bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study on identifying anomaly azimuth based on acoustic vector array of borehole acoustic reflection imaging
Authors: Zhao Teng , Che Xiaohua , Qiao Wenxiao
Published: August 2024

Accurate anomaly azimuth identification is a major challenge in borehole acoustic reflection imaging. We develop an azimuth estimation method using an acoustic vector array to address this issue. This method is rigorously tested through a physical simulation experiment in a water-filled tank using a monopole acoustic source and an acoustic receiver station composed of eight azimuthal elements. Our method involves the synthesis of multiazimuth acoustic pressure waveforms recorded by the receiver into multicomponent particle velocity waveforms. These waveforms are paired and subjected to coordinate conversion, yielding multiple groups of orthogonal component particle velocity waveforms. Each group undergoes polarization analysis to obtain the direction of particle polarization on the horizontal plane and isolate the principal component particle velocity waveform. Using the particle polarization direction, the amplitude of the multiazimuth acoustic pressure waveform, and the type of echo mode, we accurately determine the azimuth of the anomaly, facilitating the creation of a spatial distribution image of the anomaly. Further validation of this method is conducted through a large-scale physical simulation experiment in a deepwater lake using a borehole acoustic reflection imaging instrument. The obtained experimental data are used to validate the effectiveness of this method. Finally, considering an actual logging environment, the feasibility of this method in a borehole environment is verified using numerical simulations and field data of acoustic detection of nearby wells. The present findings demonstrate that this novel method considerably enhances the accuracy and stability of the measurement of anomaly azimuth based on the particle polarization direction. In addition, this method effectively harnesses acoustic pressure and particle velocity in borehole acoustic reflection imaging, exhibiting superior noise robustness, mitigating noise, and improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the echoes.
Stanniocalcin Protein Expression in Female Reproductive Organs: Literature Review and Public Cancer Database Analysis
Authors: Khatun Masuma , Modhukur Vijayachitra , Piltonen Terhi T , Tapanainen Juha S , Salumets Andres
Published: August 2024

Stanniocalcin (STC) 1 and 2 serve as antihyperglycemic polypeptide hormones with critical roles in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis. They additionally function as paracrine and/or autocrine factors involved in numerous physiological processes, including female reproduction. STC1 and STC2 contribute to the pathophysiology of several diseases, including female infertility- and pregnancy-associated conditions, and even tumorigenesis of reproductive organs. This comprehensive review highlights the dynamic expression patterns and potential dysregulation of STC1 and STC2, restricted to female fertility, and infertility- and pregnancy-associated diseases and conditions, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine polyps, and pregnancy complications, like impaired decidualization, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. Furthermore, the review elucidates the role of dysregulated STC in the progression of cancers of the reproductive system, including endometrial, cervical, and ovarian cancers. Additionally, the review evaluates the expression patterns and prognostic significance of STC in gynecological cancers by utilizing existing public datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas to help decipher the multifaceted roles of these pleiotropic hormones in disease progression. Understanding the intricate mechanisms by which STC proteins influence all these reviewed conditions could lead to the development of targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the context of female reproductive health and oncology.
“No One Is Who They Say They Are”: The Political Aesthetics of David Peace, Waste Land Poetry, and Extreme Music
Authors: Wilson Jack
Published: August 2024

This article constructs a genealogy of anti-imperialist cultural practice, connecting novels and spoken word projects of David Peace to post–World War II Japanese poetry and to the extreme music practice of the powerviolence band Column of Heaven. By placing Peace's novels in conversation with these different cultural forms, it aims to show how the modernist mystification can augment the radical political effects of popular art during the era of imperialism. The article proposes an alternative route to Marxist cultural criticism via Althusser's understanding of ideological interpellation and his critique of Lenin's classic analysis of imperialism. In this sense, it proposes to link contemporary experimental musical and literary practice to a Marxist politics of anti-imperialism, in contradistinction to the potentially depoliticizing effects of the popular critique of neoliberalism.
The Inner Life of Race
Authors: Medovoi Leerom
Published: August 2024

In The Inner Life of Race, Leerom Medovoi turns away from conventional views of race as a politics of the phenotypical body to theorize race instead as a politics of populational threat. Racism’s genealogy, argues Medovoi, invokes longstanding theological distinctions between the body and the soul. While the body can be seen and marked, the soul signals potentially threatening interiorities: dangerous intentions, beliefs, or desires. Race is the power-effect of reading the body in order to police the political threat of the soul. Medovoi’s genealogy begins with medieval deployments of inquisition and confession to wage war against heretics, infidels, and their threat to the salvation of souls. In early modern Spain, these pastoral technologies of power catalyzed the invention of race as a language for the danger of formerly Jewish and Muslim converts. Medovoi shows how this discourse expanded into anti-Blackness and anti-Indigeneity throughout the colonial world and modern Europe, laying the foundation for racialized capitalism and liberal governmentality. Medovoi weaves histories of color-line racism, nativism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anticommunism into a pathbreaking account of the political work populational racism accomplishes.
Acute Ketone Monoester Supplementation Does Not Change Exercise Efficiency during Incremental Cycling in Trained Individuals
Authors: BONE JACK , BAUMGARTEN SYDNEY , MCCARTHY DEVIN G. , BOSTAD WILLIAM , RICHARDS DOUGLAS L. , GIBALA MARTIN J.
Published: August 2024

