Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vicious or Virtuous Cycle? The Privacy Implications of Active Assisted Living Technologies for Older People

A variety of technologies are being developed to help older people live healthier, more independent, and safer lives, for longer. While many of these technologies are positively impacting the lives of older adults, they also have the potential to dictate specific behaviours or restrict their autonomy rather than empower them. The vulnerability theory of privacy proposes that vulnerable populations are not only more likely to be susceptible to privacy violations, but are also disproportionately affected by said violations. In this position paper, we adapt the vulnerability theory of privacy to the older adult population, and identify a further potential exacerbatory cycle. The risk of a ’slippery slope’ of privacy violation occurs when AAL technologies enable an elevated and quantified visibility of (mis)behaviour and irregular activity that could seem to justify the deployment of further AAL technology. We present ‘ratchet-wise rehabilitation’ as an alternative vision to the ‘slippery slope’ and identify research and design challenges throughout the paper.
ENHANCEMENTS IN SCUM FRAMEWORK USING EXTREME PROGRAMMING PRACTICES

This paper is concerned with providing an enhanced Scrum framework that combines some practices of eXtreme Programming (XP) approach in Scrum framework to produce quality software on time. XP and Scrum are two agile software development methods. While Scrum is focused on project management, XP is focused on Software development; nevertheless, they both can be used to participate in the development of any software project independently or together. This paper presents the main concepts, features, phases, artifacts, and roles of Scrum as well as a brief introduction to XP and its practices. In this paper, the researcher presents how to combine some XP practices into Scrum activities. The researcher exploits the features and best practices of the two methods to propose an enhanced Scrum framework that includes an elaborated set of guidelines for achieving each Scrum activity. Therefore, the enhanced Scrum framework is more applicable than many previous attempts in this domain. The enhanced Scrum framework has been validated by a group of 17 experts and specialists in software projects.
A data-driven dialogue system to enhance medical training with focus on comorbidity constructs

Medical education recently started to utilize large clinical datasets to provide, to medical students, data-driven tools to practice with clinical scenarios. In this work we explain a dialogue system that was designed to enhance medical education training. The objective of the dialogue system is to assist medical students and residents practice recognizing patient comorbidities, in an interactive way, and learn about the risk of each comorbidity construct for hospital death, inpatient septicemia, as well as the length of stay. The dialogue system provides to the learner functionality to initiate learning sessions to develop comorbidity profiles. Every time the learner adds a new comorbidity, the system recalculates conditional probabilities and provides new recommendations to the learner. A system backend can be used to parameterize the comorbidities that will qualify to the recommender. These parameters control the number of recommended comorbidities to the learner, and therefore the difficulty of the system. The study was completed with a large dataset with more than 11 million hospital admissions of Medicare patients, in the United States. The algorithm contains a customized Bayesian approach with feedback loops: The trainee initiates a scenario by selecting demographics and a principal diagnosis, then adds chronic and hospital-acquired conditions to see a summary of the attributable risk in each phase. Conditional probabilities are calculated and updated for the three hospital outcomes every time the learner adds new comorbidities per recommender suggestion. To examine the perceived usefulness of the dialogue system, a scenario-based evaluation was completed by 18 medical residents, who evaluated the system navigation, usefulness, validity of information and system features. The ‘system features’ dimension was found to be the one ranked with the highest score (4.15/5), while the “information validity” received the lowest score (3.77/5). The composite variable about the participants’ opinion on data-driven education was found to be high (4.27/5), demonstrating a strong demand for next generation medical training applications.
Cross-linguistic speech emotion recognition using CNNs: a use-case in Greek Theatrical Data

The task of recognizing emotions in speech signals has various real-world applications in domains such as human-computer interaction and multimedia information retrieval. In this work, we examine the ability of Convolutional Neural Networks to transfer cross-linguistic and cross-domain knowledge from datasets with sufficient resources in the English language to datasets with under-represented resources. In particular, we focus on recognizing emotions in speech signals from theatrical plays in the Greek language. Recognizing emotions in theatrical plays can help in building systems that focus on providing automated transcriptions to people with hearing loss, not only with regards to what is being said in a theatrical play, but also how is it said (in terms of emotional energy and sentiment). This can help in reducing the exclusion of this group of population from such cultural activities and therefore significantly improve their quality of life. Experimental results on a publicly available Greek Theatrical dataset (1) prove that transferring knowledge from an English Speech Emotion Recognition dataset using CNNs leads to improved results, compared to training from scratch on the former one.
Robo-cook's Path: An online multiplayer board dietary game

Employing games in educational context have the potential to be a powerful means of learning or review previously taught material. The case presented in this paper is based on a multiplayer board game that was developed as an online browser game. Its gameplay is based on short dietary quizzes and minimalistic role-playing where students are acting as a team. Notably, the game's quiz content has been developed with the participation of catering school educators and targets student ages from 10 to 16 years old. Evaluation results, which were provided by educators after using the game in classroom environment, demonstrate the potential of using a dietary game in classroom context as complementary teaching/learning materials.
Dynamic DNN model selection and inference off loading for video analytics with edge-cloud collaboration

