Agreement and Reliability Analysis of Machine Learning Scaling and Wireless Monitoring in the Assessment of Acute Proximal Weakness by Experts and Non-Experts: A Feasibility Study

Assessing the symptoms of proximal weakness caused by neurological deficits requires the knowledge and experience of neurologists. Recent advances in machine learning and the Internet of Things have resulted in the development of automated systems that emulate physicians’ assessments. The application of those systems requires not only accuracy in the classification but also reliability regardless of users’ proficiency in the real environment for the clinical point-of-care and the personalized health management. This study provides an agreement and reliability analysis of using a machine learning-based scaling of Medical Research Council (MRC) proximal scores to evaluate proximal weakness by experts and non-experts. The system trains an ensemble learning model using the signals from sensors attached to the limbs of patients in a neurological intensive care unit. For the agreement analysis, we investigated the percent agreement of MRC proximal scores and Bland-Altman plots of kinematic features between the expert- and non-expert scaling. We also analyzed the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) of kinematic features and Krippendorff’s alpha of the observers’ scaling for the reliability analysis. The mean percent agreement between the expert- and the non-expert scaling was 0.542 for manual scaling and 0.708 for autonomous scaling. The ICCs of kinematic features measured using sensors ranged from 0.742 to 0.850, whereas the Krippendorff’s alpha of manual scaling for the three observers was 0.275. The autonomous assessment system can be utilized by the caregivers, paramedics, or other observers during an emergency to evaluate acute stroke patients

Application of an Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) to Communications in a Hospital Environment

IoT technology is used in various industries, including the manufacturing, energy, finance, education, transportation, smart home, and medical fields. In the medical field, IoT applications can provide high-quality medical services through the efficient management of patients and mobile assets in hospitals. In this paper, we introduce an IoT system to the medical field using Sigfox, a low-power communication network for indoor location monitoring used as a hospital network. A proof-of-concept (PoC) was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness of medical device and patient safety management. Specific requirements should be considered when applying the IoMT system in a hospital environment. In this study, the location and temperature of various targets sending signals to the monitoring system using three different networks (Sigfox, Hospital and Non-Hospital) were collected and compared with true data, the average accuracy of which were 69.2%, 72.5%, and 83.3%, respectively. This paper shows the significance in the application of an IoMT using the Sigfox network in a hospital setting in Korea compared with existing hospital networks

Feasibility and Efficacy of Morning Light Therapy for Adults with Insomnia: A Pilot, Randomized, Open-Label, Two-Arm Study

Background and Objectives: Light therapy (LT) is used as an adjunctive treatment for sleep problems. This study evaluates the impact of LT on sleep quality and sleep-related parameters in patients with sleep disorders. Materials and Methods: We performed a pilot, randomized, open-label clinical trial. Fourteen patients aged 20–60 years with insomnia were randomized into the control and LT groups (1:1 ratio). The LT group was instructed to use a device that provides bright LT (6000 K, 380 lux, wavelength 480 nm) for at least 25 min before 09:00 a.m. for two weeks. A self-reported questionnaire was used to evaluate circadian preference, mood, and sleep-related parameters. We analyzed serum cortisol levels and clock genes’ expression. Results: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), insomnia severity index(ISI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality index(PSQI) were significantly improved within the LT group only after the two-week period. When comparing the two groups, only the change in ESS was significant (mean difference, control: −0.14 vs. LT: −1.43, p = 0.021) after adjusting for the baseline characteristics. There were no significant differences in serum cortisol or clock genes’ expression. Conclusions: LT can improve daytime sleepiness in patients with sleep disorders; however, further well-designed studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy

Assessing the Feasibility and Efficacy of Pre-Sleep Dim Light Therapy for Adults with Insomnia: A Pilot Study

Background: Insomnia is increasingly recognized for its marked impact on public health and is often associated with various adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pre-sleep dim light therapy (LT) as a non-pharmacological intervention for insomnia in adults, assessing its influence on sleep parameters and circadian rhythms. Methods: A randomized, open-label, two-arm clinical trial was conducted over two weeks with 40 participants aged 20–60 years, all of whom had sleep disorders (CRIS, KCT0008501). They were allocated into control and LT groups. The LT group received exposure to warm-colored light, minimizing the blue spectrum, before bedtime. The study combined subjective evaluation via validated, sleep-related questionnaires, objective sleep assessments via actigraphy, and molecular analyses of circadian clock gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Baseline characteristics between the two groups were compared using an independent t-test for continuous variables and the chi-squared test for categorical variables. Within-group differences were assessed using the paired t-test. Changes between groups were analyzed using linear regression, adjusting for each baseline value and body mass index. The patterns of changes in sleep parameters were calculated using a linear mixed model. Results: The LT group exhibited significant improvements in sleep quality (difference in difference [95% CI]; −2.00 [−3.58, −0.43], and sleep efficiency (LT: 84.98 vs. control: 82.11, p = 0.032), and an advanced Dim Light Melatonin Onset compared to the control group (approximately 30 min). Molecular analysis indicated a significant reduction in CRY1 gene expression after LT, suggesting an influence on circadian signals for sleep regulation. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the efficacy of LT in improving sleep quality and circadian rhythm alignment in adults with insomnia. Despite limitations, such as a small sample size and short study duration, the results underscore the potential of LT as a viable non-pharmacological approach for insomnia. Future research should expand on these results with larger and more diverse cohorts followed over a longer period to validate and further elucidate the value of LT in sleep medicine. Trial registration: The trial was registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0008501)

