bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Kidney and Liver Segmentation in MR Images in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Woznicki Piotr , Siedek Florian , van Gastel Maatje D.A. , dos Santos Daniel Pinto , Arjune Sita , Karner Larina A. , Meyer Franziska , Caldeira Liliana Lourenco , Persigehl Thorsten , Gansevoort Ron T. , Grundmann Franziska , Baessler Bettina , Müller Roman-Ulrich
Published: October 2022

Key Points

We developed a model for automated kidney and liver volumetry in ADPKD to provide assistance with time-consuming volumetry.

The model works in both coronal and axial planes and was tested in the real-life setting using large multicentric cohorts.

The trained model is published along with the code to allow for further joint development and integration into commercial software packages.

Background

Imaging-based total kidney volume (TKV) and total liver volume (TLV) are major prognostic factors in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and end points for clinical trials. However, volumetry is time consuming and reader dependent in clinical practice. Our aim was to develop a fully automated method for joint kidney and liver segmentation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to evaluate its performance in a multisequence, multicenter setting.

Methods

The convolutional neural network was trained on a large multicenter dataset consisting of 992 MRI scans of 327 patients. Manual segmentation delivered ground-truth labels. The model’s performance was evaluated in a separate test dataset of 93 patients (350 MRI scans) as well as a heterogeneous external dataset of 831 MRI scans from 323 patients.

Results

The segmentation model yielded excellent performance, achieving a median per study Dice coefficient of 0.92–0.97 for the kidneys and 0.96 for the liver. Automatically computed TKV correlated highly with manual measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.996–0.999) with low bias and high precision (−0.2%±4% for axial images and 0.5%±4% for coronal images). TLV estimation showed an ICC of 0.999 and bias/precision of −0.5%±3%. For the external dataset, the automated TKV demonstrated bias and precision of −1%±7%.

Conclusions

Our deep learning model enabled accurate segmentation of kidneys and liver and objective assessment of TKV and TLV. Importantly, this approach was validated with axial and coronal MRI scans from 40 different scanners, making implementation in clinical routine care feasible.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number: The German ADPKD Tolvaptan Treatment Registry (AD[H]PKD), NCT02497521
Heme Proteins and Kidney Injury: Beyond Rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Nath Karl A. , Singh Raman Deep , Croatt Anthony J. , Adams Christopher M.
Published: October 2022

Heme proteins, the stuff of life, represent an ingenious biologic strategy that capitalizes on the biochemical versatility of heme, and yet is one that avoids the inherent risks to cellular vitality posed by unfettered and promiscuously reactive heme. Heme proteins, however, may be a double-edged sword because they can damage the kidney in certain settings. Although such injury is often viewed mainly within the context of rhabdomyolysis and the nephrotoxicity of myoglobin, an increasing literature now attests to the fact that involvement of heme proteins in renal injury ranges well beyond the confines of this single disease (and its analog, hemolysis); indeed, through the release of the defining heme motif, destabilization of intracellular heme proteins may be a common pathway for acute kidney injury, in general, and irrespective of the underlying insult. This brief review outlines current understanding regarding processes underlying such heme protein-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Topics covered include, among others, the basis for renal injury after the exposure of the kidney to and its incorporation of myoglobin and hemoglobin; auto-oxidation of myoglobin and hemoglobin; destabilization of heme proteins and the release of heme; heme/iron/oxidant pathways of renal injury; generation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species by NOX, iNOS, and myeloperoxidase; and the role of circulating cell-free hemoglobin in AKI and CKD. Also covered are the characteristics of the kidney that render this organ uniquely vulnerable to injury after myolysis and hemolysis, and pathobiologic effects emanating from free, labile heme. Mechanisms that defend against the toxicity of heme proteins are discussed, and the review concludes by outlining the therapeutic strategies that have arisen from current understanding of mechanisms of renal injury caused by heme proteins and how such mechanisms may be interrupted.
DESCONTAMINACIÓN DE SUPERFICIES IMPREGNADAS CON ACEITE LUBRICANTE AUTOMOTRIZ USADO (ALAU), MEDIANTE PROCESOS DE ADSORCIÓN, PERSORCIÓN Y DESORCIÓN CON ULEXITA
Authors:   Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas IIQ, Facultad de Ciencias Puras y Naturales FCPN, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés UMSA, P.O. Box 303, Calle Andrés Bello s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Cota-Cota, La Paz, Bolivia., Tornero Jimenez Rafael Juan , Yapu Machicado Waldo ,   Instituto de Investigaciones Químicas IIQ, Facultad de Ciencias Puras y Naturales FCPN, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés UMSA, P.O. Box 303, Calle Andrés Bello s/n, Ciudad Universitaria Cota-Cota, La Paz, Bolivia.
Published: October 2022

