The scoring of sleep stages is one of the essential tasks in sleep analysis. Since a manual procedure requires considerable human and financial resources, and incorporates some subjectivity, an automated approach could result in several advantages. There have been many developments in this area, and in order to provide a comprehensive overview, it is essential to review relevant recent works and summarise the characteristics of the approaches, which is the main aim of this article. To achieve it, we examined articles published between 2018 and 2022 that dealt with the automated scoring of sleep stages. In the final selection for in-depth analysis, 125 articles were included after reviewing a total of 515 publications. The results revealed that automatic scoring demonstrates good quality (with Cohen's kappa up to over 0.80 and accuracy up to over 90%) in analysing EEG/EEG + EOG + EMG signals. At the same time, it should be noted that there has been no breakthrough in the quality of results using these signals in recent years. Systems involving other signals that could potentially be acquired more conveniently for the user (e.g. respiratory, cardiac or movement signals) remain more challenging in the implementation with a high level of reliability but have considerable innovation capability. In general, automatic sleep stage scoring has excellent potential to assist medical professionals while providing an objective assessment.

Background: Covert brain infarction (CBI) is highly prevalent and linked with stroke risk factors, increased mortality, and morbidity. Evidence to guide management is sparse. We sought to gain information on current practice and attitudes toward CBI and to compare differences in management according to CBI phenotype. Methods: We conducted a web-based, structured, international survey from November 2021 to February 2022 among neurologists and neuroradiologists. The survey captured respondents’ baseline characteristics, general approach toward CBI and included two case scenarios designed to evaluate management decisions taken upon incidental detection of an embolic-phenotype and a small-vessel-disease phenotype. Results: Of 627 respondents (38% vascular neurologists, 24% general neurologists, and 26% neuroradiologists), 362 (58%) had a partial, and 305 (49%) a complete response. Most respondents were university hospital senior faculty members experienced in stroke, mostly from Europe and Asia. Only 66 (18%) of respondents had established institutional written protocols to manage CBI. The majority indicated that they were uncertain regarding useful investigations and further management of CBI patients (median 67 on a slider 0–100, 95% CI 35–81). Almost all respondents (97%) indicated that they would assess vascular risk factors. Although most would investigate and treat similarly to ischemic stroke for both phenotypes, including initiating antithrombotic treatment, there was considerable diagnostic and therapeutic heterogeneity. Less than half of respondents (42%) would assess cognitive function or depression. Conclusions: There is a high degree of uncertainty and heterogeneity regarding management of two common types of CBI, even among experienced stroke physicians. Respondents were more proactive regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic management than the minimum recommended by current expert opinions. More data are required to guide management of CBI; meantime, more consistent approaches to identification and consistent application of current knowledge, that also consider cognition and mood, would be promising first steps to improve consistency of care.

Purpose This study aims to explore the short-run and long-run relationships and causality between economic growth and financialization in the new member states (NMS-11) and to provide some policy implications drawn from the empirical findings. Design/methodology/approach The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds test approach to cointegration with the vector error correction model and the cumulative sum of squares (CUSUMQ) test for stability of functions is used between 1995q1 and 2021q4 to examine the existence of cointegration, relationships and causality between economic growth and financialization. Findings The findings of the ARDL bounds test demonstrate that the variables included in the models are bound together in the long run, as confirmed by the associated equilibrium correction. The estimated models indicate that the association between selected variables and economic growth is stronger and more statistically significant in the short run compared with the long run. Also, for NMS-11 understudied countries, short-run causality prevails over long-run causality. The changes in the level of financialization have a significant negative effect on the growth rates in the short run, which aligns with findings from previous empirical studies. Originality/value This study extends the existing very limited literature about short-run and long-run relationships and causality among economic growth and financialization, including inflation and unemployment variables, to determine their link in the NMS-11. Specifically, the present study reveals that the current level of financialization hampers economic growth and promoting such economic policies further can have adverse effects on the overall economic growth.

