Active Visual Search in the Wild

In this paper, we focus on the problem of efficiently locating a target object described with free-form language using a mobile robot equipped with vision sensors (e.g., an RGBD camera). Conventional active visual search predefines a set of objects to search for, rendering these techniques restrictive in practice. To provide added flexibility in active visual searching, we propose a system where a user can enter target commands using free-form language; we call this system Active Visual Search in the Wild (AVSW). AVSW detects and plans to search for a target object inputted by a user through a semantic grid map represented by static landmarks (e.g., desk or bed). For efficient planning of object search patterns, AVSW considers commonsense knowledge-based co-occurrence and predictive uncertainty while deciding which landmarks to visit first. We validate the proposed method with respect to SR (success rate) and SPL (success weighted by path length) in both simulated and real-world environments. The proposed method outperforms previous methods in terms of SPL in simulated scenarios with an average gap of 0.283. We further demonstrate AVSW with a Pioneer-3AT robot in real-world studies

Self-Adapting MAC Layer for Wireless Sensor Networks

The integration of wireless sensors with mobile phones is gaining momentum as an enabling platform for numerous emerging applications. These mobile systems face dynamic environments where both application requirements and ambient wireless conditions change frequently. Despite the existence of many MAC protocols however, none can provide optimal performance along multiple dimensions, in particular when the conditions are frequently changing. Instead of pursuing a one-MAC-fit all approach we present a Self-Adapting MAC Layer (SAML) comprising (1) a Reconfigurable MAC Architecture (RMA) that can switch to different MAC protocols at run time and (2) a learning-based MAC Selection Engine that selects the protocol most suitable for the current condition and requirements. As the ambient conditions or application requirements change SAML dynamically switches MAC protocols to gain the desired performance. To the application SAML appears as a traditional MAC protocol and its benefits are realized without troubling the application with the underlying complexity. To test the system we implement SAML in TinyOS 2.x and realize three prototypes containing up to five MACs. We evaluate the system in controlled tests and real-world environments using a new gateway device that integrates a 802.15.4 radio with Android phones. Our experimental results show that SAML provides an efficient and reliable MAC switching, while adheres to the application specified requirements

National Surveillance of Injury in Children and Adolescents in the Republic of Korea: 2011–2017

Understanding age-specific injury patterns allows the continued improvement of prevention strategies. This is a retrospective study analyzing the Korea Emergency Department-Based Injury In-depth Surveillance data, including those aged ≤19 years old between January 2011 and December 2017. In this study, we focused on changes in the modes of injury and severity, and prevention potential by dividing the patients into four age groups: group 1 (0–4 years), group 2 (5–9 years), group 3 (10–14 years), and group 4 (15–19 years). The most common mode of injury in younger age groups 1 and 2 was a fall or slip. Most injuries in older age groups 3 and 4 were unintentional and intentional collisions combined. Traumatic brain injuries (2.1%), intensive care unit admissions (1.8%), and overall death (0.4%) were the highest in group 4. The proportions of severe and critical injury (EMR-ISS ≥ 25) were 7.5% in group 4, 3.2% in group 3, 2.5% in group 1, and 1% in group 2. This study presents a comprehensive trend of injuries in the pediatric population in South Korea. Our results suggest the importance of designing specific injury-prevention strategies for targeted groups, circumstances, and situations

Self-Adapting MAC Layer for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract—The integration of wireless sensors with mobile phones is gaining momentum as an enabling platform for numerous emerging applications. These mobile systems face dynamic environments where both application requirements and ambient wireless conditions change frequently. Despite the existence of many MAC protocols, none can provide optimal characteristics along multiple dimensions, especially when the conditions are frequently changing. Instead of pursuing a one-MAC-fitall approach we present the Self-Adapting MAC Layer (SAML) that dynamically selects and switches MAC protocols to gain the desired characteristics in response to changes in ambient conditions and application requirements. SAML comprises (1) a Reconfigurable MAC Architecture (RMA) that can switch to different MAC protocols at run time and (2) a learning-based MAC Selection Engine that selects the protocol most suitable for the current condition and requirements. To the application SAML appears as a traditional MAC layer and realizes its benefits through a simple API for the mobile applications. We have implemented SAML in TinyOS 2.x and built three prototypes containing up to five MACs. We evaluate the system in controlled tests and real-world environments using a new gateway device that integrates a 802.15.4 radio with Android phones. Our experimental results show that SAML can effectively adapt MAC layer behavior to meet varying application requirements in dynamic environments through judicious selection and efficient switching of MAC protocols. I

Usefulness of Protocolized Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for Patients with Acute Renal Colic Who Visited Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background and Objectives: Ultrasonography is useful in evaluating patients with renal colic and it has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing ureter stones by revealing hydronephrosis. We evaluated the efficacy of point-of-care ultrasonography protocol in managing patients with acute renal colic who visited the emergency department (ED). Materials and Methods: Between March 2019 and July 2019, patients who visited the ED because of renal colic were randomly assigned by date of visit either to the conventional group (CG), who underwent routine diagnostic work-up without ultrasonography, or to the ultrasonography group (UG), who underwent bedside ultrasonography as an initial diagnostic testing. When hydronephrosis was detected in the UG group, a confirmatory non-contrast abdomen computed tomography scan was promptly performed. The ED length of stay, complications, and missed or delayed high-risk diagnosis were evaluated. Results: In total, 128 of 147 analyzed patients were confirmed to have ureter stones. The ED length of stay was significantly lower in the UG group than in the CG group (mean 172 min; 95% confidence interval (CI): 151–194 min vs. mean 234 min; 95% CI: 216–252 min). The medical cost was also remarkably lower in the UG group than in the CG group (259 USD vs. 319 USD; p < 0.001). The incidence of complications within 30 days after visiting ED and missed or delayed high-risk diagnosis were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: We found that protocolized point-of-care ultrasonography in patients with acute renal colic who visited the ED can more effectively reduce the length of stay and medical cost without 30-day complication than usual clinical practice

Use of Gallbladder Width Measurement by Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of gallbladder width measurement with computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute cholecystitis. This retrospective case–control study was conducted between March 2016 and March 2020 at a tertiary emergency department. Of 310 patients, 254 patients with acute cholecystitis confirmed by surgery were compared with 254 patients diagnosed with other diseases (controls). In the acute cholecystitis group, the number of older patients with underlying illnesses was much higher (64% of men). Upon CT, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) gallbladder width was significantly longer in patients with acute cholecystitis (2.26 [1.82–2.78] cm vs. 3.73 [3.32–4.16] cm, p p < 0.001). Therefore, an increase in gallbladder width (≥3.12 cm) measured with CT can be a simple and sensitive diagnostic sign of acute cholecystitis, supporting the underlying pathophysiology of bile outflow obstruction