Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of the Left Atrium: From Multimodality Imaging to Clinical Practice: A Review

In recent years, new interest is growing in the left atrium (LA). LA functional analysis and measurement have an essential role in cardiac function evaluation. Left atrial size and function are key elements during the noninvasive analysis of diastolic function in several heart diseases. The LA represents a “neuroendocrine organ” with high sensitivity to the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. New insights highlight the importance of left atrial structural, contractile, and/or electrophysiological changes, introducing the concept of “atrial cardiomyopathy”, which is closely linked to underlying heart disease, arrhythmias, and conditions such as aging. The diagnostic algorithm for atrial cardiomyopathy should follow a stepwise approach, combining risk factors, clinical characteristics, and imaging. Constant advances in imaging techniques offer superb opportunities for a comprehensive evaluation of LA function, underlying specific mechanisms, and patterns of progression. In this literature review, we aim to suggest a practical, stepwise algorithm with integrative multimodality imaging and a clinical approach for LA geometry and functional analysis. This integrates diastolic flow analysis with LA remodelling by the application of traditional and new diagnostic imaging techniques in several clinical settings such as heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), and mitral regurgitation (MR).
Calvarial Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult presenting rapid growth

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) arising in the skull is rare in adulthood. Case Description: A 58-year-old woman experienced a durable headache. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at presentation showed no abnormalities; however, MRI and computed tomography (CT) performed 6 weeks later revealed the emergence of a well-demarcated, heterogeneously enhancing calvarial tumor accompanied by irregular-shaped bone erosion. On MRI, the temporalis muscle and subcutaneous tissue adjacent to the tumor were extensively swollen and enhanced. The patient underwent en bloc resection. The microscopic appearance of the tumor was consistent with that of LCH. Postoperative systemic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT did not detect any abnormal accumulation. Conclusion: LCH may develop within a short period. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis when a rapidly growing calvarial tumor is encountered, even when the patient is an adult. Prompt histological verification is recommended in such cases.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of genetic variation at the quantitative and molecular levels within a natural Arabidopsis thaliana population

Evolutionary change begins at the population scale. Therefore, understanding adaptive variation requires the identification of the factors maintaining and shaping standing genetic variation at the within‐population level. Spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity represent ecological drivers of within‐population genetic variation, determining the evolutionary trajectory of populations along with random processes. Here, we focused on the effects of spatiotemporal heterogeneity on quantitative and molecular variation in a natural population of the annual plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We sampled 1093 individuals from a Spanish A. thaliana population across an area of 7.4 ha for 10 years (2012–2021). Based on a sample of 279 maternal lines, we estimated spatiotemporal variation in life‐history traits and fitness from a common garden experiment. We genotyped 884 individuals with nuclear microsatellites to estimate spatiotemporal variation in genetic diversity. We assessed spatial patterns by estimating spatial autocorrelation of traits and fine‐scale genetic structure. We analysed the relationships between phenotypic variation, geographical location and genetic relatedness, as well as the effects of environmental suitability and genetic rarity on phenotypic variation. The common garden experiment indicated that there was more temporal than spatial variation in life‐history traits and fitness. Despite the differences among years, genetic distance in ecologically relevant traits (e.g. flowering time) tended to be positively correlated to genetic distance among maternal lines, while isolation by distance was less important. Genetic diversity exhibited significant spatial structure at short distances, which were consistent among years. Finally, genetic rarity, and not environmental suitability, accounted for genetic variation in life‐history traits. Synthesis. Our study highlighted the importance of repeated sampling to detect the large amount of genetic diversity at the quantitative and molecular levels that a single A. thaliana population can harbour. Overall, population genetic attributes estimated from our long‐term monitoring scheme (genetic relatedness and genetic rarity), rather than biological (dispersal) or ecological (vegetation types and environmental suitability) factors, emerged as the most important drivers of within‐population structure of phenotypic variation in A. thaliana.
Seasonal variation of immune response to heterologous erythrocytes in natural populations of red‐backed (Clethrionomys rutilus) and gray‐sided (C. rufocanus) voles in Western Siberia

