Improving Clinical Support through Retrieval-Augmented Generation Powered Virtual Health Assistants

This article examines the implementation of a virtual health assistant powered by Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and GPT-4, aimed at enhancing clinical support through personalized, real-time interactions with patients. The system is hypothesized to improve healthcare accessibility, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes by automating routine tasks and delivering accurate health information. The assistant leverages natural language processing and real-time data retrieval models to respond to patient inquiries, schedule appointments, provide medication reminders, assist with symptom triage, and answer insurance-related questions. By integrating RAG-based virtual care, the system reduces the burden on healthcare specialists and helps mitigate healthcare disparities, particularly in rural areas where traditional care is limited. Although the initial scope of testing did not validate all potential benefits, the results demonstrated high patient satisfaction and strong response accuracy, both critical for systems of this nature. These findings underscore the transformative potential of AI-driven virtual health assistants in enhancing patient engagement, streamlining operational workflows, and improving healthcare accessibility, ultimately contributing to better outcomes and more cost-effective care delivery.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants acting as cultural ambassadors on the campus

Many language instructors in colleges and universities around the world have teaching assistants to help them with the teaching. Since 1968, the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant （FLTA） program has aimed to strengthen foreign language instruction at U.S. educational institutions by establishing a native speaker presence. As one of the first group of Fulbright Chinese Language Assistants, the author worked at the College of Wooster in the United States from August, 2005 to May, 2006. At the beginning of the paper, the author gave a brief introduction of Fulbright FLTA program. Then the author described five cultural activities that Fulbright FLTAs could employ in foreign language learners＇ learning process： giving presentations, teaching songs, watching movies, organizing free tea or coffee breaks, and holding free talks. The following section discussed two phenomena that FLTAs should avoid, that is, ethnocentrism and cultural stereotyping. The author pointed out in the conclusion that Fulbright language assistants should make efforts to be qualified cultural ambassadors.

Al-based Assistants

Whether you leave business school to become a corporate manager, a professional high performer or an entrepreneur, you will spend much of your time on tasks unrelated to your expertise. Only the most senior executives now have dedicated personal assistants and so the more mundane work of emails.

Inquiring Natural Language Processing Capabilities on Robotic Systems through Virtual Assistants:A Systemic Approach

This paper attempts to approach the interface of a robot from the perspective of virtual assistants.Virtual assistants can also be characterized as the mind of a robot,since they manage communication and action with the rest of the world they exist in.Therefore,virtual assistants can also be described as the brain of a robot and they include a Natural Language Processing(NLP)module for conducting communication in their human-robot interface.This work is focused on inquiring and enhancing the capabilities of this module.The problem is that nothing much is revealed about the nature of the human-robot interface of commercial virtual assistants.Therefore,any new attempt of developing such a capability has to start from scratch.Accordingly,to include corresponding capabilities to a developing NLP system of a virtual assistant,a method of systemic semantic modelling is proposed and applied.For this purpose,the paper briefly reviews the evolution of virtual assistants from the first assistant,in the form of a game,to the latest assistant that has significantly elevated their standards.Then there is a reference to the evolution of their services and their continued offerings,as well as future expectations.The paper presents their structure and the technologies used,according to the data provided by the development companies to the public,while an attempt is made to classify virtual assistants,based on their characteristics and capabilities.Consequently,a robotic NLP interface is being developed,based on the communicative power of a proposed systemic conceptual model that may enhance the NLP capabilities of virtual assistants,being tested through a small natural language dictionary in Greek.

