Achieving eco-innovative smart glass design with the integration of opinion mining, QFD and TRIZ.

Modern consumption patterns lead to massive waste, which poses challenges in storage and highlights the urgent need for more sustainable product development. Customer feedback on products plays a crucial role in product design, yet previous studies overlooked these invaluable insights. In response, this study introduces a novel systematic methodology that integrates the strengths of text mining, Quality Function Deployment (QFD), and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). Text mining techniques are utilized to extract customer requirements from online platforms, while QFD is used to translate these requirements into technical specifications. By integrating the contradiction matrix from TRIZ theory with the triptych, technical conflicts are resolved. The design process for next-generation smart glasses is employed as an illustrative case to validate the proposed integrated innovation design approach. Analytical outcomes suggest that the introduced methodology can effectively address sustainable product design challenges and sets the stage for future advancements in smart glasses.

The Impact of an Electronic Prescribing Template with Decision Support upon the Prescribing of Subcutaneous Infusions at the End of Life in a Community Setting: A Future Vision for Community Palliative Care.

Objectives: To assess the impact of an electronic prescribing template with decision support upon the frequency of prescription errors, guideline adherence (relating to dose ranges), and prescription legality when prescribing continuous subcutaneous infusions (CSCI) in a palliative demographic. Design, setting, and participants: Before-and-after study across a large UK city utilizing local prescribing data taken from patients receiving end-of-life care. Intervention: An electronic prescribing template with decision support. Main outcome measures: The following were assessed: (1) the rate of prescription errors; (2) the proportion of prescriptions specifying a dose range and if the specified range complied with local recommendations; and (3) the proportion of prescriptions specifying legal mixing directions. Results: The intervention was associated with a significant reduction in errors of omission, with all prescriptions clearly stating drug indication, route of administration, drug dose, and infusion duration. The numbers of continuous subcutaneous infusion prescriptions that specified dose ranges were similar at baseline and post-intervention, at 71% (n = 122) and 72% (n = 179), respectively. At baseline, 69% (n = 84) of CSCI prescriptions specifying a dose range were deemed safe, and post-intervention, 97% (n = 173) were determined to be safe. At baseline, mixing directions were not specified correctly on any continuous subcutaneous infusion prescriptions, while post-intervention, such directions were correct on 75% (n = 157; p < 0.05) of the prescriptions. Conclusions: The intervention eliminated errors of omission, ensured the safety of prescribed dose ranges, and improved compliance with legislation surrounding the mixing of multicomponent infusions. Overall, the intervention has the potential to improve patient safety at the end of life and to increase the efficiency of community services.

LPS receptor subunits have antagonistic roles in epithelial apoptosis and colonic carcinogenesis.

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is characterized by unlimited proliferation and suppression of apoptosis, selective advantages for tumor survival, and chemoresistance. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling is involved in both epithelial homeostasis and tumorigenesis, but the relative roles had by LPS receptor subunits CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are poorly understood. Our study showed that normal human colonocytes were CD14(+)TLR4(-), whereas cancerous tissues were CD14(+)TLR4(+), by immunofluorescent staining. Using a chemical-induced CRC model, increased epithelial apoptosis and decreased tumor multiplicity and sizes were observed in TLR4-mutant mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice with CD14(+)TLR4(+) colonocytes. WT mice intracolonically administered a TLR4 antagonist displayed tumor reduction associated with enhanced apoptosis in cancerous tissues. Mucosa-associated LPS content was elevated in response to CRC induction. Epithelial apoptosis induced by LPS hypersensitivity in TLR4-mutant mice was prevented by intracolonic administration of neutralizing anti-CD14. Moreover, LPS-induced apoptosis was observed in primary colonic organoid cultures derived from TLR4 mutant but not WT murine crypts. Gene silencing of TLR4 increased cell apoptosis in WT organoids, whereas knockdown of CD14 ablated cell death in TLR4-mutant organoids. In vitro studies showed that LPS challenge caused apoptosis in Caco-2 cells (CD14(+)TLR4(-)) in a CD14-, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C-, sphingomyelinase-, and protein kinase C-ζ-dependent manner. Conversely, expression of functional but not mutant TLR4 (Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile, and Pro714His) rescued cells from LPS/CD14-induced apoptosis. In summary, CD14-mediated lipid signaling induced epithelial apoptosis, whereas TLR4 antagonistically promoted cell survival and cancer development. Our findings indicate that dysfunction in the CD14/TLR4 antagonism may contribute to normal epithelial transition to carcinogenesis, and provide novel strategies for intervention against colorectal cancer.

