A system for recognizing human emotions based on speech analysis and facial feature extraction: applications to Human-Robot Interaction

With the advance in Artificial Intelligence, humanoid robots start to interact with ordinary people based on the growing understanding of psychological processes. Accumulating evidences in Human Robot Interaction (HRI) suggest that researches are focusing on making an emotional communication between human and robot for creating a social perception, cognition, desired interaction and sensation. Furthermore, robots need to receive human emotion and optimize their behavior to help and interact with a human being in various environments. The most natural way to recognize basic emotions is extracting sets of features from human speech, facial expression and body gesture. A system for recognition of emotions based on speech analysis and facial features extraction can have interesting applications in Human-Robot Interaction. Thus, the Human-Robot Interaction ontology explains how the knowledge of these fundamental sciences is applied in physics (sound analyses), mathematics (face detection and perception), philosophy theory (behavior) and robotic science context. In this project, we carry out a study to recognize basic emotions (sadness, surprise, happiness, anger, fear and disgust). Also, we propose a methodology and a software program for classification of emotions based on speech analysis and facial features extraction. The speech analysis phase attempted to investigate the appropriateness of using acoustic (pitch value, pitch peak, pitch range, intensity and formant), phonetic (speech rate) properties of emotive speech with the freeware program PRAAT, and consists of generating and analyzing a graph of speech signals. The proposed architecture investigated the appropriateness of analyzing emotive speech with the minimal use of signal processing algorithms. 30 participants to the experiment had to repeat five sentences in English (with durations typically between 0.40 s and 2.5 s) in order to extract data relative to pitch (value, range and peak) and rising-falling intonation. Pitch alignments (peak, value and range) have been evaluated and the results have been compared with intensity and speech rate. The facial feature extraction phase uses the mathematical formulation (B\ue9zier curves) and the geometric analysis of the facial image, based on measurements of a set of Action Units (AUs) for classifying the emotion. The proposed technique consists of three steps: (i) detecting the facial region within the image, (ii) extracting and classifying the facial features, (iii) recognizing the emotion. Then, the new data have been merged with reference data in order to recognize the basic emotion. Finally, we combined the two proposed algorithms (speech analysis and facial expression), in order to design a hybrid technique for emotion recognition. Such technique have been implemented in a software program, which can be employed in Human-Robot Interaction. The efficiency of the methodology was evaluated by experimental tests on 30 individuals (15 female and 15 male, 20 to 48 years old) form different ethnic groups, namely: (i) Ten adult European, (ii) Ten Asian (Middle East) adult and (iii) Ten adult American. Eventually, the proposed technique made possible to recognize the basic emotion in most of the cases

Risk management framework in Agile software development methodology

In software projects that use the Agile methodology, the focus is on development in small iterations to allow both frequent changes and client involvement. This methodology affects the risks that may happen in Agile software projects. Hence, these projects need a clear risk management process to reduce risks and address the problems before they arise. Most software production methodologies must use a framework for risk management, but currently, there is no such framework for the Agile methodology. Therefore, we present a risk management framework for projects that use the Agile methodology to help the software development process and increase the likelihood of the project’s success. The proposed framework states the necessary measures for risk management according to the ISO31000 standard at each stage of the Agile methodology. We evaluated the proposed framework in two running software projects with an Agile methodology by a number of expert experts. The results show that using our proposed framework increases the average positive risk reaction score by 49%

Validation of a Classification System for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Based on DSM-5

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a broad obsessive-compulsive and related disorders model, which consisted of obsessive-compulsive, hoarding disorder, body dysmorphic, trichotillomania and pathological skin picking, displayed sufficient data fit. On the other hand, we examined whether a reduced obsessive-compulsive and related disorders symptoms model consisting of above mentioned disorders demonstrated superior fit or not. To test the factor structure validity of the classification system of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, we used Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA). Result of factor structure analysis revealed and supported an OCSD symptoms dimension that included obsessive-compulsive, hoarding disorder, body dysmorphic, trichotillomania, and pathological skin picking symptoms. Also, results of this study supported the DSM-5 changes

