Bayesian time-varying autoregressions: Theory, methods and applications

We review the class of time-varying autoregressive (TVAR) models and a range of related recent developments of Bayesian time series modelling

Vanadium dioxide : A Peierls-Mott insulator stable against disorder

Vanadium dioxide undergoes a first order metal-insulator transition at 340 K. In this work, we develop and carry out state of the art linear scaling DFT calculations refined with non-local dynamical mean-field theory. We identify a complex mechanism, a Peierls-assisted orbital selection Mott instability, which is responsible for the insulating M$_1$ phase, and furthermore survives a moderate degree of disorder.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. Supplementary material 8 pages, 4 figures. This version (v2) matches that accepted for Physical Review Letters on 16th May 201

Measurement and shaping of biphoton spectral wavefunctions

In this work we present a simple method to reconstruct the complex spectral wavefunction of a biphoton, and hence gain complete information about the spectral and temporal properties of a photon pair. The technique, which relies on quantum interference, is applicable to biphoton states produced with a monochromatic pump when a shift of the pump frequency produces a shift in the relative frequencies contributing to the biphoton. We demonstrate an example of such a situation in type-II parametric down-conversion (SPDC) allowing arbitrary paraxial spatial pump and detection modes. Moreover, our test cases demonstrate the possibility to shape the spectral wavefunction. This is achieved by choosing the spatial mode of the pump and of the detection modes, and takes advantage of spatiotemporal correlations.Comment: Supplementary information also available. Comments and feedback appreciated. Compared to the previous version, here we have made the following changes: -corrected a typo in the text between Eq. (11) and (12) -corrected a typo in the references -added reference

Soft tissue sarcomas at a glance: clinical, histological, and MR imaging features of malignant extremity soft tissue tumors

Soft tissue sarcomas comprise approximately 1% of malignant tumors. There are more than 50 subtypes, but pleomorphic sarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor account for 75%. Differentiation between these subtypes is difficult because they often present with a painless enlarging mass, and share many histological and MR imaging features. Nonetheless, subdifferentiation is important because the different subtypes have different prognoses and therapeutic strategies. In this manuscript we discuss the clinical, histological, and MR imaging features of soft tissue sarcomas according to the WHO classification. An overview is provided and differentiating features are discussed that can help to narrow down the differential diagnosis

DEATHS IN OPEN WATER SWIMMING RACES IN BRAZIL FROM 2009 TO 2019

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(6): 1295-1305, 2022. Since the inclusion in the Olympic Games (2008), open swimming races have attracted greater media attention and, therefore, have a greater number of practitioners, especially in Brazil, an extremely favorable country for this sport. However, increasing reports of fatal incidents in open water races brought the medical and scientific community to attention. The aim of this study was to review the characteristics of deaths in open waters events in Brazil from 2009 to 2019. The survey was divided into 3 steps: 1) contacting sports-related federations and companies, including swimming and triathlon federations, master associations and event organizing companies; 2) internet search; and 3) personal communication with athletes, coaches, organizers, and health personnel. A total of 12 deaths were observed in open water swimming races, including triathlon swimming segment races in Brazil from 2009 to 2019. The average was 1.1 deaths per year, whereas in the last 3 years (2017-2019) the average was 3 deaths per year. The male participants accounted for 11 deaths (91.7%), the average age was 47 years old, experienced athletes were more affected (80%), and incidents occurred mainly in ocean waters (75%). The increase of deaths in the last 3 years draws attention, and the best way to reduce the deaths by drowning in open waters in Brazil, is to understand the profile and causes, to propose solutions

Global Energy and Climate Outlook 2017: How climate policies improve air quality

This study shows that achieving the climate change mitigation target of staying below 2°C temperature rise is possible technically – thanks to an acceleration of decarbonisation trends, an increased electrification of final demand and large changes in the primary energy mix that include a phase out of coal and a reduction of oil and gas – and is consistent with economic growth. It yields co-benefits via improved air quality – including avoided deaths, reduction of respiratory diseases and agricultural productivity improvement – that largely offset the cost of climate change mitigation. These co-benefits arise without extra investment costs and are additional to the benefits of avoiding global warming and its impact on the economy.JRC.C.6-Economics of Climate Change, Energy and Transpor

Wearable Cardiorespiratory Monitoring Employing a Multimodal Digital Patch Stethoscope: Estimation of ECG, PEP, LVET and Respiration Using a 55 mm Single-Lead ECG and Phonocardiogram

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide, with sleep disordered breathing being a further aggravating factor. Respiratory illnesses are the third leading cause of death amongst the noncommunicable diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic, however, also highlights the impact of communicable respiratory syndromes. In the clinical routine, prolonged postanesthetic respiratory instability worsens the patient outcome. Even though early and continuous, long-term cardiorespiratory monitoring has been proposed or even proven to be beneficial in several situations, implementations thereof are sparse. We employed our recently presented, multimodal patch stethoscope to estimate Einthoven electrocardiogram (ECG) Lead I and II from a single 55 mm ECG lead. Using the stethoscope and ECG subsystems, the pre-ejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET) were estimated. ECG-derived respiration techniques were used in conjunction with a novel, phonocardiogram-derived respiration approach to extract respiratory parameters. Medical-grade references were the SOMNOmedics SOMNO HDTM and Osypka ICON-CoreTM. In a study including 10 healthy subjects, we analyzed the performances in the supine, lateral, and prone position. Einthoven I and II estimations yielded correlations exceeding 0.97. LVET and PEP estimation errors were 10% and 21%, respectively. Respiratory rates were estimated with mean absolute errors below 1.2 bpm, and the respiratory signal yielded a correlation of 0.66. We conclude that the estimation of ECG, PEP, LVET, and respiratory parameters is feasible using a wearable, multimodal acquisition device and encourage further research in multimodal signal fusion for respiratory signal estimation.DFG, 414044773, Open Access Publizieren 2019 - 2020 / Technische Universität Berli

AI & Agency

In July of 2019, at the Summer Institute on AI and Society in Edmonton, Canada (co-sponsored by CIFAR and the AI Pulse Project of UCLA Law), scholars from across disciplines came together in an intensive workshop. For the second half of the workshop, the cohort split into smaller working groups to delve into specific topics related to AI and Society.I proposed deeper exploration on the topic of “agency,” which is defined differently across domains and cultures, and relates to many of the topics of discussion in AI ethics, including responsibility and accountability. It is also the subject of an ongoing art and research project I’m producing. As a group, we looked at definitions of agency across fields, found paradoxes and incongruities, shared our own questions, and produced a visual map of the conceptual space. We decided that our disparate perspectives were better articulated through a collection of short written pieces, presented as a set, rather than a singular essay on the topic. The outputs of this work are shared here.This set of essays, many of which are framed as provocations, suggests that there remain many open questions, and inconsistent assumptions on the topic. Many of the writings include more questions than answers, encouraging readers to revisit their own beliefs about agency. As we further develop AI systems, and refer to humans and non-humans as “agents”– we will benefit from a better understanding of what we mean when we call something an “agent” or claim that an action involves “agency.” This work is under development and many of us will continue to explore this in our ongoing AI work.  – Sarah Newman, Project Lead, August 201