ABSTRACT
Virtual reality (VR) is a useful tool to study consumer behavior while they are immersed in a realistic scenario. Among several other factors, personality traits have been shown to have a substantial influence on purchasing behavior. The primary objective of this study was to classify consumers based on the Big Five personality domains using their behavior while performing different tasks in a virtual shop. The personality recognition was ascertained using behavioral measures received from VR hardware, including eye-tracking, navigation, posture and interaction. Responses from 60 participants were collected while performing free and directed search tasks in a virtual hypermarket. A set of behavioral features was processed, and the personality domains were recognized using a statistical supervised machine learning classifier algorithm via a support vector machine. The results suggest that the open-mindedness personality type can be classified using eye gaze patterns, while extraversion is related to posture and interactions. However, a combination of signals must be exhibited to detect conscientiousness and negative emotionality. The combination of all measures and tasks provides better classification accuracy for all personality domains. The study indicates that a consumer's personality can be recognized using the behavioral sensors included in commercial VR devices during a purchase in a virtual retail store.
ABSTRACT
Background Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a well-established approach in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with type 2 respiratory failure. Average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode integrates the characteristics of both volume and pressure-controlled modes of NIV. In bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) mode, volume is the dependent variable, whereas in AVAPS mode, pressure is the dependent variable. In this study, we aimed to compare the role of AVAPS mode with BiPAP spontaneous/timed (S/T) mode for the management of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with type 2 respiratory failure. Methodology A hospital-based comparative and analytical study was carried out on 100 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with type 2 respiratory failure admitted to respiratory disease hospital, Sardar Patel Medical College, Bikaner (Rajasthan, India). Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients each. Group A patients were treated with AVAPS mode and group B patients with BiPAP (S/T) mode. Arterial blood gases, average duration of hospital stay, and need for invasive mechanical ventilation were compared between the two groups. Results There was a statistically significant difference in favor of group A in terms of improvement in pH and pCO2 as compared to group B at 6 h (pH, p=0.027; pCO2, p=0.012) and 24 h (pH, p=0.032; pCO2, p=0.013). The duration of hospital stay was found to be lower in group A (p=0.003). However, no significant difference was found in terms of need for invasive mechanical ventilation between both groups (p=0.338). Conclusion Application of AVAPS mode results in more rapid and steady improvement in patients of COPD as compared to BiPAP (S/T) mode. Thus, management through non-invasive ventilation AVAPS mode should be considered in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD with type 2 respiratory failure.
ABSTRACT
We describe an adolescent patient presenting with hemoptysis. Detailed clinical work up of the patient showed right ventricular thrombus and bilateral pulmonary artery aneurysms along with the prescribed criteria for the diagnosis of Behcet's disease. Younger age of the patient was another distinctive feature of this case. Six months of therapy with cyclophosphamide and prednisolone resulted in near complete clinicoradiological response.
