Accelerating Fourier Descriptor for Image Recognition Using GPU

In the next few years, the rate of enhancement in GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) performance is expected to outshine that of CPUs (Central Processing Units), increasing the demand of the GPU as the processor chosen for image processing. In light of tremendous advance in computer vision research of recognition shape domain, we proposed a GPU technology of programming and computing to accelerate the Fourier descriptor technique invariant to color images classification. It is a simple and powerful technique to represent objects based on their shapes. It has attractive properties such as rotational, scale, and translational invariance. Since the heaviest part of Fourier descriptor computing time is the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), we decided to bring it out on GPU. We used CUDA: Compute Unified Device Architecture, the specific programming language of GPU, and its CUFFT library to accelerate the computation of FFT. To showcase this implementation, we studied the performance of GPU versus a traditional implementation on CPU for single and double precision

Implementation and Comparison of the Lifting 5/3 and 9/7 Algorithms in MatLab on GPU

In order to accelerate the Discrete Wavelet Transform DWT, we have implemented and compared the lifting "Le Gall5/3" and "Cohen-Daubechies-Feauveau9/7" (CDF9/7) algorithms on a low cost NVIDIA’s GPU. The suggested implementation is realized in MatLab using the in-house parallel computation toolbox (PCT). Our experimental results indicate, that the speedup is proportional to the image size until it attains a maximum at 20482 pixels, beyond these values the curve decreases. The performance with GPU enhances above a factor of 2~3 compared with CPU

Optimized Parallel Implementation of Face Detection based on GPU component

International audienceFace detection is an important aspect for various domains such as: biometrics, video surveillance and human computer interaction. Generally a generic face processing system includes a face detection, or recognition step, as well as tracking and rendering phase. In this paper, we develop a real-time and robust face detection implementation based on GPU component. Face detection is performed by adapting the Viola and Jones algorithm. We have developed and designed optimized several parallel implementations of these algorithms based on graphics processors GPU using CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) description.First, we implemented the Viola and Jones algorithm in the basic CPU version. The basic application is widened to GPU version using CUDA technology, and freeing CPU to perform other tasks. Then, the face detection algorithm has been optimized for the GPU using a grid topology and shared memory. These programs are compared and the results are presented. Finally, to improve the quality of face detection a second proposition was performed by the implementation of WaldBoost algorithm

Amine-Catalyzed Cascade Reactions of Unprotected AldosesAn Operationally Simple Access to Defined Configured Stereotetrads or Stereopentads

An amine-catalyzed cascade reaction of unprotected carbohydrates with 1.3-diketones was elaborated. This cascade is based on a Knoevenagel reaction/intramolecular ketalization/retro-aldol reaction. By application of this operationally simple protocol, a direct access to optically active stereopentads or stereotetrads is given. Rules of configurative outcomes will be discussed

Les virus de l'hépatite profitent des pratiques traditionnelles pour augmenter la charge du carcinome hépatocellulaire en Tunisie

International audienceHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major public health issue in Africa. In Tunisia, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to be an important risk factor for HCC in the south of the country, but the role played by hepatitis C virus (HCV) still remains unclear. The aim of the current case-control study was to identify risk factors for HCC development in the northern part of the country. Clinical and biological data including viral hepatitis status (serological and molecular) and non-infectious risk factors from 73 patients with HCC and 70 control subjects without hepatic diseases were collected. The mean age of the patients was 63 ± 10 years, and the ratio of males to females was 1.1. HCC occurred in cirrhotic liver in 72.0% of the cases. HCV infection was the dominant risk factor (64.3% of cases); the presence of HBV was observed in 53.4% of the cases. Occult hepatitis B and C were implicated, respectively, in 30.1% and 9.6% of the cases. HCV genotype 1b was predominant. Patients originating from western Tunisia formed a homogeneous group, characterized by significantly higher rates of tattoos or scarifications (83%) and HCV infection (80%) than those from other parts of the country. Chronic HCV infection is currently the primary risk factor for HCC in Tunisia; HBV infection remains frequent in its overt or occult infection forms. Traditional esthetic practices apparently contribute to increasing the burden of terminal liver diseases in western Tunisia

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among Social Media Users : A Content Analysis, Multi-Continent Study

Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is defined as a delayed in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services. This multinational study examined user interaction with social media about COVID-19 vaccination. The study analyzed social media comments in 24 countries from five continents. In total, 5856 responses were analyzed; 83.5% of comments were from Facebook, while 16.5% were from Twitter. In Facebook, the overall vaccine acceptance was 40.3%; the lowest acceptance rates were evident in Jordan (8.5%), Oman (15.0%), Senegal (20.0%) and Morocco (20.7%) and the continental acceptance rate was the lowest in North America 22.6%. In Twitter, the overall acceptance rate was (41.5%); the lowest acceptance rate was found in Oman (14.3%), followed by USA (20.5%), and UK (23.3%) and the continental acceptance rate was the lowest in North America (20.5%), and Europe (29.7%). The differences in vaccine acceptance across countries and continents in Facebook and Twitter were statistically significant. Regarding the tone of the comments, in Facebook, countries that had the highest number of serious tone comments were Sweden (90.9%), USA (61.3%), and Thailand (58.8%). At continent level, serious comments were the highest in Asia (58.4%), followed by Africa (46.2%) and South America (46.2%). In Twitter, the highest serious tone was reported in Egypt (72.2%) while at continental level, the highest proportion of serious comments was observed in Asia (59.7%), followed by Europe (46.5%). The differences in tone across countries and continents in Facebook and Twitter and were statistically significant. There was a significant association between the tone and the position of comments. We concluded that the overall vaccine acceptance in social media was relatively low and varied across the studied countries and continents. Consequently, more in-depth studies are required to address causes of such VH and combat infodemics