Unconventional TV Detection using Mobile Devices

Recent studies show that the TV viewing experience is changing giving the rise of trends like "multi-screen viewing" and "connected viewers". These trends describe TV viewers that use mobile devices (e.g. tablets and smart phones) while watching TV. In this paper, we exploit the context information available from the ubiquitous mobile devices to detect the presence of TVs and track the media being viewed. Our approach leverages the array of sensors available in modern mobile devices, e.g. cameras and microphones, to detect the location of TV sets, their state (ON or OFF), and the channels they are currently tuned to. We present the feasibility of the proposed sensing technique using our implementation on Android phones with different realistic scenarios. Our results show that in a controlled environment a detection accuracy of 0.978 F-measure could be achieved.Comment: 4 pages, 14 figure

The Relationship between Serum Procalcitonin and Dialysis Adequacy in Hemodialysis Patients

Introduction: In hemodialysis (HD) patients procalcitonin (PCT) considered as an early predictor of acute infection. It represents a new and potential marker of inflammation and may correlate with dialysis adequacy. This makes procalcitonin a potential biomarker for obesity-related low-grade inflammation.Objective: The aim of the work was to assess procalcitonin level in obese prevalent hemodialysis patients and its relation to hemodialysis adequacy. Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 90 patients divided into 3 groups, 40 obese (BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2) ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis (group A), 40 non obese (BMI < 25 Kg/m2) ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis (group B) attending at Dialysis Unit, El-Sahel Teaching Hospital and 10 healthy individuals with BMI < 25 Kg/m2 as a control group (group C). All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and general examination. All patients were laboratory investigated for CBC, serum urea, creatinine, CRP, urea reduction ratio (URR), equilibrated Kt/v. All controls were subjected to written informed consent, full history, examination and CRP level. Procalcitonin level was done by ELISA technique for all patients and controls.Results: In our study, we found that there was a higher level of procalcitonin (PCT) in obese hemodialysis patient than non-obese. We also found that there was no correlation between PCT and hemodialysis adequacy in our study population.Conclusion: It could be concluded that procalcitonin is a potential biomarker for obesity-related low-grade inflammation, but not related to hemodialysis adequacy

An Autonomous Wearable Sensor Node for Long-Term Healthcare Monitoring Powered by a Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting System

oai:ojs.ijet.ise.pw.edu.pl:article/2503In this paper, an autonomous wearable sensor node is developed for long-term continuous healthcare monitoring. This node is used to monitor the body temperature and heart rate of a human through a mobile application. Thus, it includes a temperature sensor, a heart pulse sensor, a low-power microcontroller, and a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) module. The power supply of the node is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, but this battery has a limited lifetime. Therefore, a photovoltaic (PV) energy harvesting system is proposed to prolong the battery lifetime of the sensor node. The PV energy harvesting system consists of a flexible photovoltaic panel, and a charging controller. This PV energy harvesting system is practically tested outdoor under lighting intensity of 1000 W/m2. Experimentally, the overall power consumption of the node is 4.97 mW and its lifetime about 246 hours in active-sleep mode. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate long-term and sustainable operation for the wearable sensor node

Using TAM model to empirically examine students' attitudes towards e-services in college of business administration

This study examines the relationships between Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness with actual use of E-Services among 189 students from College of Business Administration (CBA) at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) for the academic year 2017/2018. Using a survey-based methodology based on TAM perceptive, the results show that Perceived Ease for Use (PEU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) had positive associations with Actual Use (AU) of E-Services among CBA students. Thus, the result of this study supports the prediction of TAM theory. The results of this study should be useful to educational policy makers in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and elsewhere, as there is an opportunity of enhancing the E-Services in the academic context

Plasma soluble CD 163 level as a marker of oesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

