Evaluating Competing Agent Strategies for a Voice Email Agent

This paper reports experimental results comparing a mixed-initiative to a system-initiative dialog strategy in the context of a personal voice email agent. To independently test the effects of dialog strategy and user expertise, users interact with either the system-initiative or the mixed-initiative agent to perform three successive tasks which are identical for both agents. We report performance comparisons across agent strategies as well as over tasks. This evaluation utilizes and tests the PARADISE evaluation framework, and discusses the performance function derivable from the experimental data.Comment: 6 pages latex, uses icassp91.sty, psfi

Estimation of pre-eruptive magmatic water fugacity in the Phlegrean Fields, Naples, Italy

International audienceWe estimated the water fugacity (fH(2)O) in the trachytic magma of Phlegrean Fields using the biotite-magnetite-sanidine equilibrium. We confirm that the partly ionic model is the most appropriate to estimate annite activity (a(annite)) for the experimental biotite. Crystallization experiments were carried out on a representative sample of trachytic Breccia Museo eruption, Naples, Italy. Experiments were performed in the temperature and pressure range or 725-870 degrees C and 50-200 MPa, and redox conditions ranging from NNO (nickel- nickel oxide) + 1 (+/- 0.2) to FMQ (fayalite + magnetite + quartz). Most experiments were done under conditions of H2O saturation (P-water = P-total). Few experiments were done using a mixed H2O-CO2 fluid phase. The pre-eruptive fH(2)O of the Phlegrean Fields magma is estimated at 735 bars, which compares well with available melt inclusion constraints. Our results confirm that this geohygrometer can be used in any magmatic systems bearing the worked assemblage

Volatile and major element zonation within melt inclusions: A natural diffusion experiment

The diffusivities of volatile elements in silicate melts significantly impact petrological processes [e.g. 1, 2]. Although many studies of volatile diffusion in silicic melts have been undertaken, there have been few studies in basaltic melts [e.g. 3], and most of these have concentrated on the diffusion of only one or two elements in each experiment

Chemical zonation in olivine-hosted melt inclusions

Significant zonation in major, minor, trace, and volatile elements has been documented in naturally glassy olivine-hosted melt inclusions from the Siqueiros Fracture Zone and the Galapagos Islands. Components with a higher concentration in the host olivine than in the melt (e.g., MgO, FeO, Cr_2O_3, and MnO) are depleted at the edges of the zoned melt inclusions relative to their centers, whereas except for CaO, H_2O, and F, components with a lower concentration in the host olivine than in the melt (e.g., Al_2O_3, SiO_2, Na_2O, K_2O, TiO_2, S, and Cl) are enriched near the melt inclusion edges. This zonation is due to formation of an olivine-depleted boundary layer in the adjacent melt in response to cooling and crystallization of olivine on the walls of the melt inclusions, concurrent with diffusive propagation of the boundary layer toward the inclusion center. Concentration profiles of some components in the melt inclusions exhibit multicomponent diffusion effects such as uphill diffusion (CaO, FeO) or slowing of the diffusion of typically rapidly diffusing components (Na_2O, K_2O) by coupling to slow diffusing components such as SiO_2 and Al_2O_3. Concentrations of H_2O and F decrease toward the edges of some of the Siqueiros melt inclusions, suggesting either that these components have been lost from the inclusions into the host olivine late in their cooling histories and/or that these components are exhibiting multicomponent diffusion effects. A model has been developed of the time-dependent evolution of MgO concentration profiles in melt inclusions due to simultaneous depletion of MgO at the inclusion walls due to olivine growth and diffusion of MgO in the melt inclusions in response to this depletion. Observed concentration profiles were fit to this model to constrain their thermal histories. Cooling rates determined by a single-stage linear cooling model are 150–13,000 °C h^(−1) from the liquidus down to ~1,000 °C, consistent with previously determined cooling rates for basaltic glasses; compositional trends with melt inclusion size observed in the Siqueiros melt inclusions are described well by this simple single-stage linear cooling model. Despite the overall success of the modeling of MgO concentration profiles using a single-stage cooling history, MgO concentration profiles in some melt inclusions are better fit by a two-stage cooling history with a slower-cooling first stage followed by a faster-cooling second stage; the inferred total duration of cooling from the liquidus down to ~1,000 °C ranges from 40 s to just over 1 h. Based on our observations and models, compositions of zoned melt inclusions (even if measured at the centers of the inclusions) will typically have been diffusively fractionated relative to the initially trapped melt; for such inclusions, the initial composition cannot be simply reconstructed based on olivine-addition calculations, so caution should be exercised in application of such reconstructions to correct for post-entrapment crystallization of olivine on inclusion walls. Off-center analyses of a melt inclusion can also give results significantly fractionated relative to simple olivine crystallization. All melt inclusions from the Siqueiros and Galapagos sample suites exhibit zoning profiles, and this feature may be nearly universal in glassy, olivine-hosted inclusions. If so, zoning profiles in melt inclusions could be widely useful to constrain late-stage syneruptive processes and as natural diffusion experiments

Progettazione e sviluppo di una piattaforma open source inclusiva per il telesercizio fisico

