Capacity Building Needs for Manual and Computer Assisted Teaching of Pattern Drafting for Entrepreneurship in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

This study investigated the capacity building needs for manual and computer assisted teaching of pattern drafting for entrepreneurship in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.The study was conducted and guided by two research questions and two hypotheses.This study adopted an ex-post facto research design.The population for the study consisted of 131 Home Economics lecturers from the Universities,Polytechnic,and Colleges of Education in South East Nigeria.The entire population was studied because of its manageable size,hence there was no sampling.The results of this study showed that the Home Economics lecturers are competent in drafting patterns using manual method.Technical skills required for lecturers of Home Economics to advance from manual to computer-assisted teaching of pattern drafting were identified.They include ability to grade patterns,ability to use software packages,and ability to discuss procedures of pattern drafting among others.Based on the findings,it was recommended among others that computer assisted teaching of pattern drafting should be incorporated and applied by Home Economics lecturers to ensure that students acquire technical skills that will enable them to enter into entrepreneurship.

Computer Assisted Assignments of Rotationally Resolved Molecular Spectra

A graphically oriented interactive program for assignments of rotationally resolved molecular spectra has been devised. The program functions by grouping spectral lines in term of the second difference principle. and graphing spectral intensity versus frequency in a bar graph of the selected groups, distinguished by color and/or line-type. This allows for easy detection of regular patterns buried in the observed spectrum. Furthermore, it includes a Loomis-Wood view for assisting in spectral assignments. As an example, the program was applied in assigning the molecular spectrum of the production in the discharge of PCl3 buffered by helium gas, which may belong to several species. The results suggest that the program is highly efficient and quite useful in the assignment and the analysis of molecular spectra, especially those of symmetric top, slightly asymmetric top and linear molecules. The accuracy and efficiency of this program will likely ensure its wide application in the processing of molecular spectra.

Recent developments in computer assisted rehabilitation environments

Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment(CAREN) is a system that integrates a training platform(motion base), a virtual environment, a sensor system(motion capture) and D-flow software. It is useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use. The human gait pattern can be impaired due to disease, trauma or natural decline. Gait analysis is a useful tool to identify impaired gait patterns. Traditional gait analysis is a very time consuming process and therefore only used in exceptional cases. With new systems a quick and extensive analysis is possible and provides useful tools for therapeutic purposes. The range of systems will be described in this paper, highlighting both their diagnostic use and the therapeutic possibilities. Because wounded warriors often have an impaired gait due to amputations or other extremity trauma, these systems are very useful for military rehabilitative efforts. Additionally, the virtual reality environment creates a very challenging situation for the patient, enhancing their rehabilitation experience. For that reason several Armed Forces have these systems already in use. The most recent experiences will be discussed; including new developments both in the extension of the range of systems and the improvement and adaptation of the software. A new and promising development, the use of CAREN in a special application for patients with posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD), will also be reviewed.

A New Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery System:WATO

Background:The traditional manual orthopaedic technology heavily relies on a surgeon's experience,so it certainly increases the instability of the surgery.Therefore,computer assisted orthopaedic surgery(CAOS) is becoming a hot research topic for its high accuracy and stability.We developed a new CAOS system WATO,which is mainly designed for total knee replacement(TKR).Methods:WATO system provides the interactive software for a surgeon's preoperative planning.Based on its two infrared cameras,infrared markers and infrared probe,WATO system gives a simple surgical positioning procedure of femur and tibia without additional surgery for the placement of fiducial markers.According to the reference alignment axis from positioning procedure,a surgeon can move the robot of WATO system to do accurate bone resection.Safety checking is also considered in WATO system.Results:Extensive experiments were conducted on phantoms and cadaver bones to verify the accuracy and stability of WATO system.Experimental results showed that TKR using WATO system had better performance compared with traditional and navigated TKR.Conclusion:WATO system shows its superiority in TKR,and has a broad application prospect in the future.We will develop its new functions for other orthopaedic surgery such as total hip replacement(THR).Current disadvantages such as bigger skin incision have to be resolved in the future.

