BiCi smart bike offers electronically-enhanced cycling

 

BiCi smart bike offers electronically-enhanced cycling The Basic Version of the BiCi smart bike Image Gallery (5 images) If a new crowdfunding campaign is successful, yet another "smart bike" will soon be available to consumers. Called the BiCi, it was designed by a team from Shanghai-based AOAO Studio after a four-month period of focusing on "what the perfect bike should be." The end result certainly looks unique, if nothing else. The distinctive appearance of the BiCi (short for Basic Conception ... sort of) comes courtesy of its carbon fiber frame and smallish-but-peppy 22-inch wheels. What makes it smart, however, are its onboard electronics. These include sensors that track parameters such as current speed, cadence, altitude, location, calories consumed and heart rate (it isn't clear how that last one is measured). All the data is displayed and recorded on the rider's paired iOS or Android smartphone, which sits on a handlebar mount. Additionally, users can map a route to their destination on the BiCi app before setting out, then receive left- and right-turn cues through buzzes in the handlebars as they ride. Those haptic alerts are backed up by running lights at either end of the bars, one or the other of which blinks when a turn is required. On the topic of lights, the bike also has head- and tail lights, which automatically come on and turn off via an ambient light sensor. When the BiCi is left unattended, its sensors will detect if it's being moved when its owner's phone isn't nearby. Should that happen, it will send an alert to them, plus its GPS module will allow them to track its location. Power is provided by an integrated battery, which is in turn charged while riding via a front hub dynamo. AOAO is currently raising production funds, by offering 140 BiCis for preorder through crowdfunding site Pozible. A deposit of US$49 will put you on the list for a Basic Version model, which features a flat bar and Shimano Tiagra drivetrain components (despite the fact that the supplied photos show a single-speed). Assuming it goes into production, you'll have to pay an additional $594 to make up the total cost of $643 – which is pretty decent for a carbon fiber, geared bike. It's available in five frame colors. If you'd prefer the dropped-bar Shimano 105-equipped Expert Version, a deposit of $81 towards a total price of $965 is required. Source: Pozible

To remove the gallbladder or not: That is the question

 

This is UTMB's Dr. Taylor Riall, lead author of the study. Gallbladder removal is one of the most common operations performed in older adults. Yet, research from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston shows many patients who would benefit most from the surgery don't get it. A previous study by the UTMB researchers showed that a combination of factors -- age, sex, race, other associated illnesses and severity of gallbladder symptoms, for example -- put a patient in the most danger for acute gallbladder attack. This study resulted in the creation of a predictive model for determining patients at most risk -- and thus most likely to benefit from having their gallbladders removed. Then the researchers put their predictive model to the test. Their new study looks at 11 years of billing records of more than 160,000 Texas Medicare patients, 66 and older, who had an initial episode of gallstone trouble. The researchers used their predictive model to determine which of these patients was most likely headed for a dangerous gallbladder attack over the course of two years. The patients in the highest risk category should be receiving gallbladder removal surgery most often. But the UTMB study, available online in the January edition of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, showed the reverse to be true. Removal of the gallbladder did not seem to depend on risk and in the healthiest patients, those in the most danger had their gallbladders removed least often. Dr. Taylor Riall, professor of surgery at UTMB and lead author of the study, said that even though gallbladder removal is recommended for patients with gallstone problems, "Less than a quarter of patients in this study had their gallbladders removed. We sought to determine whether the decision to have the gallbladder removed was actually based on their risk of having gallstone-related complications in the next two years." Using their model, the researchers identified which patients were in low, moderate or high-risk categories for an acute gallbladder episode that required hospitalization. This new study validates the accuracy of their predictive model. Among those who did not have their gallbladder removed, less than 20 percent in the low-risk group ended up being hospitalized for gallbladder-related issues -- for the high-risk group, 65 percent were hospitalized within two years of first symptoms. In looking at patients who had the surgery, the study showed risk was not related to removal of the gallbladder. Only 22 percent of people in the low-risk group, 21 percent in the moderate-risk group, and 23 percent in the high-risk group had their gallbladder removed. In the healthiest older patients, gallbladder removal was performed in 34 percent of low-risk patients but in only 27 percent of the highest-risk patients. Also, less than 10 percent of patients who did not have their gallbladder removed even saw a surgeon after the initial episode. The risk of developing gallstones increases with age. While a person under 40 has about an 8 percent chance of developing gallstones, the risk jumps to more than 50 percent in people 70 years and older. Gallbladder disease is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain in older patients and removal of the gallbladder accounts for a third of abdominal operations in patients over 65. The UTMB risk prediction model provides a starting point for individualized care and shared decision making in older patients with gallstones. Integrating this model into clinical practice, especially at the level of the primary care physician, may improve outcomes by increasing elective gallbladder removal rates in the patients at highest risk and prevent future complications in this vulnerable population. This information would also allow physicians to avoid gallbladder removal in patients who are a high surgical risk and at low risk for developing complications from their gallstones. In patients with lower risk and the decision for gallbladder removal is based on preference, this information can help patients make decisions in the context of their symptoms and the impact on their quality of life. Story Source: The above story is based on materials provided by University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Psychology : From Humble Beginnings to Today

