Bimodal Feedback for In-car Mid-air Gesture Interaction

This demonstration showcases novel multimodal feedback designs for in-car mid-air gesture interaction. It explores the potential of multimodal feedback types for mid-air gestures in cars and how these can reduce eyes-off-the-road time thus make driving safer. We will show four different bimodal feedback combinations to provide effective information about interaction with systems in a car. These feedback techniques are visual-auditory, auditory-ambient (peripheral vision), ambient-tactile, and tactile-auditory. Users can interact with the system after a short introduction, creating an exciting opportunity to deploy these displays in cars in the future

Evaluation of Haptic Patterns on a Steering Wheel

Infotainment Systems can increase mental workload and divert visual attention away from looking ahead on the roads. When these systems give information to the driver, provide it through the tactile channel on the steering, it wheel might improve driving behaviour and safety. This paper describes an investigation into the perceivability of haptic feedback patterns using an actuated surface on a steering wheel. Six solenoids were embedded along the rim of the steering wheel creating three bumps under each palm. Maximally, four of the six solenoids were actuated simultaneously, resulting in 56 patterns to test. Participants were asked to keep in the middle road of the driving simulator as good as possible. Overall recognition accuracy of the haptic patterns was 81.3%, where identification rate increased with decreasing number of active solenoids (up to 92.2% for a single solenoid). There was no significant increase in lane deviation or steering angle during haptic pattern presentation. These results suggest that drivers can reliably distinguish between cutaneous patterns presented on the steering wheel. Our findings can assist in delivering non-critical messages to the driver (e.g. driving performance, incoming text messages, etc.) without decreasing driving performance or increasing perceived mental workload

Accessory gene regulator types of Staphylococcus aureus isolated in Gorgan, North of Iran

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that has remained a persistent pathogen, causing infections such as endocarditis, meningitis, and toxic shock syndrome in humans. The accessory gene regulator (agr) system of Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for controlling the expression of many genes that code for virulence factors. In this study, we assessed the S.aureus agr Group, based on their source of isolation, in Gorgan, North of Iran. Materials and Methods: DNA of 194 S. aureus isolates was extracted by lysozyme-phenol chloroform method, which included 85 clinical samples, 58 samples which were isolated from noses of health care workers and 51 cases which were obtained from food products in Gorgan, northern Iran. PCR-based assays were used to evaluate agr locus nucleotide polymorphism for the identification of agr specificity Group. Distributions of each agr Group were determined and comparison between different sources was assessed by X2. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The majority of isolates belonged to agr Group I (43.3%), followed by agr Group III (28.87%), agr Group II (22.68%), and agr Group IV (5.15%). In our study, a majority of S. aureus isolates were recovered from health care workers and food product specimens were of agr Group I and isolates which were recovered from patients were of agr Group III. These differences were statistically significant (P=0.005). There was no statistical difference between the source of isolation of clinical samples of S.aureus and agr type. Conclusion: Agr Group I was predominant among health care workers and food product specimens in Gorgan, North of Iran, but in strains which were isolated from patients, agr Group III was predominant. Investigating the possible role of agr Group III in Staphylococcus aureus infection in future studies is recommended

3D printing of PEEK-based medical devices

open access articlePolyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is an excellent thermoplastic alternative to metallic biomaterials which is used for loadbearing applications due to its high strength and stiffness, and biocompatibility with no cytotoxic effects. However, a potential clinical concern is that PEEK alone is not bioactive enough, and thus has limited fixation to bone. To overcome this problem, bioactive materials and/or porosity are incorporated into PEEK medical devices. The latest developments in these two strategies are presented. in this paper. Bioactive PEEK/hydroxyapatite (HA) prepared by integration of 3D printing and compression molding is presented in this paper. In addition, nozzle and build plate temperatures for 3D printing of porous PEEK were optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) to achieve the highest mechanical strength for load bearing applications such as spinal fusion cages

Investigation of heavy metals in edible mushrooms consumed in Shahrekord

زمینه و هدف: آلودگی به فلزات سنگین یکی از نگرانی های مهم بهداشت مواد غذایی است. وجود عناصر سمی در بستر قارچ ها ممکن است منجر به جذب آن ها شود که در این صورت مصرف قارچ با اشکال مواجه خواهد شد. این تحقیق با هدف تعیین غلظت عناصر سنگین منگنز، کروم، آهن، سرب، روی و مس در قارچ خوراکی موجود در شهرکرد صورت گرفته است. روش بررسی: این مطالعه به روش مقطعی- توصیفی انجام گرفت. 6 نمونه از قارچ های خوراکی پرورشی موجود در بازار شهرکرد و 2 نمونه از قارچ خوراکی وحشی انتخاب گردید. نمونه برداری به روش سرشماری با 3 بار تکرار به فاصله ی زمانی یک ماهه در فصل بهار انجام شد. از هر نوع قارچ 3 نمونه و در مجموع تعداد 24 نمونه گرفته شد. نمونه ها با استفاده از روش هضم اسیدی هضم شدند، سپس توسط دستگاه اسپکترو متری جذب اتمی غلظت عناصر تعیین گردید. یافته ها: میانگین مقادیر سنجش شده روی (94/14&plusmn;29/61)، (11/29&plusmn;48/58)، آهن (69/8&plusmn;29/26)، (93/11&plusmn;30/28)، سرب (56/0&plusmn;05/2)، (35/0&plusmn;07/2)، کروم (41/0&plusmn;46/1)، (91/0&plusmn;1/1)، مس (68/5&plusmn;99/22)، (67/6&plusmn;83/25) و منگنز (72/0&plusmn;8/3)، (99/0&plusmn;25/6) میلی گرم در کیلوگرم به ترتیب در قارچ های پرورشی و وحشی به دست آمد. یافته های این تحقیق نشان می دهد که میانگین غلظت روی در هر 2 نوع قارچ (وحشی- پرورشی) در حد مجاز استاندارد (CODEX/FAO/WHO) کروم، سرب، آهن بیش تر از حد مجاز استاندارد و منگنز، مس کم تر از حد مجاز استاندارد به دست آمد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به اینکه برخی نمونه ها حاوی فلز سنگین کروم، سرب، آهن با مقادیر بالاتر از حد مجاز می باشند و با توجه به مصرف روز افزون قارچ های خوراکی پرورشی در ایران دقت بیش تری در مورد شرایط و محیط پرورشی قارچ ها لازم می باشد

