Drowsiness Detection During Different Times of Day Using Multiple Features.

Drowsiness detection during different times of day using multiple features.

Australas Phys Eng Sci Med. 2013 May 30;
Sahayadhas A, Sundaraj K, Murugappan M

Driver drowsiness has been one of the major causes of road accidents that lead to severe trauma, such as physical injury, death, and economic loss, which highlights the need to develop a system that can alert drivers of their drowsy state prior to accidents. Researchers have therefore attempted to develop systems that can determine driver drowsiness using the following four measures: (1) subjective ratings from drivers, (2) vehicle-based measures, (3) behavioral measures and (4) physiological measures. In this study, we analyzed the various factors that contribute towards drowsiness. A total of 15 male subjects were asked to drive for 2 h at three different times of the day (00:00-02:00, 03:00-05:00 and 15:00-17:00 h) when the circadian rhythm is low. The less intrusive physiological signal measurements, ECG and EMG, are analyzed during this driving task. Statistically significant differences in the features of ECG and sEMG signals were observed between the alert and drowsy states of the drivers during different times of day. In the future, these physiological measures can be fused with vision-based measures for the development of an efficient drowsiness detection system. HubMed – rehab

Survival of the 8.5 mm osseointegrated abutment, and its utility in the obese patient.

J Laryngol Otol. 2013 May 30; 1-7
Darley MD, Mikulec AA

Background: Most of the literature regarding osseointegrated implantation for hearing rehabilitation focuses on the 5.5 mm abutment. This study aimed to add to the data available on the survival of the 8.5 mm abutment, and to describe its utility in obese patients. Objective: To review the outcomes of patients who received a bone-anchored hearing aid implant, and create a model comparing the mechanical forces acting upon combinations of fixture and abutment lengths. Methods: Retrospective chart review and mathematical modelling. Results: In this retrospective cohort study comprising 25 patients, less abutment overgrowth was observed in the 8.5 mm abutment recipients versus recipients of the 5.5 mm abutment. When the principle of equilibrium of a rigid body was applied, the 8.5 mm abutment was at a calculated mechanical disadvantage compared with the 5.5 mm abutment. Conclusion: The 8.5 mm abutment may be useful in patients with copious subcutaneous soft tissue as in the obese population. The 8.5 mm abutment has a calculated mechanical disadvantage, potentially putting the implant under greater mechanical stress; however, the clinical relevance of this is unclear. HubMed – rehab

Effects of Short-Term Interventions to Reduce Mental Health-Related Stigma in University or College Students: A Systematic Review.

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2013 Jun; 201(6): 490-503
Yamaguchi S, Wu SI, Biswas M, Yate M, Aoki Y, Barley EA, Thornicroft G

Although there are many interventions to reduce mental health-related stigma in university or college students, their overall effect is unknown. This article systematically reviews intervention studies and aims to identify the effective approaches. We searched 11 bibliographic databases, Google, Web sites of relevant associations, and reference lists and contacted specialists. A total of 35 studies (N = 4257) of a wide range of interventions met the inclusion criteria. Social contact or video-based social contact interventions seemed to be the most effective in improving attitudes and reducing desire for social distance. Evidence from one study suggests that a lecture that provided treatment information may enhance students’ attitudes toward the use of services. However, methodological weaknesses in many studies were also found. There was a lack of evidence for interventions in medical students, for long-term effects of interventions, or for having a positive impact on actual behaviors. Further research having more rigorous methods is needed to confirm this. HubMed – rehab

Short- and Long-term Impact of an Inpatient Quality Improvement Initiative: RESULTS OF THE CABG-GAP PRACTICE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2013 May 27;
Thomas RJ, Goel K, Jumean M, Mullany C, Lahr B, Gibbons R

PURPOSE:: A significant percentage of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery leave the hospital without appropriate preventive medications. Little is known about this prevention gap and its solutions. We studied the short- and long-term impacts of a quality improvement (QI) project aimed at reducing this prevention gap. METHODS:: A sequential 3-phase QI project was performed in patients undergoing CABG surgery in Olmsted County, MN, from April 2001 to March 2002. In phase 1 (n = 213), cardiovascular surgery team members were given a pocket reminder card with preventive medication guidelines. In phase 2 (n = 182), monthly team feedback reports were added. In phase 3 (n = 199), a “refrigerator magnet” patient reminder card listing prescribed medications was added. A baseline comparison group (n = 305) was selected randomly from patients undergoing CABG surgery in 2000. Patient receipt of preventive medications and all-cause mortality were compared. RESULTS:: Prescription of lipid-lowering medications (LLM) increased with each incremental QI tool as compared with baseline (P < .001). Nonsignificant trends were noted for aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and ?-blockers. At 1 year, the use of LLM was similarly high in all groups and was associated with cardiac rehabilitation use. Short- and long-term mortality rates did not differ between study groups. CONCLUSIONS:: Our inpatient QI tools resulted in early, high LLM use, but the treatment advantage of the interventions was erased by 1 year and no survival benefit was noted. Our study illustrates the importance of tracking long-term outcomes in QI projects and suggests that outpatient cardiac rehabilitation is associated with long-term use of LLM. HubMed – rehab