Accessible Locations Research Articles

Neuro-endoscopic management of intraventricular neurocysticercosis (NCC)

Various approaches including endoscopy have been used for the treatment of intraventricular and cisternal NCC. We present our technique of Neuro-endoscopic management of intraventricular NCC. Twenty-one cases, 13 females and 8 males (age range 12-50 years; mean, 25.7 years), of intraventricular NCC [lateral (n = 6), third (n = 6), fourth (n = 10) ventricles including a patient with both lateral and third ventricular cysts] producing obstructive hydrocephalus formed the group of study. Gaab Universal Endoscope System along with 4 mm 0 degrees and 30 degrees rigid telescopes were used through a frontal burr-hole for removal of intraventricular including intra-fourth ventricular (n = 10) NCC. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was done for internal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Average follow up was 18 months. Complete (n = 18) or partial (n = 2) removal of NCC was done in 20 patients, while a cyst located at foramen of Monro slipped and migrated to occipital or temporal horn in 1 patient. Thirty-degree 4-mm rigid telescope provided excellent image quality with ability to address even intra-fourth ventricular NCC through the dilated aqueduct using a curved tip catheter. No patient required further surgery for their hydrocephalus. There was no operative complication and post-operative ventriculitis was not seen in any case despite partial removal of NCC. Neuro-endoscopic surgery is an effective treatment modality for patients with intraventricular NCC. It effectively restores CSF flow and is capable of removing cysts completely or partially from accessible locations causing mass effect. Partial removal or rupture of the cyst does not affect the clinical outcome of the patients.

A spoken language interface with a mobile robot

We describe a spoken dialogue interface with a mobile robot, which a human can direct to specific locations, ask for information about its status, and supply information about its environment. The robot uses an internal map for navigation, and communicates its current orientation and accessible locations to the dialogue system. In this article, we focus on linguistic and inferential aspects of the human–robot communication process.

Arthroscopic Removal of an Osteoid Osteoma in the Radial Head: A Case Report

We describe an unusual case of osteoid osteoma of the radial head that was treated by means of elbow arthroscopy. A 42-year-old man presented with a history of elbow pain lasting for 2 years that progressed after an unsuccessful previous operative procedure. Computed tomography and bone scan evaluation revealed the possibility of an osteoid osteoma of the radial head. Elbow arthroscopy under image intensifier guidance was completed to locate and remove the lesion. The shavings were collected, and a histologic analysis was performed, the findings of which were consistent with the preoperative diagnosis. An immediate decline in pain with an excellent and lasting increase in function was observed postoperatively. Radical open surgery is curative for osteoid osteoma and also allows for an excellent histologic confirmation of the diagnosis in the setting of a juxta-articular osteoid osteoma, but the residual morbidity does not justify it around accessible joint locations in this self-limited, albeit painful, disease. Thought should be given to the possibility of arthroscopic retrieval or excision with minimal operative damage before proceeding with open surgery. The use of a motorized instrument for excision does not preclude pathologic evaluation of the specimens.

Meaningful conversation with mobile robots

We describe an implementation integrating a complete spoken dialogue system with a mobile robot, which a human can direct to specific locations, ask for information about its status and supply information about its environment. The robot uses an internal map for navigation, and communicates its current orientation and accessible locations to the dialogue system using a topological map as interface. We focus on linguistic and inferential aspects of the human–robot communication process. The result is a novel approach using a principled semantic theory combined with techniques from automated deduction applied to a mobile robot platform. Due to the abstract level of the dialogue system, it is easily portable to other environments or applications.

