Rozpoznávanie gest pomocou neurónovej siete

Sensors for motion measurements are now becoming more widespread. Thanks to their parameters and affordability they are already used not only in the professional sector, but also in devices intended for daily use or entertainment. One of their applications is in control of devices by gestures. Systems that can determine type of gesture from measured motion have many uses. Some are for example in medical practice, but they are still more often used in devices such as cell phones, where they serve as a non-standard form of input. Today there are already several approaches for solving this problem, but building sufficiently reliable system is still a challenging task. In our project we are developing solution based on artificial neural network. In difference to other solutions, this one doesn’t require building model for each measuring system and thus it can be used in combination with various sensors just with minimal changes in his structure.Senzory pomocou ktorých je možné merať pohyb sú v súčasnosti stále rozšírenejšie. Vďaka ich parametrom a cenovej dostupnosti už nachádzajú využitie nielen v odbornej sfére, ale tiež v zariadeniach určených na zábavu resp. na bežné používanie. Jednou možnosťou ich využitia je ovládanie zariadení pomocou gest. Systémy, ktoré umožňujú z nameraného pohybu určiť o aké gesto sa jedná majú uplatnenie v medicínskej praxi, ale stále častejšie sa používajú aj v zariadeniach ako sú napr. mobilné telefóny, kde slúžia ako neštandardná forma ovládania. V súčasnosti už existujú viaceré prístupy k riešeniu tohto problému, ale navrhnúť spôsob ktorý by bol dostatočne spoľahlivý je stále náročná úloha. V našom projekte využívame na rozpoznávanie pohybu systém, ktorého základom je neurónová sieť. Tento na rozdiel od iných riešení nevyžaduje model konkrétnych meracích prostriedkov a tak je možné ho s minimálnymi úpravami použiť v kombinácii s rôznymi snímačmi

Design of active feedback for rehabilitation device

Sensor systems are an essential part of automated equipment. They are even more important in machines that come in contact with people, because they have a significant impact on safety. This paper describes the design of active feedback for rehabilitation device driven by pneumatic artificial muscles. Here are presented three methods for measuring the load of the robot. The first is a system composed of Force Sensitive Resistors (FSR) placed in the handle of the device. Two other methods are intended to measure the load of the actuator composed of artificial muscles. The principle of one method is to measure the difference in filling pressures of the muscles, second is based on strain measurement in the drive cables. The paper describes advantages and disadvantages of using each of these methods in a rehabilitation deviceEU; Operational Programme Research and Development; Measure 2.2 Transfer of knowledge and technology from research and development into practice; Research and development of intelligent nonconventional actuators based on artificial muscles", ITMS [26220220103]; Slovak Grant Agency VEGA [1/0911/14]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Programme [L01303 (MSMT7778/2014)]; European Regional Development Fund under the project CEBIA-Tech [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0089

UTILIZING OF MEMS SENSORS IN REHABILITATION PROCESS

The potential for utilizing of MEMS sensors, especially of accelerometers and gyroscopes is significant. They are used not only in consumer’s electronics, but also in so called wearable sensors that can be worn on body or in part of garment without interrupting comfort of person who is wearing these sensors. In the same time, we are able to collect data about person carrying the device. This paper focuses on analysis of current state of utilizing of MEMS sensors in rehabilitation process or in motion analysis

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Recognition of Gestures using Artifical Neural Network

Sensors for motion measurements are now becoming more widespread. Thanks to their parameters and affordability they are already used not only in the professional sector, but also in devices intended for daily use or entertainment. One of their applications is in control of devices by gestures. Systems that can determine type of gesture from measured motion have many uses. Some are for example in medical practice, but they are still more often used in devices such as cell phones, where they serve as a non-standard form of input. Today there are already several approaches for solving this problem, but building sufficiently reliable system is still a challenging task. In our project we are developing solution based on artificial neural network. In difference to other solutions, this one doesn’t require building model for each measuring system and thus it can be used in combination with various sensors just with minimal changes in his structure

Design of active feedback for rehabilitation device

Sensor systems are an essential part of automated equipment. They are even more important in machines that come in contact with people, because they have a significant impact on safety. This paper describes the design of active feedback for rehabilitation device driven by pneumatic artificial muscles. Here are presented three methods for measuring the load of the robot. The first is a system composed of Force Sensitive Resistors (FSR) placed in the handle of the device. Two other methods are intended to measure the load of the actuator composed of artificial muscles. The principle of one method is to measure the difference in filling pressures of the muscles, second is based on strain measurement in the drive cables. The paper describes advantages and disadvantages of using each of these methods in a rehabilitation devic

Hemolytic and antimalarial effects of tight-binding glyoxalase 1 inhibitors on the host-parasite unit of erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum

Glyoxalases prevent the formation of advanced glycation end products by converting glycolysis-derived methylglyoxal to d-lactate with the help of glutathione. Vander Jagt and colleagues previously showed that erythrocytes release about thirty times more d-lactate after infection with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Functional glyoxalases in the host-parasite unit might therefore be crucial for parasite survival. Here, we determined the antimalarial and hemolytic activity of two tight-binding glyoxalase inhibitors using infected and uninfected erythrocytes. In addition, we synthesized and analyzed a set of diester derivates of both tight-binding inhibitors resulting in up to threefold lower IC50 values and an altered methemoglobin formation and hemolytic activity depending on the type of ester. Inhibitor treatments of uninfected erythrocytes revealed an extremely slow inactivation of the host cell glyoxalase, irrespective of inhibitor modifications, and a potential dispensability of the host cell enzyme for parasite survival. Our study highlights the benefits and drawbacks of different esterifications of glutathione-derived inhibitors and demonstrates the suitability of glyoxalase inhibitors as a tool for deciphering the relevance and mode of action of different glyoxalase systems in a host-parasite unit

Balloon-assisted tracking technique as 'a way forward' for transradial intervention

BACKGROUND: In percutaneous coronary interventions, use of the radial artery may be limited by vascular anatomy or vascular complications, such as radial artery spasm, dissection or perforation. The balloon-assisted tracking (BAT) technique is a novel and innovative method to successfully perform transradial procedures in patients with difficult vascular anatomy, severe tortuosity or radial artery spasm. In addition, the BAT technique can serve as a bail-out technique when vascular complications such as artery dissection or perforation occur. OBJECTIVE: We analysed data of all percutaneous coronary intervention patients in whom the BAT technique was undertaken in daily practice and report acute and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included and, in most patients, the BAT technique was performed for radial spasm. Most patients were administered benzodiazepines or nitrates before the BAT technique was performed. The primary end point, defined as successful passage of the catheter through the artery of the arm using the BAT technique, was 98%. 11% of patients developed a complication within 24 h (haematoma, prolonged pain or visible vascular damage at the end of procedure); all completely recovered at follow-up. No complications occurred during long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: BAT is a low-risk and easy-to-use technique that increases the success rate of radial artery access and may prevent vascular complications