Comparative Analysis of Wavelet-based Feature Extraction for Intramuscular EMG Signal Decomposition

Background: Electromyographic (EMG) signal decomposition is the process by which an EMG signal is decomposed into its constituent motor unit potential trains (MUPTs). A major step in EMG decomposition is feature extraction in which each detected motor unit potential (MUP) is represented by a feature vector. As with any other pattern recognition system, feature extraction has a significant impact on the performance of a decomposition system. EMG decomposition has been studied well and several systems were proposed, but feature extraction step has not been investigated in detail. Objective: Several EMG signals were generated using a physiologically-based EMG signal simulation algorithm. For each signal, the firing patterns of motor units (MUs) provided by the simulator were used to extract MUPs of each MU. For feature extraction, different wavelet families including Daubechies (db), Symlets, Coiflets, bi-orthogonal, reverse bi-orthogonal and discrete Meyer were investigated. Moreover, the possibility of reducing the dimensionality of MUP feature vector is explored in this work. The MUPs represented using wavelet-domain features are transformed into a new coordinate system using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The features were evaluated regarding their capability in discriminating MUPs of individual MUs. Results: Extensive studies on different mother wavelet functions revealed that db2, coif1, sym5, bior2.2, bior4.4, and rbior2.2 are the best ones in differentiating MUPs of different MUs. The best results were achieved at the 4th detail coefficient. Overall, rbior2.2 outperformed all wavelet functions studied; nevertheless for EMG signals composed of more than 12 MUPTs, syms5 wavelet function is the best function. Applying PCA slightly enhanced the results

The Effect of Guided Reflection on Test Anxiety in Nursing Students

Background: Anxiety disorders are common and test stress affects many students. Guided reflection is a new and effective method for reducing stress. Objectives: To assess the effect of guided reflection on test anxiety in second and third-year nursing students of Fatima Nursing and Midwifery College, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Materials and Method: This study was designed to assess the effect of guided reflection on test anxiety among nursing students of second and third year of education in Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Data was collected using demographic data questionnaires and the Sarason and Abolghasemi test anxiety scale. Based on the latter questionnaire, of the 147 participants, 100 had test anxiety with scores ranging from 13-63 (mild-severe anxiety), of which 80 students were randomly selected and divided into case and control groups. We used Johns’s 9-stage guided reflection model through Q and A, lecture, and discussion. The case group participated in a 2-day guided reflection workshop for six hours each day. The control group received no intervention. Sarason and Abolghasemi’s test anxiety questionnaire was completed by the students at the beginning of the first session, immediately after and three months after intervention. Results: The test anxiety mean scores were 35.34 ± 9.50 and 35.47 ± 10.66 before the intervention in the control and intervention groups respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups with respect to socio-demographic characteristics. The Mean ± SD of test anxiety scores increased to 36.48 ± 9.34 three months after the intervention in the control group (P = 0.1). However, in the intervention group, the Mean ± SD test anxiety scores reduced immediately after (16.31 ± 8.61) and three months after (27.72 ± 10.09) the intervention, compared to before the intervention (35.47 ± 10.66) (P < 0.001, paired T-test). Conclusions: Guided reflection is effective in reducing test anxiety in nursing students. This method can be used for reducing test anxiety and increasing learning and academic progress among students

Lovastatin for the adjunctive treatment of schizophrenia: a preliminary randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

While statins target many of the pathways to neuroprogression in schizophrenia, the safety and efficacy of statins for treating schizophrenia has never been examined. This is an 8-week randomized double blind controlled clinical trial examining the efficacy and safety of adjunctive lovastatin (20 mg/day) treatment or placebo for people with schizophrenia. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were not different. Endpoint changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and subscale scores did not differ between the two groups. However there was a significant difference between the doses of risperidone used in the two groups. The mean dose in the lovastatin and placebo groups were 4.8(1.8) and 3.4(1.4) mg/day, respectively (P&lt;.03). No serious adverse events were reported. Slowness of movements, muscle rigidity, increased appetite, and decreased energy were the most common adverse effects, and these rates did not differ between the two groups. This study failed to demonstrate a benefit of lovastatin on symptoms of schizophrenia. This combination was well tolerated. However, a higher dosage of risperidone was used for treating the disorder in those taking concomitant lovastatin compared to placebo

Frequency of Afterload Homocysteinemia in Normal Population of Southern Iran: A Pilot Study

利用者の声CALLシステム : 授業担当教員の

Advanced light management in Micromorph solar cells

AbstractIn this study recent results of Micromorph thin film silicon tandem cells with n-doped silicon oxide based intermediate reflectors deposited in the KAI-M industrial PECVD reactor are discussed. From the optical analysis of the devices, specific features in the reflection spectrum attributed to the incorporated intermediate reflector can be observed. In particular, the influence of the Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) layer roughness on the reflection spectrum of the cells is studied. Compared to commercial SnO2, reflection losses are reduced and photocurrents are increased by using rougher front TCO-layers like LPCVD-ZnO which should lead to potentially higher efficiencies at same silicon absorber thicknesses. Micromorph tandem cells with intermediate reflector on ZnO leads to 10.18% efficiency after 1000 h of light-soaking, whereas 10.35% have been achieved on commercial SnO2