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Background: Regular physical activity (PA) decreases the risk of comorbidities associated with a sedentary lifestyle in individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs). They also may experience additional barriers that may prevent PA, including access, proper instruction and support. At‐home PA programming is a feasible alternative to long‐term adherence. This study aimed to determine (1) how an at‐home DVD programme affects PA adherence and (2) the extent to which caregiver support influences PA. Methods: Thirty‐one adolescent or adult‐aged participants with mild or moderate ID were randomised into a DVD or control group exercise intervention. Participants were given autonomy to choose what type of PA modality from the intervention they would like to participate in. Caregiver support during the PA was also measured. Results: The two‐way repeated‐measures MANOVA demonstrated that the intervention DVD group was statistically significant, with a large effect size in PA minutes (P = 0.014, ηP2 = 0.236) and rate of perceived exertion (P = 0.002, ηP2 = 0.342) compared with the control group. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated that using an adapted DVD increased PA minutes and the rate of perceived exertion without high levels of caregiver support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeDesignMethodsResultsConclusionTo compare the efficacy of two methods: first, bilateral symmetric anteriorization of the inferior oblique muscle and second: combined resection and anteriorization of the inferior oblique (IO) muscle for asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation (DVD).Prospective randomized clinical trial.This study included fifty-four patients presenting with bilateral asymmetric DVD and inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). Two equal groups were randomly allocated by odd and even number distribution. Twenty-seven patients underwent bilateral symmetric anteriorization of the IO muscle and twenty-seven patients underwent anteriorization of the IO of one eye and anteriorization with IO resection in the eye with the larger deviation. According to the difference in measured DVD between the two eyes whether less or more than 5 PD; a 3 or 5 mm resection was done, respectively.The mean post-operative reduction of DVD in the anteriorization group was 9.19 ± 3.40 PD in the right eye and 8.78 ± 4.17 PD in the left eye, which were highly significant. (p-value .0002). The resection group had a mean post-operative DVD reduction of 11.7 ± 2.74 PD in resected eyes and 7.3 ± 3.72 PD in non-resected eyes. These reductions were also highly significant (p-value 0.0001). Reduction of inter-ocular difference between both groups failed to show a statistical difference (p-value 0.285). The IOOA was significantly reduced in both groups. Improvement in the average post-operative DVD between the two groups and the post-operative improvement in IOOA failed to show a statistically significant difference (p-value 0.265 and 0.804 respectively) which showed that both procedures are effective.Both surgical modalities are effective in managing asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation associated with IOOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Identification of significant coronary artery disease (CAD)in NSTEMI/UA/CSA patients without invasive methodsremains a clinical challenge. Severe CAD is known to cause LV dysfunction. However, the LV ejection fraction is usually normal at a relatively early stage. Therefore, establishing a more sensitive index for the detection of early-stage LV dysfunction is of utmost importance. Methods: This was a cross sectional observational study conducted on 136 patients with NSTEMI/UA/CSAto evaluate the value of global longitudinal strain (GLS) at rest to predict the presence of significant CAD and to determine the severity of CAD. The patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to measure 2DSTE to measure GLS. Results: Overall, Left Anterior Descending artery(43.38%) was the commonest vessel involved. Study revealed that mean GLS value was significantly lower in significant CAD (>70% stenosis)i.e. -15.95+ 2.78 than those with non-significant CAD (<70% stenosis) i.e. -20 + 1.73 with p < 0.001. The sensitivity and specificity for SVD, DVD and TVD were67.53% andTVD were67.53% and 89.83%, 88.90% and 82.60%, 85.30% and 70.40% respectively. Conclusion:Global longitudinal strain (GLS) assessed by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography at rest has good sensitivity and specificity to predict the presence, extent and severity of CAD in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We have been studying different combinations of medications to treat relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Among these combinations, one includes daratumumab with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (DPd), and another includes daratumumab with bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd). So far, there have not been any direct comparisons performed through a clinical trial. In our analysis, we found that the DPd group had more patients with high-risk disease characteristics. Interestingly, the DPd group showed a better response to treatment. However, when we looked at the time until the disease progressed and overall survival, we found that these were similar between the two groups. It is