Implementation of a Universal Framework Using Design Patterns for Application Development on Microcontrollers.

This article focuses on the area of software development for microcontrollers and details the implementation of modern programming practices and principles in embedded systems and IoT applications. This article explains how we implemented previously unimplemented principles and applied design patterns for quality software design on microcontrollers, which are currently only used for developing applications on the higher layers of the IoT reference model. A custom modular framework for microcontrollers is presented, based on applying SOLID principles and adapting design patterns specific to the microcontrollers' application development needs. The implemented framework enables independent communication between modules and flexible integration of hardware components. It is designed with platform independence in mind, contributing to its wide adaptability and ease of use in diverse development environments. By applying these technological approaches, we can create applications that are not only testable and extensible in terms of application logic but also allow for easy adaptation to changes in these hardware resources. Utilizing these capabilities represents an innovative approach to development for microcontrollers that fundamentally improves the long-term sustainability and scalability of applications.

Implementation of an Embedded System into the Internet of Robotic Things.

The article describes the use of embedded systems in the Industrial Internet of Things and its benefits for industrial robots. For this purpose, the article presents a case study, which deals with an embedded system using an advanced microcontroller designed to be placed directly on the robot. The proposed system is being used to collect information about industrial robot parameters that impact its behavior and its long-term condition. The device measures the robot's surroundings parameters and its vibrations while working. Besides that, it also has an enormous potential to collect other parameters such as air pollution or humidity. The collected data are stored on the cloud platform and processed and analysed. The embedded system proposed in this article is conceived to be small and mobile, as it is a wireless system that can be easily applied to any industrial robot.

Acoustic Emission Signal Characterisation of Failure Mechanisms in CFRP Composites Using Dual-Sensor Approach and Spectral Clustering Technique.

The characterisation of failure mechanisms in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials using the acoustic emission (AE) technique has been the topic of a number of publications. However, it is often challenging to obtain comprehensive and reliable information about individual failure mechanisms. This situation was the impetus for elaborating a comprehensive overview that covers all failure mechanisms within the framework of CFRP materials. Thus, we performed tensile and compact tension tests on specimens with various stacking sequences to induce specific failure modes and mechanisms. The AE activity was monitored using two different wideband AE sensors and further analysed using a hybrid AE hit detection process. The datasets received from both sensors were separately subjected to clustering analysis using the spectral clustering technique, which incorporated an unsupervised k-means clustering algorithm. The failure mechanism analysis also included a proposed filtering process based on the power distribution across the considered frequency range, with which it was possible to distinguish between the fibre pull-out and fibre breakage mechanisms. This functionality was particularly useful in cases where it was evident that the above-mentioned damage mechanisms exhibited very similar parametric characteristics. The results of the clustering analysis were compared to those of the scanning electron microscopy analysis, which confirmed the conclusions of the AE data analysis.

Patent foramen ovale increases the risk of acute ischemic stroke in patients with acute pulmonary embolism leading to right ventricular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an established risk factor for ischemic stroke. Since acute right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) observed in patients with PE can lead to right-to-left inter-atrial shunt via PFO, we hypothesized that PFO is a risk factor for ischemic stroke in PE with significant right ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: 55 patients (31 F, 24M), median age 49 years (range 19-83 years) with confirmed PE underwent echocardiography for RVD and PFO assessment. High risk acute PE was diagnosed in 3 (5.5%) patients, while 16 (29%) hemodynamically stable with RVD patients formed a group with intermediate-risk PE. PFO was diagnosed in 19 patients (34.5%). Diffusion-weighted MRI of the brain for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) was performed in all patients 4.91 ± 4.1 days after admission. RESULTS: AIS was detected by MRI in 4 patients (7.3%). Only one stroke was clinically overt and resulted in hemiplegia. All 4 AIS occurred in the PFO positive group (4 of 19 patients), and none in subjects without PFO (21.0% vs 0%, p=0.02). Moreover, all AIS occurred in patients with RVD and PFO, and none in patients with PFO without RVD (50% vs 0%, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that acute pulmonary embolism resulting in right ventricular dysfunction may lead to acute ischemic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale. However, the clinical significance of such lesions remains to be determined.

Advances in the development of an imaging device for plaque measurement in the area of the carotid artery.

This paper describes the advances in the development and subsequent testing of an imaging device for three-dimensional ultrasound measurement of atherosclerotic plaque in the carotid artery. The embolization from the atherosclerotic carotid plaque is one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke and, therefore, we consider the measurement of the plaque as extremely important. The paper describes the proposed hardware for enhancing the standard ultrasonic probe to provide a possibility of accurate probe positioning and synchronization with the cardiac activity, allowing the precise plaque measurements that were impossible with the standard equipment. The synchronization signal is derived from the output signal of the patient monitor (electrocardiogram (ECG)), processed by a microcontroller-based system, generating the control commands for the linear motion moving the probe. The controlling algorithm synchronizes the movement with the ECG waveform to obtain clear images not disturbed by the heart activity.

[Leptomeningitis carcinomatosa with progressive involvement of the cranial nerves--report of two cases]. / Postepujace uszkodzenia nerwów czaszkowych u pacjentów z meningioza nowotworowa--dwa przypadki kliniczne.

This paper reports two cases of leptomeningitis carcinomatosa with progressive cranial nerves injury as the first clinical sign of disseminated disease. Neurological state, diagnostic procedure and treatment are described.