El uso continuo y masivo de aceite lubricante automotriz (ALA) en Bolivia, y su desecho o aceite lubricante automotriz usado (ALAU) representa un problema de contaminación ambiental de alta prioridad en cuanto a su eliminación. Debido a la falencia de normas ambientales al respecto la situación se ha visto agravada, por ejemplo cuando estos líquidos entran en contacto con superficies solidas (suelos o materiales) debido a derrames accidentales generando la contaminación irreversible de los mismos. En el presente trabajo de investigación presentamos una alternativa para la descontaminación de superficies contaminadas por ALAU proponiendo un estudio de procesos fisicoquímicos y ambientales de adsorción, persorción y desorción. Se aplicó ulexita (NaCaB5O6(OH)6(H₂O)5) sobre el derrame en una relación másica de 5:1 (g/g) respecto al contaminante. La mezcla es un sólido que contiene moléculas de ALAU dispersas y adsorbidas sobre la superficie de la ulexita. La adsorción de los ALAU sobre la ulexita puede revertirse utilizando agua potable a 80°C. Esto permite que la ulexita se rehidrate y el ALAU pueda ser separado de la ulexita, y ésta pueda ser aplicada nuevamente. El rendimiento de recuperación de la ulexita es proporcional al tiempo de exposición. Por otro lado, la desorción se producirá a los 30 minutos como mínimo y se completa después de 2 horas como máximo para la desorción total. La eliminación definitiva del contaminante (ALAU), tras su separación gracias a la insolubilidad mutua con el agua o separación de fases, se consigue según estándares internacionales de eliminación, es decir, por combustión para dar dióxido de carbono y agua, ambos componentes ambientales biodegradables. Este procedimiento no se llevó a cabo en la presente investigación. Alternativamente, ALAU podría someterse a un proceso de regeneración o a un procedimiento de reciclaje.
The Effectiveness of Business Intelligence Management Implementation in Industry 4.0
Authors: Choi Lee Kyung , Panjaitan Aropria Saulina , Apriliasari Dwi
Published: October 2022

Changes in business processes that run very fast in the industrial era 4.0 have positive and negative impacts on business players. Industry 4.0 is a technology that companies need to promote Industry 4.0 is a technology that businesses need to promote innovation strategies and respond quickly in a volatile market. It primarily focuses on interconnectivity, digital technology, predictive analytics, and machine learning to transform the way businesses operate and thrive. As a result, this article suggests and encourages the implementation of Industry 4.0 in organizations. Examining the current state of business intelligence (BI), how it is positively impacting organizations at the economic and business levels in terms of decision making, and some success stories applied across various business, academic, social, and government circles. Furthermore, it discusses the expected future of Industry 4.0, particularly in BI, and how businesses should prepare for this revolution. This article contributes knowledge about the current state and positive consequences of Industry 4.0, as well as the rapid advancement of technology when implemented in organizations and the harmonization of production and intelligent digital technology.
Richard Taruskin: “My Best Efforts were When I Would Get the Worst Reception
Authors: Манулкина Ольга
Published: October 2022

Вниманию читателей предлагается последнее интервью, данное Ричардом Тарускиным в России. Беседа с Ольгой Манулкиной состоялась в марте 2019 года в Репино. Темами разговора стали: изучение русской музыки на Западе, новые тенденции в музыковедении и музыкальной журналистике, критический (или скептический) подход к объекту исследования и к сложившимся в науке представлениям.

Readers are invited to the latest interview given by Richard Taruskin in Russia. The conversation with O'lga Manulkina took place in March 2019 in Repino. The topics of conversation were the study of Russian music in the West, new trends in musicology and music Journalism, a critical (or sceptical) approach to the object of research and to the ideas that have developed in science.
Prevalence And Intensity Of Ascaris lumbricoides Infection In Children Of Oemasi Village, Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
Authors: Bria Meliance , Yudhaswara Novian Agni , Susilawati Ni Made
Published: October 2022

Worm infection is one of the health problems in all tropical, countries including Indonesia. The most frequent helminthiasis is the infection caused by the Soil Transmitted Helminth. Primary school-age children are an age group that is susceptible to helminthiasis. Worm infections can cause a serious impact if left untreated with no clean and healthy lifesthyle. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides in children of Oemasi village, Nekamese Subdistrict, Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, followed by the characterization of subjects. The descriptive design with the cross- sectional study applied to this research. Research subjects were 112 children age 6-12 years old. The infection was diagnosed microscopically by the Katokatz method. Ascaris lumbricoides were the only species found infecting a total of 7 children (6.25%). The distribution of ascariasis was higher in females (4 or 57.1%) than in males (3 or 42.9%) with the  intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides infection  was categorized as mild.
Los desafíos a la universidad latinoamericana en el siglo XXI
Authors: Mayorga Román
Published: October 2022

Con base en treinta años de servicios a las universidades de América Latina y de numerosos proyectos educativos en los países de la región, el autor explica en este artículo su opinión sobre los diez desafíos principales de la institución universitaria en el siglo XXI. Estos son: El reto de construir una sociedad justa basada en el conocimiento; Afianzar la identidad cultural iberoamericana en un mundo globalizado; Transformar los sistemas educativos de la región; Prolongar la educación durante toda la vida; Emplear eficazmente los nuevos medios tecnológicos disponibles; Hacer investigación científica y tecnológica de alta calidad; Vincular a las universidades con las empresas; Resolver el problema del financiamiento universitario; Contribuir a la integración latinoamericana; y Cumplir bien las funciones universitarias tradicionales. Frente a sospechas difundidas sobre la relevancia actual y futura de estas instituciones, el presente artículo reafirma la importancia de la misión universitaria y la necesidad de cumplir con excelencia sus exigencias.
La efectividad de la gestión escolar depende de la formación del recurso humano como factor, actor y promotor del cambio dentro de los procesos, dimensiones y políticas educativas
Authors: Villarreal Ramos Evangelina
Published: October 2022

