Local Adaptive Receptive Field Self-Organizing Map for Image Segmentation

A new self-organizing map with variable topology is introduced for image segmentation. The proposed network, called Local Adaptive Receptive Field Self-Organizing Map (LARFSOM-RBF), is a two-stage network capable of both color and border segment images. The color segmentation stage is responsibility of LARFSOM which is characterized by adaptive number of nodes, fast convergence and variable topology. For border segmentation RBF nodes are included to determine the border pixels using previously learned information of LARFSOM. LARFSOM-RBF was tested to segment images with different degrees of complexity showing promising results

Finding the optimal nets for self-folding Kirigami

Three-dimensional shells can be synthesized from the spontaneous self-folding of two-dimensional templates of interconnected panels, called nets. However, some nets are more likely to self-fold into the desired shell under random movements. The optimal nets are the ones that maximize the number of vertex connections, i.e., vertices that have only two of its faces cut away from each other in the net. Previous methods for finding such nets are based on random search and thus do not guarantee the optimal solution. Here, we propose a deterministic procedure. We map the connectivity of the shell into a shell graph, where the nodes and links of the graph represent the vertices and edges of the shell, respectively. Identifying the nets that maximize the number of vertex connections corresponds to finding the set of maximum leaf spanning trees of the shell graph. This method allows not only to design the self-assembly of much larger shell structures but also to apply additional design criteria, as a complete catalog of the maximum leaf spanning trees is obtained.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Supplemental Material, Source Cod

Relação entre a percepção da autoeficácia acadèmica e o engagement de estudantes de engenharia

La autoeficacia se refiere a las creencias que el individuo tiene en sus propias capacidades para organizar y ejecutar las acciones necesarias con el fin de conseguir metas determinadas. Por su parte, el compromiso se refiere al estado psicológico positivo y motivacional relacionado con el bienestar individual. En esta investigación se ha procurado establecer la relación entre estas dos variables, asumiendo una hipótesis de asociación positiva entre la autoeficacia y el compromiso, tomando estudiantes de Educación Superior de diferentes ramas de Ingeniería. La muestra se constituyó por 361 estudiantes (M = 20:54, SD = 4.24). La evaluación de la autoeficacia y el compromiso se llevó a cabo mediante la aplicación de dos cuestionarios a los estudiantes en el aula. Los resultados revelan una asociación positiva y significativa, siendo mayor la asociación entre la dimensión conductual de compromiso y auto-eficacia, estando también estas dos variables asociadas de manera positiva al rendimiento académico. En esta comunicación se presentan y se discuten estos resultados y sus implicaciones en la investigación y la práctica psicológica.Self-efficacy reflects the belief that the individual has in his/her own capabilities to organize and execute actions that are needed to accomplish certain goals. On the other hand, Engagement refers to a positive psychological and motivational state, which is associated with individual well-being. This investigation aims to examine the relationship between these two variables, presenting the hypothesis that there is a positive association between self-efficacy and engagement, of engineering students in Higher Education. The sample was composed of 361 students (M = 20.54; SD = 4.24). Self-efficacy and engagement assessment was conducted through a questionnaire administered to students in classroom. Results show a positive and significant association between the variables, being the strongest association between the behavioral dimension of engagement and self-efficacy, which are, in turn, positively associated with academic performance variables. In this study we present and discuss these results and their implications for psychological research and practice.A autoeficácia refere-se às crenças que o indivíduo tem nas suas próprias capacidades para organizar e executar as ações necessárias à concretização de determinados objetivos. Por seu lado, engagement refere-se ao estado psicológico positivo e motivacional, relacionado com o bem-estar individual. Nesta investigação procurou-se estabelecer a relação entre estas duas variáveis, assumindo uma hipótese de associação positiva entre a autoeficácia e o engagement, tomando estudantes do Ensino Superior de diferentes ramos da Engenharia. A amostra foi constituída por 361 estudantes (M = 20.54; DP = 4.24). A avaliação da autoeficácia e do engagement foi realizada através da aplicação dos questionários aos estudantes em sala de aula. Os resultados revelam uma associação positiva e significativa, sendo maior a associação encontrada entre a dimensão comportamental do engagement e a autoeficácia, estando também estas duas variáveis positivamente associadas ao rendimento académico. Nesta comunicação apresentam-se e discutem-se estes resultados e as suas implicações na investigação e prática psicológica.peerReviewe

Artificial intelligence in digital customer journey

Artificial intelligence (AI) is present in many business areas, the marketing of the fashion industry being one of them. In this sense, AI becomes relevant for firms, helping to acquire better consumer data and to stand out from the competition by offering personalised, rich, and unique experiences. This study seeks to understand the current state of interaction that consumers have with AI during the digital customer journey (CJ), in the fashion industry. This research focused on the fashion industry and addresses the following AI technologies: recommendation systems, chatbots and virtual testers. These variables were deepened through an online questionnaire and an evaluation of the offerings that various brands have on their websites and apps. The data shows that people who interact with AI are younger and have self-confidence, they are mainly looking for a quick response to their requests, mainly through recommendation systems, chatbots and virtual testersinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Invasive bivalves in fresh waters : impacts from individuals to ecosystems and possible control strategies