important to note that we should be cautious in drawing conclusions from these findings because there were differences in the characteristics of the patients and lengths and durations of treatment, and the number of patients in both treatment groups was relatively small. Our study highlights the importance of considering factors like the type of patients, the side effects of the medications, and the characteristics of the disease when deciding which treatments to use. It is crucial to personalize the treatment approach for each individual based on these factors. Daratumumab-based combinations with pomalidomide/dexamethasone (DPd), or bortezomib/dexamethasone (DVd), have shown activity in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. However, no direct comparisons of safety or efficacy of the two regimens have been published to date. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the safety and efficacy of DPd and DVd in daratumumab-naïve RRMM patients. We included 140 daratumumab-naïve patients who had received DPd or DVd for RRMM. Overall, the DPd group had a greater number of patients who had high-risk disease characteristics. Although response was deeper in the DPd group, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were similar between the two groups. The DPd group exhibited a higher incidence of hematologic toxicities, whereas the DVd group had a higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy. The study results showed that while DPd may provide a deeper response, there was no significant difference in PFS or OS compared to DVd. For the high proportion of difficult-to-treat patients, duration of treatment may have contributed to these results, indicating that patient and disease characteristics should be considered when selecting salvage treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Home-based video exercise programmes might be a suitable alternative to traditional physical activity in older adults to preserve muscle health. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effects of home-based video exercise programmes on physical fitness in older adults. Methods: A systematic review and robust variance estimation meta-analysis with meta-regression were carried out according to the recommendations and criteria outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results: Thirteen studies involving 1,056 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed statistically significant positive changes in balance (p = 0.023), upper extremity strength (p = 0.049, and strength overall (p = 0.042), there was also statistically significant positive effect based on all the 28 outcomes in eight studies, including 696 participants (p = 0.008). Conclusion: The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that home-based video exercise programmes positively affect essential components of physical fitness, such as balance and strength, to prevent falls in older adults. Promoting home-based video exercise in clinical practice and ideally supporting it through supervision is vital to effectively combat the age-related physical decline, especially for those in home isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the ancillary revenue for movies, specifically its revenue from DVD sales. We compared the sales and returns to investment for DVD among different categories of DVD titles/movies based on their movie production budgets. We find that while bigger budget movies will sell more DVDs they performed poorer when it comes to returns to investment (R.O.I.).

Multilingualism and multiculturalism are verbally and visually recurrent in the sitcom Family Guy (1999-in production) through a combination of a main language of communication (L1) and other languages (L3) in the source language (SL) or source text (ST). The use of L3 is tantamount to tokenism and stereotyping characters, especially those whose recurrence is incidental and part of jokes. This paper compares two versions of the episode "Road to Rhode Island" (American and Spanish DVDs) and addresses a scene to analyze the linguistic challenges and lexical choices in dubbing and subtitling L1 and L3 in two geographical varieties of Spanish: Latin American Spanish and Peninsular Spanish. In this regard, this study focuses on the role and function of L3 in translation, the techniques to represent L3 in translation, L1 and L3 translation techniques, and which techniques are used in translation. Overall, this paper explores how the Spanish DVD adds a new L3 in the target text (TT) to maintain its original function in subtitling and dubbing, and the differences in the American DVD: L3TT omission in subtitling and L3TT change of function and meaning in dubbing, which ultimately accentuates linguistic and cultural misrepresentation and stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of two technology-enhanced interventions for diabetes prevention among adults at risk for developing diabetes in a primary care setting.MethodsThe DiaBEAT-it study employed a hybrid 2-group preference (Choice) and 3-group randomized controlled (RCT) design. This paper presents weight related primary outcomes of the RCT arm. Patients from Southwest Virginia were identified through the Carilion Clinic electronic health records. Eligible participants (18 and older, BMI ≥ 25, no Type 2 Diabetes) were randomized to either Choice (n = 264) or RCT (n = 334). RCT individuals were further randomized to one of three groups: (1) a 