El artículo intenta definir y destacar el papel de la formación de recursos humanos para la gestión institucional educativa; analizando la posibilidad de gestión como un eje integrador de las dimensiones escolares, políticas educativas y procesos determinados por el propio sistema y la problemática que en su contexto vive.
Intervención, mediación pedagógica y los usos del texto escolar
Authors: Alzate Piedrahita María Victoria , Arbelaez Gómez Martha Cecilia , Gómez Mendoza Miguel Ángel , Romero Loaiza Fernando , Gallón Humberto
Published: October 2022

Esta investigación muestra como el análisis pragmático de los usos de los textos escolares en las diversas situaciones del aprendizaje escolar planteado de manera escueta y descriptiva, arriesga diluir las maneras de enseñar como la relación del estudiante con el saber disciplinar. Para superar análisis excesivamente parciales y superficiales sobre el uso del texto escolar de Ciencias Sociales en Colombia, se exponen los resultados de un análisis de su uso desde una perspectiva mediática y de relación con el saber disciplinar. Esta investigación se llevó a cabo en 11 instituciones escolares de la ciudad de Pereira-Risaralda-Colombia, en particular, en los grados 7.°, en el área de Ciencias Sociales e Historia.
¿Eres visual, auditivo o kinestésico? Estilos de aprendizaje desde el modelo de la Programación Neurolingüística (PNL)
Authors: Romo Aliste María Eugenia , López Real Delfina , López Bravo Ilse
Published: October 2022

El modelo de estilos de aprendizaje PNL considera que la vía de ingreso de información al cerebro resulta fundamental en las preferencias de quien aprende o enseña. En este contexto, se planteó: 

Identificar estilos de aprendizaje, desde el modelo PNL, de los estudiantes promoción 2000, Carrera de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, en los dos últimos años de la misma (2003-2004).

Comparar los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes, del 4° (teórico práctico) y 5° nivel (práctica profesional).

Relacionar las metodologías educativas utilizadas en 4° nivel y los estilos de aprendizajes del grupo observado.

Existe predominancia del sistema de representación visual, en actividades teórico-prácticas, y durante la práctica profesional.Se requiere incentivar la práctica de metodologías educativas que tiendan a la utilización de los tres sistemas de representación, para potenciar los sub-utilizados y en consecuencia el aprendizaje sea claro, con mejores rendimientos, habilidades, conocimientos y nuevas actitudes frente al proceso de formación profesional, entre otras estrategias.
O cinema: outra forma de "ver" a história
Authors: Abdala Junior Roberto
Published: October 2022

As reflexões que apresentamos pretendem indicar um caminho teórico-metodológico para a leitura de filmes que tenha como finalidade seu envolvimento nos processos de ensino-aprendizagem de história. Temos considerado também que tais orientações apresentam possibilidades de apreendermos, com mais objetividade, as abordagens dos discursos cinematográficos (filmes) nos seus contextos de produção (historiográfico) e exibição (escolar). A extensão deste trabalho, entretanto, nos impede de realizarmos um exercício nessa direção. Mesmo assim, acreditamos que algumas diretrizes já possam ser traçadas e que iluminamos alguns horizontes para empregarmos filmes de forma diferenciada nas aulas de história.
O significado da reflexão na prática docente e na produção dos saberes profissionais do/a professor/a
Authors: Edna Brito Antonia
Published: October 2022

A presente discussão enfoca a prática docente reflexiva, analisando as possibilidades de sua efetivação na escola e no trabalho do/a professor/a. O texto está organizado de modo a apresentar, inicialmente, a concepção de prática reflexiva que tem permeado o discurso pedagógico. No desenvolvimento das discussões evidenciamos as potencialidades da reflexão na ampliação da autonomia intelectual do/a professor/a, postulando-o/a como um ator social que, de modo crítico, na interação com as situações de ensino e com os pares, é capaz de reconstruir o saber, o saber-fazer e saber-ser. Realçamos, enfim, que a prática da reflexão faculta ao profissional capacidades para redimensionar criativa e criticamente suas experiências e seus saberes, implicando objetivamente num processo de autoformação. Trata-se de um estudo resultante de pesquisa sobre os saberes da prática docente, realizado em escola pública na cidade de Teresina/Pi.
Desafíos para la educación en un mundo globalizado
Authors: Pretto Nelson
Published: October 2022

