Skin potential response for stress recognition in simulated urban driving

In this paper, we address the problem of possible stress conditions arising in car drivers, thus affecting their driving performance. We apply various Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to analyse the stress of subjects while driving in an urban area in two different situations: one with cars, pedestrians and traffic along the course, and the other characterized by the complete absence of any of these possible stress-inducing factors. To evaluate the presence of a stress condition we use two Skin Potential Response (SPR) signals, recorded from each hand of the test subjects, and process them through a Motion Artifact (MA) removal algorithm which reduces the artifacts that might be introduced by the hand movements. We then compute some statistical features starting from the cleaned SPR signal. A binary classification ML algorithm is then fed with these features, giving as an output a label that indicates if a time interval belongs to a stress condition or not. Tests are carried out in a laboratory at the University of Udine, where a car driving simulator with a motorized motion platform has been prearranged. We show that the use of one single SPR signal, along with the application of ML algorithms, enables the detection of possible stress conditions while the subjects are driving, in the traffic and no traffic situations. As expected, we observe that the test individuals are less stressed in the situation without traffic, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed slightly invasive system for detection of stress in drivers.

Case Report: Isolated Idiopathic Saccular Dysfunction

Advances in vestibular testing have now allowed us to test each semicircular canal as well as the utricle and saccule, independently. This has led to the discovery of new patterns of vestibular dysfunction that were once impossible to evaluate. This report describes the case of a 20-year-old woman with a 2-month history of recurrent dizziness. She had a complete audiovestibular assessment. The only abnormality observed was the absence of a cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential response for the right side, hence an isolated saccular dysfunction. In conclusion, isolated otolithic dysfunction is probably an overlooked and neglected clinical presentation. Its true incidence is unknown, and further research is needed to understand this clinical entity.

Securing the Limits of Large Ocean States in the Pacific: Defining Baselines Limits and Boundaries amidst Changing Coastlines and Sea Level Rise

The Pacific Island States and Territories are traditionally described as ‘small island’ nations. However, they are also ‘large ocean’ nations with jurisdiction over substantial maritime spaces stretching to at least 200 nautical miles. The article addresses issues related to baselines along the coast on which these broad maritime claims depend. The article then examines geodynamic considerations coupled with sea and land level projections in the Pacific leading to an assessment of the vulnerability or resilience of atolls in particular. The article then discusses potential implications for the coastlines and baselines of the Pacific Island States and Territories, the limits of their maritime entitlements and both delimited and undelimited maritime boundaries. Potential response options, prospects, and concluding thoughts are then offered.

Central Bank Digital Currencies: A Potential Response to the Financial Inclusion Challenges of the Pacific

This policy brief considers whether central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) can promote the accessibility of financial services in Pacific island countries and the design choices involved in their development.

Using MoS2/Fe3O4 as Ion-Electron Transduction Layer to Manufacture All-Solid-State Ion-Selective Electrode for Determination of Serum Potassium

As an essential electrolyte for the human body, the potassium ion (K+) plays many physiological roles in living cells, so the rapid and accurate determination of serum K+ is of great significance. In this work, we developed a solid-contact ion-selective electrode (SC-ISE) using MoS2/Fe3O4 composites as the ion-to-electron transducer to determine serum K+. The potential response measurement of MoS2/Fe3O4/K+-ISE shows a Nernst response by a slope of 55.2 ± 0.1 mV/decade and a low detection limit of 6.3 × 10−6 M. The proposed electrode exhibits outstanding resistance to the interference of O2, CO2, light, and water layer formation. Remarkably, it also presents a high performance in potential reproducibility and long-term stability.