Background: Variceal bleeding (VB), the most common lethal complication of cirrhosis, associated with high mortality. Timely prediction of esophageal varices (EV) represents a real challenge for the medical team. This study evaluated the level of plasma soluble CD 163 as a marker of the presence of EVs and to compare it with other noninvasive clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters as well as endoscopy.Methods: This prospective controlled study was conducted on 80 adults. Gp I had no oesophageal varices, gp II had small varices, gp IIIa had large varices, gp IIIb are the same patients of gp IIIa but after eradication of varices and gp IV as healthy controls. Serum samples were assayed for soluble CD 163.Results: soluble CD163 was statistically significant different between controls and all liver cirrhosis. it showed a statistically significant difference between group I and II (p = 0.009) and between group I and IIIa (p < 0.001) and between group II and IIIa (p < 0.001) but, no difference between group IIIa and IIIb (p = 0.179).Conclusion: Serum soluble CD163 is a good noninvasive predictor for the presence of EVs and it may be used for grading of EVs. Its level does not change after esophageal varices eradication.Trial registration: IRB No: 00007589 FWA No: 00015712 The Ethics Committee of the faculty of medicine Alexandria University.Keywords: Hepatic, Cirrhosis, Varices, CD163, Endoscopy, Ultrasonograph

Critical Behavior of La0.8Ca0.2Mn1−xCoxO3 Perovskite (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3)

The critical properties of La0.8Ca0.2Mn1−xCoxO3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) compounds were investigated by analysis of the magnetic measurements in the vicinity of their critical temperature. Arrott plots revealed that the paramagnetic PM-ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition for the sample with x = 0 is a first order transition, while it is a second order transition for all doped compounds. The critical exponents β, γ and δ were evaluated using modified Arrott plots (MAP) and the Kouvel-Fisher method (KF). The reliability of the evaluated critical exponents was confirmed by the Widom scaling relation and the universal scaling hypothesis. The values of the critical exponents for the doped compounds were consistent with the 3D-Heisenberg model for magnetic interactions. For x = 0.1, the estimated critical components are found inconsistent with any known universality class. In addition, the local exponent n was determined from the magnetic entropy change and found to be sensitive to the magnetic field in the entire studied temperature range.This work has been supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology and Institute Neel at Grenobl

Advancements in tetronic acid chemistry. Part 1: Synthesis and reactions

AbstractThe preparation and the properties of the elusive tetronic acid are reviewed, including its synthesis, chemical reactivity and reactions

CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF VIRAL EYE INFECTION

Introduction: The eye is a fascinating organ for several reasons. It is not only have a composite structure, however it is considered an immune-privileged organ. The anatomy of the eye is composed of the anterior and posterior parts, the line of division is posterior to the lens. The anterior chamber lies within the anterior segment and is an immuneprivileged anatomical location, this is due to the fact that the T-cell response in this area is suppressed This protects the eye from potentially destructive immune attacks however it also makes defence against infectious agents challenging, particularly where T-cell responses are critical for immunological defence. Viruses could get into the eye by direct inoculation, or through haematogenous or neuronal spread. The diagnoses of viral eye infections are usually clinical one, helped by taking a thorough history and performing ophthalmic examination. But in challenging cases the lab tests are essential. In this review, we will discuss the most recent evidence regarding Causes and management of viral eye infection Aim of work: In this review, we will discuss the most recent evidence regarding Causes and management of viral eye infection Methodology: We did a systematic search for Causes and management of viral eye infection using PubMed search engine (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and Google Scholar search engine (https://scholar.google.com). All relevant studies were retrieved and discussed. We only included full articles. Conclusions: A wide range of of viruses can affect the eye and cause viral eye infections, either as a primary infection or reactivation. Some affect the eye directly while the others indirectly but may still manifest with eye disease. One virus may affect several parts of the eye, while different viruses may cause the same eye disease. This could complicate the clinical diagnosis of viral eye disease, but the lab tests like PCR and antibody tests could assist in challenging cases where there may be diagnostic dilemma. The HIV epidemic has had an huge impact on ophthalmology clinics, this is because the virus can cause different eye diseases, and the associated decrease in cell-mediated immunity makes the person highly susceptible to opportunistic viral eye infections, sometimes with severe morbidity. There could be other viruses that may affect the eye that we did not discuss. Key words: Causes, management, viral eye infection