Planar Octilinear Drawings with One Bend Per Edge

In octilinear drawings of planar graphs, every edge is drawn as an alternating sequence of horizontal, vertical and diagonal ($45^\circ$) line-segments. In this paper, we study octilinear drawings of low edge complexity, i.e., with few bends per edge. A $k$-planar graph is a planar graph in which each vertex has degree less or equal to $k$. In particular, we prove that every 4-planar graph admits a planar octilinear drawing with at most one bend per edge on an integer grid of size $O(n^2) \times O(n)$. For 5-planar graphs, we prove that one bend per edge still suffices in order to construct planar octilinear drawings, but in super-polynomial area. However, for 6-planar graphs we give a class of graphs whose planar octilinear drawings require at least two bends per edge

Cardiovascular Variability, Sociodemographics, and Biomarkers of Disease: The MIDUS Study

Introduction: Like heart rate, blood pressure (BP) is not steady but varies over intervals as long as months to as short as consecutive cardiac cycles. This blood pressure variability (BPV) consists of regularly occurring oscillations as well as less well-organized changes and typically is computed as the standard deviation of multiple clinic visit-to-visit (VVV-BP) measures or from 24-h ambulatory BP recordings (ABPV). BP also varies on a beat-to-beat basis, quantified by methods that parse variation into discrete bins, e.g., low frequency (0.04–0.15 Hz, LF). However, beat-to-beat BPV requires continuous recordings that are not easily acquired. As a result, we know little about the relationship between LF-BPV and basic sociodemographic characteristics such as age, sex, and race and clinical conditions. Methods: We computed LF-BPV during an 11-min resting period in 2,118 participants in the Midlife in the US (MIDUS) study. Results: LF-BPV was negatively associated with age, greater in men than women, and unrelated to race or socioeconomic status. It was greater in participants with hypertension but unrelated to hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, elevated CRP, or obesity. LF-diastolic BPV (DBPV), but not-systolic BPV (SBPV), was negatively correlated with IL-6 and s-ICAM and positively correlated with urinary epinephrine and cortisol. Finally, LF-DBPV was negatively associated with mortality, an effect was rendered nonsignificant by adjustment by age but not other sociodemographic characteristics. Discussion: These findings, the first from a large, national sample, suggest that LF-BPV differs significantly from VVV-BP and ABPV. Confirming its relationship to sociodemographic risk factors and clinical outcomes requires further study with large and representative samples

Declarative Event-Based Workflow as Distributed Dynamic Condition Response Graphs

We present Dynamic Condition Response Graphs (DCR Graphs) as a declarative, event-based process model inspired by the workflow language employed by our industrial partner and conservatively generalizing prime event structures. A dynamic condition response graph is a directed graph with nodes representing the events that can happen and arrows representing four relations between events: condition, response, include, and exclude. Distributed DCR Graphs is then obtained by assigning roles to events and principals. We give a graphical notation inspired by related work by van der Aalst et al. We exemplify the use of distributed DCR Graphs on a simple workflow taken from a field study at a Danish hospital, pointing out their flexibility compared to imperative workflow models. Finally we provide a mapping from DCR Graphs to Buchi-automata.Comment: In Proceedings PLACES 2010, arXiv:1110.385

Point process time–frequency analysis of dynamic respiratory patterns during meditation practice

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is largely mediated by the autonomic nervous system through its modulating influence on the heart beats. We propose a robust algorithm for quantifying instantaneous RSA as applied to heart beat intervals and respiratory recordings under dynamic breathing patterns. The blood volume pressure-derived heart beat series (pulse intervals, PIs) are modeled as an inverse Gaussian point process, with the instantaneous mean PI modeled as a bivariate regression incorporating both past PIs and respiration values observed at the beats. A point process maximum likelihood algorithm is used to estimate the model parameters, and instantaneous RSA is estimated via a frequency domain transfer function evaluated at instantaneous respiratory frequency where high coherence between respiration and PIs is observed. The model is statistically validated using Kolmogorov–Smirnov goodness-of-fit analysis, as well as independence tests. The algorithm is applied to subjects engaged in meditative practice, with distinctive dynamics in the respiration patterns elicited as a result. The presented analysis confirms the ability of the algorithm to track important changes in cardiorespiratory interactions elicited during meditation, otherwise not evidenced in control resting states, reporting statistically significant increase in RSA gain as measured by our paradigm.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01-HL084502)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01-DA015644)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant DP1-OD003646)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant K01-AT00694-01

The 2023 wearable photoplethysmography roadmap

Photoplethysmography is a key sensing technology which is used in wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. Currently, photoplethysmography sensors are used to monitor physiological parameters including heart rate and heart rhythm, and to track activities like sleep and exercise. Yet, wearable photoplethysmography has potential to provide much more information on health and wellbeing, which could inform clinical decision making. This Roadmap outlines directions for research and development to realise the full potential of wearable photoplethysmography. Experts discuss key topics within the areas of sensor design, signal processing, clinical applications, and research directions. Their perspectives provide valuable guidance to researchers developing wearable photoplethysmography technology