2-h small group class to help patients develop a personal action plan to prevent diabetes (SC, n = 117); (2) a 2-h small group class plus automated telephone calls using an interactive voice response system (IVR) to help participants initiate weight loss through a healthful diet and regular physical activity (Class/IVR, n = 110); or (3) a DVD with same content as the class plus the same IVR calls over a period of 12 months (DVD/IVR, n = 107).ResultsOf the 334 participants that were randomized, 232 (69%) had study measured weights at 6 months, 221 (66%) at 12 months, and 208 (62%) at 18 months. Class/IVR participants were less likely to complete weight measures than SC or DVD/IVR. Intention to treat analyses, controlling for gender, race, age and baseline BMI, showed that DVD/IVR and Class/IVR led to reductions in BMI at 6 (DVD/IVR −0.94, p < 0.001; Class/IVR −0.70, p < 0.01), 12 (DVD/IVR −0.88, p < 0.001; Class/IVR-0.82, p < 0.001) and 18 (DVD/IVR −0.78, p < 0.001; Class/IVR −0.58, p < 0.01) months. All three groups showed a significant number of participants losing at least 5% of their body weight at 12 months (DVD/IVR 26.87%; Class/IVR 21.62%; SC 16.85%). When comparing groups, DVD/IVR were significantly more likely to decrease BMI at 6 months (p < 0.05) and maintain the reduction at 18 months (p < 0.05) when compared to SC. There were no differences between the other groups.ConclusionsThe DiaBEAT-it interventions show promise in responding to the need for scalable, effective methods to manage obesity and prevent diabetes in primary care settings that do not over burden primary care clinics and providers.Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02162901, identifier: NCT02162901.

This article presents dynamic voltage-domain stacking, which incorporates the attractive efficiency benefits of voltage-domain stacking into a wide-input-range conversion system. This is achieved by combining two novel switched-capacitor converter topologies with an integrated finite-state machine into a highly reconfigurable system. First, a zooming gearbox converter efficiently enables a wide input range while only implementing three conversion ratios. Second, a reconfigurable ladder converter continuously compensates for imbalance between the dynamically stacked voltage domains. A prototype has been fabricated in a 40-nm baseline CMOS technology to provide a stable supply voltage to four loads across an input voltage range from 4 V down to 0.55 V. Measurements show a best-in-class average efficiency of 80.1% and a peak efficiency of 92.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: A study was undertaken to assess the face validity and content correctness of a diabetes nutrition education (DNE)-DVD developed for low literacy adults living with diabetes. Setting: The study was undertaken in the city of Tshwane Municipality, Gauteng province. Participants: Adults living with diabetes (n = 73, 18–65 years) attending a tertiary hospital diabetes outpatient clinic and 18 health professionals (HPs) with expertise in diabetes from three healthcare-related organisations were included. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data were collected from patients (n = 63) using a Likert scale questionnaire, and from HPs using 'Yes/No' and Likert-scale questions. Qualitative data were collected using three focus-group discussions with patients (n = 10) and comments from HPs. Results: Quantitative results indicated that patients perceived the visuals to be clear, appealing, culturally appropriate, contained familiar images and aided in their understanding of diabetes. Both patients and HPs found the language, length and layout of the DVD to be suitable. The HPs perceived the content to be accurate and concise. The qualitative data supported the quantitative findings. Participants perceived the DNE-DVD to be useful for patients and families, and provided suggestions for improving the DVD. Conclusion: Quantitative and qualitative results agreed that the face validity and content correctness of the DNE-DVD was appropriate. Improving the DNE-DVD could further enhance its utility and effectiveness for the target population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilingualism and multiculturalism are verbally and visually recurrent in the sitcom Family Guy (1999-in production) through a combination of a main language of communication (L1) and other languages (L3) in the source language (SL) or source text (ST). The use of L3 is tantamount to tokenism and stereotyping characters, especially those whose recurrence is incidental and part of jokes. This paper compares two versions of the episode “Road to Rhode Island” (American and Spanish DVDs) and addresses a scene to analyze the linguistic challenges and lexical choices in dubbing and subtitling L1 and L3 in two geographical varieties of Spanish: Latin American Spanish and Peninsular Spanish. In this regard, this study focuses on the role and function of L3 in translation, the techniques to represent L3 in translation, L1 and L3 translation techniques, and which techniques are used in translation. Overall, this paper explores how the Spanish DVD adds a new L3 in the target text (TT) to maintain its original function in subtitling and dubbing, and the differences in the American DVD: L3TT omission in subtitling and L3TT change of function and meaning in dubbing, which ultimately accentuates linguistic and cultural misrepresentation and stereotypes.

