Dimensionality reduction of independent influence factors in the objective evaluation of quality of experience.

Big Data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have become the focus of recent research due to the large amount of data. Dimensionality reduction techniques are recognized as an important step in these analyses. The multidimensional nature of Quality of Experience (QoE) is based on a set of Influence Factors (IFs) whose dimensionality is preferable to be higher due to better QoE prediction. As a consequence, dimensionality issues occur in QoE prediction models. This paper gives an overview of the used dimensionality reduction technique in QoE modeling and proposes modification and use of Active Subspaces Method (ASM) for dimensionality reduction. Proposed modified ASM (mASM) uses variance/standard deviation as a measure of function variability. A straightforward benefit of proposed modification is the possibility of its application in cases when discrete or categorical IFs are included. Application of modified ASM is not restricted to QoE modeling only. Obtained results show that QoE function is mostly flat for small variations of input IFs which is an additional motive to propose a modification of the standard version of ASM. This study proposes several metrics that can be used to compare different dimensionality reduction approaches. We prove that the percentage of function variability described by an appropriate linear combination(s) of input IFs is always greater or equal to the percentage that corresponds to the selection of input IF(s) when the reduction degree is the same. Thus, the proposed method and metrics are useful when optimizing the number of IFs for QoE prediction and a better understanding of IFs space in terms of QoE.

Aging at Work: A Review of Recent Trends and Future Directions.

Demographic data suggest a rapid aging trend in the active workforce. The concept of aging at work comes from the urgent requirement to help the aging workforce of the contemporary industries to maintain productivity while achieving a work and private life balance. While there is plenty of research focusing on the aging population, current research activities on policies covering the concept of aging at work are limited and conceptually different. This paper aims to review publications on aging at work, which could lead to the creation of a framework that targets governmental decision-makers, the non-governmental sector, the private sector, and all of those who are responsible for the formulation of policies on aging at work. In August 2019 we searched for peer-reviewed articles in English that were indexed in PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Springer and published between 2008 and 2019. The keywords included the following phrases: "successful aging at work", "active aging at work", "healthy aging at work", "productive aging at work", and "older adults at work". A total of 47,330 publications were found through database searching, and 25,187 publications were screened. Afterwards, 7756 screened publications were excluded from the further analysis, and a total of 17,431 article abstracts were evaluated for inclusion. Finally, further qualitative analysis included 1375 articles, of which about 24 are discussed in this article. The most prominent works suggest policies that encourage life-long learning, and a workforce that comprises both younger and older workers, as well as gradual retirement.

A Shortage in the Number of Nurses-A Case Study from a Selected Region in the Czech Republic and International Context.

A lack of nurses in the Czech Republic is an issue that has been under discussion for several years. The aim of this paper is to analyze the lack and need of general nurses and midwives in the Hradec Kralove region where the shortage is higher than the national average. The used methods are quantitative research and structured interviews, to determine the number of nurses in healthcare institutions. The study uses data obtained from publicly available sources, i.e., Czech Statistical Office (CSO) and the National Institute of Education (NIE). The shortage of nurses in the Hradec Kralove region can be expected by 2030 to be in the range between 647.6 and 667.1 nurses while maintaining the existing conditions, that is, five times more than at present. In addition to the commonly considered measures that appear in the country's strategies-such as improving the quality of conditions during studies and during employment, specifying or adjusting the role and competency of nurses and midwives in the healthcare system, or unifying employment standards- a focus on promoting the nursing profession can be recommended. Schools and ministries should be encouraged to focus on and invest in the promotion of this profession, so as to play a key role in recruiting new students for the nursing field of study at a time when the nursing profession is perceived positively, as an embodiment of solidarity and selflessness.

Quality of Life Framework for Personalised Ageing: A Systematic Review of ICT Solutions.

Given the growing number of older people, society as a whole should ideally provide a higher quality of life (QoL) for its ageing citizens through the concept of personalised ageing. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are subject to constant and rapid development, and can contribute to the goal of an improved QoL for older adults. In order to utilise future ICT solutions as a part of an age-friendly smart environment that helps achieve personalised ageing with an increased QoL, one must first determine whether the existing ICT solutions are satisfying the needs of older people. In order to accomplish that, this study contributes in three ways. First, it proposes a framework for the QoL of older adults, in order to provide a systematic review of the state-of-the-art literature and patents in this field. The second contribution is the finding that selected ICT solutions covered by articles and patents are intended for older adults and are validated by them. The third contribution of the study are the six recommendations that are derived from the review of the literature and the patents which would help move the agenda concerning the QoL of older people and personalised ageing with the use of ICT solutions forward.

Step by Step Towards Effective Human Activity Recognition: A Balance between Energy Consumption and Latency in Health and Wellbeing Applications.

Human activity recognition (HAR) is a classification process that is used for recognizing human motions. A comprehensive review of currently considered approaches in each stage of HAR, as well as the influence of each HAR stage on energy consumption and latency is presented in this paper. It highlights various methods for the optimization of energy consumption and latency in each stage of HAR that has been used in literature and was analyzed in order to provide direction for the implementation of HAR in health and wellbeing applications. This paper analyses if and how each stage of the HAR process affects energy consumption and latency. It shows that data collection and filtering and data segmentation and classification stand out as key stages in achieving a balance between energy consumption and latency. Since latency is only critical for real-time HAR applications, the energy consumption of sensors and devices stands out as a key challenge for HAR implementation in health and wellbeing applications. Most of the approaches in overcoming challenges related to HAR implementation take place in the data collection, filtering and classification stages, while the data segmentation stage needs further exploration. Finally, this paper recommends a balance between energy consumption and latency for HAR in health and wellbeing applications, which takes into account the context and health of the target population.

Consequences of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age - a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of the increasing number of ageing people in the world is arguably the most significant economic, health and social challenge that we face today. Additionally, one of the major epidemiologic trends of current times is the increase in chronic and degenerative diseases. This paper tries to deliver a more up to date overview of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age and provide a more detailed outlook on the research that has gone into this field. METHODS: First, challenges for seniors, including chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age, are specified. Second, a review of seniors' needs and concerns is performed. Finally, solutions that can improve seniors' quality of life are discussed. Publications obtained from the following databases are used in this scoping review: Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct. Four independent reviewers screened the identified records and selected relevant publications published from 2010 to 2017. A total of 1916 publications were selected. In all, 52 papers were selected based on abstract content. For further processing, 21 full papers were screened." RESULTS: The results indicate disabilities as a major problem associated with seniors' activities of daily living dependence. We founded seven categories of different conditions - psychological problems, difficulties in mobility, poor cognitive function, falls and incidents, wounds and injuries, undernutrition, and communication problems. In order to minimize ageing consequences, some areas require more attention, such as education and training; technological tools; government support and welfare systems; early diagnosis of undernutrition, cognitive impairment, and other diseases; communication solutions; mobility solutions; and social contributions. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review supports the view on chronic diseases in old age as a complex issue. To prevent the consequences of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age related problems demands multicomponent interventions. Early recognition of problems leading to disability and activities of daily living (ADL) dependence should be one of essential components of such interventions.