Invasive bivalves may cause great ecological, evolutionary, and economic impacts in freshwater ecosystems. Species such as Corbicula fluminea, Dreissena bugensis, Dreissena polymorpha, Limnoperna fortunei, and Sinanodonta woodiana are widely distributed hyper-successful invaders, but several others not yet invasive (or at least not considered as such) may become so in the near future. These species can affect hydrology, biogeochemical cycling, and biotic interactions through several mechanisms, with impacts ranging from individuals to ecosystems. Freshwater invasive bivalves can create no-analog ecosystems, posing serious difficulties for management, but new techniques are becoming available which may enhance options to detect early introductions and mitigate impacts. Although knowledge about the biology of these bivalves has increased considerably in the last two decades, several fundamental gaps still persist; we suggest new research directions that are worth exploring in the near future.This study was conducted in the scope of the project "ECO-IAS", funded by the Portuguese Foundation for the Science and the Technology and COMPETE funds (Contract: PTDC/AAC-AMB/116685/2010)

Ocorrência de Xanthomonas perforans e X. gardneri em plantas infestantes em lavouras de tomate.

Este estudo objetivou relatar a ocorrencia natural de Xanthomonas spp. que causam a mancha bacteriana do tomateiro em plantas infestantes encontradas em lavouras comerciais de tomate para mesa e para industria.Resumo 1024. Edição dos resumos do 44º Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, 2011, Bento Gonçalves

Expectativas académicas segundo o género dos estudantes portugueses do primeiro ano do ensino superior

Entre el amplio rango de variables contuextuales y personales que pueden asociarse a las dificultades del estudiante en el acceso a la Educacion Superior, las expectativas académicas serán el foco de este estudio. Las expectativas académicas representan lo que los estudiantes esperan conseguir a lo largo de su vida académica. El estudio se realizó por 372 estudiantes de primer año de Eduación Superior, de ambos sexos, y con edades en un rango de 17 a 57 años. Estos estudiantes completaron el Cuestionario de Percepción Académica (QPA), que diferencia siete dimensiones en las expectativas académicas. Los análisis de los datos consideran el género de los estudiantes, el dominio científico de los estudios (Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología) y los niveles de la Educación parental. Los resultados sugieren más diferenciación de las expectativas académicas en función del género de los estudiantes y el nivel educacional de los padres. Esta comunicación presenta y discute estos resultados, su posible justificación e implicaciones.Among the wide range of personal and contextual variables that may be associated with difficulties in students’ access to higher education (HE), academic expectations will be the focus of this study. Academic expectations represent what students hope to accomplish and achieve in their academic life. The sample was formed by 372 first-year Higher Education students, of both sexes, and with ages ranging from 17 to 57 years old. These students completed the Academic Perceptions Questionnaire (QPA), which assesses seven dimensions of academic expectations. Data analysis considers students´ gender, scientific domain of studies (social sciences and humanities, science and technology) and the levels of parental education (parents concluded or not HE studies). Results suggest more differentiation of academic expectations in function of students´ gender and parents´ educational level. This communication presents and discusses these results, and possible justifications and implications.De entre o amplo conjunto de variáveis pessoais e contextuais que poderão estar associadas às dificuldades sentidas pelos estudantes ao ingressarem no ensino superior (ES), as expectativas académicas serão o foco deste estudo. As expectativas académicas representam aquilo que o estudante espera concretizar no decurso da sua vida académica. Este estudo considera uma amostra de 372 estudantes do primeiro ano do Ensino Superior, de ambos os géneros e com idades entre os 17 e os 57 anos. Estes estudantes preencheram o Questionário de Perceções Académicas (QPA), avaliando sete dimensões das expectativas académicas. Os resultados foram analisados considerando o género, a área científica (ciências sociais e humanas; ciências e tecnologias) e se algum dos pais concluiu o ES. As análises sugerem maior diferenciação do nível de expectativas em função do género dos estudantes e se os pais frequentaram ou não o ES. Nesta comunicação apresentam-se e discutem-se estes resultados, adiantando potenciais justificações e implicações.peerReviewe

Educação para a liberdade

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Simultaneous detection and identification of the Xanthomonas species complex associated with tomato bacterial spot using species-specifics primers and multiples PCR.

To establish protocols for the simultaneous detection and identification of Xanthomonas species causing tomato bacterial spot. Methods and Results: We verified the specificity and sensitivity of the previously reported sets of primers designed for strains of the four species of Brazilian tomato bacterial spot xanthomonads, consisting of 30 of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, 30 of X. vesicatoria,50ofX. perforans and 50 of X. gardneri. Furthermore, we tested a multiplex PCR protocol for the purpose of concurrent species identification