Chrysochroa DEJEAN 1833

SUBGENUS <i>CHRYSOCHROA</i> DEJEAN, 1833 <p>DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPECIES</p>Published as part of <i>Han, Taeman, Kang, Taehwa, Jeong, Jongchel, Lee, Youngbo, Chung, Hyojung, Park, Sangwook, Lee, Seunghwan, Kim, Kigyoung & Park, Haechul, 2012, Pseudocryptic speciation of Chrysochroa fulgidissima (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) with two new species from Korea, China and Vietnam, pp. 71-98 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 164 (1)</i> on page 92, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00763.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5406388">http://zenodo.org/record/5406388</a&gt

Chrysochroa alternans WATERHOUSE 1888, STAT. REV.

<i>CHRYSOCHROA ALTERNANS</i> WATERHOUSE, 1888 STAT. REV. (FIGS 8G, H, 9–16D) <p> <i>Examined specimens:</i> 5♂♂, 5♀♀, Nakagusuku, Okinawa, Japan. 19.vii.2008 (no collector).</p> <p> <i>Diagnosis:</i> 29.6–35.3 mm long and 9.8–11.4 mm wide in males, 34.0– 37.9 mm long and 11.6– 11.4 mm wide in females. Body elliptic, stout; median longitudinal groove of head narrow, deep, with metallic red circle (Fig. 9D); vertex wide between eyes distinctly narrower than base; pronotal and elytral punctuation distinctly large; lateral margin of pronotum arcuate at middle, weakly sinuate at base (Fig. 10D); first and second costae of elytra prominent at dorsoanterior portion (Fig. 11D); prosternal anterior margin simple; prosternal process flattened or sometimes very weakly convex (Fig. 12D); lateral margins of elytra subparallel to middle; ninth ventrite (Fig. 14D) simple; aedeagus (Fig. 15D) subcylindrical, weakly arcuate laterally; apical portion of median lobe exceeding parameres, broadly, bluntly pointed at apex (Fig. 16D).</p> <p> <i>Remarks:</i> We propose that <i>Ch. f. alternans</i> be resurrected to species rank.</p>Published as part of <i>Han, Taeman, Kang, Taehwa, Jeong, Jongchel, Lee, Youngbo, Chung, Hyojung, Park, Sangwook, Lee, Seunghwan, Kim, Kigyoung & Park, Haechul, 2012, Pseudocryptic speciation of Chrysochroa fulgidissima (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) with two new species from Korea, China and Vietnam, pp. 71-98 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 164 (1)</i> on page 96, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00763.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5406388">http://zenodo.org/record/5406388</a&gt

Chrysochroa pseudofulgidissima HAN ET PARK 2012, SP. NOV.