 

Philosophers such as Rene Descartes  played an important role in the history of psychology.  Hulton Fine Art Collection / Getty Images While the psychology of today reflects the discipline’s rich and varied history, the origins of psychology differ significantly from contemporary conceptions of the field. In order to gain a full understanding of psychology, you need to spend some time exploring its history and origins. How did psychology originate? When did it begin? Who were the people responsible for establishing psychology as a separate science? Why Study Psychology History? Contemporary psychology is interested in an enormous range of topics, looking a human behavior and mental process from the neural level to the cultural level. Psychologists study human issues that begin before birth and continue until death. By understanding the history of psychology, you can gain a better understanding of how these topics are studied and what we have learned thus far. Questions in Psychology From its earliest beginnings, psychology has been faced with a number of different questions. The initial question of how to define psychology helped establish it as a science separate from physiology and philosophy. Additional questions that psychologists have faced throughout history include: What topics and issues should psychology be concerned with? What research methods should be used to study psychology? Should psychologists use research to influence public policy, education, and other aspects of human behavior? Is psychology really a science? Should psychology focus on observable behaviors, or on internal mental processes? The Beginnings of Psychology: Philosophy and Physiology While psychology did not emerge as a separate discipline until the late 1800s, its earliest history can be traced back to the time of the early Greeks. During the 17th-century, the French philosopher Rene Descartes introduced the idea of dualism, which asserted that the mind and body were two separate entities that interact to form the human experience. Many other issues still debated by psychologists today, such as the relative contributions of nature vs. nurture, are rooted in these early philosophical traditions. So what makes psychology different from philosophy? While early philosophers relied on methods such as observation and logic, today’s psychologists utilize scientific methodologies to study and draw conclusions about human thought and behavior. Physiology also contributed to psychology’s eventual emergence as a scientific discipline. Early physiology research on the brain and behavior had a dramatic impact on psychology, ultimately contributing to the application of scientific methodologies to the study of human thought and behavior. Psychology Emerges as a Separate Discipline During the mid-1800s, a German physiologist named Wilhelm Wundt was using scientific research methods to investigate reaction times. His book published in 1874, Principles of Physiological Psychology, outlined many of the major connections between the science of physiology and the study of human thought and behavior. He later opened the world’s first psychology lab in 1879 at the University of Leipzig. This event is generally considered the official start of psychology as a separate and distinct scientific discipline. How did Wundt view psychology? He perceived the subject as the study of human consciousness and sought to apply experimental methods to studying internal mental processes. While his use of a process known as introspection is seen as unreliable and unscientific today, his early work in psychology helped set the stage for future experimental methods. An estimated 17,000 students attended Wundt’s psychology lectures, and hundreds more pursued degrees in psychology and studied in his psychology lab. While his influence dwindled in the years to come, his impact on psychology is unquestionable. Structuralism Becomes Psychology’s First School of Thought Edward B. Titchener, one of Wundt’s most famous students, would go on to found psychology’s first major school of thought. According to the structuralists, human consciousness could be broken down into much smaller parts. Using a process known as introspection, trained subjects would attempt to break down their responses and reactions to the most basic sensation and perceptions. While structuralism is notable for its emphasis on scientific research, its methods were unreliable, limiting, and subjective. When Titchener died in 1927, structuralism essentially died with him. The Functionalism of William James Psychology flourished in American during the mid- to late-1800s. William James emerged as one of the major American psychologists during this period and the publication of his classic textbook, The Principles of Psychology, established him as the father of American psychology. His book soon became the standard text in psychology and his ideas eventually served as the basis for a new school of thought known as functionalism. The focus of functionalism was on how behavior actually works to help people live in their environment. Functionalists utilized methods such as direct observation. While both of these early schools of thought emphasized human consciousness, their conceptions of it were significantly different. While the structuralists sought to break down mental processes into their smallest parts, the functionalists believed that consciousness existed as a more continuous and changing process. While functionalism is no longer a separate school of thought, it would go on to influence later psychologists and theories of human thought and behavior. source: www.about.com

