Binary Classification of COVID-19 CT Images Using CNN

COVID-19 pandemic has hit the world with such a force that the world's leading economies are finding it challenging to come out of it. Countries with the best medical facilities are even cannot handle the increasing number of cases and fatalities. This disease causes significant damage to the lungs and respiratory system of humans, leading to their death. Computed tomography (CT) images of the respiratory system are analyzed in the proposed work to classify the infected people with non-infected people. Deep learning binary classification algorithms have been applied, which have shown an accuracy of 86.9% on 746 CT images of chest having COVID-19 related symptoms.

A categorisation of dialectics in response to project uncertainty

PurposeScholars are increasingly acknowledging the importance of conversations in the management of complex projects. Defining dialectics as “the art of purposeful conversation”, this paper aims to rationalise the somewhat disorganised field of dialectics by developing a categoreal scheme.Design/methodology/approachThe authors refer to the current state of research into the conversational aspects of complex projects, and examine the historical development of, and philosophical and scholarly commentary on, the dialectical method.FindingsThe categories the authors propose are the Socratic, Conversational, Fichtean and Peircean. They differ in relation to the subject matter of the dialectic; their vulnerability to environmental influences; the degree of structure they require for optimal performance; and the situations in which they might most profitably be applied.Research limitations/implicationsA single categoreal scheme is rarely the last word, and the authors invite other scholars to explore the field in a similar way.Practical implicationsThe scheme proposed here is intended to enhance the project manager's approach to conversations, by referring to the specific virtues and limitations of each of the categories.Social implicationsThe informed use of dialectics may help to ameliorate the significant damage done to organisations and economies around the world by failed and underperforming projects.Originality/valueThe authors present the first categorisation of the field, with the aim of equipping the practitioner to think about dialectical approaches in a more systematic way.

BO-DRNet: An Improved Deep Learning Model for Oil Spill Detection by Polarimetric Features from SAR Images

Oil spill pollution at sea causes significant damage to marine ecosystems. Quad-polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has become an essential technology since it can provide polarization features for marine oil spill detection. Using deep learning models based on polarimetric features, oil spill detection can be achieved. However, there is insufficient feature extraction due to model depth, small reception field lend due to loss of target information, and fixed hyperparameter for models. The effect of oil spill detection is still incomplete or misclassified. To solve the above problems, we propose an improved deep learning model named BO-DRNet. The model can obtain a more sufficiently and fuller feature by ResNet-18 as the backbone in encoder of DeepLabv3+, and Bayesian Optimization (BO) was used to optimize the model’s hyperparameters. Experiments were conducted based on ten prominent polarimetric features were extracted from three quad-polarimetric SAR images obtained by RADARSAT-2. Experimental results show that compared with other deep learning models, BO-DRNet performs best with a mean accuracy of 74.69% and a mean dice of 0.8551. This paper provides a valuable tool to manage upcoming disasters effectively.

Assessing and mitigating risks to bridges from large wood using satellite imagery

The transport and accumulation of floating large wood (LW) debris at bridges can pose a major risk to their structural integrity. The impact forces arising from collisions of LW can cause significant damage to piers, and accumulations can constrict the flow and exacerbate scour at piers and abutments. Furthermore, LW accumulations increase afflux upstream of bridges, heightening flood risk for adjoining areas. Consequently, there is a need for a practical and rapid approach to identify bridges prone to LW-related hazards and to prevent the formation of LW accumulations. This paper proposes an approach based on satellite imagery to (i) quantify the risk of LW at a bridge structure and (ii) locate a LW-trapping system upstream of the identified vulnerable bridges to dramatically reduce risks of LW-related damage. This methodology is applied to major rivers in Devon (UK). 26 bridges were identified as at risk to LW with the majority prone to LW jams. Furthermore, satellite imagery was used to identify 12 locations for the potential installation of LW trapping systems for bridge protection. The results reported in this paper show that satellite imagery is a powerful tool for the rapid assessment and plan of mitigation measures for bridges at risk to LW.