Il lavoro di tesi esamina il ruolo cruciale delle tecnologie emergenti nel campo del telesercizio fisico, con particolare enfasi sull'Internet delle cose (IoT) e sull'intelligenza artificiale (AI). In questo lavoro si evidenzia l'importanza crescente del telesercizio, particolarmente accentuata dalla pandemia da COVID-19, e la necessità di alternative flessibili e accessibili all'esercizio fisico tradizionale. Le tecnologie emergenti, come dispositivi indossabili e sensori ambientali, consentono agli utenti di monitorare vari parametri fisiologici in tempo reale, fornendo un feedback accurato e tempestivo per ottimizzare l'allenamento e lo stile di vita. L'intelligenza artificiale gioca un ruolo significativo nell'analisi dei dati di allenamento, nella creazione di piani di allenamento personalizzati e nel monitoraggio delle condizioni di salute per prevenire malattie e infortuni. Tuttavia, in questo lavoro di tesi, si sottolineano anche alcune sfide, come l'eterogeneità degli interventi eHealth, l'aderenza a lungo termine, le disuguaglianze digitali e le preoccupazioni riguardo alla privacy e alla sicurezza dei dati. La revisione sistematica degli ultimi sviluppi delle tecnologie eHealth nel promuovere l'attività fisica, insieme alla panoramica dei sistemi di fitness personalizzati basati sull'intelligenza artificiale, evidenzia il potenziale significativo di queste tecnologie nel campo del telesercizio fisico. Infine, l'analisi dei risultati su PubMed mostra un crescente interesse e attività di ricerca nel campo del telesercizio, suggerendo un'importante evoluzione nel settore. A seguito di questa esigenza, durante il mio dottorato ho contribuito allo sviluppo di una piattaforma di telesercizio che permettesse sia di svolgere attività fisica a diverse categorie di soggetti (giovani, atleti e donne), in due modalità distinte (sincrona e asincrona), sia di collezionare dei dati ricavati tramite l’ausilio di questionari che andassero a indagare sullo stato di salute fisica e psicologica dei partecipanti, oltre che sulle loro abitudini di vita. I dati raccolti dimostrano che il telesercizio è grado di influenzare positivamente sia aspetti psicologici che fisiologici

Driving sustainability: integrating hydrogen production and wastewater treatment via advanced noble metals-free electrodes

Currently, the transition toward clean energy systems that do not emit carbon dioxide is an urgent task for the creation of a sustainable energy society, in line with Goal 7 of the 2030 Agenda [1]. In this context, hydrogen (H2) emerges as a promising energy storage medium. Unfortunately, approximately 96% of its production relies on non-renewable sources, while only 4% originates from water splitting. In this latter, a considerable electrochemical overpotential is needed to trigger the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the electrode surface. Moreover, highly efficient working electrode requires the use of electrocatalysts to minimize the energy barrier associated with HER. For these reasons, this method is costly [2]. In the last decades, it has been demonstrated that organic pollutants in wastewaters containing high level of chemical energy are excellent electron donor and suitable candidates for H2 production [3]. This promising approach could also help in solving the issues related to the environmental pollution. Based on these premises, this research focuses on the use of a noble metal-free cathode, for efficient hydrogen generation from simulated wastewater through water splitting, with this innovative approach, the double goal of clean energy system and wastewater treatment can be matched

Experimental partitioning of halogens and other trace elements between olivine, pyroxenes, amphibole and aqueous fluid at 2 GPa and 900–1,300 °C

We present new partition coefficients for various trace elements including Cl between olivine, pyroxenes, amphibole and coexisting chlorine-bearing aqueous fluid in a series of high-pressure experiments at 2 GPa between 900 and 1,300 °C in natural and synthetic systems. Diamond aggregates were added to the experimental capsule set-up in order to separate the fluid from the solid residue and enable in situ analysis of the quenched solute by LA–ICP–MS. The chlorine and fluorine contents in mantle minerals were measured by electron microprobe, and the nature of OH defects was investigated by infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, a fluorine-rich olivine from one selected sample was investigated by TEM. Results reveal average Cl concentrations in olivine and pyroxenes around 20 ppm and up to 900 ppm F in olivine, making olivine an important repository of halogens in the mantle. Chlorine is always incompatible with Cl partition coefficients D Cl olivine/fluid varying between 10−5 and 10−3, whereas D Cl orthopyroxene/fluid and D Cl clinopyroxene/fluid are ~10−4 and D Cl amphibole/fluid is ~5 × 10−3. Furthermore, partitioning results for incompatible trace element show that compatibilities of trace elements are generally ordered as D amph/fluid ≈ D cpx/fluid > D opx/fluid > D ol/fluid but that D mineral/fluid for Li and P is very similar for all observed silicate phases. Infrared spectra of olivine synthesized in a F-free Ti-bearing system show absorption bands at 3,525 and ~3,570 cm−1. In F ± TiO2-bearing systems, additional absorption bands appear at ~3,535, ~3,595, 3,640 and 3,670 cm−1. Absorption bands at ~3,530 and ~3,570 cm−1, previously assigned to humite-like point defects, profit from low synthesis temperatures and the presence of F. The presence of planar defects could not be proved by TEM investigations, but dislocations in the olivine lattice were observed and are suggested to be an important site for halogen incorporation in olivine

