Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vision-Based Markerless Tracking for Continuum Surgical Instruments in Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotic-assisted single-port minimally invasive surgery (MIS) can reduce trauma and shorten hospitalization. However, surgical instruments for robotic single-port surgery usually possess multiple joints without distal joint sensors. Hence, closed-loop control is not directly applied to these joints, which may result in lowered motion accuracy. Aiming at enabling markerless closed-loop control without introducing additional sensing hardware, this letter proposes a vision-based markerless tracking method for continuum single-port surgical instruments. Firstly, a color-enhanced random forests (RFs) segmentation method is proposed, using a color-based method for annotating endoscopic images. Secondly, based on the segmented surgical end effector and the level-set framework, an optimization is formulated for 3D pose estimation, utilizing the kinematics of the continuum surgical instrument. The experimental results show that the proposed vision-based marker-less tracking method is effective for tracking continuum surgical instruments.
Satisfaction with sex life and its impact on the quality of life in people living with HIV in Poland treated in the city of Bialystok: a cross-sectional study

Introduction Sex life is an important element contributing to the overall quality of life. It is also a particularly sensitive dimension of quality of life for HIV-positive patients. Objective The aim of the study was to assess the sexual life of people living with HIV in Poland treated in the Observation and Infection Clinic with the Subunit for HIV/AIDS Patients of the University Clinical Hospital in Bialystok, and its impact on the quality of life, life satisfaction, HIV status acceptance, general health status and depressive symptoms among the respondents. Methods A total of 147 participants, including 104 men (70.7%) and 43 women (29.3%), took part in the research. The study was conducted between May 2019 and January 2020. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a modified questionnaire “Psychosocial situation of people living with HIV/AIDS” by Dr. Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak and the following standardised psychometric tools: the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results One-third of patients rated their sex life as poor or very poor. Almost half of respondents always informed sexual partners of their HIV status (49.7%). The sex life of respondents was highly correlated with almost all psychometric measures used in the study. Those indicating sexual contact as a possible source of HIV infection had a lower quality of life in the domain of general health compared to other respondents, but the difference was relatively small (about 5.5 points). Discussion In conclusion, the overall satisfaction with the sex life of people living with HIV was moderate with a tendency to poor. The quality of life of people living with HIV was determined by their sex life. Better quality of life was presented by those with good self-reported sex life.
SAR Despeckling Using Multiobjective Neural Network Trained With Generic Statistical Samples

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images are impaired by the presence of speckles. Despite the deep interest of scholars in the last decades, SAR image despeckling is still an open issue. Among different approaches, recently, many deep-learning (DL) methods have been proposed following both supervised and unsupervised training approaches. There are two main challenges within the supervised framework: training data and cost functions. Our approach builds training datasets that are varied and realistic using a multicategory generalized Gaussian coherent SAR simulator. It allows modeling a variety of SAR scenarios beyond the fully developed speckle hypothesis, which is only valid in homogeneous areas. Such multicategory simulated speckle is then applied to a noise-free reference obtained by multilooking a temporal stack of actual SAR images to obtain the noisy input. We design an effective multiobjective cost function that accounts for texture, edge, and statistical properties preservation. We show the superiority of our approach assessing numerically and quantitatively its performance with three different SAR datasets.
A Hybrid Approach to Detect Researchers’ Communities Based on Deep Learning and Game Theory

to be highly effective in extracting communities. Deep learning techniques have demonstrated enhanced capability in feature engineering and automate the process. In this study, the authors make effort to detect rational and accurate communities based on structural and content features with the help of traditional approaches, deep learning, as well as cooperative and non-cooperative games. The efficiency of this study is demonstrated by experimental findings on real datasets, and confirming that it is able enough to identify those communities that are more meaningful.
Infrared Propagation in the marine atmospheric surface layer: extinction and refraction

