Army-NASA aircrew/aircraft integration program (A3I) software detailed design document, phase 3

The capabilities and design approach of the MIDAS (Man-machine Integration Design and Analysis System) computer-aided engineering (CAE) workstation under development by the Army-NASA Aircrew/Aircraft Integration Program is detailed. This workstation uses graphic, symbolic, and numeric prototyping tools and human performance models as part of an integrated design/analysis environment for crewstation human engineering. Developed incrementally, the requirements and design for Phase 3 (Dec. 1987 to Jun. 1989) are described. Software tools/models developed or significantly modified during this phase included: an interactive 3-D graphic cockpit design editor; multiple-perspective graphic views to observe simulation scenarios; symbolic methods to model the mission decomposition, equipment functions, pilot tasking and loading, as well as control the simulation; a 3-D dynamic anthropometric model; an intermachine communications package; and a training assessment component. These components were successfully used during Phase 3 to demonstrate the complex interactions and human engineering findings involved with a proposed cockpit communications design change in a simulated AH-64A Apache helicopter/mission that maps to empirical data from a similar study and AH-1 Cobra flight test

Army-NASA aircrew/aircraft integration program. Phase 5: A3I Man-Machine Integration Design and Analysis System (MIDAS) software concept document

This is the Software Concept Document for the Man-machine Integration Design and Analysis System (MIDAS) being developed as part of Phase V of the Army-NASA Aircrew/Aircraft Integration (A3I) Progam. The approach taken in this program since its inception in 1984 is that of incremental development with clearly defined phases. Phase 1 began in 1984 and subsequent phases have progressed at approximately 10-16 month intervals. Each phase of development consists of planning, setting requirements, preliminary design, detailed design, implementation, testing, demonstration and documentation. Phase 5 began with an off-site planning meeting in November, 1990. It is expected that Phase 5 development will be complete and ready for demonstration to invited visitors from industry, government and academia in May, 1992. This document, produced during the preliminary design period of Phase 5, is intended to record the top level design concept for MIDAS as it is currently conceived. This document has two main objectives: (1) to inform interested readers of the goals of the MIDAS Phase 5 development period, and (2) to serve as the initial version of the MIDAS design document which will be continuously updated as the design evolves. Since this document is written fairly early in the design period, many design issues still remain unresolved. Some of the unresolved issues are mentioned later in this document in the sections on specific components. Readers are cautioned that this is not a final design document and that, as the design of MIDAS matures, some of the design ideas recorded in this document will change. The final design will be documented in a detailed design document published after the demonstrations

Determinants of utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services in Telangana

Background: Variation exists in utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services in public health facilities of developing countries. Provision of antenatal and postnatal care services is the major function of public health delivery system of India to improve maternal health outcomes. The objective of this study is to estimate the determinants of utilization of antenatal and postnatal care services stratified by geographical region in Telangana.Methods: It is a cross-sectional study of District Level Health and Facility Survey-4 of the state of Telangana. Multistage, stratified, probability proportional to size sample with replacement was used. 3065 women, who delivered after the year 2008, were considered for analysis. Descriptive analysis of components of antenatal and postnatal care services stratified by geographical region was carried out. Binomial logistic regression was carried out to determine association of demographic, system level variables with adequate antenatal care.Results: Study reveals variation exists across four regions of Telangana in utilization of maternal health services. Reception of adequate antenatal care is low in South region (20.6%) and high in East region (31.5%). Pregnant women with secondary education were 66% more likely to receive adequate antenatal care services compared to illiterate.Conclusions: Short term and long-term goals to be adopted and implemented by government to address the demand-supply imbalance such as public health infrastructure and quality of services in underperforming districts of Telangana to increase utilization of maternal health services by training health staff and engaging local communities to seek health care services

EFFECT OF SCAPULAR STABILISATION EXERCISES FOR TYPE 2 SCAPULAR DYSKINESIS IN SUBJECTS WITH SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT

Background: Abnormal altered scapular position during rest or motion have been termed as Scapular Dyskinesia. Scapula Dyskinesia Type-2 is one type of dyskinesia in which there is a visual prominence of entire medial border of scapula that occurs due to weakness of the serratus anterior and tightness of posterior shoulder joint capsule that results in reduction in glenohumeral flexion and abduction, resulting in decreased acromial elevation. This type of dyskinesia is commonly seen in Secondary impingement of shoulder. Rehabilitation generally begins and focused on axio-humeral and scapula- humeral than axio-scapular muscle. Early application of closed kinetic exercises on scapular stabilization and its effect of application on scapular dyskinesia type 2 is unknown. The study was proposed to find the effect of scapular stabilization exercise for type 2 Scapular Dyskinesia in subjects with shoulder impingement. Methods: An experimental study design, 7 male patients with mean age 37 years diagnosed with Shoulder impingement associated with Type 2 scapular dyskinesia were included in the study. The protocol includes closed kinematic chain exercises (scapula clock), Black burn exercises, Sleepers stretch, and thera band exercises aimed to balance force couple of upper, lower trapezius and serratus anterior. Duration of intervention was 3 sessions per week for 2 weeks. Outcome measurements such as Lateral scapular slide test and SPADI were measured pre and post interventions. Results: Analysis using Paired ‘t’ test as a parametric test found that there is statistically significant difference p<0.000 when pre to post interventions means were compared within the groups showing significant improvement in post SPADI and lateral scapular slide test. Conclusion: It is concluded that Scapula stabilization exercise protocol found to be effective in Scapular type-2 Dyskinesia

