Evaluating the Emotional State of a User Using a Webcam

In online learning is more difficult for teachers identify to see how individual students behave. Student’s emotions like self-esteem, motivation, commitment, and others that are believed to be determinant in student’s performance can not be ignored, as they are known (affective states and also learning styles) to greatly influence student’s learning. The ability of the computer to evaluate the emotional state of the user is getting bigger attention. By evaluating the emotional state, there is an attempt to overcome the barrier between man and non-emotional machine. Recognition of a real time emotion in e-learning by using webcams is research area in the last decade. Improving learning through webcams and microphones offers relevant feedback based upon learner’s facial expressions and verbalizations. The majority of current software does not work in real time – scans face and progressively evaluates its features. The designed software works by the use neural networks in real time which enable to apply the software into various fields of our lives and thus actively influence its quality. Validation of face emotion recognition software was annotated by using various experts. These expert findings were contrasted with the software results. An overall accuracy of our software based on the requested emotions and the recognized emotions is 78%. Online evaluation of emotions is an appropriate technology for enhancing the quality and efficacy of e-learning by including the learner´s emotional states

Evaluating the Emotional State of a User Using a Webcam

In online learning is more difficult for teachers identify to see how individual students behave. Student’s emotions like self-esteem, motivation, commitment, and others that are believed to be determinant in student’s performance can not be ignored, as they are known (affective states and also learning styles) to greatly influence student’s learning. The ability of the computer to evaluate the emotional state of the user is getting bigger attention. By evaluating the emotional state, there is an attempt to overcome the barrier between man and non-emotional machine. Recognition of a real time emotion in e-learning by using webcams is research area in the last decade. Improving learning through webcams and microphones offers relevant feedback based upon learner’s facial expressions and verbalizations. The majority of current software does not work in real time – scans face and progressively evaluates its features. The designed software works by the use neural networks in real time which enable to apply the software into various fields of our lives and thus actively influence its quality. Validation of face emotion recognition software was annotated by using various experts. These expert findings were contrasted with the software results. An overall accuracy of our software based on the requested emotions and the recognized emotions is 78%. Online evaluation of emotions is an appropriate technology for enhancing the quality and efficacy of e-learning by including the learner´s emotional states

Lipoprotein Subfractions Associated with Endothelial Function in Previously Healthy Subjects with Newly Diagnosed Sleep Apnea—A Pilot Study

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) activates several pathophysiological mechanisms which can lead to the development of vascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. The association between ED and OSA has been described in several studies, even in previously healthy subjects. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) were generally considered to be atheroprotective, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to be an atherogenic component of lipoproteins. However, recent findings suggest a pro-atherogenic role of small HDL subfractions (8–10) and LDL subfractions (3–7). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between endothelial function and lipid subfractions in previously healthy OSA subjects. Material and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 205 subjects with sleep monitoring. Plasma levels of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and their subfractions were assessed. Endothelial function was determined using peripheral arterial tonometry, and reperfusion hyperemia index (RHI) was assessed. Results: Plasma levels of small and intermediate HDL subfractions have statistically significant pro-atherogenic correlations with endothelial function (p = 0.015 and p = 0.019). In other lipoprotein levels, no other significant correlation was found with RHI. In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, small HDL (beta = −0.507, p = 0.032) was the only significant contributor in the model predicting RHI. Conclusions: In our studied sample, a pro-atherogenic role of small HDL subfractions in previously healthy subjects with moderate-to-severe OSA was proven

Lipoprotein Subfractions Associated with Endothelial Function in Previously Healthy Subjects with Newly Diagnosed Sleep Apnea—A Pilot Study

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) activates several pathophysiological mechanisms which can lead to the development of vascular diseases. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. The association between ED and OSA has been described in several studies, even in previously healthy subjects. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) were generally considered to be atheroprotective, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to be an atherogenic component of lipoproteins. However, recent findings suggest a pro-atherogenic role of small HDL subfractions (8–10) and LDL subfractions (3–7). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between endothelial function and lipid subfractions in previously healthy OSA subjects. Material and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 205 subjects with sleep monitoring. Plasma levels of triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and their subfractions were assessed. Endothelial function was determined using peripheral arterial tonometry, and reperfusion hyperemia index (RHI) was assessed. Results: Plasma levels of small and intermediate HDL subfractions have statistically significant pro-atherogenic correlations with endothelial function (p = 0.015 and p = 0.019). In other lipoprotein levels, no other significant correlation was found with RHI. In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, small HDL (beta = −0.507, p = 0.032) was the only significant contributor in the model predicting RHI. Conclusions: In our studied sample, a pro-atherogenic role of small HDL subfractions in previously healthy subjects with moderate-to-severe OSA was proven

