In this paper, we investigate the effects of certain variants of the commutative laws on properties of several families of algebras which are in general not commutative, such as groups, linear algebras, or actually quite anti-commutative, such as $BCK$-algebras and $d$-algebras among others. From results obtained it becomes clear that by considering these variants in the presence of yet other axioms it is to be expected that a quite rich and varied set of results may be obtained both in the general and the particular setting of which what has been accomplished in this paper is a substantial sample.

Myocardium transcriptomes of mouse left and right atria and ventricles were profiled separately to identify the differences that might be responsible for the distinct functional roles of the four heart chambers. In total, 16,886 distinct unigenes have been quantified in all 16 samples collected from four adult male mice from the same litter. 15.76% of the quantified genes on the left and 16.5% on the right exhibited differential expression between the corresponding atrium and ventricle of the same side, while 5.8% in atria and 1.2% in ventricles were differently expressed between the left and the right. Beyond the differentially expressed genes, the study revealed distinct expression control and coordination of ion channels and genes within the cardiac muscle contraction, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis/glucogenesis, calcium and adrenergic signaling pathways. Interestingly, while expression of Ank2 (encoding ankyrin-B) oscillates in phase with all its binding partners in the left ventricle, the percentage of synergistically expressed partners of Ank2 is 15% and 37% in the left and right atria and 74% in the right ventricle. The analysis revealed also the high interventricular synchrony of the expression of ion channels.

Brain, the most complex object known in the universe, uses few watts of power. To mimic it a nuclear power plant will be required and this power house controls the human body, single handedly. Surprisingly, “On the left side, nothing is right and on the right side there is nothing left”. Typically, there are two lateral halves of the brain: Left hemisphere and right hemisphere working distinctly. Left hemisphere is inclined towards logic; Right hemisphere is the root cause of imagination added with critical thinking. In situations like the current pandemic, COVID-19, it is the right half which tends to dominate the processing. This gives birth to mental stress, anxiety thus, aggravating the existing medical condition. Considering this pattern, a survey was conducted in Durg district of Chhattisgarh, which is one of the most hard hit epicentre of the COVID-19 second wave in India. According to this survey, it was revealed that largely women of all age groups (10-25, 26-40, 40 above) were right brained i.e. dominance of right over left hemisphere. Being more imaginative and creative thinkers they are more likely to suffer from mental issues than males. The aim of this research is to improve the mental wellbeing of the citizens in such threatening conditions. To prevent this situation awareness is a must and some stress relieving games have also been created.

We specify basic definitions of the Chern-Simons current in cohomology theory, then we calculate its value by using a model of quantum machine learning, the so-called supersymmetric support Dirac machine. The supercurrent is generated from the coupling between three states of a quantum flux of modified Wilson loop of the Cooper pairs. We use Holo-Hilbert spectrum in frequency modulation to visualize the network as a coupling behavior of convolutional neuron network in superstatistical theory with the application to the theory of a superconductor. We also calculate the number of carbon atoms in the stable support spinor network structure of a graphene wormhole to produce a supercurrent of Cooper pairs as graviphoton states by using the Holo-Hilbert spectral analysis.

With reference to our 4G model of final unification, strong coupling constant and strong interaction charge of magnitude $e_s\cong 2.95e$, it is possible to understand the nuclear stability range with a simple power law of the form, $A_s\cong \left(Z+2.95\right)^{1.2\pm0.015}$

Background and objectives: The language-induced grip force modulation (GFM) can be used to better understand the link between the language and motor functions as an expression of the embodied language. However, the contribution of each brain hemisphere to the language-induced GFM is still unclear. Using six different action verbs as stimuli, this study evaluated the GFM of the left hand in unimanual task to characterize the left- and right-hemisphere contributions. Materials and Methods: The left-hand GFM of 20 healthy consistent right-handers subjects was evaluated using the verbs “to write”, “to hold”, “to pull”(left-lateralized central processing actions), “to draw”, “to tie”, and “to drive” (bi-hemispheric central processing actions) as linguistic stimuli. The time between the word onset and the first interval of statistical significance regarding the baseline (RT) was also measured. Results: The six verbs produced language-induced GFM. The modulation intensity was similar for the six verbs, but the RT was variable. The verbs “to draw”, “to tie”, and “to drive”, whose central processing of the described action is bihemispheric showed a longer Rt compared to the other verbs. Conclusions: The possibility that an action is performed by the left-hand does not interfere with the occurrence of GFM when this action verb is employed as linguistic stimulus. Therefore, the language-induced GFM seems mainly rely on the left hemisphere, and the engagement of the right hemisphere seems to slow down the increase in the GFM intensity.

Breast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease that displays diverse molecular subtypes and clinical outcomes. Although it is known that the location of tumors can affect their biological behavior, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In our previous study, we found a differential methylation profile and membrane potential between left (L) and right (R)-sided breast tumors. In this current study, we aimed to identify the ion channels responsible for this phenomenon and determine any associated phenotypic features. To achieve this, experiments were conducted in mammary tumors in mice, human patient samples, and with data from public datasets. The results revealed that L-sided tumors have a more depolarized state than R-ones. We identified a 6-ion channel-gene signature (CACNA1C, CACNA2D2, CACNB2, KCNJ11, SCN3A, and SCN3B) associated with side: L-tumors exhibit lower expression levels than R-ones. Additionally, in silico analyses show that the signature correlates inversely with DNA methylation writers and with key biological processes involved in cancer progression, such as proliferation and stemness. The signature also correlates inversely with patients’ survival rates. In an in vivo mouse model, we confirmed that KI67 and CD44 markers were increased in L-sided tumors and similar tendency for KI67 was found in patient L-tumors. Overall, this study provides new insights into the potential impact of anatomical location on breast cancer biology and highlights the need for further investigation into possible differential treatment options.

This article presents raw data of biaxial tensile measurements of rat heart passive myocardium conducted in lab scale environment. The passive myocardium of the rat was divided into three regions, namely: left ventricle, mid-wall and right ventricle. The biaxial dataset of passive rat myocardia is presented as stress vs strain of the passive rat myocardium in various regions. The determination of valid material properties of the heart plays an important role in the development computational models. These computational models are useful in studying various scenarios and mechanisms of heart diseases. In addition, valid and accurate materials are critical in the development of new therapies. The dataset presented here is useful in the area of soft tissue mechanics including studying the mechanisms of heart diseases such as myocardial infarction. Accordingly, the evaluation of stress and strain in left ventricle, mid-wall and right ventricle was performed.

The impact of controlled breathing on cognitive and affective processing has been recognized since ancient times, giving rise to multiple practices aimed at achieving different psychophysical states, mostly related to mental clarity and focus, stress reduction and relaxation. Previous scientific research explored the effects of unilateral nostril breathing (UNB) over brain activity, emotional and cognitive functions. Most evidence concluded for a contralateral effect, but many other controversial results make it difficult to come to an unambiguous interpretation. In the present study, we invited a pilot sample of 20 participants to take part in an 8-days breathing training, assigned either to the right nostril (URNB) or the left nostril breathing condition (ULNB). Then, each day, we assessed participants’ well-being indices with mood and mind-wandering scales. Results revealed that, after the daily practice, both groups reported improved well-being perception. However, the effect was specifically related to the nostril involved. URNB produced more benefits in terms of stress reduction and relaxation, while ULNB significantly reduced mind-wandering occurrences, increasingly over time. Our results are only partially in agreement with previous evidence, indicating the need for a more complex interpretive model that considers multiple brain networks and integrates central and peripheral nervous systems.

Transformer models have emerged as frontrunners in the field of natural language processing, primarily due to their adept use of self-attention mechanisms to grasp the semantic linkages between words in sequences. Despite their strengths, these models often face challenges in single-task learning scenarios, particularly when it comes to delivering top-notch performance and crafting strong latent feature representations. This challenge is more pronounced in the context of smaller datasets and is particularly acute for under-resourced languages such as Arabic. In light of these challenges, this study introduces a novel methodology for text classification of Arabic texts. This method harnesses the newly developed Reverse Positional Encoding (RPE) technique. It adopts inductive-transfer learning (ITL) framework combined with a switching self-attention shared encoder, thereby increasing the model's adaptability and improving its sentence representation accuracy. The integration of Mixture of Experts (MoE) and Reverse Positional Encoding (RPE) techniques empowers the model to process longer sequences more effectively. This enhancement is notably beneficial for Arabic text classification, adeptly supporting both the intricate five-point and the simpler ternary classification tasks. The empirical evidence points to its outstanding performance, achieving accuracy rates of 87.20% for the HARD dataset, 72.17% for the BRAD dataset, and 86.89% for the LABR dataset, as evidenced by the assessments conducted on these datasets.

We present the full case pictorial assay including preoperative imaging as well as the surgical correction of the uterine anomaly and associated complication of a very rare case of occult unicornuate right uterus with rudimentary non-communicating functioning left horn and its natural evolution following an initially incomplete surgical treatment.

Right-sided ligamentum teres (RSLT) is a rare anatomic variant in which the fetal umbilical vein connects to the right portal vein. Patients with RSLT frequently have hepatic vasculature and bile duct anomalies, which increase the risk of complications with hepatectomy. Most patients with RSLT undergo open hepatectomy. We describe a patient with RSLT and hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. The patient was a 69-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma located in the left liver based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging also demonstrated RSLT. Three-dimensional CT analysis revealed independent right lateral type anomalies of the portal vein and bile duct. Laparoscopic extended left lateral sectionectomy was performed after careful surgical planning. Ultrasonography was used frequently during surgery to avoid damaging the right hepatic vasculature. The left lateral and partial left median sections were removed as planned. The patient’s postoperative recovery was uneventful. Avoiding injury to the right hepatic vasculature is essential when performing left lobectomy, including left lateral sectionectomy, in patients with RSLT. Laparoscopic hepatectomy can be performed safely in patients with RSLT, provided that careful surgical planning is conducted using preoperative three-dimensional CT analysis and intraoperative ultrasonography is used.

We introduce a novel key exchange protocol based on non-commutative matrix multiplication defined in $\mathbb{F}_p^{n \times n}$. The security of our method does not rely on computational problems as integer factorization or discrete logarithm whose difficulty is conjectured. We show that the public, secret and channel keys become indistinguishable to the eavesdropper under matrix multiplication. Remarkably, for achieving a 512-bit security level, the public key is 1024 bits and the private key is 768 bits, making them the smallest keys among post-quantum key exchange algorithms. Also, we discuss how to achieve key authentication, interdomain certification and Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). Therefore, Lizama's algorithm becomes a promising candidate to establish shared keys and secret communication between (IoT) devices in the quantum era.

We introduce a novel key exchange protocol based on non-commutative matrix multiplication defined in $\mathbb{Z}_p^{n \times n}$. The security of our method does not rely on computational problems as integer factorization or discrete logarithm whose difficulty is conjectured. We claim that the unique eavesdropper's opportunity to get the secret/private key is by means of an exhaustive search which is equivalent to the unsorted database search problem. Furthermore, we show that the secret/private keys become indistinguishable to the eavesdropper. Remarkably, to achieve a 512-bit security level, the keys (public/private) are of the same size when matrix multiplication is done over a reduced 8-bit size modulo. Also, we discuss how to achieve key certification and Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). Therefore, Lizama's algorithm becomes a promising candidate to establish shared keys and secret communication between (IoT) devices in the quantum era.

