A Novel Fitness Tracker Using Edge Machine Learning

Several characteristics of the human body turn into postural behavior, recognizable also during sport activities. The presence of differences between body types could lead to different behavior of wearable and fitness-devote products. A new wearable based on machine learning techniques for the exercise detection and repetitions count is described in this work. A proper dataset has been obtained in order to offline train the network. Eventually, the machine learning algorithm has been implemented inside an edge device for real-time test e verification

Association of lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors with lung function in a sample of the adult Italian population: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Some epidemiological studies have identified high values of pulmonary functions as an indicator of good health. At present little is known about the distribution of these characteristics in the general adult population. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe pulmonary function in the Italian general population and to evaluate its association with some lifestyle and cardiovascular risk conditions using data of the OEC/HES (Cardiovascular Epidemiology Observatory/Health Examination Survey) Project, a cross-sectional survey based on the examination of random samples of the general population. Methods: A total of 9,108 men and women aged 35-79 years were examined between 2008 and 2012. Pulmonary function [forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)] was measured with a spirometer and anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also recorded, whereas lifestyle (physical activity, smoking habits), health status and drug treatment were assessed by a questionnaire. FEV1 and FVC % predicted were also calculated. Univariate analysis and a multiple linear regression were performed in order to assess associations. Results: FVC and FEV1 percent predicted values were 98.0 (95% CI 97.4-98.6) and 107.3 (95% CI 106.6-107.9) for men and 108.7 (95% CI 107.9-109.4) and 113.3 (95% CI 112.6-114.1) for women. A lower mean FEV1 and FVC % predicted value was found in smokers, individuals physically inactive during their leisure time, diabetics, obese individuals and hypertensive patients. Multivariate linear regression models confirmed the independent association between risk factors and FEV1 and FVC levels. Conclusion: Our data confirm the inverse relationship existing between pulmonary function and cardiovascular risk factors, obesity, dyslipidemias and hypertension, all of which are conditions related to chronic diseases. An early public healthcare intervention on lifestyle could be useful to reduce the decline in pulmonary function

Internet of Things Platform for Real-Time Intraoral Forces Monitoring

In the Internet of Things era, medical devices shall be miniaturized and connectable to the global network for exchanging patient data. In this work, the miniaturization of a device for wireless intraoral forces monitoring is presented. Strain gauges are used as force sensors detecting tongue and lips activities. Signal elaboration has been demanded to an STM32NUCLEO-F401RE board while wireless data transmission using Bluetooth® Low Energy standard protocol is obtained by means of a XNUCLEO-IDB04A1 board. The circuit has been further miniaturized using a SoC based on Nordic nRF51422 that features an ANT and Bluetooth® low energy transmission and an ARM Cortex-M0 core. The final device shows a reduced dimension and the ability to transmit data wirelessly, without the use of external cables normally used in state-of-the-art intraoral monitoring devices

Global alliance against chronic respiratory diseases in Italy (GARD-Italy) : Strategy and activities

The steady increase in incidence of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) now constitutes a serious public health problem. CRDs are often underdiagnosed and many patients are not diagnosed until the CRD is too severe to prevent normal daily activities. The prevention of CRDs and reducing their social and individual impacts means modifying environmental and social factors and improving diagnosis and treatment. Prevention of risk factors (tobacco smoke, allergens, occupational agents, indoor/outdoor air pollution) will significantly impact on morbidity and mortality. The Italian Ministry of Health (MoH) has made respiratory disease prevention a top priority and is implementing a comprehensive strategy with policies against tobacco smoking, indoor/outdoor pollution, obesity, and communicable diseases. Presently these actions are not well coordinated. The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD), set up by the World Health Organization, envisages national bodies; the GARD initiative in Italy, launched 11/6/2009, represents a great opportunity for the MoH. Its main objective is to promote the development of a coordinated CRD program in Italy. Effective prevention implies setting up a health policy with the support of healthcare professionals and citizen associations at national, regional, and district levels. What is required is a true inter-institutional synergy: respiratory diseases prevention cannot and should not be the responsibility of doctors alone, but must involve politicians/policymakers, as well as the media, local institutions, and schools, etc. GARD could be a significant experience and a great opportunity for Italy to share the GARD vision of a world where all people can breathe freely

Digitalizzazione e arte: attualità e prospettive

Digitization is a transformation that affects art from various points of view: it promotes its dissemination; allows precious reproductions of past masterpieces (Digital Art Work and copies made with 3D printers), the sale of which produces new revenues for museums; finally it was used to produce digital native works (crypto art). Both digital copies and digitally created works often incorporate Non Fungible Token which guarantee their belonging and authenticity. NFT can be trade easily, by smart contract, to a number of small investors. There are few countries with NFT rules. The European Commission has drawn up a proposal for a regulation so-called MiCA (i.e. on Markets in Crypto-Assets, COM2020 593 final) and the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC) intends to formulate guidelines for the digitization of works of art heritage of Italy. The transformation of the digital market is very rapid and the rules, to be effective, will have to adapt quickly to changes and have transnational effectiveness