Exposure measurement, risk assessment and source identification for exposure of traffic assistants to particle-bound PAHs in Tianjin, China

To investigate the levels of exposure to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH） and to estimate the risk these levels pose to traffic assistants （TAs） in Tianjin （a rnegacity in North China）, a measurement campaign （33 all-day exposure samples, 25 occupational-exposure samples and 10 indoor samples） was conducted to characterize the TAs＇ exposure to PAHs, assess the cancer risk and identify the potential sources of exposure. The average total exposure concentration of 14 PAHs was approximately 2871 ＋ 928 ng/rn3 （on-duty）, and 1622 ＋ 457 ng/m3 （all-day）. The indoor PAHs level was 1257 ＋ 107 ng/m3. After 8000 Monte Carlo simulations, the cancer risk resulting from exposure to PAHs was found to be approximately 1.05 x 10-4. A multivariate analysis was applied to identify the potential sources, and the results showed that, in addition to vehicle exhaust, coal combustion and cooking fumes were also another two important contributors to personal PAH exposure. The diagnostic ratios of PAH compounds agree with the source apportionment results derived from principal component analysis.

Research on Multi-modal In-Vehicle Intelligent Personal Assistant Design

Intelligent personal assistants play a pivotal role in in-vehicle systems,significantly enhancing life efficiency,driving safety,and decision-making support.In this study,the multi-modal design elements of intelligent personal assistants within the context of visual,auditory,and somatosensory interactions with drivers were discussed.Their impact on the driver’s psychological state through various modes such as visual imagery,voice interaction,and gesture interaction were explored.The study also introduced innovative designs for in-vehicle intelligent personal assistants,incorporating design principles such as driver-centricity,prioritizing passenger safety,and utilizing timely feedback as a criterion.Additionally,the study employed design methods like driver behavior research and driving situation analysis to enhance the emotional connection between drivers and their vehicles,ultimately improving driver satisfaction and trust.

基于NodeMCU和Home Assistant的智能家居控制系统

为了提高家居生活的舒适性和便利性,开发了一套智能家居控制系统。该系统采用节点微控制单元(NodeMCU)作为基础硬件,负责收集传感器数据并操控相关执行器件。同时,该系统利用消息队列遥测传输协议(MQTT)和WiˉFi技术构建数据传输链路。此外,该系统利用开源的Home Assistant系统建立了后台服务端,以实现数据的图形化展示。用户可通过安卓移动设备实时监控家居环境状况,并对智能设备实施控制。该系统经过严格测试,表现稳定,显著提高了家居环境的智能化程度。

Grindability Evaluation of Ultrasonic Assisted Grinding of Silicon Nitride Ceramic Using Minimum Quantity Lubrication Based SiO_(2)Nanofluid

Minimum quantity Lubrication(MQL)is a sustainable lubrication system that is famous in many machining systems.It involve the spray of an infinitesimal amount of mist-like lubricants during machining processes.The MQL system is affirmed to exhibit an excellent machining performance,and it is highly economical.The nanofluids are understood to exhibit excellent lubricity and heat evacuation capability,compared to pure oil-based MQL system.Studies have shown that the surface quality and amount of energy expended in the grinding operations can be reduced considerably due to the positive effect of these nanofluids.This work presents an experimental study on the tribological performance of SiO_(2)nanofluid during grinding of Si_(3)N_(4)ceramic.The effect different grinding modes and lubrication systems during the grinding operation was also analyzed.Different concentrations of the SiO_(2)nanofluid was manufactured using canola,corn and sunflower oils.The quantitative evaluation of the grinding process was done based on the amount of grinding forces,specific grinding energy,frictional coefficient,and surface integrity.It was found that the canola oil exhibits optimal lubrication performance compared to corn oil,sunflower oil,and traditional lubrication systems.Additionally,the introduction of ultrasonic vibrations with the SiO_(2)nanofluid in MQL system was found to reduce the specific grinding energy,normal grinding forces,tangential grinding forces,and surface roughness by 65%,57%,65%,and 18%respectively.Finally,regression analysis was used to obtain an optimum parameter combinations.The observations from this work will aid the smooth transition towards ecofriendly and sustainable machining of engineering ceramics.