Integration of Computer Assisted Learning in Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to establish factors that lead to poor integration of Information and communication technology （ICT） for teaching and learning in schools in Kenya, despite comprehensive policy, institutional, infrastructural frameworks and capacity building by the Ministry of Education. The subject of this study was administered by use of questionnaires in three categories of public schools： national school, provincial schools and district schools. The respondents were students from each level that is from one, two, three and four and teachers based on the most offered subjects in the secondary schools. The computer assisted learning facilities were classified into computers, internet and content in optical media. In national school Internet based research, optical media content provided by Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and Cyber School program for science subjects was used in learning. In provincial school, it lacks adequate computers, reliable Internet and content in optical media. In district school, it lacks adequate computer, no internet connection and content in optical media. A learner management system which can be accessed by all learners by use of any internet access devices like mobile phone access will be an ideal tool with over 4,000,000 mobile phone subscribers currently in Kenya.

Comparative and Computer Assisted Drug Designing of Fatty Acids Isolated from Flowers, Leaves, Stem Bark, Root Bark and Nuts of Semecarpus anacardium L. f. （Anacardiaceae）

Objectives： Computational study will help us in reducing the experimental work. The process of drug discovery involves the designing of molecules with appropriate pharmacophores with the help of various soft wares. The purpose of this paper is to study the probable binding modes of fatty acids on fatty acids after enzymatic hydrolysis of the FAAH （fatty acid amide hydrolase） in different extracts of flowers, leaves, stem bark, root bark and nuts of Semecarpus anacardiurn L. f. by using molecular modeling study and computer assisted drug designing. Nuts yielded 20 fatty acids including saturated, ω-3 unsaturated, ω-6 unsaturated, ω-7 unsaturated and ω-9 unsaturated fatty acids. Based on IR, IH NMR, 13C NMR, MS （mass） spectrometry, GC analysis, the structural elucidation of these isolated fatty acids was established. Methods： A dataset comprising of 20 fatty acids were drawn in ChemDraw and converted into 3D-molecules with all possible tautomers and chiral centers. The minimization of molecules was carried out using PRCG （Polak-Ribiere Conjugate Gradient） method with maximum of 5000 iterations. The minimized compounds were used for protein preparation. The crystal structure of human FAAH （PDB ID： 3K84） is prepared and selected for the docking studies of 20 fatty acids using Schr6dinger docking program module.. Conclusions： In this study, we carried out the molecular docking studies in order to understand the probable binding mode of 20 fatty acids in FAAH from which we identified key active site residues for FAAH, thereby it can be used to design the novel compounds for FAAH targets.

Total knee arthroplasty using computer assisted navigation in patients with severe valgus deformity of the knee

Background Severe valgus deformity often has bone defect and laxity of the medial ligamentous, and total knee arthroplasty in severe valgus knee is, in most cases, more challenging for surgeons. The usefulness of a computer assisted navigation system in reestablishing the mechanical axis has been well established. Hence, the interest for surgeons is how the navigation system makes the procedure of total knee arthroplasty with severe valgus knee easier. Methods From June 2006 to March 2008 in Department of Joint Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People＇s Hospital, 6 patients （7 knees） with severe valgus knee underwent total knee arthroplasty using the Stryker Navigation system, which is an active wireless and imageless system. All the patients were followed up for 12 to 18 months after surgery. The X-ray radiographs for whole limbs were obtained on all patients to determine preoperative and postoperative alignments. Results A primary, posterior stabilized prosthesis was utilized in all cases. The average preoperative overall mechanical axis of the seven knees was 19.6°±4.6° of valgus （range 16°to 29°）, and the average postoperative mechanical axis was 0.4°±0.7° （range 0.8° varus to 1.4° valgus ）. Conclusions The navigation system is a very effective and useful tool for accurate intraoperative restoration of alignment in the face of significant deformity with valgus knee. To prevent component malposition, we did not reduce the knee before solidification of bone cement but controlled alignment using the navigation system up to implantation of the final component.

REPORT ON THE 2006 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LANGUAGE LEARNING: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CALL IN CHINA

This paper reviews (CALL 2006) held on June 2-4, 2006 in Beijing, China. It also describes the research and development of CALL in China and reflects on the problems as a result of this symposium.