Direct excitation of propagating spin waves by focused ultrashort optical pulses.

An all-optical experiment long utilized to image phonons excited by ultrashort optical pulses has been applied to a magnetic sample. In addition to circular ripples due to surface acoustic waves, we observe an X-shaped pattern formed by propagating spin waves. The emission of spin waves from the optical pulse epicenter in the form of collimated beams is qualitatively reproduced by micromagnetic simulations. We explain the observed pattern in terms of the group velocity distribution of Damon-Eshbach magnetostatic spin waves in the reciprocal space and the wave vector spectrum of the focused ultrafast laser pulse.

Design and development of the pressure ulcer nursing information system for clinical risk management.

Since 2002, hospitals have to report to Nursing Service Department, Hospital Authority Head Office on the pressure ulcer trends for risk management in Hong Kong. In line with the strategy, hospitals have designed their own patient observation records and reporting forms for monthly analysis and reporting of in-patient hospital acquired pressure ulcers. The incidence rates of individual hospital and its specialties are then calculated manually or using electronic spread sheets. However, the diversity in data definition and vocabulary use generates difficulties in communication among professionals and hospital managers. The development of the system would help to standardize the requirements and to reduce the time required for generating trends and ulcer information. The system also lays the foundation for future systems integration with the changing information system infrastructure.

The muscle ultrastructure: a structural perspective of the sarcomere.

Muscle ultrastructure is characterised by a complex arrangement of many protein-protein interactions. The sarcomere is the basic repeating unit of muscle, formed by two transverse filament systems: the thick and thin filaments. While actin and myosin are the main contractile elements of the sarcomere, other proteins act as scaffolds, control ultrastructure composition, regulate muscle contraction, and transmit tension between sarcomeres and hence to the whole myofibril. Elucidation of the structures of muscle proteins by X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been essential in understanding muscle contraction, enabling us to relate biological to structural information. These structures reveal how components of the muscle interact, how different factors influence conformational changes within these proteins, and how mutant muscle proteins may interfere with the regulatory fine-tuning of the contractile machinery, hence leading to disease in some cases. Here, structures solved within the sarcomere have been reviewed in order to put the numerous components into context.

Receiver operating characteristic analysis for the selection of threshold values for detection of capping in powder compression.

The acoustic emission (AE) energy obtained from compressing lactose powder to form pharmaceutical tablets was chosen for condition monitoring of the tablets. The method used was based on the setting of an AE energy decision threshold such that problems of tablet capping and lamination were successfully identified. Capping and lamination are the most common types of problem that can occur in tablets manufacturing using a powder compression process. To assess the performance of a classifier, use was made of a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) obtained by plotting the correct detection probability against the false alarm probability based on AE energy distributions for capped and non-capped tablets. The area under the ROC curve, referred to as the AUC, determines the level of competency of the classifier. A value of 0.5 suggests a mere hazarding of guesses whilst a value of 1 indicates correct classification every time. The AE energy approach for tablet capping monitoring gives an AUC value of 0.96, thereby suggesting the possibility of a highly accurate classifier. With the assumption that penalties for false alarm and missed detection are equally severe, using the graphical method of expected penalty cost (EPC), the optimal AE energy decision threshold was established to be 1.2x10(8) units, at which the maximum correct capping detection rate of 95% was achieved. The paper also explains how a decision threshold can be obtained when the two penalties are not equal.

Use of developmental language scales in Chinese children.

The Reynell Developmental Language Scale (RDLS) and Symbolic Play Test (SPT) have been useful language tests for assessing the language age of children. Both tests have been validated in English-speaking children. However, there have been no studies conducted for Chinese children, whether Mandarin (Northerners) or Cantonese (Southerners) is used as the main dialect. As the Chinese population is the largest ethnic group in the world, and Chinese emigration occurred to nearly all parts of the world, it is essential to test whether these language tools can be applied for this ethnic group. The objective of this research was to study whether RDLS and SPT are useful in assessing the language age of Chinese children. Both RDLS (Chinese version) and SPT are conducted for 116 Chinese (Cantonese-speaking) children, aged 13-59 months, in Hong Kong. There is a significant positive correlation of the language age using RDLS and SPT with the chronological age of Chinese children. Both RDLS and SPT can be adopted in determining the language/mental age of Chinese (Cantonese-speaking) children.

