The broad application of LEDs for automotive lighting purposes, together with new discoveries in vision physiology, is creating new challenges in the field of glare perception. The purpose of this study was to link subjective and objective measures of driver-perceived glare following different light sources used in car headlamps. In order to achieve this, a combination of subjective evaluation using an adapted version of the de Boer scale and objective measures based on psychophysiological data was applied. Predominantly, skin conductance response (SCR), heart rate variability (HRV), and eye-blinking frequency (vertical electrooculography, vEOG) were recorded. Though there was some evidence suggesting lower discomfort with glare from light sources with a lower correlated color temperature, the results were generally inconclusive. This illustrates the urgent need to study the linkage between light source properties and subjective and objective glare measures in deeper detail, so that the technical norms governing car headlamps can reflect the needs of human physiology and psychophysiology.

Wavelet transformation is one of the most frequent procedures for data denoising, smoothing, decomposition, features extraction, and further related tasks. In order to perform such tasks, we need to select appropriate wavelet settings, including particular wavelet, decomposition level and other parameters, which form the wavelet transformation outputs. Selection of such parameters is a challenging area due to absence of versatile recommendation tools for suitable wavelet settings. In this paper, we propose a versatile recommendation system for prediction of suitable wavelet selection for data smoothing. The proposed system is aimed to generate spatial response matrix for selected wavelets and the decomposition levels. Such response enables the mapping of selected evaluation parameters, determining the efficacy of wavelet settings. The proposed system also enables tracking the dynamical noise influence in the context of Wavelet efficacy by using volumetric response. We provide testing on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) image data and EMG signals mostly of musculoskeletal system to objectivise system usability for clinical data processing. The experimental testing is done by using evaluation parameters such is MSE (Mean Squared Error), ED (Euclidean distance) and Corr (Correlation index). We also provide the statistical analysis of the results based on Mann-Whitney test, which points out on statistically significant differences for individual Wavelets for the data corrupted with Salt and Pepper and Gaussian noise.

Rationale: Persistent respiratory symptoms following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are associated with residual radiological changes in lung parenchyma, with a risk of development into lung fibrosis, and with impaired pulmonary function. Previous studies hinted at the possible efficacy of corticosteroids (CS) in facilitating the resolution of post-COVID residual changes in the lungs, but the available data is limited. Aim: To evaluate the effects of CS treatment in post-COVID respiratory syndrome patients. Patients and methods: Post-COVID patients were recruited into a prospective single-center observational study and scheduled for an initial (V1) and follow-up visit (V2) at the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Tuberculosis, University Hospital Olomouc, comprising of pulmonary function testing, chest x-ray, and complex clinical examination. The decision to administer CS or maintain watchful waiting (WW) was in line with Czech national guidelines. Results: The study involved 2729 COVID-19 survivors (45.7% male; mean age: 54.6). From 2026 patients with complete V1 data, 131 patients were indicated for CS therapy. These patients showed significantly worse radiological and functional impairment at V1. Mean initial dose was 27.6 mg (SD ± 10,64), and the mean duration of CS therapy was 13.3 weeks (SD ± 10,06). Following therapy, significantly better improvement of static lung volumes and transfer factor for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and significantly better rates of good or complete radiological and subjective improvement were observed in the CS group compared to controls with available follow-up data (n = 894). Conclusion: Better improvement of pulmonary function, radiological findings and subjective symptoms were observed in patients CS compared to watchful waiting. Our findings suggest that glucocorticoid therapy could benefit selected patients with persistent dyspnea, significant radiological changes, and decreased DLCO.

Worldwide, road-users complain about glare from oncoming cars’ headlights, often blaming new light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, drivers’ own behavior and attitudes might contribute to the issue of glare. The aim of this research was to establish the prevalence of on-road glare and its associations with drivers’ attitudes in a sample of Czech drivers. We used an online survey and gained responses from 539 passenger-car-drivers. The majority experienced glare at least once a week or almost daily, identifying mainly white- or bluish-colored headlights as the source of glare. However, about 60% of participants would prefer the view of the road that is provided by these sources, and an association was found between the preferred part of the lighting color spectrum and the perceived glare source color. A large proportion of drivers were also not aware of the specifics of the lighting sources that they used. These findings suggest the need for driver education in the area of automotive lighting and glare prevention.

This research investigates the light quality and thermal management of InGaN and InGaAlP Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) under various light regulation methods. We compare Continuous Wave (CW) and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) modes, examining their impacts on luminous flux, temperature, total color shift, and angular color shift. Our findings reveal that the CW mode offers higher luminous flux and reduced temperatures, while the PWM mode ensures enhanced color stability across different currents and viewing angles, especially for white LEDs; however, this stability does not extend to other LED types. From both optical and visual performance perspectives, the study emphasizes optimizing the driving current to meet regulatory requirements and ensure consistent color perception. These insights are crucial for automotive lighting design, contributing to improved regulatory compliance and aesthetic quality.

This article deals with frequency PWM (pulse-width modulation) control methodology and experiments related to a deep characterization of InGaN (Indium gallium nitride) EELs (Edge Emitting Lasers) and the influence of drive current shape on power and spectral characteristics. The aim is to study wavelength tuning possibility and near-threshold region behavior that is usually not described in device datasheets. The publication consists of three main parts where different possible methods of output control are discussed. The CW (continuous wave) characteristics are displayed in the first part which describes the behavior of the LDUT (laser diode under test) in more detailed manner than in the available datasheets. The following part shows PWM control with a delayed rising edge of the drive current which enables frequency control. The third part ultimately shows the behavior using PWM with a rectangular drive current shape.