Partners Universal Innovative Research Publication

Leveraging IoE and AI for Continuous Observation of Human Social Dynamics

2024-10-26T14:15:45+00:00

The proliferation of sensors and smart devices has led to the emergence of the Internet of Everything (IoE), where real-world objects and events can be digitally measured and analyzed. This ubiquity of data presents new opportunities to study and quantify human social dynamics and behaviors. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, especially machine learning techniques for sequential data, provide additional analytical capabilities to model the complexity of social systems and conversations as they unfold in real-time. This paper explores the potential for leveraging IoE and AI to enable continuous, ethical observation of social interactions for discovery and support of positive behaviors. Specifically, we discuss the development of an IoE architecture using environmental and wearable sensors to capture conversational dynamics at a small house party among friends. Audio, motion, and physiological data is securely transmitted to an edge computing hub. Various preprocessing and feature extraction techniques distill social signals like turn-taking, excitement levels, mirroring of expressions. These signals then feed into a specialized recurrent neural network designed to track the evolution of conversations, as well as dynamically update a social graph linking party attendees. The trained model can produce real-time visualizations of conversation dynamics over the course of the informal event. Researchers can then conduct extensive post-hoc analyses into factors driving successful interactions and information exchange within the observed friend group. Our experiments highlight promising applications in understanding small group formation and bonding for those struggling with social situations. However, we also discuss substantial privacy risks and the limitation of current sensors in capturing complete social contextual information. Extensive data safeguards and consent processes are reviewed to uphold ethical standards. Overall, this research highlights the future potential for IoE and AI to subtly augment our awareness of human and social patterns all around us. With care, such ambient intelligence could support self-understanding, empathy, and psychological wellness. We conclude with proposals for oversight procedures and considerations for additional in-context studies across more diverse demographics and public settings.

Protecting Brain Privacy in the Age of Neurotechnology: Policy Responses and Remaining Challenges

2024-10-26T14:20:10+00:00

Emerging neurotechnologies capable of capturing and analyzing brain impulses are fast developing, raising new privacy concerns. Brain-computer interfaces, AI-powered brain decoders, and implants all monitor neural activity and collect large amounts of sensitive brain data. Though designed to benefit health and cognition, unregulated use of such data raises concerns about privacy violations or manipulation. Policy reactions of late try to solve this. Chile adopted mental integrity rights in its constitution in 2021, therefore setting a precedent for neuro data protection. Colorado and California approved legislation granting biometric-level protections for consumer tech-generated brain scans and recordings. These restrict third-party sharing and collecting absent user permission. Similar legislative ideas have been presented by several other nations. Still, given rapid technological advancement, there are major vulnerabilities in properly protecting brain privacy. Most neurotech companies run free from medical device regulations, therefore avoiding such control. Non-invasive consumer brainware particularly lacks tailored governance at present. Consider social media's challenges protecting personal data despite mature policy conversations; neurotech's new complexities dwarf these. The pacing of emerging legislation and precedent also lags the innovation's pace. Apple patents tech detecting thoughts via headphones; startups explore transmitting telepathic messages. Yet deploying thoughtful, nimble governance is challenging. Furthermore, bulk neural data sales by tech giants to third parties possibly already occur illicitly, with minimal accountability. Other documented risks like AI bias emerging from narrow demographic brainwave datasets also abound unchecked currently. Thus, while nascent protections manifest promise, substantial further multi-stakeholder mobilization involving policymakers, companies, researchers and rights groups is imperative to shield human cognitive autonomy. The alternative of unfettered mining of thoughts and feelings by private or state interests paints a chilling dystopia. Reform must balance public good alongside visions of progress, emphasizing ethical data use. If so, these fascinating frontiers could herald a future where technology amplifies, not usurps, human potential. The choice of path is ours to make.

