M2UNet++

Liver segmentation is instrumental for decision making in the medical realm for the diagnosis and treatment planning of hepatic diseases. However, the manual segmentation of the hundreds of CT images is tedious for medical experts. Thus, it hampers the segmentation accuracy and is reliant on opinion of the operator. This chapter presents the deep learning-based modified multi-scale UNet++ (M2UNet++) approach for automatic liver segmentation. The multi-scale features were modified channel-wise using adaptive feature recalibration to improve the representation of the high-level semantic information of the skip pathways and improved the segmentation performance with fewer computational overheads. The experimental results proved the model's efficacy on the publicly available 3DIRCADb dataset, which offers significant complexity and variations. The model's dice coefficient value is 97.28% that is 7.64%, and 2.24% improved from the UNet and UNet++ model. The quantitative result analysis shows that the M2UNet++ model outperforms the state-of-the-art methods proposed for liver segmentation.

On a special class of modified integral operators preserving some exponential functions

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>In the present paper, we consider a general class of operators enriched with some properties in order to act on <inline-formula><tex-math id="M1">\begin{document}$ C^{\ast }( \mathbb{R} _{0}^{+}) $\end{document}</tex-math></inline-formula>. We establish uniform convergence of the operators for every function in <inline-formula><tex-math id="M2">\begin{document}$ C^{\ast }( \mathbb{R} _{0}^{+}) $\end{document}</tex-math></inline-formula> on <inline-formula><tex-math id="M3">\begin{document}$ \mathbb{R} _{0}^{+} $\end{document}</tex-math></inline-formula>. Then, a quantitative result is proved. A quantitative Voronovskaya-type estimate is obtained. Finally, some applications are provided concerning particular kernel functions.</p>

Romania’s Anti-Corruption Policy: Results, Prospects and Experience for Ukraine

The article analyzes the results and prospects of anti-corruption policy in Romania. Using the method of a logical chain model for evaluating government programs and projects made it possible to prove that two competing approaches have emerged in Romania regarding the appropriateness of the forms and methods of this process: the first of them is focused on the quantitative result of anti-corruption policy, which is achieved despite numerous procedural violations of the legal procedure; the second emphasizes the need and importance of ensuring and strict observance of procedural guarantees and legal decisions focused on the quality of the results of anti-corruption activities of special anti-corruption structures. It was found that the growth of the institutional and organizational potential of anti-corruption structures in Romania led to a quantitative increase in the effectiveness of anti-corruption policy, while reducing its qualitative indicators, reflected in the procedural characteristics of the implementation of anti-corruption policy. Such a ratio of quantitative and qualitative results of anti-corruption policy indicates a certain imbalance in the activities of the structures of the anti-corruption activity system and requires a political adjustment of anti-corruption policy. It has been substantiated that the most important aspect of anti-corruption practices that can be used in Ukraine is the public consensus on the ratio of quantitative and qualitative indicators of the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of anti-corruption policy. It is noted that the pursuit of quantitative indicators, however, as well as neglect of them, will inevitably form a public discourse about the organizational necessity / importance of the national system of anti-corruption institutions and the principles of anti-corruption policy.

Verbal processes in the Covid-19 news discourses: An analysis of ‘aswaqpress.com’ coverage on Malaysia

December 2019 marked the emergence of a deadly virus known as Covid-19. Since then, we have been battling the virus, which has infected more than 250 million people and killed 4.5 million globally. The pandemic has become the headline of almost every media outlet, local and international news agency. Hence, this article aims to examine the Arabic online news discourse of the event by focusing on the verbal processes strategically utilised in reporting the pandemic in Malaysia. This study's data consists of Modern Standard Arabic online news published by Aswaq (aswaqpress.com) news portal between January and July 2021. Aswaq provides Arabic news and information on Malaysia to the Arab world. Hence, the information provided by the portal is vital in portraying Malaysia to Arab audiences, particularly in framing the way Malaysia deals with the Covid-19. The study employs corpus linguistics analytical tools using corpus software AntConc 3.5.8 (2019). Then, the quantitative result will be analysed using a qualitative approach based on the textual-oriented Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of Fairclough (1992). It is shown that Aswaq has strategically utilised various verbal processes to report on the word said and articulated around the pandemic. The diversity of verbal processes usage indicates different connotations that hint at different strategic approaches in reporting the news. Hence, it may lead to uncovering the outlet stance of the event. Finally, the study will present suggestions for other related studies in the future.

