158,553 research outputs found
Non-overlapping dual camera fall detection using the NAO humanoid robot
No full textWith an aging population and a greater desire for independence, the dangers of falling incidents in the elderly have become particularly pronounced. In light of this, several technologies have been developed with the aim of preventing or monitoring falls. Failing to strike the balance between several factors including reliability, complexity and invasion of privacy has seen prohibitive in the uptake of these systems. Some systems rely on cameras being mounted in all rooms of a user's home while others require being worn 24 hours a day. This paper explores a system using a humanoid NAO robot with dual vertically mounted cameras to perform the task of fall detection
The computer simulation and prediction of rock fall
No full textThis thesis deals with the study of rock falls using a mathematical model, codified for computer use, entitled GeoFall. GeoFall, which was developed by the author, allows predictions to be made of rock fall trajectories, run out distances and kinetic energies for a rock of any arbitrary shape. Its main purpose is to assist in the design of remedial works. The mathematical model is based on rigid body mechanics, and analyses a fall in 2D space using a new theory of impact dynamics developed by Brach (1991). The main features and algorithms of the program are presented in this thesis. The performance of GeoFall was evaluated by comparing actual rock fall events described in several published papers with the output created by GeoFall. Also the output from GeoFall has been compared with the output from other rock fall simulation programs used to simulate the documented rockfalls. A new rock slope inventory system entitled the Rock Fall Risk Assessment System (RFRAS) has been developed by the author to determine the rock fall risk at specific rock fall sites. It consists of three phases of inspection, the slope survey, and the preliminary and detailed rating phases. The detailed rating phase uses 13 parameters that when assessed, evaluated and totalled, numerically differentiates slopes from the least to the most hazardous producing an overall rating in the range 21-1926. It not only allows the relative risk of rockfall between slopes to be assessed but it also categorises the rock fall risk and the potential number of future rockfalls. It has been tested on 18 slopes at ten locations in County Durham. The final part of the thesis details a new laboratory based procedure that can be used to determine the coefficients of restitution for any type of rock material. The normal coefficient of restitution has been determined for seven different types of rock, and the tangential coefficient of restitution has been determined for a local sandstone. Some tentative correlations between the normal coefficient of restitution and the rocks physical properties, such as its Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) have been presented
Sharp nonexistence results for a linear elliptic inequality involving Hardy and Leray potentials
No full textWe deal with nonnegative distributional supersolutions for a class of linear elliptic equations involving inverse-square potentials and logarithmic weights. We prove sharp nonexistence results
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OLFACTORY FUNCTION, TRIGEMINAL SYSTEM AND NASAL ANATOMY IN NORMOSMIC SUBJECTS
No full textIntroduction: Few studies investigated the correlations between chemosensory function (trigeminal and olfactory) and nasal volume in humans although nasal anatomy is crucial for the sense of smell. Aim of this study was to evaluate these correlations in normosmic subjects.
Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty eight healthy volunteers (age range 21-61 years, mean age 29.3 years, SD: 9) were enrolled. Olfactory function was investigated for (the rose-like) phenylethylalcohol odor threshold (OT), odor discrimination (OD) and odor identification (OI) using the Sniffin’ Sticks test, while nasal structure was evaluated by acoustic rhinometry (AR); trigeminal sensitivity was assessed in terms of detection thresholds for the odorless carbon dioxide (CO2).
Results: Our data confirmed gender differences in the minimum cross sectional area, distance and volume of the olfactory cleft. Moreover, there were negative correlations between odor threshold versus AR area in both nostrils and versus best minimum cross sectional (MCA) area. Instead, positive correlations were observed between TDI score and AR volume. No significant correlations were found between OI versus nasal anatomy. As regards CO2, the trigeminal stimulus, positive correlations were detected between CO2 versus AR area in the right nostril and between CO2 versus best MCA area.
Conclusion: The current results emphasize the significance of nasal anatomy for trigeminal/olfactory threshold perception. Interestingly, correlations are not found between suprathreshold odor identification and nasal anatomy. Further information is needed to instruct nasal surgery in terms of improvement of olfactory function
An investigation of fall protection systems in the roofing industry
No full textThesis Chair, Dr. Sang D. Choi.