The near-surface portion of the marine atmospheric surface layer is a dynamic propagation environment for optical and infrared (IR) signals. Particularly eminent are the effects of strong vertical refractivity gradients and localized aerosol gradients. The type and concentration of aerosols and gases in the intervening atmosphere result in a degradation of the IR and visible (VIS) signals. For a number of different viewing angles close to the horizon the atmospheric transmittance is determined by the absorption by atmospheric gases and by the absorption and scattering by aerosols. A longrange goal of the studies of the performance of IR/VIS systems is to obtain an understanding of the effects generated by the mixture of different meteorological conditions, locations (over ocean or over land), and solar position. Typically the atmospheric effects result in three primary distortions: a) extinction, which results from absorption and scattering by aerosols and molecules, b) refraction, which results from the collective bending of the beam, and c) scintillation, which results from incoherent scattering. The above distortions affect various types of systems, i.e., IRST (IR Search & Track), and wavelengths, such as laser at IR and visible frequencies, and radar in radio frequencies. A number of field studies both over land and over ocean has been conducted to better understand the above distortions (Doss-Hammel et al., 2002a, Jensen et al., 2001, and Tsintikidis and Doss-Hammel, 2002). The Rough Evaporation Duct (RED) campaign assessed the effects of the air-sea boundary layer on microwave (MW) and IR signal propagation near the sea surface during the summer of 2001. The RED experiment was designed around the Floating Instrument Platform (FLIP), which was moored 10.5 kilometers off the northeast shore of Oahu, Hawaii. In this report we present measurements collected by the EO group of the Atmospheric Propagation Branch from the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC), San Diego during the period of 15 August – 15 September 2001. The primary objective of the SSC EO group was to characterize the atmospheric propagation path, and the experiment was designed to measure both the transmission and scintillation signals. Preliminary results are presented on the analysis of the transmission signal detected during the RED field campaign.
Character Building Values in Student Teacher’s Lesson Plans: A Content Analysis

Character-building which has become one of the major concerns in the Indonesian national educational system should be addressed by the education stakeholders in various ways, one of which is via academic documents such as curriculum, syllabus, and lesson plan. Many researchers have conducted studies regarding character-building values that are revealed in EFL teacher's lesson plans. However, they have not addressed character-building values in student teacher's lesson plans. This study aimed to investigate character-building values in student teacher’s lesson plans using content analysis. Five lesson plans designed by 15 student teachers were analyzed based on character-building values by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The findings showed that 5 character-building values were inserted in the student teacher's lesson plans such as being religious, hard work, responsible, collaborative, and communicative. The most frequent character-building values were being communicative, while the less frequent character-building values were being religious.
Noncontact Subnanometer Resolution Displacement Sensing With Wide Bandwidth Based on Squeeze Film Damping Effect

Displacement sensors with subnanometer resolution and wide bandwidth are essential for micro–nano manufacturing, measurement, and motion control systems. However, the current displacement sensing methods have various limitations, such as requirements for the optical or electrical properties of the target sample, the need to be in contact with the sample surface, and the contradiction between the accuracy and bandwidth. This study proposes a displacement sensing method with wide bandwidth and subnanometer resolution, which is not only insensitive to the material properties of the measured sample but it is also not in contact with the sample. The squeeze film damping (SFD) force exerted on the resonant microcantilever plate is sensitive to the plate–sample displacement (film height), which can be converted into the cantilever vibration amplitude. The resulting amplitude variations can be measured by the optical lever method. Herein, the mathematical model of the resonant cantilever and SFD force is established. The effects of driving amplitude and frequency on displacement sensing are studied. Evidently, increasing the driving amplitude and using a resonant driving frequency can improve sensing sensitivity and resolution. Experiments reveal that the proposed method is insensitive to sample material changes, has a resolution of 0.21 nm [standard deviation (STD)], a range of $5 \mu \text{m}$ , a bandwidth of about 515 Hz, and can be utilized in gantry vibration measurement.
MRI-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy with a handheld portable biopsy system.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate a compact portable 10-gauge handheld battery-operated vacuum-assisted biopsy system for MRI-guided breast biopsy. CONCLUSION The compact portable battery-operated biopsy system can be used successfully for MRI-guided core breast biopsy and is an alternative to current systems.
Underactuated Robotic Gripper With Fiber-Optic Force Sensing Tendons

We present a novel design for a multi-fingered robotic gripper, featuring underactuation and fiber-optically sensorized tendons for force sensing, inspired by the Golgi tendon organs found in biological muscles. Our robotic gripper comprises three rigid fingers, each with three joints: the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP). To enable flexion and extension, each is actuated using a combination of two types of tendons: an active tendon and three passive tendons. The active tendon is a single-mode optical fiber with an embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) that detects the tension of the fiber during the gripper's grasping motions. Meanwhile, three elastic passive tendons, made of soft elastomer and located on the dorsal side of the finger, retract the finger to its initial extended position upon the release of the active tendon. Through the measurement of the wavelength shift of the FBG, induced by the strain applied to the fiber-optic tendon, we can convert this data into force values, facilitating grasping force control. Our proposed gripper is tested with objects of varying stiffness and demonstrates the force-sensing capability of the sensorized tendons.
A Generic Model for Inertia-Based Fast Frequency Response of Wind Turbines and Other Positive-Sequence Dynamic Models for Renewable Energy Systems