Language Proficiency Development and Study Abroad Experience: A Study On EFL Learners

Study abroad experience (SA) has been regarded as one of the best ways to enhance English language proficiency because it offers opportunities for learners to experience the use of English in real instances. The present study attempted to explore the language development of a group of EFL learners participating in Erasmus program for SA experience where English is not used as L1. To achieve this, the data were collected through three instruments; Language Contact Profile (LCP), Then and Now Survey, and semi-structured interviews. Fifty-nine students answered LCP and Then and Now self-assessment and eight students were interviewed. The quantitative result revealed that students experienced greater gains in their oral skills. On the other hand, qualitative results confirm the greater gains in speaking skills with respect to other skills. Moreover, the results highlighted the significance of the learning context and the quality and quantity of interaction for language development.

Clinical incident reporting behaviors and associated factors among health professionals in Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: a mixed method study

Background Understanding the type and causes of errors are necessary for the prevention of occurrence or reoccurrence. Therefore addressing the behavior of health professionals on reporting clinical incidents is crucial to create spontaneous knowledge from mistakes and enhance patient safety. Method A mixed type institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 1 - 30, 2020 in Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital among 319 and 18 participants for the quantitative and qualitative study, respectively. The professions and participants with their assigned proportions were selected using a simple random sampling technique. For quantitative and qualitative data, semi structured questionnaires and interviewer-guided questions were used to collect data, respectively. Finally, qualitative findings were used to supplement the quantitative result. Result The finding showed that the proportion of clinical incident reporting behavior among health professionals was 12.4%. Having training (AOR=3.6, 95% CI, 1.15-11.45), incident reporting help to minimize errors (AOR=2.8, 95% CI, 1.29-6.02), fear of legal penalty (AOR= 0.3, 95% CI, 0.13-0.82), and lack of feedback (AOR=0.3, 95% CI, 0.11-0.90) were identified as significant factors for clinical incident reporting behavior of the health professionals. Conclusions This study showed that the clinical incident reporting behavior of the health professionals was very low. Therefore health professionals should get training on clinical incident reporting and the hospital should have an incident reporting system and guideline.

A quantitative model for simply typed λ-calculus

We use a simplified version of the framework of resource monoids, introduced by Dal Lago and Hofmann, to interpret simply typed λ-calculus with constants zero and successor. We then use this model to prove a simple quantitative result about bounding the size of the normal form of λ-terms. While the bound itself is already known, this is to our knowledge the first semantic proof of this fact. Our use of resource monoids differs from the other instances found in the literature, in that it measures the size of λ-terms rather than time complexity.

Household Waste Management in Cameroon: The Case of Bamenda and Buea Municipalities

