Human Psychophysiological Activity Estimation Based on Smartphone Camera and Wearable Electronics

This paper presents a study related to human psychophysiological activity estimation based on a smartphone camera and sensors. In recent years, awareness of the human body, as well as human mental states, has become more and more popular. Yoga and meditation practices have moved from the east to Europe, the USA, Russia, and other countries, and there are a lot of people who are interested in them. However, recently, people have tried the practice but would prefer an objective assessment. We propose to apply the modern methods of computer vision, pattern recognition, competence management, and dynamic motivation to estimate the quality of the meditation process and provide the users with objective information about their practice. We propose an approach that covers the possibility of recognizing pictures of humans from a smartphone and utilizes wearable electronics to measure the user’s heart rate and motions. We propose a model that allows building meditation estimation scores based on these parameters. Moreover, we propose a meditation expert network through which users can find the coach that is most appropriate for him/her. Finally, we propose the dynamic motivation model, which encourages people to perform the practice every day.

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The objective assessment of the quality of hospital care: dream or reality?

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2007.28107 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 148 (43) ◽

pp. 2033-2041

Author(s):

Éva Belicza ◽

Erika Takács

Keyword(s):

Hospital Care ◽

Objective Assessment

A nemzetközi szakirodalom egyre gyakrabban foglalkozik azzal a kérdéssel, hogy a minőségi indikátorokra támaszkodó nyilvános minőségértékelésnek mi a hatása az ellátás minőségére és az érintettek döntésére vonatkozóan, illetve melyek azok a kritériumok, amelyek mentén nyilvános minőségértékelési rendszereket célszerű kialakítani. A nemzetközi szakirodalom alapján a dolgozat hat témakört mutat be: (1) az indikátorok képessége a szolgáltatók megkülönböztetésére; (2) az eredményindikátorok alkalmassága a szolgáltatók megítélésére; (3) a bajnoki tabellák képessége a szolgáltatók rangsorolására; (4) a lakosság viselkedése a szolgáltatók választása során; (5) az indikátorokra támaszkodó nyilvános minősítések hatásai; (6) ajánlások minősítési rendszerek kidolgozására. A szakirodalmi kutatások szerint elsősorban a kockázatkiegyenlítési problémák miatt az indikátorok képessége a szolgáltatók megkülönböztetésére a nyújtott ellátás minősége szempontjából kérdéses; az elért ellátási eredmények nem feltétlenül utalnak vissza az ellátási folyamatok minőségére; a több indikátorból komponált intézményi sorrendek (bajnoki tabellák) nem megbízhatóak; a lakosság a szolgáltatók kiválasztásakor elsősorban a környezet véleményét és a távolságot veszi figyelembe; és a nyilvános közlések hatására igazoltan romlik az ellátás átfogó minősége. A szolgáltatók értékelésében alkalmazott mérési eredmények közzétételét eszköznek kell tekinteni. A lakosság intézményválasztásának elősegítésére az ő preferenciáik mentén végzett betegelégedettségi vizsgálatok nyilvánossá tétele hozhatja meg a kívánt eredményt. A minőségfejlesztési célokat igazoltan segítik a szolgáltatói körben végzett közvetlen visszajelzések az indikátorok mért értékeiről, illetve pontosabb kép kapható az ellátási és szervezési folyamatok, standardok egységes felülvizsgálatára alapozott eljárások külső értékelési rendszerekbe történő beemelésével.

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Effect of new dietary supplement on sperm quality

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2012.29468 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (45) ◽

pp. 1787-1792 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mária Horváth ◽

Endre Czeizel

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effect ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Dietary Supplement ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Before And After ◽

The Usa ◽

New Treatments

Introduction: There is a decline in male fertility thus new treatments are needed. Aims: To test the efficacy of a new dietary supplement developed in the USA and registered as a curing drug in Hungary (OGYI). Methods: In a clinical trial 100 men with low sperm quality (spermium count 5–20 M/ml, good motility 10–40%, and adverse shape 30–50%) were examined. Results: Sperm parameters were measured before and after a 3-month treatment and after another 3-month without treatment. This dietary supplement statistically and clinically significantly improved sperm count and motility. In 74 cases this dietary supplement demonstrated a beneficial effect on sperm quality (more than 10% increase in sperm count, or quality of motility, or shape); in 16 cases the improvement exceeded 30%. No adverse effect could be accounted for this treatment. Conclusions: This new dietary supplement may contribute to the treatment of male infertility. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1787–1792.

