Towards high-level human activity recognition through computer vision and temporal logic

Most approaches to the visual perception of humans do not include high-level activity recognitition. This paper presents a system that fuses and interprets the outputs of several computer vision components as well as speech recognition to obtain a high-level understanding of the perceived scene. Our laboratory for investigating new ways of human-machine interaction and teamwork support, is equipped with an assemblage of cameras, some close-talking microphones, and a videowall as main interaction device. Here, we develop state of the art real-time computer vision systems to track and identify users, and estimate their visual focus of attention and gesture activity. We also monitor the users' speech activity in real time. This paper explains our approach to high-level activity recognition based on these perceptual components and a temporal logic engine

The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS)-quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture

UNLABELLED: The quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture was estimated in 2,808 fractured patients from 11 countries. Analysis showed that there were significant differences in the quality of life (QoL) loss between countries. Other factors such as QoL prior fracture and hospitalisation also had a significant impact on the QoL loss. INTRODUCTION: The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS) was initiated in 2007 with the objective of estimating costs and quality of life related to fractures in several countries worldwide. The ICUROS is ongoing and enrols patients in 11 countries (Australia, Austria, Estonia, France, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia, Spain, UK and the USA). The objective of this paper is to outline the study design of ICUROS and present results regarding the QoL (measured using the EQ-5D) during the first 4 months after fracture based on the patients that have been thus far enrolled ICUROS. METHODS: ICUROS uses a prospective study design where data (costs and quality of life) are collected in four phases over 18 months after fracture. All countries use the same core case report forms. Quality of life was collected using the EQ-5D instrument and a time trade-off questionnaire. RESULTS: The total sample for the analysis was 2,808 patients (1,273 hip, 987 distal forearm and 548 vertebral fracture). For all fracture types and countries, the QoL was reduced significantly after fracture compared to pre-fracture QoL. A regression analysis showed that there were significant differences in the QoL loss between countries. Also, a higher level of QoL prior to the fracture significantly increased the QoL loss and patients who were hospitalised for their fracture also had a significantly higher loss compared to those who were not. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study indicate that there appear to be important variations in the QoL decrements related to fracture between countries