Perceived self-control of seizures in patients with uncontrolled partial epilepsy

SummaryMany patients with epilepsy have warning symptoms prior to seizure onset, and some of these individuals report the ability to abort or prevent these seizures. We investigated the clinical characteristics of perceived self-control of seizures in 174 patients with uncontrolled partial epilepsy. The warning symptoms were categorized as premonitory (prodrome) and as initial symptoms of simple partial seizure onset, depending on the relationship between the warning events and the ensuing seizures. About 50% of the patients with simple partial seizure onset and about 70% of those with prodrome or premonitory symptoms reported that they could abort or prevent their seizures by various self-developed techniques. Patients who attempted to abort or prevent their seizures reported success rates as high as 80%. The proportion of patients with secondary generalized seizures was significantly lower in patients who tried to abort their seizures than in those who did not (p<0.05). The ability to prevent seizures was significantly higher in patients with brain lesions on MRI than in those without lesions (p<0.05). These results suggest that spontaneously developed methods are helpful in controlling seizures in some patients with uncontrolled partial epilepsy and that the potential success of self-control methods may be influenced by structural abnormalities on brain MRI

Effect of Ag nanoparticle concentration on the electrical and ferroelectric properties of Ag/P(VDF-TrFE) composite films

We investigated the effect of the Ag nanoparticles on the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Ag/poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) composite films. We found that the remanent polarization and direct piezoelectric coefficient increased up to 12.14 μC/cm^2 and 20.23 pC/N when the Ag concentration increased up to 0.005 volume percent (v%) and decreased down to 9.38 μC/cm^2 and 13.45 pC/N when it increased up to 0.01 v%. Further increase in Ag concentration resulted in precipitation of Ag phase and significant leakage current that hindered any meaningful measurement of the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. 46% increase of the remanent polarization value and 27% increase of the direct piezoelectric coefficient were observed in the film with the 0.005 v% of the Ag nanoparticles added without significant changes to the crystalline structure confirmed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) experiments. These enhancements of both the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are attributed to the increase in the effective electric field induced by the reduction in the effective volume of P(VDF-TrFE) that results in more aligned dipoles

A web-based timesheet tool for the design studio

This research is related to time management and the use of timesheets in architectural design education. It focuses on the role of Web-based timesheets in the architectural design studio. The main purpose of the research is to explore whether Web technology is helpful in increasing compliance with time documentation and can determine which student behaviors and habits can be observed with Web-based timesheets in architectural design education. In time management, using timesheets is a common method to analyze time usage. However, a traditional timesheet is usually focused on the investigator's (teacher or employer) perspective. Therefore active participation is hardly expected and data analysis is not easily offered to participants as useful information in real time. To overcome the identified problems, Web technology may be useful. For this research, a pilot software tool was developed and tested in design studios at several grade levels. Research was focused on empirical observation to determine which student work patterns and behaviors can be observed with a Webbased timesheet tool. The Web-based timesheet tool was successfully fielded in the design studio and the utility of the Web-based timesheet tool was observed. By analyzing the collected data from the experiments with this Web-based timesheet tool, it was possible to observe various work patterns and behaviors and to develop insights in the students' design process. Analysis of log data gave interesting insights into students' work patterns and design behaviors. Web technology was helpful in increasing the value of the timesheet in architectural design education

Developing the Comprehensive Quality of Life Model for Elderly Based on Modality of Motions, Cognitive Ability, and Hearing Loss

Approximately 70% of U.S. adults over 65 are struggling with at least mild hearing impairment. This results in decreased health-related quality of life because hearing loss is closely associated with physical activities, cognitive abilities, and the risk of falling. Recent research has indicated the potential causal links among hearing, mobility, cognitive capacity, and health-related quality of life. However, their correlations are not fully understood. This study aims to collect pilot data on hearing loss, falling, functional movement, cognitive capacities, and quality of life among elderly participants. This study shows the comprehensive model of a link among hearing deficits, physical/cognitive capacities, and health-related quality of life. A comprehensive quality of life evaluation model can allow the elderly to improve day-to-day quality of life even with potential bodily function declines. The findings fill in the gap between functional assessments and hearing loss by providing an evidence-based comprehensive model that helps improve the quality of day to day life in elderly populations