A smartphone based system for kite and board measurements in kitesurfing

This study introduces a smartphone based measurement system to obtain dynamic parameters of board and kite during kitesurfing. A built-in GPS receiver tracked the path and speed of the kitesurfer. Orientation values from inertial sensors in the smartphones attached to the kite were used to visualise kite movement patterns through projection onto the surface of a sphere. Ring transducers on kite lines measured forces acting between the kite and kitesurfer. The measurement system was tested with one participant. The total distance covered was 6654 m at an average speed of 8.17 m/s. Accelerations during a jump were evaluated to estimate jump height and duration. Board orientations and kite movements were found to be reasonable and in alignment with video recordings. Kite steering and lift force traces comprehensibly described the interaction between kitesurfer and kite. Jump parameters were in agreement with visual observations

3D-echokardiographische Charakterisierung des rechtsventrikulären Deformationsverhaltens mittels neuartiger Strain-Parameter: Software-Entwicklung und prognostische Evaluierung an einem herzchirurgischen Patientenkollektiv

Durch mehrere Studien wurde in den letzten Jahren die große prognostische Relevanz des rechten Ventrikels und einer RV-Dysfunktion im Rahmen herzchirurgischer Operationen belegt. Aktuell wird die RV-Funktion in der klinischen Praxis oftmals mit simplen 2D-echokardiographischen Parametern bestimmt. Die am linken Ventrikel mittlerweile etablierte Messung der kardialen Deformation (Strain) gewinnt auch zur Quantifizierung der RV-Funktion zunehmend an Bedeutung. Mehrere Studien zeigten eine bessere prognostische Qualität von RV-Strains gegenüber etablierten RV-Parametern, zudem weist die Bestimmung von 3D-Strains gegenüber 2D-Strains erhebliche Vorteile auf. In der vorgelegten Arbeit wurde eine neu entwickelte RV-Strain-Software wurde zur Berechnung der dreidimensionalen RV-Strains erstmals systematisch eingesetzt. Dafür wurden ein globaler longitudinaler Strain (RV-GLS) und ein globaler zirkumferenziellen Strain (RV-GCS) aus jeweils vier regionalen Strains quantifiziert. In den Reproduzierbarkeitsanalysen zeigten beide Strains eine zufriedenstellende Reproduzierbarkeit. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wurden die 3D-RV-Strains auf einen möglichen Zusammenhang mit dem postoperativen Verlauf von kardiochirurgischen Patienten untersucht und dabei mit etablierten klinischen und echokardiographischen Parametern verglichen. Dafür wurde retrospektiv ein Kollektiv aus 496 kardiochirurgischen Patienten mit intraoperativen 3D-TEE-Datensätzen ausgewertet. Es wurde ein primärer Endpunkt (Tod oder Behandlung mit veno-arterieller extrakorporaler Membranoxygenierung) und ein sekundärer Endpunkt (postoperative Beatmung >48h) definiert. Die Parameter RV-GLS, RV-GCS, eGFR, Hämatokrit, Laktat, die signifikante Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz (TI), der Operationstyp „Andere“, eine dringliche bzw. Notfall-Indikation, sowie eine Operation der Trikuspidalklappe wiesen in der univariablen logistischen Regressionsanalyse eine signifikante Assoziation mit dem primären Endpunkt auf. In der multivariablen Regressionsanalyse blieben nach Ausschluss von kollinearen Parametern Laktat, TI, eine dringliche bzw. Notfall-Indikation und der RV-GLS signifikant mit dem primären Endpunkt assoziiert. In der multivariablen logistischen Regressionsanalyse des sekundären Endpunktes waren zusätzlich zu den signifikanten Parametern der multivariablen Analyse des primären Endpunktes noch die pulmonalarterielle Hypertonie und der linksventrikuläre globale longitudinale Strain signifikant assoziiert. Der Vergleich der Chi-Quadrat-Werte der logistischen Regressionsmodelle mit dem Omnibus-Test ergab, dass die Kombination aus RV-GLS und EuroSCORE II das univariable Modell des EuroSCORE II signifikant verbessern konnte. Die vorliegende Arbeit bestätigt die vorangegangenen Studien bezüglich der prognostischen Relevanz der RV-Funktion und der Nutzen von RV-Strains zur Prognoseabschätzung. Eine Bestimmung von 3D-Strains ist robust durchführbar und war in dieser retrospektiven Analyse signifikant mit dem Patientenoutcome assoziiert. Daher sollte der RV-GLS für das individuelle Risiko-Assessment von kardiochirurgischen Patienten in Betracht gezogen werden, um Risikopatienten im präoperativen Setting optimaler identifizieren zu können