Testing a Flexible Geographic Information System-Based Network Flow Model for Routing Hurricane Disaster Relief Goods

Recent weather events, particularly in the southeastern United States, have brought issues of hurricane disaster planning to the forefront of public policy. Efficient distribution of relief goods to populations after severe weather events is one of many challenges faced by governing bodies. This paper focuses on provision of hurricane disaster relief and develops a flexible network flow model that provides efficient transport linkages between critical elements of the relief goods supply chain. The model identifies accessible locations in which to place intraurban distribution sites for relief goods. Flexibility inherent in the model structure allows the pursuit of multiple policies, including the ability to trade off the costs paid for constructing various components of the goods supply chain. The model is linked to a geographic information system and can be used to visualize relief planning scenarios. The results of model tests with sample spatial data demonstrate how average population time to relief facilities (accessibility) varies substantially depending on the cost structure input into the model. Conclusions and several suggestions for future research are provided.

Beyond City Living: Remaking the Inner Suburbs

This paper explores the emerging regeneration strategies for inner suburban areas. Drawing on evidence from Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, the authors argue that regeneration of these inner areas can do more than upgrade housing and environments for existing residents; they can become more attractive to a wider range of households as convenient, accessible locations for larger, more affordable housing than is available in the city centre or the more recent suburbs. But care will be needed to create appealing, safe, walkable places; to define and deliver an attractive ‘offer’ for new residents, and to avoid displacement and tensions with existing residents. Here is a potential site for one version of ‘sustainable communities’ in the early twenty-first century, if it is approached sensitively and intelligently.

Episodic-like Memory in the Rat

A fundamental question in comparative cognition is whether animals remember unique, personal past experiences. It has long been argued that memories for specific events (referred to as episodic memory) are unique to humans. Recently, considerable evidence has accumulated to show that food-storing birds possess critical behavioral elements of episodic memory, referred to as episodic-like memory in acknowledgment of the fact that behavioral criteria do not assess subjective experiences. Here we show that rats have a detailed representation of remembered events and meet behavioral criteria for episodic-like memory. We provided rats with access to locations baited with distinctive (e.g., grape and raspberry) or nondistinctive (regular chow) flavors. Locations with a distinctive flavor replenished after a long but not a short delay, and locations with the nondistinctive flavor never replenished. One distinctive flavor was devalued after encoding its location by prefeeding that flavor (satiation) or by pairing it with lithium chloride (acquired taste aversion), while the other distinctive flavor was not devalued. The rats selectively decreased revisits to the devalued distinctive flavor but not to the nondevalued distinctive flavor. The present studies demonstrate that rats selectively encode the content of episodic-like memories.

Using searcher simulations to redesign a polyrepresentative implicit feedback interface

Information seeking is traditionally conducted in environments where search results are represented at the user interface by a minimal amount of meta-information such as titles and query-based summaries. The goal of this form of presentation is to give searchers sufficient context to help them make informed interaction decisions without overloading them cognitively. The principle of polyrepresentation [Ingwersen, P. (1996). Cognitive perspectives of information retrieval interaction: elements of a cognitive IR theory. Journal of Documentation 52, 3–50] suggests that information retrieval (IR) systems should provide and use different cognitive structures during acts of communication to reduce the uncertainty associated with interactive IR. In previous work we have created content-rich search interfaces that implement an aspect of polyrepresentative theory, and are capable of displaying multiple representations of the retrieved documents simultaneously at the results interface. Searcher interaction with content-rich interfaces was used as implicit relevance feedback (IRF) to construct modified queries. These interfaces have been shown to be successful in experimentation with human subjects but we do not know whether the information was presented in a way that makes good use of the display space, or positioned most useful components in easily accessible locations, for use in IRF. In this article we use simulations of searcher interaction behaviour as design tools to determine the most rational interface design for when IRF is employed. This research forms part of the iterative design of interfaces to proactively support searchers.