Chronic amoxicillin exposure affects Labeo rohita: assessment of hematological, ionic compounds, biochemical, and enzymological activities

Labeo rohita were exposed to amoxicillin at a concentration of 1 mg/L (Treatment -I) and 0.5 mg/L (Treatment-II) for a period of 35 days. Numerous alterations were found in amoxicillin treatment groups when compared to the control group. Hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and erythrocytes (RBCs) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Leukocytes (WBC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. In the plasma and gill tissues, ionic compounds (sodium, potassium, and chloride) levels were significantly declined throughout the treatment period. The plasma biochemical profiles were significantly altered: glucose level remained low (except at the end of 7th day in Treatment -I) till 35 days of the treatment period. Biphasic trend occurred in the protein level, significant increase was observed on 7th and 28th day (Treatment -I and -II), and 35th day (Treatment -I), and in remaining days its level was found to be decreased. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity in the plasma was inhibited significantly, whereas in the gill, liver, and kidney tissues the enzyme activity was elevated. Plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) activity was inhibited throughout the study period. GPT activity in the gill was found to be elevated during the treatment period. Liver GPT activity was elevated in all the treatments except 28th (Treatment-I) and 35th day (Treatment-I, and II). GPT activity in the kidney was elevated (except 14th day in Treatment-II). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was inhibited in plasma (except 14th day in Treatment-II), gill, liver (except 7th day in Treatment-I), and kidney tissues significantly (P < 0.05). The present study emphasizes that amoxicillin at 1 and 0.5 mg/L concentrations affects the hematological/biochemical/electrolytes/enzymological parameters of fish and these biomarkers serve as an effective test system for environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment

Regional variation in utilization of Antenatal care services in the state of Andhra Pradesh

Background: Delivery of maternal health care services is a major challenge to the health system in developing countries. Provision of antenatal care (ANC) services is the major function of public health delivery system in India to improve maternal health outcomes and its impact on maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies are lack in documenting variation in utilization of ANC services between geographical regions of Andhra Pradesh (AP). Objective: The objective of this study is to assess variation in utilization of ANC services stratified by geographical region, type of delivery and determinants of utilization of ANC services in AP. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study of District Level Household and Facility Survey-4 of the state of AP. Multistage, stratified and probability proportional to size sample with replacement was used. Around 3982 women who delivered after the year 2007 were considered for analysis. Binomial logistic regression was carried out to determine association of demographic, system level variables with adequate ANC. Results: Study reveals wide variation across four regions of AP in utilization of ANC services. Reception of adequate ANC was low in Rayalaseema region (27.9%) and high in North-coastal region (42.4%). The utilization of private health facilities for ANC services were highest in South-coastal region (73.2%) and lowest in North-coastal region (43.2%). Conclusion: Policy measures are to be adopted and implemented by government to address the demand-supply imbalance such as public health infrastructure and quality of services in underperforming districts of AP and to increase outreach of current programs by engaging communities

Pneumonia and Pleural Effusion due to Cryptococcus Laurentii in a Clinically Proven Case of AIDS

Non-neoformans cryptococci were previously considered to be saprophytes and nonpathogenic to humans. Cryptococcus laurentii is frequently used as a biological means to control fruit rot. Interestingly, C laurentii has recently been reported to be a rare cause of infection in humans. The authors report a case of pulmonary cryptococcosis caused by C laurentii in a diabetic AIDS patient who was on antituberculosis and antiretroviral treatments. The sputum smear revealed capsulated yeast cells that were identified as C laurentii. Repeated pleural fluid culture revealed growth of C laurentii. Both respiratory samples were negative for acid-fast bacilli. Moraxella catarrhalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also found in the sputum, but not in the pleural fluid. The patient had a good response to oral fluconazole therapy at 600 mg/day for five weeks and was then discharged. The present article is the first to report on the rare pulmonary involvement of C laurentii in the Indian HIV population. These unusual forms of cryptococci create a diagnostic predicament in the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. A high degree of suspicion and improvement of techniques for culture and identification will contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of unusual fungal infections