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Deep learning approaches for human-centered IoT applications in smart indoor environments:a contemporary survey
No full textThe widespread Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in day life indoor environments result in an enormous amount of daily generated data, which require reliable data analysis techniques to enable efficient exploitation of this data. The recent developments in deep learning (DL) have facilitated the processing and learning from the massive IoT data and learn essential features swiftly and professionally for a variety of IoT applications on smart indoor environments. This study surveys the recent literature on exploiting DL for different indoor IoT applications. We aim to give insights into how the DL approaches can be employed from various viewpoints to develop improved Indoor IoT applications in two distinct domains: indoor positioning/tracking and activity recognition. A primary target is to effortlessly amalgamate the two disciplines of IoT and DL, resultant in a broad range of innovative strategies in indoor IoT applications, such as health monitoring, smart home control, robotics, etc. Further, we have derived a thematic taxonomy from the comparative analysis of technical studies of the three beforementioned domains. Eventually, we proposed and discussed a set of matters, challenges, and some new directions in incorporating DL to improve the efficiency of indoor IoT applications, encouraging and stimulating additional advances in this auspicious research area.</p
Valences of Historiography:Essays on Architectural History
No full textThe compiled essays offer a rich array of themes and ways of approaching historiography. Each chapter probes the state of contemporary theorization of architecture histories, working toward the theme of critical re-writing of history. Essential to each author's contribution is specific traditions created by the mole of history burrowing through the past. This book concerns the historian’s conjectures towards capturing the past and present zeitgeist. Temporality is the theme running through the narrative of this volume. It raises the question if the ever-growing body of work on architectural history should be taken for history as such. More specifically, what is the intersection between history and architecture history? Furthermore, whether every text focused on architecture's past is categorically historiographic? Still, in what capacity does architecture history indexes History beyond contingencies and without reducing the text to empirical realities and the historian's interest in a specific subject, including those collected through archival research, itself an emblem of textuality. This book upholds the conviction that the past should be recalled accurately and that there is no history but historical criticism, the scope of which is exceeds the historicity of Humanism. Dialectically, the timeline experienced across contemporary techno-economic and cultural domains (aesthetics) offer an opportunity to explore architecture produced outside the Euro-American continents. Valences of historiography offers a fresh take on matters concerning architectural history useful for academics, researchers, and students of architecture.<br/
Towards development of functional climate-driven early warning systems for climate-sensitive infectious diseases:Statistical models and recommendations
Get PDFClimate, weather and environmental change have significantly influenced patterns of infectious disease transmission, necessitating the development of early warning systems to anticipate potential impacts and respond in a timely and effective way. Statistical modelling plays a pivotal role in understanding the intricate relationships between climatic factors and infectious disease transmission. For example, time series regression modelling and spatial cluster analysis have been employed to identify risk factors and predict spatial and temporal patterns of infectious diseases. Recently advanced spatio-temporal models and machine learning offer an increasingly robust framework for modelling uncertainty, which is essential in climate-driven disease surveillance due to the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the data. Moreover, Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, including deep learning and neural networks, excel in capturing intricate patterns and hidden relationships within climate and environmental data sets. Web-based data has emerged as a powerful complement to other datasets encompassing climate variables and disease occurrences. However, given the complexity and non-linearity of climate-disease interactions, advanced techniques are required to integrate and analyse these diverse data to obtain more accurate predictions of impending outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics. This article presents an overview of an approach to creating climate-driven early warning systems with a focus on statistical model suitability and selection, along with recommendations for utilizing spatio-temporal and machine learning techniques. By addressing the limitations and embracing the recommendations for future research, we could enhance preparedness and response strategies, ultimately contributing to the safeguarding of public health in the face of evolving climate challenges.</p
Adaptation of the technology readiness levels for impact assessment in implementation sciences:The TRL-IS checklist