Abstract We studied the seasonal variation of adaptive humoral immunity (AHI) in northern red‐backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas, 1779, RBV) and gray‐sided vole (C. rufocanus Sundevall, 1846, GSV) in Tomsk region of Western Siberia. Immunoresponsiveness (IR) to sheep red blood cells was assessed by the number of antibody‐producing cells in the spleen. The use of a generalized linear model to analyze the effects of species, sex, year of research, and season of withdrawal of individuals from nature on IR showed a significant effect of species identity, season of animal capture, and the interaction of species with season. The RBV demonstrated higher immune responses during a year, and both species had higher IR in winter. Suppression of IR in spring was greater, started earlier, and lasted longer (March–May) in GSV. In RBV, immunosuppression was restricted to April. The significant negative within year correlations of IR with body mass and masses of reproductive organs in GSV indicated a trade‐off between AHI and growth and reproduction processes. A probable explanation for the difference between species in the seasonal variation of AHI may be related to the difference in tropho‐energetic requirements of each vole species. GSV is a predominantly herbivorous rodent and its thermoregulation seems less efficient than of RBV. The deeper spring immunosuppression in GSV may explain in part its higher mortality during the season of colds.
Review Kritis Artikel "Board of Directors and Financial Transparency and Disclosure: Evidence from Italy" Karya Torchia and Calabro (2016)

This study aims to make a critical review of Torchia & Calabro research in 2016 titled “Board of Directors and Financial Transparency and Disclosure: Evidence from Italy”. The critical review is carried out with the aim of mapping out future research opportunities that can be based on Torchia & Calabro's research. Future research that can be mapped out is research on corporate governance which is calculated by a total index which includes the characteristics of the board of directors and commissioners, characteristics of audits, remuneration, internal control and risk management. The relationship with voluntary disclosure which is also calculated by the total index which includes disclosure of the company's strategic management, disclosure of financial information and stock information, disclosure of information on company management structure, disclosure of information on the company's future mission and CSR disclosure. The research will be more comprehensive if it is added with the disclosure of the company's environmental management.
Spatio-Temporal Reasoning and Linear Inequalitites

Abstract : Time and space are sufficiently similar to warrant in certain cases a common representation in Al problem-solving systems. What is represented is often the constraints that hold between objects, and an concern is the overall consistency of a set of such constraints. This paper scrutinizes two current approaches to spatio-temporal reasoning. The suitableness of Allen's temporal algebra for constraint networks is influenced directly by the mathematical properties of the Algebra. These properties are extracted by a formulation as a network of set-theoretic relations, such that some previous theorems due to Montanari apply. Some hew theorems concerning consistency of these temporal constraint networks are also presented. It is argued that the linear programming approach to reasoning in time and space is needlessly complex, and is otherwise unsuitable as a submodule for a task that performs search. In the spirit of the thematic tradeoff between expressivity and tractability, simple linear inequalities are adequately expressive and provide known algorithms which are amenable to a search regimen. Moreover, another known algorithm captures the real physical constraint of disjointness, and is therefore relevant to layout and planning tasks.
An acoustic Riemann solver for large strain computational contact dynamics

This article presents a vertex‐centered finite volume algorithm for the explicit dynamic analysis of large strain contact problems. The methodology exploits the use of a system of first order conservation equations written in terms of the linear momentum and a triplet of geometric deformation measures (comprising the deformation gradient tensor, its co‐factor, and its Jacobian) together with their associated jump conditions. The latter can be used to derive several dynamic contact models ensuring the preservation of hyperbolic characteristic structure across solution discontinuities at the contact interface, a clear advantage over the standard quasi‐static contact models where the influence of inertial effects at the contact interface is completely neglected. Taking advantage of the conservative nature of the formalism, both kinetic (traction) and kinematic (velocity) contact interface conditions are explicitly enforced at the fluxes through the use of appropriate jump conditions. Specifically, the kinetic condition is enforced in the usual linear momentum equation, whereas the kinematic condition can now be easily enforced in the geometric conservation equations without requiring a computationally demanding iterative algorithm. Additionally, a total variation diminishing shock capturing technique can be suitably incorporated in order to improve dramatically the performance of the algorithm at the vicinity of shocks. Moreover, and to guarantee stability from the spatial discretization standpoint, global entropy production is demonstrated through the satisfaction of semi‐discrete version of the classical Coleman–Noll procedure expressed in terms of the time rate of the so‐called Hamiltonian energy of the system. Finally, a series of numerical examples is examined in order to assess the performance and applicability of the algorithm suitably implemented in OpenFOAM. The knowledge of the potential contact loci between contact interfaces is assumed to be known a priori.
A Generic and Scalable Approach to Maximize Coverage in Diverse Indoor and Outdoor Multicamera Surveillance Scenarios

