Higher Functions Research Articles

Tooth Loss and Decline in Functional Capacity: A Prospective Cohort Study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study.

To describe associations between tooth loss and changes in higher-level functional capacity. Prospective cohort study. Twenty-four Japanese municipalities between 2010 and 2013. Functionally independent community-dwelling persons aged 65 and older (N=62,333). Self-reported number of teeth was used as an exposure variable. The outcome was changes in higher-level functional capacity measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC), which consists of three domains: instrumental activities of daily living, intellectual activity, and social roles. The TMIG-IC score ranges from 0 (lowest function) to 13 (highest function). All covariates were chosen from baseline demographic, socioeconomic, health behavior, and health variables based upon evidence from previous studies. Inverse-probability weighting (IPW) with propensity score and multiple linear regression, estimating nonstandardized coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were used. The baseline response rate was 65.2%, and the follow-up rate was 70.1%. During the follow-up period, participants' TMIG-IC score declined by an average of 0.247 points (standard deviation: 1.446). The results showed a significant dose-response association between tooth loss and decline in higher-level functional capacity in multiple linear regression models. IPW models estimated the increment in TMIG-IC score (β=0.170, 95% CI=0.114 to 0.227) if edentulous participants gained 20 or more natural teeth. Tooth loss is associated with future decline in higher-level functional capacity. IPW models suggest that treatment for tooth loss attenuates decline in higher-level functional capacity.

A randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy versus non-directive reflective listening for young people at ultra high risk of developing psychosis: The detection and evaluation of psychological therapy (DEPTh) trial

BackgroundIntervention trials for young people at ultra high risk (UHR) for psychosis have shown cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to have promising effects on treating psychotic symptoms but have not focused on functional outcomes. We hypothesized that compared to an active control, CBT would: (i) reduce the likelihood of, and/or delay, transition to psychosis; (ii) reduce symptom severity while improving social functioning and quality of life, whether or not transition occurred. MethodThis was a single-blind randomised controlled trial for young people at UHR for psychosis comparing CBT to an active control condition, Non Directive Reflective Listening (NDRL), both in addition to standard care, with a 6month treatment phase and 12months of follow-up. Statistical analysis is based on intention-to-treat and used random effect models to estimate treatment effects common to all time-points. ResultsFifty-seven young people (mean age=16.5years) were randomised to CBT (n=30) or NDRL (n=27). Rate of transition to psychosis was 5%; the 3 transitions occurred in the CBT condition (baseline, 2months, 5months respectively). The NDRL condition resulted in a significantly greater reduction in distress associated with psychotic symptoms compared to CBT (treatment effect=36.71, standard error=16.84, p=0.029). There were no significant treatment effects on frequency and intensity of psychotic symptoms, global, social or role functioning. ConclusionOur sample was higher functioning, younger and experiencing lower levels of psychotic like experiences than other trials. The significantly better treatment effect of NDRL on distress associated with psychotic symptoms supports the recommendations for a stepped-care model of service delivery. This treatment approach would accommodate the younger UHR population and facilitate timely intervention.Trial registration: ANZCTR 12606000101583

Role of higher aromatic content in modulating properties of cardanol based benzoxazines

Abstract Mono-benzoxazine monomers based polybenzoxazines suffer from a lower crosslink density and char yield that especially is further diluted by the presence of longer alkylene chain in cardanol (C). In order to improve the crosslink density, char yield and to understand the role of higher aromatic content vs functionality, a series of cardanol-based benzoxazine monomers were synthesised. The amine condensed with cardanol and paraformaldehyde were aniline (a), 4-triphenylmethylaniline (ta), and tetra-aminophenyl methane (tapm) via solventless methodology. The C-a and C-ta are mono-benzoxazines while C-tapm is a tetra-benzoxazine monomer. The monomers were structurally characterised using FT-IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The ring opening polymerisation temperature (ROP) of monomers and thermal stability of resins was determined using DSC and TGA while mechanical properties were determined using rheometry. The curing kinetic study using FT-IR and DSC showed C-ta has intermediate curing behaviour between the C-a and C-tapm. The E a for curing reaction C-a, C-ta and C-tapm was found to be 143, 126 and 70 kJ/mol. The lowest E a for curing reaction of C-tapm (tetra-benzoxazine) is due to its highest functionality but C-ta (mono-benzoxazine) has lower E a than C-a which can be accounted to the presence of more reactive sites provided by the additional aromatic rings in the former. It was found that the incorporation of higher aromatic ring in benzoxazine monomers is another route in enhancing the crosslink density besides higher functionality to modulate their properties.

