The unitary ability of IQ in the WISC-IV and its computation

Flanagan and Kaufman (2009) use a difference of 23 IQ points between the highest score (Max) and the lowest score (Min) reported by subjects in the 4 Indexes of Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, Working Memory and Processing Speed to define unitarity of IQ in the WISC-IV. Such a difference in scores is considered very rare and the authors therefore conclude that the total IQ scores in these cases cannot be interpreted. Hereby, we want to argue against the choice of this cut-off threshold value by showing that it was based on the wrong standard deviation value when first computed

human-centered design for water, sanitation, and hygiene: Insights from jakarta

This paper aims to investigate how human-centered design (HCD), combined with participatory design methods, can address complex problems in communities such as the slums in Jakarta, Indonesia. Literature review points out that even though it embraces a participatory approach and employs some participatory methods, HCD is not purely participatory. This is because HCD allows designers (and researchers) a certain degree of control that would not be accommodated within a pure participatory approach. After establishing proper reasonings for choosing the HCD methodology, the methods of Card Sort, Solution Card, and In-depth Interviews were utilized to investigate the problems of the people living in slums in Jakarta, especially in the field of WASH: water, sanitation, and hygiene. Insights gathered suggest that most of the issues are closely related to low income and the lack of proper infrastructure in the community. Utilizing the methodology of HCD as well as encouraging participatory engagement in a context with such complex issues was proven to be essential in understanding the problems at hand and informing the creation of suitable solutions

DESIGN FOR AMELIORATION: FRAMEWORK OF DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY TOOL

Design for Sustainability (DfS) tools are used adjacent to a design process to determine the sustainability level of the proposed solution be it a product, service, or a combination of both. A DfS tool must assess all three pillars of sustainability: people, planet, and profit. Different types of DfS tools are cataloged and compared and the findings show that many of them are underdeveloped while others are still in a theoretical stage. Some underperform in one or two pillars of sustainability thus can only be categorized as partial DfS tools. These tools are then fitted into the framework of the human-centered design process due to its focus on the people pillar of sustainability which is often overlooked. While many tools are suitable to be used in one particular stage of a design process, analysis shows that only a small number of them are comprehensive enough to be used throughout the entirety of the design process. The versatility of different DfS tools is deemed essential because it allows designers to keep track of their projects at any point in the design process. A framework for a more comprehensive DfS tool is then proposed, called Design for Amelioration, with which designers assess the sustainability level of all pillars of sustainability at every stage of the design process

Essential Spectrum for Maxwell’s Equations

We study the essential spectrum of operator pencils associated with anisotropic Maxwell equations, with permittivity ε, permeability μ and conductivity σ, on finitely connected unbounded domains. The main result is that the essential spectrum of the Maxwell pencil is the union of two sets: namely, the spectrum of the pencil div((ωε+iσ)∇⋅), and the essential spectrum of the Maxwell pencil with constant coefficients. We expect the analysis to be of more general interest and to open avenues to investigation of other questions concerning Maxwell’s and related systems

Acute kidney injury and critical limb ischaemia associated with the use of the so called "legal high" 3-Fluorophenmetrazine

Until the law in the United Kingdom changed in May 2016 so called “legal highs” or “new psychoactive substances” were freely available in high street shops across the United Kingdom (UK). Following prohibition these drugs are still easily purchased illegally via the internet. We report a case of a patient who self-administered 3-Fluorophenmetrazine intravenously with catastrophic consequences. Adverse effects were almost immediate with symptoms of malaise and tachycardia. Two days post administration he was transferred to the intensive therapy unit with acute kidney injury and irreversible four limb ischaemia. He required a period of renal replacement therapy and bilateral lower limb amputation. This case highlights the fact that new psychoactive substances have many unintended adverse effect which have not been previously described. Multiple routes of administration are used by people taking these agents including intravenously. Medical practitioners should always consider ingestion of new psychoactive substances in the differential diagnosis of acutely ill patients