No full textBackground: Intervention development is a critical process in implementation research. There are key stages involved in the process to design, pilot, demonstrate and release a technology or an intervention. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a globally accepted instrument for assessing the maturity of research development. However, the original levels do not fit all, andsome adjustments are required for its applicability in implementation sciences.Aims: This study aimed to gather the prior knowledge base on TRL in public and population health research; to develop a standard definition of readiness, and to adapt and validate the TRL to an implementation science context (TRL-IS).Materials and methods: A Mixed methods approach has been followed in this study. A scoping review using the PRISMA extension (PRISMA-ScR) informed a nominal expert panel for developing a standard definition of readiness and to modify the TRL following an ontoterminology approach. Then the maturity of six practical case study examples were rated by ten researchers using the modified TRL to estimate inter-rater reliability, and a group of experts provided finalcontent and face validity and feasibility. This mixed methods study included 1) a scoping review to examine the current literature and develop a knowledge base, identify knowledge gaps and to clarify concepts; 2) the development of a standard definition of ‘Readiness’ and related terms; and 3) adaptation of the TRL to implementation science and development of a checklist to rate the maturity of applications. A standard definition of readiness and related terms was produced by the core team, and an international nominal group (n = 30) was conducted to discuss and validate the definition andterms, and the location of ‘Readiness’ in the initiation and early development phases of implementation.Following feedback from the nominal group, the development of the TRL-IS was finalised and a TRL-IS rating checklist was developed to rate the maturity of applications. The TRL-IS checklist was tested using six cases based on real world studies on implementation research. The inter-rater reliability of the TRL-IS was evaluated by ten raters and finally six raters evaluated the content and face validity, and feasibility, of the TRL-IS checklist using the System UsabilityScale (SUS).Results: Few papers (n = 11) utilised the TRL to evaluate the readiness of readiness of health and social science implementation research. The main changes in the adaption of the TRL-IS included the removal of laboratory testing, limiting the use of “operational” environment and a clearer distinction between level 6 (pilot in a relevant environment) and 7 (demonstration in the realworld prior to release). The adapted version was considered relevant by the expert panel. The TRL-IS checklist showed evidence of good inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.90 with 95 % confident interval = 0.74–0.98, p < .001) and provides a consistent metric.Conclusions: In spite of recommendations made by national and international research funding agencies, few health and social science implementation studies include the TRL as part of their evaluation protocol. The TRL-IS offers a high degree of conceptual clarity between scientific maturity phases or readiness levels, and good reliability among raters of varying experience. This study highlights that adoption of the TRL-IS framework in implementation sciences will bolster the scientific robustness and comparability of research maturity in this domain.research; to develop a standard definition of readiness, and to adapt and validate the TRL to animplementation science context (TRL-IS).Materials and methods: A Mixed methods approach has been followed in this study. A scopingreview using the PRISMA extension (PRISMA-ScR) informed a nominal expert panel for developinga standard definition of readiness and to modify the TRL following an ontoterminologyapproach. Then the maturity of six practical case study examples were rated by ten researchersusing the modified TRL to estimate inter-rater reliability, and a group of experts provided finalcontent and face validity and feasibility.This mixed methods study included 1) a scoping review to examine the current literature anddevelop a knowledge base, identify knowledge gaps and to clarify concepts; 2) the developmentof a standard definition of ‘Readiness’ and related terms; and 3) adaptation of the TRL toimplementation science and development of a checklist to rate the maturity of applications.A standard definition of readiness and related terms was produced by the core team, and aninternational nominal group (n = 30) was conducted to discuss and validate the definition andterms, and the location of ‘Readiness’ in the initiation and early development phases ofimplementation.Following feedback from the nominal group, the development of the TRL-IS was finalised and aTRL-IS rating checklist was developed to rate the maturity of applications. The TRL-IS checklistwas tested using six cases based on real world studies on implementation research.The inter-rater reliability of the TRL-IS was evaluated by ten raters and finally six raters evaluatedthe content and face validity, and feasibility, of the TRL-IS checklist using the System UsabilityScale (SUS).Results: Few papers (n = 11) utilised the TRL to evaluate the readiness of readiness of health andsocial science implementation research. The main changes in the adaption of the TRL-IS include
Thermal and cardiovascular heat adaptations in active adolescents following summer