Increase in the population demands healthy food, clean air, fresh water and high secured life. To fulfil the above demands, spectrometers such as ultraviolet, Fourier transformation infrared, Raman, HPLC, gas chromatography are used as confirmation tool for identification of materials. The cost and space of above-mentioned instruments are more and to build low-cost spectrometer with high efficiency is a challenging research area for material scientists and engineers. In the present work, an attempt has been made to manufacture a low-cost spectrometer. The spectrometer has been designed using cardboard, DVD, a webcam and free available spectrum software named as theremino. The DVD is used as a diffraction grating and webcam as an image sensor with an overall cost of Rs 1000. This can be used as an instrument for practical demonstration for students and other research purposes for detecting pesticides level in fruits and vegetables, sensing water purity level, edible oils, etc. The spectral range can be improved by removing infrared filter integrated in webcam. The performance of the constructed spectrometer could be upgrade using effective filters and high intense low-cost lasers. This designed spectrometer will be a boon towards application in healthcare, biomedicals and food processing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dendrobium viroid (DVd) was first reported in China in 2020, and it is the only viroid known to infect Orchidaceae family plants. In this study, we developed a simple reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method for the rapid detection of DVd in Dendrobium plants. When extracting the sap template from the leaves, they are first clamped between two layers of plastic film, and the sap is pressed out and collected with a pipette. Using this sap, DVd was detected by dot‐blot and RT‐PCR methods and, the expected amplicons were confirmed by sequencing analysis. The batch analysis of field samples revealed that this method can be used to detect DVd rapidly. The detection method also reduces cross‐contamination between different samples and minimizes false positives. Thus, this sap‐direct RT‐PCR method allows effective and rapid DVd detection in the study of Orchidaceae plants. Significance and Impact of the Study: The sap‐direct reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay described in this study is the first report of rapid detection of Dendrobiumviroid (DVd), which allows effective and rapid DVd detection in field investigations of Orchidaceaeplants. It can also be used as a reference for the detection of other plant viruses and viroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the spring of 2019, the website The Ringer launched an ongoing series of articles and podcasts to mark the twenty-year celebration of what is popularly recognised as one of the greatest years in US film history. That same spring, Simon & Schuster released Brian Raftery’s bluntly titled Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen. Raftery and The Ringer presented extended treatments for the usual suspects—The Matrix (Lana and Lilly Wachowski), The Sixth Sense (M. Night Shyamalan), The Blair Witch Project (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez), Fight Club (David Fincher), and Magnolia (Paul Thomas Anderson), all released in 1999. What these and other “classics” from the era have in common is pretty clear: they bend, some would say break, key classical principles of narrative film. Academics took note. These were “puzzle” films or “narratively complex” films or “mind-game” films. Many of the scholarly discussions centred around whether or not these movies represented a new, “postclassical” age for popular US film.