Traditional diagnosis of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the heart has involved the use of transcranial doppler (TCD). However, TCD is essentially a blind test that cannot directly visualize the location of blood vessels. Since TCD relies on qualitative assessments by examiners, there is room for errors, such as misalignment of the ultrasound's angle of incidence with the actual blood vessels. This limitation affects the reproducibility and consistency of the examination. In this study, we presented an alternative approach for assessing right-to-left shunt (RLS) associated with PFO using contrast transcranial color-coded doppler (C-TCCD) with bubble contrast. The patient under consideration had been diagnosed with an ischemic stroke through imaging, but the subsequent cardiac work-up failed to determine the cause. Employing C-TCCD for RLS screening revealed a confirmed RLS of Spencer’s three grades. Subsequently, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was conducted to evaluate PFO risk factors, confirming an 8 mm PFO size, a 21 mm tunnel length, a hypermobile interatrial septum, and persistent RLS. The calculated high-risk PFO score was 4 points, categorizing it as a very high-risk PFO. This case underscores the importance of C-TCCD screening in detecting RLS associated with PFO, especially in cryptogenic stroke patients when identifying the underlying cause of ischemic stroke becomes challenging.

Otolith morphology analysis is one of the main tools used for fish or fish stock identification. Moreover, otolith shape can also be used in fish dietary studies (stomach content) for the identi-fication of prey fishes and their size according to the relationship between fish and otolith sizes. In the present study, the relationship between fish length and otolith morphological dimensions was investigated for the sabre squirrelfish, Sargocentron spiniferum (Forsskål, 1775) (family: Hol-ocentridae). Samples of 185 fish were collected from the coast of the Red Sea, Egypt. To analyze the relationship between fish and otolith, otolith morphometric measurements (length, width, area, perimeter, weight, sulcus, and ostium) and shape factors (aspect ratio, compactness, form factor, rectangularity, roundness, ellipticity, squareness) describing outline shape were extracted using image analysis. Generalized linear models were applied for the relationship between body length and each otolith morphology feature. From the relationships between the total length of fish and fourteen morphology features, only otolith length, caudal length, and squareness were significantly correlated with fish size. Our results provide more information for the relationship between fish length and otolith morphometric features.

Let R be a commutative ring with identity and m, n be positive integers. In this paper, we introduce the class of (m,n)-prime ideals which lies properly between the classes of prime and (m,n)-closed ideals. A proper ideal I of R is called (m,n)-prime if for a,b∈R, a^{m}b∈I implies either aⁿ∈I or b∈I. Several characterizations of this new class with many examples are given. Analougus to primary decomposition, we define the (m,n)-decomposition of ideals and show that every ideal in an n-Noetherian ring has an (m,n)-decomposition. Furthermore, the (m,n)-prime avoidance theorem is proved.

In this paper, we study semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices. After giving some properties of such residuated lattices, we obtain a structure theorem for semiconic idempotent com- mutative residuated lattices. As an application, we make use of the structure theorem to prove that the variety of strongly semiconic idempotent commutative residuated lattices has the amalgamation property.

Let R be a commutative ring with identity and S be a multiplicatively closed subset of R. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of weakly S-primary ideals as a new generalization of weakly primary ideals. An ideal I of R disjoint with S is called a weakly S-primary ideal if there exists s∈S such that whenever 0≠ab∈I for a,b∈R, then sa∈√I or sb∈I. The relationships among S-prime, S-primary, weakly S-primary and S-n-ideals are investigated. For an element r in any general ZPI-ring, the (weakly) S_{r}-primary ideals are charctarized where S={1,r,r²,⋯}. Several properties, characterizations and examples concerning weakly S-primary ideals are presented. The stability of this new concept with respect to various ring-theoretic constructions such as the trivial ring extension and the amalgamation of rings along an ideal are studied. Furthermore, weakly S-decomposable ideals and S-weakly Laskerian rings which are generalizations of S-decomposable ideals and S-Laskerian rings are introduced.

Let R be a commutative ring and m, n be positive integers. We define a proper submodule N of an R-module M to be (m,n)-closed if for r∈R and b∈M, r^{m}b∈N implies rⁿ∈(N:_{R}M) or b∈N. This class of submodules lies properly between the classes of prime and primary submodules. Many characterizations, properties and supporting examples concerning this class of submodules are provided. The notion of (m,n)-modules is introduced and characterized. Furhermore, the (m,n)-closed avoidance theorem is proved. Finally, the (m,n)-closed submodules in amalgamated modules are studied.

In the paper we suggest an implementation of the non-commutative logic and apply its operators for decision-making in the group of autonomous agents. The suggested operators extend the uninorm and absorbing norm aggregators and use an additional asymmetry parameter that defines the “level of non-commutativity”. The value of this parameter is specified using the perception bias of humans measured in the experiments. The suggested operators and decision-making method are illustrated by simulated behavior of mobile robots in the group.

In our recently proposed theory of quantum gravity, a black hole arises from the spontaneous localisation of an entangled state of a large number of atoms of space-time-matter [STM]. Prior to localisation, the non-commutative curvature of an STM atom is described by the spectral action of non-commutative geometry. By using the techniques of statistical thermodynamics from trace dynamics, we show that the gravitational entropy of a Schwarzschild black hole results from the microstates of the entangled STM atoms and is given (subject to certain assumptions) by the classical Euclidean gravitational action. This action, in turn, equals the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy (Area/$4{L_P}^2$) of the black hole. We argue that spontaneous localisation is related to black-hole evaporation through the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.

In this paper, we aim to assess the electric current parameters and report the analysis of the associated degree of ventricular recovery during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. An assumption was made there is a linear relationship between ventricular recovery degree and the pump electric current pulsatility index (PI). The experimental study was carried out using the ViVitro Pulse Duplicator System with Sputnik 1 LVAD connected. Cardiac output (CO) and cardiac power output (CPO) were used as a measure of ventricular recovery degree. Different heart rates (HR) (59, 73, 86 bpm) and pump speeds (7600–8400 rpm in 200 rpm steps) were investigated. Ventricular stroke volumes in the range of 30–80 ml for each heart rate at certain pump speed were used. The obtained relationships of CO and CPO vs. PI was linear as the coefficients of determination for each regression curve were more than 0.8. CO vs. PI: R2=0.9218; 0.9271; 0.9172 and CPO vs. PI: R2=0.8517; 0.841; 0.8244 for HR=59 bpm; 73 bpm; 86 bpm, respectively. Study findings suggest that adequate interpretation of parameters could potentially serve as a valuable clinical tool to assess ventricular recovery based on LVAD infrastructure without requiring any special hemodynamic assessment.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. A key factor in assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease is left ventricular functional evaluation. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function is evaluated by measuring the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using echocardiography data. Therefore, quick and accurate left ventricle segmentation is important for estimating the LVEF. However, it is difficult to accurately segment the left ventricle due to changes in the shape and area of the left ventricle during cardiac cycles. In this study, we proposed a framework that considers changes in the shape and area of the left ventricle during the cardiac cycle by applying the convolutional long short-term memory (CLSTM) approach. In addition, we evaluated the left ventricular segmentation and multidimensional quantification of the proposed system in comparison to manual and automated segmentation methods. In addition, to assess the validity of CLSTM, the values of multi-dimensional quantification metrics were compared and analyzed using graphs and Bland–Altman plots on a frame-by-frame basis. We demonstrated that the CLSTM method effectively segments the left ventricle by considering the LV activity. In conclusion, we demonstrated that LV segmentation based on our framework may be utilized to accurately estimate LVEF values.

This paper considers the Hermitian solutions of a new system of commutative quaternion matrix equations, we establish both necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions. Furthermore, we derive an explicit general expression when it is solvable. To illustrate our main findings, we present two numerical algorithms and examples in this paper.

This work is devoted to the construction and study of commutative gates for a two-qubit quantum system. Using four-dimensional algebra developed by the Kazakh mathematician Abenov M.M. all groups of commutative gates have been constructed, and among all states of a two-qubit quantum system, unitary states with which a specific gate is connected have been identified. An explicit type of gate is described that transfers a quantum system from one unitary state to another unitary state. The proposed approach opens up new possibilities for the design of quantum algorithms not only for two-qubit quantum systems, but also for $n$-qubit quantum systems.

Our method for density elimination is generalized to the non-commutative substructural logic GpsUL∗. Then the standard completeness of HpsUL∗follows as a lemma by virtue of previous workbyMetcalfeandMontagna. This result shows that HpsUL∗ is the logic of pseudo-uninorms and their residua and answered the question posed by Prof. Metcalfe, Olivetti, Gabbay and Tsinakis.

The ferrocell is an optical viewing device that interacts with a magnetic field and one or more light sources to produce a real-time visual light display. Although this device has been extensively studied by several researchers, a proper computer simulation replicating this optical effect has not yet been presented. Using numerical methods and the law of reflection, a computer simulation was developed that shows that the light patterns as seen in the ferrocell are primarily caused by light reflections off the ferrofluid nano-particles that self organize into needle-like filaments and align along magnetic flux lines in the presence of a magnetic field.

In new Guideline for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is focused the importance of measurement of right-sided diastolic pressures and right ventriculography, pulmonary artery pressures, and pulmonary vascular resistance. Assessment of right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function is pivotal to select patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation who may benefit from tricuspid valve intervention. However, with the exception of tricuspid valve annulus diameter, there is no other cut-off value that defines severe RV dysfunction or dilation for this specific group of patients. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to establish a cut-off value of RV dysfunction since the RV may be exposed to pressure and volume overload, myocardial ischemia, intrinsic myocardial disease or pericardial constraint. Furthermore, the response of the RV to tricuspid valve intervention may vary according to each aetiology and the time course of the disease (acute or chronic). Comprehensive assessment of RV function should address in shape remodelling; functional remodelling; tissue remodelling. This assessment should be performed in optimal loading conditions and after euvolemia has been achieved. It’s now that there is no other cut-off value that defines severe RV dysfunction or dilation for patients with severe TR with the exception of tricuspid valve annulus diameter. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to establish a cut-off value of RV dysfunction since the RV may be exposed to pressure and volume overload, myocardial ischemia, intrinsic myocardial disease or pericardial constraint. In this review we analyze the relationship between right ventricular (RV) and TR in term of outcomes and mortality predictor in patients undergoing percutaneous or invasive treatment for severe TR.

COVID-19 affects many organs in our body, including the heart and lungs. COVID-19 cases that require hospitalization often exhibit pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to changes in the lung microvasculature in which the blood vessels become stiff, damaged, or narrow, causing increased pulmonary arterial pressure. This review examines the hypothesis that PH can lead to right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) as a long-lasting aftereffect of COVID-19. Recent studies have shown that significant percentages of hospitalized patients develop right ventricular hypertension and right ventricular dilatation (RVD), which may lead to right ventricular failure and death. Despite recommendations for echocardiogram reports to include right ventricular wall thickness to assess RVH, few published reports have reported this parameter. Relevant studies on animal models of PH in which the timing of PH can be precisely controlled suggest that one to three weeks of PH can cause RVH. Thus, according to the hypothesis proposed here COVID-19 patients who have long-lasting severe disease (e.g., needed to be on a ventilator for one or more weeks) accompanied by PH and RVD may develop RVH as a long-lasting sequela outlasting the infection itself. Echocardiogram studies of recovered COVID-19 patients may determine whether oft-reported cardiovascular sequelae include RVH.

This paper advances privacy theory through examination of online shaming, focusing in particular on persecution by internet mobs. While shaming is nothing new, the technology used for modern shaming is new and evolving, making it a revealing lens through which to analyze points of analytical friction within and between traditional conceptions of privacy. To that end, this paper first explores the narrative and structure of online shaming, identifying broad categories of shaming of vigilantism, bullying, bigotry and gossiping, which are then used throughout the paper to evaluate different angles to the privacy problems raised. Second, this paper examines shaming through three dominant debates concerning privacy - privacy’s link with dignity, the right to privacy in public places and the social dimension of privacy. Certain themes emerged from this analysis. A common feature of online shaming is public humiliation. A challenge is to differentiate between a humbling (rightly knocking someone down a peg for a social transgression) and a humiliation that is an affront to dignity (wrongly knocking someone down a peg). In addition, the privacy concern of shamed individuals is not necessarily about intrusion on seclusion or revelation of embarrassing information, but rather about the disruption in their ability to continue to participate in online spaces free from attack. The privacy interest therefore becomes more about enabling participation in social spaces, enabling connections and relationships to form, and about enabling identity-making. Public humiliation through shaming can disrupt all of these inviting closer scrutiny concerning how law can be used as an enabling rather than secluding tool.

