A Systematic Review of Wearable Sensors for Monitoring Physical Activity

This article reviews the use of wearable sensors for the monitoring of physical activity (PA) for different purposes, including assessment of gait and balance, prevention and/or detection of falls, recognition of various PAs, conduction and assessment of rehabilitation exercises and monitoring of neurological disease progression. The article provides in-depth information on the retrieved articles and discusses study shortcomings related to demographic factors, i.e., age, gender, healthy participants vs patients, and study conditions. It is well known that motion patterns change with age and the onset of illnesses, and that the risk of falling increases with age. Yet, studies including older persons are rare. Gender distribution was not even provided in several studies, and others included only, or a majority of, men. Another shortcoming is that none of the studies were conducted in real-life conditions. Hence, there is still important work to be done in order to increase the usefulness of wearable sensors in these areas. The article highlights flaws in how studies based on previously collected datasets report on study samples and the data collected, which makes the validity and generalizability of those studies low. Exceptions exist, such as the promising recently reported open dataset FallAllD, wherein a longitudinal study with older adults is ongoing.

Motion Feature Retrieval in Basketball Match Video Based on Multisource Motion Feature Fusion

Both the human body and its motion are three-dimensional information, while the traditional feature description method of two-person interaction based on RGB video has a low degree of discrimination due to the lack of depth information. According to the respective advantages and complementary characteristics of RGB video and depth video, a retrieval algorithm based on multisource motion feature fusion is proposed. Firstly, the algorithm uses the combination of spatiotemporal interest points and word bag model to represent the features of RGB video. Then, the directional gradient histogram is used to represent the feature of the depth video frame. The statistical features of key frames are introduced to represent the histogram features of depth video. Finally, the multifeature image fusion algorithm is used to fuse the two video features. The experimental results show that multisource feature fusion can greatly improve the retrieval accuracy of motion features.

Three-Dimensional LiDAR Decoder Design for Autonomous Vehicles in Smart Cities

With the advancement of artificial intelligence, deep learning technology is applied in many fields. The autonomous car system is one of the most important application areas of artificial intelligence. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is one of the most critical components of self-driving cars. LiDAR can quickly scan the environment to obtain a large amount of high-precision three-dimensional depth information. Self-driving cars use LiDAR to reconstruct the three-dimensional environment. The autonomous car system can identify various situations in the vicinity through the information provided by LiDAR and choose a safer route. This paper is based on Velodyne HDL-64 LiDAR to decode data packets of LiDAR. The decoder we designed converts the information of the original data packet into X, Y, and Z point cloud data so that the autonomous vehicle can use the decoded information to reconstruct the three-dimensional environment and perform object detection and object classification. In order to prove the performance of the proposed LiDAR decoder, we use the standard original packets used for the comparison of experimental data, which are all taken from the Map GMU (George Mason University). The average decoding time of a frame is 7.678 milliseconds. Compared to other methods, the proposed LiDAR decoder has higher decoding speed and efficiency.

Exploring indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms between the Awi and Gumuz ethnic communities in Zigem Woreda, Ethiopia

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms for resolving ethnic-based conflicts between the Awi and Gumuz communities in Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach This study followed a qualitative research approach and it has a case study design that is appropriate to collect in-depth information about indigenous mechanisms of resolving conflicts that arise between Awi and Gumuz ethnic groups. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and document review. Findings The results revealed that the Awi and Gumuz ethnic groups resolve conflict through the elder council or shimigilina. This indigenous mechanism conflict resolution mechanism is well recognized, accepted and respected both by the Awi and Gumuz ethnic groups. Shimiglina has different phases and rituals which are finally concluded by kale-mehala (oath) or promising not to take revenge and harm. The Awi and Gumuz ethnic groups view shimigilina as a vital and effective conflict resolution mechanism. Practical implications This study clearly indicated important implications for policy, practice and future research. The Awi and Gumuz communities have used the elders’ council (shimiglina) to solve ethnic-based conflicts for a long time. Therefore, there should be policy frameworks at different levels (national, regional and local) for the integration of the elders’ council with the formal justice system. Put in other words, this indigenous conflict resolution mechanism should be properly organized and institutionalized. However, a comprehensive study should be conducted to understand how to organize and institutionalize this indigenous conflict resolution mechanism. Originality/value This is an original study that contributes to peacebuilding by discovering the role of indigenous knowledge in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

Alabio ducks, germplasms of South Kalimantan, as protein and income sources

Apart from providing food originating from meat and eggs, Alabio ducks have another important role for farmers in South Kalimantan, namely as an income source, employment source, and preservation of local genetic source. This paper aimed to study the economic profile of Alabio ducks in several types of businesses in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, South Kalimantan. A survey method was carried out on several groups of duck farmers. In order to obtain more in-depth information, a focus group discussion (FGD) was held with key insiders in the duck industry. The results showed that the duck farming business has good prospects and can be a source of income and employment for farmers and young generations. The business of hatchery, slaughter-duck producers, hatching egg producers, and consumes-egg producers, is economically feasible. Improving bio-security and handling and managing environmental sanitation have to carry out, among others, through pens, equipment, and environmental disinfection, as well as routine vaccinations with the escort and support of local and central government. In addition, to increase the welfare and income of farmers need to introduce technological innovations that can increase farming efficiency.