Quantity and quality of communication during parental deployment: Links to adolescents’ functioning

ABSTRACTUsing an online survey methodology, we examined individual differences in distance communication between 75 adolescents and their deployed parents and found substantial individual differences in both the quantity and quality of their communication. We also examined the statistical associations between these features of distance communication and adolescents’ functioning, including emotional reactions following communication, health-related quality of life, and externalizing and internalizing problems. The quantity of communication of deployed parents with their adolescents was not associated with adolescents’ functioning, but more positive and less controlling communication was statistically associated with adolescents’ higher functioning. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed.

A Preliminary Study of the Utilization of Maximal and Rapid Strength Characteristics to Identify Chair-Rise Performance Abilities in Very Old Adults.

Maximal and rapid strength characteristics of the knee extensor and flexor muscles play an important role in fall prevention and walking-related performances; however, few studies have investigated the ability of these variables to identify chair-rise performances in very old adults. To examine the effectiveness of maximal and rapid isometric strength characteristics of the knee extensors and flexors to differentiate between very old adults who are able (higher functioning) versus unable (lower functioning) to independently rise from a chair. Nine higher functioning (age, 87 ± 6 years) and 6 lower functioning (age, 89 ± 6 years) very old adults performed 2 isometric maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors and flexors. Peak moment and absolute and relative rate of moment development (RMD) at the early (0-50 ms) and late (0-200 ms) phases of muscle contraction were examined during each maximal voluntary contraction. Absolute and relative RMD values at 0 to 50 ms were greater (P = .02 and .03, respectively) in the higher functioning than in the lower functioning individuals for both the knee extensors and flexors. However, no group-related differences (P = .39-.58) were observed in either muscle group for peak moment or absolute and relative RMD at 0 to 200 ms. Early rapid moment production of the knee extensors and flexors may be an effective measure for discriminating between very old adults of different chair-rise performance abilities. Physical therapists and other practitioners may use these findings to help with the identification and early detection of older adults who are at a high risk for functional decline.

Comprehension Abilities of Idioms according to Semantic Types and Familiarity in School-Aged Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

배경 및 목적: 본 연구에서는 관용어 유형(감정표현, 행위표현)과 친숙도(고, 저)에 따른 학령기 고기능 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동과 일반 아동 간의 관용어 이해 정확도에 유의한 차이가 있는지 살펴보고, 집단 내에서 오류 유형에 따른 오답률에 유의한 차이가 있는지 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법: 동작성 지능과 언어발달이 정상 범위에 있는 학령기 고기능 자폐스펙트럼장애...

Pro-cognitive action of CART is mediated via ERK in the hippocampus.

Although cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) is detected in several cortical and subcortical areas, its role in higher functions has been largely ignored. We examined the significance of CART in memory formation and tested if the downstream actions of CART involve N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) activated extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Newly formed memory was evaluated using novel object recognition test consisting of familiarization (T1) and choice trials (T2). The choice trials were performed at two time points: 30-min (T230-min ) and 24-h (T224-h ) postacquisition. In choice trial (T230-min ), vehicle control rats explored the novel object for significantly longer duration than the familiar object indicating intact memory formation. However, CART-antibody, U0126 [ERK antagonist, both via intracerebroventricular (icv) or intrahippocampal (ih) route] or MK-801 (NMDA antagonist; intraperitoneal) treated rats spent less time exploring novel objects; CART peptide (icv or ih) was ineffective. During choice trial at T224-h , a significant decrease in novel object exploration time was noticed in vehicle control rats suggesting amnesia. However, treatment with CART, prior to familiarization trial (T1), promoted exploration of the novel object even at T224-h . Pretreatment with U0126 or MK-801 blocked pro-cognitive-like effect of CART suggesting involvement of NMDA-ERK pathway in CART's action. Animals subjected to the object familiarization trial showed a drastic increase in the CART-immunoreactivity in the cells of cornu ammonis 3 and polymorph layer of dentate gyrus, and fibers within ento- (ENT) and peri-rhinal (PRH) cortices. Western blot analysis revealed that CART treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of phospo-ERK1/2 in hippocampus, ENT and PRH. This effect was attenuated following pretreatment with U0126 or MK-801, suggesting the activation of ERK signaling cascade through NMDA receptors. Thus, CART system seems to play an important role in recognition memory and that these effects may be mediated by NMDA receptors-ERK signaling in the ENT/PRH-hippocampal circuit. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Management of idiopathic clubfoot by Ponseti’s method: a comparative clinical study on toddlers with radiological correlation