In this work, the conceptions of the electrodynamics of action-at-a-distance and of electromagnetic fields are reviewed and confronted, with the aim of clarifying whether it is possible to propose a Weberian theory of action-at-a-distance, which together with a renewed mechanics (both re-specting the existence of a limiting velocity c) could constitute a framework capable of yielding predictions equivalent to those of the conventional Maxwell-Lorentz and SRT framework. In this work, it is shown that, considering basic assumptions about the interaction process, understanding it as an action exchange process, it is possible to derive the expression of the electrodynamic Phipps’ potential energy between two interacting charges. It is also shown that, with the same assumptions and the additional hypothesis that the interaction is supported by a mediating agent (aether or field) which is perturbed by the transmission of action, this perturbation obeys the wave equation (one of the main drawbacks of Weberian electrodynamics). Another aim of the work is to confront the relational electrodynamic formulations (supported by Galilean transformations that assume a universal time) with the Maxwell-Lorentz formulation of electromagnetism (linked to Lorentz transformations that entail local times), in order to elucidate whether the space-time to which the SRT leads us is a mere mathematical artifice or an inescapable reality.

New ways of generating energy are currently being discussed, with a transition from traditional primary sources to more environmentally friendly options, particularly renewables. Energy storage is also closely related to this transition. Battery storage currently dominates this area. However, flywheel energy storage system (FESS) technology offers an alternative that uses stored kinetic energy to be transformed into mechanical energy and, using a motor-generator, electrical energy. FESS technology is thus flexible and can be applied in different industrial applications. The management of the technology of recycling W-MMC waste material from other products and the subsequent trial production of high-strength W-MMC material with a density of more than 17 500 kg/m3 from recycled powders allowed to test the limits of the so-called "heavy" flywheels used in rotor production. Materials with densities ≥ 7 800 kg/m3, and operating at lower to medium speeds up to 20 000 rpm. The results achieved lead to the conclusion that the developed recycled materials of the W-MMC type with a density ≥ 17 500 kg/m3, with a yield strength of 1 200 - 1 700 MPa depending on the production method, can be used as a substitute for the structural steels used today, without an enforced reduction of the maximum allowed rotor speed due to exceeding the maximum allowed stress.

We report on recent experimental results on β decay into self-conjugate (N=Z) nuclei with mass number 58≤A≤70. Super-allowed β decays from the Jπ=0+ ground state of a Z=N+2 parent nucleus are to the isobaric analogue state, through so-called Fermi transitions, and to Jπ=1+ states, by way of Gamow–Teller (GT) transitions. The operator of the latter decay is a generator of Wigner’s SU(4) algebra and as a consequence GT transitions obey selection rules associated with this symmetry. Since SU(4) is progressively broken with increasing A, mainly as a consequence of the spin–orbit interaction, this symmetry is not relevant for the nuclei considered here. We argue, however, that the pseudo-spin–orbit splitting can be small in nuclei with 58≤A≤70, in which case nuclear states exhibit an approximate pseudo-SU(4) symmetry. To test this conjecture, GT decay strength is calculated with use of a schematic Hamiltonian with pseudo-SU(4) symmetry. Some generic features of the GT β decay due to pseudo-SU(4) symmetry are pointed out. The experimentally observed GT strength indicates a restoration of pseudo-SU(4) symmetry for A=70.

Right atrial isomerism (RAI) is a complex entity whose treatment and outcome are heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to analyze the results obtained after cardiac surgery in patients with RAI. A retrospective study was conducted; it included patients diagnosed with RAI who underwent cardiac surgery; their follow-up was from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2020. Demographic characteristics and perioperative conditions were described. Thirty-eight patients with RAI were included, the median age was 4 years (IQR 2-9.2), and 57.9% were men. The main diagnoses were atrioventricular canal (63.2%) and pulmonary stenosis (55.3%). The most common surgical procedures were modified Blalock‐Taussig shunt (65.8%) and total cavopulmonary connection with an extracardiac conduit fenestrated without cardiopulmonary bypass (15.9%). The use of inhaled nitric oxide was a marker of postoperative mortality in critically ill patients (OR: 10.33; 95% CI: 1.04 - 102.08; p = 0.02). The overall survival was 86.8%, with a better outcome in those who did not require reintubation (Log Rank, p < 0.01). The survival of RAI was similar to other centers of reference. Individuals with RAI should be evaluated rigorously to determine an adequate repair strategy, considering high morbidity and mortality.

This paper offers insights into the nexus of youth, masculinity and right-wing populism in Australia. Here we make reference to a wide body of international literature on the topic. There is some affinity between disenfranchised (white) working-class young men and the radical right. Survey data were collected for a project on masculinity and the far right in Australia. 203 young men worked primarily in “blue collar” sectors of the Australian labour force. Some survey responses locate them partly or potentially within the field of the populist right-wing, with many expressing anti-government sentiments and the discourse of white male victimhood. The majority were nostalgic for stereotypical masculinity. While right-wing populist movements across the world certainly differ, they often share a discourse promoting traditional gender roles.

Responding to the substantial finance gap for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 and 6.2, the Water and Sanitation sector has mobilized to launch new blended finance vehicles with increasing frequency. The sustainability and scale-up of financial solutions is intended to support increased access to unserved, marginalized populations. However, without addressing foundational issues in the sector, any finance mechanism, whether public, private or blended, will be a short-term, band-aid solution and the sector will continue the cycle of dependency on external assistance. This paper presents the results of a collaborative effort of Water.org, IRC WASH and the World Bank Water Global Practice. Drawing from the latest research on effective public financial management and based on evidence from the countries where these organizations work, the paper demonstrates that sustainable success in mobilising finance at large scale is dependent on a reasonable level of performance across 10 foundational areas. The paper presents evidence on the 10 foundational areas and discusses why other aspects of finance and governance while necessary are not sufficient. Better coordination amongst all development partners and governments, including a collective commitment to and prioritization of working on these foundational issues, is a necessary first step.

The time required to reach a correct diagnosis is one of the most important problems for rare disease (RD) patients. Diagnostic delay can be intolerably long, to the point that it is usually described as a “diagnostic odyssey” and, sometimes, a diagnosis might never occur. The International Rare Disease Research Consortium proposed, as ultimate goal for 2017-2027, to enable all people with a suspected RD to be diagnosed within one year if the disorder is known, and to enter a globally coordinated diagnostic and research pipeline for the unsolved cases. In-depth analysis of the genotype through next generation sequencing, together with a standardized in-depth phenotype description and sophisticated high-throughput approaches, have been applied as diagnostic tools to increase the chance of a timely and accurate diagnosis. This approach is very fruitful as, according to the Orphanet database, from 2010 to March 2017 more than 600 new RDs have been described and about 3600 genes linked to RDs have been identified. However, combination of -omics and phenotype data and international sharing of this information raise ethical concerns. Values to be assessed include not only patient autonomy but also family implications, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, solidarity and reciprocity, which must be respected and promoted and, at the same time, balanced among each other. In this work we suggest that, to maximise patients involvement in the search for a diagnosis and identification of new causative genes, undiagnosed patients should have the possibility to: 1) actively participate in the description of their phenotype; 2) choose the level of visibility of their profile in matchmaking databases; 3) express their preferences regarding return of new findings, in particular which level of Variant of Unknown Significance (VUS) significance should be considered relevant to them. The quality of the relation between individual patients and physicians, and between the patient community and the scientific community is critically important for making the best use of available data and combining efforts in the search for matches with similar cases worldwide that will help to solve unsolved cases. The contribution of patients to collecting and coding data comprehensively is critical for efficient use of data downstream of data collection.

The unexploited unification of general relativity and quantum physics is a painstaking issue that prevents physicists to properly understanding the whole of Nature. Here we propose a pure mathematical approach that introduces the problem in terms of group theory. Indeed, we build a cyclic groupoid (a nonempty set with a binary operation defined on it) that encompasses both the theories as subsets, making it possible to join together two of their most dissimilar experimental results, i.e., the commutativity detectable in our macroscopic relativistic world and the noncommutativity detectable in the quantum, microscopic world. This approach, combined with the Connes fusion operator, leads to a mathematical framework useful in the investigation of relativity/quantum mechanics relationships.

In this paper, based on the pseudo-totem pole (PTP) circuit, a family of five-level PTP dual boost converters (PDBC) is proposed. Dual boost converter has some unique advantages such as no bridge arm shoot-through risk and no switch body diode reverse recovery problem, so that it has a good application prospect. Compared with conventional three-level PTP converters, PDBCs has higher power density, higher efficiency, and low voltage and current stress. The topological derivation process, working principle, modulation and strategy of the topology are analyzed firstly. Further, the number of power devices, the switches voltage and current stress of the proposed topology is analyzed. Finally, a representative five-level PDBC experimental prototype is designed with AC input 220V/50Hz, DC output 400V/1kW, and peak efficiency of 98.27%. The experimental results show that the five-level PDBC proposed in this paper has higher efficiency and verify the correctness of the topology.

Ofloxacin is a highly efficient and widely used antibiotic drug. It is classified as a refractory pollutant due to its poor biodegradability. Consequently, it is commonly found in water sources, requiring efficient methods for its removal. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) offer efficient alternatives since those yield complete degradation not achieved in adsorption or membrane processes. Previous studies suggest ofloxacin degradation follows a pseudo-first or -second order processes, whereas for full removal of refractory pollutants – lower pseudo-orders are required. Monitoring the actual “pseudo-order” degradation kinetics of ofloxacin is needed to evaluate any proposed AOP process. This study presents a simple procedure to evaluate pseudo-orders of AOPs. Photolysis of 20 mM ofloxacin solutions follow pseudo-zero order kinetics, with half-life times (t_1/2) of approx. 60 min. TiO₂ heterogenous catalyst show to have no influence at low concentration (0.2 mg L^-1) but a significant reduction of half-life time (t_1/2 = 20 min) and increase in pseudo-order (0.8) is measured at 2.0 mg L^-1. Similar results are obtained with homogenous catalysis by 2.0 mg L^-1 H₂O₂. The combination of H₂O₂ and TiO₂ catalysts shows additional reduction in half-time life with increase in the pseudo-order to 1.2. The conclusions are (1) heterogenous and homogenous photocatalysis can effectively degrade ofloxacin, (2) combined photocatalysis yields higher pseudo-order, being less prone to achieve full removal, (3) analysis of specific pseudo-orders in AOPs of refractory pollutants helps to further elucidate the efficiency of the processes.

Background Acute right heart failure (RHF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) is now part of the advanced management strategy for refractory cardiogenic shock (CS). Among such support systems, VA-ECMO remains the fastest MCS system to set up. The ProtekDuo cannula can be used as a temporary and percutaneous right ventricular assist device (RVAD) in relay with VA-ECMO in the context of prolonged weaning. Case Summary This case report describes the clinical course of a 69-year-old patient who underwent elective aortic valve replacement surgery complicated by acute RHF due to iatrogenic ligation of the right coronary artery. VA-ECMO was initiated in the context of refractory cardiogenic shock. Faced with prolonged MCS weaning, due to lack of recovery of the right ventricle associated with the absence of any other therapeutic option, a percutaneous RVAD via a ProtekDuo cannula was implanted as a bridge to recovery. The ProtekDuo was gradually weaned while the patient began rehabilitation. The patient was transferred to the medical ward after 5 weeks in the ICU, stayed 5 months in an acute medical setting, went to a rehabilitation center afterward and returned home 6 months after the initial surgery without any neurological sequalae or organ failures. In total, she remained on MCS for 39 days (21 on VA-ECMO and 18 on ProtekDuo). Discussion In cases of refractory RHF, after stabilization and organ perfusion restoration under VA-ECMO, it is feasible to switch to a percutaneous RVAD, allowing early mobilization of patients during prolonged MCS weaning until the right ventricle adapts to new loading conditions.