Acute ketone monoester (KE) supplementation can alter exercise responses related to endurance performance. There are limited and equivocal data regarding the effect on exercise efficiency including the influence of supplement dose. We therefore examined the effect of KE ingestion on indices of exercise efficiency during submaximal incremental cycling in trained participants.

Methods

Twenty-eight adults (16 males and 12 females) aged 30 ± 10 yr (peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak): 59 ± 11 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed three experimental trials in a randomized, crossover, and double-blinded manner. Participants ingested either 0.3 (KE-LO) or 0.6 (KE-HI) g·kg−1 body mass of KE or a flavor-matched placebo (PLAC) ~30 min before exercise. Exercise involved a 3-min warm-up, three 5-min stages at fixed incremental workloads corresponding to 75%, 100%, and 125% of individual ventilatory threshold, followed by a ramp protocol to volitional exhaustion to determine peak power output (PPO).

Results

Venous blood [ß-hydroxybutyrate], the major circulating ketone body, was higher after KE ingestion compared with PLAC (KE-HI: 3.0 ± 1.1 ≥ KE-LO: 2.3 ± 0.6 ≥ PLAC: 0.2 ± 0.1 mM; all P ≤ 0.001. There were no differences between conditions in the primary outcome exercise economy, nor gross efficiency or delta efficiency, when analyzed over the entire submaximal exercise period or by stage. Heart rate and ventilation were higher in KE-HI and KE-LO compared with PLAC when assessed over the entire submaximal exercise period and by stage (all P ≤ 0.05). PPO after the ramp was lower in KE-HI compared with both KE-LO and PLAC (329 ± 60 vs 339 ± 62 and 341 ± 61 W, respectively; both P < 0.05) despite no difference in V̇O2peak.

Conclusions

KE ingestion did not change indices of exercise efficiency but increased markers of cardiorespiratory stress during submaximal incremental cycling and reduced PPO.
Resolving Differences between MLSS and CP by Considering Rates of Change of Blood Lactate during Endurance Exercise
Authors: OZKAYA OZGUR , AS HAKAN , PEKER ARDA , BURNLEY MARK , JONES ANDREW M.
Published: August 2024

The identification of the power output that separates the heavy intensity exercise domain, wherein steady states in blood [lactate] and pulmonary V̇O2 are achievable, from the severe intensity domain, wherein they are not, has conceptual and practical value in exercise physiology.

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a new method that more closely represents the heavy to severe exercise domain boundary by evaluating the rates of blood lactate accumulation during the constant power output exercise bouts that are used in the assessment of the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS).

Methods

Eight well-trained male cyclists completed five exercise tests of up to 30 min for the determination of the traditional MLSS (MLSSTRAD) and a further four maximal tests for the determination of critical power (CP). The rates of change of blood [lactate] between 10 min and the end of exercise in the MLSS tests were plotted against the corresponding power outputs, and a two-segment linear regression model was used to identify individualized break points in lactate accumulation versus power output (modified MLSS [MLSSMOD]).

Results

MLSSMOD was significantly higher than MLSSTRAD (297 ± 41 vs 278 ± 41 W, P < 0.001) but was not significantly different from CP (297 ± 41 W, P > 0.05); MLSSMOD and CP were closely aligned (r = 0.97, bias = −0.52 W, SEE = 10 W, limits of agreement = −20 to 19 W). The rates of change of both blood [lactate] and V̇O2 were significantly greater, and exercise intolerance occurred before 30 min, at a power output slightly above MLSSMOD.

Conclusions

A novel method for evaluating blood lactate kinetics during MLSSTRAD protocol produces MLSSMOD that is not different from CP and better represents the heavy to severe exercise domain boundary.
Platform Governance with Algorithm-Based Content Moderation: An Empirical Study on Reddit
Authors: He Qinglai , Hong Yili , Raghu T. S.
Published: August 2024