Los desafíos del mundo actual son extraordinarios. Nos basta leer la prensa para comprobarlo a diario. Ellos son de todos los tipos, desde el político y cultural hasta el científico, y también los educativos. Los movimientos antiglobalización ganan una gran dimensión con el incremento de las grandes acciones de protesta que han ocupado las plazas en varias partes del mundo, desde 1998, demostrando que otro mundo es posible, como afirma el eslogan del Foro Social Mundial de Porto Alegre. Desde otra perspectiva, teniendo en cuenta el 11 de septiembre, en Nueva York, y el 11 de marzo, en Madrid, las reacciones han sido más violentas, lo que nos lleva a pensar en la existencia de un terrorismo de alto valor agregado, como sugiere José Geraldo de Sousa Júnior , ya que agrega en sus acciones los avances de la ciencia y de la técnica.
Gestionar una escuela comprometida con las demandas de su tiempo
Authors: Carriego Cristina
Published: October 2022

En este trabajo se propone comenzar por asumir que no será posible que la institución escolar recupere un espacio propio de autoridad sólo por haberlo tenido o por la importancia de la misión que le fue adjudicada. La recuperación del poder educador de la escuela y sus docentes sólo podrá resolverse en "cada" escuela, en el acuerdo con una comunidad que esté dispuesta a ofrecerle el poder que requiere su función educadora. De este modo, lo que se pone en juego en la gestión escolar no es ni más ni menos que la construcción de una respuesta de calidad a los requerimientos de un contexto que no le reconoce a priori su autoridad institucional. En la complejidad de un escenario que exige la construcción cotidiana de la legitimidad y la confianza, es necesario preguntarse qué procesos deben promoverse desde la gestión micropolítica de la escuela para desarrollar una tarea sensata y eficaz que responda a las nuevas exigencias.
Profesión docente y estrés laboral: una aproximación a los conceptos de Estrés Laboral y Burnout
Authors: Ayuso Marente José Antonio
Published: October 2022

l presente artículo es un intento de clarificación conceptual de los términos Estrés Laboral y Síndrome de Burnout (desgaste profesional o síndrome del “profesional quemado”). Este síndrome es un claro exponente de las fases avanzadas del estrés profesional.Las personas que se dedican a trabajar dentro de lo que se ha denominado “profesiones asistenciales”, es decir, de servicio público, como los profesionales de la “enseñanza” (profesorado de todos los niveles, monitores, animadores socioculturales, etc.), pueden encontrarse fuertemente afectadas por este síndrome y verse sometidas a un gran desgaste profesional.A nadie se le escapa que estas profesiones exigen entrega, implicación, ciertos niveles de idealismo y un indudable servicio a los demás y si todo esto se asienta sobre una personalidad “perfeccionista” con un alto grado de autoexigencia y con una gran tendencia a implicarse en el trabajo, podemos finalmente obtener un desequilibrio entre las expectativas individuales del profesional y la realidad del trabajo diario.Desde este trabajo pretendemos hacer una breve pero rigurosa revisión conceptual de ambos términos, no sólo desde las distintas definiciones aportadas por los autores y autoras más relevantes en este campo, sino también desde los enfoques psicosocial y clínico. Por último, nos centraremos en el síndrome de Burnout, deteniéndonos en las variables psicológicas que determinan dicho trastorno: cansancio emocional, despersonalización y realización personal.
La situación de enseñanza y aprendizaje como sistema de actividad: el alumno, el espacio de interacción y el profesor
Authors: De Vargas Elaine
Published: October 2022

En este trabajo se analiza, desde un enfoque sociocultural del aprendizaje, la actividad de enseñanza y aprendizaje a partir del concepto de sistema de actividad, tomando como elementos constitutivos del mismo, al alumno y al profesor que, en un espacio de interacción, desarrollan una actividad conjunta, cuyo fin es la incorporación del alumno a la cultura. Se tratará de exponer e integrar algunos conceptos que hagan posible un acercamiento a la complejidad de la situación de aula, en la que los sujetos son considerados en sus aspectos cognitivos, afectivos y relacionales, insertos en un entorno físico y en una estructura social en la que despliegan una acción semióticamente regulada.
Etiquetamiento y exclusión. Paradigmas actuales dentro del campo de gestión del conocimiento
Authors: Szarazgat Diana
Published: October 2022

Como reproductoras de lo social, las instituciones se configuran como campos de lucha, y cada uno dará cuenta de ello en sus propias prácticas, de manera funcional al conjunto de ideas que lo cohesiona.

Se sustenta así la concepción que afirma que el sujeto social intenta transformar su entorno (y en él se incluyen las instituciones) en función de sus necesidades y, en una relación dialéctica, es el contexto quien lo modifica y dota de identidad, condicionando su forma de percibir e interpretar la realidad.