Automatic Bone Surface Restoration for Markerless Computer-Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery

An automatic markerless knee tracking and registration algorithm has been proposed in the literature to avoid the marker insertion required by conventional computer-assisted knee surgery,resulting in a shorter and less invasive surgical workflow.However,such an algorithm considers intact femur geometry only.The bone surface modification is inevitable due to intra-operative intervention.The mismatched correspondences will degrade the reliability of registered target pose.To solve this problem,this work proposed a supervised deep neural network to automatically restore the surface of processed bone.The network was trained on a synthetic dataset that consists of real depth captures of a model leg and simulated realistic femur cutting.According to the evaluation on both synthetic data and real-time captures,the registration quality can be effectively improved by surface reconstruction.The improvement in tracking accuracy is only evident over test data,indicating the need for future enhancement of the dataset and network.

Criteria of Human-computer Interface Design for Computer Assisted Surgery Systems

In recent years, computer assisted surgery （CAS） systems become more and more common in clinical practices, but few specific design criteria have been proposed for human-computer interface （HCI） in GAS systems. This paper tried to give universal criteria of HCI design for CAS systems through introduction of demonstration application, which is total knee replacement （TKR） with a nonimage-based navigation system. A typical computer assisted process can be divided into four phases： the preoperative planning phase, the intraoperative registration phase, the intraoperative navigation phase and finally the postoperative assessment phase. The interface design for four steps is described respectively in the demonstration application. These criteria this paper summarized can be useful to software developers to achieve reliable and effective interfaces for new CAS systems more easily.

A Rational Reflection on the Application of Computer Assisted Instruction in Teaching

Nowadays, Computer Assisted Instruction is widespread in universities while the teaching effect is far from satisfying. Therefore. it is necessary to explore the current situation of Application of Computer Assisted Instruction, analyze irreplaceable advantages as well as causes of ineffectiveness in teaching, and and bring forward the approach to solving them.

COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION AND ITS APPLICATION IN ENGLISH LEARNING

This paper briefly describes the development of computer assisted instruction(CAI) abroad and in China, lists the advantages of CAI and deals with its application in English learning. Some suggestions about how to make better use of CAI in ELT are also given.

Model TJ-IV Computer-Assisted Vectorcardiogram Analysis System

During last 16 years we have successfully developed the computer assisted vectorcardiogram analysis systems: model TJ Ⅰ, TJ Ⅱ, and TJ Ⅲ, but some technical problems remained unresolved, such as the recognition accuracy for vectorcardiograms, measurement of the parameters of complicated QRS waves, the ratio of T loop length to width, and the area of spatial vectors etc. A new system, model TJ Ⅳ was designed to resolve these technical problems. The system was equipped with a 586 computer with a CPU of 120 MHz. Special new low noise amplifier was employed and C language was used for programming. Three graph recognition techniques were used to enhance the accuracy of VCG recognition. 32 orthogonal electrocardiograms and vectorcardiograms were displayed and printed, and 566 parameters of vectorcardiograms were calculated. Our results with 150 cases showed that the system had high accuracy of graph recognition, and parameter calculation and the results were essentially consistent with those of manipulative methods. We were led to concluded when compared with TJ Ⅲ system, the new version has higher accuracy of processing and measurement for vectorcardiograms, is able to process more vectorcardiographic parameters, with higher processing speed.

Computer-assisted auto-frame navigation system for distal locking of tibial intramedullary nails: a preliminary report on clinical application

Objective： To evaluate the clinical feasibility and effect of the computer-assisted auto-frame navigation system for distal locking of tibial intramedullary nails. Methods： The hardware components of the system included a PC computer with a monitor, auto mechanical stereotactical locating cubic frame, foot holder and localization operative apparatus. Special navigation software can be used for registration of X-ray fluoroscopic images and real-time controlling navigation of tools. Twenty-one cases of dose tibial and fibular fractures were treated with dosed intramedullary nailing, 6 of which involved in middle third, 12 in middle and lower third, 3 in lower third. C-arm alignment and registration time, fluoroscopic time and drilling time involved in the locking procedure were recorded. The size of unreamed or reamed tibial nails ranged from 8/300-11/330. Results： All distal holes except 1 were locked successfully. In 9 of 41 locked holes （21.95 % ）, the drill bit touched the canal of locking hole without damage of the nail and clinical consequences. The fluoroscopy time per pair of screws was 2.23 s± 0.31s. Conclusions： The computer-assisted auto-frame navigation system for distal locking is well designed, easy to operate and do not need additional instrmnents during the procedure. The developed system enables the physician to precisely navigate surgical instruments throughout the anatomy using just a few computer-calibrated radiographic images. The total time of x-ray exposure per procedure can be significantly reduced.