Pratice- and Policy-oriented Abstract

Volunteer (human) moderators have been the essential workforce for content moderation to combat growing inappropriate online content. Because volunteer-based content moderation faces challenges in achieving scalable, desirable, and sustainable moderation, many online platforms have started to adopt algorithm-based content moderation tools (bots). However, it is unclear how volunteer moderators react to the bot adoption in terms of their community-policing and -nurturing efforts. Our research collected public moderation records by bots and volunteer moderators from Reddit. Our analysis suggests that bots can augment volunteer moderators. Augmentation results in volunteers shifting their efforts from simple policing work to a broader set of moderations, including policing over subjective rule violations and satisfying the increased needs for community-nurturing activities following the policing actions. This paper has implications for online platform managers looking to scale online activities and explains how volunteers can achieve more effective and sustainable content moderation with the assistance of bots.
Ordinary and Prophet Planning Under Uncertainty in Bernoulli Congestion Games
Authors: Cominetti Roberto , Scarsini Marco , Schröder Marc , Stier-Moses Nicolas E.
Published: August 2024

Uncertain Demand in Transportation Reduces Worst-Case Congestion

In “Ordinary and Prophet Planning Under Uncertainty in Bernoulli Congestion Games,” Cominetti, Scarsini, Schröder, and Stier-Moses characterize the inefficiency introduced by self-minded travelers in congested networks, such as those in big cities. When the likelihood that travelers are present in a congested network is smaller, the uncertainty affects the resulting conditions but also what a social planner would do. Contrary to what might be expected, the consequence is a reduction of the worst-case expressions for the inefficiency of the prevailing traffic conditions with respect to the routes of a social planner. This reduction holds under two possible informational assumptions for the social planner. An ordinary planner only has statistical information based on past data in terms of the expected number of travelers, whereas a prophet planner is informed of the participation outcomes right when travelers start their trips.
Legal conditions for the imposition of income taxes - taxation at source and in the country of residence
Authors: Grzesiak Artur , Wołowiec Tomasz , Waszak Piotr , Mędzelowski Tadeusz , Zientarski Piotr
Published: August 2024

Withholding tax collection has an undoubted advantage in that the tax is paid shortly after the income has been made available to the taxpayer (paid by the payer). Withholding tax can be treated as a kind of advance payment of income tax. With this method, the taxpayer is obliged to declare the amount of income earned in the annual tax return and has the right to reduce (reduce) the amount of tax due resulting from this tax return by the amount of withholding tax. We refer to tax collected at source as 'creditable withholding tax'. Alternatively, the withholding tax collected at source may be the final withholding tax. In such a case, the recipient of the income (taxpayer) is released from the obligation to submit a tax return and from the obligation with respect to the amount of tax withheld. Withholding taxes are usually levied at a fixed rate that is applied to revenue (not income), which means that no tax-deductible costs or the taxpayer's personal situation (earning capacity) are taken into account. Therefore, it can be concluded that taxes collected at source are cedular taxes.
The origin of the emergence of political parties and the evolution of the party system and legal regulations regarding the financing of political activities in Japan
Authors: Jakimiec Dawid
Published: August 2024

The article presents the stages of creation and development of the party system and political parties in Japan, as well as various definitions of the party system, and assesses the directions of evolution of the Japanese political system. In addition, the genesis and activities of the Liberal Democratic Party were outlined, as well as the topic of transparency and legal regulations in the area of financing political activities in Japan. In order to present the evolution of Japan's political system, one must deal not only with legal regulations regarding the party, electoral and political system, but also with issues such as political culture, history and various conditions, i.e. everything that influenced the evolution of a given political system. countries. Party systems remain closely related to the political systems within which they operate, which results in the observable difficulty with which their comparative analyzes or broader and more general characteristics are created.
The systemic position of the local government treasurer in the terms of labor law, public finance law and the act on local government employees
Authors: Paździor Mariusz , Paździor Anna
Published: August 2024

Pursuant to the provisions of the Act of August 27, 2009 on public finances, the chief accountant of a public finance sector entity is an employee to whom the manager of the entity entrusts duties and responsibilities in the scope of keeping the entity's accounting, executing cash orders, and performing preliminary control of the compliance of economic operations. and financial with the financial plan, completeness and reliability of documents regarding economic and financial operations. Therefore, entrusting the function of an accountant consists of two elements: entrusting duties and, consequently, responsibility in this respect. The chief accountant is therefore an employee of the entity. The provisions of both the Act on Public Finance, Local Government Employees and the Labor Code apply to it. Recognizing the relevant legal regulations is important when answering questions and problems related to the performance of the function of treasurer (chief accountant). The treasurer's actions are a consequence of the statutory tasks assigned to him and the function entrusted by the unit manager. The function of treasurer of a commune, district or voivodeship is an obligatory function. The head of the unit cannot entrust the tasks specified in the Public Finance Act to a functional employee other than the treasurer. Exceptions in this respect cannot lead to the transfer of financial matters to another organizational unit within the office structure.
Legal analysis of the functioning, organisation and management of modern health resorts and medical spa care
Authors: Ćwik Kamila , Wołowiec Tomasz , Grzesiak Artur , Hernas Adam , Orzeł Zbigniew
Published: August 2024

