Classifying and Predicting Respiratory Function Based on Gait Analysis

The human walking behaviour can express the physiological information of human body, and gait analysis methods can be used to access the human body condition. In addition, the respiratory parameters from pulmonary spirometer are the standard of accessing the body condition of the subjects. Therefore, we want to show the correlation between gait analysis method and the respiratory parameters. We propose a vision sensor-based gait analysis method without wearing any sensors. Our method proposed features such as D′p, V′p and γυ to prove the correlation by classification and prediction experiment. In our experiment, the subjects are divided into three levels depending on the respiratory index. We run classifying and predicting experiment with the extracted features: V′p and γυ. In the classifying experiment, the accuracy result is 75%. In predicting experiment, the correlations of predicting the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are 0.69 and 0.67, respectively. Therefore, there is a correlation between the pulmonary spirometer and our method. The radar system is a tool using impulse to record the moving of the subjects’ chest. Combining the features of radar system with our features improves the classification result from 75 to 81%. In predicting FEV1/FVC, the correlation also improves from 25 to 42%. Therefore, cooperating with radar system improves the correlation

Understanding Internet Banking Adoption and Continue-Use Behavior: A Hong Kong Perspective

This study investigates adoption/continue-use behavior within the context of Hong Kong Internet Banking services. A research framework based on the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2) and Social Cognitive Theory was developed to identify factors that would influence the adoption/continue-use of Internet Banking. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the entire pattern of inter-correlations among the eight proposed constructs, and to test related propositions empirically. The results reveal that both subjective norm and computer self-efficacy indirectly play significant roles in influencing the intention to adopt Internet Banking. Perceived ease of use has a significant indirect effect on intention to adopt/continue-use through perceived usefulness, while its direct effect on intention to adopt is not significant in this study

Employing nature to combat floods: some experiences from Malaysia

Natural undisturbed systems possess inherent mechanisms and their own ways and means of maintaining system stability. Forests and floodplains, also commonly known as wetlands, are nature's way of controlling floods. Forests and wetland forests control floods by controlling rainfall at source, a concept only recently adopted by flood control agencies. Layered and densely forested areas intercept a significant amount of rainfall and regulate the flow of rain down branches, trunks and roots before reaching the river. Interception, the amount of rainfall caught in the forest crown, is about 10 - 15% of total rainfall. Least interception occurs when forests are thinned and exposed due to clearing, while maximum interception (often reaching 100 %) occurs with dense virgin forests made up of evergreen trees. During heavy rainstorms, rainwater commences to drift as mists or droplets to earth as "throughfall" which averages about 75 - 85% of rain in humid climates like Malaysia. Runoff from upstream also has to penetrate the forest before reaching the river, hence increasing lead time. Wetland forests along rivers, estuaries and coastal areas also give runoff from precipitation (which eventually gets into rivers) a place to spread out, serving as natural retention basins. Wetland forests act like sponges soaking and absorbing a lot of water down into the ground and then releasing it slowly over time. As much as 2.3 million litres of water is absorbed per hectare, depending on the nature of the soil. Forests hold the water and release it slowly. When forests are cleared or destroyed, all the rainwater gets into rivers at a relatively rapid time, resulting in flash floods. The concentration of water into the main river channel over a much shorter period of time dramatically increases flooding. It is vital for engineers and all scientists to work with natural systems rather than against them. In this respect, the JPS Malaysia has initiated the mandatory Manual for Environmentally Friendly Drainage for all development projects, indicating an all-important change of mindset from conventional engineering approach to a more comprehensive multi¬disciplinary approach that taps on the expertise of all disciplines

On the Influencing Factors of Dictionary App Interface Design for the Elders

AbstractEnglish learning is becoming one of the popular movements towards the Globalization. In recent years especially, more people use smartphones to learn English. However, it was found in the current market that most dictionary apps were designed for the younger generation and neglected the needs of the elderly. The issue of memory over-load turned out to be the critical problem of the usability for the elderly, due to the complex menu structures. Thus this study is meant to explore a suitable menu structure for the senior user, and provide suggestions for the relative researches.The study results are:1.Gender: There is no significant between male and female in the operating performance.2.Menu structure: the performance of the hybrid structure is superior to the linear structure.3.Display mode: There is no significant between the horizontal and vertical display modes in operating performance.4.Task Complexity: A positive ratio between task complexity and menu topological structure was revealed, the harder the task complexity, the better performance of mixed structure can be expected

Dirac-Electrons-Mediated Magnetic Proximity Effect in Topological Insulator / Magnetic Insulator Heterostructures

The possible realization of dissipationless chiral edge current in a topological insulator / magnetic insulator heterostructure is based on the condition that the magnetic proximity exchange coupling at the interface is dominated by the Dirac surface states of the topological insulator. Here we report a polarized neutron reflectometry observation of Dirac electrons mediated magnetic proximity effect in a bulk-insulating topological insulator (Bi$_{0.2}$Sb$_{0.8}$)$_{2}$Te$_{3}$ / magnetic insulator EuS heterostructure. We are able to maximize the proximity induced magnetism by applying an electrical back gate to tune the Fermi level of topological insulator to be close to the charge neutral point. A phenomenological model based on diamagnetic screening is developed to explain the suppressed proximity induced magnetism at high carrier density. Our work paves the way to utilize the magnetic proximity effect at the topological insulator/magnetic insulator hetero-interface for low-power spintronic applications.Comment: 5 pages main text with 4 figures; 2 pages supplemental materials; suggestions and discussions are welcome

Diversity and Inclusion in Academia: Does AIS Have a Problem?

Academia has suffered from a lack of diversity and inclusiveness over its long history. It is only in recent years that underrepresentation among faculty and students has started to receive attention and remediation. This panel will explore the presence of underrepresentation among our colleagues within the Association for Information Systems, the Information Systems academic discipline, and academia more broadly. We draw on personal experience and published research to depict the extent of underrepresentation based upon the gender and race/ethnicity of community members. We discuss current efforts to include underrepresented members and propose ideas for improving and benefiting from a more diverse and inclusive community

Candida lipolytica candidemia as a rare infectious complication of acute pancreatitis: A case report and literature review

Candida lipolytica candidemia is a rare but an emerging pathogenic yeast infection in humans. It can gain access to the bloodstream through intravascular catheterization, especially through central venous catheters in immunocompromised or critically ill patients during hospitalization. In this report, we present a noncatheter-related C. lipolytica candidemia infection in an 84-year-old man who was admitted due to acute pancreatitis. The possible pathogenesis and management of C. lipolytica candidemia are highlighted. It was an unusual infectious complication of acute pancreatitis. Clinicians should be aware that such an opportunistic pathogen can lead to invasive candidemia infection. In clinical practice, systemic antifungal therapy and the removal of the potentially infected central venous catheter might be recommended for the treatment of C. lipolytica candidemia