Speech-driven Animation with Meaningful Behaviors

Conversational agents (CAs) play an important role in human computer interaction. Creating believable movements for CAs is challenging, since the movements have to be meaningful and natural, reflecting the coupling between gestures and speech. Studies in the past have mainly relied on rule-based or data-driven approaches. Rule-based methods focus on creating meaningful behaviors conveying the underlying message, but the gestures cannot be easily synchronized with speech. Data-driven approaches, especially speech-driven models, can capture the relationship between speech and gestures. However, they create behaviors disregarding the meaning of the message. This study proposes to bridge the gap between these two approaches overcoming their limitations. The approach builds a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN), where a discrete variable is added to constrain the behaviors on the underlying constraint. The study implements and evaluates the approach with two constraints: discourse functions and prototypical behaviors. By constraining on the discourse functions (e.g., questions), the model learns the characteristic behaviors associated with a given discourse class learning the rules from the data. By constraining on prototypical behaviors (e.g., head nods), the approach can be embedded in a rule-based system as a behavior realizer creating trajectories that are timely synchronized with speech. The study proposes a DBN structure and a training approach that (1) models the cause-effect relationship between the constraint and the gestures, (2) initializes the state configuration models increasing the range of the generated behaviors, and (3) captures the differences in the behaviors across constraints by enforcing sparse transitions between shared and exclusive states per constraint. Objective and subjective evaluations demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach over an unconstrained model.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, 5 table

The Relationship between Problematic Mobile Use and Sleep Quality among Nursing Students: The Mediating Role of Perceived Stress

Background and Aims: Excessive and problematic use of mobile phones could have several negative effects on different aspects of students’ lives. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between excessive mobile use and sleep quality among nursing students by considering the mediating role of perceived stress.Material & Methods: The present study was descriptive with a correlational design. One hundred and thirty-eight nursing students (103 females, 35 males) were randomly chosen through random sampling. The data collection instruments included Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale (COS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Independent Samples t Test, and Hierarchical Regression Analysis were run in SPSS (version 22) to analyze the data.Result: The mean of students’ age, mobile use, sleep quality, and perceived stress were 20.81±1.89, 52.17±14.70, 11.8±2.69, and 22.60±6.45, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the aforementioned variables among male and female nursing students. The results of hierarchical regression analysis showed that mobile use in the first model can predict students’ sleep quality (β=.38). Upon entering the perceived stress to the equation, β of mobile use decreased, indicating the incomplete mediating role of perceived stress.Conclusion: Given the increasing use of mobile phones, it is highly important to examine their negative effects such as low sleep quality, high perceived stress, and their undesirable effects on students’ life. Hence, students’ awareness of negative effects of problematic mobile use could be raised via taking appropriate measures and making necessary interventions.

Micromechanics of Human Bone: Role of Architecture and Tissue Material Properties

Knowledge of the biomechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of human bone is fundamental to understanding the etiology of bone fractures as well as the mechanisms by which aging, disease, and treatment can alter the mechanical competence of bone. In this context, the focus of this dissertation was to enhance the current understanding of the biomechanical mechanisms of bone strength, and more specifically, to elucidate the role of architecture and tissue material properties in overall bone strength and whole-bone failure behavior.Using the latest advances in micro-computed tomography and high-resolution finite element modeling, we investigated the effect of typical population-variations in tissue-level ductility on human vertebral strength. We found that compared to the reference case, varying both cortical and trabecular tissue ultimate strains by ±1 SD from their mean values changed vertebral strength by at most ±8%, an effect that was relatively uniform across all the specimens. Overall strength changed similarly for similar (±1 SD) changes in trabecular versus cortical ductility. Further analysis revealed that only a tiny proportion of tissue failed (< 2%) when the whole bone reached its point of structure-level failure, and that the failure mode and location of this tiny amount were relatively insensitive to typical variations in tissue ductility. These findings suggest that it is the overall load transfer within the whole vertebral body —determined by bone volume fraction and microstructure— that dictates where failure occurs rather than typical variations in the ductility of the tissue. Together these findings suggest that typical variations in tissue ductility might have a relatively modest impact on vertebral strength compared to the multiple-fold variations in vertebral strength that are typically observed across any elderly population.Combining micro-computed tomography, high-resolution finite element modeling and biomechanical testing, we sought to provide further insight into the tissue modulus of trabecular bone and better elucidate its relation with bone volume fraction and trabecular microarchitecture. Our results indicated that effective tissue modulus of vertebral trabecular bone varied greatly among the specimens and was negatively correlated with bone volume fraction of each vertebra (R2 = 0.51, p < 0.05). These results suggest that there can be 3X variation in tissue modulus across the elderly human vertebrae, about 50% of which may be explained by variations in bone volume fraction. Together these findings suggest that as trabecular bone becomes older and thus more porous due to an imbalance between bone formation and resorption, the tissue may become stiffer to compensate for the bone loss.The work presented in this dissertation has also provided substantial insight into the structure–function relations for trabecular bone from different anatomic sites. We investigated the main structure–function relation —characterized by bone volume fraction versus on-axis yield stress— for human calcaneal trabecular bone and compared this relation to that for trabecular bone from other anatomic sites. We found that the relation between yield stress and bone volume fraction of the calcaneus was most similar to that of the proximal tibia. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that while there was no universal yield stress–bone volume fraction relation for trabecular bone across different anatomic sites for on-axis loading, the general (normalized) yield stress–bone volume fraction relation was similar for all sites. This similarity in the normalized relation suggests that a given percentage deviation from the mean bone mass has the same mechanical consequence at the calcaneus as it does at the other anatomic sites.In closure, this dissertation provides answers to some of the fundamental questions regarding the role of architecture and tissue material properties in explaining the variations in overall bone strength across individuals, and provides new insight into the etiology of age-related fractures. This work also outlines potential areas of future research to further advance our current understanding of overall bone strength and fracture etiology

