Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loneliness and Social Isolation Detection Using Passive Sensing Techniques: Scoping Review

Background Loneliness and social isolation are associated with multiple health problems, including depression, functional impairment, and death. Mobile sensing using smartphones and wearable devices, such as fitness trackers or smartwatches, as well as ambient sensors, can be used to acquire data remotely on individuals and their daily routines and behaviors in real time. This has opened new possibilities for the early detection of health and social problems, including loneliness and social isolation. Objective This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize recent scientific studies that used passive sensing techniques, such as the use of in-home ambient sensors, smartphones, and wearable device sensors, to collect data on device users’ daily routines and behaviors to detect loneliness or social isolation. This review also aimed to examine various aspects of these studies, especially target populations, privacy, and validation issues. Methods A scoping review was undertaken, following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews). Studies on the topic under investigation were identified through 6 databases (IEEE Xplore, Scopus, ACM, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase). The identified studies were screened for the type of passive sensing detection methods for loneliness and social isolation, targeted population, reliability of the detection systems, challenges, and limitations of these detection systems. Results After conducting the initial search, a total of 40,071 papers were identified. After screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, 29 (0.07%) studies were included in this scoping review. Most studies (20/29, 69%) used smartphone and wearable technology to detect loneliness or social isolation, and 72% (21/29) of the studies used a validated reference standard to assess the accuracy of passively collected data for detecting loneliness or social isolation. Conclusions Despite the growing use of passive sensing technologies for detecting loneliness and social isolation, some substantial gaps still remain in this domain. A population heterogeneity issue exists among several studies, indicating that different demographic characteristics, such as age and differences in participants’ behaviors, can affect loneliness and social isolation. In addition, despite extensive personal data collection, relatively few studies have addressed privacy and ethical issues. This review provides uncertain evidence regarding the use of passive sensing to detect loneliness and social isolation. Future research is needed using robust study designs, measures, and examinations of privacy and ethical concerns.
How middle managers draw on cultural resources to shape their behaviors during the orchestration of ambidexterity

This study is motivated by the growing influence in organisational research on the perspective of culture as a toolkit of resources from which individuals can draw on to develop strategies of action. Research has established that ambidextrous organisations succeed both in incremental and discontinuous innovation. However, there remains a scarcity of study on how managers orchestrate ambidexterity. This thesis extends the ambidexterity research by investigating how managers orchestrate ambidextrous strategies and how these strategies are shaped by elements of the organisational culture in high technology firms. An interpretive case study approach was used to achieve the aims of the study. Focusing on two engineering projects, 55 interviews were conducted alongside documentary reviews and participant observation for 6 months at Brush Electrical Machines Ltd, UK. Analysis of the findings is conducted using thematic analysis to identify common themes and NVivo was used to draw out patterns until relationships among the emerging themes became clearer. The thesis makes important contributions to the organisational ambidexterity literature by providing useful empirically-driven insights and deconstructing the roles of middle managers in facilitating ambidexterity. The findings of the research indicate that most of the middle managers demonstrated ambidextrous behaviours. These middle level managers enabled their behaviours through diverse cultural resources selected from the organisation s cultural toolkit. Thus, important contributions are made to the literature on organisational culture, specifically on the toolkit perspectives. The thesis takes the perspective that organisational culture should be viewed as heterogeneous and not homogeneous. The study concludes by suggesting that middle management ambidextrous behaviours shaped by cultural resources may be vital for the realisation of improved or sustained competitiveness in organisations.
Intravitreal Conbercept with Grid/Focal Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the main cause of blindness in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). This meta-analysis compared the effectiveness and safety of macular grid/focal photocoagulation with and without conbercept in the treatment of DME. Studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP Information Resource Integration Service Platform from their earliest records to June 2021. Twelve articles involving 2600 patients with DME were included. Results showed that patients receiving conbercept with macular grid/focal photocoagulation had a statistically significant reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) over macular grid/focal photocoagulation alone at 1 month and 3 months post procedure. Compared with the control group, the combination therapy group had a significantly increased level of effectiveness and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with the control group. The combination therapy group significantly increased the level of effectiveness and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared with the control group. Conbercept with macular grid/focal photocoagulation was more effective than macular grid/focal photocoagulation alone in terms of functional outcomes for DME treatment.
In Vitro Validation of Antiparasitic Activity of PLA-Nanoparticles of Sodium Diethyldithiocarbamate against Trypanosoma cruzi

Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas disease, which affects millions around the world and is not treatable in its chronic stage. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate is a compound belonging to the carbamate class and, in a previous study, demonstrated high efficacy against T. cruzi, showing itself to be a promising compound for the treatment of Chagas disease. This study investigates the encapsulation of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate by poly-lactic acid in nanoparticles, a system of biodegradable nanoparticles that is capable of reducing the toxicity caused by free DETC against cells and maintaining the antiparasitic activity. The nanosystem PLA-DETC was fabricated using nanoprecipitation, and its physical characterization was measured via DLS, SEM, and AFM, demonstrating a small size around 168 nm and a zeta potential of around −19 mv. Furthermore, the toxicity was determined by MTT reduction against three cell lines (VERO, 3T3, and RAW), and when compared to free DETC, we observed a reduction in cell mortality, demonstrating the importance of DETC nanoencapsulation. In addition, the nanoparticles were stained with FITC and put in contact with cells for 24 h, followed by confirmation of whether the nanosystem was inside the cells. Lastly, the antiparasitic activity against different strains of T. cruzi in trypomastigote forms was determined by resazurin reduction and ROS production, which demonstrated high efficacy towards T. cruzi equal to that of free DETC.
The relationship between organizational cultures, human resources management (HRM) in construction business

We need to understand that standard is in relation with the management development and the follow the human resources management strategic view and the management at the follow the human resource management strategic view and the client relationship management in construction businesses. So the relation between the organization culture between the human resources management and communicate management with another client is not a choice but it is a need. The human resources don’t activity in vacuum and it is relation in the organization with other components is in interaction and the environment factors like, policy, economy, and the more important the culture and the inner factors like strategy aims and structure interact it.
Fenton oxidation as pretreatment for biomass gasification condensate: cost and biomass inhibition evaluation

Gasification transforming organic compounds into energy-rich pyrolytic gas, is a climate-friendly treatment option for biological solid wastes. The condensates arising from the pyrolytic gas valorization is owing to high concentrations of small molecular phenols, cyanides, nitrogen-heterocyclics, aromatics and ammonium, posing an environmental and health hazard. In this paper, the watery phase of the biomass gasification condensate from spent mushroom compost (SMC), with a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 16.4 g/L and total nitrogen of 2.3 g/L, was pretreated by Fenton oxidation. The experiments were conducted at room temperature with an initial pH value of 3, 5 and 8.9, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dosages between 15 and 100% of the normalized stoichiometric ratio (NSR), and Fe2+ dosages corresponding to molar ratio of H2O2:Fe2+ between 10 and 30. Through respiration inhibition assays, the best operational condition for detoxification was determined at an initial pH 5 with 30% NSR H2O2 dosage and molar ratio of H2O2:Fe2+ at 15:1. The specific operational cost of the Fenton oxidation was calculated at 2.17 €/kg CODelimination. In respiration inhibition assay, the oxygen consumption of wastewater after Fenton oxidation was increased by 316% in three days. In a 20 days’ biogas production test, the biogas production was increased by 81%.
SEDENOSS: SEparating and DENOising Seismic Signals With Dual‐Path Recurrent Neural Network Architecture

Seismologists have to deal with overlapping and noisy signals. Techniques such as source separation can be used to solve this problem. Over the past few decades, signal processing techniques used for source separation have advanced significantly for multi‐station settings. But not so many options are available when it comes to single‐station data. Using Machine Learning, we demonstrate the possibility of separating signals for single‐station, one‐component seismic recordings. The technique that we use for seismic signal separation is based on a dual‐path recurrent neural network which is applied directly to the time domain data. Such source separation may find applications in most tasks of seismology, including earthquake analysis, aftershocks, nuclear verification, seismo‐acoustics, and ambient‐noise tomography. We train the network on seismic data from STanford EArthquake Dataset and demonstrate that our approach is (a) capable of denoising seismic data and (b) capable of separating two earthquake signals from one another. In this work, we show that Machine Learning is useful for earthquake‐induced source separation. We provide a reproducible research repository with the algorithms here: https://github.com/crimeacs/source-separation.
On the Use of Wavelet Domain and Machine Learning for the Analysis of Epileptic Seizure Detection from EEG Signals

