2026
Authors
Pinto, AS; Bernardes, G; Davies, MEP;
Publication
MUSIC AND SOUND GENERATION IN THE AI ERA, CMMR 2023
Abstract
Deep-learning beat-tracking algorithms have achieved remarkable accuracy in recent years. However, despite these advancements, challenges persist with musical examples featuring complex rhythmic structures, especially given their under-representation in training corpora. Expanding on our prior work, this paper demonstrates how our user-centred beat-tracking methodology effectively handles increasingly demanding musical scenarios. We evaluate its adaptability and robustness through musical pieces that exhibit rhythmic dissonance, while maintaining ease of integration with leading methods through minimal user annotations. The selected musical works-Uruguayan Candombe, Colombian Bambuco, and Steve Reich's Piano Phase-present escalating levels of rhythmic complexity through their respective polyrhythm, polymetre, and polytempo characteristics. These examples not only validate our method's effectiveness but also demonstrate its capability across increasingly challenging scenarios, culminating in the novel application of beat tracking to polytempo contexts. The results show notable improvements in terms of the F-measure, ranging from 2 to 5 times the state-of-the-art performance. The beat annotations used in fine-tuning reduce the correction edit operations from 1.4 to 2.8 times, while reducing the global annotation effort to between 16% and 37% of the baseline approach. Our experiments demonstrate the broad applicability of our human-in-theloop strategy in the domain of Computational Ethnomusicology, confronting the prevalent Music Information Retrieval (MIR) constraints found in non-Western musical scenarios. Beyond beat tracking and computational rhythm analysis, this user-driven adaptation framework suggests wider implications for various MIR technologies, particularly in scenarios where musical signal ambiguity and human subjectivity challenge conventional algorithms.
2026
Authors
Correia, PF; Coelho, A; Ricardo, M;
Publication
IEEE ACCESS
Abstract
Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) technology in cellular networks operating in the 3.x GHz band combines access and backhaul functionalities within a wireless framework, reducing dependence on fiber-based solutions and enabling cost-efficient, flexible network expansion. Deploying a mobile IAB (MIAB) in obstruction-prone environments, such as seaports, offers on-demand capacity and resilience but poses unique challenges due to severe shadowing from dense physical obstacles. This paper presents a three-dimensional, obstacle-aware model for optimal MIAB placement and scheduler selection in networks comprising user equipments (UEs) and fixed IABs (FIABs). We evaluate user and backhaul association patterns under different scheduling strategies, including Round-Robin (RR) and Weighted Round-Robin (WRR), ensuring that both MIABs and FIABs meet UE application-layer capacity demands without exceeding backhaul limits. A genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimizer is employed to explore deployment configurations under varying FIAB densities, number of UEs, and obstacles. Results show that MIAB assistance yields the greatest benefits in sparse FIAB networks and low-UE scenarios, with capacity gains reaching up to 350%. MIAB delivers the greatest added value in the presence of obstacles. In contrast, dense FIAB deployments exhibit diminishing returns from MIAB integration. Across most of the evaluated conditions, WRR outperforms RR by enabling fairer and more adaptive resource blocks (RBs) allocation. These findings provide practical guidance for targeted MIAB deployment strategies that balance infrastructure investment, environmental constraints, and scheduling policies.
2026
Authors
Montenegro, H; Zolfagharnasab, MH; Teixeira, F; Pinto, G; Santos, J; Ferreira, P; Bonci, EA; Mavioso, C; Cardoso, MJ; Cardoso, JS;
Publication
ARCHIVES OF COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING
Abstract
Aesthetic outcomes in plastic and oncological surgery play a fundamental role in restoring patients' self-esteem, social engagement, and overall quality of life. Yet, managing pre-operative expectations and objectively assessing post-operative results remain as difficult challenges, compounded by the subjective nature of beauty and the scarcity of standardized evaluation tools. To address these challenges, we conduct a systematic review assessing computational methods for the prediction and evaluation of the aesthetic outcomes of plastic and oncological surgery, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. We propose a goal-oriented taxonomy that partitions computational approaches into two main categories: (1) prediction methods that pre-operatively predict the results of surgery through retrieval-based systems, generative artificial intelligence and advanced 3D modeling techniques, and (2) evaluation strategies that assess the post-operative outcomes through objective measurements, traditional machine learning, and deep learning models. Our synthesis indicates a potential paradigm shift from early work that relied on manual image annotation and manipulation to recent research that predominantly employs artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, over 90% of datasets remain private, and validation processes diverge among techniques with similar goals, limiting reproducibility and fair methodological comparisons. We conclude by advocating for the creation of larger publicly accessible datasets, integration of vision-language models to capture patient-reported outcomes, and rigorous clinical validation to ensure equitable, patient-centered care. By bridging computational innovation with clinical practice, this study contributes towards a more transparent, reliable, and personalized aesthetic outcome prediction and assessment.