In response to various stressors, cardiac chambers undergo structural remodeling. Long-term exposure of the right ventricle (RV) to pressure or volume overload leads to its maladaptive remodeling, associated with RV failure and increased mortality. While left ventricular adverse remodeling is well understood and therapeutic options are available or emerging, RV remodeling remains underexplored and no specific therapies are currently available. Accumulating evidence implicates a role of mast cells in RV remodeling. Mast cells produce and release numerous inflammatory mediators, growth factors and proteases that can adversely affect cardiac cells, thus contributing to cardiac remodeling. Recent experimental findings suggest that mast cells might represent a potential therapeutic target. This review examines the role of mast cells in cardiac remodeling with specific focus on RV remodeling and explores the potential efficacy of therapeutic interventions targeting mast cells to mitigate adverse RV remodeling.

In order to study the way how to improve the spatial action of precast monolithic composite floor slabs, and would replace the cast-in-place surface layer for reduce the weight of structure, using pseudo-dynamic tests on 1/4 scale models of two-span and three-story frame structure. The lateral load tests compared the stresses and displacements with cast-in-place floor frame-shear wall structure (SJ1) and precast monolithic floor frame-shear wall structure with X horizontal braces at the bottom of the floor (SJ2). The results show the X horizontal braces can improve the spatial action. Structural integrity (SJ2) as well as the effective transmission of the horizontal force can be ensured by additional X bracing at the bottom of the rigidity of the floor without cast-in-place concrete topping. The results show that X horizontal braces more effectively transfer horizontal, which provides a beneficial reference for similar research.

We obtain some generalised Minkowski-type integral formulas for compact Riemannian (resp. spacelike) hypersurfaces in Riemannian (resp. Lorentzian) manifolds admitting an arbitrary vector field that we assume to be timelike in the case where the ambient space is Lorentzian. Some of these formulas generalize existing formulas in the case of conformal and Killing vector fields. We apply these integral formulas to obtain interesting results concerning the characterization of such hypersurfaces in some particular cases such as when the ambient space is Einstein admitting an arbitrary (in particular, conformal or Killing) vector field, and when the hypersurface has constant mean curvature.

This works is related to the modeling of cellulose pyrolysis with a pseudo equilibrium approach. The objective is to model the kinetics of the cellulose pyrolysis with a semi-global mechanism obtained from the literature, in order to obtain the yield and the rate of formation of char. The pseudo equilibrium sense consists in the supposition that the solid phase devolatilization can be described kinetically - at finite rate - , preserving the competitive characteristic between the production of char and tar, while the gas phase can be described by means of chemical equilibrium. A set of ordinary, linear and non linear, differential equations was obtained and solved numerically with a simple but consistent scheme using the Totally Implicit Euler method. Chemical equilibrium was solved using CANTERA coupled with a code written in Matlab. Results showed that the scheme preserve the tar-gas competitive characteristic for cellulose pyrolysis. The gas phase, is defined as a mixture of CO₂, CO, H₂O, CH₄, H₂ and N₂ showed similarly composition compared with models from literature. Finally, the extension of the model to biomass in general, is straightforward, in order to include the hemicellulose and lignin.

Non-standard diesel blends can be harmful to the environment and human health. In this context, a simple analytical method to estimate the biodiesel mixture ratio in diesel was developed based on the impedance spectroscopy (IS) associated with the interdigitated sensors. In this article, four different interdigitated sensors, variable comb spacing (G), were simulated using the COMSOL Multiphysics software. Based on finite element simulations, four interdigitated electrode architectures by manufactured and evaluated. According to the X-ray powder diffraction technique, the deposition of the conductive layer (Au°) over the surface of the dielectric substrate (SiO2) did not alter its phase composition. In the analysis of AFM and SEM, it was possible to observe irregular edges on the electrodes, possibly related to thin layers' manufacturing process and mechanical stability. Another characteristic observed in the AFM images was the height of the step of the gold layer of the sensor. Several cross-sections were obtained, and the mean step value is 225.71 ± 0.0032 nm. Although there are differences in the roughness, the whole sensor has nanometric roughness. Based on the finite element method simulation performed, it can be assumed that the geometric parameters more suitable for the manufacturing of the electrode are: W = 20 µm, L = 1000 µm, G = 50 µm e N = 40 digits. The electrical characterization performed by impedance spectroscopy showed that we could differentiate between biodiesel and diesel fuels and their pseudo-binary mixtures in the low-frequency region.

Deep learning models are part of the family of artificial neural networks and, as such, it suffers of catastrophic interference when they learn sequentially. In addition, most of these models have a rigid architecture which prevents the incremental learning of new classes. To overcome these drawbacks, in this article we propose the Self-Improving Generative Artificial Neural Network (SIGANN), a type of end-to-end Deep Neural Network system which is able to ease the catastrophic forgetting problem when leaning new classes. In this method, we introduce a novelty detection model to automatically detect samples of new classes, moreover an adversarial auto-encoder is used to produce samples of previous classes. This system consists of three main modules: a classifier module implemented using a Deep Convolutional Neural Network, a generator module based on an adversarial autoencoder; and a novelty detection module, implemented using an OpenMax activation function. Using the EMNIST data set, the model was trained incrementally, starting with a small set of classes. The results of the simulation show that SIGANN is able to retain previous knowledge with a gradual forgetfulness for each learning sequence. Moreover, SIGANN can detect new classes that are hidden in the data and, therefore, proceed with incremental class learning.

In the framework of a multiplicative metric space. We have discuss some Properties of convex structures in pseudo multiplicative metric space and have applied these properties toiobtain alfixed point results in complete pseudo. It would be interesting to prove some further results in such metric spaces with completeness property.

Background: Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays a leading role in this clinical context. Diastolic dysfunction may be predisposed by increased abdominal fat and, consequently, increased pericardial and epicardial adiposity. This study aimed to determine whether pericardial and epicardial fat are associated with left ventricular diastolic function. Methods: 82 patients had their abdominal circumference measured and underwent transthoracic echocardiography to measure the thickness of pericardial and epicardial fat and assess the left ventricular diastolic function. Two groups were created based on mean pericardial fat thickness (4.644 mm) and were related to abdominal circumference and echocardiographic parameters. Results: Subjects in the PF High group showed a significant decrease in septal e' (p&lt;0.0001), lateral e' (p&lt;0.0001) and E/A ratio (p=0.003) and a significant increase in E/e' ratio (p&lt;0. 0001), E wave deceleration time (p=0. 013), left atrial volume (p&lt;0.0001), LV mass (p=0.003), tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (p&lt;0.0001) and LV diameter (p=0.014) compared to the PF Low group. Conclusions: Measurement of abdominal circumference, pericardial and epicardial fat is an early indicator of diastolic changes with transthoracic echocardiography being the gold standard exam.

In patients with atrial fibrillation, the left atrial appendage may serve as the site of thrombus formation due to stasis that occurs within the appendage because of its shape and trabeculations. Although thrombus formation can be reduced with anticoagulants, this may be contraindicated in some patients. The need for a better alternative treatment prompted study of left atrial appendage occlusion for thromboembolism prophylaxis. Due to this, procedures that excise or occlude the left atrial appendage have gained attention because of its ability to prevent thromboembolic events. This article provides a comprehensive review of the left atrial appendage and its associated procedures' clinical utility.

The automatic diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases has received much attention in the deep learning field. In this context, the segmentation of the left ventricle endocardium constitutes a major task in diagnosing heart conditions such as health failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The objective of this paper is to propose a "deep convolution network" for segmenting the internal cavity of the left ventricle (endocardium) using MRI images. In particular, we design an improved UNET model which handles additional inception modules for efficiently segmenting the internal cavity of the left ventricle. Our approach has been validated on the Sunnybrook Cardiac Data (SCD) dataset and has showed promising results in terms of precision. More specifically, the improved UNET largely outperforms the baseline UNET model and many existing state-of-the-art methods.

Embryologically, the left brachiocephalic vein (LBV) originates as an anastomotic channel between the right and left anterior cardinal veins 1 . This positions the LBV between the manubrium sterni anteriorly and the innominate artery posteriorly 2 . This pattern of adjacency of the aorta to the LBV is unique to mammals and results from a quirk of evolution 3 . With age, the ascending aorta unfolds, elongates and dilates 4 . Simultaneously, there is a change in the thoracic geometry that reduces the thoracic volume primarily from disc height loss and kyphosis 5 . These transitions progressively compress the LBV. Normally this compression is circumvented via collateral pathways and "Blood finds a way" 6 . However, traversing these circuitous pathways comes at a cost and can result in delayed transit times and venous congestion. While it is possible that compression of the LBV in the setting of adequate collateral channels may fail to provoke any pathologic sequelae, we propose a phenomenon in which such compression in the setting of inadequate collateral circulation may lead to a state of pathologic venous congestion. This anatomic anomaly and its associated clinical features, if identified, can offer a new avenue for treatment options for some of the hitherto unexplained neurologic disorders.

Retroaortic left renal veins are an often overlooked, but no so rare anatomic anomaly that might cause a few aspecific symptoms and signs, especially flank or inguinal pain, microscopic or even gross hematuria; in the vast majority of cases it is, thought, totally asymptomatic. The nutcracker syndrome that might arise in the case of RLRV is mainly due to the re- duced space between aorta and the vertebral body and the consequent compression on the venal rein; this might in turn cause upstream hypertension, hematuria, varicocele, pain. The compression of RLRV leads to hematuria because of renal venous hypertension, consequent left renal congestion. This upstream venous congestion might result, in some cases, in left-sided varicocele in men and pelvic congestion syndrome in women. From a radiologic point of view, the presence of RLRV and the precise reporting its subtypes is mandatory.

Spatial attentional biases can be observed during the processing of linguistic material. For example, we previously reported that healthy subjects overestimate the semantic distance between word stimuli in the right vs left space. Here we explored whether attentional biases are also observed in tasks requiring evaluation of phonological distance between words in the right and left hemispace. Forty-one healthy subjects were presented with triplets of words arranged in space and were asked to indicate the side of space in which the phonological distance between the middle word and an outer word was smaller. In Experiment 1 real words and pseudowords were used, while in Experiment 2 only pseudowords and consonant strings were used. Subjects overestimated the phonological distance between the middle and outer words in the right space. These findings were specific to word stimuli. These results are consistent with the idea that semantic and phonological information may be internally mapped onto spatial representations.

Building outlines extracted from remote sensing images and raster maps often have irregular boundaries, redundant points, inaccurate positions, and unclear turns due to factors such as image quality, complexity of the surrounding environment, and extraction methods. This study proposes a regularization algorithm for right-angled polygon building outlines with jagged edges. First, the minimum bounding rectangle of the building outline is established and populated with a square grid based on the smallest visible length principle. An overlay analysis is then applied to the grid and original building to extract the turning points of the outline. Finally, the building orientation is used as a reference axis to sort the turning points and reconstruct the simplified building outline. Analysis of the experimental results shows that the proposed simplification method enhances the morphological characteristics of building outlines, such as parallelism and orthogonality, while considering simplification principles, such as the preservation of direction, position, area, and shape of the building. The proposed algorithm provides a new regularization method for building outlines with jagged edges.