No full textThis study aimed to investigate seasonal heat acclimatization in active adolescents following summer. Fifteen (5 females) active adolescents (14.6 ± 1.0 y) completed a 45-min heat response test (HRT) walking at 60% (Formula presented.) O2peak in 40°C and 30% relative humidity before and after summer (i.e. November 2022 and March 2023). During the HRT, gastro-intestinal temperature (Tgi), skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate, local sweat rate (LSR) and whole-body sweat loss (WBSL) were recorded. Carbon monoxide rebreathing and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans determined resting hematological measures and body composition. Participants completed physical activity (PA) diaries and wore an accelerometer for two one-week periods (pre- and post-summer). Daytime wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was calculated for each summer day. Data are presented as posterior mean and 90% credible intervals. Participants reported 7 ± 4 h·wk−1 of outdoor PA, and daytime WBGT was 21.2 ± 4.6°C. Following summer, resting Tgi and heart rate were reduced by 0.2°C [−0.3, −0.1; probability of direction = 99%] and 7 beats·min−1 [−10, −3; 100%], respectively. During the HRT, there was an earlier onset of sweating (−0.2°C [−0.3, −0.0; 98%]), an attenuated rise of Tgi (0.2°C [−0.5, 0.0; 92%]) and mean Tsk changed by −0.2°C [−0.5, 0.1; 86%]. There was minimal evidence for heat adaptations in LSR or WBSL, hematological parameters or perceptual measures. This is the first study to demonstrate seasonal heat adaptations in active adolescents. Reductions in resting Tgi and exercising Tsk and a lower Tgi at the onset of sweating were associated with a smaller rise in Tgi during the HRT following summer.</p
‘We Have Our Own Stories to Write, and We Will Write Them’:Defining Resilience with Aboriginal Young People
No full textColonization is understood as a determinant of health for Indigenous people globally. Understanding colonization through a lens of historical trauma offers new insights into the field of Aboriginal young peoples’ health and wellbeing. Grounded in the Indigenous research paradigm, this study conducted interviews with 15 Aboriginal young people living on Gamilaroi Country, New South Wales, Australia. Three stories are presented to explain how Aboriginal young people understand their resilience, strength and resistance as an integral component of historical trauma. Aboriginal young people identified the need to connect and to continue to draw strength from their ancestors and to be cognizant of the hope and strengths they have as Aboriginal people and describe how this strength can ensure Aboriginal culture is sustained for generations to come.</p
Virtual reality after stroke: Identifying important characteristics when designing experiences to improve engagement in upper limb rehabilitation
No full textOBJECTIVE: Virtual reality (VR) has been used to improve upper limb function after stroke but there is little to guide product developers in building experiences that engage users in the sustained, repetitive training required. This research sought to understand the characteristics of VR scenarios best suited to engaging someone with a stroke during recovery to achieve therapeutic outcomes.METHODS: Five creative immersive VR scenarios were designed by an experienced VR content creator containing unique combinations of VR characteristics. The usefulness of the scenarios was reviewed by expert clinicians experienced in stroke rehabilitation. Following this review, seven stroke survivors participated in each experience and reported on their engagement and motivation. Outcome measures were the User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire and the modified Intrinsic Motivation Inventory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five participants following their immersive VR experience and analysed thematically.RESULTS: Expert clinicians reported potential therapeutic value in the immersive VR scenarios by providing opportunities for repeated and graded practice of upper limb movements. Stroke survivors reported varied levels of enjoyment and engagement for each scenario. They recommended changes to the experiences, primarily relating to the tailoring of the scenarios to match varied upper limb capacities.CONCLUSION: This study highlights the characteristics of immersive VR scenarios that are important in sustaining motivation and providing high-repetition task-specific movement experiences. Differences in the experience and preferences of stroke participants regarding the characteristics of immersive VR experiences indicate that a variety of experiences are necessary to engage and sustain participation in an immersive VR-related therapy programme.</p
Does Readability of Textual Disclosures in Modern Slavery Reports Pay Off? Evidence from a Regulatory Setting
No full textThis study examines the association between textual disclosure readability in modern slavery reports and firm value. Using 212 Australian modern slavery statements for the financial year 2019–2020, a positive association is found between more readable textual disclosures in modern slavery reports and firm value. The study also finds that an optimistic tone in textual disclosures and better firm-level corporate governance accentuate this impact. Further analysis shows that the informative information component of textual disclosures in modern slavery reports is positively priced by investors. Our study’s findings contribute to the debate on why firms should consider improving the textual disclosure readability of modern slavery reports. The study also informs various regulators (e.g. Australian Border Force, Australian Securities and Investments Commission [ASIC], European Union [EU] and United Kingdom [UK] government agencies, etc.) and international organisations about firm-level efforts to promote high-quality reporting on the modern slavery risk.</p
Conclusion - Climate Disaster Preparedness
Get PDFLet us start with two pieces of data, one from history and one from economics, and a deduction drawn from sociology and politics. The first, from 85 years ago, occurred when the judge presiding over an Australian Royal Commission into the devastating “Black Saturday” bushfires pronounced “We have not lived long enough”. What he meant was that European settlers in this country, Australia, had not learned how to live in a land characterised by climatic extremes of drought, fire and flood