The edge-cloud collaboration architecture can support Deep Neural Network-based (DNN) video analytics with low inference delays and high accuracy. However, the video analytics pipelines with edge-cloud collaboration are complex, involving the decision-making for many coupled control knobs. We propose a deep reinforcement learning-based approach, named ModelIO, for dynamic DNN Model selection and Inference Offloading for video analytics with edge-cloud collaboration. We jointly consider the decision-making for video pre-processing, DNN model selection, local inference, and offloading in a video analytics system to maximize performances. Our method can learn the optimal control policy for video analytics with the edge-cloud collaboration without complex system modeling. We implement a real-world testbed to conduct the experiments to evaluate the performances of our method. The results show that our method can significantly improve the system processing capacity, reduce average inference delays, and maximize overall rewards.
Neuroplasticity Influence Peripheral Nervous Response during Long-term Motor Skill Learning- A fNIRS Study

Long-term motor skill learning can enhance the interaction of cortex-subcortical neural networks between two hemispheres to induce neuroplasticity better. But understanding the peripheral nervous response associated with neuroplasticity in motor skill learning is still not comprehensive at present. Here, a visuomotor tracking task for eight days was carried out. We scanned hemoglobin in the sensorimotor cortex with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and recorded the surface electromyography (sEMG) of three targeted muscles in the performed right hand. Results showed neuroplasticity affected the dynamic muscle activity, and the best connective information between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system can be detected from the muscle that maximally contributed to task execution. This result provided that neuroplasticity could also influence the peripheral nervous response with a direct evidence.
Investigation of On-Skin Electromagnetic Actuator for Signaling Direction via Tactile Cues

This work contributes an investigation of on-skin electromagnetic actuator for indicating directions through tactile cues. In the study (N = 16), the actuator was tested on three locations on participants’ arms. We compared the perception accuracy on these locations and draw the conclusion that the participants could identify the stimulus clearly with the actuator begin placed on the underside of the wrist best. Taken together, our result demonstrates that our work would be used as an additional stimulus combined with other haptic interaction to deliver rich information to the users in potential.
A Generalized Framework for the Assessment of Various Configurations of Cable-Driven Mobile Lower Limb Rehabilitation Exoskeletons

The overall increase in the number of stroke patients and the high cost and limited accessibility to rehabilitation services have motivated the design and development of mobile exoskeletons. However, the majority of existing lower limb exoskeletons continue to be heavy, inducing unnecessary inertia and inertial vibration on the limb. Cable-driven exoskeletons can overcome these challenges without the need for exact joint alignment. The routing and configuration of cables can be accomplished in various ways while designing the exoskeleton. In this work, we propose a generalized framework for assessing the viability of cable-driven exoskeletons designs based on various routing and configurations of cables. In the current proposed framework, the lower limb has been modeled as a two-link model, and the desired trajectory is tracked via impedance control. The passive elastic joint moment is considered as user voluntary input from the impaired leg. Four conceptual models with 2-, 3- and 4- cable configurations have been generated as case studies and the resulting model trajectories were compared. Our preliminary results revealed that a 4-cable configuration is a promising design option for lower limb rehabilitation based on tracking performances, cable tensions, and component forces.
Stress Management through a Neuro and Biofeedback Meditation Virtual Reality Application

Globally, an estimated 284 million people experienced an anxiety disorder in 2017, making it the most common mental health issue worldwide[4]. Studies have shown that mindful meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain. [2]. However, many people find it either hard to establish as a habit or have trouble learning the right way or feel that they cannot experience the benefits [5]. Therefore, we developed a neuro and biofeedback meditation virtual reality application and heart rate band to make meditation fun, measurable, and personalized. By implementing data such as heart rate variability and alpha wave, users can get feedback on their daily stress level and interact with the virtual environment based on their level of relaxation though the meditation.
Phase Stability and Magnetic Properties of Mn3Z (Z = Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb) Heusler Alloys

The structural stability and magnetic properties of the cubic and tetragonal phases of Mn3Z (Z = Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb) Heusler alloys are studied by using first-principles calculations. It is found that with the increasing of the atomic radius of Z atom, the more stable phase varies from the cubic to the tetragonal structure. With increasing tetragonal distortion, the magnetic moments of Mn (A/C and B) atoms change in a regular way, which can be traced back to the change of the relative distance and the covalent hybridization between the atoms.
THEORETICAL COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INTERNAL QUANTUM EFFICIENCY OF THIN FILMS SOLAR CELLS BASED ON CuInSe 2 : p + /p/n/n + , p/n/n + , p + /p/n and p/n MODELS

