Extreme leg motion analysis of professional ballet dancers via MRI segmentation of multiple leg postures

Purpose: Professional ballet dancers are subject to constant extreme motion which is known to be at the origin of many articular disorders. To analyze their extreme motion, we exploit a unique magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, denoted as ‘dual-posture' MRI, which scans the subject in both the normal (supine) and extreme (split) postures. However, due to inhomogeneous tissue intensities and image artifacts in these scans, coupled with unique acquisition protocol (split posture), segmentation of these scans is difficult. We present a novel algorithm that exploits the correlation between scans (bone shape invariance, appearance similarity) in automatically segmenting the dancer MRI images. Methods: While validated segmentation algorithms are available for standard supine MRI, these algorithms cannot be applied to the split scan which exhibits a unique posture and strong inter-subject variations. In this study, the supine MRI is segmented with a deformable models method. The appearance and shape of the segmented supine models are then re-used to segment the split MRI of the same subject. Models are first registered to the split image using a novel constrained global optimization, before being refined with the deformable models technique. Results: Experiments with 10 dual-posture MRI datasets in the segmentation of left and right femur bones reported accurate and robust results (mean distance error: 1.39 ± 0.31mm). Conclusions: The use of segmented models from the supine posture to assist the split posture segmentation was found to be equally accurate and consistent to supine results. Our results suggest that dual-posture MRI can be efficiently and robustly segmente

Entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurship career intention : case at a Malaysian Public University

Entrepreneurship intention for graduate student like many other job and work career options depends on other considerations. Literature reviews revealed that more research works are needed in examining the determinants of entrepreneurship intentions of students. This study is to determine the relationship between student’s entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurship intention. A total of 450 self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the students of the various faculties, races and student seniority at a Public University using the convenient and structured sampling method. Finally, 413 duly completed questionnaires were returned and used in the analyses. Correlation analysis and regression analysis showed that strength of motivation in choosing entrepreneurship as a career option among the students is related with entrepreneurship intention. The entrepreneurial motivation factors affecting career intention to be an entrepreneur are made up of behavioral control, subjective norm, and attitude towards entrepreneurship. Subjective norm (tolerance for risk) and attitude (desirability) of self-employment are significantly related to both student immediate and future intentions to be an entrepreneur. However, behavioral control entrepreneurial motivation is found to be significantly related to student immediate career intention but not significantly related to student future entrepreneurship career intention. Creating of opportunity for practice of key entrepreneurial behaviors is seen as crucial in cultivating entrepreneurial behaviors. Theory of Planned Behavior Model can be used as a tool to identify would be entrepreneur and target them for entrepreneurship career development. This study argued and supported the call that those youths who are really serious to start and own a business as would be entrepreneurs can be identified and targeted to develop through entrepreneurship interventions initiative

Understanding the Motivation that Shapes Entrepreneurship Career Intention

Entrepreneurship intention for graduate students like many other job and work career options depends on other considerations. Individuals who pursue their intentions are most likely to implement their intention. Interest in entrepreneurship as career appears to be growing. Reviews show the need in investigating the determinants of entrepreneurship as a career intention of students and it has remains the focus of most of the recent studies. This is due to the facts that entrepreneurs are creating jobs and driving economic development of a nation. In this study, the Theory of Planned Behaviour is applied to investigate students’ entrepreneurial motivation and entrepreneurship intention. A total of 413 sets of completed questionnaire collected using the structured sampling methodology from the various faculties, races and student seniority at a University located in Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia were used in the analyses. The factors of entrepreneurial motivation affecting career entrepreneurship intention were found to be behavioural control, subjective norm, and attitude towards entrepreneurship. Behavioural control is found to be at a very good level while subjective norm and attitude towards entrepreneurship are both at a good level. Multiple regression analyses indicated that subjective norm and attitude of self-employment are both significantly related to student immediate and future entrepreneurship intentions. The behavioural control entrepreneurial motivation indicated significant relationship with student immediate career intention. However it was found that it is not related to entrepreneurship career intention. This study implies that young aspirant entrepreneur can be identified and targeted for development via the Planned Behaviour model for entrepreneurial interventions initiatives

