"Visual Affluence" in social photography: applicability of image segmentation as a visually oriented approach to study Instagram hashtags

The aim of the study is to examine the applicability of image segmentation – identification of objects/regions by partitioning images – to examine online social photography. We argue that the need for a meaning-independent reading of online social photography within social markers, such as hashtags, arises due to two characteristics of social photography: 1) internal incongruence resulting from user-driven construction, and 2) variability of content in terms of visual attributes, such as colour combinations, brightness, and details in backgrounds. We suggest visual affluence- plenitude of visual stimuli, such as objects and surfaces containing a variety of colour regions, present in visual imagery- as a basis for classifying visual content and image segmentation as a technique to measure affluence. We demonstrate that images containing objects with complex texture and background patterns are more affluent, while images that include blurry backgrounds are less affluent than others. Moreover, images that contain letters and dark, single-colour backgrounds are less affluent than images that include subtle shades. Mann-Whitney U test results for nine pairs of hashtags showed that seven out of nine pairs had significant differences in visual affluence. The proposed measure can be used to encourage a ‘visually oriented’ turn in online social photography research that can benefit from hybrid methods that are able to extrapolate micro-level findings to macro-level effects

Knowledge, Attitude and Associated Factors on Family Planning Practices among Antenatal Mothers Attending a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Understanding the antenatal mothers’ knowledge and attitude towards family planning (FP) helps to enhance their family well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and factors associated with family planning practices (FPP) among antenatal mothers attending a state hospital in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with the participation of 500 antenatal mothers attending clinic services at the Teaching Hospital, Mahamodara, Sri Lanka. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed in data analysis. Results: The majority of antenatal mothers were Sinhalese (92.6%) and Buddhists (91.2%). The majority was in the age group of 20-30 years (57.8%) and lived in rural areas (85.0%). Among the study participants, 41.2% were primiparous. The mean scores obtained for knowledge and attitude on FPP were 19.54 (±5.43) and 26.20 (±4.18), respectively. Among the participants, 41.0% had moderate and 27.4% had high level of knowledge on FPP. Ethnicity, religion, and parity (p<0.001) were associated with the level of knowledge. Sinhalese, Buddhist women with high parity, had a higher level of knowledge (p<0.001). Only 58.4% had a positive attitude on FPP. Ethnicity (p=0.04), religion (p=0.03) and educational status (p=0.02) were associated with attitude on FPP. Antenatal mothers who were, Sinhalese, Buddhist and educated up to G.C.E. (A/L) had positive attitudes on FPP (p<0.05). Conclusions: A high proportion of antenatal mothers had moderate to high level of knowledge and positive attitude on FPP, which were significantly associated with ethnicity, religion, education and parity. Keywords: Antenatal mothers, Associated factors, Attitude, Family planning practices, Knowledg

Complete genome sequence of a new member of the genus Badnavirus, Dioscorea bacilliform RT virus 3, reveals the first evidence of recombination in yam badnaviruses

Yams (Dioscorea spp.) host a diverse range of badnaviruses (genus Badnavirus, family Caulimoviridae). The first complete genome sequence of Dioscorea bacilliform RT virus 3 (DBRTV3), which belongs to the monophyletic species group K5, is described. This virus is most closely related to Dioscorea bacilliform SN virus (DBSNV, group K4) based on a comparison of genome sequences. Recombination analysis identified a unique recombination event in DBRTV3, with DBSNV likely to be the major parent and Dioscorea bacilliform AL virus (DBALV) the minor parent, providing the first evidence for recombination in yam badnaviruses. This has important implications for yam breeding programmes globally

Group B Streptococcal bacteraemia - changing trends in a tropical region of Australia

Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a recognised perinatal and neonatal pathogen. There are reports of increasing GBS sepsis globally outside this demographic. North Queensland is part of tropical Australia, with a relatively high proportion of Indigenous Australians. Aims: This study aims to analyse the epidemiology of GBS bacteraemia and explore associated risk factors. Methods: This was a 10-year retrospective review of GBS bacteraemia in a tertiary facility in North Queensland, between 2010 and February 2020. Data variables collected included; demographics, risk factors, clinical source and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association of Indigenous status and other relevant clinical factors with mortality from GBS bacteraemia at three months. Results: Of the 164 total cases, 123 were not pregnancy related. The rate of GBS bacteraemia for the Indigenous population was 12.48 per 100, 000 and 4.84 per 100, 000 for the non-Indigenous population. Indigenous patients were more likely to be diabetic and have chronic kidney disease compared to the non-Indigenous patients. Males [AOR = 4.34, 95% CI (1.14, 16.56), P=0.031] and immunosuppressed patients, [AOR = 11.49, 95% CI (2.73, 48.42), P<0.001] were more likely to experience mortality at three months from GBS bacteraemia even after adjusting for other risk factors respectively. Conclusion: GBS bacteraemia is deviating from being primarily a neonatal disease. While the Indigenous population of North Queensland have a disproportionate burden of GBS disease, the demographics affected differ. GBS appears to target the older non-Indigenous patients with greater comorbidities. In the non-Indigenous population, invasive GBS disease is an emerging issue. 3-month mortality appears to be increased in males and the immunosuppressed

