Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Arm Impedocardiography Signal Quality Enhancement Using Recursive Signal Averaging and Multi-Stage Wavelet Denoising Methods for Long-Term Cardiac Contractility Monitoring Armbands

Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a low-cost, non-invasive technique that enables the clinical assessment of haemodynamic parameters, such as cardiac output and stroke volume (SV). Conventional ICG recordings are taken from the patient’s thorax. However, access to ICG vital signs from the upper-arm brachial artery (as an associated surrogate) can enable user-convenient wearable armband sensor devices to provide an attractive option for gathering ICG trend-based indicators of general health, which offers particular advantages in ambulatory long-term monitoring settings. This study considered the upper arm ICG and control Thorax-ICG recordings data from 15 healthy subject cases. A prefiltering stage included a third-order Savitzky–Golay finite impulse response (FIR) filter, which was applied to the raw ICG signals. Then, a multi-stage wavelet-based denoising strategy on a beat-by-beat (BbyB) basis, which was supported by a recursive signal-averaging optimal thresholding adaptation algorithm for Arm-ICG signals, was investigated for robust signal quality enhancement. The performance of the BbyB ICG denoising was evaluated for each case using a 700 ms frame centred on the heartbeat ICG pulse. This frame was extracted from a 600-beat ensemble signal-averaged ICG and was used as the noiseless signal reference vector (gold standard frame). Furthermore, in each subject case, enhanced Arm-ICG and Thorax-ICG above a threshold of correlation of 0.95 with the noiseless vector enabled the analysis of beat inclusion rate (BIR%), yielding an average of 80.9% for Arm-ICG and 100% for Thorax-ICG, and BbyB values of the ICG waveform feature metrics A, B, C and VET accuracy and precision, yielding respective error rates (ER%) of 0.83%, 11.1%, 3.99% and 5.2% for Arm-IG, and 0.41%, 3.82%, 1.66% and 1.25% for Thorax-ICG, respectively. Hence, the functional relationship between ICG metrics within and between the arm and thorax recording modes could be characterised and the linear regression (Arm-ICG vs. Thorax-ICG) trends could be analysed. Overall, it was found in this study that recursive averaging, set with a 36 ICG beats buffer size, was the best Arm-ICG BbyB denoising process, with an average of less than 3.3% in the Arm-ICG time metrics error rate. It was also found that the arm SV versus thorax SV had a linear regression coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.84.
NERF FOR HERITAGE 3D RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract. Conventional or learning-based 3D reconstruction methods from images have clearly shown their potential for 3D heritage documentation. Nevertheless, Neural Radiance Field (NeRF) approaches are recently revolutionising the way a scene can be rendered or reconstructed in 3D from a set of oriented images. Therefore the paper wants to review some of the last NeRF methods applied to various cultural heritage datasets collected with smartphone videos, touristic approaches or reflex cameras. Firstly several NeRF methods are evaluated. It turned out that Instant-NGP and Nerfacto methods achieved the best outcomes, outperforming all other methods significantly. Successively qualitative and quantitative analyses are performed on various datasets, revealing the good performances of NeRF methods, in particular for areas with uniform texture or shining surfaces, as well as for small datasets of lost artefacts. This is for sure opening new frontiers for 3D documentation, visualization and communication purposes of digital heritage.
The role of services mix and value-based benefits on customer switching intention: A study on online food delivery services platforms

Increased mobile technology adoption, the convenience of one-click shopping using mobile apps, and the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted consumer preferences, habits, and priorities in their communication, transaction, and consumption processes. As a reflection of these changes, the growth of the online food delivery (OFD) market has gained tremendous momentum in the last couple of years. Unlike physical store retail services and non-food item delivery services, OFD services require adapting the retail service mix. This study aims to generate a holistic view of OFD service marketing by determining the role of adapted OFD service mix elements in shaping consumers’ utilitarian and hedonic value perceptions regarding the service provided, which may influence consumers’ satisfaction and switching intentions. The findings confirm the significant effect of OFD service mix elements, namely quality, convenience, and price factors, on consumers’ utilitarian and hedonic value perceptions. Utilitarian value perceptions positively influence customer satisfaction with OFD services. On the other hand, results confirm no significant effect of hedonic value perceptions on customer satisfaction. Increasing customer satisfaction levels related to OFD services negatively affect consumers’ switching intentions.
The Health Educational Virtual in Providing Breastfeeding Support During Corona Virus-19 (Covid-19) Pandemic in Indonesia

COVID-19 is a highly contagious and pathogenic viral infection. To determine the effect of health education through online media on the knowledge and skills in breastfeeding during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research was conducted with a pre-experimental design with totaling 103 people. Chi-Square Test performed data analysis. The results showed that there was an effect of intervention on knowledge (p=0.003), but no effect of intervention on skills (p=0.001). Information messages provided through online media effectively increase the knowledge and skill of women of childbearing age in breastfeeding during the Covid-1 pandemic.
On the Dimension of Spline Spaces, a Homological Approach

