Sparse Constrained Low Tensor Rank Representation Framework for Hyperspectral Unmixing

Recently, non-negative tensor factorization (NTF) as a very powerful tool has attracted the attention of researchers. It is used in the unmixing of hyperspectral images (HSI) due to its excellent expression ability without any information loss when describing data. However, most of the existing unmixing methods based on NTF fail to fully explore the unique properties of data, for example, low rank, that exists in both the spectral and spatial domains. To explore this low-rank structure, in this paper we learn the different low-rank representations of HSI in the spectral, spatial and non-local similarity modes. Firstly, HSI is divided into many patches, and these patches are clustered multiple groups according to the similarity. Each similarity group can constitute a 4-D tensor, including two spatial modes, a spectral mode and a non-local similarity mode, which has strong low-rank properties. Secondly, a low-rank regularization with logarithmic function is designed and embedded in the NTF framework, which simulates the spatial, spectral and non-local similarity modes of these 4-D tensors. In addition, the sparsity of the abundance tensor is also integrated into the unmixing framework to improve the unmixing performance through the L2,1 norm. Experiments on three real data sets illustrate the stability and effectiveness of our algorithm compared with five state-of-the-art methods.

Morpho-agronomic characterization and genetic divergence in lentil genotypes

ABSTRACT Lentil production has been increasing in Brazil, due to strong national and international demand. Despite the economic importance, few cultivars are available on the Brazilian market. The aim of this study was to evaluate 48 lentil inbred lines and one commercial cultivar (Silvina), based on morpho-agronomic traits and to identify genotypes which can be used in a plant breeding program. Twenty-one morpho-agronomic descriptors (nine qualitative and twelve quantitative) were used. The descriptors showed genetic variability among the genotypes. Clustering techniques using characterization data allowed to identify genetically divergent genotypes as well as identify superior genotypes in relation to agronomic traits: FLIP2010-8L and FLIP2010-12L (similarity group I), FLIP2010-99L, FLIP2010-20L and FLIP2010-106L (group II), FLIP90-25L and 6031 (group III), FLIP2007-16L (group IV) and the commercial cultivar Silvina (group V). We concluded that these genotypes have the potential to be used in lentil breeding programs.

Dynamic bacterial community response to Akashiwo sanguinea (Dinophyceae) bloom in indoor marine microcosms

We investigated the dynamics of the bacterial composition and metabolic function within Akashiwo sanguinea bloom using a 100-L indoor microcosm and metagenomic next-generation sequencing. We found that the bacterial community was classified into three groups at 54% similarity. Group I was associated with “during the A. sanguinea bloom stage” and mainly consisted of Alphaproteobacteria, Flavobacteriia and Gammaproteobacteria. Meanwhile, groups II and III were associated with the “late bloom/decline stage to post-bloom stage” with decreased Flavobacteriia and Gammaproteobacteria in these stages. Upon the termination of the A. sanguinea bloom, the concentrations of inorganic nutrients (particularly PO43−, NH4+ and dissolved organic carbon) increased rapidly and then decreased. From the network analysis, we found that the A. sanguinea node is associated with certain bacteria. After the bloom, the specific increases in NH4+ and PO43− nodes are associated with other bacterial taxa. The changes in the functional groups of the bacterial community from chemoheterotrophy to nitrogen association metabolisms were consistent with the environmental impacts during and after A. sanguinea bloom. Consequently, certain bacterial communities and the environments dynamically changed during and after harmful algal blooms and a rapid turnover within the bacterial community and their function can respond to ecological interactions.

Communication Between Healthcare Providers and their Clients: How Accurately do Mothers Remember the Indications for the Caesarean Section that they had?

Background: The indication for Caesarean delivery is one of the most important information required in the antenatal care and delivery mode for women with previous Caesarean section(s). Objective: To assess the level of agreement/disparity between mothers’ report and the actual medical indication for Caesarean delivery and to explore factors associated with it. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 248 women who were delivered by Caesarean section. A comparison was done between the patient's report of the indication for the Caesarean section and the physician's record and the level of similarity was recorded. Results: More than half (126; 50.7%) of the respondents reported indications that were classified as complete similarity [Group A] while Groups B to E had 54 (21.8%), 21 (8.5%), 26 (10.5%) and 21 (8.5%) responses respectively. Of the group with “non-similar” responses, foetal indication accounted for 36.1% of them. Parity was the only predictor of “similarity”. Compared to para 0, para 1-4 were more likely to report “similarity” in the indications for the Caesarean section (AOR = 3.370; 95% CI = 1.277-8.888). Conclusion: While the past obstetric history is an important aspect of the evaluation of the pregnant woman, it is important to attempt greater verification of facts at history taking for the indications for previous Caesarean section, especially when it has to do with foetal health as the indication, and in the nulliparae.