Incorporation of carotenoid esters into liposomes

Carotenoid esters are investigated for their interaction with liposomal membranes and compared with their corresponding free (non-esterified) carotenoids. A monoester (β-cryptoxanthin) and two diesters (zeaxanthin and lutein) were chosen. Egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes served as the membrane model. We measured the sizes of the liposomes by photon correlation spectroscopy. The incorporation yields were determined spectrophotometrically. From liposomes simultaneously doped with the fluorescent dye Laurdan, fluidity changes of the liposomes were obtained. In summary, the results indicate that the carotenoid esters: (i) get incorporated, but at a lower yield than their corresponding free carotenoids, (ii) also increase the membrane rigidity as do the free carotenoids, and (iii) increase the liposome sizes significantly, but after extrusion through an 0.1 μm filter the sizes resemble with the exception of the liposomes incorporated with lutein diesters, they remain bigger indicating an elastic property due to two different accessible locations in the membrane.

Per Connection Performance Analysis of a Frame-Based TDMA/CDMA MAC Protocol Containing both Reservation and Contention Slots

A mixture of reservation plus contention data slots is now widely implemented in TDMA/ CDMA systems to make a system flexible enough to suit various kinds of packets but preserve the good nature of frame-based protocols. We conducted performance analysis for an arbitrary connection in such a system under the assumption of MMPP (Markov-modulated Poisson process) arrivals. Accessible slot locations of this connection in a frame are made general. Success probability in accessing a contention slot is also made general. We have obtained the system size distribution which can be used to evaluate the performance of various frame-based MAC protocols. The MMPP arrival pattern can be generalized to the BMAP (batch Markovian arrival process) family to further accommodate a broader set of traffic sources.

Drifting Arctic sea ice archives changes in ocean surface conditions

δ18O profiles in drifting Arctic sea ice are coupled with back trajectories of ice drift and an ice growth model to reconstruct the surface hydrography of the Arctic Ocean interior. The results compare well with δ18O values obtained by traditional oceanographic methods and known water mass distributions. Analysis of the stable isotopic composition of sea ice floes sampled at strategic and relatively accessible locations, e.g., Fram Strait, could aid in mapping spatial and temporal variations in Arctic Ocean surface waters.

A Comprehensive Model for Examining the Association between Physical Activity and the Physical Environment

0520 The extent of the relation between features of the physical environment (e.g. traffic) and physical activity is not clear due to sub-optimal (subjective evaluations) and truncated (only a small, select group of features are measured) data collection methods and study designs. PURPOSE: To develop a comprehensive model for understanding the relationship between physical activity and the physical environment. METHODS: An extensive list of measurable and modiflable characteristics of the functional, aesthetic, safety, and destination features of the physical environment was constructed using existing literature and a panel of experts. The linear footage of 12 U.S. census tract block groups was divided into five 1000 foot long segments. Three 100 foot sections in each of the 1000 foot segments were randomly selected for examination. Information on the sample characteristics was obtained using direct measurement techniques, extent and archival records, and the internet (for destinations). Physical activity was measured using direct observation of the 1000 ft segments. RESULTS: Characteristics significantly correlated with exercise activities were the percentage of sidewalks with peripheral overgrowth (r = 0.28) and density of accessible locations (r = 0.26). Characteristics significantly correlated with lifestyle physical activities were the percentage of yards maintained (r = 0.26), the percentage of intersections with crossing signs (r = −0.34), the percentage of intersections with cross walks (r = −0.35), pieces of litter (r = −0.41), and instances of graffiti (r = −0.27). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are based on objective data. They provide evidence suggesting that certain characteristics of the physical environment affect physical activity.

Introducing touchscreens to black and ethnic minority groups--a report of processes and issues in the Three Cities project.

There is a need for people to have access to health information but this may not be readily available for some black and ethnic minority groups living in England. This study aims to improve access to health information for ethnic minority groups by providing this in their own language, in an audio and visual format through a touchscreen computer. The study was led by health promotion and public health workers informed by advisory panels of representatives from local black and ethnic minority groups in the cities of Nottingham, Sheffield and Leicester. Discussion within the advisory panels and local epidemiological data helped to identify groups to be targeted and priority health issues to be addressed. Other issues covered during development included interface design, language translation and identification of accessible locations. A number of problems were addressed in establishing appropriate touchscreen facilities, mainly relating to producing information in an electronic format for multiple languages and populations not necessarily computer-literate. Three touchscreens, containing information on 10 health topics, translated into five languages are currently installed, one in each city. They are being rotated through a series of locations including a library, GP practice, and a temple. Their use, and satisfaction with use, is being evaluated over a 2-year period, by statistical analysis of computer logs and the collection of qualitative information by bi-lingual interviewers with users, over an 18-month period. Health information can be made available for ethnic minority groups even if they are unable to read their mother tongue. Touchscreens appear to be a suitable medium for achieving this.