One of the puzzlingly hard problems in Computer Aided Geometric Design and Approximation Theory is that of finding the dimension of the spline space of Cr piecewise polynomials of degree n over a planar complex ∆. We denote such spaces by Sr n (∆). In this thesis, we use homological methods, developing a new tool, to compute the dimension of Sr n(∆). Historical Remark In 1965 Olav Arnfinn Laudal published the article, Sur les limites projectives et inductives, in Anneles scientifiques de l’E.N. S. [1], where he gave a general theory of limits of projective systems on partially ordered sets. His treatise however considered mainly constant projective systems. He didn’t expect this to be applied in other part of mathematics, and in the 1980’s he announced to his student at the time, Arne B. Sletsjoe, how the work done to mathemathics in general in the 1960’s mainly was "for abstract purposes only". However, it has proven itself to be usefull in other areas. In 2013 Sletsjoe began considering Laudal’s work and wether or not this could be applied. It resulted in the manuscript Cohomology of projective systems on ranked posets [2](2015), where he considered more general projective systems, different cohomology theories for ranked posets with local orientation and showed how the cohomology theories under certain conditions concided. In 1946, almost twenty years before Laudal published his article, Schoenberg did the first mathematical reference to splines in Contributions to the Problem of Approximation of Equidistant Data by Analytic Functions [3]. As time went, the subject of Computer Aided Geomtric Design grew rapidly and the study of splines turned out to become quite usefull. An example of this is the study of methods and algorithms for the descriptions 1
The influence of multi-stakeholder networks on the uptake of system of rice intensification among smallholder rice farmers in western Kenya

Multi-stakeholder platforms are useful in driving technology uptake by bringing together stakeholders in a value chain for joint agenda-setting and learning to address a common goal. In this paper, we analyze how multi-stakeholder networks unfold in an innovation platform for networking and capacity building to drive the uptake of the system of rice intensification (SRI) in Oluch irrigation scheme in western Kenya. An innovation platform (IP) was launched at Oluch irrigation scheme in Kenya to enhance networking among stakeholders and facilitate capacity building among farmers. We performed a network analysis to understand the patterns of knowledge exchange among stakeholders in the IP. We further explore the association between innovation platform characteristics and the uptake of SRI practices using regression analyses, correlation analyses and chi-square-tests. Our findings reveal that there was a substantial increase in the uptake of SRI that was largely driven by strategic networks. Extensionists and farmer groups emerged as the most important actors while farmer-to-farmer networks are still nascent in promoting SRI than expected but growing. We conclude by describing the describe a theory of change developed and experienced in the IP. While multi-stakeholder networks may be important drivers of technology uptake, there is a need for careful analysis of strategic networks within the IP that are core to achieving IP goals such as uptake of the technology and ensuring sustainability of the IP.
Perspectives in Near-Nozzle Modeling of Fuel Sprays in the Lagrangian Framework and X-Ray Data

Today, the Lagrangian spray modeling is a commonly used way of simulating spray dynamics especially in the dilute spray region. Despite the vast number of experimental and computational studies on sprays, the atomization processes including primary and secondary breakup are generally not known adequately enough for creating breakup models that would be generally applicable in every situation. The existing droplet breakup models are also difficult to validate in practice so that the attempt of making a physical simulation of a certain type of a spray system becomes actually a rather peculiar task. Yet, in order to carry out a larger scale simulation of e.g. combustion of diesel fuel, some type of droplet breakup models are needed which give a reasonable parametrization of the physical spray and include the physical properties of the droplets. In this paper near-nozzle simulation results from two droplet breakup models, the KH-RT-model and the CAB-model are presented. The simulation setup is taken from an earlier near-nozzle x-ray experiment of fuel spray, against which the computational results will be discussed. General modeling aspects of secondary breakup are discussed.
Comparison of the number of bacterial colonies among four types of suture threads using simple loop method following periodontal surgery in patients with periodontitis: A single-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: This study investigated the number of bacterial colonies in four types of suture threads, including silk, nylon, monocryl, and monocryl plus after periodontal surgery in patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis. Materials and Methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, a total of 12 patients with periodontitis who required periodontal flap surgery in all quadrants were included. One type of suture, either silk, nylon, monocryl, or monocryl plus (coated with triclosan), was used following each surgery in each quadrant. Sutures (3 mm) were removed from the mid, posterior, and anterior regions of the flap 7 days postoperatively, and placed in a tube-containing buffer medium to transfer to the culture medium in a laboratory. Then, the bacterial colonies on each culture medium were counted manually. Finally, the mean number of grown colonies (anaerobic and aerobic) was computed and compared in each group of sutures. Data were analyzed by SPSS (Version 20) using the repeated measures ANOVA and least significant difference follow-up tests (α = 0.05). Results: The findings of this study indicated a significantly higher mean number of aerobic, anaerobic, and aerobic-anaerobic colonies in silk suture than in the other three types of sutures (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed among other types of sutures (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that silk suture had a higher bacterial adhesion (aerobic, anaerobic, and aerobic-anaerobic) than monofilament sutures, including nylon, monocryl, and monocryl plus. Moreover, no significant difference was found among the monofilament sutures in the number of colonies grown on them.
Outcome of Methanol Toxicity Outbreak In Saudi Arabia: Case Series Study