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> In developed countries, many children with clubfoot undergo extensive corrective surgery, often with disturbing failures and complications. The need for one or more revision surgeries is common. Although the foot looks better after surgery, it is stiff, weak, and often painful. Non-operative treatment of clubfoot provides a lower complication rate, less pain, and higher function as the patient ages. Lack of information regarding reasons for adherence to the regimen makes it difficult for health providers and health planners to determine the impact of treatments on health status or weigh the cost/benefit ratio for prescribing costly treatments to the patients. Therefore, it is important to understand how parents and health care givers manage their children’s treatment and the potential barriers these parents encounter during the utilization of clubfoot treatment services. It is important to determine the compliance of patients to clubfoot correction treatment in order to identify and target factors that may positively or negatively influence cases attending the clinic.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 25 cases with clubfoot were studied in the Department of Orthopaedics, Katihar Medical College. Out of these, 13 cases (Group A) were children over 1 year of age with neglected clubfoot and 12 cases (Group B) were children under one year of age with idiopathic clubfoot.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The Ponseti method delivers excellent correction of clubfoot without the associated risks and complications of major foot surgery. Patients treated with Ponseti’s method have leverage in treatment of clubfoot than those treated by other conservative methods. The method provides more flexible foot and ankle than those treated surgically.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Treatment of clubfoot if commenced early will have better result. Children of age less than 1 year respond better than children of older age group. Younger children require fewer correction casts.</p>

AN OVERVIEW OF SOFTWARE DEFINED CAMPUS NETWORKS

The number of users and overall workload on computer networks increase continually. However, the management of the computer networks infrastructure in which taking the advantage of rapid changes in technology is still complicated and exteremely expensive. The concept of Software Defined Networks (SDN) proposes the development of software tools with new applications to decouple the network devices from the network traffic as similar as virtualization technologies. This will help computer networks being more flexible and contribute the management of Information Technologies with a higher functionality and lower cost.

The normalization of online campaigning in the web.2.0 era

This article is based on a comparative study of online campaigning and its effects by country and over time, using four of the largest European Union member states (France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom) as a case study. Our research explores the extent of embeddedness of online campaigning, the strategic uses of the whole online environment and in particular the use of the interactive features associated with web.2.0 era. However, our research goes beyond studies of online campaigning as we also determine whether online campaigning across platforms matters in electoral terms. Our data support the normalization hypothesis which shows overall low levels of innovation but that the parties with the highest resources tend to develop online campaigns with the highest functionality. We find that there is a vote dividend for those parties which utilized web.2.0 features the most and so offered visitors to their web presence a more interactive experience.

Quality of life, functioning and cognition in bipolar disorder and major depression: A latent profile analysis

This study aimed to identify profiles of functioning and quality of life (QOL) in depression (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy adults, as well as the clinical, demographic and cognitive variables associated with each of these profiles. Participants completed the WHODAS 2.0 and WHOQOL-BREF, which were submitted to latent profile analysis. The four cluster solution provided the best fit for our data. Cluster 1 consisted mostly of healthy adults, and had the highest functioning and QOL. Clusters 2 contained older patients with subclinical depressive symptoms and psychiatric comorbidities, whose impairments in QOL and functioning were associated with mood symptoms and several cognitive abilities. Patients with MDD, BDI or BDII with mild to moderate depression, such as those in cluster 3, may benefit more significantly from interventions in cognitive flexibility, inhibition, planning, and sustained attention. Lastly, patients with mood disorders and clinically significant levels of depression, as well as a history of suicide attempts, like those in cluster 4, may benefit from interventions aimed at working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility; that is, the three core executive functions. These findings should be further investigated, and used to guide treatments for patients with mood disorders and different patterns of functional impairment.