Self esteem and organizational commitment among health information management staff in tertiary care hospitals in Tehran

BACKGROUND: Self esteem (SE) and organizational commitment (OC)? have significant impact on the quality of work life. AIM: This study aims to gain a better understanding of the relationships between SE and OC among health information management staff in tertiary care hospitals in Tehran (Iran). METHODS: This was a descriptive correlational and cross sectional study conducted on the health information management staff of tertiary care hospitals in Tehran, Iran. A total of 155 participants were randomly selected from 400 staff. Data were collected by two standard questionnaires. The SE and OC was measured using Eysenck SE scale and Meyer and Allen's three component model, respectively. The collected data were analyzed with the SPSS (version 16) using statistical tests of of independent T-test, Pearson Correlation coefficient, one way ANOVA and F tests. RESULTS: The OC and SE of the employees' were 67.8?, out of 120 (weak) and 21.0 out of 30 (moderate), respectively. The values for affective commitment, normative commitment, and continuance commitment were respectively 21.3 out of 40 (moderate), 23.9 out of 40 (moderate), and 22.7 out of 40 (moderate). The Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a significant OC and SE was statistically significant (P<0.05). The one way ANOVA test (P<0.05) did not show any significant difference between educational degree and work experience with SE and OC. CONCLUSION: This research showed that SE and OC ?are moderate. SE and OC have strong correlation with turnover, critical thinking, job satisfaction, and individual and organizational improvement. Therefore, applying appropriate human resource policies is crucial to reinforce these measures

The relationship between anxiety, depression and perceived social support and quality of life among hemodialysis patients

Background and aims: Patients suffer from chronic diseases such as hemodialysis patients may experience mental disturbances, social isolation, loneliness, helplessness, and hopelessness. It can lead to decrease quality of life and increase their need to continuing care especially receiving social support. The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and perceived social support, in one hand, and quality of life, in the other hand, among hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study was a descriptive research with a correlational design that was carried out in Sina hospital in Tehran. 84 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected via randomized sampling from. The respondents filled out Zimet et al.’s Perceived Social Support Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF). Data were analyzed using SPSS, descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential tests including Pearson Product Moment Correlation, One-Way ANOVA, and Independent Samples t-test. Results: The results indicated that the life quality of hemodialysis patients was low (46.90±12.56), and anxiety (10±3.22) and their depression (9.53±3.25) were high. Moreover, there was a statistically significant direct relationship between their perceived social support (r=-0.34, P<0.01) and their quality of life and a statistically significant indirect relationship between their anxiety (r=-0.51, P<0.01) and depression (r=-0.54, P<0.01) amount and their quality of life. Conclusion: The findings imply that the life quality of hemodialysis patients could be improved by increasing social support, enhancing the quality of care offered by nurses and the patients’ families, and also early screening of anxiety and depression among hemodialysis patients in order to develop necessary interventions

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on reduction of chronic tension headache

زمینه و هدف: سردرد تنشی شایع ترین نوع سردرد است که موجب افت شدید کارکرد روزانه افراد می شود. از آنجا که دارو درمانی به تنهایی در درمان بسیاری از این بیماران به اندازه کافی مفید نیست، لذا این مطالعه با هدف بررسی اثربخشی درمان شناختی رفتاری در کاهش سردرد بیماران مبتلا به سردرد تنشی مزمن در زنان انجام گرفت. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه کارآزمایی بالینی 38 زن مبتلا به سردرد تنشی مزمن مراجعه کننده به مطب‌های روانپزشکی و مغز و اعصاب شهرستان کاشان بصورت تصادفی در دو گروه دارودرمانی توام با درمان شناختی رفتاری (گروه مورد) و گروه دارودرمانی تنها (گروه شاهد) تقسیم شدند. آزمودنی‌ها قبل و بعد از مداخله، روزنگار سردرد را برای مدت یک هفته تکمیل نمودند و اطلاعات جمع‌آوری شده با استفاده از آزمون آماری تحلیل کواریانس مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: پس از مداخله به ترتیب در گروه مورد و شاهد میانگین شاخص های دفعات سردرد 43/2±16/6 و 28/2±5/7، شدت سردرد 41/0±52/1 و 45/0±79/1 و مدت سردرد 39/0±53/1 و 65/0±15/2 به دست آمد. نتایج تحلیل کواریانس با حذف اثر پیش آزمون نشان داد که بین دو گروه مورد و شاهد توام در شاخص‌های دفعات (01/0