Conventional co-design methods, such as storyboarding and focus groups, are not always appropriate for people living with dementia (PLwD). In pilot robot co-design workshops in a local memory care facility, we noticed PLwD struggled to understand, express themselves, fully participate, and benefit from the experience. After reflecting on challenges with the facility’s director of program development and education, we redesigned the workshops prioritizing elements of the Eden Alternative’s well-being for PLwD: identity, connectedness, security, and autonomy. We delivered these new workshops over five weeks with 12 PLwD participants. Analysis of resulting video recordings and transcripts shows the new activities allowed participants to see themselves as having knowledge relevant to social robot design; to relate to each other, the robot, and the researchers; to feel comfortable; and to actively contribute to and offer valuable insights for robot design. Participants reported feeling meaning, growth, and joy during the workshops.

Telepresence robots are meant to provide physical access to digital remote spaces. However, they have a range of limitation that make spaces less accessible for remote participants. In this study we reveal, catalogue, and examine telepresence limitations in the context of the classroom. Based on ongoing field study results from participatory observations, surveys and interviews with 22 participants we discuss the extent to which telepresence robots make the classroom accessible and whether the telepresence robots are "disabled."

Abstract The presence of thermocapillary (Marangoni) convection in microgravity may help to enhance the heat transfer rate of phase change materials (PCMs) in space applications. We present a three-dimensional numerical investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of a melting PCM placed in a cylindrical container filled with n-octadecane and surrounded by passive air. The heat exchange between the PCM and ambient air is characterized in terms of the Biot number, when the air temperature has a linear profile. The effect of thermocapillary convection on heat transfer and the topology of the melting front is studied by varying the applied temperature difference between the circular supports and the heat transfer through the interface. The evolution of Marangoni convection during the PCM melting leads to the appearance of hydrothermal instabilities. A new mathematical approach for the nonlinear analysis of emerging hydrothermal waves (HTWs) is suggested. Being applied for the first time to the examination of PCMs, this procedure allows us to explore the nature of the coupling between HTWs and heat gain/loss through the interface, and how it changes over time. We observe a variety of dynamics, including standing and travelling waves, and determine their dominant and secondary azimuthal wavenumbers. Coexistence of multiple travelling waves with different wavenumbers, rotating in the same or opposite directions, is among the most fascinating observations.

Objective: Walking is a key component of daily-life mobility. We examined associations between laboratory-measured gait quality and daily-life mobility through Actigraphy and Global Positioning System (GPS). We also assessed the relationship between two modalities of daily-life mobility i.e., Actigraphy and GPS. Methods: In community-dwelling older adults (N = 121, age = 77±5 years, 70% female, 90% white), we obtained gait quality from a 4-m instrumented walkway (gait speed, walk-ratio, variability) and accelerometry during 6-Minute Walk (adaptability, similarity, smoothness, power, and regularity). Physical activity measures of step-count and intensity were captured from an Actigraph. Time out-of-home, vehicular time, activity-space, and circularity were quantified using GPS. Partial Spearman correlations between laboratory gait quality and daily-life mobility were calculated. Linear regression was used to model step-count as a function of gait quality. ANCOVA and Tukey analysis compared GPS measures across activity groups [high, medium, low] based on step-count. Age, BMI, and sex were used as covariates. Results: Greater gait speed, adaptability, smoothness, power, and lower regularity were associated with higher step-counts (0.20<|ρp| < 0.26, p < .05). Age(β = −0.37), BMI(β = −0.30), speed(β = 0.14), adaptability(β = 0.20), and power(β = 0.18), explained 41.2% variance in step-count. Gait characteristics were not related to GPS measures. Participants with high (>4800 steps) compared to low activity (steps<3100) spent more time out-of-home (23 vs 15%), more vehicular travel (66 vs 38 minutes), and larger activity-space (5.18 vs 1.88 km2), all p < .05. Conclusions: Gait quality beyond speed contributes to physical activity. Physical activity and GPS-derived measures capture distinct aspects of daily-life mobility. Wearable-derived measures should be considered in gait and mobility-related interventions.