The concept of DC power distribution has gained interest within the research community in the past years; especially due to rapid prevalence of solar PVs as a tool for distributed generation in DC microgrids. Various efficiency analyses have been presented for the DC distribution paradigm, in comparison to the AC counterpart, considering a variety of scenarios. However, even after a number of such comparative efficiency studies, there seems to be a disparity in the results of research efforts - wherein a definite verdict is still unavailable: 'Is DC distribution a more efficient choice as compared to the conventional AC system?' A final verdict is absent primarily due to conflicting results. In this regard, system modeling and the assumptions made in different studies play a significant role in affecting the results of the study. The current paper is an attempt to critically observe the modeling and assumptions used in the efficiency studies related to the DC distribution system. Several research efforts will be analyzed for their approach towards the system upon which they have performed efficiency studies. Subsequently, the paper aims to propose a model that may alleviate the shortcomings in earlier research efforts and be able to give a definite verdict regarding the comparative efficiency of DC and AC networks for residential power distribution.

Urban tree classification is pivotal in urban planning and management, facilitating informed decision-making processes. In this study, we introduce a novel data presentation method termed Pseudo Tree Crown, designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of urban tree classification. Leveraging the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), we employ a state-of-the-art classification scheme, PyTorch, to maximize the accuracy of tree classification. Our results demonstrate a robust classification accuracy of over 95% from high spatial resolution imagery from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), underscoring our proposed approach’s effectiveness. Moreover, the adaptability of our method renders it applicable to various study areas, highlighting its versatility and potential for widespread implementation in urban planning and management initiatives.

The inherent dependency of deep learning models to labeled data is a well-known problem and one of the barriers that slows down the integration of such methods into different fields of applied sciences and engineering, in which experimental and numerical methods can easily generate a colossal amount of unlabeled data. This paper proposes an unsupervised domain adaptation methodology that mimics the peer review process to label new observations in a different domain from the training set. The approach evaluates the validity of a hypothesis using domain knowledge acquired from the training set through a similarity analysis, exploring the projected feature space to examine the class centroid shifts. The methodology is tested on a binary classification problem, where synthetic images of cubes and cylinders in different orientations are generated. The methodology improves the accuracy of the object classifier from 60% to around 90% in the case of a domain shift in physical feature space without human labeling.

Ensuring the integrity of scientific literature is essential for advancing knowledge and research. However, the credibility and trustworthiness of scholarly publications are compromised by manipulated citations. Traditional methods, such as manual inspection and basic statistical analyses, have limitations in detecting intricate patterns and subtle manipulations of citations. In recent years, network-based approaches have emerged as promising techniques for identifying and understanding citation manipulation. This study introduces a novel method to identify potential citation manipulation in academic papers using perturbations of a deep embedding model. The key idea is to reconstruct meaningful connections represented by citations within a network by exploring slightly longer alternative paths. These indirect pathways enable the recovery of original and reliable citations while estimating their trustworthiness. The investigation takes a comprehensive approach to link prediction, leveraging the consistent behavior of prominent connections when exposed to network perturbations. Through numerical experiments, the method demonstrates a high capability to identify reliable citations as the core of the analyzed data and to raise suspicions about unreliable references that may have been manipulated.

Bacteria develop various defense mechanisms against stresses, including the bacteriophage infection. The giant phiKZ phage infection induced the appearance of a pseudo-nucleus inside the bacterial cytoplasm. Here, we used FISH, electron tomography and analytical electron microscopy to study the morphology of this unique nucleus-like shell and to demonstrate the distribution of phiKZ and bacterial DNA in infected P. aeruginosa cells. The maturation of the pseudo-nucleus was traced in short intervals for 40 min after infection. This study was accompanied by the identification of phiKZ and bacterial DNA by real-time RCR. We demonstrated that phage DNA that isolated from the cytoplasm during all infection stages were compacted within the pseudo-nucleus in a specific structure. Bacterial DNA was diminished in the course of infection, but did not completely degrade until at least 40 min after phage application. The content of the total phage DNA, on the other hand, increased. EDX analysis confirmed these results and revealed that, during the infection, Sulfur content in the bacterial cytoplasm increased, which suggests the increase of DNA-binding Met-reach proteins synthesis, which could protect bacterial DNA from stress.

-529391451442Citation: To be added by editorial staff during production. Academic Editor: Firstname Lastname Received: date Revised: date Accepted: date Published: date Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).0Citation: To be added by editorial staff during production. Academic Editor: Firstname Lastname Received: date Revised: date Accepted: date Published: date Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Abstract: SARS-CoV-2 vaccination offered the opportunity to get out of the pandemic and thereby worldwide health, social, and economic disasters. However, in addition to efficacy, safety is an important issue for any vaccine. The mRNA-based vaccine platform is considered to be safe but side effects are being reported more frequently as more and more people around the world become treated. Myo-pericarditis is the major, but not the only cardiovascular complication of this vaccine, hence it is important not to underestimate other side effects. We report a case series of patients affected by cardiac arrhythmias post mRNA vaccine from our clinical practice and the literature. Reviewing the official vigilance database emerged that heart rhythm disorders after Covid vaccination are not uncommon and deserve more clinical and scientific attention. Since Covid vaccine is the only vaccination to have been related to this side effect questions arose about whether these vaccines could affect heart conduction. Although the risk-benefit is clearly in favor of vaccination heart rhythm disorders are not a negligible issue and there are red flags in the literature about the risk of post-vaccination malignant arrhythmias in some predisposed patients. In light of these findings, we investigated the potential mechanism for the Covid vaccine to impact on cardiac electrophysiology and cause heart rhythm disorders.

Although working memory (WM) is crucial for intellectual abilities, not much is known about its brain underpinnings, especially the structural connectivity. We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to look across the whole brain for the white matter integrity correlates of the individual differences in the reading span (verbal WM capacity during reading) in healthy adults. Right-handed healthy native Russian speakers (N = 67) underwent DTI on a 3T Philips Ingenia scanner. Verbal WM was assessed with the Daneman-Carpenter reading span test (Russian version). Fractional anisotropy maps from each participant were entered into the group tract-based spatial statistics analysis with the reading span as a covariate; the results were TFCE-corrected. After taking into account effects of age, sex, education and handedness, reading span positively correlated with the white matter integrity in multiple sites: the body, the genu and the splenium of corpus callosum; bilateral corona radiata (anterior, posterior, and superior); bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus; several tracts in the right hemisphere only, including the internal and external capsule; bilateral superior parietal and frontal white matter. Although the left hemisphere is central for verbal processing, we revealed the important role of the right hemisphere white matter for the verbal WM capacity. Our finding indicates that larger verbal working memory span may originate from additional processing resources of the right hemisphere.

Recently, during the last century, Communication & Information revolution caused an essential dynamic in society, especially in legal issues, This dynamic development of information data through this web, it has an essential effect upon the way of civil treatment, which then called "electronic agreements". The industrial and technological development lad to obvious changes in producing processes either for goods or services and then its distributing methods, through using modern media channels, but this factor has a negative side because there is no legal protection for the contractors. This fact leads to the necessity of publishing certain conditions to protect consumers.

This paper considers a non-mixture cure model for right censored data. It utilizes the maximum likelihood method to estimate model parameters in the non-mixture cure model. The simulation study is based on Fréchet susceptible distribution to evaluate the performance of the method. Comparing with Weibull and exponentiated exponential distributions, the non-mixture Fréchet distribution is shown to be the best in modeling a real data on allogeneic marrow HLA-matched donors and ECOG phase III clinical trial e1684 data.

Recently, there has been considerable research on deepfake detection. However, most existing methods face challenges in adapting to the advancements in new generative models within unknown domains. In addition, the emergence of new generative models capable of producing and editing high-quality images, such as Diffusion, Consistency, and LCM, poses a challenge for traditional deepfake training models. These advancements highlight the need for adapting and evolving existing deepfake detection techniques to effectively counter the threats posed by sophisticated image manipulation technologies. In this paper, our objective is to detect deepfake videos in unknown domains using unlabeled data. Specifically, our proposed approach employs Meta Pseudo Labels (MPL) with Supervised Contrastive Learning, so-called SupCon-MPL, allowing the model to be trained on unlabeled images. MPL involves the simultaneous training of both a Teacher model and a Student model, where the Teacher model generates Pseudo Labels utilized to train the Student model. This method aims to enhance the adaptability and robustness of deepfake detection systems against emerging unknown domains. Supervised Contrastive Learning utilizes labels to compare samples within similar classes more intensively, while encouraging greater distinction from samples in dissimilar classes. This facilitates the learning of features in a diverse set of deepfake images by the model, consequently contributing to the performance of deepfake detection in unknown domains. When utilizing the ResNet50 model as the backbone, SupCon-MPL exhibited an improvement of 1.58% in accuracy compared to traditional MPL in known domain detection. Moreover, in the same generation of unknown domain detection, there was a 1.32% accuracy enhancement, while in the detection of post-generation unknown domains, there was an 8.74% increase in accuracy.

Highly-resolved data on water balance components (like runoff or storage) are crucial to improve water management, e.g., in drought or flood situations. Because regional observations of these components cannot be acquired adequately, applying water balance models is a feasible solution. We developed an innovative approach using the physically-based lumped-parameter water balance model BROOK90 (R version) integrated into a sensor network platform to derive daily water budget components for catchments in the Free State of Saxony. The model is not calibrated but rather uses available information on soil, land use and precipitation only. We applied the hydro response units (HRUs) approach for 6175 small and medium-sized catchments. For the evaluation, model output was cross-evaluated in ten selected head catchments in a low mountain range in Saxony. The mean values of Kling-Gupta efficiency (KGE) for the period 2005-2019 to these catchments are 0.63 and 0.75 for daily and monthly discharge simulations, respectively. The simulated evapotranspiration and soil wetness are in good agreement with the SMAP_L4_GPH product in April 2015-2018. The study can be enhanced by using different data platforms as well as available information on study sites.

One of the most important component of a Geographic Information Retrieval (GIR) is the geoparser, which performs toponym recognition, disambiguation, and geographic coordinate resolution from unstructured text domain. However, news articles which report several events across many place references mentioned in the document is not yet adequately modeled by regular geoparser types where the scope of resolution is either on toponym-level or document-level. The capacity to detect multiple events, geolocate its true locations and coordinates along with their numerical arguments are still missing from modern geoparsers, much less in Indonesian news corpora domain. We propose a novel type event geoparser which integrates an ACE-based event extraction model and provides precise event-level scope resolution. The geoparser casts the geotagging and event extraction as sequence labeling and uses Conditional Random Field with keywords feature obtained using Aggregated Topic Model as a semantic exploration from large corpus, which eventually increases the generalizability of the model. The geoparser also use Smallest Administrative Level feature along with Spatial Minimality-derived algorithm to improve the identification of Pseudo-location entities, resulting 19.4% increase for weighted F1 score. As a side effect of event extraction, the geoparser also extracts various numerical arguments and able to generate thematic choropleth map from a single news story.

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is a dynamic process which is characterized by abnormal LV wall thickness and altered myocardial geometry, and it is considered as a negative prognostic factor in both heart failure with reduced eject fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved eject fraction (HFpEF). Hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are strongly correlated with the development and the progression of LV remodeling, LV hypertrophy and LV systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction. Indeed, the beneficial impact of exercise training on primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been well-established. Recent studies highlight that exercise training enhances functional capacity, muscle strength and endurance, cardiac function and cardiac-related biomarkers, among patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) or HF, thus improving substantially their cardiovascular prognosis, survival rates and needs for rehospitalization. Therefore, in this review article, we discuss the evidence of LV remodeling in patients with cardiometabolic risk factors, such as hypertension, T2D, obesity, and also highlight the current studies evaluating the effect of exercise training on LV remodeling in these patients.

