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Contactless breathing waveform detection through RF sensing: radar vs. Wi-Fi techniques
No full textHuman breathing detection plays a vital role in healthcare, safety, and various other applications. This research paper explores the use of radio-frequency (RF) sensing technologies, specifically radar and Wi-Fi, for detecting human breathing patterns. Abnormal breathing patterns can indicate respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, and early detection is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. Radar-based systems utilize low-power RF pulses to capture subtle chest movements associated with breathing, while software-defined radio (SDR)-based systems analyze Wi-Fi signals to detect variations caused by human chest motion. Deep learning algorithms, namely residual neural network (ResNet) and deep multilayer perceptron (DMLP), are employed to classify breathing patterns based on the collected data. ResNet attained classification accuracy up to 90% on radar-based spectrogram images data, while DMLP attained classification accuracy up to 99% on SDR-based channel state information data. The proposed approaches offer non-intrusive, remote-operable, and cost-effective solutions for breathing detection. The research demonstrates the potential of RF sensing technologies in healthcare, eldercare, sleep monitoring, and emergency response systems, paving the way for enhanced well-being and safety
Dynamic behavior assessment protocol for secure Decentralized Federated Learning
Get PDFDecentralized Federated Learning (DFL) is a prevalent approach to efficiently train deep learning models and preserve privacy by sharing model gradients instead of the local data. However, participants in the DFL may opt to adopt a dynamic behavior for personal gains. The existing DFL models cannot differentiate between the adaptive behavior of the participants in the massively distributed environments and assume that all the participants are honest. As a result, free riders or malicious participants remain undetected and not penalized. In this paper, we present a DFL architecture where decentralized participants assess the behavior of each other using the quality of gradients. A novel dynamic reputation assessment protocol is implemented to detect and eliminate participants with adaptive behavior. The proposed architecture is evaluated using behavior-based attacks in a decentralized environment by increasing the percentage of adaptive participants from 10% to 40%. The results show that our proposed protocol can effectively detect and eliminate participants with adaptive behavior from the DFL in only two rounds whereas centralized federated learning fails to detect behavior-based attacks.<br/
“The bloody WhatsApp thing”:a qualitative investigation of experiences of social messaging in a volunteering setting
No full textResearch on the use of social messaging systems and on volunteering has indicated divergent experiences of each. We bring together research in these two domains using an examination of experiences of WhatsApp use by volunteers for a specific charity. Our qualitative analysis illustrates benefits and challenges of using WhatsApp in this specific context. While WhatsApp was perceived as facilitating information exchange in support of volunteering activity, it was also seen as a compromise. Moreover, the perceived noisy intrusion of WhatsApp alerts and lack of a clear, shared purpose of the group was experienced negatively. Our findings are used to discuss some of the potential practical implications for volunteer experiences and additionally contribute to the development of our understanding of the volunteering process via the introduction of the concept of digital volunteerspaces.</p
Imagining resistance? reflecting on the role of creative practice in facilitating young people’s capacity to represent and document their own experiences of resistance
Get PDFWhile “resistance” is often used to describe “fighting back” against oppression and subjugation, for young people the word resistance is often used by safeguarding professionals to refer to negative, disruptive behaviours rather than evidence of their creativity, agency and strength in the face of oppression. In this paper, we share findings and reflections from Imagining Resistance, a three-year multi-disciplinary project that explored how young people in England (n=20, aged 13–25) who have experienced sexual abuse, violence and exploitation engage in processes and acts of resistance. Imagining Resistance set out to utilise photovoice (Wang and Burris 1997), a qualitative research method centred on photography, in a series of creative workshops with young people. However, our approach changed over the course of the project, influenced by O’Neill’s (2012) concept of “ethno-mimesis”, which involves collecting ethnographic data alongside the creation of visual and poetic responses to prompts offered within flexibly structured creative workshop settings. This shift occurred as the young people pushed back, resisting the intended methodology while remaining open to other creative arts methods. This enabled us to think more critically about how the use of participatory and creative arts methods can facilitate emancipatory research practices that are responsive to young people’s developing understanding of resistance and their experiences of reimagining resistance as a fluid, generative and hopeful collective endeavour
Voluntary torque production is unaffected by changes in local thermal sensation during normothermia and hyperthermia