ELCOGAS IGCC power plant in Spain: effect of the gasifier environment on the high alloy steel performance

The ELCOGAS power plant in Puertollano (Ciudad Real, Spain), with a gross electrical output of 335 MWe, is the world’s largest capacity Integrated Gasification in Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant. ELCOGAS is a Spanish joint stock company whose shareholders are European utilities and capital good suppliers from European countries.The gasification is based on the PRENFLO pressurized entrained-flow process with dry fuel dust feeding. The high-pressure (HP) evaporators, located in the same pressure vessel as the gasifier, are one of the most critical components in terms of materials in the gasifier. The corrosion performance of the austenitic Sanicro 28 alloy tubing exposed to the aggressive raw gas in the HP evaporators is being evaluated. For this purpose, destructive examination of calibrated test samples, installed at various accessible locations and removed after different exposure periods, is being performed. Corrosion results of Sanicro 28 samples with more than 11200 operating hours are available and show, in general, low corrosion metal losses in the high temperature gasifier atmosphere.

ELCOGAS IGCC power plant in Spain: effect of the gasifier environment on the high alloy steel performance

The ELCOGAS power plant in Puertollano (Ciudad Real, Spain), with a gross electrical output of 335 MWe, is the world’s largest capacity Integrated Gasification in Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant. ELCOGAS is a Spanish joint stock company whose shareholders are European utilities and capital good suppliers from European countries.The gasification is based on the PRENFLO pressurized entrained-flow process with dry fuel dust feeding. The high-pressure (HP) evaporators, located in the same pressure vessel as the gasifier, are one of the most critical components in terms of materials in the gasifier. The corrosion performance of the austenitic Sanicro 28 alloy tubing exposed to the aggressive raw gas in the HP evaporators is being evaluated. For this purpose, destructive examination of calibrated test samples, installed at various accessible locations and removed after different exposure periods, is being performed. Corrosion results of Sanicro 28 samples with more than 11200 operating hours are available and show, in general, low corrosion metal losses in the high temperature gasifier atmosphere.

Riparian land use and accessibility to fishers influence size class composition and habitat use by longfin eels in a New Zealand river

Fyke nets were used to sample longfin eels Anguilla die.enbachii in fourth order stream sites with contrasting riparian land use (native tussock, exotic pasture and pasture plus willows Salix spp.) in Lee Stream, a tributary of the Taieri River, New Zealand. Total lengths (LT) of longfin eels from locations inaccessible to eel fishers were normally distributed whereas those from accessible locations had a non‐normal, positively skewed distribution. Mean LT and body condition were higher in inaccessible than accessible sites, consistent with considerable fishing exploitation in the latter. Mean LT of the fish was greatest in pasture, intermediate in willow and smallest in tussock sites. Larger longfin eels (≥535 mm) were associated with a riffle‐type habitat consisting of shallow, faster‐flowing water with coarse, variable sediment and were taken farther from cover. In contrast, smaller longfin eels were associated with a pool‐type habitat consisting of slower‐flowing, deeper water, with fine, homogenous sediment and were captured closer to cover. This pattern of habitat use differed from some previous reports and probably reflects differences in methodology: fyke nets set over 48 h to sample actively moving longfin eels compared to daytime electric fishing, which samples longfin eels that are more likely to be at rest.

Informational Picture Books in the Library: Do Young Children Find Them?