Efficient deployment of cameras optimizes the costs and benefits in a multicamera surveillance network. Most camera placement algorithms are developed for surveillance regions with predefined camera locations, where optimal orientation for every given camera location is determined to maximize coverage. The existing approaches to optimizing the number of cameras, locations, and orientations focus on specific scenarios and are neither generic nor scalable across diverse surveillance scenarios. This article proposes a generic and scalable reward penalty score (RPS) algorithm for optimal camera placement in diverse indoor and outdoor scenarios to efficiently attain a specified coverage requirement. The camera placement decision is driven by maximizing total coverage over the surveillance region with a minimum number of cameras at optimal locations and orientations. Based on the RPS algorithm, we extend the existing Greedy grid voting (GGV) algorithm that was limited to optimizing camera orientations for predefined locations. The extended GGV (EGGV) algorithm is broader in scope and optimizes the number of cameras, their locations, and orientations. Overall, the RPS algorithm produces superior coverage results over indoor and outdoor scenarios compared to the existing camera placement algorithms on map images of diverse surveillance scenarios ranging from small to large.
A simple algorithm for robust stability test under structured and unstructured perturbations

Discusses the problem of robust stability of a class of multivariable systems with both structured (parametric) and unstructured norm bounded uncertainties. The author first gives a vertex-edge criterion of robust stability of the closed-loop system. Next the author introduces the concept of the maximal difference of the phases of extreme points /spl theta//sub m/, by which the robust stability (or stability margin) of the multivariable system can be determined exactly. Finally, a simple algorithm for calculating /spl theta//sub m/ is presented.
An Identity Preference in Ngbaka Vowels

In a large Ngbaka dictionary (Henrix et al. 2015), segmental identity between vowels is systematically overrepresented: cases of identity like [kɔkɔ] 'to cover oneself' and [ɓɛnɛ] 'to consult an oracle' occur significantly more often than predicted by the frequencies of the individual vowels alone. I show that the best-fit statistical model of the lexical data includes a predictor for identity: non-identical vowels are dispreferred. The implication of this finding is that the phonological grammar must be able to reference identity directly (following MacEachern 1999, Coetzee & Pater 2008, Gallagher & Coon 2009, Gallagher 2013, 2014, a.o.).
Scanning Path Planning of the Robot for Breast Ultrasound Examination Based on Binocular Vision and NURBS

Ultrasonic scanning is the most commonly used method for detecting breast cancer. Traditional breast ultrasound mainly relies on manual examination, which requires doctors with rich clinical experience. The scanning path planning of the robot for breast ultrasound examination based on binocular vision and non-uniform rational B-Splines (NURBS) is proposed in this paper to solve the limitations of traditional examination methods. First, breast images are acquired by the binocular camera. The depth information of the images is obtained through stereo matching, and the 3D point cloud reconstruction of the breast model is completed. Second, the spatial index algorithm based on the K-dimension tree (Kd-tree) and uniform sampling method are selected to denoise and down-sample the point cloud model to complete the preliminary optimization of the model. The point cloud information for the scanning path is extracted according to the method of point cloud extraction and the principle of normal vector calculation. Then, the interpolation optimization of the scanning path based on the NURBS curve is completed. The optimized scanning path is transformed into the robot motion path. Finally, the robot motion is simulated and analyzed, and the experimental results show that the rationality of robot operation and the smoothness of robot motion meet the requirements of path planning defined in this paper. The error analysis experiment shows that the path planned by this method can ensure the efficiency and accuracy of ultrasound examination.
A Denoising Method for Ship-Radiated Noise Based on Optimized Variational Mode Decomposition with Snake Optimization and Dual-Threshold Criteria of Correlation Coefficient

The ship-radiated noise (SN) is easily affected by other hydroacoustic objects or complex ocean noise when it spreads through water. In order to reduce the impact from the environment, a denoising method for SN based on optimized variational mode decomposition with snake optimization (SO-VMD) and dual-threshold criteria of correlation coefficient (CC) is proposed in this paper. The first step is to optimize the parameter combination, that is, decomposition number K and penalty factor α, of variational mode decomposition (VMD) by snake optimization (SO) with envelope entropy (EE). Then, the input signal using the optimized results is decomposed and the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) are obtained. After that, the IMFs are classified into three classes with the dual-threshold criteria of CC, including signal components, signal-noise components, and noise components. Finally, all the signal components and the processed signal-noise components denoised by wavelet threshold (WT) are reconstructed together. Simulations performed in this paper demonstrate that SO is the more appropriate optimization for VMD and the proposed method has the more outstanding performance in denoising different kinds of test signals. In addition, experiments on measured SNs show that the proposed method is effective and accurate in denoising.
Heterogeneous Transfer Learning for Wi-Fi Indoor Positioning Based Hybrid Feature Selection