Effect of lateral wedge insole with different inclination on foot kinematics using Principal Component Analysis

زمینه و هدف: بر هم خوردن مقدار و زمان پرونیشن پا ممکن است منجر به استئوآرتریت زانو شود که برای درمان آن از مداخلاتی مانند گوه جانبی در ناحیه پا استفاده می‌‌‌‌شود. تاکنون نتایج مطالعات متناقض بوده‌‌‌‌اند که احتمالاً ناشی از شیب‌‌‌‌های مختلف گوه و تکنیک‌‌‌‌های استفاده شده می‌‌‌‌باشد. مطالعه حاضر با هدف بررسی تأثیر گوه جانبی پا با شیب‌‌‌‌های مختلف بر کینماتیک پا با استفاده از تکنیک آنالیز مولفه‌‌‌‌های اصلی (PCA) انجام شد. روش بررسی: 75 فرد سالم در این مطالعه شرکت کردند. سینماتیک اندام تحتانی آزمودنی‌‌‌‌ها در 5 حالت دویدن با کفش و کفش با گوه جانبی با شیب‌‌‌‌های 3، 6، 9 و 11 درجه در قسمت پاشنه کفش، ثبت شد. سپس با استفاده از روش آماری PCA مولفه‌‌‌‌های اصلی پرونیشن محاسبه شد. برای بررسی اثر گوه بر اورژن و شاخص پرونیشن (مولفه اول PCA) از آنالیز واریانس با داده‌های تکراری استفاده شد. یافته ها: گوه‌‌‌‌های 9 و 11 درجه موجب افزایش معنی دار زاویه اورژن شدند. هنگام بررسی شاخص پرونیشن علاوه بر گوه‌‌‌‌های 9 و 11 درجه، گوه 6 درجه نیز با حالت بدون گوه افزایش معنی داری نشان داد. روش PCA مشخص کرد که گوه 6 درجه، علاوه بر اثرات کلینیکی گزارش شده، بر مکانیک پا نیز اثر می‌‌‌‌گذارد. نتیجه گیری: اورژن پا به تنهایی قادر به بیان تأثیر گوه‌‌‌‌های جانبی بر پا نمی‌‌‌‌باشد و برای به دست آوردن نتایج دقیق‌‌‌‌تر باید تمامی صفحات حرکتی در نظر گرفته شود. روش PCA می‌‌‌‌تواند معیار دقیق‌‌‌‌تری برای بررسی پرونیشن فراهم کند

Pomegranate peel extract inhibits internalization and replication of the influenza virus: An in vitro study

Objective: Influenza virus, which is associated with high level of morbidity and mortality, has been recently considered a public health concern; however, the methods of choice to control and treat it are limited. Our previous study showed anti-influenza virus activity of pomegranate peel extract (PPE). In this study, the mechanism through which PPE acts against influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8) was investigated. Materials and Methods: Ethyl alcohol extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel was prepared, and the action mechanism of PPE in inhibiting influenza replication was studied by time-ofdrug-addition assay, virucidal activity, RNA replication, hemagglutination inhibition assay, viral mRNA expression, and western blot analysis. Results: PPE inhibited viral polymerase activity, viral RNA replication, and viral protein expression but could not affect hemagglutination inhibition and virucidal activity. According to time-of-drug-addition assay results, PPE inhibited the virus adsorption and early steps of influenza replication. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the antiviral effect of PPE on influenza virus is most probably associated with inhibition of viral adsorption and viral RNA transcription. Keywords: Anti-influenza virus; Pomegranate; Punica granatum L.; Mechanism