ABSTRACT Ten public libraries were surveyed to evaluate access for young children, aged 4 ½ to 6 years, to age appropriate informational picture books. Location of books, types of shelving, and displays were noted for both fiction and informational books, and unobtrusive observations of young children browsing were conducted in three of the libraries. The findings confirmed children's preference for books in eye level face front shelving in high traffic areas especially near the children's area seating; most children did not explore far from parents. Visits by children to hardcover fiction, paperback fiction, and paperback informational picture books, were balanced. However, hardcover informational picture books were missed due to less accessible locations, oversize shelving, and fewer displays. The role of accompanying parents in finding materials was pivotal. Improving access for young children to a wide variety of books in their public libraries supports both recreational and educational needs, and needs to be considered in library layout.

Inverse determination of steady-state heat transfer coefficient

An experimental setup for the inverse determination of steady-state heat transfer coefficient in a two-dimensional system is proposed. This setup requires temperatures mmeasurements at accessible and non-intrusive locations, but does not require heat flux measurement. The mathematical model of the system is solved numerically by using the boundary element method. It is shown that, as a result of uncertainty in temperature measurement, the estimated heat transfer coefficient will contain uncertainty. This uncertainty can be reduced by varying experimental parameters, some of which are discussed.

Understanding population growth in the peri-urban region.

This article advocates a new approach to understanding periurban population growth. A conceptual model is developed that identifies four distinct growth processes: suburbanization, counterurbanization, population retention, and centripetal migration. Each of these growth processes acts differently on particular population subgroups. The differences are reflected in variations in the spatial manifestation of periurban growth within Australia. Suburbanization process is differentiated from counterurbanization by employing three indicators of suburbanization. The first indicator includes the broad situation of the periurban destination and is defined as in-migration from the metropolitan area to adjacent, accessible periurban locations. The second indicator lies in the assessment of the commuting and social linkages with the metropolitan maintained by migrants. The third indicator is the nature of the migrants' residential destination site. Counterurbanization is largely seen to be a shift in population down the urban hierarchy to smaller centers and localities beyond the existing metropolitan boundaries. Furthermore, the article discusses the four indicators that distinguish counterurbanization from suburbanization. Another important process contributing to periurban growth is population retention. Two key indicators that lie in the measurement of increased period of residence and reduced rates of out-migration overtime characterize this process.

Hepatic cryosurgery via minilaparotomy in a porcine model: an alternative to open cryosurgery.

Cryosurgery of liver lesions is becoming increasingly accepted for the ablation of liver tumors. Attempts at laparoscopic cryosurgery have been very limited and often need to be converted to open laparotomy due to the complexity of the procedure. Seven domestic pigs were anesthetized, and 17 small (0.7 cm mean diameter) tumor mimicking agar "lesions" were percutaneously placed in the liver. Two small subcostal incisions ( approximately 2.0 cm) were placed, and an endocavitary ultrasound transducer (with a 2. 4-mm cryoprobe mounted on it) was placed on the liver surface. Lesions were localized and directly punctured with one or two cryoprobes under ultrasound guidance, and a single 15-min freeze was undertaken. The animals were then killed, and their livers were removed and serially sectioned. Total time for probe placement was approximately 10 min after incisions had been made. Animals tolerated the procedure well and all survived until they were killed. No intraabdominal complications were detected at exploration. Mean cryolesion dimensions were 3.0 cm (single probe) and 3.3 cm (dual probe) (p > 0.05). Positive margins were detected in one lesion treated with a single probe, and in none of the lesions treated with dual probes. Mean margins were 0.9 cm: 1.2 cm for the single probe and dual probe techniques, respectively. Liver surrounding control agar lesions demonstrated a thin rim of necrosis, approximately 0.5 mm wide. We conclude that minilaparotomy is an effective, safe, and simple method for performing hepatic cryosurgery in this animal model. This minimally invasive technique may benefit a subset of patients with lesions in accessible locations. Lesions in posterior locations may not be as amenable to this technique due to deterioration of ultrasound image quality in the far field.