Get PDFWhat is the central question of this study? Hyperthermia reduces the human capacity to produce muscular force, which is associated with decreased neural drive: does mitigating a reduction in neural drive by altering localised thermal sensation help to preserve voluntary force output? What is the main finding and its importance? Altering thermal sensation by cooling and heating the head independent of core temperature did not change neural drive or benefit voluntary force production. Head cooling did slow the rate of rise in core temperature during heating, which may have practical applications in passive settings. This study investigated altered local head and neck thermal sensation on maximal and rapid torque production during voluntary contractions. Nine participants completed four visits in two environmental conditions: at rectal temperatures ∼39.5°C in hot (HOT; ∼50°C, ∼39% relative humidity) and ∼37°C in thermoneutral (NEU; ∼22°C, ∼46% relative humidity) conditions. Local thermal sensation was manipulated by heating in thermoneutral conditions and cooling in hot conditions. Evoked twitches and octets were delivered at rest. Maximum voluntary torque (MVT), normalised surface electromyography (EMG) and voluntary activation (VA) were assessed during brief maximal isometric voluntary contractions of the knee extensors. Rate of torque development (RTD) and EMG were measured during rapid voluntary contractions. MVT (P = 0.463) and RTD (P = 0.061) were similar between environmental conditions despite reduced VA (-6%; P = 0.047) and EMG at MVT (-31%; P = 0.019). EMG in the rapid voluntary contractions was also lower in HOT versus NEU during the initial 100 ms (-24%; P = 0.035) and 150 ms (-26%; P = 0.035). Evoked twitch (+70%; P < 0.001) and octet (+27%; P < 0.001) RTD during the initial 50 ms were greater in the HOT compared to NEU conditions, in addition to a faster relaxation rate of the muscle (-33%; P < 0.001). In conclusion, hyperthermia reduced neural drive without affecting voluntary torque, likely due to the compensatory effects of improved intrinsic contractile function and faster contraction and relaxation rates of the knee extensors. Changes in local thermal perception of the head and neck whilst hyperthermic or normothermic did not affect voluntary torque
Effectiveness of interventions to manage difficulties with breastfeeding for mothers of infants under six months with growth faltering: a systematic review update
Get PDF(1) Background: The current evidence on management of infants under six months (u6m) with growth faltering is limited and of low quality. This review aimed at updating an existing review to inform the WHO guideline update on prevention and management of growth faltering in infants u6m. The objective is to synthesise evidence on interventions to manage breastfeeding difficulties in mothers or caregivers of infants u6m with growth faltering to improve breastfeeding practices and breastmilk intake. (2) Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library from December 2018 to December 2021 for experimental studies. Using RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools, we assessed study quality and results were synthesised narratively. Using the GRADE approach, we assessed the quality of evidence for four outcome domains-breastfeeding (critical), anthropometric (important), mortality (important), and morbidity (important). (3) Results: We identified seven studies, conducted among neonates (mainly preterm, n = 14 to 607), and assessed the following interventions: (a) non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on breast (n = 2) and (b) alternative supplemental feeding techniques (n = 5, cup feeding, spoon feeding, supplemental feeding tube device, and syringe feeding), and reported breastfeeding and anthropometric outcomes. None of the studies reported mortality and morbidity outcomes. The reported breastfeeding outcomes included LATCH (Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort, Hold) total score, PIBBS (Preterm Infants Breastfeeding Behaviour Scale) total score, EBF (exclusive breastfeeding) at various time points and time to transition to full breastfeeding, and reported anthropometric outcomes included weight gain and weight at different time points. Studies had 'serious' indirectness and 'serious' to 'very serious' risks of bias. From the limited studies we found, NNS on breast compared to NNS on finger may have some benefits on PIBBS total score; NNS on breast compared to NNS on pacifier may have some benefits on EBF at discharge; and cup feeding compared to bottle feeding may have some benefits on EBF at discharge, at three months and at six months. (4) Conclusions: Evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to manage breastfeeding difficulties in mothers or caregivers of infants u6m with growth faltering to improve breastfeeding practices and increase breastmilk intake is 'limited' and of 'low' to 'very low' quality. As the majority of the infants in the included studies were neonates, no new recommendations can be made for infants from one to six months due to lack of evidence in this population. We need more studies targeting infants from one to six months of age. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022309001)
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFTo estimate prevalence of HIV infection in Nigeria and to examine variations by geopolitical zones and study characteristics to inform policy, practice and research. We conducted a comprehensive search of bibliographic databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Global Health, Academic Search Elite and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED) and grey sources for studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2019. Studies reporting prevalence estimates of HIV among pregnant women in Nigeria using a diagnostic test were included. Primary outcome was proportion (%) of pregnant women living with HIV infection. A review protocol was developed and registered (PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019107037). Twenty-three studies involving 72 728 pregnant women were included. Ten studies were of high quality and the remaining were of moderate quality. Twenty-one studies used two or more diagnostic tests to identify women living with HIV. Overall pooled prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was 7.22% (95% CI 5.64 to 9.21). Studies showed high degree of heterogeneity (I2 =97.2%) and evidence of publication