Standard Software Applications Research Articles

Indicators of cognitive impairment of varying severity in the acute period of ischemic stroke

To assess phenotype and identify biomarkers of cognitive impairment (CI) of varying severity in patients in the acute period of ischemic stroke (IS) based on the analysis of clinical and paraclinical indicators. Two hundred and forty patients with diagnosed IS and presence of CI were examined. Depending on the scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=182) with mild CI, group 2 (n=58) with dementia. On admission, stroke severity according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), activities of daily living assessed by the Barthel Scale and patient independence assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were determined. Neuropsychological examination was performed on day 14 and included investigation of episodic memory, executive functions, speech, gnosis, praxis, and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) parameters. Immunological diagnostics included a study of the concentration of cytokines of various groups (interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-16, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), chemokines CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL9, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)). Neuroimaging parameters were assessed using brain MRI data with verification of the STRIVE criteria and the medial temporal lobe atrophy scale (MTA). The standard application software package SPSS Statistics, Pandas and SciPy libraries were used for statistical analysis. Patients of group 2 had lower scores in all cognitive domains with the greatest reduction in perception, constructive praxis, semantic information processing and mnestic function. These analyses revealed a higher degree of IQCODE, prevalence of features corresponding to STRIVE/MTA criteria in patients of group 2, while patients of group 1 had higher NIHSS and mRS scores. When serum concentrations of cytokines were assessed, patients of group 1 showed higher concentrations of IL-1b, IL-6, GM-CSF and TNFα, while group 2 patients had higher concentrations of cytokine CXCL10. The presence of pre-stroke CI, baseline indicators of the patient's functional status, neuroimaging parameters of MTA/STRIVE and age are reflected in the structure and severity of cognitive deficit in the acute period of IS. Investigation of the role of interleukins, GM-CSF, TNFα and CXCL10 in the pathogenesis of IS and their association with the progression of post-stroke CI requires further studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period.

Genetically encoded betaxanthin-based small-molecular fluorescent reporter for mammalian cells.

We designed and engineered a dye production cassette encoding a heterologous pathway, including human tyrosine hydroxylase and Amanita muscaria 4,5-DOPA dioxygenase, for the biosynthesis of the betaxanthin family of plant and fungal pigments in mammalian cells. The system does not impair cell viability, and can be used as a non-protein reporter system to directly visualize the dynamics of gene expression by profiling absorbance or fluorescence in the supernatant of cell cultures, as well as for fluorescence labeling of individual cells. Pigment profiling can also be multiplexed with reporter proteins such as mCherry or the human model glycoprotein SEAP (secreted alkaline phosphatase). Furthermore, absorbance measurement with a smartphone camera using standard application software enables inexpensive, low-tech reporter quantification.

CALL and JFL teacher education in Japan: A course description

This paper explores the integration of ICT into Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) teacher education through a description of a CALL graduate course. It begins with some background on JFL CALL, the course, and the students. The main section describes the course activities for improving the students’ computer literacy; demonstrating techniques for using standard application software for teaching purposes; introducing the range of JFL courseware and Internet sites; providing practice in evaluating these teaching materials; and demonstrating basic techniques of online teaching. The conclusion covers the merits of this approach to CALL teacher education. Most of the activities described could be adapted for use in any CALL teacher education course.

Helios: History and Anatomy of a Successful In-House Enterprise High-Throughput Screening and Profiling Data Analysis System

We describe the main characteristics of the Novartis Helios data analysis software system (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) for plate-based screening and profiling assays, which was designed and built about 11 years ago. It has been in productive use for more than 10 years and is one of the important standard software applications running for a large user community at all Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research sites globally. A high degree of automation is reached by embedding the data analysis capabilities into a software ecosystem that deals with the management of samples, plates, and result data files, including automated data loading. The application provides a series of analytical procedures, ranging from very simple to advanced, which can easily be assembled by users in very flexible ways. This also includes the automatic derivation of a large set of quality control (QC) characteristics at every step. Any of the raw, intermediate, and final results and QC-relevant quantities can be easily explored through linked visualizations. Links to global assay metadata management, data warehouses, and an electronic lab notebook system are in place. Automated transfer of relevant data to data warehouses and electronic lab notebook systems are also implemented.

