ABSTRACT
In the present scenario like COVID-19 pandemic, to maintain physical distance, the gait-based biometric is a must. Human gait identification is a very difficult process, but it is a suitable distance biometric that also gives good results at low resolution conditions even with face features that are not clear. This study describes the construction of a smart carpet that measures ground response force (GRF) and spatio-temporal gait parameters (STGP) using a polymer optical fiber sensor (POFS). The suggested carpet contains two light detection units for acquiring signals. Each unit obtains response from 10 nearby sensors. There are 20 intensity deviation sensors on a fiber. Light-emitting diodes (LED) are triggered successively, using the multiplexing approach that is being employed. Multiplexing is dependent on coupling among the LED and POFS sections. Results of walking experiments performed on the smart carpet suggested that certain parameters, including step length, stride length, cadence, and stance time, might be used to estimate the GRF and STGP. The results enable the detection of gait, including the swing phase, stance, stance length, and double supporting periods. The suggested carpet is dependable, reasonably priced equipment for gait acquisition in a variety of applications. Using the sensor data, gait recognition is performed using genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. GA- and PSO-based gait template analyses are performed to extract the features with respect to the gait signals obtained from polymer optical gait sensors (POGS). The techniques used for classification of the obtained signals are random forest (RF) and support vector machine (SVM). The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity results are obtained using SVM classifier and RF classifier. The results obtained using both classifiers are compared. © 2023 Mamidipaka Hema et al.
ABSTRACT
Background: Waning levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) antibodies, particularly neutralizing, are associated with the risk of breakthrough infections. The impact of immunosuppression on antibody decay kinetics is unclear. We have previously reported a strong correlation between total anti-S antibodies and neutralization titers. Here, we report the decay kinetics in anti-S IgG antibodies across various immunosuppressive medications used in patients with CID. Methods: We recruited a volunteer sample of adults with confirmed CID eligible for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a prospective observational cohort study at two United States CID referral centers. All study participants received two doses of mRNA vaccine to SARSCoV- 2. To assess the durability of immunogenicity, anti-S IgG were measured at 7 (visit 3), 90 (visit 5), and 120 (visit 6) days after the 2nd dose of mRNA vaccine. The impact of various medications was assessed in repeated measures mixed model with the patient as a random effect, adjusting for gender and age, and using the group of patients on sulfasalazine, NSAIDs, or on no medications as a reference, using STATA. The half-life of anti-S IgG for a 50 percent reduction in titers at visit 3 was calculated for each medication class. Results: A total of 316 CID patients were recruited of which 148 (46.8%) had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Durability was assessed in 495 samples obtained in 293 patients. The arithmetic mean of anti-S IgG antibodies for each medication class at visits 3, 5, and 6 is shown in Figure 1. Overall, a 2-fold reduction in titers was observed from 7 to 90 days and 90 to 120 days (Table 1). The strongest decline was observed among patients on B cell depleting/ modulating therapies followed by those on combinations of biologics and/or small molecules and antimetabolites (methotrexate, leflunomide, thiopurines, mycophenolate mofetil, and teriflunomide). There was modest decline seen with TNFi (half-life 430.5 days, -2.15, 95% CI - 4.31 to - 1.07, p = 0.03). There was also a modest, but not significant, decline seen with Janus Kinase inhibitor (JAKi). No decline was seen with anti-IL-23 or anti-integrin medication classes. Conclusions: Antibody decay in patients with CID is not observed in patients on anti-integrins or anti-IL-23 while it is seen among patients on TNFi, JAKi, antimetabolites, and combinations of biologics and/or small molecules. Our data and those from other cohorts may be used to prioritize medication classes for boosting immunogenicity with additional doses of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Collection of antibody titers after booster doses is currently ongoing.(Table Presented) (Figure Presented) Figure 1: Durability of anti-spike IgG antibodies after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients with Chronic Inflammatory Disease
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the general healthcare system and higher education worldwide. Adapting to the culture of "new normal," an emerging response to COVID-19, is crucial for public health recovery and learning. This study investigated students' readiness and intention for adapting to the ''new normal'' COVID-19 prevention campaign during campus re-entry in Debre Berhan university in Ethiopia after the country eases lockdown restrictions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 20th to 30th January 2021, among graduate students in Debre Berhan university, Ethiopia. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 423 participants. A structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data and bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to interpret the strength of association and the statistical significance level was declared at a p-value of <= 0.05. Result: In this study 423 participants were involved. The level of readiness and intention of adapting to the ''new normal'' prevention campaign were 49.4 and 54.8% respectively. Being a health science student (AOR = 1.82;95% CI: 1.18, 2.81), being married (AOR = 2.10;95% CI: 1.1, 4.05), having a smartphone (AOR = 1.84;95% CI: 1.09, 3.12), and being knowledgeable towards COVID-19 (AOR = 1.56;95% CI: 1.04, 2.34) were found to be significant factors associated with intention towards adapting to the ''new normal'' prevention practice. Also, the main reason why participants had no intention to carry out the ''new normal'' prevention campaign were a shortage of quality required preventive supplies (60%) and those who perceived themselves personally not at risk of COVID-19 (31.3%). Conclusion: In this study, although information on the COVID-19 outbreak is continually evolving, readiness and intention for adapting to the ''new normal'' COVID-19 prevention campaign were insufficient. It is critical to improve readiness and intention through increasing knowledge and emphasizing the importance of new technologies and handy protective supplies that may encourage the sustainable practice of new norms post-pandemic.