De esta manera, la dinámica de los vínculos consolidados entre las instituciones y los sujetos institucionales, lleva implícita el sentido de pertenencia como factor condicionante y modelador de las identidades.
La resolución de problemas ambientales en la escuela y en la formación inicial de maestros
Authors: Rivarosa Alcira , Perales F. Javier
Published: October 2022

El presente trabajo pretende aportar una doble visión acerca de cómo educar sobre el medio ambiente, a través de la resolución de los problemas que aquejan a nuestro mundo. Para ello se comienza fundamentándolo teóricamente a partir de algunos precedentes de esta línea de trabajo, para describir más tarde sendas experiencias llevadas a cabo en dos países distintos, Argentina y España, y en dos contextos educativos: una escuela y una facultad para la formación de maestros. Se finaliza exponiendo algunas implicaciones de sus resultados.
Isolamento social nas crianças: propostas de intervenção cognitivo-comportamental
Authors: Gil Gomes Carvalho Renato
Published: October 2022

A interacção com os pares é vista como parte necessária da socialização na infância, providenciando um espaço de aprendizagem de papéis, desenvolvimento cognitivo e moral, domínio de impulsos agressivos e aquisição de competências sociais globais. Estando comprovado que o isolamento social na infância pode levar a inúmeras dificuldades ao longo do ciclo de vida, os agentes educativos deverão prestar maior atenção a estas dificuldades, especialmente pelo facto destas crianças frequentemente não serem consideradas problemáticas, por não interferirem. Neste sentido, pretende-se com o presente texto, apresentar algumas possibilidades de intervenção, de cariz cognitivo-comportamental, não deixando de salientar o papel de primazia que a educação e os educadores assumem neste processo.
Reflexiones sobre la calidad del aprendizaje y de las competencias matemáticas
Authors: Proenza Garrido Yolanda , Leyva Leyva Luis Manuel
Published: October 2022

Como resultado del proyecto de investigación: Factores asociados a los bajos resultados en el aprendizaje de la Matemática y la Lengua Española, que desarrollan investigadores del ISP "José de la Luz y Caballero", se abordan presupuestos teóricos acerca de la evaluación del rendimiento académico de la asignatura de Matemática y la formación de las competencias matemáticas en los escolares.La evaluación de la calidad de la educación es un proceso en el que se involucran los estudiantes, los docentes, la familia y la sociedad. Decir que se posee un alto índice de calidad en la educación y que posee las habilidades y destrezas requerida requiere de la aplicación de instrumentos que demuestren las competencias y desempeños de los factores antes mencionados. Los maestros, como un eslabón importante en esta cadena, necesitan conocer los presupuestos teóricos que sustentan dicha evaluación; en tal sentido el trabajo se refiere a una reflexión, por los autores, a partir del estudio de documentos de organismos internacionales, como la ONU y la UNICEF, así como de los diferentes grupos de trabajos sobre evaluación de la calidad de la educación, donde se resumen importantes presupuestos.
Naturaleza de la ciencia e indagación: cuestiones fundamentales para la educación científica del ciudadano
Authors: Garritz Andoni
Published: October 2022

En este trabajo se presentan las características de la naturaleza de la ciencia (NdC, en adelante), de la indagación y del fomento del escepticismo como cuestiones fundamentales para la educación científica del ciudadano, ya que implican aprender acerca de la ciencia "...desarrollar una cierta comprensión de la naturaleza de la ciencia, sus métodos y sus complejas interacciones con la sociedad..." (Hodson, 1992; Solbes, Vilches y Gil, 2001). Finalmente, se propone cómo podrían incorporarse estos aspectos en los libros de texto de ciencias.
O direito à educação como direito público: implicações para o livro e a leitura
Authors: Werthein Jorge
Published: October 2022

A educação básica obrigatória e gratuita constitui-se em direito universal, econômico e social reiterado pela Constituição brasileira e por diversos documentos internacionais, tais como a Declaração do Milênio da ONU e o Marco Ação de Dacar. Ela é também a base para a realização de outros direitos: saúde, liberdade, segurança, bem-estar econômico, participação social e política.

Se a educação é a base necessária à realização de outros direitos, o livro é condição imprescindível para que se efetive a educação. Contudo, se não existe educação sem livro, tampouco há livro sem educação. Em outras palavras, sem formar leitores em escala planetária, por meio da educação de qualidade para todos, a distância entre os que têm e os que não têm acesso a informações tende a aumentar.

Por isso, não é exagerado afirmar que a leitura é imprescindível no processo de produção do conhecimento e de formação de cidadãos capazes de compreender e atuar no mundo contemporâneo. Finalmente, a leitura - associada à escrita - é ferramenta indispensável para a efetiva participação social e econômica, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento humano e a redução da pobreza. Afinal, o acesso à informação depende da capacidade de decodificar e interpretar. Sem essas habilidades, o indivíduo não se insere plenamente no mundo do trabalho, nem na sociedade.
Metabolomic Profiling in Atherosclerotic Lesions and the Effect of Heavy Metals on the Course of Disease: A Literature Review
Authors: Unesikhina Maria S. , Chemezov Aleksei I. , Sutunkova Marina P.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: In the developed metallurgical industry, maximum permissible concentrations of heavy metals in the work environment are often exceeded, and the elevated exposure levels have a detrimental effect on workers’ health. Heavy metals
cause oxidative stress, which is key factor in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Atherosclerosis, in its turn, is the primary cause of heart attacks and stroke, which account for 85 % of all deaths from cardiovascular diseases.
Objective: To study molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and the impact of heavy metals on the disease course.
Methods: We applied methods of information analysis based on the review and generalization of published up-to-date research data on the pathogenesis and effects of heavy metals on the course of atherosclerosis found in NLM, Scopus, CyberLeninka, Google Scholar, and eLibrary abstract and citation databases, as well as on information portals, as of January 2022.
More than 400 papers were analyzed and 66 full-text articles were found eligible for inclusion in this review.
Results: We established the relationship between the exposure to heavy metals and the molecular mechanisms of atherosclerosis and compared the main stages of the disease development with the respective blood metabolomic profiles.
Conclusions: Our literature review has revealed problems in the regulatory framework and practical assessment of the contribution of heavy metal exposures to the course of atherosclerotic lesions. So far, the effect of heavy metals only on isolated processes of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been established, such as a change in permeability and destruction of vascular membranes, increased oxidative stress, inflammation, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, changes in blood rheological properties, and an increased risk of thrombosis. The observed patterns in the change in concentrations of some blood metabolites and the potential adverse vascular effect of heavy metals will help develop new methods for detecting atherosclerosis and include industrial workers in the group at risk of the disease for its early diagnosis.
The History of Elaboration and Development of Socio-Hygienic Monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region
Authors: Gurvich Vladimir B. , Kuzmin Sergey V. , Malykh Olga L. , Kadnikova Ekaterina P. , Yarushin Sergey V.
Published: October 2022