This paper presents the application of heterogeneous transfer learning (HetTL) methods which consider hybrid feature selection to reduce the training calibration effort and the noise generated by fingerprint duplicates obtained from multiple Wi-Fi access points. The Cramer–Rao Lower Bound analysis (CRLB) was also applied to evaluate and estimate a lower limit for the variance of a parameter estimator used to analyze positioning performance. We developed two novel algorithms for feature selection in fingerprint-based indoor positioning problems (IPP) to enhance positioning performance in the target domain with the HetTL. The algorithms comprised two scenarios: (i) a principal component analysis-based approach (PCA-based) and (ii) a hybrid approach that takes both PCA and correlation effect analysis into account (hybrid scenario). Accordingly, a new feature vector was constructed by retaining only the most significant predictors, and the most efficient feature dimensions were also determined by using a hybrid-based approach. Experimental results showed that the hybrid-based proposed algorithm has the minimum mean absolute error. The CRLB analysis also showed that the number of Wi-Fi access points could affect the lower bound location estimation error; however, identifying the most significant predictors is an effective approach to improve positioning performance.
Thermal performance assessment of phase change material for electronic cooling: An experimental investigation

In the present study, an experimental investigation is performed to check the performance of phase change material (PCM) OM42 for passive electronic cooling applications. Rectangular fins were used as PCM thermal conductivity enhancers (TCEs) to enhance the thermal conductivity of PCM. The experiments were performed (a) by maintaining the required input heat flux to the heater and (b) by maintaining the set point temperature (SPT) of the heater. The heater wattage controller was used to supply the required power to the heater and thermostat W1209 was used to control the SPT of the heater. The experiments were performed in the combination of PCM and fins, with fins only, With PCM only, and with PCM and fins. The obtained results signify improved performance of the heat sink when PCM with fins was used. At input heat flux of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kW/m2 the heat sink reaches the critical temperature in 80, 60, 55, 50 and 40 minutes respectively in the absence of PCM without fins, but with the presence of PCM without fins and PCM with fins, the heater sink is well below the critical temperature for a complete charging cycle. At input heat flux of 4 and 5 kW/m2, the intensity of PCM melting rate is faster and hence solid‐liquid interface decreases quite rapidly as the buoyancy force dominates the viscous force since the volume of liquid PCM rises as the natural convection effect increases in the liquid region.
Self-Collision Avoidance Control of Dual-Arm Multi-Link Robot Using Neural Network Approach

The problem of mutual collisions of manipulators of a dual-arm multi-link robot (so-called self-collisions) arises during the performance of a cooperative technological operation. Self-collisions can lead to non-fulfillment of the technological operation or even to the failure of the manipulators. In this regard, it is necessary to develop a method for online detection and avoidance of self-collisions of manipulators. The article presents a method for detecting and avoiding self-collisions of multi-link manipulators using an artificial neural network by the example of the dual-arm robot SAR-401. A comparative analysis is carried out and the architecture of an artificial neural network for self-collisions avoidance control of dual-arm robot manipulators is proposed. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the fact that it is an alternative to the generally accepted methods of detecting self-collisions based on the numerical solution of inverse kinematics problems for manipulators in the form of nonlinear optimization problems. Experimental results performed based on MATLAB model, the simulator of the robot SAR-401 and on the real robot itself confirmed the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach. It is shown that the detection of possible self-collisions using the proposed method based on an artificial neural network is performed approximately 10 times faster than approaches based on the numerical solution of the inverse kinematics problem while maintaining the specified accuracy.
Remote Sensing Image-Based Analysis of the Urban Heat Island Effect in Bragança, Portugal

Urban Heat Islands increase surface temperatures which impact the health and well-being of urban populations. Radiative forcing is impacted by changes to the land surface associated with urbanization that are particularly significant immediately after sunset. This paper aimed to analyze the behavior of UHI in different Local Climate Zones (LCZ) in Bragança city (Portugal), using Air Temperature (Ta), satellite images (Landsat 8), and on-site data. The methodology included a seasonal approach, integrating data with different scales (spatial, radiometric, and spectral) and qualitative and quantitative analyses. Google Earth Engine (GEE) optimized the processing time and computation requirement to generate the Land Surface Temperature (LST) maps. The integration of data with different scales corroborated the complementation of information/analysis and detected the correlation between the Ta and LST. However, the identification of the UHI was compromised due to the time of the passage of Landsat 8, and it was identified as the Urban Cool Island (UCI), a complementary effect of UHI, supporting the results of previous studies and for the use of Remote Sensing (RS) for thermal effects analysis.