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Assessing Current Cerebral Palsy Therapy and Identifying Needs for Improvement
No full textBackground: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent childhood physical disability requiring long-term therapeutic interventions. Conventional rehabilitation methods face challenges maintaining engagement and providing personalized, measurable outcomes.
Methods: This study assessed current CP therapy approaches through a literature review and primary data analysis. We propose an innovative digital therapeutic platform integrating gamification, virtual reality, and AI-based motion tracking.
Results: Our analysis revealed limitations in traditional therapies, including lack of engagement, limited personalization, and insufficient progress tracking. The proposed technology-driven solution shows potential for enhancing motivation, customization, and measurable progress in CP rehabilitation.
Conclusions: Our proposed digital platform offers promising avenues for improving rehabilitation outcomes and patient experiences by addressing key limitations in current CP therapy
The Impact of Gamified Therapy on Physical, Cognitive, & Emotional Outcomes in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study Analysis
No full textBackground: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder affecting motor, cognitive, and social development in children. Traditional therapies often struggle with engagement and adherence. This study evaluates a novel gamified treatment developed with the SHIFT Framework to improve outcomes in children with CP.
Methods: A case study design assessed the effects of gamified therapy on seven children with various types and severities of CP. The intervention used the SHIFT Framework to include engaging game elements and customizable features. Assessments before and after the intervention measured hand-eye coordination, balance, motor skills, cognitive engagement, motivation, and emotional well-being using appropriate statistical methods.
Results: Post-intervention, all cases showed improved motor skills, coordination, balance, cognitive engagement, and emotional states. Increased levels of attention, motivation, and persistence were noted, alongside enhanced therapy engagement. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements (p<0.05) in most parameters.
Conclusion: The gamified therapy approach using the SHIFT Framework effectively enhanced physical, cognitive, and emotional outcomes for children with CP. The engaging, personalized intervention improved motivation, adherence, and functional outcomes, particularly in cognitive aspects relevant to intellectual disabilities associated with CP. Further studies with larger cohorts and extended follow-ups are necessary to confirm these results and expand on the therapy’s applicability in CP management
Investigation of the Influence of Different Filler Contents of Wine Pomace in PBS on Fracture Mechanics Properties
Get PDFBiobased polybutylene succinate (PBS) represents a promising alternative to petrochemical-based polymers. The use of this biopolymeris limited in many areas by its low resilience against environmental influences. With the help of bio-based stabilizers the thermo-oxidative degradation process can be slowed down. Suitable stabilizing additives are natural antioxidants present in plant extracts with a high flavonoid content, which can be found in grapes, wine and wine by-products.
PBS was modified with two different bio-stabilizers based on wine grape pomace. The highest filler content tested was 20 wt.-%. In addition to improving stability, the additives also impact the polymer’s mechanics. The influence of these functional fillers on the fracture mechanical properties was examined in a quasi-static test. The crack growth was recorded using integrated video monitoring. Based on the results, the corresponding crack resistance curve and tearing modulus were determined depending on filler type and content. Additional optical analysis was used to correlate fracture mechanics and structure.
The two bio-stabilizers based on red (RWP) and white wine pomace (WWP) differs distinctly in terms of their influence on fracture mechanical properties. The Influence of RWPon the fracture toughness is significantly higher than that of WWP. Especially at lower filler contents with RWP, there is a strong increase in the fracture mechanics parameter tearing modulus (TJ) and an increase in the slope of the R-curve. With 5 wt.% RWP DOM the TJ is 13.64 x 102, whereas with WWP Silv a value of only 6.39 x 102 can be achieved. This difference is also reflected in the increase in the R-curves. With 5 wt.% a slope of the fitted R-curve of 265.59 (RWP DOM) and 121.02 (WWP Silv) could be determined with the first derivative. In the optical analysis it was noticeable that the RWP particles were more homogeneously dispersed in the matrix while the WWP filler tended to agglomerate. The inhomogeneous distribution and strong agglomeration tendency can be attributed to a higher sugar content of WWP and a higher particle size distribution. The top cut (D97) of WWP Silv is 62.37 ± 0.05 µm and that of RWP DOM is 51.97 ± 0.09 µm
Nanostructure Polyaniline (PANI) Decorated TiO2 Nanocomposite as Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst
Get PDFThe paper describes the synthesis of conducting polyaniline-TiO2 (PANI-TiO2) nanocomposite by chemical oxidative polymerization method using aniline as a monomer. TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by sol gel method using TiCl4 and ethanol. Ultrasound synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles and nanocomposite were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques UV, FT-IR, XRD, SEM and TGA. The XRD pattern confirms the appearance of sharp diffraction patterns indicating the small sized, high purity TiO2 nano particles are highly agglomerated with spherical morphology. The PANI-TiO2 nanocomposite was employed as a promising heterocyclic, reusable catalyst for most of the organic synthesis. The advantages of this methodology are mild reaction conditions with short reaction time, excellent yields, low loading and reusability of catalyst
Advanced Air Mobility: Transcending the Frontiers of Aviation Law
Get PDFThis article examines the revolutionary concept of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and its potential to transform urban and regional transportation. It begins by contextualizing AAM within the broader trajectory of aviation advancements, showcasing its emergence as a cutting-edge solution for modern transportation challenges. The discussion highlights the defining characteristics of AAM, such as its reliance on autonomous aircraft, electric propulsion technologies, and seamless integration with existing transit systems.