Comparative study on microbial removal in immersed membrane filtration (IMF) with and without powdered activated carbon (PAC).

This paper describes an investigation on the effect of microbial removal using IMF for high quality drinking water production. The comparison of IMF and IMF-PAC configuration was carried out in the study to highlight the importance of PAC in the system. The specific objective of this study was to study the effect of PAC adsorption in the IMF-PAC system particularly in removing microbial substances from contaminated raw water. A bench scale IMF-PAC configuration using a flat sheet microfiltration membrane was set up for experimental purposes. Experimentally, the result has shown high removal of microbial substances with the IMF-PAC system compared to IMF. The result of E. coli removal achieved was below the detectable level due to the microbial size, which is bigger than membrane pore size. The addition of PAC has shown a direct effect on total microbial removal. The adsorption of microbial onto PAC surfaces reduced the amount of smaller microbial present in permeate samples. As a conclusion, the configuration of IMF is a promising separation process in removing microbial substances, especially when the system is combined with PAC.

A young male patient with persistent fever due to tuberculous peritonitis.

Tuberculous peritonitis is an uncommon disease in Hong Kong. We report a case of tuberculous peritonitis in a young male. The patient presented with persistent fever and intermittent cough for 1 month, but had no gastrointestinal symptoms. It was only through detection of slight abdominal ascites that subsequent abdominal paracentesis and laparoscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Appropriate antituberculous treatment was prescribed. Progress was complicated by persistent fever and liver function derangement, successfully managed by careful titration of antituberculous medications.

Changes of cytochemical markers in the conjunctival and corneal epithelium after corneal debridement.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the epithelial changes of the conjunctiva and cornea up to 7 days after corneal debridement and the changes highlighted included (1) proliferation, (2) production of growth factor, (3) changes in calcium binding protein marker, (4) production of cytokine, and (5) maturity of the regeneration corneal epithelium. 2. The cytochemical changes of the corneal and conjunctival epithelia of rabbit were analyzed up to 7 days after debridement. 3. An increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was observed in the limbal epithelia 12 hr after lesion and reached a peak by 48 hr. 4. Some proliferating limbal cells also contained epidermal growth factor (EGF) beginning 24 hr after injury. The early limbal cell proliferation and the EGF production and their persistence until 7 days after lesion were likely involved with the process of regeneration. 5. Other positive markers appeared after lesion included tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and calcium binding proteins S100A and S100B, which appeared mainly within the first 48 hr after lesion and then started to decline. The short appearance and the relatively small quantity of TNFalpha indicated that this cytokine was probably not very important in the repair process and its appearance might be related to the injury induced. The presence of S100A and S100B could be associated with both cell death after injury and the proliferation of new epithelium. 6. The cornea epithelium was still immature 7 days after lesion in that it still contained cytokeratin. 7. In conclusion, the critical hours of peak conjunctival and corneal changes after corneal debridement were in the first 2 days.

Parent management training in a Chinese population: application and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the applicability and outcome of parent management training in a group of Chinese children referred for aggressive and defiant behaviors. METHOD: Twenty-five children (aged 4-10 years) were assigned to a standardized 8 to 12 sessions of parent management training. Trained child and adolescent psychiatric nurses conducted the treatment. Measures taken at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 4-month follow-up period included the Child Behavior Checklist, direct observation of parent-child interactions, and a parent perception inventory. RESULTS: Significant therapeutic gains occurred in parent-child interactions, externalizing behaviors, and parents' perception of their parenting behaviors. These were maintained at 4-month follow-up. Fifty-two percent of cases improved to a level below clinical cutoffs. Poor parent-child interactions had stronger correlation with externalizing disturbances than internalizing disturbances. The changes in parent-child interactions had low correlation with the changes in the symptom profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The data provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of parent management training for Chinese children with conduct problems. The rationale for its success and modifications to improve its cultural sensitivity are discussed.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumour.

The present report describes a rare case of primary desmoplastic small cell tumour of the recto-sigmoid colon with hepatic metastases and lymphadenopathy. There are no pathognomonic radiological features and often their features overlap with other diseases including lymphoma. Histology is necessary to confirm this diagnosis. Unfortunately despite aggressive therapy, the prognosis for this disease is poor.

Is smooth muscle growth in primate arteries regulated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase?