USING OF MULTISLICE HELICAL CT COLONOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT LESIONS OF COLON

Objoctive To investigate the techniques and clinical applications ofmultislice helical computed tomography （CT） colonography in colonic lesions. Methods Fifty-nine patients with malignant lesions of colon underwent volume scanning using multislice helical CT. Four types of reconstruction including CT virtual colonoscopy （CTVC）, shaded surface display （SSD）, Raysum, and multiple planar reconstruction （MPR） were used for image post-processing. The results were compared with those of colonoscopy and pathology. Results Multislice helical CT colonography detected 54 colorectal carcinomas, 4 adenomas with focal carcinoma, 1 non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma （NHL）. The lesions＇ number, size, location, morphology, stricture of intestinal cavity, infiltration, and metastasis were shown satisfactorily by multislice helical CT colonography. Whole colon could be shown in all patients. CT colonography displayed 4 synchronous colonic tumors, 1 ascending colon carcinoma combined with left renal carcinoma among 54 patients with colonic carcinomas. The accuracy of location of CT colonography was 100%. There were 9 cases that CT showed the tumor location was different from the finding of conventional colonoscopy, while all of the CT location were proven exact by operation. CT colonography also displayed the infiltration of serous layer and fatty tissue in 45 cases; 21 cases matched the pathological results in all the 24 cases of suspicious lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity was 87.5%, the specificity was 90.6%; 9 cases hepatic metastasis, 2 ovarian metastasis, and 1 double adrenal gland metastasis. Conclusions Multislice helical CT colonography is effective in preoperative diagnosis, location, stage, and making treatment plan of colorectal carcinoma. It can display the portion not seen during colonoscopy and may have an adjunctive role.

A new formant feature and its application in Mandarin vowel pronunciation quality assessment

In order to improve the Mandarin vowel pronunciation quality assessment, a nox/el formant feature was proposed and applied to formant classification for Chinese Mandarin vowel pronunciation quality evaluation. Formant candidates of each frame were plotted on the time-frequency plane to form a bitmap, and its Gabor feature was extracted to represent the formant trajectory. The feature was then classified by using GMM model and the classification posterior probability was mapped to pronunciation quality grade. The experiments of comparing the Gabor transformation based formant trajectory feature with several other kinds of traditionally used features show that with this method, a human-machine scoring correlation coefficient （CC） of 0.842 can be achieved, which is better than the result of 0.832 by traditional speech recognition techniques. At the same time, considering that the long-term information of formant classification and the short-term information of speech recognition technique are complementary to each other, it is investigated to combine their results with linear or nonlinear methods to further improve the evaluation performance. As a result, experiments on PSK show that the best CC of 0.913, which is very close to the correlation of inter-human rating of 0.94, is gotten by using neural network.

A REVIEW ON ARTERY WALL SEGMENTATION TECHNIQUES AND INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS MEASUREMENT FOR CAROTID ULTRASOUND IMAGES

Stroke and heart attack,which could be led by a kind of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease named as atherosclerosis,would seriously cause human morbidity and mortality.It is important for the early stage diagnosis and monitoring medical intervention of the atherosclerosis.Carotid stenosis is a classical atherosclerotic lesion with vessel wall narrowing down and accumulating plaques burden.The carotid artery of intima-media thickness(IMT)is a key indicator to the disease.With the development of computer assisted diagnosis technology,the imaging techniques,segmentation algorithms,measurement methods,and evaluation tools have made considerable progress.Ultrasound imaging,being real-time,economic,reliable,and safe,now seems to become a standard in vascular assessment methodology especially for the measurement of IMT.This review firstly attempts to discuss the clinical relevance of measurements in clinical practice at first,and then followed by the challenges that one has to face when approaching the segmentation of ultrasound images.Secondly,the commonly used methods for the IMT segmentation and measurement are presented.Thirdly,discussion and evaluation of different segmentation techniques are performed.An overview of summary and future perspectives is given finally.