Abstract Background Recruitment to clinical trials can be challenging. Methods that improve the efficiency of trial recruitment are needed to increase successful study completions. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether sending an audio-visual presentation on a digital versatile disc (DVD), along with usual study invitation materials, would improve recruitment to the Febuxostat versus Allopurinol Streamlined Trial (FAST), a clinical trial in patients with established gout. Methods Potential participants for the FAST study who were identified by searches of GP records in Scottish primary care practices between August 2013 and July 2014 were included in this study. Individuals were randomly allocated to receive either a standard invitation (letter and information leaflet) or a standard invitation and a DVD containing an audio-visual presentation explaining the background and operation of FAST. Data on invitation response rates, screening attendances and randomisations were collected by research nurses. Results One thousand fifty potential participants were invited to take part in FAST during this period. 509 individuals were randomised to receive the DVD presentation and the standard invitation and 541 received a standard invitation only. DVD recipients were less likely to respond to the initial invitation (adjusted OR 0.76, CI 0.58–0.99) and marginally less likely to return a positive response (OR 0.75, CI 0.59–0.96). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in attendance for screening or randomisation. The DVD did not influence the age, gender, or socioeconomic deprivation scores of those responding positively to a letter of invitation. Conclusions The inclusion of a DVD presentation with FAST study invitations did not make any practical difference to the rate of positive response to invitation. Further innovation and evaluation will be required to improve recruitment to clinical trials. Trial registration EU Clinical Trials Register. EudraCT Number: 2011–001883-23. ISRCTN registry. ISRCTN72443278.

This contribution aims at focusing on the idea of chapter in TV series, thus considering the various expressions of each episode, from the script to the final version on DVD support. This attempt needs a reflexion on the most adequate model to describe an audio-visual narration: the usual option—epic vs drama—seems to be overcome by a third element, i.e. plastic dimension. This contribution also stresses the crucial position of the title in distinguishing episodes and chapters.

Ziel: Das Ziel des Beitrags ist die Schilderung einer kurz gefassten Information über die Lebensdokumente, die in der Lebensdokumentensammlung der Universitätsbibliothek in Toruń (wieter: LDS UBT) aufbewahrt werden. Forschungsmethode: Ich verfahre nach zweierlei Methoden: der Qualitäts- und der Quantitativanalyse von Quellenmaterialien. Die erste von ihnen weist darauf hin, dass zu der besagten Sammlung auch die bisher wenig bekannten, sehr interessanten, wichtigen elektronischen Dokumente gehören, die bei der Betrachtung verschiedener Bereiche des sozialen, kulturellen, wissenschaftlichen und politischen Lebens in Toruń in den letzten Jahrzehnten behilflich sind. Die zweite Methode ermöglichte, die Größe und die Vielfalt der analysierten elektronischen Bestände festzustellen. Ergebnisse/Schlussfolgerungen: Unter den elektronischen Dokumenten, die in der LDS UBR aufbewahrt werden, sind jene zu finden, die nach einem bestimmten Verfahren erworben wurden und sich auf die Universität, auf Toruń, Vilnius oder die Zeugnisse der Oppositionstätigkeit zur Zeit der Volksrepublik Polen beziehen.

Digital home video is an extremely useful means of watching and analyzing films. However, scholars often neglect the fact that official home video or streaming releases of a film can have differences from the original version of the film itself. Such variances typically are lack of film grain (resulting from digital noise reduction), differences in color grading, and soundtrack remixing. This can depend on the fact that the technicians who work on home video releases are unprepared, or are instructed to adjust the look and the sound of the film to the current taste, or because the filmmakers changed their mind and requested some modifications. At any rate, film scholars must be aware of such possible inconsistencies, otherwise their study could be fallacious. In this article I discuss upon philological problems of home video releases mainly from a practical point of view.