Legislative Initiatives Regarding the Tightening of the Responsibility for Non-Fulfillment of the Obligation to Undergo Treatment for Drug Addiction: Problems and Future Visions

Various psychoactive substances that are in illegal circulation cause significant damage to the health of the population. Discussions among scientists about measures to reduce the level of drug use have not been stopped for many decades. The main goal of all researches is to search for effective anti-narcotic drugs and the implementation into practice of new technologies to counter drug crime. Following the scientists, a legislator tries to choose the most optimal designs that allow an objective and comprehensive assessment of the actions of violators, taking into account the need to save repressive measures. In the first edition, the current Criminal Code of the Russian Federation allowed the use of compulsory medical measures to persons with an established diagnosis of "drug addiction". Later, the measures of compulsory treatment were recognized as inhumane and abolished. They were replaced by the institution of imposing by the court on a drug addict the obligation to undergo treatment for drug addiction, medical and (or) social rehabilitation. As an interim measure, a legislator in 2013 put into effect Article 6.9.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, which provides liability for evading a drug addict from the duty imposed by the court. Currently, a legislator offers to tighten the responsibility of a drug addict for evading treatment and rehabilitation by introducing an administrative prejudice. The conducted research has shown that it is possible to achieve the desired result by other means.

Juridical and Sociological Considerations of Judges in Granting Marriage Dispensation after Enactment Law No. 16 Of 2019

This research is motivated by many applications for dispensation for Marriage after implementing the latest law related to the age limit for Marriage. This study examines judges' considerations from both normative and social aspects so that this dispensation application can be accepted. This research focuses on 1) how does the Judge review the application for a marriage dispensation after enacting Law Number 16 of 2019 at the Palangkaraya Religious Court? Religion of Palangkaraya?. This empirical research uses a statute approach and Islamic law. The research subjects are 5 (five) judges and 2 (two) informants who are substitute clerks at the Palangkaraya Religious Court. Data were collected through observation, interviews, documentation and analyzed through Islamic Laws and normative. The results of this study indicate that judges in deciding cases of marital dispensation do not only look at the Completeness of the legal administration. But also from a sociological perspective, granting a dispensation application sees aspects of the benefits that must be obtained to avoid more significant damage. The implication is that changes of the law related to marriage dispensation are increasing because it becomes a procedure to complete the marriage administration for underage couples in the provisions of the law.

Current State of Pineries in Zhytomyr Polissia Under the Influence of Environmental Factors

Recently, there has been a massive drying of conifers all over the world. In North America and Siberia, there are millions of hectares of shrunken plantings; in Europe, pines and firs have been drying up over the past two decades. Furthermore, considerable damage is caused to woody plants by phyto-pest and phyto-diseases, since mass reproduction of Ips typographus Linnaeus, Ips acuminatus Gyllenhal has been observed in Europe in recent years, Dendroctonus micans Kud – in North America, Polygraphus proximus Blandford – in East Asia. Nematodes also cause significant damage to pine forests. Among phyto-diseases, Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. harmfully affects Pinus sylvestris L. The appearance of foci of shrunken trees in different parts of the globe indicates the global nature of processes associated with cyclical planetary processes and climate change. This study describes climate changes in the research region for 1961-2020. According to the analysis, it was found that for 2009-2020, considerable damage to pine plantations in Zhytomyr Polissia is caused among needle-eating insects – Panolis flammea Denis & Schiffermuller, Diprion pini L., Neodiprion sertifer Geoffroy; among other pests – Aradus cinnamomeus Panz, Dendrolimus pini L., Bupalus piniarius L. The greatest harmful effect that pineries have recently sustained has been caused by Diprion pini L. It was also found out that among phyto-diseases suffered by the pine forests, significant damage has been done by Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref., with the damaged area of 13.0-14.2 thousand hectares. Hydrothermal analysis was performed for 2009-2020. The influence of solar activity on the number of phyto-pest and diseases is analysed. This paper provides the estimate of the amount of CO2 emissions is given for 2009-2020. It was found that since 2014, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions has decreased from 1.5 million tonnes to 0.6 million tonnes. Correlation analysis of all indicators indicated a high mutual influence between the area of trees damaged by insect pest, root sponge, the Wolf number, and CO2 emissions to the environment. Mathematical dependences are obtained to predict the influence of the W number on damage to pineries by forest pests and diseases in the conditions of Zhytomyr Polissia