Analysis of the twist of ruled surfaces: application to strip machining

Flank milling of ruled surfaces is commonly applied to obtain rotating machine parts as defined using ruled surfaces. To this purpose, a wide range of positioning strategies had been studied to reduce interference between the cutting tool and the surface. Indeed, modelled ruled surfaces are non-developable meaning that they cannot be machined without interference. In order to minimise such interference, the positioning strategies studied tend to become increasingly complex, involving software programming using a dedicated language. To simplify matters and apply developed methods using standard software applications, it is proposed here to reduce interference by breaking the machined surface down into a number of sub-surfaces. The aim with this decomposition is to reduce the twist on each portion. A study of the global twist is presented showing nonlinearity with the length of the rule so that cutting methods can be demonstrated. [Received 28 November 2016; Revised 18 April 2017; Accepted 26 June 2017]

ANALYSIS OF THE TWIST OF RULED SURFACES. APPLICATION TO STRIP MACHINING

Flank milling of ruled surfaces is commonly applied to obtain rotating machine parts as defined using ruled surfaces. To this purpose, a wide range of positioning strategies had been studied to reduce interference between the cutting tool and the surface. Indeed, modelled ruled surfaces are non-developable meaning that they cannot be machined without interference. In order to minimise such interference, the positioning strategies studied tend to become increasingly complex, involving software programming using a dedicated language. To simplify matters and apply developed methods using standard software applications, it is proposed here to reduce interference by breaking the machined surface down into a number of sub-surfaces. The aim with this decomposition is to reduce the twist on each portion. A study of the global twist is presented showing nonlinearity with the length of the rule so that cutting methods can be demonstrated. [Received 28 November 2016; Revised 18 April 2017; Accepted 26 June 2017]

Country specific customisation of smart phones for emerging markets: insights from case studies in Iran and Turkey

Customisation can be placed in different phases of a product lifecycle and even during the use of a product. Effects of cultural differences and country specific characteristics on use of products and consequently country specific customisation are interesting from different perspectives such as business advantage and usability. In this study we did two case studies on first time users of smart phones in emerging markets of Iran and Turkey. We found out that there are some country specific needs and usability problems which may need country specific customisation. Fortunately customisation of smart phones after the standard production in regional markets is feasible because of the flexibility of standard software applications which can be installed on smart phones. In addition existing marketing infrastructures can be used for user research activities which are aimed for customisation. Innovative users also can participate in design for customisation.

The Future of the Android Operating System for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Abstract We have experienced one of the most remarkable years in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The iPad, along with the iPhone, redefined mobile communications and personal computing technology. In the ensuing 9 months after the iPad's release, more than 50 non-iPad tablets have been developed and demonstrated at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show and are ready for the consumer market. For the AAC consumer, the proliferation of these mainstream technologies will result in increasingly inexpensive hardware and software, availability of alternative access methods, opportunity to use standard software applications, and availability of applications that meet the specific needs of individual consumers. Because the Android platform is still in its infancy—especially with respect to AAC—we will focus on the potential effects this operating system could have on AAC. We will describe Android, its current offerings, and future possibilities. The emergence of iOS and Android has disrupted the AAC field, transforming the ways that we look at, purchase, and use technology.

The stochastic trim-loss problem

The cutting stock problem (CSP) is one of the most fascinating problems in operations research. The problem aims at determining the optimal plan to cut a number of parts of various length from an inventory of standard-size material so to satisfy the customers demands. The deterministic CSP ignores the uncertain nature of the demands thus typically providing recommendations that may result in overproduction or in profit loss. This paper proposes a stochastic version of the CSP which explicitly takes into account uncertainty. Using a scenario-based approach, we develop a two-stage stochastic programming formulation. The highly non-convex nature of the model together with its huge size prevent the application of standard software. We use a solution approach designed to exploit the specific problem structure. Encouraging preliminary computational results are provided.