In the present work, the charged dark matters of B1, B2 and B3 bastons are explained as the right-handed partners of the left-handed neutrinos. The new Higgs mechanism of SU(2)_DM×SU(2)_Weak×SU(2)_Strong including electromagnetic and gravitational forces is applied. And the rest masses of the elementary particles depend on their charge configurations. The left-handed neutrinos have only the lepton charges (LC) and the right-handed dark matters have only the electric charges (EC). This explains the fact that the rest masses of the left-handed neutrinos are so small, and the rest masses of the right-handed dark matters are relatively very large. The proposed rest mass (26.12 eV/c²) of the B1 dark matter is indirectly confirmed from the supernova 1987A data. The missing neutrinos are newly explained by using the dark matters and lepton charge force. The neutrino excess anomaly of the MinibooNE data is explained by the B1 dark matter scattering within the Cherenkov detectors. The quark mixing and neutrino mixing are not required in the present model. It is shown that our matter universe and its partner antimatter universe can be created from the big bang in the point of view of time -, charge -, space -, and quantum state – symmetric universe evolution.

Aortic rupture is known as one of the potential causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes. Nevertheless, adaptation strategies for aortic root dilation in athletes vary. The purpose of this study was to investigate aortic root adaptation to physical workload and to determine if aortic root’s and left ventricle sizes are contingent upon the physical workload. Echocardiography was applied to 151 subjects to measure the aortic root at aortic valve annulus (AA) and at sinus of Valsalva (VS). 122 were athletes (41 females and 81 males) and 29 were non-athletes (14 females and 15 males). Of the 41 female athletes, 32 were endurance athletes, and 9 strength athletes. From 81 male athletes, 56 were endurance athletes, and 25 were strength athletes. AA and VS mean values for the body surface area were presented as rAA and rVS. Left ventricle (LV) meaures incuded LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), interventricular septum thickness in diastole (IVSTd), LV posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWTd), LV mass (LVM), LV mass index, LV end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDI). Results indicated that VS was higher in female athletes (28.9±2.36mm) than in non-athletes (27.19±2.87mm, p=0.03). On the other hand, rAA was higher in strength athletes (12.19±1.48mm/m2) than in endurance athletes (11.12±0.99mm/m2, p=0.04). Additionally, rVS and rAA were higher in female strength athletes (17.19±1.78mm/m2, 12.19±1.48mm/m2) than female basketball players (15.49±1.08mm/m2, p=0.03, 10.75±1.06 mm/m2, p=0.02). Statistically significant positive moderate correlations were found between VS and LVEDD, LVM, IVSTd, LVPWTd, rVS and LVEDDI parameters in all athletes. The diameter of Valsalva sinus was greater in female athletes compared to non-athletes. The rAA mean value for body surface area was greater in female athletes practising strength sports as compared to their counterparts who were practising endurance sports. The diameter of the aortic root at sinuses positively correlated with the LV size in all athletes. Trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03656861, September 3, 2018 (retrospectively registered).

Computer simulation of normal and diseased human heart activity requires a 3D anatomical model of the myocardium, including myofibres. For clinical applications, such a model has to be constructed based on routine methods of cardiac visualisation such as sonography. Symmetrical models are shown to be too rigid, so an analytical non-symmetrical model with enough flexibility is necessary. Based on previously made anatomical models of the left ventricle, we propose a new, much more flexible spline-based analytical model. The model is fully described and verified against DT-MRI data. We show a way to construct it on the basis of sonography data. To use this model in further physiological simulations, we propose a numerical method to utilise finite differences in solving the reaction-diffusion problem together with an example of scroll wave dynamics simulation.

Ensuring bus priority is to improve traffic sustainability at the signalized intersection. To achieve this, the Bus Priority Lane (BPL) is adopted to provide exclusive right-of-way for buses. However, the BPL is underutilization if the frequency of buses is low. To address this issue, many studies focus on improving the BPL’s utilization efficiency by intermittently allowing general vehicles to access it. However, these studies still have some shortcomings: i) bus priority cannot be guaranteed if general vehicles run on the BPL; ii) the traffic system lacks resilience, especially when the traffic demand is unbalanced. This paper proposes a dynamic right-of-way allocation on the BPL considering traffic system resilience. On the one hand, it ensures absolute bus priority by controlling Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) to not interfere with buses. On the other hand, it can improve traffic system resilience by allocating right-of-way for CAVs with heavy turning-movement demand. To validate the effectiveness, the proposed control strategy is evaluated against the non-control baseline. Sensitivity analysis is conducted under seven unbalanced traffic demand levels, four congestion levels, and five CAV Penetration Rates. The results show that the proposed control strategy can ensure absolute bus priority and improve traffic efficiency and traffic system resilience.

Right heart masses are usually suspected during a routine examination by transthoracic echocardiography or due to cardiac symptoms. Although very important, sometimes it may be a challenge to differentiate between normal structures (variants) and aberrant or pathologic masses regarding the right heart cardiac tumors. In the last entity, the majority of primary cardiac tumors in adults and children are benign; however, they may have a malignant counterpart. Right heart tumors might involve not only the walls (myocardium, endocardium and pericardium), but also valves and cardiac chambers. Cardiac tumors exhibit altered signal intensity and enhancement characteristics, requiring the use of several imaging methods following a multimodality-imaging algorithm that culminates in the excision or biopsy of the tumor formation. Therefore, various imaging modalities, including echocardiography, computer tomography, positron emission tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy or, even, invasive angiography, can be useful during their diagnosis. Echocardiography is the first-line non-invasive imaging modality used in the evaluation of the right heart tumors. Before the other diagnosis imaging modalities it is essential for defining morphology, assessing size, observing dynamic appearance, and evaluating functional abnormalities and hemodynamic consequences,. However, all imaging methods have frequently a complementary role; therefore, an integrated imaging approach is recommended.

We extend the concept of metallic ratios to the real argument n considered as a dimension by analytic continuation showing that they are defined by an argument of a normalized complex number, and for rational n ≠ {0, ±2}, they are defined by Pythagorean triples. We further extend the concept of metallic ratios to metallic angles.

The concept of patient confidentiality is nearly as old as the practice of health professions and, has evolved and transformed over the years, from one jurisdiction to the other. Patient confidentiality can be a fundamental human right, an ethical duty or, a legal duty. The Saudi laws have evolved around its Shari’ah-based legal culture, its history and the international human right laws (IHRLs). These elements have moulded the Saudi Arabia’s unique perspective on patient confidentiality. Its confidentiality laws are found scattered in several legislations. Is the Saudi patient confidentiality law able to adequately deal with the contemporary challenges? The study reviewed the relevant Saudi laws in the light the International Humana Rights Laws. Findings suggest that there are issues bordering on the lack of quality comprehensive data protection laws, on clarity and foreseeability of the existing laws, and on the accessibility of the courts. Furthermore, the lack of a system of law reporting and stare decisis potentially gave the judges a wider latitude of discretion in interpreting the laws. Therefore, the study recommends for a comprehensive data protection law with a clear definition of “confidential information”, of data controllers and their role, and of specific safeguards against potential abuses. Others include defining legitimate purposes for using the patient’s data, and his role, and the extent to which he can control the use of his own data. Consistency in legal interpretations, and an improved law reporting system could positively enhance the overall outcome.

The lateral pressure generated by liquefied soil on pile is a critical parameter in the analysis of soil-pile interaction in liquefaction-susceptible sites. Previous studies have shown that liquefied sand behaves like a non-Newton fluid, and its effect on piles has rate-dependent properties. In this study, a simplified pseudo-static method for liquefiable soil-pile interaction analysis is proposed by treating the liquefied soil as a thixotropic fluid, which considers the rate-dependent behavior. The viscous shear force generated by the relative movement between the viscous fluid (whose viscosity coefficient varies with excess pore pressure and shear strain rate) and the pile was assumed to be the lateral load on the pile. The results from the simplified analysis show that the distribution of bending moment is in good agreement with experiments data. Besides, the effects of various parameters, including relative density, thickness ratio of non-liquefiable layer to liquefiable layer, and frequency of input ground motion, on the pile-soil rate-dependent interaction were discussed in detail.

Generative models for images, audio, text and other low-dimension data have achieved great success in recent years. Generating artificial human movements can also be useful for many applications, including improvement of data augmentation methods for human gesture recognition. The object of this research is to develop a generative model for skeletal human movement, allowing to control the action type of generated motion while keeping the authenticity of the result and the natural style variability of gesture execution. We propose to use a conditional Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network (DC-GAN) applied to pseudo-images representing skeletal pose sequences using Tree Structure Skeleton Image format. We evaluate our approach on the 3D-skeleton data provided in the large NTU RGB+D public dataset. Our generative model can output qualitatively correct skeletal human movements for any of its 60 action classes. We also quantitatively evaluate the performance of our model by computing Frechet Inception Distances, which shows strong correlation to human judgement. Up to our knowledge, our work is the first successful class-conditioned generative model for human skeletal motions based on pseudo-image representation of skeletal pose sequences.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may be due to different causes, ranging from benign secondary forms to severe cardiomyopathies. Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) and ECG are the first level examination for LVH diagnosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) defines accurately LVH type, extent and severity. Objectives: to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of CMR in patients with TTE and/or ECG evidence of LVH. Methods: We performed CMR in 300 consecutive patients with echocardiographic and/or ECG signs of LVH. Results: Overall, 275 patients had TTE evidence of LVH with initial suspicion of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in 132 (44%), cardiac amyloidosis in 41 (14%), hypertensive LVH in 48 (16%), aortic stenosis in 4 (1%), undetermined LVH in 50(16%). The initial echocardiographic diagnostic suspicion of LVH was confirmed in 172 patients (57.3%) and changed in 128 patients (42.7%, p<0.0001): the diagnosis of HCM increased from 44% to 71% of patients; hypertensive and undetermined LVH decreased significantly (respectively to 4% and 5%). CMR allowed a diagnosis in 41 out of 50 (82%) with undetermined LVH at TTE. CMR also identified HCM in 17 out of 25 patients with apparently normal echo but with ECG criteria for LVH. Finally, the reclassification of the diagnosis by CMR was associated with a change of survival risk of patients: after CMR reclassification no events occurred in patients with undetermined or hypertensive LVH. Conclusions: CMR changed echocardiographic suspicion in almost half of patients with LVH. In the subgroup of patient with abnormal ECG, CMR identified LVH (particularly HCM) in 80% of patients. This study highlights the indication of CMR to better characterize the type, extent and severity of LVH detected at echocardiography and suspected with ECG.

Assessment of cardiac function is the leading parameter when evaluating the state of the cardiovascular system of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The aim of the paper: to assess the state of the cardiovascular system of these patients using new sensitive echocardiography and Doppler techniques and thus advance the prevention of cardiovascular disease.Method: Twenty children with end-stage renal insufficiency on chronic hemodialysis and twenty healthy controls underwent echocardiographic monitoring using standard Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. Structural and functional changes in the left ventricle were evaluated.Results: Patients on hemodialysis had significantly greater left ventricular mass indices compared to the controls (p<0.001). The patients on hemodialysis had preserved systolic function – their fractional shortening, ejection fraction and Sm (systolic myocardial velocity) did not differ significantly compared to the controls (p>0.05). Early diastolic function in children on hemodialysis was also preserved: the E/A and Em/Am ratio did not differ significantly from the control group (p>0.05). Children on hemodialysis exhibited impaired late diastolic function (compliance index), that is, considerably higher E/Em compared to controls (p<0.00). Myocardial Performance Index values showed statistically significant elevation in children on hemodialysis compared to the control group (p<0.001).Conclusion: Tissue Doppler in tandem with conventional Pulsed Doppler can provide additional information on left ventricular filling pressures (E/Em) in children on hemodialysis. It is therefore recommended to perform routine measuring of Em waves and the E/Em ratio, not only in order to evaluate myocardial relaxation and ventricular filling pressures, but primarily to stratify risk and provide a prognosis.

