Technology and Health Care - Volume 28, issue S1

Authors: Liu, Chengping | Wanyan, Xiaoru | Xiao, Xu | Zhao, Jingquan | Duan, Ya

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aircraft cockpit is a highly intensive human-computer interaction system, and its design directly affects flight safety. OBJECTIVE: To optimize the display interface design in complex flight tasks, the present study aimed to propose a dynamic conceptual framework and a timeline task analysis method for the quantization of the dynamic time effect of mental workload and the influencing factors of task types in the mental workload prediction model. METHODS: The multi-factor mental workload prediction model based on attention resource allocation was integrated to establish the dynamic prediction model of mental workload. The …ergonomics simulation experiment was carried out by recording the data on the performance of embedded subtasks, National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) subjective evaluation, and eye tracking. RESULTS: The results indicated that the prediction model had a good prediction accuracy and effectiveness under different simulated interfaces and complex tasks, and the real-time monitoring of pilots’ mental workload state was realized. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the prediction model and the experimental method could be applied to avoid the overload of the pilot throughout the flight phase by optimizing the display interface and adjusting the flight task. Show more

Keywords: Ergonomics, information theory, mental workload, prediction model, timeline analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209021

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 207-216, 2020

Authors: Shin, Young-Suk

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) is currently diagnosed by cuff-based devices, which are inconvenient and provide discontinuous measurements. Photoplethysmography (PPG)-based cuffless techniques have recently been used to accurately estimate both systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). However, it is difficult to use these SBP and DBP estimations to reflect the personalized traits in the peripheral vascular condition; thus, their accuracy is limited. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe a technique that can be distinguished simply among three BP categories (normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive) and reflect individual traits using PPG only. METHODS: …We measured BP over 120 s using the fingers of 105 subjects. The PPG waveforms varied in size and amplitude over time. Therefore, normalization for uniform features for individual traits was done after the extracted waveforms were divided into multiple windows. The feature is determined by the lowest amplitude in the waveform within each divided window. The features have been applied to distinguish three BP categories using the first-eigenvector (1-EV) and second-eigenvector (2-EV) in linear discriminant analysis. RESULTS: The best decision boundary for each BP category was estimated using 1-EV (- 0.02 to + 0.02) and 2-EV ( > + 0.02) in the hypertensive category, 1-EV (< 0) and 2-EV ( ⩽ + 0.02) in the prehypertensive category, and 1-EV ( ⩾ - 0.02) and 2-EV ( ⩽ + 0.02) in the normotensive category. The overlap range with 1-EV (- 0.02 to 0) and 2-EV ( ⩽ + 0.02) in particular accurately reflected individual traits. CONCLUSION: Discrimination among the three BP categories reflecting individual traits was successfully achieved using PPG. This method could improve limitations of cuff-based techniques. Show more

Keywords: Blood pressure, photoplethysmography, personalized trait, maximum low amplitudes, linear discriminant analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209022

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 217-227, 2020

Authors: Han, Kap-Soo | Kim, Gi-Wook | Kang, Seung-Rok | Ko, Myoung-Hwan | Seo, Jeong-Hwan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bracing is one of the oldest non-operative treatments for patients with scoliosis. However, a wide variety of braces is used, and some show no effect, while others show conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new orthotic device for the treatment of adult scoliosis. METHODS: Twenty adult patients who were diagnosed with scoliosis and qualified for the study were selected and all participants were treated for 12 hours/day for 12 weeks using a new orthotic device. Various efficacy assessments (Cobb’s angle, spine length, pelvic angle, shoulder angle, thoracic …angle, lumbar angle, pelvic sacral angle) were performed before and after the 12-week treatment. The values at each time point were compared. RESULTS: There were significant treatment effects in a time-dependent manner on every efficacy assessment (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks of bracing. CONCLUSION: In this clinical study, it was demonstrated that a new brace that is more comfortable for the wearer reduced scoliosis and may be a useful option for non-operative treatment of scoliosis. Show more

Keywords: Scoliosis, orthotic device, non-operative treatment, spine, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209023

