LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
An information fidelity criterion for image quality assessment using natural scene statistics

Measurement of visual quality is of fundamental importance to numerous image and video processing applications. The goal of quality assessment (QA) research is to design algorithms that can automatically assess the quality of images or videos in a perceptually consistent manner. Traditionally, image QA algorithms interpret image quality as fidelity or similarity with a "reference" or "perfect" image in some perceptual space. Such "full-reference" QA methods attempt to achieve consistency in quality prediction by modeling salient physiological and psychovisual features of the human visual system (HVS), or by arbitrary signal fidelity criteria. In this paper, we approach the problem of image QA by proposing a novel information fidelity criterion that is based on natural scene statistics. QA systems are invariably involved with judging the visual quality of images and videos that are meant for "human consumption". Researchers have developed sophisticated models to capture the statistics of natural signals, that is, pictures and videos of the visual environment. Using these statistical models in an information-theoretic setting, we derive a novel QA algorithm that provides clear advantages over the traditional approaches. In particular, it is parameterless and outperforms current methods in our testing. We validate the performance of our algorithm with an extensive subjective study involving 779 images. We also show that, although our approach distinctly departs from traditional HVS-based methods, it is functionally similar to them under certain conditions, yet it outperforms them due to improved modeling. The code and the data from the subjective study are available at [1].
PCR-based methods for detecting single-locus DNA methylation biomarkers in cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and response to treatment.

BACKGROUND
DNA methylation is a highly characterized epigenetic modification of the human genome that is implicated in cancer. The altered DNA methylation patterns found in cancer cells include not only global hypomethylation but also discrete hypermethylation of specific genes. In particular, numerous tumor suppressor genes undergo epigenetic silencing because of hypermethylated promoter regions. Some of these genes are considered promising DNA methylation biomarkers for early cancer diagnostics, and some have been shown to be valuable for predicting prognosis or the response to therapy.


CONTENT
PCR-based methods that use sodium bisulfite-treated DNA as a template are generally accepted as the most analytically sensitive and specific techniques for analyzing DNA methylation at single loci. A number of new methods, such as methylation-specific fluorescent amplicon generation (MS-FLAG), methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM), and sensitive melting analysis after real-time methylation-specific PCR (SMART-MSP), now complement the traditional PCR-based methods and promise to be valuable diagnostic tools. In particular, the HRM technique shows great potential as a diagnostic tool because of its closed-tube format and cost-effectiveness.


SUMMARY
Numerous traditional and new PCR-based methods have been developed for detecting DNA methylation at single loci. All have characteristic advantages and disadvantages, particularly with regard to use in clinical settings.
Nutritional status of children under five years of age in Shire Indaselassie, North Ethiopia: Examining the prevalence and risk factors

Malnutrition among children under five years of age is a chronic problem in most regions of Ethiopia, including the study region (Tigray). This study estimated the prevalence and identified the key risk factors of malnutrition in children under five years of age in Shire Indaselassie Town, North Ethiopia. Data were collected from 316 children aged under five and their mothers using quantitative survey and standard WHO protocols, and subsequent analysis was made using Emergency Nutrition Assessment (ENA) and SPSS software packages. The study estimated the prevalence of malnutrition and investigated the effects of demographic, socioeconomic, child health and sanitary conditions, feeding and dietary variables on malnutrition: stunting (low height for age), underweight (low weight for age) and wasting (low weight-for-height) among under-five children. Logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of malnutrition in the study area. The result showed that 56.6% of the children under age five have chronic malnutrition, are underweight (20.9%) and wasting (4.1%) with a mean z-score of –2.2, –1.0 and 0.3, respectively (i.e. average deviation, from the healthy and well nourished standard reference children of the same age). Children’s age, maternal education, maternal employment, child weight at birth, mothers’ body mass index and early initiation of breast feeding were the major factors associated with stunting among children. The main contributing factors of underweight among the children were found to be household size, marital status of mothers, decision on income allocation, contracting diarrhea two weeks preceding the survey, early initiation of breast feeding and bottle feeding. The study concluded that chronic malnutrition in the study area is still a major concern that needs timely intervention by governmental and non-governmental organizations. © 2014 Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Zdravotně sociální fakulta. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o. o. All rights reserved. * Korespondenční autor: Prof. Nigatu Regassa, PhD., Hawassa University, Institute of Environment, Gender and Development, P. O. Box 679, Hawassa, SNNPR, Ethiopia; email: negyon@yahoo.com http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.kontakt.2014.06.003 KONTAKT XVI/3: 194–204 • ISSN 1212-4117 (Print) • ISSN 1804-7122 (Online) 2014 • Volume 16 • Issue 1 • ISSN 1212-4117 (print) • ISSN 1804-7122 (on-line) S O c I á l N í v ě d y Článek citujte takto: Brhane G., Regassa N. Nutritional status of children under five years of age in Shire Indaselassie, North Ethiopia: Examining the prevalence and risk factors. Kontakt 2014; 16(3): e161–e170; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.kontakt.2014.06.003 K O N T A K T 3 ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1 9 4 – 2 0 4 195
Path-finding through flexible hierarchical road networks: An experiential approach using taxi trajectory data

