Efficient Multi-modal Hashing with Online Query Adaption for Multimedia Retrieval

Multi-modal hashing supports efficient multimedia retrieval well. However, existing methods still suffer from two problems: (1) Fixed multi-modal fusion. They collaborate the multi-modal features with fixed weights for hash learning, which cannot adaptively capture the variations of online streaming multimedia contents. (2) Binary optimization challenge. To generate binary hash codes, existing methods adopt either two-step relaxed optimization that causes significant quantization errors or direct discrete optimization that consumes considerable computation and storage cost. To address these problems, we first propose a Supervised Multi-modal Hashing with Online Query-adaption method. A self-weighted fusion strategy is designed to adaptively preserve the multi-modal features into hash codes by exploiting their complementarity. Besides, the hash codes are efficiently learned with the supervision of pair-wise semantic labels to enhance their discriminative capability while avoiding the challenging symmetric similarity matrix factorization. Further, we propose an efficient Unsupervised Multi-modal Hashing with Online Query-adaption method with an adaptive multi-modal quantization strategy. The hash codes are directly learned without the reliance on the specific objective formulations. Finally, in both methods, we design a parameter-free online hashing module to adaptively capture query variations at the online retrieval stage. Experiments validate the superiority of our proposed methods.

Modelling on-demand preprocessing framework towards practical approach in clinical analysis of diabetic retinopathy

<p>Diabetic retinopathy (DR) refers to a complication of diabetes and a prime cause of vision loss in middle-aged people. A timely screening and diagnosis process can reduce the risk of blindness. Fundus imaging is mainly preferred in the clinical analysis of DR. However; the raw fundus images are usually subjected to artifacts, noise, low and varied contrast, which is very hard to process by human visual systems and automated systems. In the existing literature, many solutions are given to enhance the fundus image. However, such approaches are particular and limited to a specific objective that cannot address multiple fundus images. This paper has presented an on-demand preprocessing frame work that integrates different techniques to address geometrical issues, random noises, and comprehensive contrast enhancement solutions. The performance of each preprocessing process is evaluated against peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and brightness is quantified in the enhanced image. The motive of this paper is to offer a flexible approach of preprocessing mechanism that can meet image enhancement needs based on different preprocessing requirements to improve the quality of fundus imaging towards early-stage diabetic retinopathy identification.</p>

Savings Level Determinants and Sustainability of Commercial Banks in Rwanda: A Case of I&M Bank Rwanda

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of savings level determinant on sustainability in I&M Rwanda. The specific objectives were to establish the effect of interest rate, income level and access to credit on the sustainability of I&M Bank. This study implemented a descriptive research design and utilized coefficient of correlation to assess the effect of each specific objective on the sustainability of the Bank. The population comprised of 12,057 including 12,050 customers and 7 staff of finance department of I&M Bank Rwanda. A sample size of 99 was calculated using Yamane (1967) simplified formula. To accomplish this aim, both primary and secondary data are used. The researcher used simple random and purposive sampling techniques. A questionnaire and interview have used to collect data. Quantitative data was obtained using questionnaire while a financial statement of I&M Bank covering 2016-2020 was used as secondary data. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis showing mean, standard deviation, correlation and regression was used statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 to analyze statistical information while content analysis used to analyze qualitative information. The findings and recommendations for this study addressed to the I & M Bank Rwanda, for decision-making and policies. The study found that interest rates, income level and access to credit have significant positive effect on sustainability of commercial banks in Rwanda at 78%, 90.5% and 92.9% respectively. The relationship among saving level determinants and sustainability of business bank was also determined to be linear with increase in get admission to credit score by means of clients. The researcher concluded that saving degree and get admission to credit volatility had more effect on sustainability of banks. The study endorsed that guideline to be installed vicinity to boom financial institution lending and ensure monitoring the same. Keywords: Savings Level Determinant, Sustainability, Commercial Banks, I&M Bank, Rwanda

Economic Analysis of Ginseng Based Forest Farming: a Sustainable Income Diversification Opportunity for Forest Landowners

While American ginseng is a complicated opportunity for forest farmers to understand, within these production systems there are many opportunities and constraints linked to production of ginseng. There are different market demands and prices paid for the various grades of dried roots depending on the system used to cultivate the plant. This study reviewed the unique benefits of producing ginseng, opportunities for forest farmers, the potential profits, as well as financial risks. The study focused on two common ginseng production systems in the southeastern region of the U.S. The specific objective of the paper is to assess economic returns of producing ginseng under different production systems. The Monte Carlo simulation was performed to analyze the profitability and risks associated with producing ginseng and performed sensitive analysis to determine the effect of uncertainty variables such as production costs, yield, and price of product on economic feasibility.

Through the Looking Glass: A Scoping Review of Cinema and Video Therapy

Background: Cinematherapy and video treatments are artistic therapeutic techniques by which the individuals are exposed to their psycho-physical difficulties through the stories of the characters on the screen who are coping with the same issues that the patients are. Although these techniques are increasingly common within modern art therapies, there are neither comprehensive classifications of the different approaches nor agreement on their effectiveness. We performed a scoping review, describing different methodological approaches and outcome measures in cinematherapy and video treatments.Methodology: We searched articles in PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar. We included: (i) articles in which subjects were treated for their difficulties with videos or films, (ii) articles written in English. Review articles and papers describing a research protocol without data collection were not included.Results: We analyzed 38 studies. Thirty-six reported a positive effect of the treatment. Seven studies used classical cinematherapy, adopting a qualitative approach to measure the therapy outcome. Thirty-one studies used different video treatments, 8 of which were defined as randomized controlled trials with specific objective therapy outcomes. Studies were mainly focused on behavioral and psychological difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia.Conclusion: Studies using video treatments more often rely upon structured experimental designs; on the contrary, those who used classical cinematherapy produced descriptive results. A more standardized methodological approach in terms of experimental design, procedure, and objective outcome measure is needed to provide evidence on the effectiveness of these techniques, promoting its application in the clinical field.