Epileptic patients suffer from an epileptic brain seizure caused by the temporary and unpredicted electrical interruption. Conventionally, the electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are manually studied by medical practitioners as it records the electrical activities from the brain. This technique consumes a lot of time, and the outputs are unreliable. In a bid to address this problem, a new structure for detecting an epileptic seizure is proposed in this study. The EEG signals obtained from the University of Bonn, Germany, and real-time medical records from the Senthil Multispecialty Hospital, India, were used. These signals were disintegrated into six frequency subbands that employed discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and extracted twelve statistical functions. In particular, seven best features were identified and further fed into k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN), naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Decision Tree classifiers for two-type and three-type classifications. Six statistical parameters were employed to measure the performance of these classifications. It has been found that different combinations of features and classifiers produce different results. Overall, the study is a first attempt to find the best combination feature set and classifier for 16 different 2-class and 3-class classification challenges of the Bonn and Senthil real-time clinical dataset.
Development of an EEG Headband for Stress Measurement on Driving Simulators

In this paper, we designed from scratch, realized, and characterized a six-channel EEG wearable headband for the measurement of stress-related brain activity during driving. The headband transmits data over WiFi to a laptop, and the rechargeable battery life is 10 h of continuous transmission. The characterization manifested a measurement error of 6 μV in reading EEG channels, and the bandwidth was in the range [0.8, 44] Hz, while the resolution was 50 nV exploiting the oversampling technique. Thanks to the full metrological characterization presented in this paper, we provide important information regarding the accuracy of the sensor because, in the literature, commercial EEG sensors are used even if their accuracy is not provided in the manuals. We set up an experiment using the driving simulator available in our laboratory at the University of Udine; the experiment involved ten volunteers who had to drive in three scenarios: manual, autonomous vehicle with a “gentle” approach, and autonomous vehicle with an “aggressive” approach. The aim of the experiment was to assess how autonomous driving algorithms impact EEG brain activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare different autonomous driving algorithms in terms of drivers’ acceptability by means of EEG signals. The obtained results demonstrated that the estimated power of beta waves (related to stress) is higher in the manual with respect to autonomous driving algorithms, either “gentle” or “aggressive”.
Price restricted optimal bidding model using derated sensitivity factors by considering risk concept

In this study, a new model for participating in market is presented in which each generation company (GENCO), considering nodal price limitation, defines a risk index. Using a linear combination, it determines its proposed bid based on energy prices of other buses. Since each participant in power market needs reference points to decide, concept of sensitivity factors is introduced initially. Consequently, using these factors, potential points are obtained. To model price uncertainty, risk concept is cooperated into sensitivity factors. After that, using regulation factors, new derated sensitivity factors (DSFs) are defined. Applying these factors, each player’s model in the market is divided into two parts. In the first part, modelling its rival’s behaviour, a player proposes its bid in such a way that obtained nodal price becomes equal to estimated nodal price. In the second part, computing DSFs and using potential bus prices, linear combination of regulation factors are utilized to modify GENCO’s offer. Player’s profit function would be average of both parts. GAMS software is executed to solve this problem. Different scenarios are considered to cover nodal electricity and fuel price uncertainties. A 30-bus system with six GENCOs is used to verify the proposed model.
Improving Language Support for Infants and Toddlers

Language skills are vital to children's learning and well-being, and the first 5 years of life are an especially critical time for language acquisition. Research suggests that when early childhood teachers create language-rich environments, children develop stronger receptive and expressive language abilities, especially children from low-income households who are more at risk for language delays. This study investigated the effects of a 10-week professional learning intervention focused on language-based interactions in early care and education settings that serve infants and toddlers on state childcare subsidy. The intervention with childcare providers was titled Filming Interactions to Nurture Development (FIND), which utilized video-based reflective practices to promote positive interactions between providers and children. Using a treatment–control design (control: n = 44; treatment: n = 42), we compared childcare providers' language practices. Provider language use was measured using the Language Environment Analysis (LENA), a wearable digital language processer. Results indicate that, as compared with the control group, FIND participation was associated with increased adult word count and conversational turns in facilities that serve the most vulnerable children. These results suggest the utility of video-based professional learning and automated data collection for supporting providers' positive interactions and improving the quality of infant/toddler programs.
Spatiotemporal modelling of abundance from multiple data sources in an integrated spatial distribution model

