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Article
Publication date: 16 April 2024

Jinwei Zhao, Shuolei Feng, Xiaodong Cao and Haopei Zheng

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.

Findings

This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.

Originality/value

The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2024

Kevser Tari Selcuk, Ramazan Mert Atan, Sedat Arslan, Nursel Dal and Kezban Sahin

This study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary polyamine levels, metabolic risk parameters and anthropometric measurements in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary polyamine levels, metabolic risk parameters and anthropometric measurements in postmenopausal women.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 562 45–64-year-old postmenopausal women who presented to a Family Health Center. To collect the data, the Descriptive Information Form and Food Frequency Questionnaire were used. In the data analysis, numbers, percentages, mean, standard deviation and multiple linear regression analysis were used.

Findings

The multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that dietary putrescine intake was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure (ß = −0.179, p < 0.001), dietary spermidine intake was positively associated with waist circumference (WC) (ß = 0.142, p = 0.013), systolic blood pressure (ß = 0.188, p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (ß = 0.218, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (ß = 0.169, p = 0.003) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (ß = 0.156, p = 0.006), and dietary spermine intake was negatively associated with WC (ß = −0.158, p = 0.003), systolic blood pressure (ß = −0.195, p < 0.001), BMI (ß = −0.107, p = 0.042) and WHtR (ß = −0.138, p = 0.009).

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the study’s cross-sectional nature, the lack of succession in the cause–effect relationship, the use of self-report Food Frequency Questionnaire to determine dietary polyamine intake and the inability to analyze seasonal differences are among the limitations of the study.

Originality/value

In this study, an association was determined between dietary polyamines, metabolic risk parameters and anthropometric measurements. The findings suggest that dietary polyamines in human health should be further investigated owing to the increasing metabolic risk parameters.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 54 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Mohammed Hashim Abukari, Collins Afriyie Appiah, Alexander Kwarteng and Sherifa Iddrisu

The health of people living in prisons (PLP) frequently remains marginalised in national development discourse, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Ghana. This…

Abstract

Purpose

The health of people living in prisons (PLP) frequently remains marginalised in national development discourse, particularly in resource-constrained settings like Ghana. This study aims to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among PLP at a prison facility in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study involving 134 male persons in prison, aged 18–79 years, was conducted to assess their dietary habits, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sleep behaviour and physical activity practices. Serum lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure (BP) and body mass indices of participants were also measured.

Findings

Almost half (48.1%) of the participants had abnormal lipid levels. Those with FBG in the diabetes range (= 7.0 mmol/l) constituted 3.9%, while 16.7% were in the impaired FBG range (6.1–6.9 mmol/l). Participants with BP within the pre-hypertension range were 54.5%. The majority of participants (92%) had a low daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Few participants were active smokers (5%) and alcohol users (2%). The average sleep duration at night among the participants was 5.54 ± 2.07 h. The majority (74%) of the participants were sedentary. About a quarter of the participants (24.6%) had overweight/obesity.

Originality/value

This study highlights the CVD risks among PLP. Findings suggest the need for targeted interventions, such as dietary and lifestyle modification strategies, regular physical activity and routine screening for diabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. These interventions within the prison space could significantly improve the cardiovascular health of PLP in resource-limited settings.

Details

International Journal of Prison Health, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2977-0254

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

Aleena Swetapadma, Tishya Manna and Maryam Samami

A novel method has been proposed to reduce the false alarm rate of arrhythmia patients regarding life-threatening conditions in the intensive care unit. In this purpose, the…

Abstract

Purpose

A novel method has been proposed to reduce the false alarm rate of arrhythmia patients regarding life-threatening conditions in the intensive care unit. In this purpose, the atrial blood pressure, photoplethysmogram (PLETH), electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiratory (RESP) signals are considered as input signals.

Design/methodology/approach

Three machine learning approaches feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN), ensemble learning method and k-nearest neighbors searching methods are used to detect the false alarm. The proposed method has been implemented using Arduino and MATLAB/SIMULINK for real-time ICU-arrhythmia patients' monitoring data.

Findings

The proposed method detects the false alarm with an accuracy of 99.4 per cent during asystole, 100 per cent during ventricular flutter, 98.5 per cent during ventricular tachycardia, 99.6 per cent during bradycardia and 100 per cent during tachycardia. The proposed framework is adaptive in many scenarios, easy to implement, computationally friendly and highly accurate and robust with overfitting issue.