National Information Systems of Natural Crises in Some Countries

Context: The natural crises national information system (NISNC) has a key role in promoting natural crisis management by analyzing and understanding the situation, managing and allocating the resources, coordinating actions and supporting of decision making and exchanging of information. The purpose of this paper is to examine the NISNC general and technical characteristics and functional capabilities in Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Turkey. Evidence Acquisition: This comparative study was conducted using databases like Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Scopus in the period from 2000 to 2017. The following featured were under the focus: being nationalized and computerized and availability of information. From among the 41 available studies, 24 were examined among which 12 belonged to Germany, 6 to the Netherlands, 3 to Romania and 3 to Turkey. Finally, the information obtained from different countries was compared on the basis of comparative tables.Results: In all countries, the Interior Ministry was in charge of NISNC and NISNC is used in the entire cycle of crisis management (the Netherlands is used only in the reaction phase). This system has a modular design, distributed database, and mirror server. Synchronization allows the data recording in a system gets registered in other systems. NISNC is designed for static and dynamic data collection, with offline access allowed only in the Netherlands. The most common functional capabilities of the NISNC in selected countries were resource management, communication and reporting, status management and geographic information system. Conclusion: NISNC leads to the improvement of cooperation, information exchange and coordination in the management of natural crises through providing methods, terminology, information formats, and standard operating procedures

Evaluating the Effect of Family-Centered Intervention Program on Care Burden and Self-Efficacy of Hemodialysis Patient Caregivers Based on Social Cognitive Theory: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Background Caregivers of hemodialysis patients spend a large amount of time providing care to these patients while tolerating fatigue and stress. This study evaluated a family-centered empowerment program on the care burden and self-efficacy of hemodialysis patient caregivers based on social cognitive theory. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 70 family caregivers of hemodialysis patients in Isfahan, Iran, were selected and randomly allocated to intervention and control groups, in 2015–2016. Two questionnaires were used to collect the family caregivers’ characteristics, care burden, and self-efficacy, and patients’ negative and positive outcomes expectancies. Data were analyzed using SPSS before, immediately after, and 2 months after the intervention. Results There was no significant difference in the mean scores of care burden, positive outcomes expectancies, negative outcomes expectancies, and self-efficacy between the two groups before the intervention. However, there were significant differences in the post-test and follow-up data analyses (P<0.05). Conclusion Given the degenerative nature of chronic kidney disease, it can be considered as a source of long-term and chronic stress for caregivers. Therefore, by implementing an empowerment program, caregiving behaviors can be improved, positive outcomes expectancies can be increased, and negative outcomes expectancies can be reduced. Keywords: Family-Centered Nursing; Illness Burdens; Family Caregivers; Hemodialysis Patien

Candiduria: Prevalence, Identification of Isolated Candida Species and Trends in Antifungal Susceptibility in Hospitalized Patients

Background: Urinary tract candidiasis is known as the most frequent nosocomial fungal infection worldwide. Some of the predisposing factors of candiduria are extensive use of broad-spectrum anti-fungal agents, diabetes mellitus, indwelling urinary catheter, corticosteroids and, immunosuppressive drugs. There are some antifungal agents available for the treatment of candiduria. In recent years, resistance to antifungal agents has been increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate different Candida species (sp.) that cause candiduria and their susceptibility pattern to antifungal agents in patients admitted to educational hospitals.Materials and Methods: Urine samples (n=200) were obtained; they were spread onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates. Plates were incubated at 37°C. Only specimens were considered as candiduria, which have a colony count of ≥104 CFU/mL colonies. Urine sediment was cultured in the CHROM agar Candida medium and incubated at 35°C for 48h. The cultures were evaluated based on color. PCR-RFLP was performed for a definite identification of Candida sp. In vitro antifungal susceptibility test of the Candida isolates against amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole was performed using the microdilution method, according to the standard CLSI guidelines, document M27-S3.Results: Molecular findings confirmed the result of the morphological method. Candiduria rate was 11.5% among our patients. According to CHROM agar Candida and PCR-RFLP, the most common species isolated was C. albicans (74%), followed by C. glabrata (26%). In vitro susceptibility tests of urinary Candida isolates to antifungals have been evaluated. All species were sensitive to amphotericin B. None of C. glabrata isolates were sensitive to fluconazole and itraconazole.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of Candida sp. in urine samples from hospitalized patients. It was concluded that Candida sp. obtained from candiduria in patients had excellent activity against Amphotericin B. Whereas, resistance against Itraconazole (21.7%) and especially Fluconazole (26%) was significant