A New Speed Limit Recognition Methodology Based on Ensemble Learning:Hardware Validation

Advanced DriverAssistance Systems(ADAS)technologies can assist drivers or be part of automatic driving systems to support the driving process and improve the level of safety and comfort on the road.Traffic Sign Recognition System(TSRS)is one of themost important components ofADAS.Among the challengeswith TSRS is being able to recognize road signs with the highest accuracy and the shortest processing time.Accordingly,this paper introduces a new real time methodology recognizing Speed Limit Signs based on a trio of developed modules.Firstly,the Speed Limit Detection(SLD)module uses the Haar Cascade technique to generate a new SL detector in order to localize SL signs within captured frames.Secondly,the Speed Limit Classification(SLC)module,featuring machine learning classifiers alongside a newly developed model called DeepSL,harnesses the power of a CNN architecture to extract intricate features from speed limit sign images,ensuring efficient and precise recognition.In addition,a new Speed Limit Classifiers Fusion(SLCF)module has been developed by combining trained ML classifiers and the DeepSL model by using the Dempster-Shafer theory of belief functions and ensemble learning’s voting technique.Through rigorous software and hardware validation processes,the proposedmethodology has achieved highly significant F1 scores of 99.98%and 99.96%for DS theory and the votingmethod,respectively.Furthermore,a prototype encompassing all components demonstrates outstanding reliability and efficacy,with processing times of 150 ms for the Raspberry Pi board and 81.5 ms for the Nano Jetson board,marking a significant advancement in TSRS technology.

Assistive Robotics for Upper Limb Physical Rehabilitation:A Systematic Review and Future Prospects

Physical assistive robotics are oriented to support and improve functional capacities of people.In physical rehabilitation,robots are indeed useful for functional recovery of affected limb.However,there are still open questions related to technological aspects.This work presents a systematic review of upper limb rehabilitation robotics in order to analyze and establish technological challenges and future directions in this area.A bibliometric analysis was performed for the systematic literature review.Literature from the last six years,conducted between August 2020 and May 2021,was reviewed.The methodology for the literature search and a bibliometric analysis of the metadata are presented.After a preliminary search resulted in 820 articles,a total of 66 articles were included.A concurrency network and bibliographic analysis were provided.And an analysis of occurrences,taxonomy,and rehabilitation robotics reported in the literature is presented.This review aims to provide to the scientific community an overview of the state of the art in assistive robotics for upper limb physical rehabilitation.The literature analysis allows access to a gap of unexplored options to define the technological prospects applied to upper limb physical rehabilitation robotics.

Advances in magnetic-assisted triboelectric nanogenerators:structures,materials and self-sensing systems

Triboelectric nanogenerators(TENG),renowned for their remarkable capability to harness weak mechanical energy from the environment,have gained considerable attention owing to their cost-effectiveness,high output,and adaptability.This review provides a unique perspective by conducting a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of magnetically assisted TENGs that encompass structures,materials,and self-powered sensing systems.We systematically summarize the diverse functions of the magnetic assistance for TENGs,including system stiffness,components of the hybrid electromagnetic-triboelectric generator,transmission,and interaction forces.In the material domain,we review the incorporation of magnetic nano-composites materials,along with ferrofluid-based TENG and microstructure verification,which have also been summarized based on existing research.Furthermore,we delve into the research progress on physical quantity sensing and human-machine interface in magnetic-assisted TENGs.Our analysis highlights that magnetic assistance extends beyond the repulsive and suction forces under a magnetic field,thereby playing multifaceted roles in improving the output performance and environmental adaptability of the TENGs.Finally,we present the prevailing challenges and offer insights into the future trajectory of the magnetic-assisted TENGs development.