The United States’ leadership in this sector is explored, with an emphasis on federal initiatives, partnerships between public and private entities, and the regulatory role of the Federal Aviation Administration. The article identifies key challenges that must be addressed to realize AAM's potential, including technological hurdles, public trust, and the intricacies of managing congested urban airspaces.
Further analysis underscores the significant benefits AAM offers, such as reducing traffic congestion, enhancing accessibility, and promoting environmentally sustainable solutions. The article also delves into the legal and regulatory frameworks governing AAM, identifying critical areas that demand reform, such as liability, certification processes, and safety standards. By addressing these issues, the aviation sector can ensure that AAM evolves responsibly, meeting societal needs while adhering to essential legal principles
Metropolitan Policing in Crisis
Get PDFEver since the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, there has been a growth in social movements resisting aspects of policing in the US and the UK. In the UK it has evolved in particular directions in response to various controversies in policing and a growing mood to resist increasingly authoritarian legislation emerging from government, in part to repress the very movements they are bringing forth. This paper was delivered as part of an ESRC-funded ‘Festival of Social Science’ run at Royal Holloway University of London in November 2023 under the theme ‘Is it a crime to protest?’ and reflects on these trends as well as reviewing the need for a more critical turn in Criminology and Sociology
Polymers used in Vertebroplasty: The Importance of Material Technology in the Rehabilitation of Osteoporotic Patients
Get PDFRecent statistics show that the human population is tending towards aging. More effective medications and medical-hospital treatments, a more balanced diet, and regular physical activities contribute to longevity with quality of life.However, on many occasions, the natural aging process brings with it some chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis. Characterized by the loss of bone density, it can compromise mobility and even lead to death due to vertebral fractures, among other issues.To mitigate these risks, materials engineering becomes useful for restoring partial and/or total bone structure. In combination with a physiotherapeutic approach, they can rehabilitate the patient, providing them with a better quality of life.The present work aims to discuss the main polymeric materials used for the treatment of osteoporosis in patients with fractures
Inclusive Higher Education in Kyrgyzstan for People with Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
No full textConsidering the importance of education as a socio-cultural human right, the issue of implementation of inclusive higher education for persons with disabilities is relevant, determined by a set of legal, socio-pedagogical, technical, and financial problems. The study aims to investigate specific organizational and pedagogical factors facilitating the implementation of an inclusive higher education model in the Kyrgyz Republic. The study employed methods that included questionnaires of the subjects of the educational process and statistical analysis of the data obtained in the course of the questionnaire. Including the understanding of inclusion, the role of educational institutions, and effective methodologies for implementing inclusive practices in the educational process, key theoretical aspects were identified as a result of the analysis of modern theoretical concepts and methodological approaches to inclusive higher education.
Furthermore, challenges such as the lack of adaptive infrastructure required for students with disabilities, as well as the insufficient preparation of teaching staff to work with the diverse needs of students, were highlighted. The study also covered the social and legal aspects of inclusive higher education in Kyrgyzstan. The legislative framework regulating the rights of students with disabilities was analyzed, and public support and awareness of inclusion in education were assessed. Based on the findings, specific recommendations and strategies were developed to improve inclusive higher education in Kyrgyzstan. These recommendations cover various areas, including educational programs, the training of educators, the creation of accessible infrastructure, and the development of social support programs. The practical relevance of this work lies in the possibility of implementing the recommendations and strategies proposed in this work to improve inclusive higher education in Kyrgyzstan, which contributes to a more accessible and equitable educational environment for all students
Naxal Insurgency in India: Managing Conflict through Empowerment
Get PDFThe election of an indigenous (Adivasi) lady as the President of India added a new dynamic to the centuries-old Naxal insurgency in India. Not receiving a fair deal after India’s independence, the Naxals adopted Maoist ideology. By 2010 the insurgency engulfed one-third of India and posed a serious security challenge. Since then, the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments have adopted different strategies to curtail the insurgency, but it still persists. Against this backdrop, this article briefly discusses the historical antecedents; delineates in detail the operational strategies adopted by the Naxals, the counter-insurgency strategies adopted by the Congress and BJP governments; developmental challenges faced by the Adivasis; and suggests recommendations for how the President of India, an Adivasi herself, can be instrumental in containing the Naxal insurgency threats through empowerment
Parents’ Knowledge, Perception, and Attitudes Towards Speech and Language Therapy Services of Individuals with Cerebral Palsy: A Quantitative Analysis
Get PDFThis study examines the relationship between parental knowledge, perception, and attitudes toward speech and language therapy for children with cerebral palsy. The study adopted a descriptive research design of correlational type. Purposive sampling was used to identify fifty parents of individuals with cerebral palsy as respondents in the Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. Self-structured questionnaires on parental knowledge, perception, and attitudes toward speech and language therapy were used for data collection from the respondents. The findings revealed that parents had moderate knowledge about speech and language therapy, with varying levels of perception and attitudes toward speech and language therapy. The study's limitations include the small sample size, sampling bias, self-reported data, and limited geographic scope. These limitations should be considered when interpreting the study's findings. Despite these constraints, this research provides valuable insights into the complexities of parental perspectives on speech and language therapy for children with cerebral palsy. It highlights the need for further exploration in this area. Future research should address these limitations to understand parental experiences and perspectives in diverse contexts comprehensively