Background: The creation and development of socio-hygienic (public health) monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region is an example of implementing a relevant and practically important governmental instrument in the field of ensuring sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population on an interdisciplinary basis using a systematic approach to analyzing health effects of environmental factors. This has determined the objective of the study to analyze the history of the development of social and hygienic monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region in the 20th – 21st centuries.
Materials and methods: We describe three timespans of the development of socio-hygienic monitoring: the years 1991–2000, 2001–2010, and 2011–2020, as well as the period since 2021, each described by implementation of significant decisions aimed
to increase efficiency of information and analytical support of sanitary and epidemiological welfare and health risk assessment, management, monitoring, and communication.
Results: The article highlights the milestones that have influenced the development of the system of socio-hygienic monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region, name its contributors and specify their innovations put into practice, often for the first time in history, of the bodies and institutions of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor), and delineate dissemination of experience and achieved results in other constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
Conclusion: We outline areas for improvement and medium-term objectives of socio-hygienic monitoring in the Sverdlovsk Region within implementation of the Concept for Development of Socio-Hygienic Monitoring through to 2030.
Single Carrier Modulation Resource Allocation for Massive MIMO with Virtual Antennas
Authors: Kenney Brent , Majid Arslan , Moradi Hussein , Farhang-Boroujeny Behrouz
Published: October 2022

Today's Massive MIMO cellular operation is dominated by orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation. One of the advantages of OFDM is the flexibility to carve up the available spectrum into resource blocks (RBs) that can operate adjacent to one another.  Massive MIMO adds spatial multiplexing layers on top of the RBs, enabling the simultaneous operation of dozens of UEs.  Cyclic prefixed single carrier modulation (CP-SCM) is an alternative to OFDM that also benefits from massive MIMO and is useful as an OFDM alternative in specific scenarios.  However, until recently, no resource allocation method has been proposed for CP-SCM.  In this paper, we present a CP-SCM resource allocation scheme using virtual antennas in a massive MIMO time domain duplexed scenario.  By creating several virtual antennas for each physical antenna, the benefits of massive MIMO are achieved with a smaller physical antenna count.  Resources are quantized into data streams, and each user can be assigned a variable number of simultaneous streams.  This paper presents a detailed development and analysis of multi-stream processing (MSP) for both uplink detection and downlink precoding.  We also introduce heterogeneous MSP, where CP-SCM and OFDM signals can be processed in the same MSP framework.
Cybernetics Interfaces and Networks: intuitions as a toolbox
Authors: Moriondo Lorenzo
Published: October 2022

    Human activities are progressively defined by interactions with products that embed increasingly higher levels of immaterial component (software, patents, design principles and patterns). After presenting the continuity between seminal concepts in Cybernetics, Information Theory, Network Analysis, AI practices on one side and cognitive behaviour, by leveraging a minimalist approach to cybernetic systems based on the concept of capacity of network, the text tries to establish the concept of interface to define logical rule-based automata that can be considered shareable instances of a self-modeling approach to consciousness. In first instance a rule-based descriptive construct for an 'economy of information exchange' between systems (or an 'economy of time'); and in second instance a rule-based construct for approaching the hard problem of consciousness in humans.

These are critical waypoints in navigating fast-growing knowledge-intensive landscapes. This review into patterns of growing complexity is concluded with an hypothesis that aims to extend Ashby's definition of machine to include interfaces to enable self-modeling for possibly intelligent digital machines. From this collection of intuition, conclusion tries to define a clearer pathway to tackle the difficult problems of positioning biological and digital machines in the sentience-intelligence-consciousness spectrum. The final conjecture is that human-level (general) intelligence will be achievable only by machines with capabilities to adjust or control the growth-development of their programmatic interfaces. 
Using Deep Learning Models to Predict Prosthetic Ankle Torque
Authors: Prasanna Christopher , Realmuto Jonathan , Anderson Anthony , Rombokas Eric , Klute Glenn K.
Published: October 2022