More than meets the eye: In-store retail experiences with augmented reality smart glasses

Augmented reality smart glasses (ARSGs) promise to enhance consumer experiences and decision-making when deployed as in-store retail technologies. However, research to date has not studied in-store use cases; instead, it has focused primarily on consumers\u27 potential adoption of these devices for everyday use. Nor have prior studies compared ARSG uses with the now-common use of AR on touchscreen devices. The current research addresses these knowledge gaps by examining whether ARSGs outperform AR on touchscreen devices in the context of in-store retail experiences. Testing with an actual retail application (n = 308) shows that ARSGs are superior to AR on touchscreen devices for evoking consumers’ perceptions of immersion and mental intangibility. Furthermore, this superiority leads consumers to evaluate their shopping experiences more positively, in terms of their decision comfort, satisfaction, and ease of evaluation, with significantly positive effects on their purchase intentions. These results highlight the relevance of implementing ARSGs in-store and provide retailers with recommendations for effective ARSG strategies

Optimal fall indicators for slip induced falls on a cross-slope

Abstract: Slip induced falls are among the most common cause of major occupational injuries in the UK as well as being a major public health concern in the elderly population. This study aimed to determine the optimal fall indicators for fall detection models which could be used to reduce the detrimental consequences of falls. A total of 264 kinematic variables covering three dimensional full body model translation and rotational measures were analysed during normal walking, successful recovery from slips and falls on a cross-slope. Large effect sizes were found for three kinematic variables which were able to distinguish falls from normal walking and successful recovery. Further work should consider other types of daily living activities as results show that the optimal kinematic fall indicators can vary considerably between movement types

Phoebe: A preliminary control network and rotational elements

A preliminary control network for the Saturnian satellite Phoebe was determined based upon 6 distinct albedo features mapped on 16 Voyager 2 images. Using an existing map and an analytical triangulation program which minimized the measurement error, the north pole of Phoebe was calculated to be alpha sub 0 = 355.0 deg + or - 9.6 deg, delta sub 0 = 68.7 deg + or - 7.9 deg, where alpha sub 0, delta sub 0 are standard equatorial coordinates with equinox J2000 at epoch J2000. The prime meridian of Phoebe was computed to be W = 304.7 deg + 930.833872d, where d is the interval in days from JD 2451545.0 TDB

Pursuing More Aggressive Timelines in the Surgical Treatment of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI): A Retrospective Cohort Study with Subgroup Analysis

Background: The optimal timing of surgical therapy for traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of “ultra-early” (<4 h) versus “early” (4–24 h) time from injury to surgery in terms of the likelihood of neurologic recovery. Methods: The effect of surgery on neurological recovery was investigated by comparing the assessed initial and final values of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS). A post hoc analysis was performed to gain insight into different subgroup regeneration behaviors concerning neurological injury levels. Results: Datasets from 69 cases with traumatic spinal cord injury were analyzed. Overall, 19/46 (41.3%) patients of the “ultra-early” cohort saw neurological recovery compared to 5/23 (21.7%) patients from the “early” cohort (p = 0.112). The subgroup analysis revealed differences based on the neurological level of injury (NLI) of a patient. An optimal cutpoint for patients with a cervical lesion was estimated at 234 min. Regarding the prediction of neurological improvement, sensitivity was 90.9% with a specificity of 68.4%, resulting in an AUC (area under the curve) of 84.2%. In thoracically and lumbar injured cases, the estimate was lower, ranging from 284 (thoracic) to 245 min (lumbar) with an AUC of 51.6% and 54.3%. Conclusions: Treatment within 24 h after TSCI is associated with neurological recovery. Our hypothesis that intervention within 4 h is related to an improvement in the neurological outcome was not confirmed in our collective. In a clinical context, this suggests that after TSCI there is a time frame to get the right patient to the right hospital according to advanced trauma life support (ATLS) guidelines

