A time series based sequence prediction algorithm to detect activities of daily living in smart home.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of smart homes is to create an intelligent environment adapting the inhabitants need and assisting the person who needs special care and safety in their daily life. This can be reached by collecting the ADL (activities of daily living) data and further analysis within existing computing elements. In this research, a very recent algorithm named sequence prediction via enhanced episode discovery (SPEED) is modified and in order to improve accuracy time component is included. METHODS: The modified SPEED or M-SPEED is a sequence prediction algorithm, which modified the previous SPEED algorithm by using time duration of appliance's ON-OFF states to decide the next state. M-SPEED discovered periodic episodes of inhabitant behavior, trained it with learned episodes, and made decisions based on the obtained knowledge. RESULTS: The results showed that M-SPEED achieves 96.8% prediction accuracy, which is better than other time prediction algorithms like PUBS, ALZ with temporal rules and the previous SPEED. CONCLUSIONS: Since human behavior shows natural temporal patterns, duration times can be used to predict future events more accurately. This inhabitant activity prediction system will certainly improve the smart homes by ensuring safety and better care for elderly and handicapped people.

Validity and reliability of the Arabic short version of the child oral health-related quality of life questionnaire (CPQ 11-14) in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The Arabic version of the Child Perception Questionnaire for assessing oral health-related quality of life in 11-14 year olds (CPQ 11-14) has been validated previously. This study tested the validity and reliability of a short version of the Arabic CPQ 11-14 in the general population of Medina, Saudi Arabia. A total of 268 schoolchildren completed the questionnaire and were examined to determine the prevalence of caries and malocclusion. The mean total score was 8.53 (SD 8.18), and 7% of children scored zero. There was a significant association between malocclusion and oral symptoms and between DMFT score and functional limitations. The test-retest reliability (0.78) and Cronbach alpha (0.82) were excellent. The construct validity was acceptable for oral health (ρ = 0.37) and overall well-being (ρ = 0.40). The Arabic version of the short form CPQ 11-14 was reliable and valid for this general population of children.

Validity and reliability of the Arabic short version of the child oral health-related quality of life questionnaire [CPQ 11–14]in Medina, Saudi Arabia

لقد تم التحقق من قَبْلُ من صحة الإخراجة العربية لاستبيان إدراك الطفل من أجل تقييم جودة الحياة ذات الصلة بصحة أما هذه الدراسة فتستقصي صحة وموثوقية الإخراجة العربية المخترة لهذا الاستبيان .)CPQ 14-14 عاماً )11-الفم لدى الأطفال بعمر 11 لدى أطفال عامة الناس في المدينة المنورة في المملكة العربية السعودية. وقد شملت الدراسة 268 من أطفال المدارس الذين استكملوا الاستبيان ثم أعيد فحصهم ثانية للتعرف عى معدلات انتشار النخر وسوء الإطباق. وتبنّ أن الحرز الوسطي الإجمالي 8.53 )بانحراف معياري 8.18(، وأن 7 % من الأطفال لديهم الحرز "صفر". وقد اتضح وجود ترابط يُعتد به إحصائياً بن سوء الإطباق والأعراض الفموية، وبن حرز نخر وخلع وحشو الأسنان وجوانب النقص في الوظائف. وكانت نتائج قياس موثوقية الاختبار وإعادة الاختبار وكذلك المعافاة عى (0.37 = ρ) كرونباخ ألفا )0.82( نتائج ممتازة. وكانت صحة البنية مقبولة في صحة الفميومعادل الاتساق الداخ 14 هي -. وتبنَّ للباحثَنْ أن الإخراجة العربية المخترة من استبيان الحياة ذات الصلة بصحة الفم لدى الأطفال 11(0.40 = ρ) وجه العمومإخراجة موثوقة وصحيحة للمجموعات العامة من الأطفال.