Amyloidosis: What does pathology offer? The evolving field of tissue biopsy

Since the mid-nineteenth century pathology has followed the convoluted story of amyloidosis, recognized its morphology in tissues and made identification possible using specific staining. Since then, pathology studies have made a significant contribution and advanced knowledge of the disease, so providing valuable information on the pathophysiology of amyloid aggregation and opening the way to clinical studies and non-invasive diagnostic techniques. As amyloidosis is a heterogeneous disease with various organ and tissue deposition patterns, histology evaluation, far from offering a simple yes/no indication of amyloid presence, can provide a wide spectrum of qualitative and quantitative information related to and changing with the etiology of the disease, the comorbidities and the clinical characteristics of patients. With the exception of cardiac transthyretin related amyloidosis cases, which today can be diagnosed using non-biopsy algorithms when stringent clinical criteria are met, tissue biopsy is still an essential tool for a definitive diagnosis in doubtful cases and also to define etiology by typing amyloid fibrils. This review describes the histologic approach to amyloidosis today and the current role of tissue screening biopsy or targeted organ biopsy protocols in the light of present diagnostic algorithms and various clinical situations, with particular focus on endomyocardial and renal biopsies. Special attention is given to techniques for typing amyloid fibril proteins, necessary for the new therapies available today for cardiac transthyretin related amyloidosis and to avoid patients receiving inappropriate chemotherapy in presence of plasma cell dyscrasia unrelated to amyloidosis. As the disease is still burdened with high mortality, the role of tissue biopsy in early diagnosis to assure prompt treatment is also mentioned

Floating Photocatalysts as a Sustainable Solution for Water Harvesting in Vulnerable Communities

The exponential growth of the global population, projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, combined with increasing water scarcity driven by climate change, is placing unprecedented pressure on the world's water resources [1]. This issue is even more pronounced in developing countries, where water scarcity is a key factor behind numerous public health crises, during which unsanitary conditions expose both patients and doctors to risks of disease transmission [2]. In this challenging scenario, treating the tons of wastewater generated every day offers a promising solution. By transforming wastewater into a viable alternative water source, this approach addresses both resource scarcity and environmental sustainability. Although various technologies have been developed for water depollution (e.g., filtration, chemical or biological treatments) [3], they generally fail to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) due to their high chemical stability, so developing efficient technologies for wastewater purification is crucial to mitigating water scarcity and ensuring access to safe water for all. In this framework, photocatalysis plays a pivotal role; indeed, the use of sunlight, an extremely powerful and abundant energy source, represents a vital resource in light of the current energy crisis. However, developing photocatalytic materials capable of exploiting the entire solar spectrum for pollutant photodegradation is challenging. Additionally, the most advanced materials reported in the literature are typically used as dispersed powders. Even if working with fine powders offers several benefits (e.g., high dispersion and impressive photoactivity), it also presents critical challenges, such as the difficulty of recovering them from the reaction mixture, which leads to contamination issues and additional costs [4]. For this reason, immobilizing photocatalysts strikes a balance between their advantages and the need for practical application by enhancing stability and enabling easier handling. In this context, floating photocatalysts offer the advantage of maximizing both light utilization and surface aeration, as they can remain at the air-water interface. Their use also reduces post-treatment costs. These foundations inspired the development of the project “Water Decontamination by Sunlight-Driven Floating Photocatalytic Systems” (SUNFLOAT). Within the SUNFLOAT project, various safe, cost-effective, and highly efficient photocatalysts designed to operate under solar irradiation were successfully fabricated and immobilized on different synthetic and natural floating supports [5-6]. The resulting materials were rigorously tested for the photodegradation of various CECs under both simulated and real sunlight conditions. The innovation introduced by the SUNFLOAT project highlights the practical viability of floating photocatalysts under natural solar conditions. The project underscores the effectiveness of these novel materials in harnessing solar energy for sustainable water purification. By proving their functionality under real sunlight, this initiative represents a significant advancement, offering an eco-friendly and scalable solution to improve water quality for remote communities facing water scarcity. References: [1]: He, C., Liu, Z., Wu, J., Pan, X., Fang, Z., Li, J., Brett, A.B., Nat. Commun.12, 4667 (2021). [2]: https://www.cdc.gov [3] Galloni, M.G., Ferrara, E., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., Catalyst 12(8), 923, (2022). [4] Djellabi, R., Giannantonio, R., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., Curr. Opin. Chem. Eng.33, 100696 (2021). [5] Galloni, M.G., Falletta, E., Mahdi, M., Giordana, A., Cerrato, G., Boffito, D.C., Bianchi, C.L., Adv. Sus. Syst. 2300565 (2024). [6] Galloni, M.G., Nikonova, V., Cerrato, G., Giordana, A., Pleva, P., Humpolicek, P., Falletta, E., Bianchi, C.L., J. Environ. Man., 369, 122365, (2024)