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The current annual global market for domestic intense pulse light (IPL) hair removal has been estimated at US $$1 billion and continues to grow. The five key technological parameters to consider in cutaneous photo-therapy are wavelength, energy density, pulse duration, spot size and spatial distribution. Uneven energy distribution in the treatment area can result in over or under treatment of the treated area, thus causing dissatisfaction or harmful results. This study investigates a method of measuring and analysing spatial distribution of a number of commercially available home-use IPL systems as there is no quantitative method to conduct and compare spatial distribution at the present. Using a CCD camera and a phosphorescent screen to extend the pulse duration, averaged time frames were analysed using Matlab mathematic software. 3D graphical images of the data are presented to show the spatial profile of five commercially available IPL systems. Numerical analysis of the data was completed by two methods, arithmetical mean roughness and path difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study aimed to explore the association between psychosocial factors and organized physical activity (PA) in urban children and adolescents. Data on organized PA, psychosocial variables, and demographic characteristics were collected via questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between psychosocial correlates and organized PA. Analyses were run separately for different age groups. Results showed that children and adolescents with a greater positive attitude toward PA were more likely to be involved in organized PA. Ego orientation was associated with organized PA at the age of 13-15 years. Task orientation was related to PA participation at the age of 13-15 and 16-18 years. Perception of competence was related to participation at the age of 10-12 and 13-15 years. These findings suggest that interventions to increase the level of participation in organized PA in youth should focus on increasing students' perceived physical competence, attitude toward PA, and establishing a strong motivational task/mastery climate.

Expansive soil is a serious problem because it damages civil engineering projects and has an impact on Ethiopia's road development expansion. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the effects of corn cob ash (CCA) as a partial replacement of cement for the stabilization of an expansive clay to be used as road subgrade material. Corn cob is a waste agricultural product obtained during the production of corn. After it has been converted to ash, tests are carried out on the pozzolanic property and elemental composition of corn cob ash (CCA). Preliminary tests were performed on the natural soil sample for purposes of classification and identification of some required properties of the sample. Following the required preliminary laboratory analysis, the clay was stabilized with cement and CCA in varying proportions of 2, 4, 6, and 8%, separately. The maximum stabilization effect occurs at 8 and 4% of cement and CCA, respectively. With this percentage, the CBR of the sample increased from 2.62% at 0% to 10.47% and 3.31% at 8 and 4% of cement and CCA, respectively. As a result, 8% of cement was taken as the total amount for different cement and corn cob ash (C: CCA) ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 2, 1 : 3, and 1 : 4 in the blending stabilization. The optimum blending effect on the strength of stabilized subgrade occurs at a 1 : 2 ratio, containing 2.7% cement and 5.3% CCA. With this ratio, the CBR of the sample increased from 2.62% at 0% to 6.72%. As a result, 5.3% of the cement was substituted with CCA, which had a comparable effect on subgrade strength due to the ideal percentage of cement stabilized. Hence, it can be concluded that CCA can serve as a good complement for the partial replacement of cement in subgrade stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]