The Arabic version of the Child Perception Questionnaire for assessing oral health-related quality of life in 11–14 year olds (CPQ 11–14) has been previously validated. This study tested the validity and reliability of the short version of the Arabic CPQ 11–14 in the general population of Medina, Saudi Arabia. A total of 268 schoolchildren completed the questionnaire and were examined to determine the prevalence of caries and malocclusion. The mean total score was 8.53 (SD 8.18), and 7% of children scored zero. There was a significant association between malocclusion and oral symptoms and between DMFT score and functional limitations. The test–retest reliability (0.78) and Cronbach alpha (0.82) were excellent. The construct validity was acceptable for oral health (ρ = 0.37) and overall well-being (ρ = 0.40). The Arabic version of the short form CPQ 11–14 was reliable and valid for this general population of children.

La version en langue arabe du Child Perception Questionnaire visant à évaluer la qualité de vie liée à la santé bucco-dentaire chez l'enfant de 11 à 14 ans (CPQ 11–14) a déjà été validée. La présente étude a testé la validité et la fiabilité de la version abrégée du questionnaire CPQ 11–14 en langue arabe auprès de la population générale de Médine (Arabie saoudite). Au total, 268 écoliers ont rempli le questionnaire puis ont été examinés pour déterminer la prévalence des caries et des malocclusions. Le score total moyen était de 8,53 (ET 8,18), et 7 % des enfants ont obtenu un score de zéro. Il existait une forte association entre la malocclusion et les symptômes buccaux ainsi qu'entre le score pour l'indice des dents cariées, absentes ou obturées (ou CAO) et les limites fonctionnelles. La fiabilité d'un test-retest (0,78) et le coefficient alpha de Cronbach (0,82) étaient excellents. La validité du construit était acceptable pour la santé bucco-dentaire (ρ = 0,37) et pour le bien-être général (ρ = 0,40). La version abrégée du questionnaire CPQ 11–14 en langue arabe est fiable et valable pour cette population générale d'enfants.

Acute renal failure owing to paraphenylene diamine hair dye poisoning in Sudanese children.

INTRODUCTION: Paraphenylene diamine (PPD) has traditionally been used as a dark-coloured hair dye. In Sudan, it is used by women to colour their hair and as a body dye when added to henna (Lawasonia alba). Accidental or deliberate ingestion causes severe systemic toxicity. Although a wide variety of complications has been described, there are few reports in children. AIM: To describe the clinical features, management and outcome of PPD intoxication in Sudanese children. METHODS: Data for a 3-year period (2006-2008) were extracted from the medical records of the Paediatric Nephrology Unit, Soba University Hospital. Information included the circumstances of poisoning, gender, age distribution, clinical presentation, biochemical findings and outcome. RESULTS: Over the 3-year period, 17 children (16 female) were admitted to the Paediatric Nephrology Unit with PPD intoxication. Mean age was 13.8 yrs (range 2-18). Thirteen (76.4%) had attempted suicide, three (17.6%) were poisoned as a result of attempted murder and one poisoning (5.8%) was accidental. Eight children (47%) required tracheostomy for severe angioneurotic oedema. Of 12 (71%) who developed acute renal failure (ARF), nine required dialysis and three were managed conservatively. Two children (12%) died and the other 15 recovered with normal renal function. CONCLUSION: PPD intoxication is a life-threatening condition with significant morbidity and mortality in children. Clinical manifestations and outcome are similar to those in adults. Mortality can be reduced by early recognition, prompt referral and aggressive supportive treatment.

Preleukaemia and reticulocytosis: a case report with in vitro evidence for abnormal reticulocyte maturation

A case of preleukaemia with marked reticulocytosis and a slightly reduced red cell 51Cr survival is presented. An in vitro 'reticulocyte survival' test suggested that the apparent reticulocytosis was due to delayed maturation of reticulocytes. The globin synthesis ration suggested an abnormal ribonucleic acid. An autopsy, in addition to the findings of acute leukaemia, mesenteric lipodystrophy was discovered. This abnormality has been seen in patients with malignant diseases, especially lymphomas, but heretofore has been reported in acute leukaemia. (AU)