PySDM v1 : particle-based cloud modeling package for warm-rain microphysics and aqueous chemistry

PySDM is an open-source Python package for simulating the dynamics of particles undergoing condensational and collisional growth, interacting with a fluid flow and subject to chemical composition changes. It is intended to serve as a building block for process-level as well as computational-fluid-dynamics simulation systems involving representation of a continuous phase (air) and a dispersed phase (aerosol), with PySDM being responsible for representation of the dispersed phase. The PySDM package core is a Pythonic high-performance implementation of the Super-Droplet Method (SDM) Monte-Carlo algorithm for representing collisional growth, hence the name. PySDM has two alternative parallel number-crunching backends available: multi-threaded CPU backend based on Numba and GPU-resident backend built on top of ThrustRTC. The usage examples are built on top of four simple atmospheric cloud modelling frameworks: box, adiabatic parcel, single-column and 2D prescribed flow kinematic models. In addition, the package ships with tutorial code depicting how PySDM can be used from Julia and Matlab

Exploring explainable AI in the tax domain

Published online: 07 May 2024This paper analyses whether current explainable AI (XAI) techniques can help to address taxpayer concerns about the use of AI in taxation. As tax authorities around the world increase their use of AI-based techniques, taxpayers are increasingly at a loss about whether and how the ensuing decisions follow the procedures required by law and respect their substantive rights. The use of XAI has been proposed as a response to this issue, but it is still an open question whether current XAI techniques are enough to meet existing legal requirements. The paper approaches this question in the context of a case study: a prototype tax fraud detector trained on an anonymized dataset of real-world cases handled by the Buenos Aires (Argentina) tax authority. The decisions produced by this detector are explained through the use of various classification methods, and the outputs of these explanation models are evaluated on their explanatory power and on their compliance with the legal obligation that tax authorities provide the rationale behind their decision-making. We conclude the paper by suggesting technical and legal approaches for designing explanation mechanisms that meet the needs of legal explanation in the tax domain.This article was published Open Access with the support from the EUI Library through the CRUI - Springer Transformative Agreement (2020-2024

Effective reinforcement learning strategies for Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) in mixed-traffic environment

Większość prac, które opisują algorytmy dla autonomicznych pojazdów, skupia się na samolubnym wybieraniu najszybszej trasy, bez brania pod uwagę konsekwencji innych uczestników ruchu. Takie wybory mogą wpływać negatywnie na ruch dla całej sieci. Zadaniem niniejszej pracy jest zaprezentowanie wpływu autonomicznych pojazdów w ruchu mieszanym na różne parametry sieci drogowych, takie jak średnia prędkość wszystkich pojazdów czy zużycie paliwa. W szczególności zostanie zbadane czy wyuczony agent lub agenci są w stanie je poprawić, przy jednoczesnym zachowaniu swojej optymalnej trasy. Całość będzie dopełniał wstęp teoretyczny użytych algorytmów do nauki oraz opis narzędzi wykorzystanych do symulacji.Most research papers that describe algorithms for autonomous vehicles focus on selfishly choosing the fastest route, without considering the consequences of other traffic participants. Such choices can negatively impact traffic for the entire network. The task of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of autonomous vehicles in mixed traffic on various road network parameters such as the average speed of all vehicles and fuel consumption. In particular, it will be examined whether a learned agent or agents are able to improve them while maintaining their optimal route. A theoretical introduction of the learning algorithms used and a description of the tools used for the simulation will complete the whole work

Alpha-beta algorithm and its application in optimisation tasks

Zadaniem niniejszej pracy jest zaprezentowanie zoptymalizowanego algorytmu Minimax - Alpha-Beta. W szczególności została uwzględniona teoretyczna analiza algorytmu, która obejmuje analizę najlepszego oraz średniego przypadku, wraz z dowodami. Ponadto zawarty został opis najważniejszych zastosowań, oraz implementacja algorytmów, w celu ich porównania.The aim of this thesis is to present the optimized version of Minimax algorithm - Alpha-Beta. The main part of the paper is the presentation of the analysis of the algorithm, which contains best and average cases, along with proofs. Moreover, a description of the most important applications is included, as well as the implementation of algorithms for their comparison

Probabilistic estimation of diverse soil condition impact on vertical axis tank deformation