Optimal paths computed by conventional path-planning algorithms are usually not “optimal” since realistic traffic information and local road network characteristics are not considered. We present a new experiential approach that computes optimal paths based on the experience of taxi drivers by mining a huge number of floating car trajectories. The approach consists of three steps. First, routes are recov-
Acute muscle strain injuries: a proposed new classification system

To better define and classify acute muscle strain injuries. Historically, acute muscle strains have been classified as grade I, II and III. This system does not accurately reflect the anatomy of the injury and has not been shown to reliably predict prognosis and time for return to sport. We describe an imaging (magnetic resonance or ultrasound) nomenclature, which considers the anatomical site, pattern and severity of the lesion in the acute stage. By site of injury, we define muscular injuries as proximal, middle and distal. Anatomically, based on the various muscular structures involved, we distinguish intramuscular, myofascial, myofascial/perifascial and musculotendinous injuries. This classification system must be applied to a variety of muscle architectures and locations to determine its utility; additional studies are therefore needed prior to its general acceptance. V.
Fatigue in HIV-Infected People: A Three-Year Observational Study.

CONTEXT
HIV-related fatigue remains the most frequent complaint of seropositive patients.


OBJECTIVES
To describe the natural course of fatigue in HIV infection, in a sample (n=128) followed for a three-year period.


METHODS
A longitudinal prospective design was used to determine what factors influenced changes in fatigue intensity and fatigue-related impairment of functioning in a community-dwelling sample of HIV-infected individuals. Participants were followed every six months for a three-year period. At each study visit, we collected data on a large number of physiological and psychosocial markers that have been shown to be related to fatigue in HIV-infected people. At three month intervals between study visits, we collected data on fatigue via mailed questionnaires.


RESULTS
Fatigue in HIV infection is largely a result of stressful life events, and is closely tied to the anxiety and depression that accompany such events. Fatigue did not remit spontaneously over the course of the study, indicating the need for interventions to ameliorate this debilitating symptom.


CONCLUSION
Intervening to help people who are suffering from HIV-related fatigue to deal with stressful life events may help to ameliorate this debilitating symptom.
Assessment of phantom dosimetry and image quality of i-CAT FLX cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION
The increasing use of cone-beam computed tomography in orthodontics has been coupled with heightened concern about the long-term risks of x-ray exposure in orthodontic populations. An industry response to this has been to offer low-exposure alternative scanning options in newer cone-beam computed tomography models.


METHODS
Effective doses resulting from various combinations of field of view size and field location comparing child and adult anthropomorphic phantoms with the recently introduced i-CAT FLX cone-beam computed tomography unit (Imaging Sciences, Hatfield, Pa) were measured with optical stimulated dosimetry using previously validated protocols. Scan protocols included high resolution (360° rotation, 600 image frames, 120 kV[p], 5 mA, 7.4 seconds), standard (360°, 300 frames, 120 kV[p], 5 mA, 3.7 seconds), QuickScan (180°, 160 frames, 120 kV[p], 5 mA, 2 seconds), and QuickScan+ (180°, 160 frames, 90 kV[p], 3 mA, 2 seconds). Contrast-to-noise ratio was calculated as a quantitative measure of image quality for the various exposure options using the QUART DVT phantom.


