Portable Tongue-Supported Human Computer Interaction System Design and Implementation

Tongue supported human-computer interaction (TSHCI) systems can help critically ill patients interact with both computers and people. These systems can be particularly useful for patients suffering injuries above C7 on their spinal vertebrae. Despite recent successes in their application, several limitations restrict performance of existing TSHCI systems and discourage their use in real life situations. This paper proposes a low-cost, less-intrusive, portable and easy to use design for implementing a TSHCI system. Two applications of the proposed system are reported. Design considerations and performance of the proposed system are also presented

Draught beer hygiene: a survey of on-trade quality

The quality of draught beer in 57 on-trade licensed premises in 10 locations in the UK Midlands was assessed using a forcing test. Of 149 samples of standard lager (‘SL’, abv ≤ 4.2%), 44% were in the ‘excellent’ quality band compared to 16% of 88 samples of keg ale (‘KA’, abv ≤ 4.2%). Of the total of 237 samples, > 90% were represented by two lager and two ale national brands. There were differences in the quality index (QI) between the brands, with lager SL3 having a QI of 84% compared to 72% for lager SL6, 71% for ale KA5 and 68% for ale KA1. The susceptibility of the four brands to spoilage was assessed using a challenge test with microorganisms taken from forced draught samples of the brands. Ale KA5 (challenge test QI = 87.5%) was the most resistant to spoilage followed by lager SL3 (81.3%), lager SL6 (75%) and ale KA1 (62.5%). Keg beers in accounts with a national cask beer quality accreditation had the same QI as those without accreditation. Analysis of price versus quality showed that the most expensive price band had the lowest quality. Draught beer quality declined as the number of dispense taps increased across the bar. It was also noted that dispense of beer into branded half pint glasses had variable take-up, with lager SL3 served in the correct branded glassware on 71% of occasions but with only 5% of occasions for lager SL6. None of the keg ales were served in correctly branded glassware

Ever decreasing circles: speech production in semantic dementia

We explored the impact of a degraded semantic system on lexical, morphological and syntactic complexity in language production. We analysed transcripts from connected speech samples from eight patients with semantic dementia (SD) and eight age-matched healthy speakers. The frequency distributions of nouns and verbs were compared for hand-scored data and data extracted using text-analysis software. Lexical measures showed the predicted pattern for nouns and verbs in hand-scored data, and for nouns in software-extracted data, with fewer low frequency items in the speech of the patients relative to controls. The distribution of complex morpho-syntactic forms for the SD group showed a reduced range, with fewer constructions that required multiple auxiliaries and inflections. Finally, the distribution of syntactic constructions also differed between groups, with a pattern that reflects the patients’ characteristic anomia and constraints on morpho-syntactic complexity. The data are in line with previous findings of an absence of gross syntactic errors or violations in SD speech. Alterations in the distributions of morphology and syntax, however, support constraint satisfaction models of speech production in which there is no hard boundary between lexical retrieval and grammatical encoding

eService: An Integrated Framework and Technology Overview

For most companies, E-commerce is fueling the business transformation. Online sales are rising, and businesses are relying more and more on using the Internet to automate and redesign their supply chains. In this virtual commerce, both business-to-consumer and business-to-business, keeping customers happy and loyal through enhanced service is paramount. This paper presents a framework that gives an integrated view of the customer service channels: traditional as well as web/Internet based. An overview of various Internet-based service (eService) technologies and vendors is also discussed, followed by a discussion of implications and challenges in implementing this new framework

Genetic relationships between some released and elite Ghanaian cassava cultivars based on distance matrices