The playground effect: how augmented reality drives creative customer engagement

Across various customer experiences, Augmented Reality (AR) is emerging as a strategic experience design tool. This study contributes to an emerging body of research on the use of AR in the early stages of customers’ purchase journeys. Extending previous research, we propose that AR enables a unique form of customer creativity that is distinct from prior conceptualizations of creativity through its association with customer engagement. Specifically, we propose a sequential process of creative customer engagement, in which AR-enabled customer creativity stems from heightened customer engagement and, in turn, offers a source of intrinsic satisfaction for customers. In an experiment with a customer-facing AR application, we empirically demonstrate this sequential mediation process connecting the use of AR with customer engagement, customer creativity, and anticipated satisfaction. We also identify an important boundary condition based on a customer’s assessment orientation, suggesting a novel behavioral effect in the context of regulatory mode theory

Disrupting marketing realities: A research agenda for investigating the psychological mechanisms of next‐generation experiences with reality‐enhancing technologies

Reality‐enhancing technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality are rapidly becoming a part of everyday life. Seizing this moment, we set out a research agenda for studying the psychological mechanisms underpinning consumer experiences with these new technologies, structured around four application areas: (1) delivering innovative offerings, (2) supporting sustainability and consumer well‐being interventions, (3) balancing value cocreation and privacy concerns, and (4) achieving new modes and means of impact. For each area, we identify research directions that can guide the development and use of reality‐enhancing technologies for the realization of next‐generation consumer experiences. We explicitly balance potential advantages and disadvantages, thus encouraging researchers and practitioners to prioritize developing the “purpose” of these technologies, by focusing on the psychological mechanisms that underlie their use, over the technological development of their “pixels.” In this way, we guide the impactful development of reality‐enhancing technologies for applications with significance for consumers and firms

A comparison of hospital readmission rates between two general physicians with different outpatient review practices

BACKGROUND: There has been a relentless increase in emergency medical admissions in the UK over recent years. Many of these patients suffer with chronic conditions requiring continuing medical attention. We wished to determine whether conventional outpatient clinic follow up after discharge has any impact on the rate of readmission to hospital. METHODS: Two consultant general physicians with the same patient case-mix but markedly different outpatient follow-up practice were chosen. Of 1203 patients discharged, one consultant saw twice as many patients in the follow-up clinic than the other (Dr A 9.8% v Dr B 19.6%). The readmission rate in the twelve months following discharge was compared in a retrospective analysis of hospital activity data. Due to the specialisation of the admitting system, patients mainly had cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease or had taken an overdose. Few had respiratory or infectious diseases. Outpatient follow-up was focussed on patients with cardiac disease. RESULTS: Risk of readmission increased significantly with age and length of stay of the original episode and was less for digestive system and musculo-skeletal disorders. 28.7% of patients discharged by Dr A and 31.5 % of those discharged by Dr B were readmitted at least once. Relative readmission risk was not significantly different between the consultants and there was no difference in the length of stay of readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the proportion of patients with this age- and case-mix who are followed up in a hospital general medical outpatient clinic is unlikely to reduce the demand for acute hospital beds

How to strategically choose or combine augmented and virtual reality for improved online experiential retailing

Despite the promise of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to help experiential retailers align online and offline experiences, guidance on choosing or combining these technologies is lacking. In three experiments, we address this research gap by investigating the individual and combined impact of AR and VR on key marketing objectives. First, we establish that AR is more effective in stimulating purchase intentions than VR, due to its ability to support customers in fluent product-focused mental imagery. Second, we demonstrate that VR is better suited for improving brand attitudes than AR, as it helps customers to form fluent context-focused mental imagery. Third, we show that AR and VR, in combination, can improve both purchase intentions and brand attitudes, but only when the order of deployment is sequenced as AR then VR. This is due to greater alignment with the customer's online-to-offline journey in experiential retail. When deployed the other way around, we observe a detrimental impact on purchase intentions and a potential harmful impact on brand attitudes. Our research offers a nuanced theoretical perspective of AR and VR in marketing and provides experiential retailers with evidence-based guidelines for leveraging AR and VR within their online retailing strategy