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Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) play a crucial role in generating movements and forces in soft robotic systems. However, existing SPA designs require significant structural modifications to be used in applications other than their original design. The present article proposes an omni-purpose fully 3D-printable SPA design inspired by membrane type mold and cast SPAs. The design features a spring-like zig-zag structure 3D-printed using an affordable 3D printer with thermoplastic polyurethane and a minimum wall thickness between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. The new SPA can perform unidirectional extension (30% extension) and bidirectional (rotation around same axis) bending (100°), with the ability to exert 10 N blocking force for 350 kPa pressure input. In addition, the design exhibits the capability to be scaled down for the purpose of accommodating limited spaces, while simultaneously enabling the reconfigurable interconnection of multiple SPAs to adapt to larger areas and navigate intricate trajectories that were not originally intended. The SPA's ability to be used in multiple applications without structural modification was validated through testing as a robot end-effector (gripper), artificial muscles in a soft tendon-driven prosthetic hand, a tube/tunnel navigator, and a robot crawler.

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Objective: Sensorimotor performance is influential in Chinese handwriting, but few studies have examined the efficacy of sensorimotor-based interventions on Chinese handwriting among primary school students with poor handwriting performance. The study aims to evaluate a sensorimotor-based intervention to improve handwriting in the mainstream primary schools. Methods: This study adopted a two-group pretest-posttest design. An 8-session group-based sensorimotor intervention was delivered to school-aged children (mean age = 8.1, 68% male). Group A had 2 sessions every week, while Group B had 4 sessions every week. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to test the effects. Results: The intervention had a significant time effect (p < .05) in terms of improving handwriting process (d = 0.33-1.10), manual dexterity (d = 0.57), visual memory (d = 0.70), visual-spatial perception (d = 0.37), and motor and postural skills (d = 0.73). The effect sizes ranged from medium to large. For the handwriting process, time per character had a significant group × time interaction, with post hoc analysis showing that Group A had a significantly large effect (d = 1.89, p < .001) while Group B did not. Conclusions: The group-based sensorimotor intervention programme appeared to show improvements in students with fair skills in writing Chinese characters. It appears that the effect is better if the training sessions are spaced out in one month rather than intensively conducted within two weeks. It might be related to more involvement from parents, and students need more time for practice after the training sessions.

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A key feature of autism spectrum disorder is a dysfunction in social participation. This study aimed to explore the parents' perceptions and experiences of social cognitive training for their child with autism in the Hong Kong context. Using a qualitative narrative approach, twenty-three parent participants were interviewed using purposive sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using content analysis method. Three themes included: Improvements and changes in children's social participation across different settings; Challenges in the implementation of and engagement in the social cognitive training; and Parents' views and suggestions about the training. The findings supported that there were parent perceived improvements in their child's social skills and social participation. The interviews also revealed generalization of social skills and behaviors across home, school and community settings. The results of this study can inform therapists to design appropriate social cognitive intervention and improve social participation for this population group.

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This study evaluates the efficacy of a school-based social cognitive intervention for children with autism. Seventy-four children and adolescents were taught visually scaffolded, theory of mind-based social skills program. Using a mixed-methods approach, children's social competence was assessed at pre-test and post-test. Compared to a waitlist control group, children in the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater gains on theory-of-mind and social skill measures. Focus groups and interviews were conducted to explore parents' views and generalization of children's social skills across settings. Children's social participation exhibited improvement in home, community, and school settings. The study findings offer promising evidence for a cost-effective program and support of the school-based social skills intervention for children with ASD in Hong Kong context.

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Altered sensory processing and perception has been one of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this chapter, we review the neural underpinnings of sensory abnormalities of ASD by examining the literature on clinical, behavioral and neurobiological evidence that underlies the main patterns of sensory integration function and dysfunction. Furthermore, neural differences in anatomy, function and connectivity of different regions underlying sensory processing are also discussed. We conclude that sensory integration intervention is built on the premise of neuroplasticity to improve function and behavior for individuals with ASD.

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Purpose: To adapt the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth for use with Chinese children and youths, and to investigate its psychometric properties.Materials and methods: The Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth was translated into Chinese using a cultural adaptation process. Parents of 69 children aged 5-12 years with disabilities and 319 children without disabilities completed the questionnaires. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factorial structure, and known-group validity were examined using Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, confirmatory factor analysis and t-test, respectively.Results: We added and/or replaced activities with culturally-relevant activities in the Chinese version. Internal consistency was acceptable for most of the scales (0.55-0.86). Test-retest reliability of the summary scores was moderate to high (0.70-0.84). Data-model fit was confirmed in a one-factor structure for the participation scales and a two-factor structure for the environment scales. There were also significant differences in the summary scores between 65 gender- and age-matched pairs of children with and without disabilities on the school participation scales and all the environment scales.Conclusion: This study provides psychometric evidence supporting the use of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth to assess Chinese children's participation and environmental supports/barriers.Implications for rehabilitationThe Chinese version of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth was developed through a rigorous translation and cultural adaptation process.There is evidence for the reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability) and construct validity (factorial structure and known-group validity) of the Chinese version of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth.The Chinese version of the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth can be used to assess children's participation in home, school and community settings and to identify environmental barriers that require further intervention.