<i>CHRYSOCHROA PSEUDOFULGIDISSIMA</i> HAN ET PARK SP. NOV. (FIGS 8E, 9–16C) <p> <i>Holotype:</i> 1♂, Mt. JiaTieling (altitude 1123 m), Qiongzhong county, Hainan, China. 8–11.vi.2009. Li Jingke (NAAS: voucher no. 2410).</p> <p> <i>Paratypes:</i> 2♂♂, 2♀♀, same locality as for holotype (SMNH); 4♂♂, 7♀♀, Baise, GuangXi, China. 9.viii.2009. Hui Qin (SMNH); 1♂, 5♀♀, GuangXi, China (no collecting dates or collector) (SMNH); 1♀, GuangXi, China. vii.2006. J. C. Jeong (SMNH); 1♀, Cao bang, Vietnam, 25.vi.2005 (no collector) (SMNH).</p> <p> <i>Description of holotype (Fig. 8E):</i> 32.0 mm long, 9.8 mm wide. Body elliptic, stout, rather convex, broader at posterior half of elytra. Colour strongly and wholly brilliant, dorsal part bright green, with two longitudinal reddish-purple bands on pronotum and elytra, elytral bands pass second and third costae; second elytral interval golden-green; ventral aspect cupreous golden-green; eyes reddish brown; impression between eyes tinged with red; labrum, half of mandibles, maxillary palpi, labinal palpi, and gular black; dorsal aspect of antennae bronze black from second to 11th antennomere, ventral aspect of antennae wholly bronze black; tarsi dark green. Surface microreticulated.</p> <p>Head (Fig. 9C) globular; vertex with distinct median suture with simple punctures, otherwise surface smooth; from vertex to front suture forming distinct, broad concavity with coarse, large punctures, surface rugous, median longitudinal groove deep and narrow; semilunar fovea above antennal socket distinct, inner margin clearly carinate; AWE 1.26 times wider than VW (AWE: VW = 24:19), antennal socket well projected triangularly to above; frontal depression moderately deep; frontal carina distinct; clypeus bell-shaped, triangularly emarginate; labrum deeply, triangularly emarginate medially, with dense, long pubescences along inner margin; mandibles beakshaped in ventral view.</p> <p>Antennae serrate from fourth antennomere; first longest, club-shaped, weakly bent inwards, 3.69 times longer than second, 1.17 times longer than third; second shortest, subglobular; third cylindrical, posterior margin slightly bent inwards, 2.30 times longer than second, subequal with fourth (Ant3L: 4L = 20.5: 19.8); fifth to 11th gradually narrowed and shortened; 11th elliptic 1.25 times longer than tenth.</p> <p>Pronotum (Fig. 10C) trapezoidal, subparalleled laterally, widest at posterior margin (PNAW: MLP: PWP = 53: 54: 82), narrower than elytra, 1.51 times as wide as long; PWP 1.54 times wider than PNAW; anterior margin slightly, convexly emarginate; lateral margin subparallel, gradually converging to anterolateral angle; posterior margin broadly lobed at middle; posterolateral angles blunt, acuminate apically; disc almost flat medially, with sparse, simple punctures; dorsolateral portion slightly declivous, with dense, large, coarse punctures; lateral carina distinct to anterior one third, then curved downward before disappearing.</p> <p>Prosternum (Fig. 12C) convex; anterior margin carinate, 1.42 times wider than median width (AMWP: MWPS = 50:35), narrower than hypomeron apex; pronotosternal sutures simple, distinctly sinuate medially; prosternal process trilobed, surface prominently swollen, posterior apex truncate (LEWPP: MLPP: PMWPP = 44: 15: 21).</p> <p>Elytra (Fig. 11C) suboval, convex, widest medially, 2.44 times as long as wide, lateral margin subparallel at middle, then broadly convergent to posterior apex; punctures simple, sparse anteriomedially, becoming distinct, dense towards lateral and posterior portions; apical margins with four denticles, with sultural spine prominently, sharply projected.</p> <p>Legs long, exposed from femoral apex in dorsal view; pro- and mesofemora club-shaped; metafemur cylindrical, gradually slender to apex; meso- and metafemora with rather long brush setae from posterior base to half; protibia rather strongly recurved inwards, with small triangular expansion at posterior apex, with golden yellow short brush-like setae covering at anterior apex; mesotibia slightly recurved inwards; metatibia straight; tarsal claws simple.</p> <p>Seventh abdominal ventrite apically triangularly emarginate; ninth ventrite (Fig. 14C) tongue-shaped, somewhat broad, bright brown, parallel-sided medially, then gradually narrowed to apex, posterior margin narrow, truncate; ninth tergite (Fig. 13C) deeply emarginated in a ‘U’ shape; tenth tergite (Fig. 13C) semi-oval, 1.46 times wide as long.</p> <p>Aedeagus (Figs 15, 16C) cylindrical generally; median lobe cylindrical, suddenly narrowed, then sharply pointed apically, with lateral grooves to maintain inner margins of parameres exceeding apex of parameres, with strongly developed posterolateral projections exceeding inner margins of parameres in ventral view; parameres sharply pointed apically, apicolateral portion pale brown, with long setae.</p> <p>Females (Fig. 8F). Length 30.7–42.7 mm, width 9.6–13.7 mm, generally larger and with eyes less prominent than male; with red circle on median longitudinal groove of head; seventh ventrite rounded apically.</p> <p> <i>Distribution:</i> East China (GuangXi, Hainan) and north Vietnam (Cao bang).</p> <p> <i>Biology:</i> Ecological information on this new species has not been documented.</p> <p> <i>Etymology:</i> This new species was named <i>Chrysochroa pseudofulgidissima</i> based on its morphological similarity with <i>Ch. fulgidissima</i>.</p>Published as part of <i>Han, Taeman, Kang, Taehwa, Jeong, Jongchel, Lee, Youngbo, Chung, Hyojung, Park, Sangwook, Lee, Seunghwan, Kim, Kigyoung & Park, Haechul, 2012, Pseudocryptic speciation of Chrysochroa fulgidissima (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) with two new species from Korea, China and Vietnam, pp. 71-98 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 164 (1)</i> on pages 95-96, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00763.x, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5406388">http://zenodo.org/record/5406388</a&gt