Exploring the Use of African Indigenous Games in Teaching Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking skills are fundamental for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in the academic environment. These skills allow students to question and reflect on the knowledge and information presented to them. These skills can be learned differently through various instruments. This chapter explores how this game can contribute towards teaching critical thinking skills. There are various indigenous games played in Vhavenda culture. The researchers focus on an indigenous game, Duvheke. The chapter employs game-based pedagogy as a theory that underpins this study. Methodologically, the chapter assumes a qualitative complexion because it seeks to collect in-depth information about Duvheke and how it can be used in teaching critical thinking skills first entering students in a rural university. The data collection method used is interviews which were collected from first entering students. Preliminary findings suggest that critical thinking is needed to play Duvheke. The chapter suggests that Duvheke can be a valuable tool in teaching critical thinking skills.

Guduchi is Powder Dosage Form is used in Treatment of Diabetics Mellitus

Guduchi is one of the most versatile rejuvenating herb, possessing numerous therapeutic attributes. Madhumehahara (Antidiabetic) properties of Guduchi are highly appreciated in Ayurveda and even in recent modern researches. Scattered information pertaining to antidiabetic role of Tinospora is accessible inAyurvedic literature and there is need to assemble it. Present review Present review encompasses indepth information of antidiabetic potential of Guduchi and its various dosage forms from Ayurvedic view and to understand the possible mechanism of its action in combating the complex pathology of diabetes. Over the centuries, herbs have served as a major source of medicines for prevention and treatment of diseases including diabetes mellitus. These herbs are getting more importance around the globe and many studies have provided safety and efficacy of such herbal drugs in different condition. Guduchi Tinospora cordifolia is reported as highly potent -antidiabetic herb in and Guduchi Satva (GS) is popularly used to treat . In the present study, GS prepared from the stem of T. cordifolia was evaluated for hypoglycemic and Antidibetic. GS was powder dissolve in distilled water and administered to oral route of powder dosage form. Present review encompasses (i) in-depth information of antidiabetic potential of Guduchi and its various dosage forms from Ayurvedic view and (ii) to understand the possible mechanism of its action in combating the complex pathology of diabetes. Keyword: Diabetes Mellitus, Guduchi, Madhumeha, Tinospora cordifolia.

Exploring the Potential of Internet News for Supply Risk Assessment of Metals

The growth in demand for material resources is inevitable to maintain sustainable development. Especially for metallic minerals, this growth in demand increases the supply risk; therefore, its evaluation is essential to keep the resource supply stable. Supply risk assessment has a long history in both academic and practical studies, but there is no existing study using internet news as its main information source. In this study, we obtained related news articles from S&P Global Market Intelligence (SPG) and used them for the supply risk analysis. Using already topic-labeled articles and a gradient boosting framework, non-labeled articles are also labeled and categorized by topic. The articles were assigned to metallic minerals by SPG. We also scored each article using simple sentiment analysis. In short, we found significant potential in internet news articles as information for complementary assessments to existing methods, by providing in-depth information on regulatory or corporate financial activities, which are difficult to cover using the existing numerical indices. While it is useful, it should be noted that the volume of news articles depends on the interests of their readers, and many articles capture changes rather than states. As long as they are used with these caveats in mind, news articles can be very useful as a complementary source of information to existing analytical methods, especially for short-term supply risk assessment.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean version of the Communication Scale for Older Adults

Purpose: Aural rehabilitation has been used to reduce communication difficulties related to hearing loss and minimize their consequence in everyday life. Aural rehabilitation includes diagnosis and identification of hearing loss, provision of appropriate assistive listening devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, auditory training, speechreading, and communication strategies training. Communication strategies refer to a course of action taken to facilitate conversation interaction or to correct communication problems. Compared to other components of aural rehabilitation, communication strategies have not been focused on as a significant evaluation tool in spite of their importance in daily life. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of the Communication Scale for Older Adults (K-CSOA) originally designed by Kaplan et al. (1997) to evaluate the changes in communication strategies and attitudes.Methods: The K-CSOA was composed of communication strategies and communication attitudes. The Communication strategies have three subcategories of Facilitative (10 items), Repair (15 items), and Preparatory strategies (16 items). The communication attitudes have also three subcategories of Own Attitude (19 items), Family’s Attitude (7 items), and Others Attitude (5 items). The validity and reliability of K-CSOA were obtained with total sixty subjects consisting of thirty subjects with normal hearing and thirty subjects with different degrees of hearing loss with mean age of 72 years old ranging from 60 years old to 85 years old.Results: The validity and reliability of the K-CSOA were measured using Pearson`s correlation coefficient, Cronbach Alpha coefficient, and independent t-tests. The correlation coefficients were high (.502-.984) between total means of K-CSOA and subcategories of K-CSOA. The internal consistency ranged from .802 to .930 for Communication Strategies and from .620 to .962 for Communication Attitudes. The test-retest correlation of the K-CSOA was .986 and .988 for Communication Strategies and Attitudes, respectively. The correlation coefficient was .784 between the K-CSOA and Korean Hearing Handicap for the Elderly (KHHIE). In addition, there were significant differences in Communication Strategies and Communication Attitudes between the normal hearing and hearing loss groups.Conclusion: These results indicate that K-CSOA can be used as a useful clinical tool providing in-depth information regarding communication strategies and attitudes in Korean elderly people.