Pakistani English Stories for Children: Linguistic and Technical Analysis

The quality of language produced is greatly influenced by the quality of language input. Reading is a major source of language and knowledge input. In Pakistan, two types of books written in the English language are available for the reader. The first type includes the books written and published in Pakistan and the second type is of the books written by foreign authors published in or outside Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to analyze 5 story-books written and published in Pakistan. The linguistic analysis and technical analysis of the books were carried out to explore the kind of material which is being produced locally and is readily available to Pakistani children. The focus of the study was on the English language and technical components of the story-books. Findings of the study reveal that the storybooks contain several language-related problems and technical deficiencies in story writing elements, hence it is concluded that proofreading for language and technical refinement for the storybooks can help improve the work quality.

Feasibility study of a single-use balloon-assisted robotic colonoscope in healthy volunteers

Background and study aims Despite its widespread adoption, colonoscope still has its limitations. Advancement is often limited by the looping of colon. The isolation of SARS-CoV-2 in stool raises concern for the risk of disease transmission. A single-use robotic colonoscope, the NISInspire-C System, that features a balloon-suction anchorage mechanism was developed to address these. Methods The NISInspire-C balloons are designed to provide anchorage for straightening of the colon during advancement. Angulation at the bending section is tendon-wire driven by servo mechanisms integrated into a robotic control console. This was a pilot, prospective trial to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this system. Healthy volunteers underwent examination with the NISInspire-C, followed by the conventional colonoscope. The procedure time, cecal intubation rates (CIR), complications, and level of pain were measured. Results A total of 19 subjects underwent the examination. The cecal intubation rate was 89.5 % (17/19) and the overall time-to-cecum was 26.3 minutes (SD: 17.9 mins). There were no procedure-related complications. Polyps were detected in seven of 19 (36.8 %) subjects during the NISInspire-C procedure. Three more subjects were found to have adenomatous polyps with the conventional colonoscope. There was minimal variation in level of pain during the procedures with the two colonoscopes. Conclusion The single-use robotic colonoscope NISInspire-C is a safe and feasible alternative to the conventional colonoscope. Further technical refinement is needed to improve the CIR. This study was limited by its small sample size.

Developing a multimodal biosensor for remote physiological monitoring

IntroductionSeveral UK military expeditions have successfully used physiological sensors to monitor participant’s physiological responses to challenging environmental conditions. This article describes the development and trial of a multimodal wearable biosensor that was used during the first all-female unassisted ski crossing of the Antarctic land mass. The project successfully transmitted remote real-time physiological data back to the UK. The ergonomic and technical lessons identified have informed recommendations for future wearable devices.MethodThe biosensor devices were designed to be continuously worn against the skin and capture: HR, ECG, body surface temperature, bioimpedance, perspiration pH, sodium, lactate and glucose. The data were transmitted from the devices to an android smartphone using near-field technology. A custom-built App running on an android smartphone managed the secure transmission of the data to a UK research centre, using a commercially available satellite transceiver.ResultsReal-time physiological data, captured by the multimodal device, was successfully transmitted back to a UK research control centre on 6 occasions. Postexpedition feedback from the participants has contributed to the ergonomic and technical refinement of the next generation of devices.ConclusionThe future success of wearable technologies lies in establishing clinical confidence in the quality of the measured data and the accurate interpretation of those data in the context of the individual, the environment and activity being undertaken. In the near future, wearable physiological monitoring could improve point-of-care diagnostic accuracy and inform critical medical and command decisions.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COORDINATION ABILITIES IN REFINING THE PADDLING TECHNIQUES OF KAYAKERS AGED 15-16 YEARS

The research purpose – to identify performance criteria for the development of coordination abilities in refining the paddling techniques of kayakers aged 15-16 years. Methods and organization of research. We used the following methods in our study: analysis of scientific and practical literature, questionnaire, testing, pedagogical observation, methods of mathematical statistics. We did our research at the Sport School of Olympic Reserve for Kayaking and Canoeing of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Research results. The article defines performance criteria for the development of coordination abilities along with technical refinement of kayakers aged 15-16 years. Our study represents the analysis data of correlation between paddling techniques phases of kayakers aged 15-16 years and indicators of sensory-motor coordination of kayakers of this age. Conclusion. The revealed indicators enable determination of the technique content, selection of relevant means and methods for the development of coordination abilities and sensory-motor coordination in the framework of technical refinement of kayakers.