In this paper we propose to study the performances of thin films solar cells based on CuInSe 2 . The following models are studied : p/n ; p + /p/n ; p/n/n + ; p + /p/n/n + . The objective of this work is to study the performance of the homojunction based on CuInSe 2 , with a medium band gap window layer based on CuInS 2 , deposited on a substrate, according to the model CuInS 2 (p + )/CuInSe 2 (p)/CuInSe 2 (n)/CuInSe 2 (n + ) (p + /p/n/n + ). We compare this structure (p + /p/n/n + ) with the following models: the homojunction CuInSe 2 (p)/CuInSe 2 (n) (p/n), the homojonction with window layer CuInS 2 (p + )/CuInSe 2 (p)/CuInSe 2 (n) (p/n/n + ) and the homojunction deposited on substrate CuInSe 2 (p)/CuInSe 2 (n)/ CuInSe 2 (n + ) (p/n/n + ). Calculation models for determining the density of the minority carriers, the density of the photocurrent, and the internal quantum efficiency were established for the different structures. These theoretical results are used to compare their performance. In order to test the validity of our calculations models, We compare our results with some experimental results published in the literature. p/n/n the of the thickness of the region 2, the internal quantum efficiency in the case of the homojunction with window layer deposited on substrate (p + /p/n/n + ) and the homojunction with window layer (p + /p/n). A of the internal quantum efficiency is observed in the case of the homojunction deposited on substrate (p/n/n + ) and the homojunction (p/n). These results show the effects of the losses of carriers by recombination on the front surface. In the case of the models with 4 layers and 3 layers with window layer, the window layer (region 1) reduces losses of carriers at the interface region 1 – region 2 ( 𝑆 𝑛 2 = 2 × 10 3 cm.s -1 ) and allows the majority of carriers to diffuse towards the collecting area (space charge region). For the homojunction deposited on substrate and the homojunction, the losses of carriers on the front surface (region 2) are important ( 𝑆 𝑛 2 2 × 10 7 cm.s -1 ). Some carriers diffuse towards the cause the decrease of the internal quantum efficiency.
Analysis of the Least-Squares Adaptive Algorithms in Interference Cancellation Configuration

— An analysis of the interference cancellation configuration working based on the least-squares (LS) adaptive algorithms is presented in this paper. The existence of a “residual leakage” phenomenon of the useful signal, to the output of the adaptive filter, through the error signal is demonstrated. As a consequence, the useful signal can be attenuated, up to complete cancellation. This process is important for low values of the weighting parameter λ and is practically absent for λ close to unit. The simulations performed in an echo cancellation configuration support the theoretical findings.
Green polymer blends compatibilized with biomass derived-agents

The effect of soybean lecithin (SOLE) and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) as biomass-based compatibilizer agents was studied for the purpose of enhancing the compatibility of environmentally friendly thermoplastic/elastomeric blend of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and synthetic rubber (PI). PI was melt mixed 25:75 into PLA with and without compatibilizer agents by a twin-screw extruder. The content of compatibilizer agents was kept at 0.5 and 2%, rrespectively. The compatibility of SOLE and AESO was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile test. From the thermal degradation and morphologic analysis, it was observed that SOLE was more effective in improving compatibility of PLA/PI blend in comparison with AESO. The inclusion of 0.5% SOLE into the blend system led to increment in the thermal stability, approximately, 10°C. Furthermore, a reduction of the size of PI islands distributed homogenously in the PLA matrix with the help of SOLE was observed, indicating the enhancement of interfacial adhesion. In other words, partially compatibilization took place resulting in the minimization of the dispersed PI island size.
Effects of oddball task performance on spectral power over primary motor cortex

Everyday cognitive tasks are frequently performed under dual-task conditions alongside 31 continuous sensorimotor coordinations (CSC) such as driving, walking, or balancing. 32 Observed interference in these dual-task settings is commonly attributed to demands on 33 executive function or attentional resources, but the time-course and reciprocity of 34 interference are not well understood at the level of information-processing components. Here, 35 we used electrophysiology to study the detailed chronometry of dual-task interference 36 between a visual oddball task and a continuous visuomanual tracking task. The oddball task’s 37 electrophysiological components were linked to underlying cognitive processes, and the 38 tracking task served as a proxy for the continuous cycle of state-monitoring and adjustment 39 inherent to CSCs. Dual-tasking interfered with the oddball task’s accuracy and attentional 40 processes (attenuated P2 and P3b magnitude, and parietal alpha-band ERD), but errors in 41 tracking due to dual-tasking accrued at a later time-scale, and only in trials in which the target 42 stimulus appeared and its tally had to be incremented. Interference between cognitive tasks 43 and CSCs can be asymmetric in terms of timing as well as affected information-processing 44 components. 45
Conjunctive and complementary CA1 hippocampal cell populations relate sensory events to immobility and locomotion