New frontiers: Drones deliver a raft of surprises in 2014

 

2014 saw the emergence of some truly innovative drone projects   2014 wasn’t the year that drones first entered the consumer lexicon, but it did see the notion of using these unmanned vehicles to our advantage become much more palatable. Package deliveries and carrying out conventional robotic tasks are some concepts that have defined the progress of drones in the past 12 months, but, as is typical of emerging technologies, the more their potential is realized the more they find uses in unexpected new applications. Let’s have a look over some of the year’s more surprising, yet significant, drone projects that promise to shake things up in exciting new ways.   Getting on top of malaria in Southeast Asia In the forests of Maylasia and the Philippines, a new type of malaria has emerged over the last decade. Known as Plasmodium knowlesi, this particular parasite was long thought to affect only long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques. But recently, reports have started popping up of human infections, with a number leading to organ failure and even death. Researchers have had an inkling that deforestation in the region is changing the way people, mosquitos and the infected monkeys interact and how the disease is spreading. Now a team of experts from London’s School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are using drones to monitor the terrain from above, collecting geographical data to gain new perspectives on the environment, the populations and movements of the monkeys. The program is still in its early stages and is expected to run for 5 years.   Delivering medicine to remote German islands While drone delivery heavyweights like Amazon and Google um and ah, and grapple with a maze of red tape, courier company DHL has been testing out UAVs to deliver high-priority pharmaceuticals to the tiny German island of Juist. Running for several weeks starting in September, the pilot program saw DHL’s so-called Parcelcopter carry medication from the seaside village of Norddeich over 12 km (7.5 mi) of open water to a designated landing pad on the island. This involved the craft taking off, flying and landing autonomously, though its path and other elements of the flight are monitored by staff at a control room in Norddeich. The Parcelcopter cruises at an altitude of 50 m (164 ft) at up to 18 m per second (40 mph). The pilot program was limited to high-priority pharmaceuticals, but marked the first systematic delivery of items to customers using drones.   Safely detecting landmines Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the countries most heavily contaminated with landmines, with an estimated 120,000 still leftover from war during the 1990s. While efforts to remove the mines using terrestrial robots and animals are ongoing, these are time-consuming and inherently dangerous. Drone company CATUAV, space services firm Telespazio and the European Space Agency teamed up to try and detect landmines from above, a method that would be quicker and less risky. Using a purpose-built aircraft equipped with optical sensors and electronics, the team snaps images of the terrain from the sky. These are then processed and algorithms are run, enabling the team to calculate the chances of land mine presence in the area. The Landmines Detection project is a semi-finalist in the United Arab Emirates Drones For Good Award, the winner of which will be announced mid-January and warded US$1 million. Busting illegal fishermen along the coastline of Belize Belize’s famed coral reef systems are under threat from unsustainable fishing, but tackling illegal activity proves difficult with much of the coast is obscured by leafy mangrove forests. Regulations are in place but have been tough to enforce, leading to the launch of a drone program in July that has given conservationists new hope. The Belize Fisheries Department teamed up with the Wildlife Conservation Society and an organization called Conservation Drones to put UAVs in the sky above the coast. Capable of flying autonomously for more than an hour and up to a range of 50 km (31 mi), the drones capture high-res photo and video from above. Authorities then monitor the images for suspect activity, enabling them to more efficiently conduct searches and deploy patrol vessels.   