Introduction Methanol poisoning is an acute medical emergency. If not recognized in time and treated properly, it can lead to a considerable magnitude of morbidity as well as mortality. This article aims to report cases of methanol toxicity, focusing on clinical presentation, management, and outcomes. Method Nine ICU-admitted patients with confirmed positive serum methanol levels were analyzed in a case series at King Fahad General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between November 2022 and January 2023. Results Among the nine patients admitted to the ICU due to methanol poisoning, the majority were middle-aged males, with two females included. Gastrointestinal symptoms were seen in two-thirds of patients, while three patients required immediate mechanical ventilation due to a low Glasgow Coma Scale. Severe metabolic acidosis was observed in most cases. All patients received sodium bicarbonate and hemodialysis, with six patients also receiving fomepizole. However, two patients in the study with low initial low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), severe metabolic acidosis, and diffuse brain edema, did not survive. One patient reported acute complete vision loss. Conclusion This case series highlights the importance of promptly recognizing and managing methanol toxicity in ICU settings. The clinical presentation of methanol toxicity can be challenging, and early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent irreversible damage.
On Half Iterates of Functions Defined on Finite Sets

: Four algorithms determining all functional square roots (half iterates) and seven algorithms ﬁnding one functional square root of any function f : X → X deﬁned on a ﬁnite set X , if these square roots exist, are presented herein. Time efﬁciency of these algorithms depending on the complexity of examined functions is compared and justiﬁcation of correctness is given. Moreover, theorems which make ﬁnding half iterates possible in some cases or facilitate this task are formulated.
Rectal Cancer: Are 12 Lymph Nodes the Limit?

Simple Summary The study looked at the number of lymph nodes removed during rectal cancer surgery and whether the commonly recommended minimum of 12 nodes is necessary. The researchers analyzed data from 20,966 patients and found that factors such as age, gender and pre-therapeutic stage can affect the number of lymph nodes removed. The study also found that the probability of finding a positive lymph node increased with the number of nodes examined, suggesting that optimal surgical technique and pathological evaluation are more important than a numeric cut-off value. Abstract Lymph node dissection is a crucial element of oncologic rectal surgery. Many guidelines regard the removal of at least 12 lymph nodes as the quality criterion in rectal cancer. However, this recommendation remains controversial. This study examines the factors influencing the lymph node yield and the validity of the 12-lymph node limit. Patients with rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection or abdominoperineal amputation between 2000 and 2010 were analyzed. In total, 20,966 patients from 381 hospitals were included. Less than 12 lymph nodes were found in 20.53% of men and 19.31% of women (p = 0.03). The number of lymph nodes yielded increased significantly from 2000, 2005 and 2010 within the quality assurance program for all procedures. The univariate analysis indicated a significant (p < 0.001) correlation between lymph node yield and gender, age, pre-therapeutic T-stage, risk factors and neoadjuvant therapy. The multivariate analyses found T3 stage, female sex, the presence of at least one risk factor and neoadjuvant therapy to have a significant influence on yield. The probability of finding a positive lymph node was proportional to the number of examined nodes with no plateau. There is a proportional relationship between the number of examined lymph nodes and the probability of finding an infiltrated node. Optimal surgical technique and pathological evaluation of the specimen cannot be replaced by a numeric cut-off value.
Scale-dependent alignment, tumbling and stretching of slender rods in isotropic turbulence

