Quasar: rapid prototyping for image/video processing on heterogeneous hardware.

In this Show&Tell session, we present Quasar, a new framework for heterogeneous programming on (multi-)CPU/GPU systems. GPUs are increasingly used because of the large performance gains they offer for calculations with large amounts of data (e.g., in image and video processing). However, GPU programming is challenging as it requires significant programming expertise and because the corresponding tools are not well suited for rapid prototyping. Quasar is aimed at alleviating these challenges, while still delivering significant acceleration. This is achieved by employing a high-level language, with a similar abstraction level as Matlab or Python. We will demonstrate the Quasar language and IDE by showing several well-known (computationally intensive) image processing algorithms, such as pyramidal optical flow, voxel carving, volumetric ray tracing, geometric active contours, superpixel segmentation, image restoration... We highlight debugging, visualization and profiling capabilities while running the algorithms in real-time. The audience is encouraged to change algorithmic parameters and see their algorithmic influence in real-time. For more information, see http://gepura.i

GPU-based maize plant analysis: accelerating CNN segmentation and voxel carving

PHENOVISION is a high-throughput plant phenotyping system for crop plants in greenhouse conditions. A conveyor belt transports plants between automated irrigation stations and imaging cabins. The aim is to phenotype maize varieties grown under different conditions. To this end we model the plants in 3D and automate the measuring of the plants

Machine learning for maize plant segmentation

High-throughput plant phenotyping platforms produce immense volumes of image data. Here, a binary segmentation of maize colour images is required for 3D reconstruction of plant structure and measurement of growth traits. To this end, we employ a convolutional neural network (CNN) to perform this segmentation successfully

The Belgian policy of funding antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals and trends of selected quality indicators for antimicrobial use, 1999-2010: a longitudinal study

Objectives: In order to improve antimicrobial (AM) use, a policy of providing technical and financial support to AM management teams (AMTs) was rolled out in all Belgian hospitals between 2002 and 2008. We aimed to analyse the association of this policy with AM use for the two indications accounting for the largest number of patients receiving AM: prophylaxis for major lower limb orthopaedic surgery and pneumonia. Design, setting, participants: We used patient-level data routinely collected in all Belgian acute care hospitals between 1999 and 2010. We modelled trends for selected quality indicators (QIs) using the year of AMT implementation in each hospital as the main 'change point', with fine-tuned case-mix adjustment. Of all admissions for lower limb orthopaedic surgery, and pneumonia between 1999 and 2010, 90% (325 094) and 95% (327 635), respectively, were found eligible for analyses. Outcomes: The surgery QI was defined as: cefazolin, dose in the expected range, and no use of other AM. For pneumonia, QIs were: ratio of oral/parenteral defined daily doses (DDD, O/P QI), and mean number of DDD minus penicillin, per 100 days of hospitalisation (DDD QI). Results: Between 1999 and 2010, the surgery QI improved from 59% to 71%, the O/P QI from 0.72 to 0.97, and the DDD QI from 96 to 64. Heterogeneity between hospitals was high. Overall, no association was found with the year of implementation of the AMT. Conclusions: Improvements have been observed but could not be related at the national level to the policy under study. However, these results cannot be extrapolated to other QIs for AM use in hospitals. Our findings do not question the need for AMT, nor the need for continuation of AMT funding. Several recommendations can be made in order to make the best of Belgium's unique political and financial commitments in that field

Design and development of a decision aid to enhance shared decision making by patients with an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm

Dirk T Ubbink1,2, Anouk M Knops1, Sjaak Molenaar1, Astrid Goossens11Department of Quality Assurance and Process Innovation and 2Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsObjective: To design, develop, and evaluate an evidence-based decision aid (DA) for patients with an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) to inform them about the pros and cons of their treatment options (ie, surgery or watchful observation) and to help them make a shared decision.Methods: A multidisciplinary team defined criteria for the desired DA as to design, medical content and functionality, particularly for elderly users. Development was according to the international standard (IPDAS). Fifteen patients with an AAA, who were either treated or not yet treated, evaluated the tool.Results: A DA was developed to offer information about the disease, the risks and benefits of surgical treatment and watchful observation, and the individual possibilities and threats based on the patient’s aneurysm diameter and risk profile. The DA was improved and judged favorably by physicians and patients.Conclusion: This evidence-based DA for AAA patients, developed according to IPDAS criteria, is likely to be a simple, user-friendly tool to offer patients evidence-based information about the pros and cons of treatment options for AAA, to improve patients’ understanding of the disease and treatment options, and may support decision making based on individual values.Keywords: decision support techniques, research design, program development, abdominal aortic aneurysm, decision makin

De CRA+vouchers methodiek: is het belonen van abstinentie bij cocaïnegebruikers effectief?

Wetenschappers van de UGent onderzochten in samenwerking met het ambulant behandelingscentrum De Kiem het effect van de zogenaamde CRA+vouchers methodiek bij de behandeling van cocaïneverslaving. Bij aanvang lokte deze nieuwe werkvorm zowel in de media, op de werkvloer als in wetenschappelijke kringen heel wat reacties uit, omdat druggebruikers financieel beloond worden als ze geen cocaïne gebruiken. De druggebruikers kunnen in een periode van 6 maanden tot 1.265 EUR verdienen als ze geen drugs gebruiken. Het voucher¬systeem is echter slechts één onderdeel van een meer omvattende cognitief-gedrags¬therapeutische behandeling, die bestaat uit individuele gesprekken, het inoefenen van gedrags- en sociale vaardigheden, relatietherapie, motiverende gespreksvoering en terugval¬preventie. Een ander belangrijk verschil met bestaande behandelingsprogramma’s is de intensiteit van de werkvorm, waarbij druggebruikers tot drie keer per week moeten langskomen voor een gesprek en speekselcontrole. De resultaten van de kleinschalige studie zijn overwegend positief. Zo was de kans op abstinentie zes maanden na de start van de behandeling drie keer groter in de CRA+vouchers groep dan in de controlegroep. Ook de kwaliteit van leven lag na zes maanden beduidend hoger in de CRA+vouchers groep

Robust plane-based calibration for linear cameras

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The transcriptional repressor complex FRS7-FRS12 regulates flowering time and growth in Arabidopsis

Most living organisms developed systems to efficiently time environmental changes. The plant-clock acts in coordination with external signals to generate output responses determining seasonal growth and flowering time. Here, we show that two Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factors, FAR1 RELATED SEQUENCE 7 (FRS7) and FRS12, act as negative regulators of these processes. These proteins accumulate particularly in short-day conditions and interact to form a complex. Loss-of-function of FRS7 and FRS12 results in early flowering plants with overly elongated hypocotyls mainly in short days. We demonstrate by molecular analysis that FRS7 and FRS12 affect these developmental processes in part by binding to the promoters and repressing the expression of GIGANTEA and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 as well as several of their downstream signalling targets. Our data reveal a molecular machinery that controls the photoperiodic regulation of flowering and growth and offer insight into how plants adapt to seasonal changes