bias (p=0.728). Pooled prevalence for most individual geopolitical zones showed substantial variations compared with overall prevalence. North-Central (6.84%, 95% CI 4.73 to 9.79) and South-West zones (6.27%, 95% CI 4.75 to 8.24) had lower prevalence whereas South-East zone (17.04%, 95% CI 9.01 to 29.86) had higher prevalence. While robust national prevalence studies are sparse in Nigeria, our findings suggest 7 in every 100 pregnant women are likely to have HIV infection. These figures are consistent with reported prevalence rates in sub-Saharan African region. WHO has indicated much higher prevalence in Nigeria compared with our findings. This discrepancy could potentially be attributed to varied methodological approaches and regional focus of studies included in our review. The magnitude of the issue highlights the need for targeted efforts from local, national and international stakeholders for prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment
When a habit meets a habit at the city dump: persistence and adaptability of habit in Única mirando al mar (2010)
Get PDFFernando Contreras Castro’s novel Única mirando al mar (1993 and 2010) is a bitter, scathing social critique of Costa Rica’s government which occasionally remembers its duty to its tax payers and environment. Re-written in 2010 after the closure of Río Azul, a landfill near San José, it explores the way this action affected the population of the landfill, locally known as the buzos (scuba divers). The critiques of the novel address primarily the buzos’ resilience and the complexity of the relationship between the buzos’ society and the rest of the country. This study will consider the buzos’ society as a social order based on habit and trace its adaptability and persistence in face of multiple changes to the buzos’ life. To this end, I will use the theory of posthegemony with a particular focus on Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of habit and habitus to explore the adaptability and persistence of the buzos’ habitus as reflected in habitual practices, rituals, and ritual language. I will analyse the 2010 version of the novel, published after the closure of the landfill
Effect of Ajwa date pits powder (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on body composition, lipid profile and blood pressure in patients with hyperlipidemia: a randomized clinical trial
Get PDFObjective: To evaluate the effect of Ajwa dates pit powder (ADP) on lipid profile, body composition and blood pressure in patients with hyperlipidemia. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical study was carried out on 40 patients with total cholesterol >200 mg/dl, triglycerides >150 mg/dl and BMI >25, of either sex, aged 30-50 years, who were recruited through written consent. The patients were divided into two groups (n=20 each): the ADP and the control group (CG). All patients received the doctor’s prescribed class A statin (Rosuvastatin/ Atorvastatin) 10 mg/day, while 2.7 g ADP was given on daily basis before breakfast with lukewarm water for 40 days and the control group received the same amount of wheat flour. Body composition, blood pressure and lipid profile were determined at baseline, and after 20 and 40 days. Data were analyzed by using SPSS and GraphPad Prism. Results: ADP significantly reduced body weight (p<0.001), BMI (p<0.001), fat mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat area and waist circumference compared to the control group. Similarly, ADP significantly (p=0.000) decreased the serum level of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. Conclusion: ADP may have the potential to improve dyslipidemia and obesity
The use of culturally adapted and translated depression screening questionnaires with South Asian haemodialysis patients in England
Get PDFDepression is common amongst patients receiving haemodialysis (HD). Assessment and intervention when faced with language and cultural barriers is challenging. To support clinician decisions, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the use of culturally adapted and translated versions of commonly-used depression screening questionnaires with South Asian patients receiving HD in England. Patients completed adapted versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R), and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). All questionnaires were available in Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, and Bengali. A comparative sample of white-Europeans completed the questionnaires in English. The research was based across 9 National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in England. Structural validity of translated questionnaires was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Diagnostic accuracy was explored in a subgroup of South Asians against ICD-10 categories using the Clinical Interview Schedule Revised (CIS-R) with receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. 229 South Asian and 120 white-European HD patients participated. A single latent depression factor largely accounted for the correlations between items of the PHQ-9, CESD-R and BDI-II. Issues with measurement equivalence implied that scores on the translations may not be comparable with the English language versions. Against CIS-R based ICD-10 diagnosis of depression, sensitivity was modest across scales (50-66.7%). Specificity was higher (81.3-93.8%). Alternative screening cut-offs did not improve positive predictive values. Culturally adapted translations of depression screening questionnaires are useful to explore symptom endorsement amongst South Asian patients. However, data indicate that standard cut-off scores may not be appropriate to classify symptom severity. Use of the CIS-R algorithms for optimal case identification requires further exploration in this setting. Strategies to encourage recruitment of under-represented groups in renal research are also warranted, especially for in-depth discussions related to psychological care needs
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