Arm For People Research Articles

Sensorium

Sensorium

Who Commands the Gun? Mobilization and Use of China's Armed Police

AbstractRecent reforms to China's People's Armed Police have changed the balance of authority between central and local officials, continuing a pattern of reduced local control and granting more authority to Xi Jinping in his role as Central Military Commission chairman. The new system, however, attempts to balance central control with provisions that allow local officials down to the prefecture level to take command in some circumstances. This system intends to allow for rapid mobilization in cases of social unrest or natural disasters, although a review of emergency response plans and other Chinese sources indicates uneven implementation. The risk is that centralization could slow emergency response, although the effects will depend on the nature of civil–military coordination at different levels. The paper describes new legal authorities, assesses implementation and challenges, and reaches conclusions about the implications for Chinese political control and emergency response.

Inheritance And Bring Into Play “Ngu Binh U Nong” In Strengthening The People Armed Force Intergrated The Current Economic Development With National Defense

The integration of national defense with economic growth and vice versa that our army has been executing is a legacy of the Ly – Tran – post Le era and brings into action “Ngu binh u nong” (Sending the army into agricultural activities). This policy is a technique of developing an armed force to protect the country, closely merging "army" with "agricultural," economics with defense, constructing and defending the country, assuring national defense strength, and the capacity to rapidly transition from peacetime to warfare to combat foreign invaders. Based on the analysis of historic records on the policy of "Ngu binh u nong," this research examined the features of the organizational art and building up of our forefathers' armed forces throughout our country's history. This is a prominent feature in the creative organization and building of our forefathers' military forces in the growth history of the Vietnamese country. This study also demonstrates the transmission of fundamental values in military art from past generations,and certain experiences in armed force development are obtained as a result of these research findings. It is now referred to as a "whole-population armed army."

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment versus standard speech and language therapy versus control in Parkinson\u2019s disease: preliminary cost-consequence analysis of the PD COMM pilot randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThe PD COMM pilot randomised controlled trial compared Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT® LOUD) with standard NHS speech and language therapy (SLT) and a control arm in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) with self-reported problems with voice or speech. This analysis compares costs and quality of life outcomes between the trial arms, and considers the validity of the alternative outcome measures for economic evaluations.MethodsA comparison of costs and outcomes was undertaken alongside the PD COMM pilot trial involving three arms: LSVT® LOUD treatment (n = 30); standard NHS SLT (n = 30); and a control arm (n = 29) excluded from receiving therapy for at least 6 months after randomisation unless deemed medically necessary. For all trial arms, resource use and NHS, social care and patient costs and quality of life were collected prospectively at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Total economic costs and outcomes (EQ-5D-3L, ICECAP-O) were considered over the 12-month follow-up period from an NHS payer perspective. Quality of life measures for economic evaluation of SLT for people with Parkinson’s disease were compared.ResultsWhilst there was no difference between arms in voice or quality of life outcomes at 12 months, there were indications of differences at 3 months in favour of SLT, which need to be confirmed in the main trial. The estimated mean cost of NHS care was £3288 per patient per year for the LSVT® LOUD arm, £2033 for NHS SLT, and £1788 for the control arm. EQ-5D-3L was more strongly correlated to voice impairment than ICECAP-O, and was sensitive to differences in voice impairment between arms.ConclusionsThe pilot did not identify an effect of SLT on disease-specific or economic outcomes for PwPD at 12 months; however, there appeared to be improvements at 3 months. In addition to the sample size not powered to detect difference in cost-consequence analysis, many patients in the control arm started SLT during the 12-month period used for economic analysis, in line with the study protocol. The LSVT® LOUD intervention was more intense and therefore more costly. Early indications suggest that the preferred economic outcome measure for the full trial is EQ-5D-3L; however, the ICECAP-O should still be included to capture a broader measure of wellbeing.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register: ISRCTN75223808. Registered 22 March 2012.