This article investigates the unexpected re-emergence of race in both the rhetoric and activities of the British radical-right. In doing so it seeks to better understand the reasons why race has re-emerged, how race has been contemporarily deployed by the radical-right, and the extent to which the re-emergence of race will force the radical right’s recent ideological focus on religion – more specifically, the religion of Islam and Muslims as adherents – begin to retreat. It does this first by setting out the methods and approaches used throughout. From here, necessary and appropriate context is provided about the British radical-right generally and the decades old ideological turn more specifically. Next, the circumstances and reasons for the re-emergence of race are critically engaged: focusing on the immediate aftermath of 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests as also the wider socio-political landscape of contemporary Britain. Taking into account both established and newly formed groups and movements from within the British radical right, the role and function played by race is considered next. As part of this, an in-depth analysis of the role and function of race in the rhetoric and activities of Patriotic Alternative is included. In conclusion, this article reflects on a number of arguments about why the re-emergence of race among the British radical-right is - albeit to varying degrees - a cause for concern.

The Chile-Peru subpopulation (CPe) of the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is classified as critically endangered following intense whaling in past centuries. Due to their very low abundance, information on breeding and feeding grounds is also scarce. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly applied in marine mammal research thanks to their low cost and relative ease of use. This case study documents a southern right whale nursing in Bahía Moreno (23ºS), Antofagasta, northern Chile, through high-resolution images taken by UAV of a lone adult in July 2019 and the same (photo-identified) whale with a neonate in August, confirming local parturition. Combined with earlier data we hypothesize that the Antofagasta Region may be a calving and nursing ground for the CPe subpopulation. Given the intense shipping traffic and fishing activities around the Mejillones Peninsula and Antofagasta port, priorly recommended marine spatial planning to help avoid net entanglements and vessel collisions of fin and humpback whales would also contribute to the conservation of the CPe stock of southern right whale.

Historically, 2020 will be remembered as the year of COVID-19 pandemic, that limited people move and their social habits. This virus, becomes the first daily tracked public health burden that leads to more than 1,2 million deaths in the World by the end of October 2020, and until now no countries' best control strategies are cited as the example of long term success.Since March 2^nd, 2020, date of the first SARS-COV-2 detected case in Morocco; many decisions were adopted as COVID-19 control strategies. If the first period of COVID-19 noticed a few numbers of cases and deaths, the second half from July is marked with an exponential increase of the number of cases and a spread in almost all provinces with more intensive care needs and more deaths. The policy analysis approach was followed as a method to define the pitfalls themes and to compare with the updated available international information any significant similarities or divergences. Thus, this report has the aim to present an overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic was dealt in Morocco during these 200 days, by highlighting some discrepancies with corrective advice provided in the first version of the manuscript to be confronted by a Moroccan health policymaker’s community, then to notice the decisions adopted during another one month by the MoH to get better future control results against COVID-19.Unfortunately, despite the MoH decision to increase the diagnostic facilities for molecular tests, the overall number of laboratory tests do not go further than 21000 tests per day. The actual insidious transmission is a dangerous blind threat that dissipates the collaborating efforts, due to this limited number of confirmation and follows up tests.Accurate, standardised and up to ten times per day tests of molecular biology represented by RT-qPCR, to interpret results following the time progress of cycle quantification values is the primary action to be done to enhance the overall control strategy.

With the continuous progress of remote sensing image object detection tasks in recent years, researchers in this field have gradually shifted the focus of their research from horizontal object detection to the study of object detection in arbitrary directions. It is worth noting that some properties are different from the horizontal object detection during oriented object detection that researchers have yet to notice much. This article presents the design of a straightforward and efficient arbitrary-oriented detection system, leveraging the inherent properties of the orientation task, including the rotation angle and box aspect ratio. In the detection of low aspect ratio objects, the angle is of little importance to the orientation bounding box, and it is even difficult to define the angle information in extreme categories. Conversely, in the detection of objects with high aspect ratios, the angle information plays a crucial role and can have a decisive impact on the quality of the detection results. By exploiting the aspect ratio of different targets, this letter proposes a ratio-balanced angle loss that allows the model to make a better trade-off between low-aspect ratio objects and high-aspect ratio objects. The rotation angle of each oriented object, which we naturally embed into a two-dimensional Euclidean space for regression, thus avoiding an overly redundant design and preserving the topological properties of the circular space. The performance of the UCAS-AOD, HRSC2016, and DLR-3K datasets show that the proposed model in this paper achieves a leading level in terms of both accuracy and speed. The code is released at https://github.com/minghuicode/Periodic-Pseudo-Domain.

Metal complexes feature a wide range of available geometries, diversified lability, controllable hydrolytic stability, and easily available rich redox activity. These characteristics combined with the specific properties of the coordinated organic molecules result in many different mechanisms of biological action, making each of the myriads of the classes of metal coordination compounds unique. This focused review presents combined and systematized results of the studies of a group of copper(I) (pseudo)halide complexes with aromatic diimines and tris(aminomethyl)phosphines of a general formula [CuX(NN)PR₃], where X = I^- or NCS^-, NN = 2,2’-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2’-biquinoline, and PR₃ = Air-stable tris(aminomethyl)phosphines. The structural and electronic properties of the phosphine ligands and luminescent complexes are discussed. The complexes with 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, apart from being air- and water-stable, exhibit a very high in vitro antimicriobial activity against the Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Moreover, some of the complexes also show a strong in vitro antitumor activity against human ovarian carcinoma cell lines: MDAH 2774 and SCOV 3, CT26 (mouse colon carcinoma), and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cell lines. The tested complexes are moderately able to induce DNA lesions through free radical processes, however the trends do not reflect observed differences in biological activity.

Background and Objectives: Similar to diabetes, the presence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function (DD) has been reported in various studies which were conducted with people with a diagnosis of impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG). The study aimed to examine the effects of fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels on left atrial strain (LAS) estimated by two-dimensional echocardiography speckle tracking analyses in patients without known diabetes. Material and Methods: The study included 148 participants (74 female and 74 male) without a history of diabetes mellitus or chronic disease. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: individuals with FBG <100 mg/dl and those with FBG between 100-125 mg/dl after at least 8 hours of overnight fasting and according to these FBG levels STE measures were compared. Results: There was a significant decrease in the LA reservoir (52.3±15 vs. 44.5±10.7; p=0.001) and conduit strain (36.9±11.7 vs. 28.4±9.7; p=0.001) in the impaired FBG group. When the STE findings of both ventricles were compared, no significant difference was observed between the groups in right and LV strain imaging. Conclusion: In the earliest stage of LVDD, changes in atrial functional parameters become particularly evident. Echocardiographic analyses of these parameters can help to diagnose and determine the degree of LVDD while the morphological parameters are still normal. The addition of LAS imaging to the routine TTE study in patients with impaired FBG but without a DM diagnosis may be helpful in demonstrating subclinical LVDD or identifying patients at risk for LVDD in this patient group.

Due to the complex and variable anatomy of the left atrial appendage, percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) can be challenging. In this study, we investigated the impact of fusion imaging (FI) on the LAAC learning curve of 2 interventionalists. The first interventionalist (IC 1) was initially trained without FI and continued his training with FI. The second interventionalist (IC 2) performed all procedures with FI. We compared the first 36 procedures without FI of IC 1 (group 1) with his next 36 interventions with FI (group 2). Furthermore, group 1 was compared to 36 procedures of IC 2 who directly started his training with FI (group 3). Group 1 demonstrated that the learning curve without FI has a flat course with weak correlations for fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, and procedure time, but not for dose area product. Group 2 with FI showed improvement with a steep course and strong correlations for all 4 parameters. In group 3 we also saw a steep progression with strong correlations. Furthermore, the mean measurements of the procedural parameters in the groups with FI decreased significantly as indicator for procedural efficacy. We demonstrated that FI may improve the learning curve of experienced and non-experienced ICs.

Humans can recombine thousands of different facial expressions. This variability is due to the ability to voluntarily or involuntarily modulate emotional expressions, which, in turn, depends on the existence of two anatomically separate pathways. The Voluntary (VP) and Involuntary (IP) pathways mediate the production of posed and spontaneous facial expressions, respectively, and might also affect the left and right sides of the face differently. This is a neglected aspect in the emotion literature, where posed expressions instead of genuine expressions are often used as stimuli. Two experiments with different induction methods were specifically designed to inves-tigate the unfolding of spontaneous and posed facial expressions of happiness along the facial vertical axis (left, right) with a high-definition 3D optoelectronic system. The results showed that spontaneous expressions were distinguished from posed facial movements as revealed by relia-ble spatial and speed key kinematic patterns in both experiments. Moreover, VP activation pro-duced a lateralization effect: compared with the felt smile, the posed smile involved an initial acceleration of the left corner of the mouth, while an early deceleration of the right corner oc-curred in the second phase of the movement, after the velocity peak.

A 52-y/o asymptomatic male with history of hypertension, was referred to our Heart Failure Clinic due to report of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, TTE with an increased end-diastolic thick-ness (basal inferoseptal of 23 mm, and basal anteroseptal of 21 mm). CMR demonstrated late gadolinium enhancement at the septum, anterior, inferolateral, and inferior walls with a mid-myocardial distribution, T1 mapping which reported an average T1 of 929 ms. A next-generation sequencing panel was requested. Results demonstrated hemizygosis, in the ga-lactosidase alpha gene, consistent with Fabry Disease. The replacement of the enzyme was start-ed. Extended familial genetic counseling and testing were done.

Background: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a genetically determined cardiomyopathy, that occurs following a disruption of endomyocardial morphogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics and genetic profile of children with LVNC. Methods: From February 2008 to July 2020, a total of 32 children (median 11.5 years) with LVNC were prospectively enrolled and followed up for the median of 4.02 years. Diagnosis was made based on characteristic features of LVNC in echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Patients’ clinical symptoms, family history, ECG, Holter ECG and genetic tests were also evaluated. Results: The most common presenting symptom was heart failure (31% of children). ECG abnormalities were noted in 56% of patients. The most prominent features were ventricular arrhythmias, sinus bradycardia and paroxysmal third-degree atrioventricular block. Most of the patients (94%) met the criteria for LVNC and CMR confirmed this diagnosis in 82% of cases. The molecular etiology was found in 53% of children. Conclusion: Although heart failure and arrhythmias were very frequent in our study group, thromboembolic events and genetic syndromes were rare. For accurate and reliable assessment of children with LVNC, it is necessary to get to know their family history and detailed clinical profile.