On the surface, it would seem that the operation of a health resort commune does not differ from the majority of local authorities in Poland that do not have health resorts in their area and its activities can be subordinated to the market law of supply and demand. It would seem that it is the health resort gminas that are particularly privileged entities, endowed by nature with unique therapeutic raw materials, unique landscape, clean air and high forest cover, and being the proverbial apple of the sovereign's (the State's) eye, they have versatile development opportunities. A health resort municipality is a municipality whose area or part thereof has been granted the status of a health resort in accordance with the procedure set out in the Act on Health Resort Treatment, Health Resorts and Areas of Health Resort Protection and on Health Resort Municipalities of 28 July 2005. A health resort is an area where spa treatment is carried out, separated for the purpose of utilising and protecting the natural medicinal resources located in its area, which has been granted the status of a health resort. It follows from these definitions that a health resort is a limited area of the territory of a municipality, carrying out a specific activity such as spa treatment.
The general clause "interest of service" as one of the grounds for optional dismissal from service on the example of a police officer - selected theoretical and case law aspects
Authors: Koman-Bednarczyk Angelika
Published: August 2024

The principles of employing Police officers are regulated by the Act of April 6, 1990 on the Police, professional pragmatics of an autonomous nature. In the discussed pragmatics, the legislator divided the exhaustive catalog of reasons for dismissal from service into two reasons - obligatory and optional. The impetus for undertaking the research issues covered in this article was the construction of one of the reasons for optional dismissal from service. Namely, in accordance with Art. 41 section 2 point 5 of the Police Act, a police officer may be dismissed from service when an important interest of the service requires it. The construction of the service's interest is nothing more than the normative construction of a general clause, which by its nature is unspecified. Therefore, the closed catalog of grounds for dismissal from service remains open in this respect. The legislator deliberately and consciously uses this construction to make the generally closed catalog of reasons for dismissal from service more flexible. It should be stated, however, that although the Police authority is provided with a large area of freedom in the process of applying the law, the clause in question is not the basis for the authority to make arbitrary and instrumental assessments. The service interest clause, despite its undefined nature, refers to extra-legal criteria with a semantic context defined by the name of the criterion.
Public administration – legal regulations and its division and organization
Authors: Grzeszczuk Marta , Grzesiak Artur
Published: August 2024

In etymological terms, administration refers to activities performed in a permanent manner, aimed at achieving various goals and results. The Latin phrases ministrō and ministrāre mean: "to serve", "to perform" and "to manage", while the phrase minister refers to a person serving and performing. The use of the preposition ad should be interpreted in this context as directed activity - the equivalent of the Polish prefix "do", and therefore the expression ad ministro can be described as "directing" and "governing". The science of administrative law, just like the science of administration, provides that certain properties can be assigned to administration without defining it. It is such a complex phenomenon in itself that defining it is very difficult or even impossible. The same applies to individual forms of administration. Legal regulations were analyzed, including systemic ones related to the place, role and organization of public administration in Poland.
Advancing autism therapy: emotion analysis using rehabilitation robots and ai for children with ASD
Authors: Guz Ewa , Niderla Konrad , Kata Grzegorz
Published: August 2024

Emotion analysis is a key component in understanding the unique communication patterns and emotional states of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These children often struggle with traditional forms of expressing emotions, which presents a challenge for themselves and their therapists. Facial expression analysis techniques, supported by modern technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, enable more accurate identification of subtle signals that may go unnoticed by human observers. The introduction of rehabilitation robots and emotion analysis software based on the analysis of facial expressions and gestures opens up new possibilities for individualizing therapy, adapting it to the child's specific reactions and needs. In this way, the use of these tools not only increases the effectiveness of treatment but also helps build more trusting therapeutic relationships, which is the basis for adequate support for the development of children with ASD. Regular monitoring of progress and modifying therapeutic approaches, supported by automation and data analysis, is essential to more effective and empathetic care for children with developmental disorders. However, the journey does not end here. Further research is necessary to develop and improve emotion analysis techniques for use in rehabilitation robots and their impact on the effectiveness of therapy for young patients
An intelligent support system and emotional state tests for people who are sick or recovering
Authors: Maj Michał , Kowalski Marcin , Gnat Mariusz , Łukasiewicz Jacek , Pliszczuk Damian
Published: August 2024

The project aims to develop an intelligent system that has the potential to significantly improve patient care by examining and supporting the emotional state of people with chronic diseases or undergoing rehabilitation. The system will use advanced technologies such as image analysis, natural language processing and understanding (NLP/NLU), and a personal assistant module. Acting as a virtual companion, this module will support the user in everyday tasks such as setting reminders and managing schedules and provide emotional support through interactive conversations. The project also involves the development of an analytical module that automatically generates analyses and reports based on the collected data. A patient-oriented system will be created during the work to collect essential data and support him in rehabilitation. On the other hand, the system will cooperate with a doctor who can make a preliminary diagnosis and develop further treatment based on the patient's data. As feedback, the patient will receive health reports along with their interpretation and treatment recommendations created by the doctor.
Advanced methods for target audience identification: enhancing marketing strategies through machine learning and data analytics
Authors: Bogacki Sylwester , Rymarczyk Paweł , Smutek Tomasz , Rutkowski Marek , Chmielowska-Marmucka Agnieszka
Published: August 2024

