94 research outputs found
An Adaptive Feature Extraction Algorithm for Classification of Seismocardiographic Signals
This paper proposes a novel adaptive feature extraction algorithm for
seismocardiographic (SCG) signals. The proposed algorithm divides the SCG
signal into a number of bins, where the length of each bin is determined based
on the signal change within that bin. For example, when the signal variation is
steeper, the bins are shorter and vice versa. The proposed algorithm was used
to extract features of the SCG signals recorded from 7 healthy individuals
(Age: 29.44.5 years) during different lung volume phases. The output of
the feature extraction algorithm was fed into a support vector machines
classifier to classify SCG events into two classes of high and low lung volume
(HLV and LLV). The classification results were compared with currently
available non-adaptive feature extraction methods for different number of bins.
Results showed that the proposed algorithm led to a classification accuracy of
~90%. The proposed algorithm outperformed the non-adaptive algorithm,
especially as the number of bins was reduced. For example, for 16 bins, F1
score for the adaptive and non-adaptive methods were 0.910.05 and
0.630.08, respectively
Seismocardiographic Signal Timing with Myocardial Strain
Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) is a relatively new method for
cardiac function evaluation. In the current study, STE was used to investigate
the timing of heart-induced mostly subaudible (i.e., below the frequency limit
of human hearing) chest-wall vibrations in relation to the longitudinal
myocardial strain. Such an approach may help elucidate the genesis of these
vibrations, thereby improving their diagnostic value
Heart Rate Monitoring During Different Lung Volume Phases Using Seismocardiography
Seismocardiography (SCG) is a non-invasive method that can be used for
cardiac activity monitoring. This paper presents a new electrocardiogram (ECG)
independent approach for estimating heart rate (HR) during low and high lung
volume (LLV and HLV, respectively) phases using SCG signals. In this study,
SCG, ECG, and respiratory flow rate (RFR) signals were measured simultaneously
in 7 healthy subjects. The lung volume information was calculated from the RFR
and was used to group the SCG events into low and high lung-volume groups. LLV
and HLV SCG events were then used to estimate the subjects HR as well as the HR
during LLV and HLV in 3 different postural positions, namely supine, 45 degree
heads-up, and sitting. The performance of the proposed algorithm was tested
against the standard ECG measurements. Results showed that the HR estimations
from the SCG and ECG signals were in a good agreement (bias of 0.08 bpm). All
subjects were found to have a higher HR during HLV (HR) compared
to LLV (HR) at all postural positions. The
HR/HR ratio was 1.110.07, 1.080.05,
1.090.04, and 1.090.04 (meanSD) for supine, 45 degree-first
trial, 45 degree-second trial, and sitting positions, respectively. This heart
rate variability may be due, at least in part, to the well-known respiratory
sinus arrhythmia. HR monitoring from SCG signals might be used in different
clinical applications including wearable cardiac monitoring systems
Grouping Similar Seismocardiographic Signals Using Respiratory Information
Seismocardiography (SCG) offers a potential non-invasive method for cardiac
monitoring. Quantification of the effects of different physiological conditions
on SCG can lead to enhanced understanding of SCG genesis, and may explain how
some cardiac pathologies may affect SCG morphology. In this study, the effect
of the respiration on the SCG signal morphology is investigated. SCG, ECG, and
respiratory flow rate signals were measured simultaneously in 7 healthy
subjects. Results showed that SCG events tended to have two slightly different
morphologies. The respiratory flow rate and lung volume information were used
to group the SCG events into inspiratory/expiratory groups or low/high
lung-volume groups, respectively. Although respiratory flow information could
separate similar SCG events into two different groups, the lung volume
information provided better grouping of similar SCGs. This suggests that
variations in SCG morphology may be due, at least in part, to changes in the
intrathoracic pressure or heart location since those parameters correlates more
with lung volume than respiratory flow. Categorizing SCG events into different
groups containing similar events allows more accurate estimation of SCG
features, and better signal characterization, and classification
Thermal Aspects in Deep Hole Drilling of Aluminium Cast Alloy Using Twist Drills and MQL
AbstractThe deep hole drilling process with solid carbide twist drills is an efficient alternative to the classic single-lip deep hole drilling, due to the generally higher feed rates possible and the consequently higher productivity. Furthermore the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) can be applied, in order to reduce the production costs and implement an environmentally friendly process. Because of the significantly reduced cooling performance when using MQL, a higher heat loading results for the tool and the workpiece. This paper presents the investigations of the temperature distribution in the workpiece and the heat balance of the deep hole drilling process
To Recycle or Not to Recycle? An Intergenerational Approach to Nuclear Fuel Cycles
This paper approaches the choice between the open and closed nuclear fuel cycles as a matter of intergenerational justice, by revealing the value conflicts in the production of nuclear energy. The closed fuel cycle improve sustainability in terms of the supply certainty of uranium and involves less long-term radiological risks and proliferation concerns. However, it compromises short-term public health and safety and security, due to the separation of plutonium. The trade-offs in nuclear energy are reducible to a chief trade-off between the present and the future. To what extent should we take care of our produced nuclear waste and to what extent should we accept additional risks to the present generation, in order to diminish the exposure of future generation to those risks? The advocates of the open fuel cycle should explain why they are willing to transfer all the risks for a very long period of time (200,000Ā years) to future generations. In addition, supporters of the closed fuel cycle should underpin their acceptance of additional risks to the present generation and make the actual reduction of risk to the future plausible
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