The calculations of fuel tanks should take into account the geometric imperfections of the structure as well as the variability of the material parameters of the foundation. The deformation of the tank shell can have a significant impact on the limit state of the structure and its operating conditions. The paper presents a probabilistic analysis of a vertical-axis, floating-roof cylindrical shell of a tank with a capacity of 50000 m3 placed on stratified soil with heterogeneous material parameters. The impact of a random subsoil description was estimated using the Point Estimated Method (PEM). In this way, the number of analyzed FEM models was significantly reduced. This approach also makes it possible to assess the sensitivity of tank settlement and deformation to the changing foundation conditions

Sequencing of organellar genomes of Gymnomitrion concinnatum (Jungermanniales) revealed the first exception in the structure and gene order of evolutionary stable liverworts mitogenomes

Abstract Background Comparative analyses of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes have shown that organelle genomes in bryophytes evolve slowly. However, in contrast to seed plants, the organellar genomes are yet poorly explored in bryophytes, especially among liverworts. Discovering another organellar genomes of liverwort species by sequencing provides new conclusions on evolution of bryophytes. Results In this work, the organellar genomes of Gymnomitrion concinnatum liverwort were sequenced, assembled and annotated for the first time. The chloroplast genome displays, typical for most plants, quadripartite structure containing large single copy region (81,701 bp), two inverted repeat regions (8704 bp each) and small single copy region (20,179 bp). The gene order and content of chloroplast are very similar to other liverworts with minor differences observed. A total number of 739 and 222 RNA editing sites were predicted in chloroplast and mitochondrial genes of G. concinnatum. The mitochondrial genome gene content is also in accordance with liverworts except few alterations such as: intron loss in cox1 and atp1 genes. Nonetheless the analysis revealed that G. concinnatum mitogenome structure and gene order are rearranged in comparison with other mitogenomes of liverworts. The causes underlying such mitogenomic rearrangement were investigated and the probable model of recombination was proposed. Conclusions This study provide the overview of mitochondrial and chloroplast genome structure and gene order diversity of Gymnomitrion concinnatum against the background of known organellar genomes of liverworts. The obtained results cast doubt on the idea that mitogenome structure of early land plants is highly conserved as previous studies suggested. In fact is the very first case of recombination within, evolutionary stable, mitogenomes of liverworts

Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as a Healing Aid after Extraction of Incisors in the Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis Syndrome

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a stress-free, relatively safe method supporting the treatment of many different diseases. Although it is widely used in human medicine (including dentistry), in veterinary medicine, especially in the treatment of horses, there are not many scientifically described and documented cases of its use. Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis syndrome is a disease that affects older horses and significantly reduces their quality of life. The only effective treatment for this condition is extraction of the incisors. The described case compares the recovery process of the alveolar area after extraction of incisors during the course of EOTRH syndrome without and with the use of a chamber, in horses with the same clinical picture of the disease, of the same age, and living in the same conditions. According to the authors’ knowledge, the presented case describes the use of a chamber in equine dentistry for the first time

Ryzyko upadku słuchaczek Uniwersytetu Trzeciego Wieku na tle 6-miesięcznego programu fizjoterapeutycznego – badanie randomizowane