Purpose: This article presents a novel approach that leverages advanced data analytics and machine learning techniques to enhance marketing strategies. By precisely targeting and segmenting audience groups based on their descriptive profiles, the study aims to significantly improve the efficacy of marketing campaigns.
Methods: The study employs several clustering and community detection algorithms, including Louvain Community, Greedy Modularity, and Label Propagation. These methods are applied to diverse datasets to identify distinct groups within the audience that exhibit specific behavioral and preference patterns. The approach emphasizes data-driven decision-making, which involves making decisions based on the analysis of data rather than intuition or observation, to optimize marketing outcomes.
Results demonstrate that employing advanced clustering techniques can significantly refine the segmentation process, leading to more targeted marketing efforts. These methods successfully identified nuanced sub-groups within the datasets, which corresponded closely with customer behaviors and preferences variations, thereby allowing for more tailored marketing strategies.
Discussion: The study's findings underscore the imperative for marketers to embrace sophisticated analytical techniques. Machine learning has the potential to transform marketing strategies by providing deeper insights into customer segmentation. This research highlights the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the face of the complexities of consumer markets and evolving business environments.
Optimizing order picking processes in warehouses: strategies for efficient routing and clustering
Authors: Rymarczyk Paweł , Bogacki Sylwester , Figura Cezary , Rutkowski Marek , Staliński Piotr
Published: August 2024

The study employed a simulation based on a detailed dataset containing over 307,046 unique order identifiers and 1,050 unique product identifiers. This dataset included information such as order placement dates, product codes, quantities, and precise locations within the warehouse, including coordinates. The simulation modeled the order-picking route using the Single-Picker Routing Problem (SPRP) algorithms to minimize distance and travel time. The methods compared various wave-picking strategies and grouping methods (single-line and multi-line) for their effectiveness.The applied method significantly reduced the travel distance required by the order picker in the warehouse. The key to this optimization was consolidating orders into waves of specific sizes, achieving a fourfold distance reduction for the studied dataset. Additionally, the solution proposed grouping products by location within the warehouse, either in a single aisle or across multiple aisles based on proximity. Although this method often enhances efficiency, it did not in this particular case. However, it was included as it may yield better results with different datasets and further reduce travel distances in the warehouse. The research underscored the critical role of efficient routing and grouping strategies in warehouse operations. Although wave picking significantly reduced travel distances, the effectiveness of clustering strategies depended on the characteristics of the specific dataset, suggesting the need for tailored solutions based on the warehouse layout and the features of the orders. Future research could extend to integrating product volume and weight variations, which may further optimize order-picking strategies.
Optimizing delivery time with an intelligent forecasting model: leveraging ai and machine learning for efficient logistics
Authors: Szymański Zbigniew , Maj Michał , Piwkowski Jacek , Jurczak Ewelina , Cieplak Tomasz , Pliszczuk Damian
Published: August 2024

Business analytics involves using various technologies to analyze data. Data mining focuses on the automated search for knowledge, patterns, or regularities in data. As a business analyst, it is essential to recognize the type of analytical technique appropriate for solving a specific problem. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) describes data using statistical and visualization techniques to highlight important aspects of that data for further analysis. This involves examining a data set from many angles, describing it, and summarizing it without making assumptions about its content. Exploratory data analysis is an essential step before diving into statistical modeling or machine learning to ensure that the data is really what it claims to be and that there are no apparent errors. This type of analysis should be part of data science projects in every organization. Visual analytics is sometimes confused with data visualization. Visual analysis is not simply a matter of graphically representing data. Modern, interactive visual analytics makes combining data from multiple sources easy and performs in-depth data analysis directly in the visualization. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms can offer recommendations for exploration. Ultimately, visual analytics helps transform massive data sets into business insights that can positively impact an organization. Considering the previous comment about visual data analysis, it should be added that the system has extensive capabilities to create graphical dashboards containing reports and charts. It is essential that in the case of desktops, in addition to the visualizations included in the system itself, it is possible to embed reports from third-party tools.
Detection and analysis of disease entities based on lung conditions
Authors: Piwko Adam , Kosior-Romanowska Amelia , Chałdaś - Majdańska Justyna
Published: August 2024

