identify the factors that contribute towards identifying end of life in people with dementia. DESIGN: Systematic review and narrative synthesis. A protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42020183968). DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychInfo and CINAHL, were searched in April 2020. Eligible studies included adults with any dementia diagnosis, family carers and healthcare professionals caring for people with dementia, and a definition for end of life in dementia. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Various cut-off scores from validated tools, estimated prognoses and descriptive definitions were used to define end of life. Most studies used single measure tools which focused on cognition or function. There was no pattern across care settings in how end of life was defined. Healthcare professionals and family carers had difficulty recognising when people with dementia were approaching the end of life. CONCLUSIONS: End-of-life care and research that focuses only on cognitive and functional decline may fail to recognise the complexities and unmet needs relevant to dementia and end of life. Research and clinical practice should adopt a needs-based approach for people with dementia and not define end of life by stage of disease

Shrimp hatchery

Successful spawning of Penaeus japonicus under controlled conditions and their subsequent rearing upto the juvenile stage by Hudinaga (1942) and his team paved way for the large scale hatchery production of shrimp seed for aquaculture

Cholesterol and coronary heart disease: screening and treatment

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United Kingdom, accounting for just under one quarter of all deaths in 1995: 27% among men and 21% among women.1 Although many CHD deaths occur among elderly people, CHD accounts for 31% of male and 13% of female deaths within the 45–64 age group