Inverse dynamics from motion capture is the most common technique for acquiring biomechanical kinetic data. However, this method is time-intensive, limited to a gait laboratory setting, and requires a large array of reflective markers to be attached to the body. A practical alternative must be developed to provide biomechanical information to high-bandwidth prosthesis control systems to enable predictive controllers. In this study, we applied deep learning to build dynamical system models capable of accurately estimating and predicting prosthetic ankle torque from inverse dynamics using only six input signals. We performed a hyperparameter optimization protocol that automatically selected the model architectures and learning parameters that resulted in the most accurate predictions. We show that the trained deep neural networks predict ankle torques one sample into the future with an average RMSE of 0.04±0.02 Nm/kg, corresponding to 2.9±1.6% of the ankle torque’s dynamic range. Comparatively, a manually-derived analytical regression model predicted ankle torques with a RMSE of 0.35±0.53 Nm/kg, corresponding to 26.6±40.9% of the ankle torque’s dynamic range. In addition, the deep neural networks predicted ankle torque values half a gait cycle into the future with an average drop in performance of 1.7% of the ankle torque’s dynamic range. This application of deep learning provides an avenue towards the development of predictive control systems for powered limbs aimed at optimizing prosthetic ankle torque. 
Nonlinear Semi-supervised Inference Networks for the Extraction of Slow Oscillating Features
Authors: Puli Vamsi Krishna , Huang Biao
Published: October 2022

Due to physical and monetary constraints, quality-related variables in the process industries are generally difficult to measure using hardware sensors. Therefore, they are often not available as frequently as the other variables since obtaining them typically via laboratory analysis are time-consuming. On the other hand, the dynamic nature of easy-to-measure process data contains valuable predictive information about the quality variables. Consequently, modelling sequential data is beneficial in building a soft sensor that can predict the quality variable. Several techniques were proposed to extract dynamic features as measured data often suffers from noise and collinearity. This paper presents a semi-supervised oscillating slow feature inference network to address certain shortcomings of the existing solutions. The proposed learning algorithm uses a gated recurrent unit to learn a combined inference network for missing quality variable imputation and oscillating slow feature extraction from nonlinear process data. We evaluate the efficacy of the proposed methodology on a simulated and an industrial process.
Deep Latent Fusion Layers for Binaural Speech Enhancement
Authors: Gajecki Tom , Nogueira Waldo
Published: October 2022

This work addresses the issue of enhancing speech in binaural hearing scenarios. Specifically, we present a method to improve binaural noise reduction by integrating latent features produced by monaural speech enhancement algorithms through the use of "Fusion layers." These layers perform Hadamard products between latent spaces at specific processing stages. These fusion layers draw inspiration from multi-task learning techniques, which involve sharing model weights across various models aimed at handling interconnected tasks. The layers perform element-wise dot products between tensors representing latent representations at the same processing stage, mimicking the physiological excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms of the binaural hearing system. This study initially presents a general fusion model, demonstrating its ability to better fit synthetic data compared to independent linear models, equalize activation variance between learning modules, and exploit input data redundancy to improve the training error. We then apply the concept of fusion layers to enhance speech in binaural listening conditions. The proposed method shows promise for improved noise reduction compared to other feature-sharing approaches. The study also suggests that including fusion can enhance predicted speech intelligibility and quality, but too many fused features may have a negative impact on expected speech intelligibility. Furthermore, the results suggest that fusion layers should share parameterized latent representations to effectively utilize information from each listening side, rather than using deterministic representations. Overall, this study highlights the potential of sharing information between speech enhancement modules through deep fusion layers to improve binaural speech enhancement while maintaining constant trainable parameters and improving generalization.
SurFABle: An Algorithm for Placing and Allocating Communications Resources in Slicing-aware Flying Access and Backhaul Networks
Authors: Coelho André , Rodrigues João , Fontes Helder , Campos Rui , Ricardo Manuel
Published: October 2022

Flying networks, composed of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) acting as mobile Base Stations and Access Points, have emerged to provide on-demand wireless connectivity, especially due to their positioning capability. Still, existing solutions are focused on improving aggregate network performance using a best-effort approach. This may compromise the use of multiple services with different performance requirements. Network slicing has emerged in 5G networks to address the problem, allowing to meet different Quality of Service (QoS) levels on top of a shared physical network infrastructure. However, Mobile Network Operators typically use fixed Base Stations to satisfy the requirements of different network slices, which may not be feasible due to limited resources and the dynamism of some scenarios.

We propose an algorithm for enabling the joint placement and allocation of communications resources in Slicing-aware Flying Access and Backhaul networks – SurFABle. SurFABle allows the computation of the amount of communications resources needed, namely the number of UAVs acting as Flying Access Points and Flying Gateways, and their placement. The performance evaluation carried out by means of ns-3 simulations and an experimental testbed shows that SurFABle makes it possible to meet heterogeneous QoS levels of multiple network slices using the minimum number of UAVs.
Reliability Theory Reformulated Conditional Probability of Failure: A Corollary of the VRPD Theorem
Authors: Aristizabal Alejandro
Published: October 2022

The Conditional Probability of Failure (CPF) has been used in reliability theory for reparable units as for non-reparable units in the same way. However, they respond to different stochastic processes. This is why the Reliability Function is replaced by other distribution functions that better fit the events rate curve to obtain a better approximation of the desired estimation.

