Estimation Of Multiple Local Orientations In Image Signals

Local orientation estimation can be posed as the problem of finding the minimum grey level variance axis within a local neighbourhood. In 2D image signals, this corresponds to the eigensystem analysis of a 22-tensor, which yields valid results for single orientations. We describe extensions to multiple overlaid orientations, which may be caused by transparent objects, crossings, bifurcations, corners etc. Multiple orientation detection is based on the eigensystem analysis of an appropriately extended tensor, yielding so-called mixed orientation parameters. These mixed orientation parameters can be regarded as another tensor built from the sought individual orientation parameters. We show how the mixed orientation tensor can be decomposed into the individual orientations by finding the roots of a polynomial. Applications are, e.g., in directional filtering and interpolation, feature extraction for corners or crossings, and signal separation

Ischemic Preconditioning Improves the Bench-Press Maximal Strength in Resistance-Trained Men

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(4): 217-229, 2023. We investigated whether acute ischemic preconditioning (IPC) would affect upper limb maximal strength performance in resistance-trained men. Using a counterbalanced randomized crossover design, fifteen men (29.9 ± 5.9 yrs.; 86.3 ± 9.6 kg; 8.0 ± 5.0 yrs. resistance training experience) performed one-repetition maximum (1-RM) bench press tests on three different occasions: control, 10 min post-IPC or 10 min post-placebo (SHAM). One-way analysis of variance showed that the post-IPC condition increased (P \u3c 0.0001) 1-RM loads compared to both control and post-SHAM (control 113.3 ± 15.9 kg vs. SHAM 113.9 ± 15.8 kg vs. IPC 115.7 ± 15.6 kg), while control and SHAM did not differ (P \u3e 0.05). Individual results showed that 13 participants (~87%) improved their performance post-IPC compared to control, and 11 participants (~73%) performed better post-IPC compared to post-SHAM. Reported session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was lower (P \u3c 0.0001) post-IPC (8.5 ± 0.6 arb.u) compared to control (9.3 ± 0.5 arb.u) and post-SHAM (9.3 ± 0.5 arb.u). Therefore, we conclude that IPC acutely improves upper limb maximal strength performance and reduces session-RPE in resistance-trained men. These results suggest an acute ergogenic effect of IPC for strength and power sports such as powerlifting

Unveiling oxygen vacancy impact on lizardite thermo and mechanical properties

Here, we performed a systematic DFT study assisted by the workflow framework SimStack for the mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the clay mineral lizardite in pristine and six different types of O vacancies configurations. In most cases, the defect caused a structural phase transition in the lizardite from the trigonal (pristine) to the triclinic phase. The results show that oxygen vacancies in lizardite significantly reduce the lattice thermal conductivity, accompanied by an elastic moduli reduction and an anisotropy index increase. Through the P–V relation, an increase in compressibility was evidenced for vacancy configurations. Except for the vacancy with the same crystalline structure as pristine lizardite, the sound velocities of the other vacancy configurations produce a decrease in these velocities, and it is essential to highlight high values for the Grüneisen parameter. We emphasize the great relevance of the punctual-defects introduction, such as O vacancies, in lizardite, since this microstructural design is responsible for the decrease of the lattice thermal conductivity in comparison with the pristine system by decreasing the heat transfer ability, turning lizardite into a promising candidate for thermoelectric materials

Interfaces da linguagem: escola e cultura / Language interfaces: school and culture

O homem, desde o início de sua história utiliza códigos e símbolos para se comunicar, e ao longo do tempo, essas simbologias foram se modificando e se ressignificando, onde a cultura permite a existência de diversas maneiras diferentes de aplicar e interpretar esses símbolos. A escola é uma ferramenta que pode impulsionar o desenvolvimento do aluno, deste modo, faz-se necessário compreender as contribuições da escola e do professor para o desenvolvimento integral do aluno, levando em consideração a utilização dos diversos tipos de linguagem. O presente trabalho objetiva analisar os diversos tipos de linguagens que foram produzidas culturalmente pela ação humana, compreender a influência da linguagem no processo cognitivo do aluno e analisar a escola como uma ferramenta para o desenvolvimento global do educando. A metodologia utilizada foi à pesquisa bibliográfica, onde se analisou as principais obras dos principais autores que versam sobre a temática em questão. A escola, como um espaço de propagação do conhecimento deve propiciar aos alunos diversos mecanismos para que eles aperfeiçoem seu desenvolvimento, para isso, o professor precisa estar atento e levar em consideração as diversas formas de linguagem, possibilitando à criança impulsionar suas possibilidades cognitivas, motoras e afetivas. É indubitável que o professor, em sua formação inicial continuada compreenda que deve levar em consideração todos os códigos produzidos pelos alunos. Portanto, infere-se que as diversas formas de expressão, seja ela escrita, falada ou através dos gestos corporais, são uma produção cultural humana, que vai se ressignificando ao longo do tempo. 

