Cross-Domain HAR: Few Shot Transfer Learning for Human Activity Recognition

The ubiquitous availability of smartphones and smartwatches with integrated inertial measurement units (IMUs) enables straightforward capturing of human activities. For specific applications of sensor based human activity recognition (HAR), however, logistical challenges and burgeoning costs render especially the ground truth annotation of such data a difficult endeavor, resulting in limited scale and diversity of datasets. Transfer learning, i.e., leveraging publicly available labeled datasets to first learn useful representations that can then be fine-tuned using limited amounts of labeled data from a target domain, can alleviate some of the performance issues of contemporary HAR systems. Yet they can fail when the differences between source and target conditions are too large and/ or only few samples from a target application domain are available, each of which are typical challenges in real-world human activity recognition scenarios. In this paper, we present an approach for economic use of publicly available labeled HAR datasets for effective transfer learning. We introduce a novel transfer learning framework, Cross-Domain HAR, which follows the teacher-student self-training paradigm to more effectively recognize activities with very limited label information. It bridges conceptual gaps between source and target domains, including sensor locations and type of activities. Through our extensive experimental evaluation on a range of benchmark datasets, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach for practically relevant few shot activity recognition scenarios. We also present a detailed analysis into how the individual components of our framework affect downstream performance

Effectiveness of Ice Cube Application upon Pain Perception of Children undergoing Venepuncture

An Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Ice Cube Application upon Pain Perception of Children Undergoing Venepuncture at Selected Hospitals, Chennai. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the level of pain perceived by control and experimental group of children during venepuncture. 2. To determine the effectiveness of ice cube application by comparing the pain perception among control and experimental group of children during venepuncture. 3. To determine the association between selected demographic variables and pain perception among control and experimental group of children during venepuncture. 4. To determine the association between selected clinical variables and pain perception among control and experimental group of children during venepuncture. 5. To determine the level of satisfaction of mothers and children regarding ice cube application in experimental group of children during venepuncture. The conceptual framework of the study was based on “Gate Control theory of Pain” given by Melzack and Wall which was modified for the present study. An experimental research approach with post test only design was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The present study was conducted in Apollo Children‟s Hospital, Chennai. A sample size of 60 children who met the inclusion criteria were chosen for this study of which 30 were taken for the control group and 30 for the experimental group using systematic random sampling. The study variables were pain perception of children undergoing venepuncture and ice cube application during venepuncture. An extensive review of literature and guidance by experts formed the foundation to the development of the tools for the study. The investigator used Demographic variables proforma, Clinical variables proforma, Wong Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and Rating Scale on the level of satisfaction about ice cube application during venepuncture to assess the outcome. The data collection tools were validated and reliability was established. After the pilot study, the data for the main study was collected using interview method. The children in the control group were assessed for pain perception using Wong Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale without any intervention. In experimental group ice cube application was given at the site of venepuncture for a period of one minute. At the end of this period, venepuncture was performed and post assessment of pain perception was done immediately for one minute by using Wong Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. The level of satisfaction of experimental group of children was assessed using satisfaction rating scale. MAJOR FINDINGS: 1. Majority of the children were in lower primary class (80%, 86.7%), from nuclear family (73.3%, 93.3%) and were Hindu by religion (86.7%, 80%) in both control and experimental group respectively. 2. Majority of the children in control and experimental group had no previous history of hospitalization (70%, 76.7%) and no previous history of venepuncture (70%, 76.7%). 3. Majority of the children in control and experimental group were undergoing venepuncture for blood collection (63.3%, 93.3%) and the procedure was performed by nurses (93.3%, 100%). 4. Majority of children in control group experienced severe pain during venepuncture (66.7%) where as in experimental group had moderate pain (43.3%). 5. The mean and standard deviation of the control and experimental group of children is 7.7, 2.7, 2.11 and 1.45 respectively. The „t‟ value of 10.70 which is highly significant at P< 0.001 level of significance. Hence the null hypothesis H01 was rejected. 6. Majority of mothers and children were highly satisfied (87%) with ice cube application intervention during venepuncture. 7. The study findings revealed a significant association (p<0.001) between age of the child and pain perception in control and experimental group, but there was no significant association between other demographic variables and pain perception in control and experimental group. Hence, the null hypothesis H02 was partially rejected with regard to the age of the children and pain perception in both control and experimental group. 8. There was no significant association between clinical variables and pain perception in both control and experimental group. Hence null hypothesis H03 was retained. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. The study can be conducted with larger samples to generalize the results. 2. The study can be conducted in different settings. 3. The study can be conducted for pain management during other invasive procedures. 4. A comparative study can be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of various other interventions to reduce pain. 5. The study can be conducted among children of different age groups. 6. A comparative study can be conducted to assess the effectiveness of ice cube application with other intervention like Emla cream application during venepuncture

Computer Model for Simulating Population Dynamics of the Predator \u3ci\u3eLyctocoris campestris\u3c/i\u3e (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in Stored Shelled Corn

A computer model for simulating population dynamics of Lyctocoris campestris (F.), a predator of stored-product insects, was developed using data from the literature and newly collected data for adult longevity and fecundity. Immature development time and survival, adult longevity, fecundity, and cannibalism were simulated. The model was validated at ambient environmental conditions during three seasons in Wisconsin. The model accurately simulated development of the predator feeding on larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in the validation studies. The model will be useful in optimizing mass-rearing and augmentative releases of this predator for biological control of stored-product insect pests