This file was last viewed in Adobe Reader 7.0Construction is one of most dangerous industries in the United States. One of the most hazardous areas within the construction industry is roofing. Concern for safety in roofing construction has continued to spread, as a result of falls that make up the greatest rate of fatalities in the construction industry. Previous research has found that falls have been one of the leading categories under type of occupational death and that fall protection systems are not consistently used to prevent fall accidents in the roofing industry. Research is needed in order to analyze falls and other potential hazards in roofing. The main goal for this study is to analyze commercial and residential roofers’ behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs on the fall protection systems. A survey was distributed to commercial and residential roofers in the Midwest. Information collected from roofers was compared and analyzed to find differences between residential and commercial roofers. A total of 129 roofing contractors participated in this study. The results of the survey showed that while most of commercial roofers did use fall protection devices, a significant number of residential roofers did not comply with fall protection regulations and guidelines. Two main reasons of noncompliance with fall protection regulations and guidelines in roofing construction were found: (1) fall protection devices decrease productivity; (2) fall protection equipment makes roofers uncomfortable. Results from this study revealed that personal fall arrest system (PFAS) was the most prevalent fall protection device used among residential and commercial roofers. PFAS was also the most preferred fall protection equipment among the two groups of roofers. For both residential and commercial roofing, there is a significant (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01) negative relationship between enforcing roofers to wear or install fall protection devices and having falls from roofs. In both residential and commercial roofing, there is a very significant (p= 0.001 and p = 0.001) positive relationship between the enforcement and the actual usage of fall protection equipment. This thesis presents the results of the investigation of fall protection systems in roofing construction and recommendations that ultimately would reduce fall accidents
Letter, [Author unclear] to Paulina T. Merritt
No full textHandwritten letter to Paulina Merritt from an unknown author, October 1, 1876.
CD4 helper T cells, CD8 cytotoxic T cells, and FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells with respect to lethal prostate cancer
No full textProstate cancer represents a major contributor to cancer mortality, but the majority of men with prostate cancer will die of other causes. Thus, a challenge is identifying potentially lethal disease at diagnosis. Conflicting results have been reported when investigating the relationship between infiltration of lymphocytes and survival in prostate cancer. One of the mechanisms suggested is the recruitment of regulatory T cells (T(regs)), a subpopulation of T cells that have a role in promoting tumor growth. T(regs) counteract tumor rejection through suppressive functions on the anti-immune response but their prognostic significance is still unknown. We report here the results of a conducted case-control study nested in a cohort of men treated with transurethral resection of the prostate and diagnosed incidentally with prostate cancer. Cases are men who died of prostate cancer (n=261) and controls are men who survived >10 years after their diagnosis (n=474). Infiltration of both T(helper) and T(cytotoxic) cells was frequently observed and the majority of the T(regs) were CD4(+). T(helper) or T(cytotoxic) cells were not associated with lethal prostate cancer. However, we found a nearly twofold increased risk of lethal prostate cancer when comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of CD4(+) T(regs) cells (95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.9). Our conclusion is that men with greater numbers of CD4(+) T(regs) in their prostate tumor environment have an increased risk of dying of prostate cancer. Identification of CD4(+) T(regs) in tumor tissue may predict clinically relevant disease at time of diagnosis independently of other clinical factors
FTO genetic variants and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of 28,394 Indians
No full textOBJECTIVE: To investigate the magnitude of association of FTO variants with obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and related traits among Asian Indians. METHODS: Random-effect meta-analysis was performed on pooled data from eight studies (n = 28,394) for obesity and related traits and six studies (n = 24,987) for assessment of T2DM risk in Indians where FTO variants were reported. RESULTS: The minor A-allele of the FTO variant rs9939609 was associated with increased risk of obesity (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.08-1.21, p = 2.14 × 10(-) (5) ), BMI (β = 0.30 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.21-0.38, p = 4.78 × 10(-) (11) ) and other regional adiposity measurements [waist (β = 0.74 cm, 95% CI 0.49-0.99), HC (β = 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-0.78), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) (β = 0.002, 95% CI 0.001-0.004)] in Indians (p ≤ 0.001). An increased risk for T2DM (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04-1.19, p = 0.002) was observed, which attenuated when adjusted for age, gender, and BMI (OR 1.09; 95%CI 1.02-1.16, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence of association between common FTO variant and obesity risk among Indians with comparable effect sizes as in Caucasians. The attenuation of FTO-T2DM risk on BMI adjustment reinforces that BMI does not fully account for the adiposity effects among Asian Indians who are more centrally obese
The rise and fall of the Labour league of youth
No full textThis thesis charts the rise and fall of the Labour Party’s first and most enduring youth organisation, the Labour League of Youth. The history of the League, from its birth in the early nineteen twenties to its demise in the late nineteen fifties, is placed in the context of the Labour Party’s subsequent fruitless attempts to establish and maintain a vibrant and functional youth organisation. A narrative is incorporated that illuminates the culture, organisation and political activism of the League and establishes it as a predominantly working class radical organisation. The reluctance on the part of the Labour Party to grant autonomy to its youth sections resulted in the history of the League of Youth being one of control, suppression and tension. This state of affairs ensured that subsequent youth groups, the Young Socialists and Young Labour, would be established in an atmosphere of reservation and scepticism.
The thesis places the prime responsibility for the failure of the party’s youth organisations with the party leadership but also considers the contributory factors of changing social and political circumstances. A number of themes are explored which include the impact of structure and agency factors, the power of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the political socialisation of leading figures within the party, the social context in which each of the groups emerged and the extent to which the youth groups were prey to intra-party factionalism.
The thesis redresses the balance of research where most accounts have focussed on the Young Socialists and traces the common characteristics that are prevalent in the way the party leadership has approached its relationship with its youth organisations. Use has been made of previously unpublished primary source material, the major source being the League of Youth members themselves whose recollections have helped to demonstrate the arguments put forward in this thesis
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