We examine the dynamics of slender, rigid rods in direct numerical simulation of isotropic turbulence. The focus is on the statistics of three quantities and how they vary as rod length increases from the dissipation range to the inertial range. These quantities are (i) the steady-state rod alignment with respect to the perceived velocity gradients in the surrounding flow, (ii) the rate of rod reorientation (tumbling) and (iii) the rate at which the rod end points move apart (stretching). Under the approximations of slender-body theory, the rod inertia is neglected and rods are modelled as passive particles in the flow that do not affect the fluid velocity field. We find that the average rod alignment changes qualitatively as rod length increases from the dissipation range to the inertial range. While rods in the dissipation range align most strongly with fluid vorticity, rods in the inertial range align most strongly with the most extensional eigenvector of the perceived strain-rate tensor. For rods in the inertial range, we find that the variance of rod stretching and the variance of rod tumbling both scale as $l^{-4/3}$ , where $l$ is the rod length. However, when rod dynamics are compared to two-point fluid velocity statistics (structure functions), we see non-monotonic behaviour in the variance of rod tumbling due to the influence of small-scale fluid motions. Additionally, we find that the skewness of rod stretching does not show scale invariance in the inertial range, in contrast to the skewness of longitudinal fluid velocity increments as predicted by Kolmogorov’s $4/5$ law. Finally, we examine the power-law scaling exponents of higher-order moments of rod tumbling and rod stretching for rods with lengths in the inertial range and find that they show anomalous scaling. We compare these scaling exponents to predictions from Kolmogorov’s refined similarity hypotheses.
Further Constraints on Variations in the Initial Mass Function from Low-mass X-ray Binary Populations

We present constraints on variations in the initial mass function (IMF) of nine local early-type galaxies based on their low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) populations. Comprised of accreting black holes and neutron stars, these LMXBs can be used to constrain the important high-mass end of the IMF. We consider LMXB populations beyond the cores of the galaxies (>0.2Re; covering 75%–90% of their stellar light) and find no evidence for systematic variations of the IMF with velocity dispersion (σ). We reject IMFs which become increasingly bottom-heavy with σ, up to steep power laws (exponent, α > 2.8) in massive galaxies (σ > 300 ), for galactocentric radii >1/4 Re. Previously proposed IMFs that become increasingly bottom-heavy with σ are consistent with these data if only the number of low-mass stars (<0.5 M⊙) varies. We note that our results are consistent with some recent work which proposes that extreme IMFs are only present in the central regions of these galaxies. We also consider IMFs that become increasingly top-heavy with σ, resulting in significantly more LMXBs. Such a model is consistent with these observations, but additional data are required to significantly distinguish between this and an invariant IMF. For six of these galaxies, we directly compare with published “IMF mismatch” parameters from the Atlas3D survey, αdyn. We find good agreement with the LMXB population if galaxies with higher αdyn have more top-heavy IMFs—although we caution that our sample is quite small. Future LMXB observations can provide further insights into the origin of αdyn variations.
High order fluid model for streamer discharges

htmlabstractA high order fluid model for streamer discharges is developed and used to investigate propagation of negative streamer fronts in N2 . Mo- mentum transfer theory is employed to evaluate the collision terms and close the system of moment/balance equations. The results of simulations are compared with those obtained by a PIC/MC method and by the classical first order fluid model based on the drift-diffusion and local field approxi- mations. The comparison clearly validates the theoretical basis of the high order fluid model, while the first order fluid model underestimates many aspects of streamer dynamics.
Factors related to delay in cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

Background: Bangladesh has a large proportion of women at risk of developing cervical cancer. Though it is considered preventable, it is the second commonest cancer of women in Bangladesh. This study explored the factors influencing the delays in seeking cervical cancer care. Material and methods: Three hundred and ninety nine (399) randomly selected women with cervical cancer attending clinical care in a tertiary hospital were enrolled. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were followed. Face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured and in-depth questionnaire were carried out. The univariate analysis measured the association with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Content and context analyses were performed for a qualitative segment of the study. Results: The mean age of the respondent was 54.3 years (Mean ± SD, 54.3±11.7). The median duration of primary, secondary and tertiary delays was 45, 45 and 60, respectively. The association between primary delay and personal factors, e.g., lack of knowledge, was statistically significant (p<0.05). Economic factors were closely associated with secondary delay (p=0.000). Issues like healthcare facilities were significant for tertiary delay (p=0.000). Conclusion: This study identified multiple factors that can be addressed to reduce delays regarding cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment. Steps to reduce these delays can be expected to improve clinical care and the outcome of this cancer in women in Bangladesh.
Teaching mathematics after hours

ABSTRACT The quantum of instruction time allocated to curriculum subjects such as mathematics facilitates greater exposure to knowledge and skill development, leading to higher levels of achievement. There are a number of manifestations of time to consider when investigating the quantum of time in mathematics education. The OECD have investigated the time allocated to mathematics by schools internationally, while also reporting on the prevalence of private tuition and time spent on homework. However, to date, no attention has been afforded to the provision of ‘hidden curriculum time’ for mathematics. This study seeks to advance the work of the OECD and describes a case study that sought to ascertain if teachers in Ireland provide additional mathematics lessons outside of school hours. The authors examined how prevalent this practice is, how many additional minutes some students receive as a result of this practice and ascertained teachers’ reasons for providing/not providing these additional mathematics classes. The results from this case study show that the majority of teachers at Senior Cycle provide these classes while a large proportion of Junior Cycle teachers also do. In extreme cases, these additional classes expose students to an additional 88.3 h of mathematics over the two-year Senior Cycle programme.