“Put your mask on first before helping others”: Faculty members as a neglected population during Covid

In congruence with the conference theme, “Crafting a Resilient Future: Leadership, Education, & Inspiration”, our panel seeks to address the ways in which faculty members in LIS/IS programs have contended with the various changes and challenges stemming from the global pandemic of COVID-19 as well as broader –and related- trends reshaping the academic landscape. While most of the attention in the literature has been geared toward student engagement and learning online as a means of addressing students’ academic success and wellbeing (Rapanta et al., 2020; Katz et al., 2021), there has been disproportionally much less attention geared at teaching and research faculty members. Despite being the backbone of our educational programs and schools, and often the main reasons why students select to enter our field (Dali & Caidi, 2016), faculty members’ needs and the challenges they are facing have been largely ignored (El Masri & Sabzalieva, 2020; Gabster et al., 2020). In this panel, we seek to critically center our discussion on this key constituency, and question (disrupt, even) the notion of faculty resilience. Indeed, making use of the resilience trope sheds light partially on faculty members’ well-being, but it also contributes to masking the many inadequacies and failures at the organizational and systemic level, particularly around policies and practices dealing with the curriculum, workload, representation, accommodations, academic freedom, resource allocation, justice and dignity to name just a few. There is a much-needed engagement that needs to take place around these issues in LIS education if we are truly honest about resilience and sustainability. Our international panelists present a cross-section of faculty members who bring their varied experiences in teaching and research in the LIS field to the discussion. Together, they represent tenure and tenure-track faculty, and administrators across three countries (USA, Canada, New Zealand). The panelists, all LIS educators and professionals, will base their engagement on the following themes/questions: • What efforts are LIS programs making to address the challenges faced by faculty members to ensure not only the sustainability of the educational program but also a dignified and fair treatment of faculty members? • What are possible scenarios for a post-COVID future of LIS education, and how can faculty members be best supported and inspired to achieve resilience for a sustainable future? The speakers will tackle different angles to address these questions. After a short lightning talk (7-8 minutes), a discussion among panelists will ensue as well as engagement with the attendees through a Q/A. Some of the topics discussed include academic freedom, disability and neurodiversity, BIPOC faculty, emergency preparedness, and information cultures in Higher Education. Our format will be an interactive panel discussion that focuses on lessons learned and novel approaches to re-imagining the place of faculty members at the table, and the ways in which they can be supported to ensure they continue to strive toward innovative teaching methods and strategies for a shifting landscape in LIS education. The panelists will keep their lightening talks short to enable opportunities for audience interaction (through small-group conversations or breakout rooms (for virtual attendees))

Collaborative telemedicine for interactive multiuser segmentation of volumetric medical images

Telemedicine has evolved rapidly in recent years to enable unprecedented access to digital medical data, such as with networked image distribution/sharing and online (distant) collaborative diagnosis, largely due to the advances in telecommunication and multimedia technologies. However, interactive collaboration systems which control editing of an object among multiple users are often limited to a simple "locking” mechanism based on a conventional client/server architecture, where only one user edits the object which is located in a specific server, while all other users become viewers. Such systems fail to provide the needs of a modern day telemedicine applications that demand simultaneous editing of the medical data distributed in diverse local sites. In this study, we introduce a novel system for telemedicine applications, with its application to an interactive segmentation of volumetric medical images. We innovate by proposing a collaborative mechanism with a scalable data sharing architecture which makes users interactively edit on a single shared image scattered in local sites, thus enabling collaborative editing for, e.g., collaborative diagnosis, teaching, and training. We demonstrate our collaborative telemedicine mechanism with a prototype image editing system developed and evaluated with a user case study. Our result suggests that the ability for collaborative editing in a telemedicine context can be of great benefit and hold promising potential for further researc