Introduction In sacubitril-valsartan (sacub/v), the effects of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) exerted by valsartan are strengthened by the addition of sacubitril, an inhibitor of neutral endopeptidases. PARADIGM - HF study proved this association to be superior to enalapril in reducing both all-cause death and cardiovascular mortality, as well as heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in patients with cardiac insufficiency and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction( HFREF) belonging to NYHA class II-IV. To test whether even in our experience sacub/v is associated with favorable outcomes concerning mortality and morbidity, an outpatient small population of HFREF patients was retrospectively studied, of whom one third was treated with sacub/v instead of conventional therapy with ACE -inhibitors or ARBs. Methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out to assess the effects of sacub/v in addition to beta-blocker and mineral receptor antagonist (MRA) in a group of HFREF patients in NYHA classes II-III compared with conventional therapy (comprising ACE inhibitor or ARB added to beta-blocker plus a MRA) administered in a second group of HFREF patients with comparable clinical features retrospectively enrolled as controls. In the two groups, the therapeutic regimen was established in accordance with the preferences of the treating physician. Additionally, in both groups, evidence-based drug therapy was supplemented by the adjunct of a loop diuretic, usually furosemide, at variable doses. The primary outcomes of interest were all-cause death and HF hospitalizations. Safety outcomes were symptomatic hypotension, angioedema, hyperkalemia and worsening renal function. Results Mortality at six months was 6.8% in patients under therapy with sacub/v versus 34% in those treated with conventional therapy (odds ratio[OR] = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.04-0.49). Moreover, HF hospitalizations in the observation period considered were 4.5% in sacub/v group versus 59% in the conventional therapy group (OR = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01–0.14). Safety outcomes included in our study (angioedema, hyperkalemia, hypotension and worsening renal function) showed a comparable profile in the two groups, with evidence of good tolerability of sacub/v , except for the side - effect " hypotension" (PAS < 100 mm Hg) , found in 15.9% of patients under sacub/v versus 5.7% reported in controls (OR = 3.14; 95% CI: 0.94–10.55). Conclusions In our experience, sacub/v has yielded a strong protection against both all-cause death and HF hospitalizations at six months , in the absence of significant noxious side effects. Nevertheless, considering the retrospective character of the study and the relatively exiguous sample size, further post marketing observational studies would be desirable . In particular, studies aiming at exploring safety of the new pharmacologic principle, namely mainly focusing on hypotension and angioedema, are warranted, in order to validate further this very efficacious molecule for therapy of chronic HF, especially stable HFREF in NYHA classes II-III.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive condition that affects pulmonary vessels, but its main prognostic factor is right ventricle (RV) function. Many mice/rat models are used for research in PAH, but results fail to translate in clinical trials. This study reviews studies that test interventions on pulmonary artery banding (PAB), a model of isolated RV disfunction, and PH models. Multiple tested drugs both improved pulmonary vascular hemodynamics in PH models and RV structure and function in PAB animals. PH models and PAB frequently exhibited similar results (73.1% concordance) with drugs other than endothelin receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase inhibitors. RV systolic pressure accounted for most differences between PH models and PAB. On the other side, all results on RV fibrosis agreed (12 drugs). Macitentan, sildenafil and tadalafil improved most tested pathophysiological parameters in PH models, but almost none in PAB animals. Dapagliflozin was the only drug that improved no parameters. This review shows that many drugs currently under research for PAH have a cardioprotective effect on animals that may translate to humans. To improve the translational potential of drugs in this field, researchers should test them in multiple models, including PAB, while optimizing induction methods for human disease translation.

Background: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited Cardiomyopathy. The hallmark of HCM is myocardial fibrosis which contributes to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Objective: To identify the factors implicated in heart failure symptoms and functional capacity of patients with HCM. Methods: In this cohort study, 43 patients with HCM were recruited. According to functional capacity and symptoms presentation, patients were categorized according to NYHA classification, and echocardiographic measurements of left ventricle systolic and diastolic function have been conducted. The echocardiographic assessment of right vetriculo-arterial coupling (RVAC) has been made by calculating the tricuspid annular peak systolic tissue Doppler velocity (TASV)/estimated RV systolic pressure (RVSP) ratio. Results: Almost half, 22 (51%) of our study population present symptoms of heart failure and were categorized as the symptomatic group - NYHA 2 or higher. Maximum LVOT gradient, RVSP, and the ratio of E/e’ were higher in the “symptomatic” compared to the “asymptomatic” group. TASV was lower in the “symptomatic” compared to the asymptomatic group (11±1cm/sex vs. 13±2cm/sec, p=0.04). However, there was no difference in other potentially influential factors, such as heart rate or systemic blood pressure. The SCD risk score does not differ between the two studied groups. The RVAC (estimated with the TASV/RVSP ratio) was lower in the “symptomatic” compared with the “asymptomatic” group (0.32±0.09 vs. 0.46±0.11, p<0.001). Conclusion: A low RVAC (as TASV/RVSP ratio) value could represent an echocardiographic marker of right ventricular-arterial uncoupling in patients with HCM and may impaired functional status.

Competency frameworks are developed for a variety of purposes, including describing professional practice and informing education and assessment frameworks. Despite the volume of competency frameworks developed in the healthcare professions, guidance remains unclear and is inconsistently adhered to (perhaps in part due to a lack of organising frameworks), there is variability in methodological choices, inconsistently reported outputs, and a lack of evaluation of frameworks. As such, we proposed the need for improved guidance. In this paper we outline a six-step model for developing competency framework that is designed to address some of these shortcomings. The six-steps comprise [1] identifying purpose, intended uses, scope, and stakeholders; [2] theoretically informed ways of identifying the contexts of complex, ‘real-world’ professional practice, which includes [3] aligned methods and means by which practice can be explored; [4] the identification and specification of competencies required for professional practice, [5] how to report the process and outputs of identifying such competencies, and [6] built-in strategies to continuously evaluate, update and maintain competency framework development processes and outputs. The model synthesizes and organizes existing guidance and literature, and furthers this existing guidance by highlighting the need for a theoretically-informed approach to describing and exploring practice that is appropriate, as well as offering guidance for developers on reporting the development process and outputs, and planning for the ongoing maintenance of frameworks.

Amyloidosis is due to deposition of an excessive amount of protein in many parenchymal tissues, including myocardium. The onset of cardiac Amyloidosis (CA) is an inauspicious prognostic factor, that can lead to sudden death. We retrospectively analyzed 135 patients with systemic amyloidosis, admitted to our ward between 1981 and 2019. Among them, 54 patients (46.30% F / 53.70% M, age 63.95±12.82 years) presented CA at baseline. In 53 patients, there was associated with multiorgan involvement, while in one there was primary myocardial deposition. As control group, we enrolled 81 patients (49.30% F / 50.70% M, aged 58.33±15.65) who did not meet the criteria for CA. In 44/54 of patients CA was associated with AL, 5/54 with AA, 3/54 of patients with ATTR, in 1/54 AL was related to hemodialysis and 1/54 to Gel-Amyloidosis. The most common AL type was IgG (28/44); less frequent forms were either IgA (7/40) or IgD (2/40), while seven patients had a λ free light chain form. The 32 AL with complete Ig were 31 λ-chain and just one k-chain. CA patients presented normal BP (SBP 118.0±8.4 mmHg; DBP 73.8±4.9 mmHg), while those with nCA had increased proteinuria (p=0.02). TnI and NT-proBNP were significantly increased compared to nCA (p= 0.031 and p=0.047, respectively). In CA patients we found an increased LDH compared to nCA (p=0.0011). CA patients were also found to have an increased interventricular septum thickness compared to nCA (p=0.002), a decreased Ejection Fraction % (p=0.0018) and Doppler velocity E/e’ ratio (p=0.0095). Moreover, CA patients were seen to have an enhanced right atrium area (p=0.0179), right ventricle basal diameter (p= 0.0112) and wall thickness (p=0.0471) as compared to nCA, as well as an increased inferior cava vein diameter (p=0.0495). TAPSE was the method chosen to evaluate systolic function of the right heart. In CA subjects very poor TAPSE levels were found compared to nCA patients (p=0.0495). Additionally, we found a significant positive correlation between TAPSE and lymphocyte count (r=0.47; p=0.031) as well as Gamma globulins (r=0.43, p=0.033), Monoclonal component (r=0.72; p=0.047) and IgG values (r=0.62, p=0.018). On the contrary, a significant negative correlation with LDH (r=-0.57, p=0.005), IVS (r=-0.51, p=0.008) and diastolic function evaluated as E/e’ (r=-0.60, p=0.003) were verified. CA patients had very poor survival compared to controls (30 vs. 66 months in CA vs nCA, respectively, P=0.15). Mean survival of CA individuals was worse also when stratified according to NT-proBNP levels, using 2500 pg/mL as class boundary (174 vs. 5.5 months, for patients with lower vs higher values than the median, respectively p=0.013). In much the same way, decreased right heart systolic function was correlated with a worse prognosis (18.0 months median survival, not reached in subjects with lower values than 18mm, p=0.0186). Finally, our data highlight the potential prognostic and predictive value of right heart alterations characterizing amyloidosis, as a novel clinical parameter correlated to increased LDH and immunoglobulins levels. Overall, we confirm the clinical relevance of cardiac involvement and propose that right heart evaluation may be considered as a new marker for clinical risk stratification in patients with amyloidosis.

Steel damper columns (SDCs) are energy-dissipating members that are suitable for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings and are often used for multistory housing. The evaluation of the peak deformation and hysteretic dissipated energy of such building structures is essential for the rational seismic design of RC buildings with SDCs. In a previous study, the authors proposed an energy-based prediction procedure for the peak and cumulative response of an RC frame building with SDCs. In this procedure, the accuracy of the equivalent velocity of the maximum momentary input energy (V_ΔE1^*)–peak equivalent displacement (D₁^*_max) relationship is essential for high quality predictions. In this article, the V_ΔE1^*–D₁^*_max relationships of RC moment-resisting frames with and without SDCs are invested using a critical pseudo-double impulse (PDI) analysis based on a study by Takewaki and coauthors. The results show that the V_ΔE1^*–D₁^*_max relationship obtained from the critical PDI analysis agrees well with that calculated from the equations proposed in the previous study.

We consider mixture experiments in which the proportions of the components must be non-negative and their sum must equal one. Thus, the experimental region for a mixture of components is a simplex. Li and Zhang (2017) made the conjecture that the pseudo component transformation of the lattice points in the simplex has a special property. In this paper, we show that this conjecture is not true in general. Furthermore, we refine this conjecture and prove the refined conjecture.

Critical aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is a life-threatening cardiac disease of the newborn requiring urgent treatment. First-line therapy is still controversial. The aim of our study was (1) to analyze retrospectively the patients of our institution who underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) due to CAVS, and (2) to describe techniques for improved feasibility of the intervention using microcatheters and retrieval loops. Twelve patients underwent 23 BAVs: 1 BAV was performed in 3 patients, 2 BAVs in 7 patients, and 3 BAVs in 2 patients. Trans-valvular pressure gradient (Δp) and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) improved significantly in the first two interventions; first BAV: Δp from 73.7 ±34.5 mmHg to 39.8 ±11.9 mmHg (p=0.003) and LVSF from 22.3 ± 13.5 % to 31.6 ±10.2 % (p=0.001); second BAV: Δp from 73.2 ±33.3 mmHg to 35.0 ± 20.2 mmHg (p&lt;0.001) and LVSF from 26.7 ±9.6 % to 33.3 ±7.4 % (p=0.004). Cardiac surgery during the neonatal period was avoided for all children; median time to valve surgery was 5.75 years. Few complications occurred: mild to moderate aortic regurgitation, one remediable air embolism, and one intimal injury of the ascending aorta. We conclude that BAV is a successful primary treatment for CAVS resulting in left ventricular relief, stabilization of the neonate, and a time gain until cardiac surgery.

We investigate if anyone is being left behind in accessing safely managed drinking water (SM) in achieving the 2030 agenda. We use 23 countries grouped globally as critically insecure water (CIWC). The results indicate none of the CIWC had over 50% of the population accessing SM, N. America and Europe had highest percentages while Sub Saharan Africa had the least. People left behind are found in rural areas, in countries vulnerable to climate change because of poor governance, low-income, and women’s low education. Institutional quality, equity and equality should be improved in using resources critical to leaving no one behind.

The technology of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) requires developing and implementing an intelligent control systems to optimize pump speed to achieve a physiological metabolic demands for heart failure (HF) patients. This work aimed to present an advanced control algorithm to drive an LVAD under different physiological conditions. Pole placement method in conjunction with of sliding mode control approach (PP-SMC) was utilized to design and construct the proposed control method. In this design, the method was adopted to use neural networks to eliminate system uncertainties of disturbances. An elastance function was also developed and used as an input signal to mimic the physiological perfusion of HF patients. Two scenarios ranging from rest to exercise were introduced to evaluate the proposed technique. In this technique, a lumped parameter model of cardiovascular system (CVS) was used for this evaluation. The results demonstrated that the designed controller was robustly tracking the input signal in the presence of the system parameter variations of CVS. In both scenarios, the proposed method shows that the controller automatically drive the LVAD with a minimum flow of 1.7 L/min to prevent suction and 5.7 L/min to prevent over-perfusion.