Identification of Sperm Subpopulations in Water Buffalo Ejaculates： Changes in Cryopreservation Stages and Bull Variation

This study aimed to identify and characterize the sperm subpopulations existing in water buffalo semen using a computer assisted sperm analyzer （CASA）, as well as assess the effects of cryopreservation on the sperm subpopulation structure and evaluate bull variability. The semen of eight Bulgarian Murrah bulls was collected by four times in an interval of one week each. The semen was cryopreserved following a standard protocol and sperm kinematics was assessed. Clustering methods were applied to individual sperms, forming two significantly different （P 〈 0.05） subpopulations （P1 and P2）. Subpopulation P1 represents those spermatozoa that moved most rapidly and progressively （46.29%）, and subpopulation P2 includes spermatozoa with relatively low velocity or poorly motile but with high progressiveness （53.41%）. There was a decline on the population of P1 sperms from fresh （52.52%）, pre-freeze （45.73%） to post-thaw （35.17%） stages and significant difference on the sperm kinematics between P1 and P2. A significant decline in the values of distance, velocity and amplitude of lateral head （ALH） parameters were observed at post-thaw stage, while an increase was observed on trajectory and beat cross frequency （BCF） kinematics. Values of sperm kinematics were also significantly different （P 〈 0.05） among all bulls. The frequency distribution of spermatozoa on both subpopulations P1 and P2 was quite similar for all bulls in pre-freeze and post-thaw stages, but with significant （P 〈 0.05） variability on fresh stage. Bulls with the highest maintained frequency of P1 sperms are denoted as good freezer bulls. In sum, kinematic characterization of water buffalo sperm and clustering into subpopulation enable to identify bulls that are more resistant to cryopreservation and production of quality semen for genetic propagation.

UTR-CTOE： A New Paradigm Explaining CAATs Adoption

Computer assisted audit techniques （CAATs） are audit technologies that allow auditors to perform their audit work efficiently and effectively. However, little is known about CAATs adoption process by audit firms. Therefore, this paper adapts the technology readiness theory （TRI）, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology （UTAUT） and the technology-organization environment （TOE） framework and Denison organizational culture theory, and presents a new theory of unified technology readiness and cultural-technological-organizational-environmental model （UTR-CTOE）, to explain CAATs adoption at both individual level and firm level. The methodology used in the study consists of a random sampling among the auditors through the administration of questionnaire. A total of 581 auditors registered with Mauritius Institute of Professional Accountants （MIPA） respond to the survey. Our main findings of this paper confirm that the relation between beliefs, such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, facilitating condition and social influence, and motivation is positively correlated, while beliefs have a negative correlation with inhibition towards CAATs adoption. Results also indicate that firm＇s decision for CAATs adoption is positively influenced by cultural, technological, organizational, and environmental factors. Furthermore, there is an indirect impact of firm＇s internal and external influences on auditors＇ adoption of CAATs.

Analysis of the Mass Appraisal Model by Using Artificial Neural Network in Kaohsiung City

An accurate assessment of the property value is very important to make a deal, property tax, and mortgage for loan. The mass appraisal system has been developed in some foreign countries, especially in American for a long time. In Taiwan, we still have few experiences in using computer-assisted mass appraisal system, especially using artificial neural network （ANN）. This article has two objectives： （1） to illustrate application of ANN to the Kaohsiung property market by the method of back-propagation. The study is based on the properties data of sales price, we also use multiple regressions in the same data; （2） to evaluate the performance of two models by using the mean absolute percentage error （MAPE） and hit ratio （HR）. This paper finds that using artificial neural network （ANN） is able to overcome multiple regressions＇ methodological problems and also get better performance than multiple regression model （MRA）. These results are useful in helping local government to assess their assessment value.