Brassinosteroids participate in the control of basal and acquired freezing tolerance of plants

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are growth-promoting plant hormones that play a role in abiotic stress responses, but molecular modes that enable this activity remain largely unknown. Here we show that BRs participate in the regulation of freezing tolerance. BR signaling-defective mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana were hypersensitive to freezing before and after cold acclimation. The constitutive activation of BR signaling, in contrast, enhanced freezing resistance. Evidence is provided that the BR-controlled basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor CESTA (CES) can contribute to the constitutive expression of the C-REPEAT/DEHYDRATION-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTOR (CBF) transcriptional regulators that control cold responsive (COR) gene expression. In addition, CBF-independent classes of BR-regulated COR genes are identified that are regulated in a BR- and CES-dependent manner during cold acclimation. A model is presented in which BRs govern different cold-responsive transcriptional cascades through the posttranslational modification of CES and redundantly acting factors. This contributes to the basal resistance against freezing stress, but also to the further improvement of this resistance through cold acclimation

Minimizing Liability of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Construction Contracts—A Structural Equation Model for Risk Mitigation of Force Majeure Impacts

A pandemic is a force majeure event, and contracting parties can invoke conditions under force majeure to minimize liability for unforeseen, uncontrollable, and unavoidable circumstances. This study develops a conceptual model to assist in the management of delays and cost overruns due to force majeure events arising from the construction sector in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). A critical case study analysis of past epidemics and pandemics was conducted to develop a survey questionnaire for administration to construction professionals in Trinidad and Tobago. Based on the empirical data of 65 construction professionals, the structural equation model shows that there are strong causal effects from the implications of COVID-19 and force majeure events, which in turn have a dire impact on the construction industry. The leading implication of COVID-19 is the drastic increases in the cost of materials. Also, granting an extension of time to contractors was the main risk variable under the force majeure conditions. From the results, the measurement model verifies that events under force majeure and its perceived implications strongly influence the construction industry, and proposes that force majeure contractual clauses require explicit treatment of the periodic reoccurrence of pandemics to avoid conflicts among contracting parties. This research explores and builds on new avenues from the latest COVID-19 scholarship to better understand existing impacts on the construction industry, and consequently add to the novel body of knowledge on the implications of pandemics on construction contracts. Overall, this research provides a risk-guidance framework for construction professionals and academia to mitigate unforeseen, uncontrollable, and unavoidable risks on construction projects

A rare variant of the superficial ulnar artery, and its clinical implications: a case report

The superficial ulnar artery is a rare variation of the upper limb arterial system that arises from the brachial or axillary artery and runs superficial to the muscles arising from the medial epicondyle [1-3]. The incidence is about 0.7 to 7% [1,4,5]. In our routine dissections we found a superficial ulnar artery, which crossed the cubital fossa superficial to the bicipital aponeurosis making it highly vulnerable to intra-arterial injection. This is a rare variation that every medical and nursing staff member should know about

Deep Learning Based Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring for a Three-Phase System

Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) is a method to determine the power consumption of individual appliances from the overall power consumption measured by a single measurement device, which is usually the main meter. Increase in the adoption of smart meters has facilitated large scale implementation of NILM, which can provide information about individual loads to the utilities and consumers. This will lead to significant energy savings as well as better demand-side management. Researchers have proposed several methods and have successfully implemented NILM for residential sectors that have a single-phase supply. However, NILM has not been successfully implemented for industrial and commercial buildings that have a three-phase supply, due to several challenges. These buildings consume significant amount of power and implementing NILM to these buildings has the potential to yield substantial benefits. In this paper, we propose a novel deep learning-based approach to address some of the key challenges in implementing NILM for buildings that have a three-phase supply. Our approach introduces an ensemble learning technique that does not require training of multiple neural network models, which reduces the computational requirements and makes it economically feasible. The model was tested on a three-phase system that consists of both three- phase loads and single-phase loads. The results show significant improvement in load disaggregation compared to the existing methods and indicate its applicability

In situ redox reactions facilitate the assembly of a mixed-valence metal-organic nanocapsule

C-alkylpyrogallol[4]arenes (PgCs) have been studied for their ability to form metal-organic nanocapsules (MONCs) through coordination to appropriate metal ions. Here we present the synthesis and characterization of an MnII/MnIII-seamed MONC in addition to its electrochemical and magnetic behavior. This MONC assembles from 24 manganese ions and 6 PgCs, while an additional metal ion is located on the capsule interior, anchored through the introduction of bridging nitrite ions. The latter originate from an in situ redox reaction that occurs during the self-assembly process, thus representing a new route to otherwise unobtainable nanocapsules