Investigating user experience and bias mitigation of the multi-modal retrieval of historical data

Decolonisation has raised the discussion of technology having the responsibility of presenting multiple perspectives to users. This is specifically relevant to African precolonial heritage artefact data, where the data contains the bias of the curators of the artefacts and there are primary concerns surrounding the social responsibility of these systems. Historians have argued that common information retrieval algorithms may further bias results presented to users. While research for mitigating bias in information retrieval is steered in the direction of artificial intelligence and automation, an often-neglected approach is that of user-control. User-control has proven to be beneficial in other research areas and is strongly aligned with the core principles of decolonisation. Thus, the effects on user experience, bias mitigation, and retrieval effectiveness from the addition of user-control and algorithmic variation to a multimodal information retrieval system containing precolonial African heritage data was investigated in this study. This was done by conducting two experiments: 1) an experiment to provide a baseline offline evaluation of various algorithms for text and image retrieval and 2) an experiment to investigate the user experience with a retrieval system that allowed them to compare algorithms. In the first experiment, the differences in retrieval effectiveness between colour-based pre-processing algorithms, shape-based preprocessing algorithms, and pre-processing algorithms based on a combination of colour- and shape-detection, was explored. The differences in retrieval effectiveness between stemming, stopword removal and synonym query expansion was also evaluated for text retrieval. In the second experiment, the manner in which users experience bias in the context of common information retrieval algorithms for both the textual and image data that are available in typical historical archives was explored. Users were presented with the results generated by multiple algorithmic variations, in a variety of different result formats, and using a variety of different search methods, affording them the opportunity to decide what they deem provides them with a more relevant set of results. The results of the study show that algorithmic variation can lead to significantly improved retrieval performance with respect to image-based retrieval. The results also show that users potentially prefer shape-based image algorithms rather than colour-based image algorithms, and, that shape-based image algorithms can lead to significantly improved retrieval of historical data. The results also show that users have justifiable preferences for multimodal query and result formats to improve user experience and that users believe they can control bias using algorithmic variatio

Seed yield and quality as influenced by growing conditions in hybrid seed production of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) cv. Pusa Hybrid-1

The present investigation was carried out under insect proof net house (IPN) and open field condition (OFC) at Centre for Protected Cultivation Technology and Seed Testing Laboratory of Division of Seed Science &Technology, IARI, New Delhi in bitter gourd cv. Pusa Hybrid-1 during summer season because under open field condition the seed yield and seed quality of bitter gourd drastically reduced due to viral diseases and fruit fly in kharif and early onset of high temperature, unseasonal rains during summer, which restricts the hybrid seed production of bitter gourd under north Indian condition. The observations on seed yield & quality characters and physical properties of seed were recorded. The quality attributes were evaluated immediately after harvest and after 8 months of ambient storage and their results were compared. The experimental results revealed that total number of seed per fruit (46.7), number of filled seed per fruit (45.3), seed yield per fruit (9.41g), seed yield per plant (27.28g), and seed yield per hectare (232kg) were significantly higher under IPN in comparison to OFC. Among the physical parameters of seed, seed width (0.81cm) & seed coat (0.79g) weight recorded significantly higher in IPN. The seed quality attributes immediately after harvest was also significantly superior under IPN compared to OFC except for germination %. The hybrid seed produced under IPN conditions could maintain their superiority for quality traits even after 8 monthsof its ambient storage. The seed yield and seed quality attributes were comparatively superior under IPN conditions. The seed crop grown under IPN overcomes the threat of insect vectors, viral diseases and unfavourable climatic conditions and helps in attaining the better seed yield and quality

Current epidemiological trends of brain abscess: A clinicopathological study

Aims: To determine the current epidemiological trends, clinical presentation and commonest organism of brain abscess in this part of the country.Material and Methods: 104 cases admitted during August 2009 to July 2016 in the Department of neurosurgery of Dr RMLIMS Lucknow were included in the study. Detailed clinical history was taken and detailed neurological examination was done. Relevant laboratory investigations were done as needed along with CT scan and /or MRI brain. Patients were managed by aspiration or surgical excision and aspirated material sent for microbiological examination. Results were collected and analyzed.Results: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was the commonest cause of infection in 54.81% cases. Trauma was encountered in 10.58%% cases. Other causes were haematogenous spread of infection, dental caries and immunodeficiency. No source could be identified in 23 patients (22.11%).Conclusion: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is still a major cause of brain abscess in developing country like India which is a benign curable disease and should not be neglected. Prompt diagnosis and treatment allows immediate decompression of mass reduces duration of antibiotic stay and minimizes treatment cost

Odontoid process fracture in 2 year old child: A rare case report

In small childrens spine injuries are rare. In this age group upper cervical spine is commonally affected. Odontoid process fracture involve only a subset of cervical spine fractures. In small childrens, this fracture typically involves the cartilaginousplate that separates the odontoid process from the body of the axis. Odontoid processfracture is rare in children less than 7 years of age

Conus intramedullary pyogenic abscess in a 4years old child: A rare case report and review of literature

Intramedullary pyogenic abscess in the conus medullaris in a young child is an extremely rare condition. It had never been reported in literature. It should be differentiated from other more common pathology like tubercular abscess, dermal sinus, epidermoid and dermoid tumour. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical evacuation may lead to good neurological recovery from this rare benign pathology