Little is known about vaginal and uterine bacteria in clinically healthy cats and their correlation with different stages of the oestrus cycle. The differences in vaginal bacterial flora between household and stray queens remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of vaginal and uterine bacteria in clinically healthy household and stray queens and to correlate culture findings with specific stages of the oestrous cycle. Vaginal and uterine samples from 40 clinically healthy queens were collected for isolation of bacteria and cytological examination. Bacteria were isolated from 31 vaginal swabs (77.5%) from stray (16/20; 80%) and household (15/20; 75%) cats. The isolates were more frequently detected in pure culture (18/31; 58%) than in mixed cultures (13/31; 41.9%). Streptococcus spp. was the most commonly identified bacteria (n = 16; 51.6%), followed by coagulase negative Staphylococcus spp. (n = 15; 48.4%) and E. coli (n = 12; 38.7%). A mixed bacterial culture of E. coli and Streptococcus spp. was commonly detected (50%), mainly in households (66.7%), whereas a mixed culture of Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. (41.6%) was commonly isolated from stray cats (60%).  The frequency of isolation of pure or mixed bacterial cultures and the isolates did not vary significantly during the different stages of the oestrus cycle. All uterine samples tested were negative for bacteria. This study identified the most common bacteria in the vagina of clinically healthy cats. The isolation of vaginal bacteria in pure or mixed cultures should be considered as normal finding. The stage of the oestrous cycle apparently does not affect vaginal bacterial flora. Vaginal bacteria may differ between stray and households cats. No bacteria can be isolated from the uterus of clinically healthy cats.

The goal of this study is to raise awareness about the various risks associated with gambling. It will focus on the effects of gambling addiction on gambling intention and its implications for financial wellbeing. It is known from previous research that gambling influences the family’s functioning, as well as the work-related aspects of the individual’s life. The negative effects gambling has on the workplace are more severe, such as decreased work efficiency and theft. We were curious about these effects in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country with many customers of gambling services. The rise of Internet and social media platforms has led to an increase in the number of people gambling. Our findings indicated that gambling addiction has statistically significant positive effects on gambling intention which consequentially has statistically significant, but negative effects on financial wellbeing of individuals. Considering this empirical evidence, we can recommend to related governmental and non-governmental institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina to put this issue on their agenda and raise the awareness of society on negative effects of gambling addiction and gambling intention. On the other hand, we recommend future researchers to focus more on this important research problem and in that way provide foundations for solving the related social problem.

Skeniranje slika i pretvaranje skeniranih informacija u digitalni format je aktivna oblast istraži­vanja. Skeniranje je automatizovan, brz i efikasan proces u poređenju sa tradicionalnim unosom podataka. Prepoz­navanje cifara sa slika je izazovan zadatak. Tradicionalni pristupi za rešavanje ovog problema obično razdvajaju korake lokalizacije, segmentacije i prepoznavanja. Ovaj rad predstavlja jedinstven pristup koji integriše ova tri koraka korišćenjem duboke konvolucione neuronske mreže koja radi direktno na pikselima slike.

The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to analyze the effects of medium-term supplementation with hydrogen-rich water on brain metabolism, appetite-regulating hormones, body composition, and safety biomarkers in overweight adults. Twenty (n = 20, 10 females) apparently healthy adults with a body mass index >24.9 kg/m2 were assigned to receive 0.5 L per day of hydrogen-rich water (7.5 mg of hydrogen) or hydrogen-free water (tap water) for 12 weeks. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures revealed a significant difference between the two interventions in several body composition indices (P ≤ 0.05), with hydrogen-rich water superior to placebo to reduce waist circumference and mid-upper arm circumference by 1.31 cm (95% confidence interval, from –0.23 to 2.85) and 0.65 cm (95% confidence interval, from –0.10 to 1.40), respectively. Hydrogen-rich water outcompeted placebo to raise serum ghrelin levels, as the mean difference from the placebo group was 17.28 pmol/L (95% confidence interval, from 1.81 to 32.75) (P = 0.02). A non-significant strong positive trend (P = 0.10) was reported toward hydrogen-rich water being superior to placebo in augmenting total serum short-chain fatty acid levels, with a mean difference from the control group of 195.6 μmol/L (95% confidence interval, from –64.55 to 275.85). The mean fecal calprotectin levels were significantly reduced after hydrogen-rich water intervention for 19.7 μg/mg (95% confidence interval, from 0.31 to 39.09) (P = 0.03). Our findings advance hydrogen-rich water as a promising metabolic intervention in overweight adults, but further validation via multicentric longitudinal randomized controlled trials in metabolic and nutritional disorders is required.