In biodiversity monitoring, observational data are often collected in multiple, disparate schemes with greatly varying degrees of standardization and possibly at different spatial and temporal scales. Technical advances also change the type of data over time. The resulting heterogeneous datasets are often deemed to be incompatible. Consequently, many available datasets may be ignored in practical analyses. Here, we propose a more efficient use of disparate biodiversity data to assess species distributions and population trends.
Anisotropic Elasticity of the Myosin Motor in Muscle

To define the mechanics and energetics of the myosin motor action in muscles, it is mandatory to know fundamental parameters such as the stiffness and the force of the single myosin motor, and the fraction of motors attached during contraction. These parameters can be defined in situ using sarcomere−level mechanics in single muscle fibers under the assumption that the stiffness of a myosin dimer with both motors attached (as occurs in rigor, when all motors are attached) is twice that of a single motor (as occurs in the isometric contraction). We use a mechanical/structural model to identify the constraints that underpin the stiffness of the myosin dimer with both motors attached to actin. By comparing the results of the model with the data in the literature, we conclude that the two-fold axial stiffness of the dimers with both motors attached is justified by a stiffness of the myosin motor that is anisotropic and higher along the axis of the myofilaments. A lower azimuthal stiffness of the motor plays an important role in the complex architecture of the sarcomere by allowing the motors to attach to actin filaments at different azimuthal angles relative to the thick filament.
Engineering Novel Lentiviral Vectors for Labelling Tumour Cells and Oncogenic Proteins

Lentiviral vectors are unique and highly efficient genetic tools to incorporate genetic materials into the genome of a variety of cells whilst conserving biosafety. Their rapid acceptance made it necessary to improve existing protocols, including molecular engineering and cloning, production of purified lentiviral particles, and efficient infection of target cells. In addition to traditional protocols, which can be time-consuming, several biotechnology companies are providing scientists with commercially available lentiviral constructs and particles. However, these constructs are limited by their original form, tend to be costly, and lack the flexibility to re-engineer based on the ever-changing needs of scientific projects. Therefore, the current study organizes the existing methods and integrates them with novel ideas to establish a protocol that is simple and efficient to implement. In this study we, (i) generated an innovative site-directed nucleotide attachment/replacement and DNA insertion method using unique PCR primers, (ii) improved traditional methods by integrating plasmid clarification steps, (iii) utilized endogenous mRNA as a resource to construct new lentiviruses, and (iv) identified an existing purification method and incorporated it into an organized workflow to produce high-yield lentiviral particle collection. Finally, (v) we verified and demonstrated the functional validity of our methods using an infection strategy.
Tracking a Variable Number of Targets Based on RSS Measurements in Wireless Sensor Networks

Stony Brook University Libraries. SBU Graduate School in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Lawrence Martin (Dean of Graduate School), Petar M. Djuric, Dissertation Advisor Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Thomas Robertazzi, Chairperson of Defence Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Monica F. Bugallo, Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Ki H. Chon, Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Studies on the use of Sucrose Alternatives in Traditional Sweetmeats

Sugar is a natural food, which fulfills all the physiological functions of a carbohydrate food. It provides calories and combines with many valuable foods to enhance their taste appeal. It remains the major sweetener in foods especially traditional sweets. Sweetness is an attractive quality in foods. However, sugar has become a subject of controversy over its adverse effects in health and nutrition namely as a contribution to excessive calories, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertension and as a principal causative factor of dental carries. Growing awareness of each of these issues has cast a negative influence on the consumer towards sucrose based foods and the demand for low or no sugar products is on the increase. Thus today there exists a need to provide low sugar or sugar free products, which have characteristics similar to those of sugar. However there are problems in replacing sugar with alternatives. This is because sugar in addition to sweetness, imparts many desirable characteristics to the product like body and texture. It is also a good preservative. Sucrose alternatives should naturally satisfy these requirements. Many types of sucrose alternatives are now available and with the help of these, tailor made foods can be prepared so that consumers are not penalized with excessive calories. The main aim of the present study was to replace sugar in Indian sweets with sucrose alternatives, without affecting the desirable quality attributes of these products. With this broad aim in view, the work was initiated on selected Indian sweets such as jamun, burfi, laddu and the results are presented in these studies.