RESULTS
Child phantom doses were on average 36% greater than adult phantom doses. QuickScan+ protocols resulted in significantly lower doses than standard protocols for the child (P = 0.0167) and adult (P = 0.0055) phantoms. The 13 × 16-cm cephalometric fields of view ranged from 11 to 85 μSv in the adult phantom and 18 to 120 μSv in the child phantom for the QuickScan+ and standard protocols, respectively. The contrast-to-noise ratio was reduced by approximately two thirds when comparing QuickScan+ with standard exposure parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
QuickScan+ effective doses are comparable with conventional panoramic examinations. Significant dose reductions are accompanied by significant reductions in image quality. However, this trade-off might be acceptable for certain diagnostic tasks such as interim assessment of treatment results.
Impedance-Source Networks for Electric Power Conversion Part I: A Topological Review

Impedance networks cover the entire of electric power conversion from dc (converter, rectifier), ac (inverter), to phase and frequency conversion (ac-ac) in a wide range of applications. Various converter topologies have been reported in the literature to overcome the limitations and problems of the traditional voltage source, current source as well as various classical buck-boost, unidirectional, and bidirectional converter topologies. Proper implementation of the impedance-source network with appropriate switching configurations and topologies reduces the number of power conversion stages in the system power chain, which may improve the reliability and performance of the power system. The first part of this paper provides a comprehensive review of the various impedance-source-networks-based power converters and discusses the main topologies from an application point of view. This review paper is the first of its kind with the aim of providing a “one-stop” information source and a selection guide on impedance-source networks for power conversion for researchers, designers, and application engineers. A comprehensive review of various modeling, control, and modulation techniques for the impedance-source converters/inverters will be presented in Part II.
Quantitative and Qualitative Antibody Responses to Immunization With the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in HIV-Infected Patients After Initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment: Results From a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND
Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) persons; the best timing for immunization with respect to initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is unknown.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in HIV+ with CD4(+) T cells/µL (CD4) ≥ 200 randomized to receive the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) or placebo at enrollment, followed by placebo or PPV23, respectively, 9-12 months later (after ≥6 months of ART). Capsular polysaccharide-specific immunoglobin (Ig) G and IgM levels to serotypes 1, 3, 4, 6B, and 23F, and opsonophagocytic killing activity (OPA) to serotypes 6B and 23F were evaluated 1 month postvaccination.


RESULTS
One hundred seven subjects were enrolled, 72 (67.3%) were evaluable (36/group). Both groups had significant increases in pre- to 1-month postvaccination IgG levels, but negligible to IgM, and significant increases in OPA titers to serotype 6B but not to 23F. There were no significant differences between groups in serotype-specific IgM or IgG levels or OPA titers. For the combined groups, there was a significant correlation between serotype-specific IgG and OPA titers to 23F but not to 6B. There was no correlation between CD4, viral load and IgG responses.


CONCLUSIONS
In HIV+ with CD4 ≥ 200, delaying PPV23 until ≥6 months of ART does not improve responses and may lead to missed opportunities for immunization.
Effect of Internet Therapeutic Intervention on A1C Levels in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Insulin

OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of an Internet-based glucose monitoring system (IBGMS) on A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This trial involved 50 patients randomly assigned to receive either conventional treatment alone or with additional follow-up through an IBGMS for 6 months. Patients randomized to the intervention group uploaded blood glucose readings every 2 weeks to a secure Web site for review and receipt of feedback from their endocrinologist. A1C and laboratory test results were collected at 0, 3, and 6 months.


RESULTS
The baseline parameters were not significantly different. Over a 6-month follow-up, A1C dropped from 8.8 to 7.6% (P < 0.001) in the intervention group compared with 8.5 to 8.4% (P = 0.51) in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of IBGMS significantly improved A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.
Mining changes in customer behavior in retail marketing

During the past decade, there have been a variety of significant developments in data mining techniques. Some of these developments are implemented in customized service to develop customer relationship. Customized service is actually crucial in retail markets. Marketing managers can develop long-term and pleasant relationships with customers if they can detect and predict changes in customer behavior. In the dynamic retail market, understanding changes in customer behavior can help managers to establish effective promotion campaigns. This study integrates customer behavioral variables, demographic variables, and transaction database to establish a method of mining changes in customer behavior. For mining change patterns, two extended measures of similarity and unexpectedness are designed to analyze the degree of resemblance between patterns at different time periods. The proposed approach for mining changes in customer behavior can assist managers in developing better marketing strategies. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The cost of a healthy diet: a South African perspective.