Originality/value

As ECG signals consisting with PQRST wave, any deviation from the normal pattern may signify some alarming conditions. These deviations can be utilized as input to classifiers for the detection of false alarms; hence, there is no need for other feature extraction techniques. Feed-forward ANN with the Lavenberg–Marquardt algorithm has shown higher rate of convergence than other neural network algorithms which helps provide better accuracy with no overfitting.

Details

Data Technologies and Applications, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2024

Douglas Ramalho Queiroz Pacheco

This study aims to propose and numerically assess different ways of discretising a very weak formulation of the Poisson problem.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to propose and numerically assess different ways of discretising a very weak formulation of the Poisson problem.

Design/methodology/approach

We use integration by parts twice to shift smoothness requirements to the test functions, thereby allowing low-regularity data and solutions.

Findings

Various conforming discretisations are presented and tested, with numerical results indicating good accuracy and stability in different types of problems.

Originality/value

This is one of the first articles to propose and test concrete discretisations for very weak variational formulations in primal form. The numerical results, which include a problem based on real MRI data, indicate the potential of very weak finite element methods for tackling problems with low regularity.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 5 April 2024

Kajal Lahiri and Paul Noroski

The authors examine whether or not applicants and recipients of federal disability insurance (DI) inflate their self-assessed health (SAH) problems relative to others. To do this…

Abstract

The authors examine whether or not applicants and recipients of federal disability insurance (DI) inflate their self-assessed health (SAH) problems relative to others. To do this, the authors employ a technique which uses anchoring vignettes. This approach allows them to examine how various cohorts of the population interpret survey questions associated with subjective self-assessments of health. The results of the analysis suggest that DI participants do inflate the severity of a given health problem, but by a small but significant degree. This tendency to exaggerate the severity of disability problems is much more apparent among those with more education (especially those with a college degree). In contrast, racial minorities tend to underestimate severity ratings for a given disability vignette when compared to their white peers.

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2024

Nicholas Fancher, Bibek Saha, Kurtis Young, Austin Corpuz, Shirley Cheng, Angelique Fontaine, Teresa Schiff-Elfalan and Jill Omori

In the state of Hawaii, it has been shown that certain ethnic minority groups, such as Filipinos and Pacific Islanders, suffer disproportionally high rates of cardiovascular…

Abstract

Purpose

In the state of Hawaii, it has been shown that certain ethnic minority groups, such as Filipinos and Pacific Islanders, suffer disproportionally high rates of cardiovascular disease, evidence that local health-care systems and governing bodies fail to equally extend the human right to health to all. This study aims to examine whether these ethnic health disparities in cardiovascular disease persist even within an already globally disadvantaged group, the houseless population of Hawaii.

Design/methodology/approach

A retrospective chart review of records from Hawaii Houseless Outreach and Medical Education Project clinic sites from 2016 to 2020 was performed to gather patient demographics and reported histories of type II diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other cardiovascular disease diagnoses. Reported disease prevalence rates were compared between larger ethnic categories as well as ethnic subgroups.

Findings

Unexpectedly, the data revealed lower reported prevalence rates of most cardiometabolic diseases among the houseless compared to the general population. However, multiple ethnic health disparities were identified, including higher rates of diabetes and obesity among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders and higher rates of hypertension among Filipinos and Asians overall. The findings suggest that even within a generally disadvantaged houseless population, disparities in health outcomes persist between ethnic groups and that ethnocultural considerations are just as important in caring for this vulnerable population.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study focusing on ethnic health disparities in cardiovascular disease and the structural processes that contribute to them, among a houseless population in the ethnically diverse state of Hawaii.

Details

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4902

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 13 February 2024

Rebecca Martland, Lucia Valmaggia, Vigneshwar Paleri, Natalie Steer and Simon Riches

Clinical staff working in mental health services experience high levels of work-related stress, burnout and poor well-being. Increased levels of stress, burnout, depression and…

Abstract

Purpose

Clinical staff working in mental health services experience high levels of work-related stress, burnout and poor well-being. Increased levels of stress, burnout, depression and anxiety and poorer mental well-being among health-care workers are associated with more sick days, absenteeism, lower work satisfaction, increased staff turnover and reduced quality of patient care. Virtual reality (VR) relaxation is a technique whereby experiences of pleasant and calming environments are accessed through a head-mounted display to promote relaxation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a study that assesses the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a multi-session VR relaxation intervention amongst mental health professionals, to improve their relaxation levels and mental well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a pre–post-test design. Mental health staff will be recruited for five weeks of VR relaxation. The authors will measure the feasibility and acceptability of the VR relaxation intervention as primary outcomes, alongside secondary outcomes evaluating the benefits of VR relaxation for mental well-being.