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 229-236, 2020

Authors: Peng, Yangzhi | Su, Yue | Jiang, Yong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the molecular mechanism of warming and tonifying kidney-yang recipe (WTKYR) in the treatment of depression. METHODS: SD rats were divided into a control group, model group, WTKYR group, and fluoxetine group. Each group consisted of 21 rats. The chronic unpredictable mild stress model was used. Body weighing and SPT were performed regularly. After treatment, histopathology of the brain tissue was performed, and concentrations of 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine), NE (norepinephrine), and DA (dopamine) in the hippocampus were determined. RESULTS: The WTKYR group showed higher body weight and sucrose consumption than the control …groups. Moreover, the concentrations of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the hippocampus were significantly different in the WTKYR group in comparison to those in the other groups. The hippocampus histomorphology of the WTKYR group exhibited less dematous pyramidal cells and mild inflammatory cell infiltration. CONCLUSION: The treatment effect of WTKYR in depression may be based on improvement in the content of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the hippocampus, extenuating edema of the cortical surface and pyramidal cells and decreasing the infiltration of inflammatory cells into hippocampus tissue. Show more

Keywords: WTKYR, depression, kidney-yang, brain histopathology, monoamine neurotransmitters

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209024

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 237-244, 2020

Authors: Hu, Bing | Wang, Dingjiang | Shi, Qianqian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Absence epilepsy (AE) is a systemic disease of the brain, which mainly occurs during childhood and adolescence. The control mechanism is still unclear, and few theoretical studies have been conducted to investigate this. OBJECTIVE: In this paper, we employed external direct voltage stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus to explore mechanisms that inhibit absence seizures. METHODS: All simulation results are obtained by the four-order Runge-Kutta method in the MATLAB environment. The inhibition mechanism can be inferred from the results. RESULTS: We found that the seizures may be inhibited by tuning …the strength of the voltage to suitable ranges. This regulation may be achieved through the competition between the inhibitory projections from the basal ganglia to the thalamus. CONCLUSION: Because the mechanism underlying the treatment of epilepsy with a uniform direct current electric field is unclear, we hope that these results can inspire further experimental studies. Show more

Keywords: Absence seizure, subthalamic nucleus, voltage, control, network

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209025

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 245-251, 2020

Authors: Kim, Kyong | Kim, Tae-Won | Kim, Seong Hyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Analysis of the change pattern of a user’s physiological signals collected over a long time and user health information prediction technology based on personal history data can provide the user with accurate health information. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we analyzed the change pattern of health information that was altered by performing personal training (PT) at the beginning of the study and subsequently quitting exercise and only performing activities of daily living (ADL). METHODS: The subject performed PT for 75 days, and then consistently performed relatively simple ADL, such as standing, sitting, and …walking, for 325 days that followed. After 400 days, the health information was analyzed through the change patterns of various physiological signals. Personal exercise information and heart rate data were collected through a smart watch (Apple watch Nike+ , Apple Inc.) and the obesity parameters (i.e. information on the weight, body fat fate, and body muscle rate) were measured using a smart scale (PICOOC S1 Pro, EasySolar). RESULTS: We found that the weight and body fat rate linearly decreased and the body muscle rate increased for the first 75 days when hard training was performed whereas they repeatedly increased or decreased when only ADL were performed. As the daily exercise distance increased, weight and body fat rate tended to decrease while body muscle rate tended to increase. There was no significant change in the weight, body fat rate, and body muscle rate while daily activities were performed, but continuous exercise is expected to improve cardiac function by increasing the cardiac output of the heart. CONCLUSION: We expected that the simple physiological data measured with smart watches and smart scales can be used for the health management of the elderly living in rural areas in the future. Show more

Keywords: Health management, personal health pattern, long-term physiological signals, heart rate, daily activities

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209026

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 253-262, 2020

Authors: Shao, Zeguo | Xiang, Yuhong | Yan, Mina | Chen, Wei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the gradual aging of China’s population development, the number of disabled elderly has increased significantly. OBJECTIVE: In order to better solve the problem of life care for these elderly people, it is necessary to conduct in-depth and detailed research on the specific conditions of disabled elderly people, in order to differentiate different conditions for care and set appropriate insurance provisions. METHODS: Based on the detailed analysis of the basic behavioral ability of the elderly, and referring to the International Disability standards, this paper refines the three basic living ability indicators of …physiological behavior, cognitive behavior and interpersonal behavior, and integrates the cultural elements of assimilation, continuity, fusion and cohesion with Chinese characteristics. A more systematic and perfect five-level disability scale which conforms to the national conditions of China is designed. RESULTS: The disability of the elderly in Shanghai was investigated with the newly constructed scale, and a detailed analysis and five-level division were made. CONCLUSION: Experiments show that the results of this study can more effectively establish the disability level of the elderly in China. Show more