Fabrication and anti-corrosion performance of superhydrophobic silane film on sintered NdFeB

An eco-friendly superhydrophobic protective film(DTMS/TEOS silane film)was fabricated on sintered NdFeB substrate through the utilization of electrochemically assisted deposition technology.The structure,properties,and film-forming mechanism of dodecyltrime-thoxysilane(DTMS)/tetraethoxysilane(TEOS)silane films were comprehensively analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS).Based on the test results,it can be determined that this film has a superhydrophobic property with a hydrophobicity angle of 152°.This special property can be attributed to the long alkyl chains in the DTMS molecule,the rough morphology,and the low surface energy of the DTMS/TEOS silane film.The surface of sintered NdFeB is coated with a layered three-dimensional network silane film that forms through the condensation of silanol substances.This film provides excellent corrosion resistance to the sintered NdFeB substrate,reducing its corrosion current density to 2.02×10~(-6)A/cm~2.Moreover,the impact of film on the magnetic characteristics of sintered NdFeB was assessed and found to be minimal.

Improving fatigue properties of normal direction ultrasonic vibration assisted face grinding Inconel 718 by regulating machined surface integrity

Fatigue properties are crucial for critical aero-engine components in extreme serviceenvironments,which are significantly affected by surface integrity(SI)indexes(especially surface topography,residual stressσ_(res),and microhardness)after machining processes.Normal-direction ultrasonic vibration-assisted face grinding(ND-UVAFG)has advantages in improving the machinability of Inconel 718,but there is a competitive relationship between higher compressiveσ_(res)and higher surface roughness R_(a)in affecting fatigue strength.The lack of a quantitative relationship between multiple SI indexes and fatigue strength makes theindeterminacy of a regulatory strategy for improving fatigue properties.In this work,a model of fatigue strength(σ_f)_(sur)considering multiple SI indexes was developed.Then,high-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on Inconel 718 samples with different SI characteristics,and the influence of ND-UVAFG process parameters on SI was analyzed.Based on SI indexes data,the(σ_f)_(sur)distribution in the grinding surface layer for ND-UVAFG Inconel 718 samples was determined using the developed model,and then the fatigue crack initiation(FCI)sites were furtherpredicted.The predicted FCI sites corresponded well with the experimental results,therebyverifying this model.A strategy for improving the fatigue life was proposed in this work,which was to transfer the fatigue source from the machined surface to the bulk material by controlling the SI indexes.Finally,a critical condition of SI indexes that FCI sites appeared on the surface or in bulk material was given by fitting the predicted results.According to the critical condition,an SI field where FCI sites appeared in the bulk material could be obtained.In this field,thefatigue life of Inconel 718 samples could be improved by approximately 140%.

Microfluidic thermotaxic selection of highlymotile sperm and in vitro fertilization

The selection of the most motile and functionally competent sperm is an essential basis for in vitro fertilization(IVF)and normal embryonic development.Widely adopted clinical approaches for sperm sample processing intensely rely on centrifugation and wash steps that may induce mechanical damage and oxidative stress to sperm.Although a few microfluidic sperm sorting devices may avoid these adverse effects by exploiting intrinsic guidance mechanisms of sperm swimming,none of these approaches have been fully validated by clinical-grade assessment criteria.In this study,a microfluidic sperm sorting device that enables the selection of highly motile and functional sperm via their intrinsic thermotaxis is presented.Bioinspired by the temperature microenvironment in the fallopian tube during natural sperm selection,a microfluidic device with controllable temperature gradients along the sperm separation channel was designed and fabricated.This study investigated the optimal temperature conditions for human sperm selection and fully characterized thermotaxis-selected sperm with 45 human sperm samples.Results indicated that a temperature range of 35–36.5℃along the separation channel significantly improves human sperm motility rate((85.25±6.28)%vs.(60.72±1.37)%;P=0.0484),increases normal sperm morphology rate((16.42±1.43)%vs.(12.55±0.88)%;P<0.0001),and reduces DNA fragmentation((7.44±0.79)%vs.(10.36±0.72)%;P=0.0485)compared to the nonthermotaxis group.Sperm thermotaxis is species-specific,and selected mouse sperm displayed the highest motility in response to a temperature range of 36–37.5℃ along the separation channel.Furthermore,IVF experiments indicated that the selected sperm permitted an increased fertilization rate and improved embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst.This microfluidic thermotaxic selection approach will be translated into clinical practice to improve the IVF success rate for patients with oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on post-vitrification mouse embryo development