Urban sanitation and hazard risk reduction strategies that aim to maintain a clean and healthy society will only be successful and sustainable if it includes educating and training the people on how to handle their household waste. Nations and organisations must innovate in order to sustain the health of population growth and other global demands. It is not easy to obtain a complete assessment of risk involve in any undertaking. The problem is even more in an innovative project like the case of hysacam waste disposal in Buea and Bamenda in Cameroon. What distinguishes standard processes from innovation is their level of uncertainty. Therefore, ways of assessing and addressing the magnitude of risks involve must come high on the list of techniques for managing innovations. The risk surrounding garbage disposal in Cameroon is a course for concern. The objective of this paper is to present and discuss the assumptions which underlie the key frame of reference used to understand waste disposal in order to make garbage disposal using the new system risk free and sustainable. The study focuses on household’s waste disposal in Bamenda and Buea towns in Cameroon. According to prior studies in this area, (Jake Ansell & Frank Wharton 1992; Keith Goffin & Rick Mitchell 2005) risk is an unavoidable feature of human existence. Neither man nor organisations/societies can survive for long without taking risks. Mark and Eve (2006) suggest that people be advised to separate organic waste from solid waste before depositing for collection to a compositing depot. Data was gathered through face to face interview with those disposing garbage and the population concern. In all, 150 people were interviewed, 5 employees holding executive posts, 35 workers involve in the day to day carrying of garbage, 100 service users in the town of Buea and Bamenda where the service is being delivered and 10 people, both service delivers and service users in Douala (Cameroon) where such a service started and has since been operating for long (since the 1960s) were interviewed. Data is analysed both qualitative and quantitative. Result suggests that while the innovative garbage disposal technique is good as it is quick and cover large areas, keeps the city clean for healthy living, it is an innovative action therefore, both the service providers and users need to be trained (educated) to make the service worthwhile and sustainable. Education will empower people with appropriate knowledge on how to handle garbage with care. The implications would be: reduced risk of bacterial spread in streets, reduced ardour, clean air and quality well being greatly improved. The validity of the study lies in its ability to spread information that can improve the operation system of garbage disposal, making the service attain its objective of keeping a city clean and promote healthy living.

Antibacterial Activity of Sida acuta Burm (Malvaceae) Crude Extracts on Clinical and Typed Enteric Bacteria

Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of Sida acuta crude extracts on some enteric bacteria. Study Design: Experimental design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at The Federal University Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria. Methodology: Ethanol and cold water were used as extracting solvents. The phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of the crude plant extracts were carried out using standard techniques. The clinical and typed bacteria isolates used are Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Shigella dysenteriae. Commercial antibiotics were used as positive reference to compare the sensitivity of the bacterial strains. Results: The results of qualitative phytochemical screening of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of S. acuta revealed the presence of alkaloids; tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, phlobatanin, and terpenoid. Quantitative result showed that alkaloids and terpenoids were significantly (p ≥ 0.05.) higher in ethanol (9.41±0.06) and 7.66±0.06) compared to aqueous extract (6.61±0.05 and 5.55±0.05). The ethanol extract showed highest inhibitory effect (32.00±1.00) on clinical S. dysentariae and typed S. typhimurium at 200mg/ml. Highest inhibition observed for the aqueous extract at 200mg/ml was (24.67±1.03) and (24.33±1.03) for clinical S. typhimurium and E. coli respectively. The antibiotics sensitivity test showed that only ofloxacin was effective against the enteric bacterial isolates. Conclusion: Findings from this study revealed the potency of Sida acuta, as herbal candidate for the treatment of human enteric bacteria especially on S. dysentariae, S. typhimurium and E. coli at 200mg/ml which validates the antibacterial potency of Sida acuta and its potential as an herbal candidate for treating human enteric bacterial infections.

Approximation Theorems for the Schrödinger Equation and Quantum Vortex Reconnection

We prove the existence of smooth solutions to the Gross–Pitaevskii equation on $$\mathbb {R}^3$$ R 3 that feature arbitrarily complex quantum vortex reconnections. We can track the evolution of the vortices during the whole process. This permits to describe the reconnection events in detail and verify that this scenario exhibits the properties observed in experiments and numerics, such as the $$t^{1/2}$$ t 1 / 2 and change of parity laws. We are mostly interested in solutions tending to 1 at infinity, which have finite Ginzburg–Landau energy and physically correspond to the presence of a background chemical potential, but we also consider the cases of Schwartz initial data and of the Gross–Pitaevskii equation on the torus. In the proof, the Gross–Pitaevskii equation operates in a nearly linear regime, so the result applies to a wide range of nonlinear Schrödinger equations. Indeed, an essential ingredient in the proofs is the development of novel global approximation theorems for the Schrödinger equation on $$\mathbb {R}^n$$ R n . Specifically, we prove a qualitative approximation result that applies for solutions defined on very general spacetime sets and also a quantitative result for solutions on product sets in spacetime $$D\times \mathbb {R}$$ D × R . This hinges on frequency-dependent estimates for the Helmholtz–Yukawa equation that are of independent interest.