Abstract Background Despite almost all babies being breastfed initially, the exclusive breastfeeding rate at six months is less than 30% in China. Improving professionals’ knowledge and practical skill is a key government strategy to increase breastfeeding rates. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of a breastfeeding DVD training method for clinicians on improving their knowledge and confidence in the breastfeeding support skills of teaching mothers Positioning and Attachment (P & A) and Hand Expression (HE). Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted in three hospitals in Zhejiang province, China in 2014. Participants were recruited before their routine breastfeeding training course and randomly allocated to intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). The 15 min “Breastfeeding: Essential Support Skills DVD” was the intervention for IG and a vaginal delivery DVD was used for CG. All participants completed questionnaires of job information, knowledge and confidence in the two skills before (baseline) and immediately after viewing the DVD (post DVD). Results Out of 210 participants, 191 completed knowledge assessments before and after watching the DVD (IG n = 96, CG n = 95), with the response rate of 91.0%. At baseline, there are no significant differences in job variables, total knowledge scores and confident scores. The total knowledge score significantly increased post-DVD for IG (pre-DVD: M = 5.39, SD = 2.03; post-DVD: M = 7.74, SD = 1.71; t (95) = − 10.95, p

Background. The use of videos for patient and public health education has been widely adopted and well documented in the literature. Aims. To conduct a systematic review of empirical studies that used video-based interventions for cancer prevention and control to document study designs, settings, approaches, targeted cancer sites and behaviors, and outcomes and to identify gaps in research and practice. Method. PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science were searched for studies published in the 30-year period from 1984 to 2014. Of 1,521 articles identified, duplicates were removed, and titles and abstracts of 779 were examined for eligibility. In all, 315 articles met the inclusion criteria and were coded by three independent coders. Interrater reliability was assessed. Descriptive frequencies and proportions were calculated. Results. Studies evaluating video interventions for cancer prevention and control have increased over time. The majority used randomized controlled trial designs (54%), followed by single-group pre–posttest designs (18%). Most were delivered in health care settings (39%). Detection (30%) and treatment (16%) were the cancer control continuum stages most frequently addressed, with breast cancer (29%) being the most frequently targeted cancer site. The behavior most commonly targeted was screening/early detection (39%). Topics such as caregiving, coping, palliative care, and end of life were rarely addressed. The majority (69%) reported being successful at achieving their stated objectives, though outcomes varied across studies. Conclusions. Video interventions have been widely utilized for cancer prevention and control, with demonstrated successes. Future research should test innovative designs and new delivery platforms and should include underrepresented topics and cancer sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before a new product launch, marketers need to infer how demand will respond to various levels of marketing-mix variables to set an appropriate marketing plan. A critical challenge in estimating marketing-mix responsiveness from historical data is that the observed decisions were affected by private information possessed by managers about the heterogeneous effects of marketing-mix variables on sales. The authors refer to this as the “slope endogeneity” problem. Such endogeneity differs from the “intercept endogeneity” problem, which has been widely acknowledged in the literature. To correct for the slope endogeneity bias, the authors develop a conceptually simple control function approach that is amenable to multiple endogenous variables and marketing-mix carryover effects. The method is applied to forecasting advertising responsiveness in the U.S. DVD market. The results suggest that advertising responsiveness varies substantially across DVD titles and that estimated marketing-mix elasticities would be biased if the slope endogeneity problem were ignored. This analysis also yields findings of substantive interest to researchers and managers involved in entertainment marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a current control of dual three-phase permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) based on five-leg inverter. The five-leg inverter can be utilized to drive dual three-phase PMSM with full torque at slow speed when the conventional dual three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) has a faulty inverter leg. Usually, the common leg in the five-leg inverter may have severe current stress. By dedicated selection of which two phases as a pair to share the common leg, its current rating is approximately half of current rating of other legs. Meanwhile, the five-leg inverter can fully fulfill the vector space decomposition control for dual three-phase PMSM, which has the same dynamical performance as the conventional dual three-phase