Does bariatric surgery improve cardiac autonomic modulation assessed by heart rate variability? A systematic review

Objectives. Our study aimed to explore the influence of Bariatric Surgery (BS) on heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) through a systematic review. Data Sources. Manuscripts were selected based on electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases from the inception of each database up to year 2020 and followed the PRISMA protocol. Searching of these studies was systematized using the PICOS strategy. Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies. We selected randomized and non-randomized controlled trials and cohorts’ prospective studies that reported the influence of BS on HRV. We assessed the quality rating using the Black and Downs questionnaire. Results. Following the screening and eligibility stages, 14 studies were included in the review. All studies agreed that BS promotes an increase in parasympathetic HR control and HRV and, a decrease in HR. Yet, the literature does not provide evidence that this outcome was directly caused by the surgical procedure. There is limited evidence to support that patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (TDM2) have greater improvement in HRV as an interim measure, to individuals without. The decrease in insulin resistance was correlated with the increase in HRV in some studies, but, other studies are unsupportive of this outcome. Improvements in two metabolic parameters (e.g., Leptin, NT-proBNP) were connected with a superior increase in HRV

Prevalência das principais complicações pós-operatórias em cirurgias cardíacas: uma revisão sistemática: Prevalence of major postoperative complications in cardiac surgeries: a systematic review

As complicações pós-operatórias em cirurgias cardíacas são comuns e contribuem para o aumento dos índices de morbidade e mortalidade. Objetivo: identificar em trabalhos da literatura as principais complicações no pós-operatório de cirurgias cardíacas. Material e Método: Revisão de literatura sobre as principais complicações no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. A busca foi realizada em outubro de 2022 nas fontes de dados: PubMed e Web of Science. Resultados: O processo de busca resultou em 2.744 documentos. Após primeira seleção 215 trabalhos tiveram os seus títulos e resumos analisados para uma triagem inicial. A amostra final foi de 04 estudos. As complicações da cirurgia cardíaca podem estar relacionadas a doenças pré-existentes. Forma identificadas como complicações distúrbios de sono, hepatopatia cardíaca pós-operatória, síndrome da apneia e hipopneia obstrutiva do sono (SAHOS) e arritmias. Conclusões: As complicações apresentaram prevalências diferentes nos estudos analisados e devem ser consideradas em mais estudos para melhor compreensão de fatores correlacionados auxiliando na sua prevenção e controle

Oncoplastic Breast Consortium consensus conference on nipple-sparing mastectomy.

Purpose Indications for nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) have broadened to include the risk reducing setting and locally advanced tumors, which resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of NSM. The Oncoplastic Breast Consortium consensus conference on NSM and immediate reconstruction was held to address a variety of questions in clinical practice and research based on published evidence and expert panel opinion. Methods The panel consisted of 44 breast surgeons from 14 countries across four continents with a background in gynecology, general or reconstructive surgery and a practice dedicated to breast cancer, as well as a patient advocate. Panelists presented evidence summaries relating to each topic for debate during the in-person consensus conference. The iterative process in question development, voting, and wording of the recommendations followed the modified Delphi methodology. Results Consensus recommendations were reached in 35, majority recommendations in 24, and no recommendations in the remaining 12 questions. The panel acknowledged the need for standardization of various aspects of NSM and immediate reconstruction. It endorsed several oncological contraindications to the preservation of the skin and nipple. Furthermore, it recommended inclusion of patients in prospective registries and routine assessment of patient-reported outcomes. Considerable heterogeneity in breast reconstruction practice became obvious during the conference. Conclusions In case of conflicting or missing evidence to guide treatment, the consensus conference revealed substantial disagreement in expert panel opinion, which, among others, supports the need for a randomized trial to evaluate the safest and most efficacious reconstruction techniques

Curvature Operators in Geometric Image Processing

In this work we study the problem of reconstructing an image from a perceptual segmentation based on a geometric classification of its points using non-linear curvature filters. We give a mathematical proof that an image can be reconstructed from the regions of non-zero gaussian curvatures. This result provides the theoretical background for a new theory of non-linear two dimensional signal processing as proposed by C. Zetzche, E

Curvature Operators in Geometric Image Processing

Abstract. In this work we study the problem of reconstructing an image from a perceptual segmentation based on a geometric classification of its points using non-linear curvature filters. We give a mathematical proof that an image can be reconstructed from the regions of non-zero gaussian curvatures. This result provides the theoretical background for a new theory of non-linear two dimensional signal processing as proposed by C. Zetzche, E. Barth and B. Wegmann ([15, 16]). We use curvature measures to detect edges and vertices (roughly two dimensional regions) and show that reconstruction is possible from these elements