Group Positive Affect and Beyond: An Integrative Review and Future Research Agenda

Group positive affect is defined as homogeneous positive affect among group members that emerges when working together. Considering that previous research has shown a significant relationship between group positive affect and a wide variety of group outcomes (e.g., behaviors, wellbeing, and performance), it is crucial to boost our knowledge about this construct in the work context. The main purpose is to review empirical research, to synthesize the findings and to provide research agenda about group positive affect, in order to better understand this construct. Through the PsycNET and Proquest Central databases, an integrative review was conducted to identify articles about group positive affect published between January 1990 and March 2019. A total of 44 articles were included and analyzed. Finding suggests that scholars have been more interested in understanding the outcomes of group positive affect and how to improve the productivity of groups than in knowing what the antecedents are. A summary conclusion is that group positive affect is related to leadership, job demands, job resources, diversity/similarity, group processes, and contextual factors, all of which influence the development of several outcomes and different types of wellbeing at the individual and group levels. However, with specific combinations of other conditions (e.g., group trust, negative affect, and interaction), high levels of group positive affect could cause harmful results. Conclusions shed light on group positive affect research and practice and might help Human Resources professionals to initiate empirically-based strategies related to recruitment, group design and leadership training.

The group matters: examining the effect of group characteristics in online brand communities

PurposeIn an online brand community (OBC), consumers as a group occupy a dominant position, and their horizontal interactions are pivotal for the consumer–brand relationship. However, little is known about the effect of group characteristics on brands. To partially fill this gap, this study examines how group characteristics influence brand loyalty from the perspective of social identity theory. Specifically, by collecting data from an online survey, this paper investigates the effects of group similarity, group receptivity and group involvement on brand loyalty, the mediating role of community identification and the moderating effect of tenure in a community.Design/methodology/approachData from 482 brand community members were analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results show that group similarity, group receptivity and group involvement increase brand loyalty; furthermore, the effect is mediated by community identification. Moreover, group receptivity is more effective in fostering community identification of short-tenure members, whereas group similarity plays a more important role for long-tenure members.Originality/valueThis paper enriches the brand community literature from a group perspective and provides implications for how brand communities develop customer loyalty strategies.

Best Matching: Technical Details

The best matching procedure described in Chapter 4 is equivalent to the introduction of a principal fibre bundle in configuration space. Essentially one introduces a one-dimensional gauge connection on the time axis, which is a representation of the Euclidean group of rotations and translations (or, possibly, the similarity group which includes dilatations). To accommodate temporal relationalism, the variational principle needs to be invariant under reparametrizations. The simplest way to realize this in point–particle mechanics is to use Jacobi’s reformulation of Mapertuis’ principle. The chapter concludes with the relational reformulation of the Newtonian N-body problem (and its scale-invariant variant).

Diversity of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli rods

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate genetic relatedness and antimicrobial susceptibility of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli strains isolated from patients hospitalized in the University Hospital in Bydgoszcz (Poland).Material and methods: The study included 33 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli strains isolated from 31 patients. The chromosomal DNA was extracted from the strains and separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the agar dilution method and carried out according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing recommendations.Results: According to the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results, 32 distinct pulsotypes were revealed. Based on Molecular Analyst Fingerprinting software analysis, the studied isolates were divided into four subgroups: 6 (18.2%) isolates showing similarity greater than 90% (group A); 19 (57.6%) showing 80-90% similarity (group B); 7 (21.2%) showing 70-79% similarity (group C); and one isolate with less than 70% similarity (group D). Among E. coli isolates showing similarity greater than 90%, four antimicrobial patterns were noted. Among the isolates showing 80-90% similarity, 18 antimicrobial patterns were observed. E. coli isolates showing 70-79% similarity presented 6 antimicrobial patterns.Conclusions: Our results show a high degree of genetic diversity of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates. However, based on a similarity of ≥80%, almost 75% of E. coli isolates were clonally related. Although it is difficult to identify definitive transmission events based on the recovery of indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types alone, we speculate that extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli strains may have disseminated throughout the hospital.