Aerobic-Strength Exercise Improves Metabolism and Clinical State in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Regular exercise ameliorates motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we aimed to provide evidence that exercise brings additional benefits to the whole-body metabolism and skeletal muscle molecular and functional characteristics, which might help to explain exercise-induced improvements in the clinical state. 3-months supervised endurance/strength training was performed in early/mid-stage PD patients and age/gender-matched individuals (n = 11/11). The effects of exercise on resting energy expenditure (REE), glucose metabolism, adiposity, and muscle energy metabolism (31P-MRS) were evaluated and compared to non-exercising PD patients. Two muscle biopsies were taken to determine intervention-induced changes in fiber type, mitochondrial content, and expression of genes related to muscle energy metabolism, as well as proliferative and regenerative capacity. Exercise improved the clinical disability score (MDS-UPDRS), bradykinesia, balance, walking speed, REE, and glucose metabolism and increased muscle expression of energy sensors (AMPK). However, the exercise-induced increase in muscle mass/strength, mitochondrial content, type II fiber size, and postexercise phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery (31P-MRS) were found only in controls. Nevertheless, MDS-UPDRS was associated with muscle AMPK and mechano-growth factor (MGF) expression. Improvements in fasting glycemia were positively associated with muscle function and the expression of Sirt1 and Cox7a1, and the parameters of fitness/strength were positively associated with the expression of MyHC2, MyHC7, and MGF. Moreover, reduced bradykinesia was associated with better muscle metabolism (maximal oxidative capacity and postexercise PCr recovery; 31P-MRS). Exercise training improved the clinical state in early/mid-stage Parkinson's disease patients, including motor functions and whole-body metabolism. Although the adaptive response to exercise in PD was different from that of controls, exercise-induced improvements in the PD clinical state were associated with specific adaptive changes in muscle functional, metabolic, and molecular characteristics.www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02253732

Aerobic-Strength Exercise Improves Metabolism and Clinical State in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Regular exercise ameliorates motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we aimed to provide evidence that exercise brings additional benefits to the whole-body metabolism and skeletal muscle molecular and functional characteristics, which might help to explain exercise-induced improvements in the clinical state. 3-months supervised endurance/strength training was performed in early/mid-stage PD patients and age/gender-matched individuals (n = 11/11). The effects of exercise on resting energy expenditure (REE), glucose metabolism, adiposity, and muscle energy metabolism (31P-MRS) were evaluated and compared to non-exercising PD patients. Two muscle biopsies were taken to determine intervention-induced changes in fiber type, mitochondrial content, and expression of genes related to muscle energy metabolism, as well as proliferative and regenerative capacity. Exercise improved the clinical disability score (MDS-UPDRS), bradykinesia, balance, walking speed, REE, and glucose metabolism and increased muscle expression of energy sensors (AMPK). However, the exercise-induced increase in muscle mass/strength, mitochondrial content, type II fiber size, and postexercise phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery (31P-MRS) were found only in controls. Nevertheless, MDS-UPDRS was associated with muscle AMPK and mechano-growth factor (MGF) expression. Improvements in fasting glycemia were positively associated with muscle function and the expression of Sirt1 and Cox7a1, and the parameters of fitness/strength were positively associated with the expression of MyHC2, MyHC7, and MGF. Moreover, reduced bradykinesia was associated with better muscle metabolism (maximal oxidative capacity and postexercise PCr recovery; 31P-MRS). Exercise training improved the clinical state in early/mid-stage Parkinson’s disease patients, including motor functions and whole-body metabolism. Although the adaptive response to exercise in PD was different from that of controls, exercise-induced improvements in the PD clinical state were associated with specific adaptive changes in muscle functional, metabolic, and molecular characteristics.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02253732