Requirements, design and business process reengineering as vital parts of any system development methodology

This thesis analyzes different aspects of system development life cycle, concentrating on the requirements and design stages. It describes various methodologies, methods and tools that have been developed over the years. It evaluates them and compares them against each other. Finally a conclusion is made that there is a very important stage missing in the system development life cycle, which is the Business Process Reengineering Stage

An Injury Incidence Analysis at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Mount Crawford, VA from February 2016 to January 2017

The study focused on the correlation of injuries and time in service for workers in labor intensive, repetitive jobs. The population for this study comprised all hourly employees working at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center located in Mount Crawford, VA. In compliance with OSHA requirements, when an employee injury requiring medical attention occurs the data is collected and recorded. These data records were provided by the Safety Manager of the facility. The data was collected from February 2016 through January 2017 to coincide with fiscal year. During this time period there were 685 employees working within the warehouse. A Chi-square statistical analysis was used on the collected data (February 2016 – January 2017) at a level of significance of 5%. The calculated p-value was \u3c0.0001, indicating that there is a significant difference in the number of injuries occurring to employees who are employed for less than one year versus employees who are employed for more than a year and performing the same job tasks (28 vs. 6). The data analysis also revealed that the incidence of muscle injuries (41.1%) is larger than other injury types. The incidence of contusions is 20.5%, sprains 14.7%, and cuts, eye injuries or other types 23.5%. The results and conclusions of this study indicate that employees with one year or less of service have a higher accident rate. One consideration to reduce the higher incidence rate of accidents in new employees should focus on the training provided to new employees

Leptin/SFRP5 ratio as a potential predictor of postpartum weight retention. A prospective pilot study

Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and failure to lose weight within 6 months from delivery are important and identifiable predictors of the long-term obesity. The aim of the study was to verify clinical usefulness of several substances that had been proved to play a significant role in metabolism and body mass regulation, i.e., leptin, ghrelin, fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5), and vaspin, in relation to certain laboratory results, body composition and hydration status of females in the early postpartum period. The main goal was to determine a potential marker, which assessed as early as 48 hours after delivery, could predict serious difficulties in achieving pre pregnancy body mass of women with EGWG six months afterwards. The same inclusion criteria applied to the study group (women with EGWG) as well as the control group (women with appropriate body mass gain in pregnancy). These included normal pre-pregnancy BMI, absence of any diseases prior, during pregnancy and after delivery, 6-month long breastfeeding. Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) depended positively on gestational weight gain as well as the leptin/SFRP5 ratio assessed 48 hours after delivery. Both obstetricians and midwives should pay special attention to proper nutrition of pregnant women. The assessment of biophysical and biochemical parameters in the early postpartum period, when the mothers are usually hospitalized, seems to allow to predict the risk of greater body weight retention. Future research will help to determine to what extent the circulating concentrations of leptin and SFRP5 in the early puerperium are important for prediction of maternal PPWR and obesity

An evaluation of sit to stand devices for use in rehabilitation

There are many assistive devices to help with raising a person from a seat. These devices are considered active as they require some balance, trunk control and weightbearing ability. There is concern that this movement is mostly passive due to fixation at the trunk and knee. This study explores the movement patterns in sit to stand transfers active and assisted. Study Design: A fully squared repeated measures design was use. All participants (n = 20) used all conditions (n = 7) in a balanced order. Transfers were recorded with; video recordings, a 6 dimensional force plate, hip, knee and ankle positions were recorded with motion capture. Subjective evaluations for comfort and security were completed. Physical data was compared with ANOVA calculations with Bonferroni corrections. Results: Device G scored highest for comfort, knee support and overall preference. Sling movement had a negative effect on the sensations of comfort and security. The motion analysis of the flexible knee support showed: People push into the floor and CoP moved towards the toe.More anterior knee movement (P < 0.05).More bodyweight through feet (P < 0.05).Quicker transfer of weight onto feet.Very low bodyweight was recorded in all lowering actions. The use of a flexible knee support raised the subjective and physical performance of the assistive device and may improve rehabilitation responses

Thrombocytopenia in pregnant women

Thrombocytopenia is one of the two most common hematological problems in pregnant women. It is defined as the platelet (PLT) count below 150 × 103/μL. Gestational incidental thrombocytopenia (GIT) represents about 75% of thrombocytopenia cases in pregnancy and it is believed that GIT is secondary to accelerated platelet destruction and increased plasma volume associated with pregnancy. The pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and its most severe form — HELLP syndrome account for 20% cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy and primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) — for 3–4 percent. During ITP, maternal antiplatelet antibodies can pass through the placenta and bind to fetal thrombocytes leading to the development of fetal thrombocytopenia which occurs in about 50% cases. Even if the maternal platelet count stabilizes, the estimated fetal and neonatal risk of thrombocytopenia in ITP is approximately 30%. Other types of thrombocytopenia in pregnant women constitute 1–2% of cases (disseminated intravascular coagulation, autoimmunological diseases, congenital, infection and drug-related, concomitant with blood neoplastic diseases). Although thrombocytopenia in pregnant women usually has a mild course, in case of a significant decrease in PLT count may lead to dangerous bleeding, especially when the platelet count falls below 20 × 103/μL.Since it is important to identify the cause of thrombocytopenia and to determine the risk for both the mother and the child, this paper presents the influence of maternal thrombocytopenia on the pregnancy course as well as its etiology and diagnostics. The treatment principles are discussed

Evolutionary development of the plant and spore wall

The article provides an overview of the development and structure of spore and pollen walls in the major plant groups and summarises progress in our understanding of the molecular genetics underpinning spore/pollen evolution and development

The Impact of the removal of the Edwards Dam on the Kennebec River.

The Edwards Dam was constructed on the Kennebec River in 1837 below the head of the tide in Augusta, Maine by the Kennebec River Dam Company. In 1999 the Edwards Dam was finally removed after a long and hard environmental movement for a free flowing river. Although there was some opposition, the removal of the Edwards Dam resulted in many positive changes in the environmental, recreational, and economic trends in the state of Maine