The article presents a method for detecting and analysing disease entities associated with lung diseases. The results are related to work on the design of a medical diagnostic system based on impedance tomography. One of the key features of the solution is its ability to diagnose respiratory diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumothorax (PTX). The article describes the results of a classification model that effectively distinguishes between healthy and sick patients, achieving an impressive accuracy of 99.86%. This result underscores the robustness and reliability of the model. The conclusions of the presented research can serve as a basis for further work on improving diagnostic methods and introducing innovative healthcare solutions for patients with respiratory diseases, which may enable faster and more accurate diagnoses of lung diseases and provide more effective treatment and care for patients.
Advancing medical diagnostics: a portable ultrasonic-impedance tomograph for non-invasive lower urinary tract monitoring
Authors: Głowacka Magdalena , Błaszczykowski Michał , Gauda Konrad , Bartnik Grzegorz
Published: August 2024

Technological advancements in medical imaging techniques are opening new possibilities for diagnostics and monitoring health conditions. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a portable ultrasound-impedance tomograph designed for long-term monitoring of the lower urinary tract. This device combines ultrasound and impedance technologies, enhancing imaging accuracy and the non-invasiveness of procedures, which is particularly crucial for patients requiring regular examinations. The study used a prototype tomograph on patients with lower urinary tract disorders. To assess the device's effectiveness, images obtained from traditional diagnostic methods were compared with those generated by the new tomograph. This device utilizes advanced ultrasound beamforming technology and multiplexing of measurement channels, allowing for rapid and accurate diagnostics without requiring invasive sensor placement within the patient's body. The findings indicate that the newly developed tomography provides high-resolution and high-contrast images, facilitating better pathology identification than traditional methods. It was also demonstrated that the device effectively monitors changes over time, crucial for planning long-term treatment and monitoring patients. The development of this device opens new possibilities in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions, enabling more precise and less burdensome diagnostic procedures. Its application could significantly improve the quality of life for patients and the efficacy of therapies in urology and other medical fields.
3D modeling of the urinary bladder using electrical impedance tomography: advanced reconstruction algorithms and medical applications
Authors: Stefańczak Daria , Dziadosz Marcin , Iskra Katarzyna , Bednarczuk Piotr
Published: August 2024

Purpose: The research presented in this paper was conducted to obtain a detailed 3D model of the urinary bladder using electrical impedance tomography, a noninvasive tomographic technique.
Methods: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging technique that measures electrical impedance inside the human body. Many methods, including those based on physical models and machine learning, are used to reconstruct the considered 3D object using EIT. The work focuses on the Gauss-Newton algorithm in its generalized form.
Results: Three-dimensional reconstructions of the urinary bladder were obtained. The models are built with high accuracy and can be processed by subsequent algorithms.
Discussion: The constructed models can serve as the basis for correct diagnosis in medicine and as research material for subsequent work, for example, on the possibilities of 3D printing. Possible methods of obtaining even higher-quality reconstruction also remain to be considered.
Analysis of ultrasonic measurement data from medical models
Authors: Gołąbek Michał , Orzeł Zbigniew , Gauda Konrad , Gil Leszek
Published: August 2024

This study's primary goal is to improve the accuracy and efficiency of acoustic wave propagation simulations using circular probe models in ultrasonography. This research aims to develop a detailed understanding of how variations in boundary conditions and wave characteristics influence the fidelity of ultrasound imaging. A range of simulation techniques were employed, focusing on non-dispersive and dispersive scenarios, to model acoustic wave behavior comprehensively. The study utilized Gaussian beamforming techniques and improved kernel functions to refine the resolution and decrease computational overhead. Various scenarios were simulated to analyze the impact of wave scattering and dispersion on imaging outcomes. The simulations demonstrated significant improvements in image resolution and accuracy. The refined methods allowed for more apparent distinctions in wave behavior under different boundary conditions, providing deeper insights into wave propagation dynamics. The results confirmed that controlling dispersion and scattering is critical for enhancing imaging quality. This research contributes to the field of ultrasonic imaging by presenting advanced simulation methods that offer more accurate and efficient imaging solutions. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing ultrasonic probes and imaging techniques by focusing on the impact of wave characteristics and boundary conditions. The findings have significant implications for medical diagnostics and material characterization, suggesting potential improvements in ultrasound technology for better patient outcomes and more precise material assessments.
Optimization of algorithms for effective management of the measurement process in electrical impedance tomography and ultrasonic tomography
Authors: Szuster Iwona , Mazurek Mariusz , Stefańczak Daria , Gauda Konrad
Published: August 2024