IN SEARCH OF THE OPTIMAL CUFF FOR BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT IN THE VERY OBESE

Objective: Rectangular (cylindrical) cuffs and bladders are currently used for blood pressure (BP) measurement at the upper arm. However, large arms have a conical shape which make cylindrical cuffs potentially unsuitable. Aim of this study was to study the shape of the arm in people with severe obesity and to investigate the effect of the shape of the cuff on BP measurement in these subjects. Design and method: In 79 obese subjects with upper arm mid-circumference >40 cm and 79 subjects of control, cylindrical and tronco-conical cuffs of appropriate size were compared. We considered the upper arm either as a single truncated cone (model 1) or as the sum of two tronco-conical shapes, with bases at the proximal and middle arm circumference, respectively (model 2). The frustum slant angle of the proximal (upper angle) and distal (middle angle) truncated cones were measured. If the difference between upper and middle angles is equal to zero, the upper arm can be assimilated to a single truncated cone as in model 1. If the difference is positive (model 2), it means that the distal half of the arm is more conical than the proximal half. Results: In the Obese, upper angle was greater than middle angle, whereas in the Nonobese the two angles were similar (p < 0.0001 versus Obese for both angles). In the Obese, the cylindrical cuff overestimated BP measured with the tronco-conical cuff by 4.3 ± 5.4/3.1 ± 4.7 mmHg, whereas in the Nonobese slight discrepancies were found between the two cuffs (p < 0.0001/<0.0001versus Obese). In the whole study sample, the difference between the upper and middle angles was correlated with systolic BP (p = 0.0008) and diastolic (p < 0.0001) BP discrepancies. In a multivariable linear regression, the difference between the two angles was an independent predictor of the between-cuff BP differences in obese men (p = 0.004/0.0007) but not in obese women. Conclusions: In very obese people, the tronco-conical shape of the upper-arm is more pronounced on the distal than the proximal half, a feature that amplifies the BP measurement error when cylindrical cuffs are used.

Robotic Arm Control System Based on AI Wearable Acceleration Sensor

The position of mechanical arm in people’s life is getting higher and higher. It replaces the function of human arm, moving and moving in space. Generally, the structure is composed of mechanical body, controller, servo mechanism, and sensor, and some specified actions are set to complete according to the actual production requirements. The manipulator has flexible operation, good stability, and high safety, so it is widely used in industrial automation production line. With the development of science and technology, many practical production requirements for the function of the manipulator are more and more refined, especially in the high-end research field. For example, medical devices, automobile manufacturing, deep-sea submarines, and space station maintenance put forward higher requirements for it. In terms of miniaturization and precision, it can meet the needs of scientific research and actual production. But these are inseparable from the motion control system technology. This paper mainly introduces the research of manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor, aiming to provide some ideas and directions for the research of wearable manipulator. This paper presents the research method of manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor, including the establishment of manipulator kinematics model, common filtering algorithm, and PI algorithm of speed control system. It is used for the research and experiment of manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor. The experimental results show that the average matching rate of the manipulator control system based on AI wearable acceleration sensor is as high as 88.89%, and the stability of the feature descriptor is high.

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Restores Hand and Arm Function After Spinal Cord Injury.

Paralysis of the upper extremity severely restricts independence and quality of life after spinal cord injury. Regaining control of hand and arm movements is the highest treatment priority for people with paralysis, 6-fold higher than restoring walking ability. Nevertheless, current approaches to improve upper extremity function typically do not restore independence. Spinal cord stimulation is an emerging neuromodulation strategy to restore motor function. Recent studies using surgically implanted electrodes demonstrate impressive improvements in voluntary control of standing and stepping. Here we show that transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal cord leads to rapid and sustained recovery of hand and arm function, even after complete paralysis. Notably, the magnitude of these improvements matched or exceeded previously reported results from surgically implanted stimulation. Additionally, muscle spasticity was reduced and autonomic functions including heart rate, thermoregulation, and bladder function improved. Perhaps most striking is that all six participants maintained their gains for at least three to six months beyond stimulation, indicating functional recovery mediated by long-term neuroplasticity. Several participants resumed their hobbies that require fine motor control, such as playing the guitar and oil painting, for the first time in up to 12 years since their injuries. Our findings demonstrate that non-invasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the spinal networks restores movement and function of the hands and arm for people with both complete paralysis and long-term spinal cord injury.