Findings

The study aims to recruit 20–25 health-care professionals working in both inpatient and specialist community mental health settings.

Originality/value

Research indicates the potential of VR relaxation as a low-intensity intervention to promote relaxation and reduce stress in the workplace. If VR relaxation is shown to be feasible and acceptable, when delivered across multiple sessions, there would be scope for large-scale work to investigate its effectiveness as an approach to enable health-care professionals to de-stress, relax and optimise their mental well-being. In turn, this may consequently reduce turnover and improve stress-related sick leave across health-care services.

Details

Mental Health and Digital Technologies, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2976-8756

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2024

Dwi Cahyanillah, Vitria Melani, Mury Kuswari, Laras Sitoayu and Dudung Angkasa

This study aims to examine the relationship between muscle strength, eating index and blood pressure in adolescent girls. Growing studies show earlier onset of hypertension in…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between muscle strength, eating index and blood pressure in adolescent girls. Growing studies show earlier onset of hypertension in youth. The prevalence may deteriorate during the COVID-19 pandemic due to unhealthy behavioral changes. Muscle mass (MM) is reported to be associated with blood pressure (BP), but there are limited studies that observed the relationship between the functional properties of muscle (muscle strength [MS]), healthy eating index (HEI) and BP.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study involved 499 girls aged 15–18 years. HEI was generated from a 24-h food recall. MM and body fat (BF) were measured by bioelectrical impendence analysis (BIA), and MS and BP were measured by hand grip and Tensimeter, respectively. Multiple linear tests were performed to obtain an adjusted model.

Findings

Almost five out of 100 girls had high BP (4.8%) and a good diet (4%). The majority of them had desirable MM (75.9%) and low MS (50.1%). HEI negatively and MS are positively associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP). The inclusion of MM in the model diminished the association between MS and SBP completely. After adjustment for age and BF, only MM (ß = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.35, 0.95) was associated with SBP. HEI was inversely (ß = −0.16, 95% CI = −0.31, −0.09) whereas MM (ß = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.53) was positively associated with diastolic BP.

Research limitations/implications

Studies associating MM or MS with better physical performance and metabolic health are mostly reported in the elderly; current finding contributes to the lack of literature and implies the importance of examining those associations at a younger age.

Originality/value

HEI and MM are associated with young girls’ BP in different directions. Healthy eating and engagement in activities to optimize muscle function should be promoted in adolescent girls to alleviate the risk of getting cardiovascular disease.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 July 2023

Safia Akram, Maria Athar, Khalid Saeed, Mir Yasir Umair and Taseer Muhammad

The purpose of this study, thermal radiation and viscous dissipation impacts on double diffusive convection on peristaltic transport of Williamson nanofluid due to induced…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study, thermal radiation and viscous dissipation impacts on double diffusive convection on peristaltic transport of Williamson nanofluid due to induced magnetic field in a tapered channel is examined. The study of propulsion system is on the rise in aerospace research. In spacecraft technology, the propulsion system uses high-temperature heat transmission governed through thermal radiation process. This study will help in assessment of chyme movement in the gastrointestinal tract and also in regulating the intensity of magnetic field of the blood flow during surgery.

Design/methodology/approach

The brief mathematical modelling, along with induced magnetic field, of Williamson nanofluid is given. The governing equations are reduced to dimensionless form by using appropriate transformations. Numerical technique is manipulated to solve the highly nonlinear differential equations. The roll of different variables is graphically analyzed in terms of concentration, temperature, volume fraction of nanoparticles, axial-induced magnetic field, magnetic force function, stream functions, pressure rise and pressure gradient.

Findings

The key finding from the analysis above can be summed up as follows: the temperature profile decreases and concentration profile increases due to the rising impact of thermal radiation. Brownian motion parameter has a reducing influence on nanoparticle concentration due to massive transfer of nanoparticles from a hot zone to a cool region, which causes a decrease in concentration profile· The pressure rise enhances due to rising values of thermophoresis and thermal Grashof number in retrograde pumping, free pumping and copumping region.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, a study that integrates double-diffusion convection with thermal radiation, viscous dissipation and induced magnetic field on peristaltic flow of Williamson nanofluid with a channel that is asymmetric has not been carried out so far.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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