VSI. However, due to the asymmetry of five-leg inverter non-linearity, the currents of dual three-phase PMSM are unbalanced. To mitigate this issue, the five-leg inverter non-linearity compensation is also introduced and investigated in this paper, whose effectiveness is verified by comparative experiments on a prototype dual three-phase PMSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BCH codes are an important class of cyclic codes which have applications in satellite communications, DVDs, disk drives, and two-dimensional bar codes. Although BCH codes have been widely studied, their parameters are known for only a few special classes. Recently, Ding et al. made some new progress in BCH codes. However, we still have very limited knowledge on the dimension of BCH codes, not to mention the weight distribution of BCH codes. In this paper, we generalize the results on BCH codes from several previous papers. 1) The dimension of narrow-sense BCH codes of length $((q^{m}-1)/{\lambda })$ with designed distance $2\leq \delta \leq (({q^{\lceil (m+1)/2 \rceil }-1})/(\lambda)+1)$ is settled, where $\lambda $ is any factor of $(q-1)$. 2) The weight distributions of two classes of narrow-sense BCH codes of length $(({q^{m}-1})/2)$ with designed distance $\delta =(({(q-1)q^{m-1}-q^{\lfloor (m-1)/2\rfloor }-1})/2)$ and $\delta =(({(q-1)q^{m-1}-q^{\lfloor (m+1)/2\rfloor }-1})/2)$ are determined. 3) The weight distribution of a class of BCH codes of length $((q^{m}-1)/({q-1}))$ is determined. In particular, a subclass of this class of BCH codes is optimal with respect to the Griesmer bound. Some optimal linear codes obtained from this class of BCH codes are characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The article focuses on optical data discs in the collections of the two largest Czech libraries and examines how their role has changed in recent decades and what risks they face. It introduces the CDArcha project, which offers tools to protect the content of data optical discs and outlines the steps that need to be taken in the future to ensure that data stored on them remains accessible to library users in the long term. Design/Methodology/Approach – The first part based on the analysis of project documents and other materials explores the situation in the National Library of Czech Republic in the 1990s and at the turn of the 21st century. The second part discusses the situation in the Moravian Library itself and describes the CDArcha project. Results – An outline of measures taken in the past to protect optical discs in the collections of the two largest Czech libraries is presented. In the second section new software tools are introduced; they allow memory institutions to extract data from optical discs and safely store them on a central server to provide protection at the bit level are introduced. Originality/Value – The article provides a summary of the research of the National Library of Czech Republic in the field of optical discs; the topic was long neglected by the professional library community. The CDArcha project, which forms an integral part of the research and development in the Moravian Library, offers tools for libraries and other memory institutions to protect data stored on optical discs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-administered treatments may overcome access barriers to evidence-based care for pediatric sleep problems. Two hundred thirty-nine families participated in a randomized controlled trial with 3 study arms: a DVD intervention condition (the Sleep Easy Solution), a Website comparison condition, and a Wait-List comparison condition. The primary outcome was trichotomous—Do you consider your child's sleep a problem? (not a problem at all, a small problem, a very serious problem). DVD was superior to Wait-List in terms of the primary outcome (P =.03; odds ratio = 0.44; 95% confidence interval = 0.21-0.93). Similarly, regarding secondary outcomes, DVD was superior to Wait-List in terms of longer continuous sleep periods (P =.003), more favorable perceptions of the child's overall sleep (P =.001), and higher parental confidence in managing the child's sleep (P =.001). Results suggest that the DVD intervention is a promising self-administered treatment for pediatric insomnia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Mammographers in the NHSBSP are required to implement the Eklund ('Pushback') technique after viewing a training DVD or receiving cascade training. This study aims to evaluate Radiographers' attitudes towards imaging the augmented breast following viewing the training DVD or receiving cascade training. Methodology Questionnaires containing both open and closed questions collected quantitative and qualitative data across three breast screening units. A total of 60 radiographers were targeted. Their responses were analysed using Pearson's Chi–Square. An evaluation of likelihood and association of variables was performed using inferential statistics. Results Of the 60 mammographers targeted, 38 (63%) completed the questionnaires. Quantitative results indicated that most mammographers (78%) had watched the DVD. Of these responders, (51.14%) found the DVD somewhat helpful in raising their confidence to attempt the new techniques. When inferential statistics was used to evaluate if confidence was associated with location or level of qualifications, these showed no