Covid‐19: Where We Are, What Got Us Here, and Where We Are Likely to Be Going—A Review Essay*

Covid‐19: Where We Are, What Got Us Here, and Where We Are Likely to Be Going—A Review Essay*

Response to commentary of Shirani and Okuda regarding "Unilateral arm rehabilitation for persons with multiple sclerosis using serious games in a virtual reality approach: Bilateral treatment effect?"

Response to commentary of Shirani and Okuda regarding "Unilateral arm rehabilitation for persons with multiple sclerosis using serious games in a virtual reality approach: Bilateral treatment effect?"

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Chinese State Reactions to Labour Unrest

AbstractWhat impact is the current rise in workplace conflict having on governance in China? This article argues that, over time, protests are driving the state in two directions at once: towards greater repression and greater responsiveness. Using an original dataset of strikes, protests and riots by Chinese workers between 2003 and 2012, along with government budgetary and judicial statistics, the article demonstrates that significant, positive correlations exist at the provincial level between increased unrest on the one hand and both increased spending on the People's Armed Police (repression) and increasing numbers of pro-worker and split decisions in mediation, arbitration and court cases (responsiveness) on the other. Feedback effects exist with regard to responsiveness, though: more cases in which workers win something in turn seem to spur greater unrest. The article closes by noting the changes since Xi Jinping took office and examining the implications of the findings for China's political development.

A customized approach for arm fat reduction using cryolipolysis.

Cryolipolysis of the arms has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for non-invasive reduction of subcutaneous fat. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the concurrent use of a new commercially-available small applicator in conjunction with an existing medium sized applicator for the customized treatment of arm fat. Bilateral arms of 15 eligible subjects were simultaneously treated using one or two vacuum applicators with flat contours. Either a medium or small cryolipolysis applicator with an oblong cup-shaped cooling surface was selected to treat upper arm fat. The shape of the fat bulge in each subject's arm was assessed and up to two treatment cycles (-11°C for 35 minutes each) were delivered to each arm in one session, based upon investigator discretion. Throughout the procedure and at the completion of each treatment cycle, investigators assessed the subject's level of comfort, as well as sensory and motor nerve effects. Post-treatment manual massage was performed, and clinical assessments of each treatment site were recorded. Adverse events were recorded to monitor procedural safety. Baseline and 12 weeks post-treatment photographs and ultrasound measurements were taken to assess efficacy. Subject questionnaires were administered to evaluate satisfaction. Fifteen female subjects (mean age of 51.1, mean BMI of 26.8) completed the study. Ultrasound imaging revealed statistically significant fat layer reduction of 2.5 mm (SD ± 2.4 mm, 95%CI 1.6-3.3). Subject surveys administered 12 weeks post-treatment demonstrated 87% satisfaction with the arm cryolipolysis procedure. A panel of blinded, independent physicians correctly identified 83% of the before and after photos. Clinical assessments found adverse events were mild and included erythema and mild swelling that resolved without intervention. Mild treatment area numbness was reported by 73% of subjects at the 4-week interim visit and fully resolved at the 12-week visit. This study documents the first reported customized approach for assessment and treatment of arm fat using a small or medium cup applicator with varied applicator placement. By incorporating one or two treatment cycles per arm in a single session, the issue of variable fat distribution in people's arms can be addressed. This approach was shown to be a safe and effective way to reduce unwanted arm fat with high patient satisfaction. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vietnam. Politics in contemporary Vietnam: Party, state, and authority relations Edited by Jonathan D. London Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. Pp. 230. Notes, Bibliography, Index.