S100B Protein as a Post-traumatic Biomarker for Prediction of Brain Death in Association With Patient Outcomes

Background: S100B is a calcium-binding protein, belonging to the S100 family proteins which are characterized by their high solubility and, currently, comprises 21 members which are expressed in a cell-specific manner. If we can predict the possibility of definite brain death after brain injury, we will rescue some organs of body to transplant proposes. Objectives: In this regard our study focused on the S100B protein value in predicting brain death after head trauma. In this study, the use of serum level of protein S100, 24 hours after trauma has been considered as a reliable index for predicting brain death. Patients and Methods: 72 patients (50 male and 22 female) aged 5 - 80 years old (median 40 ± 17.72 years) with severe head traumas (GCS ≤ 8) were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and computed tomography (CT) scan findings were recorded for all patients, and then a single 5mL blood sample was obtained from each patient on admission, after 48 hours and a week later or after brain death to determine the level of S100B protein. Results: Primary and the last GCS of patients had a predictive value in determining brain death (P < 0.0005), also there was a significant correlation between GCS and level of S100B protein. There was a significant correlation between CT scan findings and S100B protein only after 48 hours of trauma. Conclusions: Changes in S100B protein, especially the levels of this dimer 48 hours after trauma can be used as marker to predict brain death. Alongside other known prognostic factors such as age, GCS and diameters of the pupils, however, this factor individually can not conclusive predict the patient's clinical course and incidence of brain death. However, it is suitable to use GCS, CT scan, clinical symptoms and biomarkers together for a perfect prediction of brain death

The Rules of Forensic Medicine Examination in Diagnosis of Electrical injury in Childhood

Background: History taking is a duty that must get out in different situation as child's parents or in adults by themselves, to able provide the best helps in minimum time. Certainly, the information come out from history have significant effects on management plans. Case Presentation: A 16 months baby that transfers to ER department with complete cardiorespiratory arrest and after response to resuscitation the medical management was done for him. As history taking, he found unconsciousness near dress pan with wet dressing in bathroom. In physical exam the little impact traumatism on his/her head and face was detected. In blood and urine samples, there were not significant findings for toxicological screening. The physician requested for forensic specialist consultation for ruling out any child abuse doubt. The future examination was done by forensic team and they found the hyperkeratotic nodules on palmar surface of first phalange of right index finger due to electrocution. Conclusion: The history taking and following physical exam have greatest significant moment and the detailed and exact physical examination include whole parts of body, especially in children who couldn't present and complain about their problems completely

Down-regulation of miR-133a and miR-539 are associated with unfavorable prognosis in patients suffering from osteosarcoma

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in cancer development and progression. The purpose of the present study was to determine the expression levels of miR-133a and miR-539 in osteosarcoma patients and to further investigate the clinicopathological, and prognostic value of these miRNAs. Methods: The expression levels of miR-133a and miR-539 were determined by qRT-PCR. Associations between miRNAs expressions and various clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Survival rate was determined with Kaplan-Meier and statistically analyzed with the log-rank method between groups. Survival data were evaluated through multivariate Cox regression analysis Results: Our findings revealed that the miR-133a expression was significantly decreased in clinical osteosarcoma tissues compared to adjacent normal bone tissues. The expression level of miR-539 was decreased in clinical osteosarcoma tissues as compared to those adjacent normal tissues. Low expressions of miR-133a and miR-539 were significantly association with advanced TNM stage (P=0.002; P=0.001), and metastasis or recurrence (P=0.001; P=0.01). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test showed that the low expressions of miR-133a and miR-539 were correlated with the reduced overall survival of osteosarcoma patients. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that decreased expressions of miR-133a and miR-539 (P=0.007; P=0.02), TNM stage (P=0.001; P=0.002), and metastasis or recurrence (P=0.005; P=0.026) were independent prognostic markers of overall survival of patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that decreased miR-133a and miR-539 expressions may participate in the progression of osteosarcoma. Together, these results showed that miR-133a and miR-539 may have their role in both progression and prognosis of osteosarcoma. © 2015 Mirghasemi et al