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Modern Methods for Assessing the Technical Condition of Building Engineering Systems

Zhilishchnoe Stroitel stvo ◽

10.31659/0044-4472-2020-12-36-39 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 36-39

Author(s):

A.A. Davidyuk ◽

◽

E.A. Artemiev ◽

S.А. Streltsov ◽

R.S. Voskanyan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Russian Federation ◽

Objective Assessment ◽

Technical Condition ◽

Engineering Systems ◽

Regulatory Document ◽

Operational Capabilities ◽

Modern Methods ◽

Maximum Improvement ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

Building Engineering

On the basis of the results of many years work in the inspection of engineering systems of buildings and structures, the presented work reflects aspects of obsolescence or imperfection of the regulatory document of the Russian Federation GOST 31937–2011 «Buildings and structures. Rules for inspection and monitoring of technical condition» in part of section 5.4. The types of work that are not taken into account in the GOST, but are necessary when inspecting for an objective assessment of the technical condition of engineering systems and the possibility of further trouble-free operation are considered. The authors propose modern inspection methods that make it possible, due to the instrumental tools used, to more accurately determine the operational capabilities of systems, identify hidden shortcomings and further develop optimal measures with the maximum improvement of indicators for financial expenses for major repairs of systems as a whole or individual elements.

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Modern Methods of Improving Quality of Design of the Special Industrial Equipment for Tests of the Assembly and Protective Block of the Scientific and Power Module

Quality and life ◽

10.34214/2312-5209-2019-22-2-44-53 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 44-53 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R.S. Zagidullin ◽

◽

P.V. Barinov ◽

V.A. Burkova ◽

S.V. Glushkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Industrial Equipment ◽

Power Module ◽

Modern Methods

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Trial by Triad: substituted judgment, mental illness and the right to die

Journal of Medical Ethics ◽

10.1136/medethics-2020-107154 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. medethics-2020-107154

Author(s):

Jacob M Appel

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Substituted Judgment ◽

Diminished Capacity ◽

Accepted Standard ◽

The Usa ◽

Aid In Dying ◽

Incapacitated Patients ◽

The Right

Substituted judgment has increasingly become the accepted standard for rendering decisions for incapacitated adults in the USA. A broad exception exists with regard to patients with diminished capacity secondary to depressive disorders, as such patients’ previous wishes are generally not honoured when seeking to turn down life-preserving care or pursue aid-in-dying. The result is that physicians often force involuntary treatment on patients with poor medical prognoses and/or low quality of life (PMP/LQL) as a result of their depressive symptoms when similarly situated incapacitated patients without such depressive symptoms would have their previous wishes honoured via substituted judgment. This commentary argues for reconsidering this approach and for using a substituted judgment standard for a subset of EMP/LQL patients seeking death.

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Comprehensive Overview of Sleep Disorders in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11020142 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 142

Author(s):

Oana-Mihaela Plotogea ◽

Madalina Ilie ◽

Simona Bungau ◽

Alexandru Laurentiu Chiotoroiu ◽

Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Disorders ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Asian Countries ◽

Chronic Liver Diseases ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

The Usa ◽

The Impact ◽

Reliable Methods

The impact of sleep disorders (SDs) on patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) is tremendous. SDs are frequently encountered among these patients and interfere with their quality of life. This review aims to present the data available so far about the prevalence, phenotypes, and proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of SDs in CLD. Moreover, we proposed to search the literature regarding the most reliable methods to assess SDs and the possible therapeutic options in patients with CLD. The main results of this review show that when it comes to prevalence, the percentages reported vary widely between studies performed among populations from the USA or Europe and those coming from Asian countries. Furthermore, it has been proven that SDs may also be present in the absence of neurocognitive disorders attributable to hepatic encephalopathy (HE), which contradicts traditional suppositions where SDs were considered part of the clinical scenario of HE. Currently, there are no specific recommendations or protocols to assess SDs in CLD patients and data about the therapeutic management are limited. Taking into consideration their impact, a protocol for diagnosing and managing SDs should be developed and included in the daily practice of hepatologists.