Relation between Children’s Well-Being and Family Function in Children with Thalassemia Major in Isfahan in 2013

<p>The function of every family has a significant impact on the health of its members. Thalassemia is a chronic disease and, as the most common genetic disorder in the world, affects different aspects of life, including emotional well-being. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between well-being in children with a Thalassemia major and the function of their families, in Isfahan, Iran, in 2013. This was a cross sectional study and census sampling was used to collect the data. The study sample consisted of 97 children with thalassemia at the age of 10-16 years who referred to the clinic of Imam Reza, Seyed-al-Shohada Hospital in Isfahan. The subjects were evaluated using the Adolescent Psychological Wellbeing Scale and Family Functioning Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was a reverse relationship between the overall score of family functioning and illness score of children with thalassemia (r=-0.377, P<0.001). In other words, children with thalassemia who are in families with a higher functionality have a greater sense of well-being. Among the 15 aspects of family functioning, the aspect of expressiveness and Lack of independence had the highest correlation with well-being in children with thalassemia. However, the aspect of locus of control and Disengagement had the lowest correlation with their well-being. The results of this study showed that there is a direct relationship between family functioning and emotional well-being of children with thalassemia major. Therefore, an important task of public health nurses is to improve the function of families in various aspects. The strengthening of family planning and implementation of projects in this regard is also necessary. </p>

Outcome Prediction in Elective Spine Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objectives To identify associations between demographic characteristics, anxiety, depression, social support, psychological and physical health in relation to self reported disability following elective spine surgery. Methods Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients were asked preoperatively to complete a series of questionnaires, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the anxiety sensitivity index (ASI-3), the SF-36, the visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), the Berliner Social Support Scale, the PTSS-10 for PTSD symptoms and indicate demographic variables concerning education or partnership for example. The evaluation was based on the ODI filled out 3 months postoperatively. The univariate and multivariate analysis between risk factors and outcome parameter (ODI) was assessed with correlation coefficients and multivariate logistic regression. Results 144 patients met all inclusion criteria, 54% were male, 46% were female. Regardless of the operation dimension 75% had a lower ODI score at 3 months postoperatively compared with preoperatively and hence had a higher functionality after the operation. Preoperatively high values in age (r=0,153; p = 0,087), pain (VAS) (r=0,287; p = 0,01), trait anxiety(r=0,197; p = 0,027), PTSS (r=0,163; p = 0,069), ODI (r=0,459; p < 0,001) and low levels of social support (BSSS) (r = −0,148; p = 0,099) and education (r = −0,156; p = 0,098) correlated with high levels of ODI postoperatively which identifies all the mentioned variables as potential risk factors. A stepwise logistic regression model showed significant association with age, pain (VAS), state anxiety (STAI-S), and depression symptoms (ADS-K) ( p < 0,000). Conclusion Preoperative psychological status is associated with worse clinical outcome following elective spine surgery. A screening instrument allowing the identification of such patients is feasible.

Frailty and sarcopenia in Bogotá: results from the SABE Bogotá Study.

Latin American countries like Colombia are experiencing a unique aging process due to a mixed epidemiological regime of communicable and non-communicable diseases. To estimate the prevalence of frailty and sarcopenia among older adults in Colombia and identify variables associated with these conditions. Data come from the "Salud Bienestar y Envejecimiento" (SABE) Bogotá Study, a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 in Bogotá, Colombia. Sociodemographic, health, cognitive and anthropometric measures were collected from 2000 community-dwelling adults aged 60years and older. Frailty variable was created using the Fried phenotype and sarcopenia following the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People algorithm. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with frailty and sarcopenia. A total of 135 older adults are frail (9.4%), while 166 have sarcopenia (11.5%). Older age and female gender have a significant association with both conditions (Frailty: Age OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.06, Gender OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.12-1.84; Sarcopenia: Age 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, Gender OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05-2.17). Depression was also significantly associated with frailty (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.12-1.22), while smoking was significantly associated with sarcopenia (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.29-4.37). Finally, higher function, measured by independence in IADL (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) was significantly associated with less frailty (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64-0.86). Education, higher number of comorbidities, better MMSE score, activities of daily living disability and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with frailty or sarcopenia. Frailty, sarcopenia and multimorbidity are overlapping, yet distinct conditions in this sample. There are potentially reversible factors that are associated with frailty and sarcopenia in this sample. Future studies need to analyze the best way to prevent these conditions, and examine individuals that have frailty, sarcopenia and comorbidities to design interventions to improve their quality of life.