As the global push for decarbonization of the world electric power generation systems continues, the deployment of ever larger wind power plants, as well as photovoltaics, and battery energy storage systems abound worldwide. Roughly a decade ago the Western Electricity Coordinating Council's (WECC) Renewable Energy Modeling Task Force successfully achieved the goal of developing a set of publicly available, non-proprietary and generalized dynamic models for computer simulation modeling of such renewable energy systems (RES) in bulk power system planning studies. These models have, and continue to be used by many in both North America and elsewhere. In the past several years, the WECC modeling and validation subcommittee (MVS) has continued these efforts to develop, and with the help of many commercial software vendors, release a set of new modules that help to augment these so-called generic RES dynamic models and increase the range of their applicability. These include features such as a model for simulating inertia-based fast frequency response of wind turbine generators, emulating the so-called weak grid option controls, and updated voltage-source type converter models. This article presents an account of these latest developments.
SurgeryThresholding, Task Selection, and Prior Functional MR Imaging: Effects of in Patients with Brain Tumor Using Assessment of the Language Laterality Index

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Functional MR imaging (fMRI) is used to determine preoperatively the laterality of cortical language representation along with the relationship of language areas to adjacent brain tumors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether changing the statistical threshold for different language tasks influences the language laterality index (LI) for a group of controls, patients with tumor without prior surgery, and patients with tumor and prior surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven controls, 9 patients with tumor without prior surgery, and 4 patients with tumor and prior surgery performed verb-generation, phonemic fluency, and semantic fluency language tasks during fMRI. Interhemispheric activation differences between the left and right Broca regions of interest were determined by calculating language LIs. LIs were compared within each group, between groups, and between language tasks. Intraoperative electrocortical mapping or the presence of aphasia during postoperative neurology examinations or both were used as ground truth. RESULTS: The language LI varied as a result of statistical thresholding, presence of tumor, prior surgery, and language task. Although patients and controls followed a similar shape in the LI curve, there was no optimal P value for determining the LI. Three patients demonstrated a shift in the LI between hemispheres as a function of statistical threshold. Verb generation was the least variable task both between tasks and across groups. CONCLUSION: For preoperative patients with tumor, the LI should be examined across a spectrum of P values and a range of tasks to ensure reliability. Our data suggest that the LI may be threshold-and task-dependent, particularly in the presence of adjacent tumor.
Microvascular Obstruction in Acute Myocardial Infarction, a Potential Therapeutic Target

Microvascular obstruction (MVO) is a recognised phenomenon following mechanical reperfusion in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Invasive and non-invasive modalities to detect and measure the extent of MVO vary in their accuracy, suggesting that this phenomenon may reflect a spectrum of pathophysiological changes at the level of coronary microcirculation. The importance of detecting MVO lies in the observation that its presence adds incremental risk to patients following STEMI treatment. This increased risk is associated with adverse cardiac remodelling seen on cardiac imaging, increased infarct size, and worse patient outcomes. This review provides an outline of the pathophysiology, clinical implications, and prognosis of MVO in STEMI. It describes historic and novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies to address this phenomenon in conjunction with primary PCI.
Advances in Sustainable and Competitive Manufacturing Systems

This paper presents a tracking system developed to study the behavior of an oil tanker moored at the Berth ‘‘A’’ of the Leixões Oil Terminal, Porto, Portugal. A brief description of the local environmental conditions and the existing operational conditions at that oil terminal are presented. Due to extreme outdoor working conditions a Kalman ﬁlter was implemented to ensure the robustness and reliability of the obtained measurements. Tests were performed in laboratory on a physical model of a moored oil tanker at a scale 1/100. The results were compared with a commercial motion capture system installed in laboratory. The presented measurement system was developed as part of the DOLPHIN project that aims to study the behavior of moored ships in harbors.
Speeds of dinosaurs from the Albian-Cenomanian of Patagonia and sauropod stance and gait