Keywords: Behavioral ability, disabled elderly, disability level

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209027

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 263-271, 2020

Authors: Chou, Ryan | Chi, Hung-Yi | Lin, Yi-Hung | Ying, Liu-Kuo | Chao, Yu-Ju | Lin, Cheng-Hsun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Metal artifact reduction (MAR) techniques can improve metal artifacts of computed tomography (CT) images. OBJECTIVE: This work focused on conducting a quantitative analysis to compare the effectiveness of four commercial MAR techniques on three types of metal implants (hip implant, spinal implant, and dental filling) with a self-made acrylic phantom. METHODS: A cylindrical phantom was made from acrylic with a groove in the middle, and then three types of metal implants were placed in the groove. The phantom was scanned by four CT scanners and four commercialized MAR techniques were used to …analyze the images. The techniques used were single-energy metal artifact reduction (SEMAR, Canon), smart metal artifact reduction software (Smart-MAR, GE), iterative metal artifact reduction (IMAR, Siemens), and metal artifact reduction for orthopedic implants (OMAR, Philips). Quantitative analysis methods included objective and subjective analysis. RESULTS: The expected value of SEMAR, Smart-MAR, IMAR, and OMAR were 36.6, 37.8, 5.0, and 2.3, respectively. SEMAR and Smart-MAR achieved optimal results. CONCLUSION: This study successfully evaluated the effects of four commercial MAR techniques on three types of metal implants in a phantom. All MAR techniques effectively reduced metal artifacts, but the effect was not significant with dental fillings due to high-density material. Show more

Keywords: Computed tomography, metal artifact reduction, quantitative analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209028

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 273-287, 2020

Authors: Wang, Feng | Zhang, Haisheng | Bao, Junlin | Li, Huaiqiang | Peng, Weihao | Xu, Jia | Yang, Jun | Zhuang, Wei | Ning, Xu | Xu, Lin | Qiao, Liang | Qin, Mingxin | Chen, Mingsheng

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke have similar symptoms at the onset of the disease, but their clinical treatment is completely different. The early, effective identification of stroke types can effectively improve the cure rate. OBJECTIVE: In this study, an early, noncontact identification of the stroke type, i.e., hemorrhagic or ischemic, based on a microwave measurement technique was investigated. METHODS: This study was based on animal models of cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia and the design of a microwave scattering parameter measurement system. RESULTS: The accuracy of the cerebral hemorrhage …model with a blood loss interval of 2 ml reached 93.75%. While the accuracy of the cerebral ischemia model with an ischemic interval of 42 minutes reached 91.7%. CONCLUSION: The experimental results show that the system for identifying cerebral stroke based on microwaves can distinguish between cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral ischemia models and effectively distinguish between different degrees of cerebral hemorrhage or different durations of cerebral ischemia. This experimental system is inexpensive, portable, noninvasive, simple, and rapid and thus has good potential as a method for identifying the stroke type prior to hospitalization. Show more

Keywords: Stroke type diagnosis, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia, microwave detection, noncontact diagnosis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209029

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 289-301, 2020

Authors: Zhang, Jianfeng | Lu, Zhiying | Li, Min

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The chaotic system with low dimensions has a low security compared to the high-dimensional chaotic system. Furthermore, major pixel-level permutations merely transform the pixel position and cannot change the intensity distribution of the original image. Bit-level permutation could change the intensity distribution, as it devotes more time to conduct bit-level computation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we present a more efficient image encryption approach based on hyper-chaos and a global bit cycle shift (HC-GBCS). METHODS: According to the input image we adopted the SHA-256 secure hash algorithm to obtain the initial key, which …served as the premier parameter of the chaotic system. Then we employed a 4D hyper-chaotic system for generating the chaotic series, on which we utilized global bit permutation to enhance the security of the encryption system. Finally, the diffusion process was conducted by using the generated chaotic series extended with a logistic map. RESULTS: Experimental results and analysis reveal that the presented approach encrypts plain images effectively and achieves high security and stability. CONCLUSION: The proposed method can deal with the problems inherently existing in encryption methods utilizing low-dimensional chaotic map. Furthermore, global bit permutation can transform the pixel distribution of plain images and enhance the cryptosystem security. Show more

Keywords: Hyper-chaos, global bit cycle shift, SHA-256, encryption

DOI: 10.3233/THC-209030

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 28, no. S1, pp. 303-309, 2020