As our bodies age, the performance of all bodily organs and systems deteriorates, adversely affecting their functional capacity and increasing overall falls-risk, even in the most active individuals, including female students of the Third Age Universities (TAU). A well-developed and implemented physiotherapy programme makes it possible to appreciably reduce the falls-risk in TAU students, as well as any attendant negative consequences mitigated. The study aimed to assess the impact of a 6-month original physical therapy regimen on the attendant falls-risk, as established in the female TAU students. The study covered 131 female TAU students, aged 60 and over. The subjects were randomly split into two groups, i.e. Study Group (n = 66; mean age 67.2 5.4 years), and a Control Group (n = 65; mean age 66.2 3.5 years). All subjects were assessed twice, prior to, and up-on the conclusion of a 6-month physical therapy regimen. Falls-risk and individual sense of balance were assessed by a "Step Test" (ST), "One-Leg Standing Test" (OLST), and a "Func-tional Reach Test" (FRT). The study group ST and OLST test scores upon conclusion of the physical therapy regimen were significantly higher (i.e. longer time of a one-legged stand), as compared to the Control Group, for both right and left lower limbs (p > 0.05). FRT scores upon conclusion of the phys-ical therapy regimen were also significantly higher (p > 0.05), as a greater range of body ex-tension was observed. Falls-risk in the TAU students aged 60 and over was significantly decreased through the im-plementation of an original, 6-month physical therapy regimen, while an individual sense of balance in a standing position was also found to be appreciably enhanced. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. nullWstęp: Z wiekiem pogarsza się wydolność wszystkich narządów i układów człowieka, wpływając na pogorszenie sprawności funkcjonalnej i zwiększenie ryzyka upadków u osób, nawet tych najaktywniejszych, do których zaliczamy słuchaczy Uniwersytetów Trzeciego Wieku (UTW). Odpowiednio przygotowany i realizowany program fizjoterapeutyczny pozwala na przygotowanie słuchaczy UTW do zmniejszenia ryzyka upadków i konsekwencji z tym związanych. Cel pracy: Celem pracy jest ocena wpływu autorskiego 6-miesięcznego programu postępowania fizjoterapeutycznego na ryzyko upadku i równowagę słuchaczek UTW. Materiał i metody badań: Badaniami zostały objęte słuchaczki Jagiellońskiego Uniwersytetu Trzeciego Wieku w Krakowie które ukończyły 60. rok życia. Badane podzielono losowo na dwie grupy: grupa badana (n=66, śr. wiek: 67,2 ±5,4 lat), grupa kontrolna (n=65, śr. wiek: 66,2 ±3,5 lat). Badane poddano dwukrotnie ocenie przed i po 6-miesięcznym programie fizjoterapeutycznym. Ocenę ryzyka upadku i równowagi zbadano testami „wchodzenia na stopień” (ST − Step Test), „stania na jednej nodze” (OLST − One-Leg Standing Test), „sięgania” (FRT − Functional Reach Test). Wyniki: Wynik testów (ST) i (OLST) w grupie badanej po programie fizjoterapeutycznym był istotnie wyższy w stosunku do grupy kontrolnej, zarówno w przypadku prawej, jak i lewej kończyny dolnej (p>0,05). Wyniki świadczą o istotnie statystycznie dłuższym czasie stania na jednej nodze w grupie badanej. Także wynik testu (FRT) w grupie badanej po programie fizjoterapeutycznym był istotnie wyższy w stosunku do grupy kontrolnej (p>0,05). Po drugim badaniu zaobserwowano istotny statystycznie większy zakres wychylenia w grupie badanej. Wnioski: Ryzyko upadku słuchaczek UTW które mają 60 lat i więcej istotnie zmniejsza się pod wpływem autorskiego 6-miesięcznego programu fizjoterapeutycznego, a poczucie równowagi w pozycji stojącej poprawia się po programie

Ossifying Fibroma in the Nasal Cavity of a 2-Year-Old Horse

A 2-year-old mare of an unknown breed was referred to the clinic due to undetermined breathing difficulties. Physical examination revealed painless swelling rostral to the nasoincisive notch and a large, firm mass protruding from the left nostril. Radiographic examination of the head revealed a mass occupying the left nasal cavity and a displaced and hypoplastic last premolar of the left maxilla. The CT scan showed a well-demarcated heterogeneous mass measuring 22 × 9 × 5 cm (length × height × width) in the left nasal cavity attached to the roots of the displaced tooth and conchae. The surgery was performed on the standing horse. Firstly, due to the oblique position of the displaced tooth, the extraction was performed extra-orally through the trephination and repulsion of the maxillary bone. In the next step, a direct surgical approach was chosen for the caudal part of the mass via the osteotomy of the left nasal bone. The mass was bluntly separated from the conchae and removed through the nostril using Fergusson forceps. The histopathological characteristics of the mass led to the diagnosis of ossifying fibroma. The horse recovered completely in seven months, without recurrence after two years

From Keratoma to Anaplastic Malignant Melanoma in a Horse’s Hoof

Melanomas in horses are most often associated with gray, older horses with an average age of over 16 years. Anaplastic malignant melanoma, however, can very rarely affect non-gray horses. Herein, we report a case of a 16-year-old Wielkopolski gelding with a chronic lameness caused by a mass in the hoof. The first resection of the lesion and histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a keratoma. The regrown mass and persistent lameness resulted in another mass resection. The second histopathological examination result suggested a neoplastic growth of melanocytic origin with a low histological malignancy. Less than 2 years after the first resection, the horse returned to the clinic with deformation of the hoof capsule and severe lameness. The result of the third histopathological examination indicated low-differentiated malignant neoplasm. The result of the immunohistochemically test indicates a tumor of melanocytic origin with high malignancy