Protecting rhinos from poachers From the Caribbean coast to the arid lands of Africa, drones are proving their worth in a growing number of conservation efforts. Californian company Airware teamed up with Kenya’s Oj Pejeta Conservancy to run tests on a drone surveillance program that helps to preserve the ailing rhino population. Using fixed and gimbal-mounted cameras, the drones relayed digital video and thermal images to park rangers in control stations. The rangers were able to program flight paths and have the drones fly autonomously from take-off to recovery. The idea being that when the images indicated the presence of poachers, they could deploy a security team to deal with the incident. Oj Pejeta said the program surpassed all their expectations.   Cutting response time for heart attack victims Every second is critical when treating a patient who has suffered a cardiac arrest, with longer response times relating directly to lower chances of survival. Having quick access to a defibrillator and knowing how to use it can be the difference between life and death. Alec Momont, a graduate student at Holland’s Deft University of Technology, has developed a prototype of a so-called Ambulance Drone with a view to cutting down these response times. Once emergency services are contacted about a heart attack, they deploy the drone carrying a defibrillator. Using GPS, the drone travels to the location of the call at speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). An integrated webcam gives the emergency services a live stream of the scene and allows them to guide the people on the ground through the process of applying the defibrillator to the patient. Momont posits that his solution can get a defibrillator to a patient in a 12 sq km (4.6 sq mi) radius within a minute. He is hopeful the Ambulance Drone will take flight within 5 years.   Tracking action sports heroes Videography that simply wasn’t possible before the proliferation of camera-wielding drones has got to be one of its most eye-catching capabilities (check out this surf video, for example). While the mounts become more stable and resolution of the cameras continue to improve, there is one particularly useful function that is starting to feature more heavily in the drone photography market. Commonly referred to as Follow Me, this sees the drone automatically track an athlete from above as they ski, board, ride, run and somersault their way through their adrenaline-fuelled exploits. Though a bunch of drones are touting this as their primary feature, none come as well-credentialed and market-ready as the Iris+. This drone can be bought now for $750 (you’ll need to mount your own GoPro) and can fly above and follow a user carrying a GPS-enabled Android device. It uses a Tarot T-2D motorized gimbal mount to pan, tilt and keep the user in the center of frame. High-stakes, Star Wars-style drone races In October, the Airgonnay drone club took to a dense forest in the French Alps to pit vehicles against each other in what it hopes will be the first of many high-stakes drone races. 24 pilots raced their drones through a 150 m (492 ft) course, weaving through trees and low-hanging branches while streaming a first-person view to their goggles from built-in micro cameras. This year’s field was made up of quadcopters and multicopters that were optimized for speed and agility, darting through the trees at up to 50 km/h (31 mph). The club plans on live-streaming next year’s event over the internet and hopes to attract a higher caliber of competitors with drone pilots flocking from overseas. Onwards and upwards Drone technology is perceived as being in its early stages in terms of what could be achieved. That we are already seeing it have a positive impact in such diverse ways is pretty darn exciting, and you do get the feeling that 2015 has even more unimagined, pioneering ideas in store. We’ll be doing our best here at Gizmag to keep across all the developments, but judging by the rate of advancement so far, it certainly looks like we'll have our work cut out for us.