The article discusses the design of advanced embedded algorithms that aim to manage and control the measurement process using the Electrical Impedance Tomography and Ultrasonic Tomography methods. The project aims to develop solutions that optimize the performance of embedded devices that must operate on limited resources such as memory, computing power, or bandwidth. Minimizing energy consumption is an important aspect, especially for battery-powered devices. Algorithms must also be adapted to specific hardware constraints, such as low RAM or CPU limitations, which require complex engineering and optimization. Additionally, the project assumes the implementation of algorithms that consider security aspects, which is crucial in protecting data processed and transmitted by the device. It also requires the development of effective communication methods between the embedded device and other systems, including appropriate communication protocols.
Prediction of the response to antiangiogenic sunitinib therapy by non-invasive hybrid diffuse optics in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Mireles Miguel , Jiménez-Valerio Gabriela , Morales-Dalmau Jordi , Johansson Johannes D. , Martínez-Lozano Mar , Vidal-Rosas Ernesto E. , Navarro-Pérez Valentí , Busch David R. , Casanovas Oriol , Durduran Turgut , Vilches Clara
Published: August 2024

In this work, broadband diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) were used to quantify deep tissue hemodynamics in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft mouse model of clear cell renal cancer undergoing antiangiogenic treatment. A cohort of twenty-two mice were treated with sunitinib and compared to thirteen control untreated mice, and monitored by DRS/DCS. A reduction in total hemoglobin concentration (THC, p = 0.03), oxygen saturation (SO2, p = 0.03) and blood flow index (BFI, p = 0.02) was observed over the treatment course. Early changes in tumor microvascular blood flow and total hemoglobin concentration were correlated with the final microvessel density (p = 0.014) and tumor weight (p = 0.024), respectively. Higher pre-treatment tumor microvascular blood flow was observed in non-responder mice with respect to responder mice, which was statistically predictive of the tumor intrinsic resistance (p = 0.01). This hybrid diffuse optical technique provides a method for predicting tumor intrinsic resistance to antiangiogenic therapy and could be used as predictive biomarker of response to antiangiogenic therapies in pre-clinical models.
High power chip-scale laser
Authors: Antman Yair , Gil-Molina Andres , Westreich Ohad , Ji Xingchen , Gaeta Alexander L. , Lipson Michal
Published: August 2024

The lack of high-power integrated lasers has been limiting silicon photonics. Despite much progress in chip-scale laser integration, power output remains below levels required for key applications due to low energy efficiency at high pumping currents. Here we break this power limitation by coupling a broad-area multimode gain chip to a silicon-nitride ring resonator and single-mode filter. The resulting optical feedback causes the multimode-gain chip to concentrate its power into a single highly coherent mode. Our device produces more than 150 mW of power and 400 kHz linewidth. We achieve these metrics while maintaining a small footprint of 3 mm2.
Wavefront sensing with optical differentiation powered by deep learning
Authors: Swain Biswa R. , Akif Qadeer M. , Dorrer Christophe , Narayanan Renuka Manjula , Rolland Jannick P. , Qiao Jie
Published: August 2024

We report the experimental demonstration of an optical differentiation wavefront sensor (ODWS) based on binary pixelated linear and nonlinear amplitude filtering in the far-field. We trained and tested a convolutional neural network that reconstructs the spatial phase map from nonlinear-filter-based ODWS data for which an analytic reconstruction algorithm is not available. It shows accurate zonal retrieval over different magnitudes of wavefronts and on randomly shaped wavefronts. This work paves the way for the implementation of simultaneously sensitive, high dynamic range, and high-resolution wavefront sensing.
Highly sensitive full solar-blind ultraviolet spectrum detection and imaging based on PdSe2/Ga2O3 vdW heterojunction
Authors: Cao Xiaolin , Liu Kunxuan , Wu Di , Zhou Zhiman , Lin Pei , Zhuo Ranran , Shi Zhifeng , Hu Xin , Zeng Longhui , Li Xinjian
Published: August 2024

Solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors are in great demand for
both military and civilian applications. Here, we have successfully
demonstrated the synthesis of the Sn-doped Ga2O3
films with controllable bandgaps to construct
PdSe2/Ga2O3 van der Waals (vdW)
heterojunctions achieving highly sensitive full solar-blind UV
spectrum detection. The assembled device demonstrates a full
solar-blind UV spectral self-powered response, with a large
responsivity of 123.5 mA/W, a high specific detectivity of
1.63 × 1013 Jones, and a rapid response time of
0.15/2.3 ms. Importantly, an outstanding solar-blind UV imaging
application based on an integrated
PdSe2/Ga2O3 device array has been
demonstrated. Our work paves a feasible path toward achieving highly
sensitive solar-blind UV detecting and imaging based on wide-bandgap
Ga2O3 films.
Intermittent microwave bursts of a semiconductor laser with an ultra-long loop for generating timing-based random bits
Authors: Ruan Jingya , Zhang Luan , Chan Sze-Chun
Published: August 2024