Effects of computer training and internet usage on cognitive abilities in older adults: a randomized controlled study

According to the concepts of 'use it or lose it' and cognitive reserve, cognitively challenging activities may boost cognitive abilities in older adults. Using computers and the internet provides divergent cognitive challenges to older persons, and the positive effects of computers and internet use on the quality of life have been found in earlier studies. We investigated whether prolonged guided computer use by healthy older adults (64-75) may be beneficial to cognitive ability in a randomized controlled study. The intervention consisted of brief training and subsequent use of a personal computer with an internet connection at home for a 12-month period. 191 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Intervention, Training/No intervention, or No training/No intervention. A fourth group consisted of 45 participants with no interest in computer use. The effect of the intervention was assessed by a range of well-established cognitive instruments that probed verbal memory, information processing speed, and cognitive flexibility. Data were collected at baseline and after four and twelve months. Intensive interaction with a personal computer with standard software applications had no effect on cognitive measures; no differences in changes in cognitive parameters over time were found between groups. Learning to use a computer and the internet does not benefit healthy, communitydwelling older adults with respect to many domains of cognitive functions. The implications of these findings for future studies that use cognitive challenge to counteract usual cognitive aging are discussed.

Supporting Consistency in Linked Specialized Engineering Models Through Bindings and Updating

Currently, some commercial software applications support users to work in an integrated environment. However, this is limited to the suite of models provided by the software vendor and consequently it forces all the parties to use the same software. In contrast, the research described in this paper investigates ways of using standard software applications, which may be specialized for different professional domains. These are linked for effective transfer of information and a binding mechanism is provided to support consistency. The proposed solution was implemented using a CAD application and an independent finite element application in order to verify the theoretical aspects of this work.

CALL and JFL teacher education in Japan: A course description

This paper explores the integration of ICT into Japanese as a Foreign Language (JFL) teacher education through a description of a CALL graduate course. It begins with some background on JFL CALL, the course, and the students. The main section describes the course activities for improving the students’ computer literacy; demonstrating techniques for using standard application software for teaching purposes; introducing the range of JFL courseware and Internet sites; providing practice in evaluating these teaching materials; and demonstrating basic techniques of online teaching. The conclusion covers the merits of this approach to CALL teacher education. Most of the activities described could be adapted for use in any CALL teacher education course.

An Electronic Learning Environment for Control Theory

E-learning has become a very important part of modern education in the last few years. But there is still a lot of development work to do to create systems which can be used in a broader context. The current applications do not meet the special requirements of universities. This paper describes a possible way to close the gap between traditional learning aids and future e-learning environments. It focuses on connecting various standard software applications to a modern e-learning system.

Open learning environment and instruction system (OLEIS)

Intelligent Tutoring Systems are dynamically organised instructional programs that employ representations of expert, instructional, and student knowledge to provide individualised instruction much like a personal human tutor. Open Learning Environment and Instruction System is an integrated authoring tool that enables any computer-literate lecturer to construct intelligent tutoring systems from existing teaching materials such as texts, graphics, animation, sound, video, simulators, HTML pages, software packages (i.e. compilers, spreadsheets, CAD-s...), etc. The system makes it possible for a lecturer to take the pieces built with standard software applications and configure them into the components of an intelligent tutoring system, which employs a number of different teaching strategies and provides a regular student modelling loop. This tool was designed at the School of Computer and Information Science, University of South Australia, and is currently being used for creating intelligent multimedia courseware.

Relative identifiable cost/contribution accounting: Basic principles and methods of implementation

First of all, this article will provide you with some basic theory on Riebel's Relative Identifiable Cost/Contribution Accounting: the definition of costs and revenue, the relationship between a business transaction and its related cost and revenue (principle of relevance, principle of identical decision) as well as the extension of cost objects. The second section shows how you can implement the Cost Accounting module of SAP, the standard application software manufacturer, to meet the requirements of Riebel's costing approach: a multi-dimensional user-definable coding block, posting and budgeting on any of its components or on combinations of it components, neutral accounting database with decision-dependent views of it. On the basis of this solution, the identifiable costing approach is linked both conceptually and technically with logictics systems such as purchasing, PPC as well as sales and distribution, providing the application with considerable advantages.

The Three-Tier Grid Control System of Hew; Concepts, Implementation, Experience

The 400/110/10 kV network of the Hamburgisehe Electricitätswerke (HEW) comprising 10 power plants, 61 substations and 6500 transformer kiosks is under on-line control from 5 centres on 3 operational tiers. The new computerized system for the 2 lower tiers shows novel features as for workflow organisation in the control rooms, data-amendment and protection. A mimic board was not applied. Due to these conditions, the system was designed from scratch, not using standard application software.