Host support of Ty3 retrotransposition in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ty3 is a Saccharomyces cereviae LTR retrotransposon. The structure of Ty3 is similar to that of a simple retrovirus. It is 5.4 kb in length and encodes overlapping GAG3 and POL3 reading frames flanked by 340 bp long terminal repeats. Expression of Ty3 results in production of Gag3 and Gag3-Pol3 polyproteins which assemble together with genomic RNA into in association with P-body proteins. VLPs are also associated with these clusters. The nucleo-capsid domain of Ty3 Gag3 is required in trans for recruitment of Ty3 RNA into P bodies. The untranslated regions of Ty3 RNA are sufficient in cis for recruitment of RNA to P bodies, but the GAG3-POL3 coding domain of the RNA can also confer association with P body proteins. In contrast, only the untranslated sequences confer packaging of a mini-Ty3 transcript. Upon assembly, Gag3 is processed into capsid, spacer, and nucleocapsid. Gag3-Pol3 is processed into those proteins and protease, junction, reverse transcriptase, and integrase. We propose that P-body proteins promote Ty3 VLP assembly and a mass spectrometry approach is being taken to further define the components of these dynamic complexes. However, in spite of genetic evidence that P-body proteins play a positive role in Ty3 production, these intracellular foci may also act as host traps to down-regulate transposition. Ty3-P body clusters become perinuclear over time and are physically associated with nuclear pores. A specific class of FG nucleoporins are required for Ty3 nuclear entry

An investigation of the evidence of benefits from climate compatible development

Climate change is likely to have profound effects on developing countries both through the climate impacts experienced, but also through the policies, programmes and projects adopted to address climate change. Climate change mitigation (actions taken to reduce the extent of climate change), adaptation (actions taken to ameliorate the impacts), and on-going development are all critical to reduce current and future losses associated with climate change, and to harness gains. In the context of limited resources to invest in climate change, policies, programmes, or projects that deliver ‘triple wins’ (i.e. generating climate adaptation, mitigation and development benefits) – also known as climate compatible development – are increasingly discussed by bilateral and multilateral donors. Yet there remains an absence of empirical evidence of the benefits and costs of triple win policies. The purpose of this paper is therefore to assess evidence of ‘triple wins’ on the ground, and the feasibility of triple wins that do not generate negative impacts. We describe the theoretical linkages that exist between adaptation, mitigation and development, as well as the trade-offs and synergies that might exist between them. Using four developing country studies, we make a simple assessment of the extent of climate compatible development policy in practice through the lens of ‘no-regrets’, ‘low regrets’ and ‘with regrets’ decision making. The lack of evidence of either policy or practice of triple wins significantly limits the capacity of donors to identify, monitor or evaluate ‘triple wins at this point in time. We recommend a more strategic assessment of the distributional and financial implications of 'triple wins' policies

Formulated Palmitoylethanolamide Supplementation Improves Parameters of Cognitive Function and BDNF Levels in Young, Healthy Adults:A Randomised Cross-Over Trial

Background: Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endocannabinoid-like lipid mediator which is naturally produced in the body and found in certain foods. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a bioavailable formulated form of PEA (Levagen+®) on serum BDNF levels and parameters of cognitive function in healthy adults. Methods: A randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over trial was implemented to measure the effects of a 6-week 700 mg/day course of formulated PEA supplementation versus a placebo. Participants (n = 39) completed pre- and post-assessments of a lab-based cognitive test. Serum samples were collected to measure BDNF concentrations using an immunoassay. Results: A significant increase in serum BDNF levels was found following PEA supplementation compared with the placebo (p = 0. 0057, d = 0.62). The cognition test battery demonstrated improved memory with PEA supplementation through better first success (p = 0.142, d = 0.54) and fewer errors (p = 0.0287; d = −0.47) on the Paired Associates Learning test. Conclusion: This was the first study to report a direct beneficial effect of Levagen+® PEA supplementation on memory improvement as well as corresponding increases in circulating neurotrophic marker levels. This suggests that formulated PEA holds promise as an innovative and practical intervention for cognitive health enhancement