Eleven (11) released and two local Ghanaian cassava cultivars were fingerprinted to estimate the genetic diversity among them using 35 SSR markers. Genomic DNA of thirteen cassava cultivars (UCC, IFAD, Agelifiaa, Nyerikobga, Nkabom, Essam Bankye, Akosua Tumtum, Debor, Filindiakong, Afisiafi, Doku Duade, Bankye Hemaa and Bankye Botan) were isolated and used as template for PCR amplification involving 35 SSR markers. The recorded gel bands (163 polymorphic bands) were subjected to NTSYSpc Version 2.1 software for cluster analysis and development of dendrogram to show the corresponding similarity coefficients. Genetic relationships between Bankye Hemaa and Filindiakoh and that between Bankye Hemaa and Afisiafi recorded 1.2% similarity coefficients respectively. The local cultivars, Debor and Akosua Tumtum were distantly related at 52.31% similarity. Filindiakoh was found to be the closest relative to Akosua Tumtum and Debor at 17.9 and 29.1% similarity, respectively. Bankye Botan and Bankye Hemaa, however, were distantly related to most of the cultivars, including the local varieties. Bankye Hemaa was found to be closest relative of Filindiakoh and Afisiafi (1.2 and 1.1% similarity, respectively) and suggesting that they could serve as very good candidates in breeding programs in Ghana. Bankye Botan and Bankye Hemaa are distant relatives to most of the cultivars, including the local varieties which could however make these cultivars also very useful in breeding.Key words: Maninhot esculenta, cassava, molecular diversity, fingerprint, selection of genotype, DNA, SSR markers

Draught beer hygiene: cleaning of dispense tap nozzles

Draught beer quality can be compromised by the growth of spoilage microorganisms. Whilst best practice for assuring dispense hygiene is broadly recognized, it is not always fully or regularly implemented. In some markets, tap nozzles are removed and stored overnight at room temperature in carbonated (soda) water. The next morning they are returned (sometimes after rinsing) to the dispense tap. The effectiveness of this approach is compared with soaking in diluted line-cleaning solution (UK best practice)or a solution containing hypochlorous acid (commercial sanitizing tablets). Two novel approaches – ozonated water and use of ultrasonics – were also evaluated. Bioluminescence analysis of microbial attachment to the inner surfaces of nozzles showed that soaking in carbonated water resulted in gross contamination. Sanitizing tablets achieved ‘commercial sterility’ and a 4-log reduction in bioluminescence compared with carbonated water. The efficacy of hypochlorous acid was confirmed by incubating cleaned nozzles in fresh beer without any increase in turbidity. Diluted line-cleaning solution was less effective and achieved a 2-log reduction. Ultrasonics reduced microbial attachment but effectiveness was aligned to increasing process time. Soaking in ozonated water was without antimicrobial impact. This work has shown carbonated water to be ineffective in cleaning microbiologically contaminated nozzles. This is a concern as these microorganisms derive from the dispense line, the environment and likely human interaction. To minimize the risks of transfer to dispensed product or back-contaminating the dispense line, soaking draught beer nozzles in an effective sanitizing solution is strongly recommended

Ethically challenging situations encountered by veterinary team members

Veterinary team members (VTMs) commonly encounter ethically challenging situations (ECS). ECS can lead to moral distress & impact the safety & welfare of patients. Literature searches (1990−2020) & a focused review on advanced veterinary care (AVC) identified key ECS. A global survey of VTMs during the early COVID-19 pandemic explored frequency, stressfulness & types of ECS encountered by VTMs. Frequency increased for almost half of VTMs during the pandemic. ECS encountered by VTMs, resources used to resolve ECS, & barriers to resolution are discussed. Risk factors for experiencing increased ECS during the pandemic included being a veterinary nurse or animal health technician, working with companion animals, working in USA/Canada & having low confidence dealing with ECS in the workplace. Qualitative analysis identified key factors that may lead to or exacerbate ECS during the pandemic: communication challenges & low or no-contact euthanasia. Strategies to prevent or mitigate ECS are recommended. Access to resources (e.g. technology to facilitate telemedicine, protocols to facilitate low-contact euthanasia) are needed to prevent/mitigate ECS impacts. Ethics rounds (ER), used in medical settings, was trialed with VTMs, who completed the Euro-MCD 2.0 pre & post. The Euro-MCD evaluates outcomes of ethics rounds across domains of moral competence, moral teamwork & moral action. VTMs improved in the domains of moral competence & moral teamwork after 1 session of ER. ER has potential to improve the ability of VTMs to identify & navigate ECS & to mitigate moral distress. Recommendations: veterinary empirical ethics research to include perspectives of non-veterinarian VTMs & clients, develop a validated measurement of veterinary team member moral distress, challenge the triad of veterinary stakeholders, further evaluate & develop CESS, conduct regular surveillance of ECS & to prepare VTMs, clients, animals & other stakeholders for ECS occurring in emergencies