Estimates of locomotory speeds of small to large-sized Patagonian dinosaurs are presented for the first time. These estimates are inferred from trackways found on fine to coarse-grained brown sandstones located in the lower section of the Candeleros Member of the Rio Limay Formation (Albian-Cenomanian), Neuquen Province, Argentina. The method used is based on the measurement of the stride length (distance between two successive prints of the same foot) and of the length of the hindfoot print, which in turn, allows us to estimate the height at the hip joint and, therefore, the approximate size of the animal. The hypothesis of dynamic similarity implies that the movements of geometrically similar animals, although of different sizes, are dynamically similar only when they move with the same Froude number. The dynamically similar movements (i.e., those with equal Froude number) require equal values of relative stride length (ratio between the stride length and the hip joint height). The relationship between the relative stride length and the Froude number allows us to estimate the speeds of dinosaurs. The dinosaurian ichnofauna studied reveals low speeds that range from 0.5 to 2.6 m s-1. Our analyses show that the sauropods responsible for these trackways were either walking very slowly in a bipedal stance or alternatively they were progressing quadrupedally on a slippery surface.
The Conserved Chromatin Remodeler SMARCAD1 Interacts with TFIIIC and Architectural Proteins in Human and Mouse

In vertebrates, SMARCAD1 participates in transcriptional regulation, heterochromatin maintenance, DNA repair, and replication. The molecular basis underlying its involvement in these processes is not well understood. We identified the RNA polymerase III general transcription factor TFIIIC as an interaction partner of native SMARCAD1 in mouse and human models using endogenous co-immunoprecipitations. TFIIIC has dual functionality, acting as a general transcription factor and as a genome organizer separating chromatin domains. We found that its partnership with SMARCAD1 is conserved across different mammalian cell types, from somatic to pluripotent cells. Using purified proteins, we confirmed that their interaction is direct. A gene expression analysis suggested that SMARCAD1 is dispensable for TFIIIC function as an RNA polymerase III transcription factor in mouse ESCs. The distribution of TFIIIC and SMARCAD1 in the ESC genome is distinct, and unlike in yeast, SMARCAD1 is not enriched at active tRNA genes. Further analysis of SMARCAD1-binding partners in pluripotent and differentiated mammalian cells reveals that SMARCAD1 associates with several factors that have key regulatory roles in chromatin organization, such as cohesin, laminB, and DDX5. Together, our work suggests for the first time that the SMARCAD1 enzyme participates in genome organization in mammalian nuclei through interactions with architectural proteins.
Characterization of ozone profiles retrieved from satellite measurements

In this thesis the characterization of ozone profiles is applied on data of two different satellite instruments. In chapter 2, 3 and 4 ozone profiles are analyzed which were retrieved from the spectra measured by the GOME instrument on board the ERS-2 satellite. GOME is a nadir-viewing instrument, which observes spectrally-resolved UV radiation backscattered from the Earth’s atmosphere. In chapter 5 ozone profiles are analyzed which were retrieved from the spectra measured by the GOMOS instrument on board the Envisat satellite. GOMOS is an occultation-viewing instrument, which observes UV radiation from stars as they set in the Earth’s atmosphere. The spectra of both instruments can be used to extract information on the vertical distribution of ozone with altitude.
Factors Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Levels in High School Students

This study aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance in high school students; secondly, this study aims to relate and compare anxiety, depression, and stress levels with physical activity level and academic performance. This is a quantitative, descriptive, and comparative cross-sectional study, which evaluated 443 high school students (48% female; 15.13 ± 1.59 years) belonging to the Maule region, Chile. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Questionnaire (DASS-21) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied. Academic performance was consulted on language, mathematics, and overall grade point average. The results indicate that vigorous physical activity (OR = 0.504; p = 0.017) and high academic performance in mathematics (OR = 0.597; p = 0.027) are associated with a reduced risk of depression. In turn, there is a significant inverse correlation between physical activity with anxiety (r = −0.224; p = 0.000), depression (r = −0.224; p = 0.000) and stress (r = −0.108; p = 0.032), while the performance of mathematics is inversely correlated with depression (r = −0.176; p = 0.000). On the other hand, significant differences (p < 0.05) between anxiety, depression, stress levels, and grade point average were found, with females exhibiting higher scores than males. In conclusion, greater vigorous physical activity and scoring above average in mathematics performance are protective factors against depression.