Air-Assisted Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty with Posterior Chamber Fixation of an Aphakic Iris-Claw Lens

Endothelial keratoplasty (EK) is the most exciting recent development in corneal transplantation. It has experienced surprisingly rapid growth in a very short period of time. One of the indications for EK is pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. However, concomitant intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, if indicated, may prove challenging. Some surgeons routinely perform IOL exchange with a scleral-fixated posterior chamber IOL, together with Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK); however, this combined procedure is time-consuming, difficult and fraught with complications. Another option is aphakic Artisan IOL fixation, but this is usually not acceptable because of the increased risk of endothelial cell loss and difficulty in filling the anterior chamber with the air bubble. Herein, we introduce a new technique for IOL exchange with an aphakic Artisan IOL fixated posterior to the iris, combined with DSEK. This surgical technique was designed to preserve anterior segment anatomic features as much as possible

The effect of aqueous extract of Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. leaves on liver enzymes' activity, oxidative stress parameters and liver histopathology in male diabetic rat

Background: Avicennia marina has antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. This study was conducted to examine the effect of aqueous extract of A. marina on liver enzymes' activity, oxidative stress parameters and liver histopathology in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 male rats were allocated into the equal groups of control, diabetic control and experimental diabetic 1 and 2. The diabetes in diabetic control and experimental diabetic groups was induced using an intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg alloxan. The experimental diabetic groups received the aqueous extract of A. marina (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) in alternate days for one month. Sterile distilled water was injected to the animals of control and diabetic control groups. At the end of the treatment period, serum levels of ALT, AST, GGT and ALP were measured. Then, levels of SOD, GST, CAT and MDA were measured in the liver tissue. The liver sections were prepared and examined by an optical microscope. Results: Results showed that administration of the A. marina extract (100 and 300 mg/kg, ip) to the diabetic rats significantly decreased the serum levels of liver enzymes and tissue level of MDA. Also, the activity of the liver tissue's antioxidant enzymes was increased (P&lt;0.05). The A. marina extract dose-dependently decreased liver damages in diabetic rats. Conclusion: Administration of the A. marina extract improves liver tissue oxidative stress indices and decreases the serum level of liver enzymes. Also, A. marina extract improves liver tissue injuries induced by diabetes

Health Information Economy: Literature Review

INTRODUCTION: Health Information Economy (HIE) is one of the broader, more complex, and challenging and yet important topics in the field of health science that requires the identification of its dimensions for planning and policy making. The aim of this study was to determine HIE concept dimensions. METHODS: This paper presents a systematic methodology for analyzing the trends of HIE. For this purpose, the main keywords of this area were identified and searched in the databases and from among 4775 retrieved sources, 12 sources were studied in the field of HIE. RESULTS: Information Economy (IE) in the world has passed behind four paradigms that involve the information evaluation perspective, the information technology perspective, the asymmetric information perspective and information value perspective. In this research, the fourth perspective in the HIE was analyzed. The main findings of this research were categorized in three major groups, including the flow of information process in the field of health (production. collection, processing and dissemination), and information applications in the same field (education, research, health industry, policy, legislation, and decision-making) and the underlying fields. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, HIE has already developed a theoretical and conceptual gap that due to its importance in the next decade would be one of the research approaches to health science

The Role of Information Management in the Successful Implementation of Clinical Governance

The Role of Information Management in the Successful Implementation of Clinical Governance Mosadeghrad Ali Mohammad1, Sadoughi Farahnaz2, Ghorbani Moloud3 * 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Professor, Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Medical Informatics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. MSc, Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Medical Informatics, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. *Correspondence: Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Tel: 021-42933006 Email: [email protected] Abstract: Introduction: The ability of managers to use accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information is an important factor for organizational success. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of information management in the successful implementation of clinical governance in the hospitals of Khuzestan province, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 40 hospitals of Khuzestan province in 2014, using a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire included 35 questions about 7 dimensions of clinical governance. All clinical governance managers of the hospitals were asked to complete the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (such as correlation coefficient and logistic regression) by SPSS 19. Results: The mean success rate of clinical governance in the hospitals of Khuzestan was 65.6 percent. The mean score of information management of clinical governance was 62.4 percent. There was statistically significant relationship between information management and successful implementation of clinical governance (P=0.01). Appropriate use of health technology and information systems by the staff, staff training in data documentation, and using hospital information in decision-making process, planning, control, and evaluation had great effect on the successful implementation of clinical governance. Conclusion: Due to the important role of accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information and information management system in the successful implementation of clinical governance, hospital managers should provide necessary facilities for collection, analysis, and use of hospital information. Hospital staff should be trained in data documentation. Key¬words: Clinical Governance, Information Management, Hospital, Quality Management Citation: Mosadeghrad AM, Sadoughi F, Ghorbani M. The Role of Information Management in the Successful Implementation of Clinical Governance. Journal of Health Based Research 2016; 2(3): 207-221