2026
Authors
Gutiérrez-Tobal, GC; Gomez-Pilar, J; Ferreira-Santos, D; Pereira-Rodrigues, P; Alvarez, D; del Campo, F; Gozal, D; Hornero, R;
Publication
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
Abstract
Background and objectives: Timely treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can prevent or reverse neurocognitive and cardiovascular morbidities. However, whether distinct phenotypes exist and account for divergent treatment effectiveness remains unknown. In this study, our goal is threefold: i) to define new data-driven pediatric OSA phenotypes, ii) to evaluate possible treatment effectiveness differences among them, and iii) to assess phenotypic information in predicting OSA resolution. Methods: We involved 22 sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical data from 464 children (5-10 years old) from the Childhood Adenotonsillectomy Trial (CHAT) database. Baseline information was used to automatically define pediatric OSA phenotypes using a new unsupervised subject-based association network. Follow-up data (7 months later) were used to evaluate the effects of the therapeutic intervention in terms of changes in the obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (OAHI) and the resolution of OSA (OAHI < 1 event per hour). An explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approach was also developed to assess phenotypic information as OSA resolution predictor at baseline. Results: Our approach identified three OSA phenotypes (PHOSA1-PHOSA3), with PHOSA2 showing significantly lower odds of OSA recovery than PHOSA1 and PHOSA3 when treatment information was not considered (odds ratios, OR: 1.64 and 1.66, 95 % confidence intervals, CI: 1.03-2.62 and 1.01-2.69, respectively). The odds of OSA recovery were also significantly lower in PHOSA2 than in PHOSA3 when adenotonsillectomy was adopted as treatment (OR: 2.60, 95 % CI: 1.26-5.39). Our XAI approach identified 79.4 % (CI: 69.9-88.0 %) of children reaching OSA resolution after adenotonsillectomy, with a positive predictive value of 77.8 % (CI: 70.3 %-86.0 %). Conclusions: Our new subject-based association network successfully identified three clinically useful pediatric OSA phenotypes with different odds of therapeutic intervention effectiveness. Specifically, we found that children of any sex, >6 years old, overweight or obese, and with enlarged neck and waist circumference (PHOSA2) have less odds of recovering from OSA. Similarly, younger female children with no enlarged neck (PHOSA3) have higher odds of benefiting from adenotonsillectomy.
2025
Authors
Ruela, J; Cojocaru, I; Coelho, A; Campos, R; Ricardo, M;
Publication
CoRR
Abstract
2025
Authors
Abdellatif, AA; Silva, S; Baltazar, E; Oliveira, B; Qiu, S; Bocus, MJ; Eder, K; Piechocki, RJ; Almeida, NT; Fontes, H;
Publication
CoRR
Abstract
This paper proposes an optimized Reconfigurable Internet of Things (RIoT) framework that integrates optical and radio wireless technologies with a focus on energy efficiency, scalability, and adaptability. To address the inherent complexity of hybrid optical–radio environments, a high-fidelity Digital Twin (DT) is developed within the Network Simulator 3 (NS-3) platform. The DT models deploy subsystems of the RIoT architecture, including Radio Frequency (RF) communication, Optical Wireless Communication (OWC), and energy harvesting and consumption mechanisms that enable autonomous operation. Real-time energy and power measurements from target hardware platforms are also incorporated to ensure accurate representation of physical behavior and enable runtime analysis and optimization. Building on this foundation, a proactive cross-layer optimization strategy is devised to balance energy efficiency and quality of service (QoS). The strategy dynamically reconfigures RIoT nodes by adapting transmission rates, wake/sleep scheduling, and access technology selection. Results demonstrate that the proposed framework, combining digital twin technology, hybrid optical–radio integration, and data-driven energy modeling, substantially enhances the performance, resilience, and sustainability of 6G IoT networks. © 2020 IEEE.
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