PURPOSE: We investigated whether control of constitutive endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) by changes in shear stress might be important for the regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth and vascular diameter. METHODS: Bilateral femoral arteriovenous fistulas were placed in baboons to increase the blood flow in the external iliac arteries. At 2 months, the fistula was ligated on one side to restore normal flow (flow switch). RESULTS: In response to flow switch and a decrease in shear stress, iliac artery lumenal area decreased and SMC proliferation was induced. A decline in NO production, cNOS messenger RNA (mRNA), and protein were associated with these biological effects. In a subset of animals with iliac arteries under high flow, infusion of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of cNOS, did not induce proliferation. CONCLUSION: Shear stress can regulate cNOS, vasoconstriction, and SMC proliferation. A decrease in nitric oxide may be necessary, but is not sufficient to induce SMC proliferation in response to a decrease in blood flow.

Spontaneous corneal rupture in Noonan syndrome. A case report.

PURPOSE/METHODS: A variety of ocular and periocular manifestations have been described in Noonan syndrome. Collagen abnormalities have been described; however, to our knowledge spontaneous corneal rupture has not been reported. A forty-three-year-old female who presented with spontaneous corneal rupture was later diagnosed as having Noonan syndrome. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Collagen abnormalities have been described with Noonan syndrome and this is likely the cause of corneal rupture in this patient.

Increasing OR efficiency with a specialty services manual.

The successful operation of a modern ophthalmology OR is dependent on a knowledgeable, well-educated nursing staff. To improve communication and teamwork between ophthalmology surgeons and nursing staff members at the Louisiana State University Medical Center University Hospital, Shreveport, we developed an OR manual. We reduced our level of frustration by producing a manual that facilitates the day-to-day operation of the surgical services department. The manual provides consistent information for our ophthalmic surgical procedures; functions as a reference source; and promotes an efficient, productive OR. Although we designed this manual for the ophthalmology surgical service at our medical center, its structure can be applied to other surgical specialties.

Acute reductions in blood flow and shear stress induce platelet-derived growth factor-A expression in baboon prosthetic grafts.

Abrupt reductions in fluid shear stress induce subendothelial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to proliferate in experimental prosthetic grafts. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), an important SMC mitogen, is expressed by cultured endothelial cells and modulated by shear stress. We hypothesized that this growth factor would be modulated by changes in shear stress in vivo. Bilateral aortoiliac prosthetic grafts were implanted into five baboons. High flow was generated by construction of femoral arteriovenous fistulas on both sides. Two months later, one of the fistulas was ligated, reducing shear stress in the upstream graft by 78 +/- 6%. Four days after fistula ligation, all grafts were removed and analyzed. As previously reported, SMC proliferation in low-flow grafts exceeded that in high-flow grafts, although the neointimal area was similar. mRNA levels for PDGF-A were significantly increased in low-flow grafts compared with high-flow grafts. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies localized the increased PDGF-A mRNA and protein to the luminal endothelium and subjacent SMCs. Abrupt reductions in blood flow and fluid shear stress may induce accelerated neointimal thickening by a PDGF-A-mediated mechanism, since endothelial expression of this gene is temporally and anatomically associated with neointimal SMC proliferation.

Removal of a corneal foreign body through a lamellar corneal pocket.

A piece of glass was found in the posterior central cornea of a 43-year-old victim of a motor vehicle accident. The original entry of the foreign body had healed and epithelialized. This foreign body was removed through a peripheral corneal incision and corneal stromal pocket extended to the glass particle. This technique avoids creation of a corneal incision near the optical axis and prevents unwanted distortion of the corneal topography. The authors report this case to emphasize the importance of preserving corneal topography in corneal surgery.

Epikeratophakia to correct traumatic aphakia after penetrating keratoplasty.

A 19-year-old man with keratoconus sustained ocular trauma and became aphakic in his operated left eye 2 months after penetrating keratoplasty. Original corneal wound repair was performed without intraocular lens implantation. Attempts to correct his aphakia with a contact lens failed when the patient became intolerant to its use. As an alternative, the patient had elective epikeratophakia. A standard 8.5 mm lenticule was placed over existing corneal graft. This operation resulted in +12.25 diopters of correction and a best corrected visual acuity of 20/25 at 30 months postoperatively. There was no sign of abnormalities at the host cornea or the transplanted lenticule. This case indicates that epikeratophakia may be successfully performed over existing corneal grafts.