Supplements: Nutrition in a pill?

 

Supplements aren't for everyone, but older adults and others may benefit from specific supplements. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans make it clear that your nutritional needs should be met primarily through your diet. For some people, however, supplements may be a useful way to get nutrients they might otherwise be lacking. But before you go shopping for supplements, get the facts on what they will and won't do for you. Supplements vs. whole foods Supplements aren't intended to be a food substitute because they can't replicate all of the nutrients and benefits of whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. So depending on your situation and your eating habits, dietary supplements may not be worth the expense. Whole foods offer three main benefits over dietary supplements: Greater nutrition. Whole foods are complex, containing a variety of the micronutrients your body needs — not just one. An orange, for example, provides vitamin C plus some beta carotene, calcium and other nutrients. It's likely these compounds work together to produce their beneficial effect. Essential fiber. Whole foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, provide dietary fiber. Most high-fiber foods are also packed with other essential nutrients. Fiber, as part of a healthy diet, can help prevent certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and it can also help manage constipation. Protective substances. Whole foods contain other substances important for good health. Fruits and vegetables, for example, contain naturally occurring substances called phytochemicals, which may help protect you against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Many are also good sources of antioxidants — substances that slow down oxidation, a natural process that leads to cell and tissue damage. Who needs supplements? If you're generally healthy and eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and fish, you likely don't need supplements. However, the dietary guidelines recommend supplements — or fortified foods — in the following situations: Women who may become pregnant should get 400 micrograms a day of folic acid from fortified foods or supplements, in addition to eating foods that naturally contain folate. Women who are pregnant should take a prenatal vitamin that includes iron or a separate iron supplement. Adults age 50 or older should eat foods fortified with vitamin B-12, such as fortified cereals, or take a multivitamin that contains B-12 or a separate B-12 supplement. Adults age 65 and older who do not live in assisted living or nursing homes should take 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily to reduce the risk of falls. Dietary supplements also may be appropriate if you: Don't eat well or consume less than 1,600 calories a day. Are a vegan or a vegetarian who eats a limited variety of foods. Don't obtain two to three servings of fish a week. If you have difficulty achieving this amount, some experts recommend adding a fish oil supplement to your daily regimen. Are a woman who experiences heavy bleeding during your menstrual period. Have a medical condition that affects how your body absorbs or uses nutrients, such as chronic diarrhea, food allergies, food intolerance, or a disease of the liver, gallbladder, intestines or pancreas. Have had surgery on your digestive tract and are not able to digest and absorb nutrients properly. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian about which supplements and what doses might be appropriate for you. Be sure to ask about possible side effects and interactions with any medications you take. See more In-depth source :www.mayoclinic.org

46 Magnificent Examples Of Creative Furniture Design

 

1. Creative Car Bed Furniture 2. Creative Workstation 3. Creative Bookworm for Book Lovers 5. Bench of Thought 6. Lost in Sofa 7. Bed for Kids 8. Creative Bookshelf 9. Car Inspired Furniture 10. Garden Furniture 11. Innovative Table 12. FIT IN tables 13. Human Face Inspired Book Shelf 14. United States Bookshelf 15. Wooden Crates 16. Drap shelf 17. Comfortable Chairs 18. Innovative Sofa 19. Plywood 20. Join Table 21. Feel Seating System Deluxe 22. Bamboestoel Chair 23. Right Angled Furniture 24. Picnic Bench 26. Long Form Library 27. Unstable 28. Work Table 002 29. Tetris Inspired Furniture 30. Shelf & Beer Case 31. New Wheels 32. Fill in the cat 33. Climbing Walls 34. Snow Peak Garden Dining Table 35. The Pause Bench 36. Nendo Visible Structures 37. Walking Table 39. Unusual Bed 40. Bookshelf 41. Sitting Arrangement 42. Krux13 43. Stone & Glass Combined Table 44. Creative Hanger 45. Minimalist Desk 46. Nature Inspired Table Source: Instant Shift