Energy-dense foods are relatively cheap sources of energy but typically have a low nutrient density. People with a low income may therefore select a relatively less healthy diet. The high energy density of such diets helps explain the association between obesity and low socioeconomic status. Most studies have been carried out in highly developed countries. We have extended this research to South Africa. Some foods, such as oats, beans, carrots, and apples, are moderately priced sources of energy and are healthy (i.e., they have a low energy density and are nutrient dense). However, such foods are likely to be less desired than many other foods, such as candy, cookies, jam, and chocolate, that have a similar cost (in terms of food energy) but are less healthy. We compared the cost of a typical South African diet with a healthier one. On average, the healthier diet costs 69% more, but this estimate is greatly affected by food choices. For a family whose household income is exceeded by one-third of the population, this increased expenditure represents about 30% of total household income. This could be decreased to about 10% to 15% if a healthy diet is carefully designed. Overall, a healthy diet is unaffordable for most South Africans. This shows the importance of not only educating people in developing countries to the importance of a healthy diet but also explaining how to make such a diet affordable. A more effective strategy is government intervention that manipulates food prices.
RGB-D to CAD Retrieval with ObjectNN Dataset

The goal of this track is to study and evaluate the performance of 3D object retrieval algorithms using RGB-D data. This is inspired from the practical need to pair an object acquired from a consumer-grade depth camera to CAD models available in public datasets on the Internet. To support the study, we propose ObjectNN, a new dataset with well segmented and annotated RGB-D objects from SceneNN [HPN∗16] and CAD models from ShapeNet [CFG∗15]. The evaluation results show that the RGB-D to CAD retrieval problem, while being challenging to solve due to partial and noisy 3D reconstruction, can be addressed to a good extent using deep learning techniques, particularly, convolutional neural networks trained by multi-view and 3D geometry. The best method in this track scores 82% in accuracy.
The potential of using a mobile phone to access the internet for learning efl listening skills within a korean context

Interest in the use of a mobile phone to access the Internet for learning English in general, and listening skills in particular, has been increasing in Korea over the last few years. However, there has been only a small number of studies on this topic in Korea. The present paper investigates the potential of using a mobile phone to browse wireless application protocol (WAP) sites for the purpose of learning listening skills. The study focuses specifically on the attitudes of language learners toward using a mobile phone for this purpose. The study is based on input, interaction, output and sociocultural theories, as well as on collaborative, learner-centred, constructivist and task-based learning approaches. An experiment was carried out with a group of undergraduate students who had enrolled in a required intermediate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) listening course at a Korean university. A WAP site was designed and used as the instrument for the experiment. This study found that the language learners expressed positive attitudes towards the use of the WAP site. It also found that the WAP site can be effective for learning listening skills and for student-centred and collaborative learning. Based on the findings, it is clear that WAP sites can be effective for learning listening skills, since they can enhance opportunities to learn language skills, and encourage language learners to participate actively in the learning process.
Machine Learning in Computer Vision

Computer vision is the science and technology of making machines that see. It is concerned with the theory, design and implementation of algorithms that can automatically process visual data to recognize objects, track and recover their shape and spatial layout. The International Computer Vision Summer School ICVSS was established in 2007 to provide both an objective and clear overview and an in-depth analysis of the state-of-the-art research in Computer Vision. The courses are delivered by world renowned experts in the field, from both academia and industry, and cover both theoretical and practical aspects of real Computer Vision problems. The school is organized every year by University of Cambridge (Computer Vision and Robotics Group) and University of Catania (Image Processing Lab). Different topics are covered each year. A summary of the past Computer Vision Summer Schools can be found at: http:// www.dmi.unict.it/icvss This edited volume contains a selection of articles covering some of the talks and tutorials held during the last editions of the school. The chapters provide an in-depth overview of challenging areas with key references to the existing literature.
Geology–benthos relationships on a temperate rocky bank, eastern Bass Strait, Australia

To better understand the possible relationships between the geology of the seabed and the associated biological communities, a multibeam sonar survey over New Zealand Star Bank in the eastern Bass Strait was conducted. A hierarchical method of benthic habitat mapping was applied to the secondary biotope and biological facies levels at the site (<10 km) scale. Four secondary biotopes and four biological facies have been defined on the basis of geomorphology revealed by the bathymetry model and the results of statistical analysis of the sediment and underwater video transect data over the bank. The major differences that control the distribution of biological communities in the New Zealand Star Bank area appear to be related to variations in substrate. (1) Hard-ground features related to high-relief granite outcrops are associated with diverse and abundant sessile and motile fauna. These faunal communities may be biologically modified to patchy barrens habitat by grazing urchins. (2) Unconsolidated sediment on a flat seabed is associated with sparse small sponges on the inner shelf. On the middle shelf and seaward of bank, the flat and muddy seabed supports a community dominated by infauna. (3) Unconsolidated sediment on a low-relief seabed is associated with an increase in the density and sizes of sponges concentrated on any low-relief feature raised above the surrounding flat seabed. Extra keywords: ecological zonation, GIS, ocean policy.