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BACKGROUND: Young people recovering from drug addiction often face challenges in returning to the job market and in maintaining their jobs. Many of them feel they have no choice but to do entry-level work, and they are often unsure about their work ability and vocational choice. OBJECTIVE: In collaboration with a youth outreach service, this study aims to provide a package of vocational assessment, guidance, and support for these clients. METHODS: Using a strength-based case management framework, we conducted a comprehensive vocational evaluation for each participant (N = 17), which covered self-perception of abilities, work and occupational interests, work readiness, work-related self-efficacy, and work aptitudes. We presented assessment results to each client and provided guidance on their education, training, or vocational choice. RESULTS: The results of aptitude tests indicate that most participants can cope with an entry-level job. Many participants are strong in jobs that require quick decision-making, sorting, assembly, and clerical tasks, but many are weak in fine manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination. Many participants preferred jobs that are creative, indefinite, and autonomous in nature. CONCLUSION: Longer-term vocational counseling and coaching is needed to help clients make vocational choices and extend their job tenure. Many clients will also need training in job seeking and job maintenance skills.

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The Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scales (SSIS-RS; Gresham & Elliott, 2008) are designed to assist in the screening and classification of students (aged 5-18 years) who are suspected of presenting with social skills deficits and to offer guidelines in the development of interventions to remediate those types of problems. The objective of this study is to examine the preliminary reliability and validity of the translated Chinese version of the SSIS-RS, referred to as the SSIS-RS-C. In this study, parent-reported social skills and problem behaviors among students with typical development (n=79) were compared with those of age- and gender-matched students with a known developmental disability (n=79) using the SSIS-RS-C. The results indicated that the SSIS-RS-C subscale scores in all the disability groups were significantly different except for those in the Assertion scale for one disability group. Furthermore, the normative sample of typically developing children and adolescents (aged 5-12 and 13-18 years, n=567) from Hong Kong was established to improve the psychometric properties of the SSIS-RS-C. There were moderate to strong relationships between the common subscales across all forms of the SSIS-RS-C. Acceptable to excellent levels of internal consistency across all common subscales was also obtained. The scores for the Hong Kong sample (n=567) derived from the use of the SSIS-RS-C were then compared to the normative sample scores from the American version of the SSIS-RS. It was found that there were statistically significant differences on five out of the seven SSIS-RS-C Social Skill subscales for children aged 5-12 years and on four out of the seven SSIS-RS-C Social Skills subscales for the adolescent group (aged 13-18 years). Also, there were statistically significant differences between the American and Hong Kong samples on all of the SSIS-RS-C Problem Behavior scale scores. It was concluded that the SSIS-RS-C is a promising instrument for clinicians to be able to differentiate social skills and problem behaviors among students presenting with and without developmental disabilities in Hong Kong contexts.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate University of Alberta staff and students' acceptance of and satisfaction with receiving influenza vaccinations from student pharmacists during the university's annual influenza campaign. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A patient survey was created to collect patient demographics, influenza history and feedback on the services provided by pharmacy students and to measure willingness to receive vaccinations from a pharmacist in a community pharmacy. The 13-question survey was distributed to patients who received an influenza vaccination from a student pharmacist during the influenza campaign. KEY FINDINGS: A total of 1555 staff and students completed the satisfaction survey. Almost all (n = 1533, 99%) survey participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the service provided by student pharmacists. A total of 1437 (92%) participants agreed or strongly agreed that based on this experience, they would be willing to receive vaccinations from a pharmacist in a community pharmacy and 1526 (98%) participants rated their overall experience at the flu clinic as very good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: Positive responses to the survey suggest that University of Alberta staff and students are satisfied with the service provided by student pharmacists. Their willingness to receive vaccines from a pharmacist in a community pharmacy highlighted public acceptance of the expanding role of pharmacists as immunizers.

