Some of the gaze tracking pipeline elements have been borrowed from the open source community. However, we have developed innovative solutions to some of the key issues that arise in the gaze tracker. Specifically, we have proposed texture-based eye features that are quite robust to low quality images. These features are the input for a classifier predicting the screen target area, the user is looking at. We report comparative results of several classifier architectures carried out in order to select the classifier to be used to extract the gaze ethograms for our behavioral research. We perform another classifier selection at the level of ethogram classification. Finally, we report encouraging results of user behavioral activity recognition experiments carried out over an inhouse dataset.Background Psoriasis may increase the risk of physical inactivity, but few studies have evaluated the etiology.Objective To identify barriers to and predictors of physical activity in psoriasis.Methods Twenty individuals with psoriasis (PsO) and 23 controls recorded activity with accelerometers and completed self-paced 20-min treadmill bouts. Questionnaires on self-efficacy for exercise (SEE), pruritus, and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were completed. Psoriasis severity was measured via body surface area (BSA), psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), and investigator’s global assessment (IGA).Results No differences in moderate-vigorous activity existed between PsO and controls (ANCOVA means 26 ± 4 versus 27 ± 4 min, p = .802). Relative to controls, PsO selected treadmill speeds that were 13-18% slower and experienced more pruritus while exercising. Among the PsO group, PASI, BSA, IGA, and DLQI showed inverse correlations with vigorous activity (partial rhos= -0.55 to -0.62, p less then .05). Likewise, BSA, IGA, DLQI, and pruritus were inversely correlated with footsteps (partial rhos= -0.47 to -0.62, p less then .05). SEE was consistently positively correlated with activity levels among PsO (partial rhos ≥0.60 for moderate activity, vigorous activity, and footsteps).Conclusion Individuals with extensive psoriasis and poorer SEE engage in less vigorous activity and take fewer footsteps. Among other factors, pruritus is a novel explanation.During the last week of December 2019, Wuhan (China) was confronted with the first case of respiratory tract disease 2019 (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to the rapid outbreak of the transmission (~3.64 million positive cases and high mortality as of 5 May 2020), the world is looking for immediate and better therapeutic options. Still, much information is not known, including origin of the disease, complete genomic characterization, mechanism of transmission dynamics, extent of spread, possible genetic predisposition, clinical and biological diagnosis, complete details of disease-induced pathogenicity, and possible therapeutic options. Although several known drugs are already under clinical evaluation with many in repositioning strategies, much attention has been paid to the aminoquinoline derivates, chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). These molecules are known regulators of endosomes/lysosomes, which are subcellular organelles central to autophagy processes. By elevating the pH of acidic endosomes/lysosomes, CQ/HCQ inhibit the autophagic process. In this short perspective, we discuss the roles of CQ/HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and propose new ways of possible treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the molecules that selectivity target autophagy.Abbreviation ACE2 angiotensin I converting enzyme 2; CoV coronavirus; CQ chloroquine; ER endoplasmic reticulum; HCQ hydroxychloroquine; MERS-CoV Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-CoV severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.Deep seawater (DSW) has been investigated for its lipid-lowering effects, but clinical evidence is still far from conclusive. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the effects of refined DSW (RDSW) on hypercholesterolemia. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 78 Korean participants were randomized to either an RDSW group that drank RDSW for 8 weeks or a placebo group. Clinical laboratory information was collected from all subjects at 0, 4, and 8 weeks. Both groups showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC), whereas only the RDSW group demonstrated a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) during the study. Stratified analysis of both groups revealed a significant reduction of TC in the moderately high TC subgroup. E7080 manufacturer However, only the RDSW exhibited a significant decline of LDL-c in the high LDL-c subgroup. In addition, lipoprotein(a) decreased significantly in the RDSW group, but not in the placebo. RDSW did not affect other lipid profiles, including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglyceride, free fatty acid, apolipoproteins, and other markers including inflammation marker, hematological parameters, blood and urine chemistry, and vital signs. RDSW improved lipid profiles by decreasing TC and LDL-c while maintaining HDL-c levels in people with hypercholesterolemia.Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is considered the gold standard method for evaluation of platelet function. However, there are a lot of variation in protocols (pre-analytical procedures and agonist concentrations) and results. The aim of our study was to establish a national LTA protocol, to investigate the effect of standardization and to define national reference values for LTA. The SSC guideline was used as base for a national procedure. Almost all recommendations of the SSC were followed e.g. no adjustment of PRP, citrate concentration of 109 mM, 21 needle gauge, fasting, resting time for whole blood and PRP, centrifugation time, speed and agonists concentrations. LTA of healthy volunteers was measured in a total of 16 hospitals with 5 hospitals before and after standardization. Results of more than 120 healthy volunteers (maximum aggregation %) were collected, with participating laboratories using 4 different analyzers with different reagents. Use of low agonist concentrations showed high variation before and after standardization, with the exception of collagen.