Bionic for Training: Smart Framework Design for Multisensor Mechatronic Platform Validation

Home monitoring supports the continuous improvement of the therapy by sharing data with healthcare professionals. It is required when life-threatening events can still occur after hospital discharge such as neonatal apnea. However, multiple sources of external noise could affect data quality and/or increase the misdetection rate. In this study, we developed a mechatronic platform for sensor characterizations and a framework to manage data in the context of neonatal apnea. The platform can simulate the movement of the abdomen in different plausible newborn positions by merging data acquired simultaneously from three-axis accelerometers and infrared sensors. We simulated nine apnea conditions combining three different linear displacements and body postures in the presence of self-generated external noise, showing how it is possible to reduce errors near to zero in phenomena detection. Finally, the development of a smart 8Ws-based software and a customizable mobile application were proposed to facilitate data management and interpretation, classifying the alerts to guarantee the correct information sharing without specialized skills.

MÉTODOS DE REALIZACIÓN ESPIRITUAL EN EL SUFISMO

Resumen: A diferencia de otras formas de conocimiento que conforman las disciplinas del saber de la tradición islámica, el sufismo no se limita a la especulación teórica, sino que comprende una serie de métodos rigurosos de realización interior, en tanto que vía iniciática. El más conocido de estos métodos es el ḏikr, la repetición o invocación de los Nombres Divinos, práctica que puede ir acompañada de una diversidad de ejercicios contemplativos, que pueden incluir el control de la respiración, posturas corporales y la meditación por medio de visualizaciones. El objetivo de este artículo es explorar con cierto grado de minuciosidad los aspectos más relevantes de estas prácticas, y muy particularmente la noción de murāqaba o contemplación, considerada por algunas escuelas de sufismo como la forma más directa y eficaz de realizar el conocimiento de lo divino. Abstract: In contrast to the array of intellectual disciplines within traditional Islam, the Sufi path of knowledge is not limited to mere theoretical speculation. Rather, it entails a series of rigorous methods of inner realisation as part of its iniciatic teachings. Among these, the most effective and known methods is ḏikr, the invocation or remembrance of the Divine Names, a method of spiritual realisation that often goes hand in hand with various meditative practices that include breath control, specific body postures and visualizations. This article aims at exploring, with a certain degree of detail, the most relevant aspects pertaining to these practices, and in particular the notion of murāqaba – or contemplation – deemed by some school of Sufism as the most direct and effective way to reach the Divine. Abstract: In contrast to the array of intellectual disciplines within traditional Islam, the Sufi path of knowledge is not limited to mere theoretical speculation. Rather, it entails a series of rigorous methods of inner realisation as part of its iniciatic teachings. Among these, the most effective and known methods is ḏikr, the invocation or remembrance of the Divine Names, a method of spiritual realisation that often goes hand in hand with various meditative practices that include breath control, specific body postures and visualizations. This article aims at exploring, with a certain degree of detail, the most relevant aspects pertaining to these practices, and in particular the notion of murāqaba – or contemplation – deemed by some school of Sufism as the most direct and effective way to reach the Divine.

Personalized Wearable Electrodermal Sensing-Based Human Skin Hydration Level Detection for Sports, Health and Wellbeing

Personalized hydration level monitoring play vital role in sports, health, wellbeing and safety of a person while performing particular set of activities. Clinical staff must be mindful of numerous physiological symptoms that identify the optimum hydration specific to the person, event and environment. Hence, it becomes extremely critical to monitor the hydration levels in a human body to avoid potential complications and fatalities. Hydration tracking solutions available in the literature are either inefficient and invasive or require clinical trials. An efficient hydration monitoring system is very required, which can regularly track the hydration level, non-invasively. To this aim, this paper proposes a machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) enabled hydration tracking system, which can accurately estimate the hydration level in human skin using galvanic skin response (GSR) of human body. For this study, data is collected, in three different hydration states, namely hydrated, mild dehydration (8 hours of dehydration) and extreme mild dehydration (16 hours of dehydration), and three different body postures, such as sitting, standing and walking. Eight different ML algorithms and four different DL algorithms are trained on the collected GSR data. Their accuracies are compared and a hybrid (ML+DL) model is proposed to increase the estimation accuracy. It can be reported that hybrid Bi-LSTM algorithm can achieve an accuracy of 97.83%.

Using immersive video technology for construction management content delivery: a pilot study

Construction management is considered a hands-on field of study which requires good spatial and visual cognitive ability. Virtual reality and other innovative immersive technologies have been used to facilitate experiential learning and to improve students’ spatial cognitive abilities. Virtual environments have been criticized due to the gamified look of the environment. Static panorama pictures have been previously used to bring a better sense of reality and immersion at the same time in construction education. However, they cannot provide a continuous experience, and the sense of presence (immersion) is not ideal either. Immersive videos such as 360-degree videos can address this shortfall by providing a continuous experience and a better sense of presence. The use of this technology in construction education field is very limited. As a result, this study investigated a pilot experiment where a combination of 360, 180 3D, and flat videos was incorporated as an educational instrument in delivering construction management content. The content was recorded using different configurations from different body postures to further investigate the optimal way of utilizing this technology for content delivery. The content of the videos was focused on construction means and methods. Students reviewed the content using head-mounted display devices and laptop screens and answered a survey designed to capture their perception and experience of using this technology as an educational tool in the construction management field. The results show a positive perception toward using immersive videos in construction education. Furthermore, the students preferred the head-mounted display as their favorite delivery method. As a result, the prospect of incorporating immersive videos to enhance construction management education is promising.