Neurocognitive and functional performance in psychotic and non-psychotic bipolar patients and schizophrenia patients

IntroductionIt has been suggested that psychotic bipolar patients have more severe cognitive deficits and lower functioning that non-psychotic bipolar patients.ObjectivesTo evaluate neurocognitive and functional performance in stabilized psychotic bipolar patients (BP+), non-psychotic bipolar patients (BP−) and schizophrenia patients (SZ).AimsTo examine whether BP+ might be defined as a more homogenous subtype of bipolar disorder with more severe cognitive deficit and more severe functional impairment.MethodsFifty TB+, 50 TB−, 50 SZ and 51 controls were evaluated with a comprehensive neurocognitive battery (WCST, FAS, TMT-A and B, Stroop Test, Digits span, letters and numbers – WMS-III−, CVLT, ROCFT, CPT-DS). Moreover, patients were evaluated with clinical scales (PANSS, MADRS, YMRS) and functionality scales (WHOs Disability Assessment Scales, QLS and GAF). IBM SPSS Statistics (version 19.0) was used to the data analysis.ResultsNo significant differences were found between three patients’ samples (P < 0.0001). No significant differences in neurocognitive measures were found between BP+ and BP−. Significant differences were found between both groups of bipolar patients and schizophrenia in working memory measures (P < 0.0001). BP+ and BP− showed significant higher functionality than SZ (P < 0.0001), without significant differences in functionality between BP+ and BP−.ConclusionsThe pattern of neurocognitive and functional deficit is similar in BP+ and BP−. The neurocognitive deficit is very similar in both groups of bipolar patients groups in comparison to SZ; functionality is better in both bipolar groups than in schizophrenia patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Trunk imbalance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Background ContextTrunk imbalance (ie, frontal trunk shift measured with a plumb line from C7 to S1) is part of the clinical evaluation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but its prevalence and relationship with scoliosis, back pain, and health-related factors are not well documented. PurposesThe principal objectives are to document trunk imbalance prevalence and to explore the association between trunk imbalance and the following factors: Cobb angle, type of scoliosis, back pain, function, mental health, and self-image. The secondary objective is to determine back pain prevalence and the relationship between back pain and each of the following: Cobb angle, function, mental health, and self-image. Study Design/SettingThis is a cross-sectional study in a scoliosis clinic of a tertiary university hospital center. Patient SampleThe sample includes youth with AIS (N=55). Outcome MeasuresThe outcome measures were trunk imbalance prevalence and magnitude, and back pain prevalence and intensity using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) pain score, and the function, self-image, and mental health domains of the SRS-22. MethodsTrunk imbalance and back pain were assessed in 55 patients with AIS (Cobb angle: 10–60°). Patients completed the SRS-22 questionnaire and the NPRS. Correlations were done between trunk imbalance and scoliosis (Cobb angle, type of scoliosis), back pain (NPRS and SRS-22 pain score), and health-related factors using Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and logistic regression models. ResultsTrunk imbalance prevalence is 85% and back pain prevalence is 73%. We found fair to moderate significant positive correlation between trunk imbalance and Cobb angle (r=0.32–0.66, p<.05) but not with back pain, function, mental health, self-image, or type of scoliosis. Lower self-reported pain significantly correlated with lower Cobb angles (r=0.29, p=.03), higher function (r=0.55, p=.000), higher self-image (r=0.44, p=.001), and better mental health (r=0.48, p=.000). There was a trend for trunk imbalance to be related with lower pain in logistic regression models. ConclusionsThe high prevalence of trunk imbalance in AIS highlights the importance of screening for this clinical sign in growing adolescents. Further research should be done with regard to the treatment of trunk imbalance and its implication on both Cobb angle and back pain.