Genetic Diversity of White-Tailed Deer Populations in Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Development of a Forensics Panel

During the 20thcentury, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) became scarce, prompting conservation efforts by hunters and wildlife managers with the goal to recover this species. Various strategies were implemented including reintroductions from areas that still had large deer populations, developing bag limits, seasonal restrictions, and habitat management. These efforts were highly successful across the United States. Today, white-tailed deer are one of the most abundant and widely-distributed large-bodied mammals in North America. However, there are several important management concerns. In numerous states, including Pennsylvania, CWD negatively impacts deer populations and has become a major health concern. When studying factors of disease spread, population genetics has been proven useful when observing patterns of gene flow to determine the movement of infectious individuals. In addition, poaching of deer is a recurrent problem in many states and reduces the ability to effectively manage this species. Illegal harvest of wildlife can directly impact a populations abundance, distribution, sex ratios, remove trophy deer, and alter age structure. The severity of wildlife crime is difficult to accurately assess as many offenses go undetected. Poaching often occurs in remote and isolated areas that have limited monitoring. The advancement of forensic science practices is necessary in combating these illegal activities given their high estimated frequency and its inherent threat to species. Forensic science methods applicable to the enforcement of wildlife legislation largely focus on the use of DNA barcoding and fingerprinting to identify species and individuals among samples collected at a crime scene Microsatellite loci have been proven useful for the identification of individuals, determination of kinship, assignment of migrants to source populations, estimation of gene flow between populations, and examination of geographic variation among a species. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the genetic variation within the white-tailed deer populations in southwestern Pennsylvania using seven microsatellite loci and use this information to develop a molecular panel for forensics applications. A total of 82 road-killed and legally harvested white-tailed deer were sampled throughout the region. The allele frequencies, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and probability of identity were calculated for each microsatellite loci. All loci were found to be highly variable and effective for studying population parameters in southwestern Pennsylvania deer and estimating dispersal patterns among wildlife management units that will impact the spread of CWD. Seven loci were selected for a forensic microsatellite that yielded an overall probability of identity of less than 1 in a billion. This was successfully applied to match 6 blind control samples and subsequently 2 poaching cases analyzed for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This panel will likely be effective for population genetic studies and forensic analysis in white-tailed deer throughout the state of Pennsylvania

Menu Engineering: A Model Including Labor

Menu engineering is a methodology to classify menu items by their contribution margin and popularity. The process discounts the importance of food cost percentage, recognizing that operators deposit cash, not percentages. The authors raise the issue that strict application of the principles of menu engineering may result in an erroneous evaluation of a menu item, and also may be of little use without considering the variable portion of labor. They describe an enhancement to the process by considering labor

Solar Stove

PEOPLE\u27S CHOICE AWARD WINNER! We designed a solar powered hot plate that also functions as a light source. This allows refugees to cook food without burning wood or using toxic fuels and provides a portable light source. Nexus Maximus IV The Challenge: Innovation for Refugees and Displaced Populations One of the great challenges of our time is how to help refugees and displaced populations, and how to prevent the causes in the first place. Every minute, 24 people around the world are forced to flee their homes. That’s 34,000 people a day who leave everything behind in the hope of finding safety and a better tomorrow. The impact of war, political, racial and religious conflict, and environmental crises of famine and climate change, have caused great suffering and there is a great opportunity to do better. The issues these populations and the countries who receive them face are diverse and complex. They include public health, housing/built environment, cultural integration, public safety, employment/economic and more. How can innovation address these challenges? How do we create the social systems and products to support a healthy, safe and integrated program for refugees? How do we address the physical, emotional, and social needs of refugees to restore hope and opportunity? The solutions may be as far ranging as the challenges, exploring the acute needs during a crisis, as well as the chronic needs of the permanently displaced; looking at immigration and adjustments to new cultures. We encourage participants to draw upon all disciplines, from health professions to architecture, engineering to design, ethics, communication and every way of thinking we have, to find better ways to innovate on physical solutions, processes, policies, systems, and more. Recap of poster presentationshttps://jdc.jefferson.edu/nexusmaximus/1014/thumbnail.jp