The Probability of Failure for non-reparable units is derived here through a proof based on a mental experiment for non-reparable units, avoiding assumptions on the distribution of the random variable, letting the experiment reveals the nature of the phenomenon under test. The proof leads to a Conditional Probability of Failure, presented after a detailed discussion where it is also proved that the hazard rate in the traditional CPF can’t be a constant. 
A Generalized Noise Reconstruction Approach for Robust DOA Estimation
Authors: Cong Jingyu , Wang Xianpeng , Lan Xiang , Liu Wei
Published: October 2022

A generalized noise reconstruction approach is proposed for improved direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation. First, coarse estimation of the noise component in the received data is obtained based on cumulative sum of approximate first-order finite difference series, where the generalized pattern search (GPS) algorithm is used to find the best initial value. The objective function is constructed with the total noise power estimated by the least squares (LS) method. After that, a new cumulative sum constructed with the solution from the previous step is used to accurately reconstruct the noise component in the data. Finally, robust DOA estimation is achieved through the denoised data. In simulations, different cases of noise, such as non-uniform noise, colored noise, impulsive noise, and K-distribution sea clutter, are considered. Real-world frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar data is also used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A Generalized Noise Reconstruction Framework for DOA Estimation in Received Data Domain
Authors: Cong Jingyu , Wang Xianpeng , Lan Xiang , Liu Wei
Published: October 2022

The performance of direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is severely affected by noise and clutter, and conventional methods fail to simultaneously cope with different situations because of the difficulties to predict noise and clutter. In order to solve this problem, a generalized robust framework for noise reconstruction in the received data domain is proposed to enhance DOA estimation performance. First, based on the Doppler information of the source, an approximate noise difference is obtained and, based on its cumulative sum, a coarse estimation of the received domain noise is then calculated. In particular, the optimal initial value is obtained using the generalized pattern search algorithm, where the objective function, constructed with the distance between the normalized Capon spatial spectrum peaks and the desired spatial spectrum peaks, is minimized. Then, exact reconstruction of the received data-domain noise is realized by a new cumulative sum formed using the solution from the previous step. Finally, using the denoised data, the spatial spectrum is obtained via the Capon algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is verified by simulations, both in terms of accuracy of DOA estimation and effectiveness in suppressing sidelobe and pseudo-peaks, for different cases, including white Gaussian noise, non-uniform noise, colored noise, impulsive noise, and K-distribution sea clutter. The relevant codes are available online: https://github.com/CJYLostviews/Robust-Noise-Reconstruction/
Iterative Solution to Resonant Near-field Coupling Adjustments between Different Electrically Small Antennas
Authors: Blazevic Zoran
Published: October 2022

In this paper, iterative procedures based on Banach fixed-point theorem of adjusting transmitter and receiver impedances for achieving the maximum near-field power transfer performances are explored. As the background of proposed methods for controlling frequency splitting, an important phenomenon that occurs when two antennas are coupled in near-field, the analysis of the resonant near-field coupling using spherical mode theory-antenna model is applied. Methods of recursive alternate system tuning, critical coupling, and conjugate matching are mutually compared, and selection among them is given on disposal to user to achieve aimed performances.
Remote-Timber: An Outlook for Teleoperated Forestry with First 5G Measurements
Authors: Mahmood Aamir , Abedin Sarder Fakhrul , O'Nils Mattias , Bergman Mats , Gidlund Mikael
Published: October 2022

Across all industries, digitalization and automation are on the rise under the Industry 4.0 vision, and the forest industry is no exception. The forest industry depends on distributed flows of raw materials to the industry through various phases, wherein the typical workflow of timber loading and offloading is finding traction in using automation and 5G wireless networking technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce cost. This article presents one such ongoing effort in Sweden, Remote-Timber—demonstrating a 5G-connected teleoperation use-case within a workflow of timber terminal—and disseminates its business attractiveness as well as first measurement results on network performance. Also, it outlines future needs of the 5G network design/optimization from teleoperation perspective. Overall, the motivation is to disseminate our early-stage findings and reflections to the industrial and academic communities for furthering the research and development activities in enhancing 5G networks for verticals.
Battery degradation: impact on economic dispatch
Authors: Schade Curd , Egging-Bratseth Ruud
Published: October 2022

Batteries are crucial to manage the rising share of intermittent energy sources and variability in demand. ost techno-economic models in the literature oversimplify battery degradation representation. Accounting properly for battery degradation allows for better cost tradeoffs and optimal battery usage, especially in dynamic settings. We propose a highly accurate and scalable formulation for battery degradation that considers the combined impact of cycle depth and state of charge on calendar and cycle aging. We test the consequences of battery degradation in a stylized price arbitrage model on battery operation and solution times. When ignoring battery degradation, ex-post calculations reveal hidden degradation costs that exceed revenues and hence turn seemingly profitable trades into losing trades. Considering battery degradation leads to smaller cycle depths and lower average states of charge. Overall, we show that a much-improved representation of battery degradation is possible at modest computational cost.