Ambient orchestration in assisted environment

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) stands for information and communication technology enabled smart home environment that serves persons, especially the elderly and disabled in their independent living. Among many already developed AAL systems, technologies, resources and services, the main problem about their inherent interconnection still remains. One of the big research issues is to propose reference architecture and develop an open and standardized platform that should serve wider community as an enabler for cooperating concept – collaboration between competitors. This paper presents an experimental ambient orchestration in assisted environment on top of universAAL middleware that is based on the reference architecture under development within universAAL research project. Our contributions are the following: interconnection scenario using industry commercial products, verification of reference architecture and user guides, developed web services for ambient orchestration within case study and its demonstration in real environment

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

VREDNOVANJE UČINKOVITOSTI MULTIMODALNE INTERAKCIJE ČOVJEKA I RAČUNALA

Upotrebljivost (usability) kod prosječnog korisnika označava odsutnost frustracije dok nešto koristi. Kad je proizvod ili usluga stvarno upotrebljiv, korisnik može s njim postići svoje ciljeve na način kako on sam želi, bez oklijevanja, prepreka i/ili dodatnih pitanja. Da bi bio upotrebljiv, proizvod mora biti koristan, učinkovit, efikasan, ugodan, svima dostupan, a potrebno ga je i lako naučiti koristiti. Lakoća učenja je atribut upotrebljivosti koji za osobe koje nikad nisu koristile sustav mjeri koliko im vremena treba da obave određeni zadatak ili da određeni skup zadataka obave u nekom zadanom vremenu. Efikasnost – učinkovitost je atribut koji obuhvaća lakoću kojom korisnik ispunjava svoje namjere, odnosno lakoću korištenja proizvoda. Za testiranje pamtivosti potrebno je mjeriti koliko je vremena korisniku potrebno kako bi se prisjetio rada sa sustavom nakon što ga neko vrijeme nije koristio. Nakon završetka izvođenja zadataka, ispitnim korisnicima se najčešće daje „memory test“ te se ispituje što neka komanda radi. Što je veći broj ispravnih odgovora, to je bolja ocjena pamtivosti. Broj pogrešaka– ispituje se broj pogrešaka i njihov utjecaj na sveukupni korisnikov rad. Pogreške se mogu brojati i neizravno, kroz neki drugi atribut (npr. broj pogrešaka izravno utječe na efikasnost – ukoliko korisnik čini više pogrešaka, trebat će mu više vremena za obavljanje zadatka). Dva su osnovna tipa pogrešaka: manje pogreške koje se jednostavno ispravljaju te veće pogreške koje znatno ometaju korisnikov rad. Subjektivna ugoda (zadovoljstvo) se odnosi na korisnikovu percepciju, osjećaje i mišljenja o proizvodu. Vjerojatnije je da će korisnici bolje obavljati zadatke na sustavu koji zadovoljava njihove potrebe i uz kojeg se osjećaju ugodno. Kroz rad sam pokušala na jednostavnim primjerima objasniti koncept upotrebljivosti i efikasnosti i njihovu važnost. Kroz dva praktična primjera sustava na kojima je provedeno testiranje upotrebljivosti može se vidjeti kako je to relativno jednostavan, a moćan alat prilikom razvoja novog proizvoda ili usluge

VREDNOVANJE UČINKOVITOSTI MULTIMODALNE INTERAKCIJE ČOVJEKA I RAČUNALA

Upotrebljivost (usability) kod prosječnog korisnika označava odsutnost frustracije dok nešto koristi. Kad je proizvod ili usluga stvarno upotrebljiv, korisnik može s njim postići svoje ciljeve na način kako on sam želi, bez oklijevanja, prepreka i/ili dodatnih pitanja. Da bi bio upotrebljiv, proizvod mora biti koristan, učinkovit, efikasan, ugodan, svima dostupan, a potrebno ga je i lako naučiti koristiti. Lakoća učenja je atribut upotrebljivosti koji za osobe koje nikad nisu koristile sustav mjeri koliko im vremena treba da obave određeni zadatak ili da određeni skup zadataka obave u nekom zadanom vremenu. Efikasnost – učinkovitost je atribut koji obuhvaća lakoću kojom korisnik ispunjava svoje namjere, odnosno lakoću korištenja proizvoda. Za testiranje pamtivosti potrebno je mjeriti koliko je vremena korisniku potrebno kako bi se prisjetio rada sa sustavom nakon što ga neko vrijeme nije koristio. Nakon završetka izvođenja zadataka, ispitnim korisnicima se najčešće daje „memory test“ te se ispituje što neka komanda radi. Što je veći broj ispravnih odgovora, to je bolja ocjena pamtivosti. Broj pogrešaka– ispituje se broj pogrešaka i njihov utjecaj na sveukupni korisnikov rad. Pogreške se mogu brojati i neizravno, kroz neki drugi atribut (npr. broj pogrešaka izravno utječe na efikasnost – ukoliko korisnik čini više pogrešaka, trebat će mu više vremena za obavljanje zadatka). Dva su osnovna tipa pogrešaka: manje pogreške koje se jednostavno ispravljaju te veće pogreške koje znatno ometaju korisnikov rad. Subjektivna ugoda (zadovoljstvo) se odnosi na korisnikovu percepciju, osjećaje i mišljenja o proizvodu. Vjerojatnije je da će korisnici bolje obavljati zadatke na sustavu koji zadovoljava njihove potrebe i uz kojeg se osjećaju ugodno. Kroz rad sam pokušala na jednostavnim primjerima objasniti koncept upotrebljivosti i efikasnosti i njihovu važnost. Kroz dva praktična primjera sustava na kojima je provedeno testiranje upotrebljivosti može se vidjeti kako je to relativno jednostavan, a moćan alat prilikom razvoja novog proizvoda ili usluge

