Abstract
In the study, a new method for analyzing Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals is suggested, which is vital for detecting and treating heart diseases. The technique focuses on improving ECG signal classification, particularly in identifying different heart conditions like arrhythmias and myocardial infarctions. An enhanced version of the differential evolution (DE) algorithm integrated with neural networks is leveraged to classify these signals effectively. The process starts with preprocessing and extracting key features from ECG signals. These features are then processed by a multi-layer perceptron (MLP), a common neural network for ECG analysis. However, traditional MLP training methods have limitations, such as getting trapped in suboptimal solutions. To overcome this, an advanced DE algorithm is used, incorporating a partition-based strategy, opposition-based learning, and local search mechanisms. This improved DE algorithm optimizes the MLP by fine-tuning its weights and biases, using them as starting points for further refinement by the Gradient Descent with Momentum (GDM) local search algorithm. Extensive experiments demonstrate that this novel training approach yields better results than the traditional method. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Abstract
Predicting and controlling crowd dynamics in emergencies is one of the main objectives of simulated emergency exercises. However, during emergency exercises, there is often a lack of sense of danger by the actors involved and concerns about exposing real people to potentially dangerous environments. These problems impose limitations in running an emergency drill, harming the collection of valuable information for posterior analysis and decision-making. This work aims to mitigate these problems by using Agent Based Modelling (ABM) simulator to deepen the comprehension of human actions when exposed to a sudden variation in extensive crowded environmental conditions and how evacuation strategies affect evacuation performance. To assess the impact of the evacuation strategy employed, we propose a modified informed leader-flowing approach and compare it with common evacuation strategies in a simulated environment, replicating stadium benches with narrow corridors leading to different exit points. The objective is to determine the impact of each set of configurations and evacuation strategies and compare them against other established ones. Our experiments determined that agents following the crowd generally lead to a higher number of victims due to the rise of herding phenomena near the exits, which was significantly reduced when agents were guided towards the exit via knowing the exit beforehand or following leader agent with real-time information regarding exit location and exit current state, proving that relevant and controlled information in combination with Follow Leader strategies can be crucial in an emergency evacuation scenario with limited evacuation exit capabi and distribution. © The Author(s) 2024.

Abstract
This paper explores advancements in Video Anomaly Detection (VAD), combining theoretical insights with practical solutions to address model limitations. Through comprehensive experimental analysis, the study examines the role of feature representations, sampling strategies, and curriculum learning in enhancing VAD performance. Key findings include the impact of class imbalance on the Cross-Modal Awareness-Local Arousal (CMALA) architecture and the effectiveness of techniques like pseudo-curriculum learning in mitigating noisy classes, such as Car Accident. Novel strategies like the Sample-Batch Selection (SBS) dynamic segment selection and pre-trained image-text models, including Contrastive Language-Image Pre-training (CLIP) and ViTamin encoder, significantly improve anomaly detection. The research underscores the potential of multimodal VAD, highlighting the integration of audio and visual modalities and the development of multimodal fusion techniques. To support this evolution, the study proposes a Unified WorkStation 4 VAD (UWS4VAD) to streamline research workflows and introduces a new VAD benchmark incorporating multimodal data and textual information. The work envisions enhanced anomaly interpretation and performance by leveraging joint representation learning and Large Language Models (LLMs). The findings set the stage for future advancements, advocating for large-scale pre-training on audio-visual datasets and shifting toward a more integrated, multimodal approach to VADs. Source code of the project available at https://github.com/zuble/uws4vad

Abstract
Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction relies on the precise identification of perforator vessels supplying blood to transferred tissue. Traditional manual mapping from preoperative imaging is time-consuming and subjective. To address this, AVA, a semi-automated perforator detection algorithm, was developed to analyze angiography images. AVA follows a three-step process: automated anatomical segmentation, manual annotation of perforators, and segmentation of perforator courses. This approach enhances accuracy, reduces subjectivity, and accelerates the mapping process while generating quantitative reports for surgical planning. To streamline integration into clinical workflows, AVA has been embedded into PACScenter, a medical imaging platform, leveraging DICOM encapsulation for seamless data exchange within a Vendor Neutral Archive (VNA). This integration allows surgeons to interactively annotate perforators, adjust parameters iteratively, and visualize detailed anatomical structures. AVA-PACScenter integration eliminates workflow disruptions by providing real-time perforator analysis within the surgical environment, ultimately improving preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance. Currently undergoing clinical feasibility testing, this integration aims to enhance DIEP flap reconstruction efficiency by reducing manual inputs, improving mapping precision, and facilitating long-term report storage within Dicoogle. By automating perforator analysis, AVA represents a significant advancement toward data-driven, patient-centered surgical planning. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Abstract
Clinical diagnosis of syndromes benefits strongly from objective facial phenotyping. This study introduces a novel approach to enhance clinical diagnosis through the development and exploration of a low-dimensional metric space referred to as the clinical face phenotypic space (CFPS). As a facial matching tool for clinical genetics, such CFPS can enhance clinical diagnosis. It helps to interpret facial dysmorphisms of a subject by placing them within the space of known dysmorphisms. In this paper, a triplet loss-based autoencoder developed by geometric deep learning (GDL) is trained using multi-task learning, which combines supervised and unsupervised learning approaches. Experiments are designed to illustrate the following properties of CFPSs that can aid clinicians in narrowing down their search space: a CFPS can 1) classify syndromes accurately, 2) generalize to novel syndromes, and 3) preserve the relatedness of genetic diseases, meaning that clusters of phenotypically similar disorders reflect functional relationships between genes. The proposed model consists of three main components: an encoder based on GDL optimizing distances between groups of individuals in the CFPS, a decoder enhancing classification by reconstructing faces, and a singular value decomposition layer maintaining orthogonality and optimal variance distribution across dimensions. This allows for the selection of an optimal number of CFPS dimensions as well as improving the classification capacity of the CFPS, which outperforms the linear metric learning baseline in both syndrome classification and generalization to novel syndromes. We further proved the usefulness of each component of the proposed framework, highlighting their individual impact. From a clinical perspective, the unique combination of these properties in a single CFPS results in a powerful tool that can be incorporated into current clinical practices to assess facial dysmorphism.

Abstract