Genetic polymorphism of interleukin-12β (rs7709212) in chronic and aggressive periodontitis in a group of the Bengali population of India

Objectives: The genetic basis of periodontitis was demonstrated by formal genetic studies which were focused on a range of various candidate genes selected for their roles in the immune system like genes of the interleukins (IL). Bone proresorptive cytokines such as IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α are primarily regulated by a network of other T-cell derived cytokines, including IL-12 family. Specific objective of this study was to find out any association between IL-12β 3΄ untranslated region (UTR) (rs7709212) gene polymorphism and chronic as well as aggressive periodontitis (AgP) in Bengali population of West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 88 Bengali participants of both sexes were recruited and were divided into three groups: Group A (chronic periodontitis [CP] group), Group B (AgP group), and Group C (healthy control). DNA extraction from collected peripheral venous blood was performed by phenol chloroform method and ethanol precipitation. Genotyping of extracted DNA samples was carried out for locus IL-12β 3΄UTR (rs7709212) by real time-polymerase chain reaction. Association between genotypes and cases was examined by the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval and chi-square analysis using R statistical software. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results: On analysis of the minor allele frequencies of total periodontitis cases and control, the results were found to be statistically significant with the P = 0.03045. Conclusion: The present study suggested a strong association of single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-12β (rs7709212) with total periodontitis cases (both CP and AgP) in the present study cohort.

The Fundamental of TCP Techniques

Strategies for prioritizing test cases plan test cases to reduce the cost of retrospective testing and to enhance a specific objective function. Test cases are prioritized as those most important test cases under certain conditions are made before the re-examination process. There are many strategies available in the literature that focus on achieving various pre-test testing objectives and thus reduce their cost. In addition, inspectors often select a few well-known strategies for prioritizing trial cases. The main reason behind the lack of guidelines for the selection of TCP strategies. Therefore, this part of the study introduces the novel approach to TCP strategic planning using the ambiguous concept to support the effective selection of experimental strategies to prioritize experimental cases. This function is an extension of the already selected selection schemes for the prioritization of probation cases.

ESTUDO DE CASO DE UMA PACIENTE COM TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA, COM BASE NO PRONTUÁRIO ODONTOLÓGICO DA FAESA

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are complex disorders that involve a patient's neurological development. They are characterized by changes in social interaction, language and motricity, as well as stereotypical and repetitive behaviors. Patients may also present hypersensitivity to loud noises and bright lights. To answer specific anamnesis for patients with ASD, also taking into account patients' information that don't fit in Kanner's classic description. The chosen method was the Descriptive Case Study model, established through filling a specific anamnesis directed at a patient with ASD. The Odontological Medical Record of the clinic at FAESA was the basis for the data collection. It was not possible to answer many of the questions in the anamnesis from the data available on the medical records. Most of the questions were answered through previous contact with the patient. Other questions could not be answered by any means. A specific anamnesis for ASD patients should be included during treatment at FAESA's clinics for Patients with Special Needs. Treatment of patients with autism is still a great challenge for dental surgeons, since it requires knowledge of the problem and specific, objective techniques to cause the least possible trauma.

Schola Aquitanica (1583): Latin grammar and Renaissance tradition

The main objective of this article is to make a discussion on the category of analysis of linguistic thought (SWIGGERS, 2013), having as an object of studies the period of Portuguese Renaissance humanism. To develop this investigation, my theoretical and methodological model is derived from the discipline of Historiography of Linguistics (KOERNER, 1996, BATISTA, 2019). Thus, my specific objective is to analyze the current of thought of Portuguese Renaissance humanism from a specific textual source, the document known as Schola Aquitanica, published in 1583. This document is a school regiment with the didactic orientation of classes and methods to teach humanities, used at the Collège de Guyenne in the 16th century. His editio princeps is entitled Schola Aquitanica (SANTOS, 2021), having as author Élie Vinet (1509-1587), a French humanist. However, in the 16th century edition, there is a more specific internal title: Docendi Ratio in Ludo Burdigalensi (the order of studies at the College of Bordeaux), which is also known in French as Le Program d’Études du Collège de Guyenne (the program of studies at the College of Guyenne).

Utilization of agro-industrial by-products in Monascus fermentation: a review

The Monascus fermentation industry has gained global attention. Its key products, i.e., pigments, functional food ingredients, food supplements, and medicinal use, are growing in the world’s market. Efforts to find the cost-effective substrate for Monascus fermentation have remained the target. This paper aimed to appraise the utilization of agro-industrial by-products (cereal, starchy tuber and root, legume, fruit, and coffee processing) as a cost-effective substrate for Monascus fermentation. The specific objective was to review the by-products pre-treatment, the fermentation process, product yield, and the bioactivity of the fermented products. Among all the by-products that could be used as the fermentation substrate, cereal brans do not need pre-treatment, but others need a suitable pre-treatment step, e.g., cassava peel, okara, and jackfruit seed to list a few, that need to be powdered beforehand. Other substrates, such as corn cob and durian seed, need soaking and size reduction through the pre-treatment step. During fermentation, Monascus produce many pigments, monacolin K, associated with rise in phenolic and flavonoid contents. These products possess antioxidant, antihypercholesterol, antidiabetes, and antiatherosclerosis activities which underpin their health significance. In conclusion, we report in this review the agro-industrial by-products which have potential prospects for pigments, functional food ingredients, food supplements, and therapeutic usages produced from Monascus fermentation.