Literature Review on Biogas Feeding Systems

2024-10-26T14:23:46+00:00

Biogas feeding systems are the most important elements that influence the efficiency and productivity of the anaerobic digestion process. This paper reviews the different feeding strategies, including continuous, semi-continuous, and batch systems, analyzing their merits and demerits in biogas production. A continuous feed system consistently yields the same levels of methane. Semi-continuous and batch-feeding systems provide great flexibility, but sometimes unstable processes can affect them. Optimization of substrate handling, and digestion efficiency with the usage of the latest technologies of automated feeding, and two-stage feeding, has optimized biogas yields. However, these technologies require higher energy demands and operational complexity. Some key research gaps have been identified: substrate-specific feeding strategies, the effect of feeding methods on microbial communities, energy efficiency, and the integration of real-time monitoring systems. Filling these gaps could make biogas systems more scalable and sustainable, thus making them a better and more reliable renewable energy source.

Role of Microbial Hydrolysis in Anaerobic Digestion: Enhancing Biogas Production Efficiency

2024-10-26T14:48:22+00:00

The first step of anaerobic digestion and the core of what makes anaerobic digestion efficient is microbial hydrolysis. Anaerobic digestion is often referred to as biogas or VOC generation; it is one of the most significant elements in solid waste management and renewable energy. This is the breakdown of organic waste materials into methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). An understanding of these simpler substrates is critical to subsequent fermentation stages that produce biogas. However, microbial hydrolysis often acts as a rate-limiting step, particularly in complex substrates like lignocellulosic biomass. This paper provides an overview of the role of microbial hydrolysis in AD systems toward better yields of biogas and greater process efficiency.

This paper discusses some of the ways to optimize hydrolysis efficiency, including adding a hydrolysis phase separately to guarantee optimal conditions for the hydrolytic microorganisms and integrating techniques of pretreatment: biological, chemical, and physical, to speed up the degradation of substrates. Biological approaches of pretreatment using fungi, chemical procedures with alkaline or acidic solutions, and physical methods with mechanical shredding and thermal treatments were reportedly very promising for the increased hydrolysis rates.

Moreover, the paper depicts the optimization of steps for hydrolysis towards a better assimilation of biogas systems into material cycles. Enhanced microbial hydrolysis would eventually result in increased yields of biogas, better conversion of waste streams, and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases. This has been put forward along with the inhibitory effects of toxic compounds on microbial activity and the economic viability of pretreatment methods. Finally, the paper brings up to date potential solutions towards solving such challenges and increasing the economic and environmental sustainability of AD systems.

The Intellectual Contributions of Odisha to the Indian Knowledge System: A Historical and Cultural Analysis

2024-10-26T15:45:21+00:00

Odisha, a state in eastern India, has played a significant and multifaceted role in the development and preservation of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). This research paper delves into the diverse contributions of Odisha, exploring its rich literary, scientific, technological, religious, and philosophical heritage. The study begins by examining the historical context of Odisha, emphasizing its role as a vibrant center of learning and culture in ancient India. It then moves on to highlight the state's literary achievements, including the creation and preservation of classical texts in Sanskrit, Oḍiā, and other languages, as well as the profound influence of its poets and scholars on Indian literature.

The paper further investigates Odisha’s contributions to science and technology, focusing on ancient advancements in fields such as metallurgy, architecture, mathematics, and astronomy. Additionally, the state’s religious and philosophical contributions are analyzed, particularly the impact of the Jagannātha Cult, Buddhism, and Jainism on Indian thought and spirituality. The role of Odisha in the preservation and continuation of IKS is also discussed, with attention given to the state’s efforts in safeguarding traditional knowledge through its educational institutions, manuscripts, and cultural practices.

This paper asserts that Odisha’s contributions to the Indian Knowledge System are not only historically significant but also continue to be relevant in contemporary times. The state’s ability to integrate ancient wisdom with modern educational practices positions it as a crucial player in the on-going evolution of IKS. Odisha’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage, preserved through its literature, science, religion, and education, remains a vital part of India’s knowledge landscape, offering valuable insights and lessons for future generations.