Global Perspectives on Task Shifting and Task Sharing in Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical task shifting and task sharing (TS/S), delegating clinical care to non-neurosurgeons, is ongoing in many hospital systems in which neurosurgeons are scarce. Although TS/S can increase access to treatment, it remains highly controversial. This survey investigated perceptions of neurosurgical TS/S to elucidate whether it is a permissible temporary solution to the global workforce deficit. METHODS: The survey was distributed to a convenience sample of individuals providing neurosurgical care. A digital survey link was distributed through electronic mailing lists of continental neurosurgical societies and various collectives, conference announcements, and social media platforms (July 2018-January 2019). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and univariate regression of Likert Scale scores. RESULTS: Survey respondents represented 105 of 194 World Health Organization member countries (54.1%; 391 respondents, 162 from high-income countries and 229 from low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]). The most agreed on statement was that task sharing is preferred to task shifting. There was broad consensus that both task shifting and task sharing should require competency-based evaluation, standardized training endorsed by governing organizations, and maintenance of certification. When perspectives were stratified by income class, LMICs were significantly more likely to agree that task shifting is professionally disruptive to traditional training, task sharing should be a priority where human resources are scarce, and to call for additional TS/S regulation, such as certification and formal consultation with a neurosurgeon (in person or electronic/telemedicine). CONCLUSIONS: Both LMIC and high-income countries agreed that task sharing should be prioritized over task shifting and that additional recommendations and regulations could enhance care. These data invite future discussions on policy and training programs

The 2023 wearable photoplethysmography roadmap

Photoplethysmography is a key sensing technology which is used in wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. Currently, photoplethysmography sensors are used to monitor physiological parameters including heart rate and heart rhythm, and to track activities like sleep and exercise. Yet, wearable photoplethysmography has potential to provide much more information on health and wellbeing, which could inform clinical decision making. This Roadmap outlines directions for research and development to realise the full potential of wearable photoplethysmography. Experts discuss key topics within the areas of sensor design, signal processing, clinical applications, and research directions. Their perspectives provide valuable guidance to researchers developing wearable photoplethysmography technology

Boolean Filters of Distributive Lattices

TesisEl presente trabajo de investigación tiene Ia finalidad de determinar los factores que explican las fluctuaciones de la demanda de importaciones en el Perú en el periodo de 1993 - 2012, cuyo objetivo general es estimar ecuaciones econométricas para analizar e identificar Ios factores relevantes que predicen las fluctuaciones de la demanda de importaciones peruanas en el periodo establecido, y los objetivos específicos es mostrar o analizar con cada determinante, como influye en la demanda de importaciones. Para el desarrollo del presente trabajo se ha estructurado en cinco capítulos a fin de mostrar un panorama amplio del tema a investigar. En el capítulo I, muestra aspectos como planteamiento del problema, en la que aborda la realidad problemática del comercio exterior y la importancia de investigar Ia demanda de importaciones, ya que es un instrumento de política macroeconómica el tema del comercio exterior como (transmisión de shocks de las grandes economías al resto del mundo, política cambiaria, comercial y la balanza comercial) y el comportamiento de las importaciones a partir de los años noventa en la que inició un proceso de Iiberalización del comercio exterior en el marco de un severo programa de estabilización y de un conjunto de reforrnas estructurales. Asimismo se aborda de los antecedentes de estudios referidos al tema, así como en Perú por Guardia (2001), en Chile y Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia y otros que muestran Ia existencia de relación con los factores de importación según el caso y análisis. En el marco teórico se plantea el modelo de Zuccardi y el modelo de Claudio Aravena, en la que plantean el tratamiento del comercio exterior y en él la demanda de importaciones y exportaciones en base a las teorías económicas del comercio internacional y sus variables. En el marco conceptual se define principales conceptos de las variables endógenas y exógenas como son la demanda de importaciones y su relación con el PBI, el tipo de cambio y divisas, gasto público y el crédito al sector privado. En el marco legal se menciona algunos tratamientos para la formalidad del comercio exterior como son negociaciones (OMC), acuerdos sobre aranceles aduaneros y el comercio (GATT), TLCs y políticas de fomento, todo ello facilita el Iibre comercio, garantiza las políticas comerciales buscando Ia competitividad entre países. Hipótesis: Existen factores positivos y negativos estadísticamente significativos que explican el comportamiento de la demanda de importaciones. La metodología del presente trabajo es inductiva y deductiva, con un tipo de investigación aplicada y nivel de investigación descriptivo y explicativo. En el capítulo ll, muestra la evolución y estructura de las importaciones totales y las importaciones según uso o destino económico; Ia evolución de las importaciones en el periodo de investigación muestran altas tasas de crecimiento con tendencias positivas, pero sin embargo se ha producido un cambio estructural a partir de 1998 en la que disminuyó sustancialmente las importaciones. específicamente en bienes de insumos. En cuanto a la estructura tenemos bienes de consumo, bienes de insumos y bienes de capital. En el capítulo III, muestra el análisis descriptivo de los factores que influyen en el comportamiento de las importaciones peruanas, en el que se muestra el IPBIR, ITCR, crédito del sector financiero al sector privado, disponibilidad de divisas y el gasto público sobre la evolución de la demanda de importaciones. En el capítulo IV, muestra el análisis explicativo individual de Ios factores que influyen el comportamiento de las importaciones, para el análisis respectivo se especifíca el modelo contemporáneo y el modelo inter temporal, a partir de ello se estima mediante una regresión Ia demanda de importaciones con respecto a las variables: Demanda de importaciones, producto bruto interno, crédito financiero al sector privado, reservas internacionales netas y gasto público. Por último, el capítulo V, muestra el análisis global de los factores que influyen Ia demanda de importaciones, mediante el método de mínimos cuadros ordinarios