The way in which the brain decodes signals from sensory activity related to ongoing behavior has revolutionized the understanding of the function of neocortical areas and provides a blueprint to address allocortical regions such as the hippocampus. Here two-photon calcium imaging of somal activity in hippocampal CA1 neuron populations was done in head fixed mice given air or light stimulation when at rest or when moving on a conveyor belt. Air stimulation was also used to induce running for a fixed distance on the conveyor belt by releasing a conveyor belt brake. Overall, 99% of 2083 cells were active across 20 sensorimotor events with a larger proportion of cells active during locomotion. Nevertheless, for any sensorimotor event, only about 17% cells were active comprising of conjunctive (C ∈ A and B) cells shared among events and complementary (C ∈ A not B or C ∈ B not A) cells active in individual events. Conjunctive cells identified similar sensorimotor events representing stable representations of familiar experiences and complementary cells suggested recruitment of new cells for encoding novel experiences. The moment-to-moment recruitment of complementary and conjunctive cells with changing sensorimotor events signifies the involvement of hippocampus in functional networks integrating sensory information with ongoing movement. This role of hippocampus is well suited for movement guidance, spatial behavior, episodic learning and memory, context representation and scene construction.
Lattice point enumeration via rational functions and applications to optimization and statistics

This thesis gives an account of the author’s contribution to the development of the software LattE, which implements Barvinok’s polynomial time algorithm for enumerating and counting lattice points in rational polytopes in fixed dimension, via rational functions. The thesis also presents some new theoretical results and algorithms based on Barvinok’s rational functions. A more memory efficient version of Barvinok’s counting algorithm is presented, along with its implementation as a new Memory Saving Mode in LattE. Then an algorithm for Integer Programming is given (with proof of correctness), called the Digging Algorithm, which extracts solutions for Integer Programming instances, out of rational functions. An implementation of the Digging Algorithm in LattE is presented, and compared to the standard Integer Programming software Cplex. Finally, a new theorem is proved that allows efficient summation of a fixed degree polynomial, over the lattice points in a finite lattice point set encoded via Barvinok’s rational functions. This gives a generalized weighted counting algorithm, and also allows various applications to fields such as Statistics.
Looking for a needle in a haystack: magnetotactic bacteria help in “rare biosphere” investigations

Studying the minor part of the uncultivated microbial majority (“rare biosphere”) is difficult even with modern culture-independent techniques. The enormity of microbial diversity creates particular challenges for investigating low-abundance microbial populations in soils. Strategies for selective sample enrichment to reduce community complexity can aid in studying the rare biosphere. Magnetotactic bacteria, apart from being a minor part of the microbial community, are also found in poorly studied bacterial phyla and certainly belong to a rare biosphere. The presence of intracellular magnetic crystals within magnetotactic bacteria allows for their significant enrichment using magnetic separation techniques for studies using a metagenomic approach. This work investigated the microbial diversity of a black bog soil and its magnetically enriched fraction. The poorly studied phylum representatives in the magnetic fraction were enriched compared to the original soil community. Two new magnetotactic species, Candidatus Liberimonas magnetica DUR002 and Candidatus Obscuribacterium magneticum DUR003, belonging to different classes of the relatively little-studied phylum Elusimicrobiota, were proposed. Their genomes contain clusters of magnetosome genes that differ from the previously described ones by the absence of genes encoding magnetochrome-containing proteins and the presence of unique Elusimicrobiota-specific genes, termed mae. The predicted obligately fermentative metabolism in DUR002 and lack of flagellar motility in the magnetotactic Elusimicrobiota broadens our understanding of the lifestyles of magnetotactic bacteria and raises new questions about the evolutionary advantages of magnetotaxis. The findings presented here increase our understanding of magnetotactic bacteria, soil microbial communities, and the rare biosphere.
Energy Reduction Routing In Wireless Ad-Hoc Network

- Ad hoc networks are dynamically created and maintained by the individual nodes comprising the network. They do not require a pre-existing architecture for communication purposes and do not rely on any type of wired infrastructure; in an ad hoc network all communication occurs through a wireless median. The main objective of this paper is to maximize the MANETs life time and minimize the energy consumption during the source to destination route establishment. Since nodes in mobile ad hoc network can move randomly, the topology may change arbitrarily and frequently at unpredictable times. We present a new multicast architecture and the corresponding multicast routing protocol for providing efficient and flexible multicast services over the Mobile AD-HOC network. The new multicast routing protocol called the Service-Centric Multicast Protocol (SCMP) can be able to handle simultaneous many-to-many communications efficiently. The multicast tree is computed in the m-router by employing the Delay-Constrained Dynamic Multicast (DCDM) algorithm, which dynamically builds a delay-constrained multicast tree and minimizes the tree outlay as glowing.