Computer Model for Simulating Population Dynamics of the Predator \u3ci\u3eLyctocoris campestris\u3c/i\u3e (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in Stored Shelled Corn

A computer model for simulating population dynamics of Lyctocoris campestris (F.), a predator of stored-product insects, was developed using data from the literature and newly collected data for adult longevity and fecundity. Immature development time and survival, adult longevity, fecundity, and cannibalism were simulated. The model was validated at ambient environmental conditions during three seasons in Wisconsin. The model accurately simulated development of the predator feeding on larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in the validation studies. The model will be useful in optimizing mass-rearing and augmentative releases of this predator for biological control of stored-product insect pests

Assessment of Strength of Hollow Concrete Blocks with Holes Reinforced with Half Portion of Coconut Shells

Natural building materials are diminishing day by day. Hence economical alternatives of natural building materials are necessary for sustainable development. A hollow concrete block was developed to reduce the use of natural building materials. Agricultural waste products like coconut shells from the coconut industry have disposal problems causing environmental concerns. Various studies were done in the past, replacing a portion of the natural aggregates with broken coconut shells for manufacturing the hollow concrete blocks. In this study, we have developed a new method of forming the holes of hollow concrete blocks by placing stacks of half portion of coconut shells at the bottom with convex surface upwards to reinforce the holes by arch action. The results show that the coconut shell reinforced hollow concrete blocks have better strength as compared to open-graded hollow concrete blocks available in the market. Most Searchable Keywords on the Web coconut shell building blocks, coconut shell building blocks journals, coconut shell building blocks ppt, hollow concrete blocks, literature review of coconut shell concrete, coconut shell bricks, alternative for hollow blocks, concrete blocks with holes &nbsp

Epigenetic age acceleration is associated with oligodendrocyte proportions in MSA and control brain tissue

Aims: Epigenetic clocks are widely applied as surrogates for biological age in different tissues and/or diseases, including several neurodegenerative diseases. Despite white matter (WM) changes often being observed in neurodegenerative diseases, no study has investigated epigenetic ageing in white matter. Methods: We analysed the performances of two DNA methylation-based clocks, DNAmClockMulti and DNAmClockCortical, in post-mortem WM tissue from multiple subcortical regions and the cerebellum, and in oligodendrocyte-enriched nuclei. We also examined epigenetic ageing in control and multiple system atrophy (MSA) (WM and mixed WM and grey matter), as MSA is a neurodegenerative disease comprising pronounced WM changes and α-synuclein aggregates in oligodendrocytes. Results: Estimated DNA methylation (DNAm) ages showed strong correlations with chronological ages, even in WM (e.g., DNAmClockCortical, r = [0.80–0.97], p  0.31, p < 0.05), and similar trends were obtained with DNAmClockMulti. Although increased age acceleration was observed in MSA compared with controls, no significant differences were detected upon adjustment for possible confounders (e.g., cell-type proportions). Conclusions: Our findings show that oligodendrocyte proportions positively influence epigenetic age acceleration across brain regions and highlight the need to further investigate this in ageing and neurodegeneration

Towards Transcervical Ultrasound Image Guidance for Transoral Robotic Surgery

Purpose: Trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) using the da Vinci surgical robot is a new minimally-invasive surgery method to treat oropharyngeal tumors, but it is a challenging operation. Augmented reality (AR) based on intra-operative ultrasound (US) has the potential to enhance the visualization of the anatomy and cancerous tumors to provide additional tools for decision-making in surgery. Methods: We propose and carry out preliminary evaluations of a US-guided AR system for TORS, with the transducer placed on the neck for a transcervical view. Firstly, we perform a novel MRI-transcervical 3D US registration study. Secondly, we develop a US-robot calibration method with an optical tracker and an AR system to display the anatomy mesh model in the real-time endoscope images inside the surgeon console. Results: Our AR system reaches a mean projection error of 26.81 and 27.85 pixels for the projection from the US to stereo cameras in a water bath experiment. The average target registration error for MRI to 3D US is 8.90 mm for the 3D US transducer and 5.85 mm for freehand 3D US, and the average distance between the vessel centerlines is 2.32 mm. Conclusion: We demonstrate the first proof-of-concept transcervical US-guided AR system for TORS and the feasibility of trans-cervical 3D US-MRI registration. Our results show that trans-cervical 3D US is a promising technique for TORS image guidance.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures. Accepted by Information Processing for Computer Assisted Interventions (IPCAI 2023

Full-length isoform transcriptome of the developing human brain provides further insights into autism.

Alternative splicing plays an important role in brain development, but its global contribution to human neurodevelopmental diseases (NDDs) requires further investigation. Here we examine the relationships between splicing isoform expression in the brain and de novo loss-of-function mutations from individuals with NDDs. We analyze the full-length isoform transcriptome of the developing human brain and observe differentially expressed isoforms and isoform co-expression modules undetectable by gene-level analyses. These isoforms are enriched in loss-of-function mutations and microexons, are co-expressed with a unique set of partners, and have higher prenatal expression. We experimentally test the effect of splice-site mutations and demonstrate exon skipping in five NDD risk genes, including SCN2A, DYRK1A, and BTRC. Our results suggest that the splice site mutation in BTRC reduces translational efficiency, likely affecting Wnt signaling through impaired degradation of β-catenin. We propose that functional effects of mutations should be investigated at the isoform- rather than gene-level resolution