Jaromir Dolezal

Modelling and Recognition of Movement Related EEG Signal

Our previous study was aimed at the classification of right index finger movement direction by means of the movement-related EEG signal. The EEG database we used was originally recorded for a physiological research; from our point of view it has one significant drawback: there is no continuous non-movement related (resting) EEG of sufficient length (>10 sec) in the database. To overcome this limitation we decided to generate artificial resting EEG signal. This article describes method and process of non-movement related (resting) EEG signal generation along with the reached new classification results including the false alarm rate. Artificial EEG signal was generated by AR modelling. The AR model parameters were estimated from short segments (3 sec) of resting EEG already present in the database using the autocorrelation method. Owing to large intra-and inter-personal variability one set of parameters had to be estimated for each person and electrode. The artificial EEG was used for the classification with satisfactory classification results.

Integration of procedural knowledge in multi-agent systems in medicine

In this paper we present two developed multi-agent architectures. The first one models knowledge-based support of the eServices in the domain of home care, while the second one represents a general model that uses procedural knowledge in the form of organizational processes and formalized medical guidelines in a decision support system. We show that integration of both architectures is feasible and moreover, it can enhance functionality of the home care system.

Pupil size reflects successful encoding and recall of memory in humans

Pupil responses are known to indicate brain processes involved in perception, attention and decision-making. They can provide an accessible biomarker of human memory performance and cognitive states in general. Here we investigated changes in the pupil size during encoding and recall of word lists. Consistent patterns in the pupil response were found across and within distinct phases of the free recall task. The pupil was most constricted in the initial fixation phase and was gradually more dilated through the subsequent encoding, distractor and recall phases of the task, as the word items were maintained in memory. Within the final recall phase, retrieving memory for individual words was associated with pupil dilation in absence of visual stimulation. Words that were successfully recalled showed significant differences in pupil response during their encoding compared to those that were forgotten – the pupil was more constricted before and more dilated after the onset of word presentation. Our results suggest pupil size as a potential biomarker for probing and modulation of memory processing.

Student projects in assistive technologies

The paper presents briefly our educational activities in the area of assistive technologies. We have developed a special course on assistive technologies that uses in practical part project-based approach. We have established a specialized facility where the students can work on their projects. The facility simulates real environment of a smart home and a hospital room. The students can select a topic for a project from our proposals or they can come with their own ideas. In the paper we present results of several student projects that can be in the future used as practical applications for people with special needs. Some of them can be additionally used as games both for children and adults.

Mobile Devices for e-Services in Home Care

The paper is focused on description of an ongoing project of a pilot study and implementation of services supporting work of care givers in the area of home care and running on mobile telephones or PDAs. This work is part of the K4Care EU project that is focused on development of a system for knowledge-based home care e-Services. Home care patients receive different services at home, like visits either from nurses, physicians or social workers. The flow of information among them about the state of the patient or the changes to be performed on treatments require direct communication among all the professionals, which is frequently quite difficult to organize, time consuming, and scarcely reliable. The K4Care platform is accessible using different ICTs. It is a web-based platform, and the services provided, are accessible by web browsers and wireless devices, such as mobile telephones or PDAs. With this integrated platform, the flow of information about the updated state of the patient among the different professionals can become timespace independent.