Chaotic dynamics of semiconductor lasers under optical feedback are useful for random bit generation (RBG). By exploring on an ultra-long feedback loop, a single-mode laser in a route-to-chaos unveils an emission intensity with intermittent microwave bursts, for which a fast form of timing-based RBG is demonstrated. Each microwave burst corresponds to a packet of periodic intensity oscillations at the relaxation resonance. Numerous bursts are found intermittently within a round trip. Repetitions of these intermittent microwave bursts are observed across consecutive round trips. Randomness is extracted from the timing of the bursts as far as the feedback is reinitialized. With a 5-km fiber for feedback to the laser, over 104 intermittent bursts of microwave at 7 GHz are obtained per round trip, where the irregular timing in the envelope leads to RBG at 9.6 Gbps. Such experimental results feature the form of timing-based RBG that is very fast by comparison, carried by the microwave, and stored in the feedback nonlinear dynamics.
Far-zone radiation analysis of a finite-length electric dipole in the uniaxial dielectric-magnetic medium
Authors: Hayat Aamir , Kausar Sadia , Shah Muzamil , Ahmad Saeed
Published: August 2024

The analytical derivation of radiation from a finite-length electrical dipole situated within uniaxial dielectric-magnetic media is presented for the far zone. Analytical outcomes are furnished for two dipole orientations: parallel alignment with the optic axis and perpendicular alignment to it. In the parallel scenario, solely an electrically extraordinary wave is emitted, whereas in the perpendicular scenario, both electrical and magnetic waves are emitted. Nevertheless, radiation along the optic axis experiences suppression.
Quantum mechanics to classical mechanics boundary:
N-slit heavy-atom interferometer
Authors: Duarte Francisco
Published: August 2024

The question of when quantum mechanics becomes classical mechanics is considered from an N-slit interferometric perspective. In this regard, the design of an N-slit heavy-atom interferometer is depicted and discussed. This work includes a conceptual and experimental discussion of the Diósi-Penrose hypothesis. Such hypothesis is found to be decoupled from the interferometric foundations of quantum mechanics. For the boundary situation beyond which interference, for heavy-atom aggregates, is no longer viable, a minimalist principle is suggested: spontaneous nonsuperposition, at the probability amplitude level. This is proposed as onset for the quantum → classical transition.
Swordtail fish hybrids reveal that genome evolution is surprisingly predictable after initial hybridization
Authors: Langdon Quinn K. , Groh Jeffrey S. , Aguillon Stepfanie M. , Powell Daniel L. , Gunn Theresa , Payne Cheyenne , Baczenas John J. , Donny Alex , Dodge Tristram O. , Du Kang , Schartl Manfred , Ríos-Cárdenas Oscar , Gutiérrez-Rodríguez Carla , Morris Molly , Schumer Molly
Published: August 2024

Over the past 2 decades, biologists have come to appreciate that hybridization, or genetic exchange between distinct lineages, is remarkably common—not just in particular lineages but in taxonomic groups across the tree of life. As a result, the genomes of many modern species harbor regions inherited from related species. This observation has raised fundamental questions about the degree to which the genomic outcomes of hybridization are repeatable and the degree to which natural selection drives such repeatability. However, a lack of appropriate systems to answer these questions has limited empirical progress in this area. Here, we leverage independently formed hybrid populations between the swordtail fish Xiphophorus birchmanni and X. cortezi to address this fundamental question. We find that local ancestry in one hybrid population is remarkably predictive of local ancestry in another, demographically independent hybrid population. Applying newly developed methods, we can attribute much of this repeatability to strong selection in the earliest generations after initial hybridization. We complement these analyses with time-series data that demonstrates that ancestry at regions under selection has remained stable over the past approximately 40 generations of evolution. Finally, we compare our results to the well-studied X. birchmanni × X. malinche hybrid populations and conclude that deeper evolutionary divergence has resulted in stronger selection and higher repeatability in patterns of local ancestry in hybrids between X. birchmanni and X. cortezi.
Analysis of user trends in digital health communities using big data mining
Authors: Keinan Ron , Margalit Efraim , Bouhnik Dan
Published: August 2024

Camoni, the largest digital health community in Israel, involves thousands of patients in the decision-making process concerning their illness and treatment. This approach reflects the recent global shift towards digital tools that combine professional information with social networking capabilities to enable problem-solving, emotional support, and knowledge sharing. Digital health communities serve as an invaluable resource for individuals seeking to learn more about their health, connect with others with shared experiences, and receive encouragement. Our research investigates user trends in digital health communities using the Camoni platform as a case study. To this end, we compile a comprehensive database of 12 years of site activity and conduct a large-scale analysis to identify and assess significant trends in user behavior. We observe several significant trends concerning different genders engagement and note a narrowing of gaps between men and women users’ participation and publication volume. Furthermore, we find that younger users have become increasingly active on the platform over time. We also uncover unique gender-specific behavior patterns that we attempt to characterize and explain. Our findings suggest that the rise of digital health communities has accelerated in recent years, reflecting the public’s growing preference to take a more active role in their medical care.