Evaluation of Sick Building Syndrome and Healthy Nutrition and Operative Yielding in a Plastics Industry of Tijuana, Baja California, México

2024-10-26T14:54:28+00:00

The presence of the Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in industrial companies and any type of closed surface as indoors of buildings, is very concerned, because can causes a mild or severe healthy symptoms, being the principal the respiratory diseases, which originates from discomfort to breathing problems (such as asthma), and generating critical situations for workers in industrial companies. This anormal action, can reduce their operational performance and cause errors, defective manufactured products and economic losses to large industries, such as the one that supported the development of this scientific study, and which is located in the city of Tijuana. The SBS is for the presence of microorganisms at microscale as RNA virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family and the Influenzavirus genus, being relevant in the generation of influenza in people and other respiratory infections with a great effect on the health of the population of Tijuana and around the world. This scientific study was made to evaluate the negative effect of the SBS and the operative yielding of workers and the productivity and quality levels, being important in the economic factors of any type of industry in the world. This investigation was made in 2023.

Using DMAIC Methodology and Lean Manufacturing Tools in the Brewing Industry in Northwest Mexico to Increase Delivery Times and Sales

2024-10-26T15:02:43+00:00

An investigation was made in a brewery industry of the Ensenada city, Baja California, Mexico, located in the northwest of the Mexican Republic, to evaluate the percentage of punctuality in deliveries of different styles of craft beer, at various stages of the manufacturing lines. Currently, a low rate of 56.7% was presented, in the first six months of 2023, which represents a poor productive performance of the personnel and machinery in the manufacturing area and indicates that the established goals are not being met. This has caused delays both in internal areas of the evaluated company, as well as in delivery to the client, causing a decrease in sales and causing concern in the management, supervision and cost areas, due to the fact that an additional cost of $10,000 dollars was generated until March 2023, compared to the income projection if deliveries were timely. Based on this, the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology was applied using lean manufacturing improvement tools to improve on-time delivery performance and thus minimize additional costs and increase production efficiency. This occurred once this methodology was applied, presenting an 89% rate of on-time delivery, and thus increasing sales.

Performance Evaluation for AES, Blowfish, DES, and 3DES Cryptography Algorithms

2024-10-26T15:20:59+00:00

Protecting data over the network is one of the biggest challenges in the information security field. Cryptography is one of the most important solutions for protecting data. Many algorithms can encrypt data. This paper compares the performance of four encryption algorithms: AES, Blowfish, DES, and 3DES. Testing the performance of these algorithms by using several text file sizes (10 MB, 30 MB, 50 MB, 70 MB, and 100 MB) shows that the fastest algorithm is AES.

The "Anti-Hustle" Ethos Among Generation Z Workers: An Investigation into Shifting Attitudes Towards Work-Life Balance

2024-10-26T15:23:30+00:00

The emerging "anti-hustle" movement among members of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) indicates shifting attitudes toward work-life balance and workplace flexibility. This paper investigates the contours of this phenomenon and its implications. Termed the "anti-hustle" ethos, this mindset encompasses trends like "quiet quitting," "lazy jobs," and "consciously unbossing." These include eschewing management jobs that are thought to be overly demanding in comparison to the rewards, pursuing roles that require less effort, and disengaging from cultures of overwork. By use of generational research, surveys, and interview analysis, this paper positions the underlying reasons of anti-hustle beliefs. Among the factors are fatigue, disappointment, a need for passion pursuits outside of the office, and financial privilege allowing different living quarters. Enabled by both economic advantage and technology providing access to more options, anti-hustle fits studies of Generation Z prioritizing work-life balance and meaningful work over prestige. This paper also looks at causes of conflict amongst older labor generations like Baby Boers who view Generation Z workers negatively. Thought to be entitled or easily offended, similar baseless assumptions were experienced by Millennials before. Many times, criticism results from inflexible corporate structures incompatible with the freedom younger generations demand. Since 25% of the workforce in 2023 is likely to be Generation Z, these systems must be adapted. Following the basic motivations and repercussions of the anti-hustle events helps one to propose structural changes for improved workforce integration. Suggested changes focus empathy, improved communication, mentoring programs, flexible scheduling policies letting passion initiatives, and shelfing generational stereotypes. Although more research of long-term effects is needed, knowledge of developing generational attitudes can guide policies helping workers of different age groups. In the end, the anti-hustle movement points out the significant ways affluence and technology have changed young perceptions. Its emergence fosters generational cooperation forming a worker ethic stressing both success and sustainability.