Politics in contemporary Vietnam: Party, state, and authority relations Edited by JONATHAN D. LONDON Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2014. Pp. 230. Notes, Bibliography, Index. doi: 10.1017/S0022463416000667 As the Vietnamese economy further grows and the country pursues broader international integration, it becomes better known to the outside world, and academic research on the country's economy has expanded enormously. In contrast, its contemporary politics remains largely under-explored territory. The number of international scholars working on Vietnamese politics also tends to dwindle as the older generation of Vietnam watchers have become less active or diverted their research interests to other areas, while the younger generation have yet to catch up. Inside the country, national politics is deemed a 'sensitive' subject, further discouraging the study of the issue by Vietnamese researchers. Politics in contemporary Vietnam, edited by Jonathan D. London, is perhaps the only notable recent book-length examination of Vietnamese politics. That fact alone ensures that the book deserves some serious attention from those interested in the country. Apart from the introduction and conclusion by the editor, the volume is composed of seven chapters dealing with three major themes, namely the politics of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the state administrative apparatus, and the representative institutions and mass organisation. In Chapter 2, Tuong Vu provides a background for the book by examining the evolution of the CPV from its early days into the present. Vu argues that the CPV is currently in decline and describes the Party since 1986 to be in a state of a 'continuing decay'. Vu bases his argument on the perceived large-scale corruption and cronyism within the Party system, as well as the erosion of the Party's rural support base due to the country's shift to an industrial economy. However, Vu posits that the Party still has many tools and measures at its disposal to prolong its survival, including rising nationalism. In two related chapters, Benedict J. Tria Kerkvliet (Chapter 6) and Carlyle A. Thayer (Chapter 7) discuss the nature of the CPV's authoritarian regime. Thayer dissects the country's repressive apparatus, focusing on the role of four state organs: the Ministry of Public Security, People's Armed Security Force, General Directorate II (military intelligence), and the Ministry of Culture and Information (now Ministry of Information and Communication). Thayer's account highlights the repressive nature of the regime and details their various measures to crack down on political dissidents. Meanwhile, Kerkvliet takes issue with some authors' claims that the Vietnamese government 'does not tolerate any challenge to its one-party rule', or that the CPV 'tolerates no dissent or opposition'. While sharing the view that the CPV regime is generally authoritarian and repressive, Kerkvliet also argues that the Party actually tolerates a certain level of dissent as long as the dissidents do not act in an organised manner and directly threaten its rule. Specifically, through an analysis of how the regime treated 62 dissidents, the author concludes that having a history of service to the government or the party, or not being a prominent member of a dissident organisation, may reduce the likelihood of a dissident being arrested and imprisoned. In their chapters on Vietnam's state apparatus, while Thaveeporn Vasavakul (Chapter 3) analyses the evolving accountability relations within the one-party system, Thomas Jandl (Chapter 4) examines the relationship between the central and local governments as well as between local leaders and the central authorities during the process of decentralisation. Specifically, Vasavakul analyses Vietnam's efforts to introduce accountability mechanisms into the operation of the state system. Accordingly, she finds that intra-state institutional competition and conflict play an important role in promoting accountability and thus shaping the evolution of Vietnam's one-party system. …

Chinese civil-military relations: the transformation of the People's Liberation Army

Introduction 1. The Chinese Army in Domestic Politics: Factors and Phases 2. China's Evolving Civil-Military Relations: Creeping Guojiahua 3. Deferring to National Interest: Arms Control and Civil-Military Relations in China 4. Civil-Military Dynamics in Chinese Defense Industry and Arms Policy: An Approaching Tipping Point 5. Sorting Out the Myths about Political Commissars, You Ji 6. Servant of Two Masters: the PLA, the People, and the Party, Dennis J. Blasko 7. Company Province: Civil-Military Relations in Xinjiang, Yitzhak Shichor 8. China's Expenditure for Militia and People's Armed Police 9. The PLA and its Changing Economic Roles: Implications for Civil-Military Relations 10. Dual-Use Technologies, Civil-military Integration, and China's Defense Industry.