significance ('p' = 0.085 and 0.312 respectively). Results indicated that longer years of practice had an association with ability to attempt techniques, however, this was not statistically significant (χ2 = 3.939, df = 6, p = 0.685). Qualitative responses indicated that cascade training increased confidence more than viewing the DVD. Both qualitative and quantitative data indicated that cascade training in addition to the DVD is required. Conclusion Although the DVD was a helpful training tool, it did not sufficiently raise confidence for all viewers. Cascaded training in addition to the DVD was required to effectively raise confidence. Highlights • DVD aids training. However, 'hands-on' training from colleagues improved confidence more among mammographers. • Length of practice and level of qualification are key factors influencing confidence to attempt the Eklund technique. • When circulating training tools, providing guidelines on dissemination methods may optimize training results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recruitment to clinical trials can be challenging. Methods that improve the efficiency of trial recruitment are needed to increase successful study completions. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether sending an audio-visual presentation on a digital versatile disc (DVD), along with usual study invitation materials, would improve recruitment to the Febuxostat versus Allopurinol Streamlined Trial (FAST), a clinical trial in patients with established gout.Methods: Potential participants for the FAST study who were identified by searches of GP records in Scottish primary care practices between August 2013 and July 2014 were included in this study. Individuals were randomly allocated to receive either a standard invitation (letter and information leaflet) or a standard invitation and a DVD containing an audio-visual presentation explaining the background and operation of FAST. Data on invitation response rates, screening attendances and randomisations were collected by research nurses.Results: One thousand fifty potential participants were invited to take part in FAST during this period. 509 individuals were randomised to receive the DVD presentation and the standard invitation and 541 received a standard invitation only. DVD recipients were less likely to respond to the initial invitation (adjusted OR 0.76, CI 0.58-0.99) and marginally less likely to return a positive response (OR 0.75, CI 0.59-0.96). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in attendance for screening or randomisation. The DVD did not influence the age, gender, or socioeconomic deprivation scores of those responding positively to a letter of invitation.Conclusions: The inclusion of a DVD presentation with FAST study invitations did not make any practical difference to the rate of positive response to invitation. Further innovation and evaluation will be required to improve recruitment to clinical trials.Trial Registration: EU Clinical Trials Register. EudraCT Number: 2011-001883-23 . ISRCTN registry.  ISRCTN72443278 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDs and DVDs are forensically important substrates for latent fingermarks. To enhance the visualization of fingermarks on CDs and DVDs, columnar thin films (CTFs) of either nickel or chalcogenide glass were deposited. The CTFs were deposited by directing a collimated vapor flux towards the substrate placed at an angle and made to rotate rapidly. The resulting CTFs of upright columnar morphology were grown conformally over these substrates. This process was shown to significantly enhance the visual quality of fingermarks. The fingermarks were aged for either 24 h or 72 h prior to the deposition of the CTF and both the latent and depleted fingermarks were used. Enhancement to maximum possible grade for visual quality occurred, even for the samples that were developed three days after the fingermarks were placed on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have recently demonstrated in a previous work an appreciable photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) behavior towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of a MoS2/Ag2S/Ag nanocomposite electrochemically deposited on a commercial writable Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), consisting therefore on an interesting strategy to convert a common waster product in an added-value material. Herein, we present the conjugation of this MoS2/Ag2S/Ag-DVD nanocomposite with thiol-terminated tetraphenylporphyrins, taking advantage of the grafting of thiol groups through covalent S-S bridges, for integrating the well-known porphyrins photoactivity into the nanocomposite. Moreover, we employ two thiol-terminated porphyrins with different hydrophilicity, demonstrating that they either suppress or improve the PEC-HER performance of the overall hybrid, as a function of the molecule polarity, sustaining the concept of a local proton relay. Actually, the active polar porphyrin—MoS2/Ag2S/Ag-DVD hybrid material presented, when illuminated, a better HER performance, compared to the pristine nanocomposite, since the porphyrin may inject photoelectrons in the conduction band of the semiconductors at the formed heterojunction, presenting also a stable operational behavior during overnight chopped light chronoamperometric measurement, thanks to the robust bond created.