VREDNOVANJE UČINKOVITOSTI MULTIMODALNE INTERAKCIJE ČOVJEKA I RAČUNALA

Upotrebljivost (usability) kod prosječnog korisnika označava odsutnost frustracije dok nešto koristi. Kad je proizvod ili usluga stvarno upotrebljiv, korisnik može s njim postići svoje ciljeve na način kako on sam želi, bez oklijevanja, prepreka i/ili dodatnih pitanja. Da bi bio upotrebljiv, proizvod mora biti koristan, učinkovit, efikasan, ugodan, svima dostupan, a potrebno ga je i lako naučiti koristiti. Lakoća učenja je atribut upotrebljivosti koji za osobe koje nikad nisu koristile sustav mjeri koliko im vremena treba da obave određeni zadatak ili da određeni skup zadataka obave u nekom zadanom vremenu. Efikasnost – učinkovitost je atribut koji obuhvaća lakoću kojom korisnik ispunjava svoje namjere, odnosno lakoću korištenja proizvoda. Za testiranje pamtivosti potrebno je mjeriti koliko je vremena korisniku potrebno kako bi se prisjetio rada sa sustavom nakon što ga neko vrijeme nije koristio. Nakon završetka izvođenja zadataka, ispitnim korisnicima se najčešće daje „memory test“ te se ispituje što neka komanda radi. Što je veći broj ispravnih odgovora, to je bolja ocjena pamtivosti. Broj pogrešaka– ispituje se broj pogrešaka i njihov utjecaj na sveukupni korisnikov rad. Pogreške se mogu brojati i neizravno, kroz neki drugi atribut (npr. broj pogrešaka izravno utječe na efikasnost – ukoliko korisnik čini više pogrešaka, trebat će mu više vremena za obavljanje zadatka). Dva su osnovna tipa pogrešaka: manje pogreške koje se jednostavno ispravljaju te veće pogreške koje znatno ometaju korisnikov rad. Subjektivna ugoda (zadovoljstvo) se odnosi na korisnikovu percepciju, osjećaje i mišljenja o proizvodu. Vjerojatnije je da će korisnici bolje obavljati zadatke na sustavu koji zadovoljava njihove potrebe i uz kojeg se osjećaju ugodno. Kroz rad sam pokušala na jednostavnim primjerima objasniti koncept upotrebljivosti i efikasnosti i njihovu važnost. Kroz dva praktična primjera sustava na kojima je provedeno testiranje upotrebljivosti može se vidjeti kako je to relativno jednostavan, a moćan alat prilikom razvoja novog proizvoda ili usluge

Extension of the International Atomic Energy Agency phantom study in image quantification

To make quantitative methods of nuclear medicine more available, four centres in Croatia participated in the national intercomparison study, following the materials and methods used in the previous international study organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The study task was to calculate the activities of four Ba sources (T 1/2=10.54 years ; E γ=356 keV) using planar and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or SPECT/CT acquisitions of the sources inside a water-filled cylindrical phantom. The sources were previously calibrated by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. Triple-energy window was utilized for scatter correction. Planar studies were corrected for attenuation correction (AC) using the conjugate-view method. For SPECT/CT studies, data from X-ray computed tomography were used for attenuation correction (CT-AC), whereas for SPECT-only acquisition, the Chang-AC method was applied. Using the lessons learned from the IAEA study, data were acquired according to the harmonized data acquisition protocol, and the acquired images were then processed using centralized data analysis. The accuracy of the activity quantification was evaluated as the ratio R between the calculated activity and the value obtained from National Institute of Standards and Technology. For planar studies, R=1.06±0.08 ; for SPECT/CT study using CT-AC, R=1.00±0.08 ; and for Chang-AC, R=0.89±0.12. The results are in accordance with those obtained within the larger IAEA study and confirm that SPECT/CT method is the most appropriate for accurate activity quantificatio

Absence of Fungal Spore Internalization by Bronchial Epithelium in Mouse Models Evidenced by a New Bioimaging Approach and Transmission Electronic Microscopy

International audienceClinical data and experimental studies suggest that bronchial epithelium could serve as a portal of entry for invasive fungal infections. We therefore analyzed the interactions between molds and the bronchial/bronchiolar epithelium at the early steps after inhalation. We developed invasive aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus) and mucormycosis (Lichtheimia corymbifera) murine models that mimic the main clinical risk factors for these infections. Histopathology studies were completed with a specific computer-assisted morphometric method to quantify bronchial and alveolar spores and with transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis revealed a higher number of bronchial/bronchiolar spores for A. fumigatus than L. corymbifera. The bronchial/bronchiolar spores decreased between 1 and 18 hours after inoculation for both fungi, except in corticosteroid-treated mice infected with A. fumigatus, suggesting an effect of cortisone on bronchial spore clearance. No increase in the number of spores of any species was observed over time at the basal pole of the epithelium, suggesting the lack of transepithelial crossing. Transmission electron microscopy did not show spore internalization by bronchial epithelial cells. Instead, spores were phagocytized by mononuclear cells on the apical pole of epithelial cells. Early epithelial internalization of fungal spores in vivo cannot explain the bronchial/bronchiolar epithelium invasion observed in some invasive mold infections. The bioimaging approach provides a useful means to accurately enumerate and localize the fungal spores in the pulmonary tissues