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Influence of Bagging on the Development and Quality of Fruits

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 358

Author(s):

Muhammad Moaaz Ali ◽

Raheel Anwar ◽

Ahmed F. Yousef ◽

Binqi Li ◽

Andrea Luvisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Consumer Choice ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Market Value ◽

Quality Attribute ◽

Export Markets ◽

External Appearance ◽

The Usa ◽

Main Determinants

Fruit quality is certainly influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, and a main quality attribute is the external appearance of the fruit. Various possible agronomical approaches are able to regulate the fruit microenvironment and, consequently, improve fruit quality and market value. Among these, fruit bagging has recently become an integral part of fruits’ domestic and export markets in countries such as Japan, China, Korea Australia and the USA because it is a safe and eco-friendly technique to protect fruits from multiple stresses, preserving or improving the overall quality. Despite increasing global importance, the development of suitable bagging materials and, above all, their use in the field is quite laborious, so that serious efforts are required to enhance and standardize bagging material according to the need of the crops/fruits. This review provides information about the effects of bagging technique on the fruit aspect and texture, which are the main determinants of consumer choice.

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Public Awareness and Disaster Risk Reduction: Just-in-Time Networks and Learning

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x0006502x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 286-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ali Ardalan ◽

Faina Linkov ◽

Eugene Shubnikov ◽

Ronald E. LaPorte

Keyword(s):

Hurricane Katrina ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Just In Time ◽

Educational Levels ◽

Hazard And Risk ◽

Time Required ◽

Expert Network ◽

Core Materials

AbstractImproving public awareness through education has been recognized widely as a basis for reducing the risk of disasters. Some of the first disaster just-in-time (JIT) education modules were built within 3–6 days after the south Asia tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the Bam, Pakistan, and Indonesia earthquakes through a Supercourse. Web monitoring showed that visitors represented a wide spectrum of disciplines and educational levels from 120 developed and developing countries. Building disaster networks using an educational strategy seizes the opportunity of increased public interest to teach and find national and global expertise in hazard and risk information. To be effective, an expert network and a template for the delivery of JIT education must be prepared before an event occurs, focusing on developing core materials that could be customized rapidly, and then be based on the information received from a recent disaster. The recyclable process of the materials would help to improve the quality of the teaching, and decrease the time required for preparation. The core materials can be prepared for disasters resulting from events such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, and bioterrorism.

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Reflections on FDA and WHO recommendations concerning clinical trials

Psychiatry and Psychobiology ◽

10.1017/s0767399x00002960 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 117-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J.-F. Dreyfus ◽

D. Cremniter ◽

J.D. Guelfi

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Drug Users ◽

Objective Evaluation ◽

World Health ◽

Measuring Instruments ◽

New Techniques ◽

The Usa ◽

The One ◽

Health Organization

SummaryWe are still confronted by numerous different nosographic models and problems concerning the objective evaluation of patients progress during treatment. It is interesting to consider the consequences of this situation in psychiatry which still involves a relative diversity of practical methods used in clinical trials. The recommendations of the USA Food and Drug Administration, on the one hand, constitute a highly structured and precise reference. The World Health Organization, on the other hand, promulgates general recommendations resulting from a compromise designed to satisfy the greatest number of clinicians.Despite the apparently diverse principles and the different practical methods they propose, both those sets of recommendations have been useful in inspiring clinicians to reflect upon these different methodological approaches. The qualities of the inclusion criteria used in the study of patients and the sensitivity of the different measuring instruments have allowed psychotropic drug users as well as producers to recognize the need for a certain rigour in clinical trials.The FDA and WHO guidelines have certainly improved the quality of clinical trials in psychopharmacology. However, they also represent a source of resistance to innovation.A series of consensus meetings to first reconcile US and European points of view and later to include new techniques in the recognized sets of methods would therefore be helpful.

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