Toxicity, Monitoring, and Biodegradation of Cypermethrin Insecticide: A Review

Cypermethrin insecticide is widely used to prevent and control pest and crop diseases though, its residues have caused significant damage to the environment and living organisms. Microbial remediation becomes a popular approach to counter the toxicity of cypermethrin in both aquatic as well as terrestrial life. Cypermethrin can be effectively degraded to nontoxic compounds by bacterial and fungal strains. Various bacterial and fungal strains such as Ochrobactrum lupini DG-S-01, Bacillus sp. strain SG2, Azoarcus indigens strain HZ5, Streptomyces aureus strain HP-S-01, and Aspergillus oryzae M-4 are used for the cypermethrin degradation. Extensive usage of cypermethrin has caused problems such as surface water contamination, reduced fertility of the soil, detrimental effects on soil microbiota and non-targeted species. Due to environmental concerns associated with the cypermethrin in groundwater and food products, there is a crucial need to develop economical, rapid, and reliable techniques that can be used for field applications. An in-depth understanding of cypermethrin is explored in this review paper and possible solutions to mitigate its environmental toxicity are suggested.

Assessment of the influence of the normalized vegetation index on the fire situation in the fire-hazardous period

The paper presents an analysis of the parameter obtained by remote sensing of the planet Earth, the normalized vegetation index (NDVI index). The results of assessing the impact of the index on the occurrence of fires in a certain area are presented. Using the example of statistical data for the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the index values for two periods of spring and summer were obtained, and the influence of NDVI values on the change in the probability of a forest fire was estimated. Static data on the index were selected from the «data lake» of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia, data is collected from 2014 to the present, and data on thermal points from 2012. The consequences after wildfires will cause significant damage to forestry in Russia, and to the environment as a whole. Therefore, the allocation of previously known areas with a high probability of a natural fire will not only improve preventive measures for prevention, but will also make it possible to prevent most of the consequences. This article considers one of the parameters obtained by remote sensing of the Earth NDVI of its change before and after the event in question (natural fire).

CRIMINOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONS COMMITTING CRIMES IN THE FIELD OF THE FUEL AND ENERGY COMPLEX

В представленной статье автором рассматриваются вопросы, связанные с криминологической характеристикой лиц, совершающих преступные действия на объектах топливно-энергетического комплекса России (на примере Самарской области), приводятся результаты проведенного исследования криминологических характеристик лиц, наделенных административно-хозяйственными и организационно-управленческие функциями на предприятиях топливно-энергетического комплекса, совершивших преступления коррупционного характера. Определен круг преступлений, которые могут совершаться в сфере топливно-энергетического комплекса (далее - ТЭК) и отнесение их по группам в зависимости от объекта и предмета преступного посягательства. Исходя из анализа основных категорий преступлений, совершаемых в указанной выше отрасли экономики, их многогранности выделяются основные типы преступников, осуществляющих противоправную деятельность, в результате которой причиняется значительный ущерб нормальному функционированию предприятий топливно-энергетического комплекса. Составлен криминологический портрет возможного преступника для данной категории преступлений; проанализированы его основные характеристики: высокий уровень компетентности с точки зрения выполнения им своих должностных обязанностей; специальное образование, возрастные и гендерные характеристики и т. д. Особый интерес представляет приведенная криминологическая характеристика преступников в сфере ТЭК по признаку принадлежности к профессиональному преступному миру, а также по видам рецидива. Основной мотив совершения преступления в сфере ТЭК - корыстный, формируемый под воздействием завышенных материальных потребностей. Результаты исследования показаны на примере конкретных уголовных дел, возбужденных следственными органами на основе результатов оперативно-розыскной деятельности правоохранительных органов. In the article the author examines the issues related to the criminological characteristics of persons committing criminal acts at the facilities of the fuel and energy complex of Russia (on the example of Samara region), the results of the study of some criminological characteristics of officials of the enterprises of the fuel and energy complex who committed corruption crimes are presented. The circle of crimes that can be committed in the sphere of the fuel and energy complex and their classification into groups depending on the object and subject of criminal infringement is defined. Based on the analysis of the main categories of crimes committed in the above-mentioned branch of the economy, their versatility, the main types of criminals who carry out illegal activities as a result of which significant damage is caused to the normal functioning of enterprises of the fuel and energy complex. A typical criminal model for this category of crimes and its characteristics are determined, and first of all it is a high level of competence, special education, age and gender characteristics are shown, etc. Of particular interest is the given criminological characteristics of criminals in the fuel and energy sector on the basis of belonging to the professional criminal world, as well as types of recidivism. The main motive for committing a crime in the fuel and energy sector is selfish, formed under the influence of inflated material needs. The results of the study are shown by the example of specific criminal cases initiated by investigative authorities based on the results of operational investigative activities of law enforcement agencies.