Cortico-Cerebellar Connectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know So Far?

Although the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is renowned to be a connectivity disorder and a condition characterized by cerebellar involvement, the connectivity between the cerebellum and other cortical brain regions is particularly underexamined. Indeed, converging evidence has recently suggested that the cerebellum could play a key role in the etiopathogenesis of ASD, since cerebellar anomalies have been consistently reported in ASD from the molecular to the behavioral level, and damage to the cerebellum early in development has been linked with signs of autistic features. In addition, current data have shown that the cerebellum is a key structure not only for sensory-motor control, but also for “higher functions,” such as social cognition and emotion, through its extensive connections with cortical areas. The disruption of these circuits could be implicated in the wide range of autistic symptoms that the term “spectrum” connotes. In this review, we present and discuss the recent findings from imaging studies that investigated cortico-cerebellar connectivity in people with ASD. The literature is still too limited to allow for definitive conclusions; however, this brief review reveals substantial areas for future studies, underlining currently unmet research perspectives.

Prevention of Depression in At-Risk Adolescents: Moderators of Long-term Response.

In a randomized controlled trial, we found that a cognitive behavioral program (CBP) was significantly more effective than usual care (UC) in preventing the onset of depressive episodes, although not everyone benefitted from the CBP intervention. The present paper explored this heterogeneity of response. Participants were 316 adolescents (M age = 14.8, SD = 1.4) at risk for depression due to having had a prior depressive episode or having current subsyndromal depressive symptoms and having a parent with a history of depression. Using a recursive partitioning approach to baseline characteristics, we (Weersing et al. 2016) previously had identified distinct risk clusters within conditions that predicted depressive episodes through the end of the continuation phase (month 9). The present study used the same risk clusters that had been derived in the CBP group through month 9 to reclassify the UC group and then to examine group differences in depression through month 33. We found that in this overall very high-risk sample, the CBP program was superior to UC among youth in the low-risk cluster (n = 33), characterized by higher functioning, lower anxiety, and parents not depressed at baseline, but not in the middle (n = 95) and high-risk (n = 25) clusters. Across conditions, significantly more depression-free days were found for youth in the low-risk cluster (M = 951.9, SD = 138.8) as compared to youth in the high-risk cluster (M = 800.5, SD = 226.7). Identification of moderators, based on purely prognostic indices, allows for more efficient use of resources and suggests possible prevention targets so as to increase the power of the intervention.

Self-reconfiguration and optimisation of knowledge meshes with similar knowledge points

This paper presents a new approach to the self-reconfiguration and optimisation of knowledge meshes (KMs), based on the user’s function requirements and similarity measure. A new similarity measure combined of the function similarity and layer similarity between similar knowledge points is defined, and the properties proved. A simple similarity algorithm for KMs is proposed. Aiming at user’s maximum function–satisfaction, the method to the self-reconfiguration of KMs is presented. First, several appropriate KMs according to the enterprise requirements are selected and preprocessed by similarity measure. Second, a similarity threshold is given and the similarity is calculated for every pair of knowledge points in the selected KMs. The two knowledge points can be recognised as the same when the similarity between them exceeds the given threshold, and then the knowledge point with the lower function–satisfaction degree is replaced by the one with the higher function–satisfaction degree. Third, the KM multiple set operation expression is optimised by the hybrid genetic-tabu algorithm. Finally, a new KM obtained by operations on KM multiple sets can be mapped into an agent mesh (AM) for automatic reconfiguration of complex software systems. Based upon the above, the KM’s optimisation are illustrated by an actual KM example which corresponds to the management information system (MIS) software used in a vehicle body plant at Nanjng in China, which shows the method to be very effective.

Shifting Perspectives and Evolving Selves in Adrienne Rich

This paper is an attempt to show Adrienne Rich's quest for the integration of the parts of her self as the result of her shift in perspectives on the art of writing and response to the domestic issues at that time. She insists that poetry has a higher function and that it should be of use in the actual lives of the people. It shows her attempt to unify the multiple levels of experience: personal and political; academic and aesthetic; emotional and intellectual. Rich's shift in perspectives reconnects the past with her present in order to strengthen her own present self and her engagement in the world.