Objective:To investigate the effects of coenzyme Q10(CoQ10)supplementation on post-vitrification embryo development and gross morphology.Methods:Balb/c mouse embryos were cultured in potassium simplex optimised medium(KSOM)with varying CoQ10 concentrations[0(control),20,40,and 60μM].The most effective CoQ10 concentration(40μM)was selected for subsequent post-vitrification morphology study.Embryos were randomly divided into four groups:Group A(non-vitrified without CoQ10),Group B(non-vitrified with CoQ10),Group C(vitrified without CoQ10),and Group D(vitrified with CoQ10),followed by vitrification at the 8-cell stage.Survival rates and development until the blastocyst stage were evaluated through morphological examinations using ASEBIR's system,distinguishing normal and abnormal embryos.Results:Supplementation of 40μM CoQ10 significantly increased blastocyst formation(95%)compared to the control group(92%),20μM(62%),and 60μM(56%)(P<0.001).Following vitrification,Group D exhibited a significant increase in blastocyst formation(92%)compared to Group C(82%)(P<0.05).Morphological assessments indicated superior embryo quality in Group B over Group D during the cleavage stage,morula,and blastocyst(P<0.05).Conclusions:CoQ10 supplementation exhibits promising potential to enhance preimplantation embryo development,increase blastocyst formation rates,and improve embryo quality post-vitrification.This offers a promising approach to mitigate oxidative stress on embryos,potentially improving overall assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

Dual-Modal Drowsiness Detection to Enhance Driver Safety

In the modern world,the increasing prevalence of driving poses a risk to road safety and necessitates the development and implementation of effective monitoring systems.This study aims to enhance road safety by proposing a dual-modal solution for detecting driver drowsiness,which combines heart rate monitoring and face recognition technologies.The research objectives include developing a non-contact method for detecting driver drowsiness,training and assessing the proposed system using pre-trained machine learning models,and implementing a real-time alert feature to trigger warnings when drowsiness is detected.Deep learning models based on convolutional neural networks(CNNs),including ResNet and DenseNet,were trained and evaluated.The CNN model emerged as the top performer compared to ResNet50,ResNet152v2,and DenseNet.Laboratory tests,employing different camera angles using Logitech BRIO 4K Ultra HD Pro Stream webcam produces accurate face recognition and heart rate monitoring.Real-world vehicle tests involved six participants and showcased the system’s stability in calculating heart rates and its ability to correlate lower heart rates with drowsiness.The incorporation of heart rate and face recognition technologies underscores the effectiveness of the proposed system in enhancing road safety and mitigating the risks associated with drowsy driving.

Attitude and willingness on gamete donation among medical students:An experience from a state university in Sri Lanka

Objective:To assess the attitude and willingness of medical students of the Faculty of Medicine,University of Jaffna,regarding gamete donation.Methods:An institutional-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine,University of Jaffna,from September 2022 to May 2023 among undergraduate medical students who gave their voluntary participation.A self-administered questionnaire was used as a study instrument to collect data regarding their attitude and willingness toward gamete donation.Results:A total of 345 participants were recruited and their sociodemographic data revealed that 56.8%of the participants were female,62.3%aged between 26 and 30 years,and 92.2%were unmarried.Many of them received information regarding gamete donations during their clinical appointments.Over half(67.8%)of them showed a negative attitude towards gamete donation.Regarding willingness,only 39.7%of participants had a positive approach for being a gamete donor;among them,84.7%preferred anonymous donations.Religion and ethnicity had a significant influence on their attitudes and willingness.In addition,male was also found to be more willing to donate gametes.Conclusions:Most medical students have negative views about gamete donation.Imparting awareness and knowledge of assisted reproductive technology and gamete donation within medical students'sociocultural and ethical backgrounds might facilitate a change in attitude towards gamete donation amongst future medical practitioners.