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This study compared the patterns of sensory processing among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and children without disabilities. Parents reported on the frequency of sensory processing issues by completing the Chinese Sensory Profile (CSP). Children with disabilities (ASD or ADHD) exhibited significantly more sensory processing issues than children without disabilities. The results of GLM and discriminant analyses showed that the CSP effectively differentiated between children with and without developmental disabilities. But it failed to identify major differences in sensory processing issues between children with either ASD or ADHD. Sensory processing issues could be one of many criteria that characterize and differentiate the features of children with different developmental disabilities. Although no significant gender differences in sensory processing issues appeared, age was a significant cofounding factor in evaluating sensory processing. Children without disabilities showed some small decreases in sensory processing issues as they aged from 6 to 12 years old. Children with ASD showed some decrease in sensory processing issues over the span of their childhood, while children with ADHD showed a significant increase in auditory processing issues as well as small increases in many aspects of sensory processing.

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Adult epiglottitis is a relatively rare but potentially lethal disease. It seems to be increasing in incidence in other countries. The objective of this study was to examine the common presentations and clinical course of adult epiglottitis in Hong Kong. Retrospective review of 80 consecutive cases of adult epiglottitis admitted between 2000 and 2005. A rising trend in the incidence of adult epiglottitis was observed. The mean age (SD) was 49 years (15.7) and the male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1. Disease presentation was nonspecific and sore throat was the most common symptom. All patients were admitted to hospital; 47 (59%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 31 (39%) had provision of an artificial airway. Mean (SD) length of stay in ICU and hospital was 1.9 (2.2) and 6.3 (2.9) days, respectively. Six patients (7.5%) were complicated by epiglottic abscess formation. No deaths occurred in this series. Patients who required airway intervention had a higher ICU admission rate and a higher bacterial identification rate. Flexible laryngoscopy was more sensitive than lateral neck radiography in diagnosing epiglottitis (100 vs. 81.4%). The laryngoscopic finding of a narrowed airway was strongly related to the requirement for airway intervention (odds ratio=23.7, 95% confidence interval=4.2-132.6, P<0.001). A high index of suspicion is required for making the diagnosis of adult epiglottitis. Proper airway assessment and close monitoring are of the utmost importance in patient management. Flexible laryngoscopy is the key investigation of choice in the emergency department.

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AIM: Traumatic extradural haematoma (EDH) is a neurosurgical emergency and timely surgical intervention for significant EDH is the gold standard. This study aims to determine the incidence and mortality of consecutive patients with traumatic EDH admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) of Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH), a University Hospital Trauma Centre in Hong Kong. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for all consecutive trauma cases admitted through the ED during 2001-2004. EDH was diagnosed by CT in all cases. Both primary and delayed onset EDH were included, as were patients with combined EDH and other intracranial lesions (e.g. subdural haematoma). Age, sex, cause of injury, associated intracranial lesions, skull fracture, Glasgow Coma Scale, pupil reactivity, treatment, length of stay and clinical outcome were determined. RESULTS: Two thousand and two hundred and eight patients were in the trauma registry for 2001-2004. Total 1080 head injured patients; 89 patients had traumatic EDH, mean of 1.9 patients per month. Seventy (79%) patients were male, with a mean age of 37.7 years. Fifty (56%) patients were from road traffic crashes, 27 (30%) sustained falls, 10 (11%) had direct head trauma. On admission, 62 (70%) patients were GCS 13-15, 9 (10%) GCS 9-12 and 18 (20%) GCS 3-8. Sixty-six (74%) patients had a skull fracture. Thirty (34%) patients underwent neurosurgical operation. Overall, nine patients (10%) died; eight patients were GCS<8; five had bilateral fixed and dilated pupils; one had a single fixed and dilated pupil. Four patients died after neurosurgical operation, three of whom had fixed dilated pupils and were GCS 3 prior to surgery. Median length of hospital stay for survivors was 10.4 days. CONCLUSION: Survival from traumatic EDH was 90% (80/89) and 91% (73/80) of survivors had a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 or 5 (good or moderate). The combination of bilateral fixed dilated pupils and GCS 3 suggests severe primary brain injury. Emergency evacuation of intracranial haematomas is unlikely to improve the outcome for these patients. Even in an urban environment with short prehospital times and rapid access to neurosurgery, outcome in patients who are GCS 3 following EDH is likely to be poor.

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This research study intended to investigate the visualperceptual performance of children in Hong Kong by comparing them to the accepted norms on the Developmental Test of Visual Perception-2nd edition. The research examined whether there was significant difference in child's gender, age, and grade. The normative study recruited two hundred and eight-nine children between the ages of 6 and 7 in normal primary schools in Hong Kong. Results indicated that there was a ceiling effect in eye-hand coordination, position in space and spatial relations subtests. Grade differences were found to be significant in all subtests except eye-hand coordination and visual-motor speed. On the other hand, there were no statistical difference in the test scores between boys and girls except on copying and figure-ground subtests. It is concluded that there is a strong need to ensure that norms for visual-perceptual tests are appropriate for the specific cultural groups being assessed.

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