The effect of a task-oriented intervention on arm function in people with stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a task-oriented intervention in enhancing arm function in people with stroke. Design: Two-centre, observer-blinded, stratified, block-randomized controlled trial. Setting: General community. Patients: Ninety-one individuals within one year of a first or recurrent stroke consented to participate between May 2000 and February 2003. Interventions: The experimental intervention involved practice of functional, unilateral and bilateral tasks that were designed to improve gross and fine manual dexterity whereas the control intervention was composed of walking tasks. Members in both groups participated in three sessions a week for six weeks. Main outcome measure(s): The primary test of arm function was the Box and Block Test. Secondary tests included the Nine-Hole Peg Test, maximal grip strength, the Test d'Evaluation des Membres supé rieurs des Personnes Agées (TEMPA) and the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement. Results: Results are for the more affected arm. Baseline performance on the Box and Block Test was an average of 26 blocks (standard deviation (SD=16) in the experimental group (n=47) and 26 blocks (Sd=18) in the control group (n=44). These values represent approximately 40% of age-predicted values. Values for the postintervention evaluation were an average of 28 (SD=17) and 28 (SD=19) blocks for the experimental and control group respectively. No meaningful change on other measures of arm function was observed. Conclusions: A task-oriented intervention did not improve voluntary movement or manual dexterity of the affected arm in people with chronic stroke.

Impact of Explicit Information on Implicit Motor-Sequence Learning Following Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke

Recovery of motor skills following stroke is supported, in part, by the implicit memory system. However, attempts to guide learning commonly use explicit instructions concerning "how to" perform a movement task. The purpose of this work was to systematically investigate the impact of explicit information (EI) on implicit motor-sequence learning using the ipsilesional arm in people with damage in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) distribution. Ten people with unilateral stroke in the MCA distribution affecting the sensorimotor cortical areas and 10 people with no known pathology or impairment (control participants) were randomly divided into 2 groups. One group was provided with EI and one group was not (EI and No-EI groups, respectively) as the participants practiced an implicit motor-sequencing task over 3 days, with a retention test on day 4. A 3-way interaction demonstrated that, across days of practice, EI had opposite effects on implicit motor-sequence performance for the 2 groups. Post hoc tests confirmed that EI facilitated the performance of the control participants in the EI group but interfered with the performance of the participants with stroke in the EI group. This interference effect persisted, and was evident during the retention test in the participants with stroke in the EI group. Explicit information was detrimental for implicit motor-sequence learning following MCA stroke. Rehabilitation outcomes may benefit from consideration of stroke location when determining the degree to which EI can augment implicit motor skill learning.

The Not-So-Silent Majority

Have you heard the rumors? a local official in Urumchi asked me one day in the spring of 1997. are saying that the day Hong Kong returns to China is the day Xinjiang becomes independent. He reported this information in a scornful voice but went on to say that the government of the autonomous region had increased security preparations dramatically. Tensions were already high. In early February, several hundred Uyghurs in the northwestern city of Ghulja had marched in the streets to protest government policies. The violent response by People's Armed Police units turned the peaceful demonstration into a riot in which a number of police and scores (some say hundreds) of protesters died. In the following weeks, hundreds were arrested. Later that month, bombs exploded on three buses in Xinjiang's capital city, Urumchi, their detonation timed to coincide with the funeral of Deng

A shot in the arm for people with asthma

A shot in the arm for people with asthma

Telangana People's Armed Struggle, 1946-51. Part Three: Pitted against the Indian Army

Telangana People's Armed Struggle, 1946-51. Part Three: Pitted against the Indian Army

Telangana People's Armed Struggle, 1946-1951. Part Two: First Phase and Its Lessons

Telangana People's Armed Struggle, 1946-1951. Part Two: First Phase and Its Lessons