Single image example-based super-resolution using cross-scale patch matching and Markov random field modelling

Example-based super-resolution has become increasingly popular over the last few years for its ability to overcome the limitations of classical multi-frame approach. In this paper we present a new example-based method that uses the input low-resolution image itself as a search space for high-resolution patches by exploiting self-similarity across different resolution scales. Found examples are combined in a high-resolution image by the means of Markov Random Field modelling that forces their global agreement. Additionally, we apply back-projection and steering kernel regression as post-processing techniques. In this way, we are able to produce sharp and artefact-free results that are comparable or better than standard interpolation and state-of-the-art super-resolution techniques

Adopting an African Standpoint in HCI4D::A Provocation

While studies in HCI4D have been advanced by the shift of perspective from developmental studies to a range of other discourses, current analytical concepts for understanding the sociality of society in Africa have arguably led to some misinterpretations of the place of technology. This provocation suggests that an ‘African Standpoint’ based on a combination of various standpoint positionalities and the Wittgensteinian approach of Winch can offer conceptual and analytical sensitivities for articulating social relations, transnational engagements and the conceptualisation of technological innovation. This provides an approach for seeing and accounting for things as they are – right here, right there and right now – and not some idealised conception of an African reality

GNC University: A Case Study in Partnering Business and Education through Distance Learning

In 2002, General Nutrition Corporation, Inc. contacted the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida to collaborate in offering a series of courses in introductory nutrition for GNC employees in order to equip them with basic nutrition knowledge. The purpose of this case study was to describe the GNC University program as a model for business-education partnerships via distance education, to describe student expectations for the GNC University experience, to describe student reactions to the GNC University experience, and to describe the reaction of teaching assistants to their experience with GNC University. There were several key findings in this study. Students’ expectations are to increase in nutrition knowledge, professionally and personally, and to increase in their technological skills. There is a need, in future evaluation of this program, to measure whether students feel their expectations of increased knowledge and technological skills are being met. Additionally, focus groups with teaching assistants revealed a need for greater preparation for assisting students with technical difficulties. Overall, this program shows promise for business-education partnerships through distance education

Disruptive Technologies in Agricultural Operations: A Systematic Review of AI-driven AgriTech Research

YesThe evolving field of disruptive technologies has recently gained significant interest in various industries, including agriculture. The fourth industrial revolution has reshaped the context of Agricultural Technology (AgriTech) with applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a strong focus on data-driven analytical techniques. Motivated by the advances in AgriTech for agrarian operations, the study presents a state-of-the-art review of the research advances which are, evolving in a fast pace over the last decades (due to the disruptive potential of the technological context). Following a systematic literature approach, we develop a categorisation of the various types of AgriTech, as well as the associated AI-driven techniques which form the continuously shifting definition of AgriTech. The contribution primarily draws on the conceptualisation and awareness about AI-driven AgriTech context relevant to the agricultural operations for smart, efficient, and sustainable farming. The study provides a single normative reference for the definition, context and future directions of the field for further research towards the operational context of AgriTech. Our findings indicate that AgriTech research and the disruptive potential of AI in the agricultural sector are still in infancy in Operations Research. Through the systematic review, we also intend to inform a wide range of agricultural stakeholders (farmers, agripreneurs, scholars and practitioners) and to provide research agenda for a growing field with multiple potentialities for the future of the agricultural operations

Oral mucosal epithelial cells grown on porous silicon membrane for transfer to the rat eye

Dysfunction of limbal stem cells or their niche can result in painful, potentially sight-threatening ocular surface disease. We examined the utility of surface-modified porous-silicon (pSi) membranes as a scaffold for the transfer of oral mucosal cells to the eye. Male-origin rat oral mucosal epithelial cells were grown on pSi coated with collagen-IV and vitronectin, and characterised by immunocytochemistry. Scaffolds bearing cells were implanted into normal female rats, close to the limbus, for 8 weeks. Histology, immunohistochemistry and a multiplex nested PCR for sry were performed to detect transplanted cells. Oral mucosal epithelial cells expanded on pSi scaffolds expressed the corneal epithelial cell marker CK3/12. A large percentage of cells were p63⁺, indicative of proliferative potential, and a small proportion expressed ABCG2⁺, a putative stem cell marker. Cell-bearing scaffolds transferred to the eyes of live rats, were well tolerated, as assessed by endpoint histology. Immunohistochemistry for pan-cytokeratins demonstrated that transplanted epithelial cells were retained on the pSi membranes at 8 weeks post-implant, but were not detectable on the central cornea using PCR for sry. The pSi scaffolds supported and retained transplanted rat oral mucosal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo and recapitulate some aspects of an artificial stem cell niche.Yazad D. Irani, Sonja Klebe, Steven J.P. McInnes, Marek Jasieniak, Nicolas H. Voelcker, Keryn A. William

Psychological response and quality of life after transplantation: a comparison between heart, lung, liver and kidney recipients

PRINCIPLES: Various non-specific questionnaires were used to measure quality of life and psychological wellbeing of patients after organ transplantation. At present cross-organ studies dealing specifically with the psychological response to a transplanted organ are non-existent in German-speaking countries. METHODS: The Transplant Effects Questionnaire TxEQ-D and the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire were used to examine the psychological response and quality of life of 370 patients after heart, lung, liver or kidney transplantation. The organ groups were compared with regard to psychosocial parameters. RESULTS: 72% of patients develop a feeling of responsibility for the received organ and its function. This feeling is even stronger towards the patient's key relationships i.e. family, friends, the treatment team and the donor. 11.6% worry about the transplanted organ. Heart and lung patients report significantly fewer concerns than liver and kidney patients. Overall, only a minority of patients report feelings of guilt towards the donor (2.7%), problems in disclosing their transplant to others (2.4%), or difficulties in complying with medical orders (3.5%). Lung transplant patients show significantly better adherence. CONCLUSIONS: A feeling of responsibility towards those one is close to and towards the donor is a common psychological phenomenon after transplantation of an organ. Conscious feelings of guilt and shame are harboured by only a minority of patients. The fact that heart and lung patients worry less about their transplant might have primarily to do with the greater medical and psychosocial support in this group

Complexity of the microglial activation pathways that drive innate host responses during lethal alphavirus encephalitis in mice

Microglia express multiple TLRs (Toll-like receptors) and provide important host defence against viruses that invade the CNS (central nervous system). Although prior studies show these cells become activated during experimental alphavirus encephalitis in mice to generate cytokines and chemokines that influence virus replication, tissue inflammation and neuronal survival, the specific PRRs (pattern recognition receptors) and signalling intermediates controlling microglial activation in this setting remain unknown. To investigate these questions directly in vivo, mice ablated of specific TLR signalling molecules were challenged with NSV (neuroadapted Sindbis virus) and CNS viral titres, inflammatory responses and clinical outcomes followed over time. To approach this problem specifically in microglia, the effects of NSV on primary cells derived from the brains of wild-type and mutant animals were characterized in vitro. From the standpoint of the virus, microglial activation required viral uncoating and an intact viral genome; inactivated virus particles did not elicit measurable microglial responses. At the level of the target cell, NSV triggered multiple PRRs in microglia to produce a broad range of inflammatory mediators via non-overlapping signalling pathways. In vivo, disease survival was surprisingly independent of TLR-driven responses, but still required production of type-I IFN (interferon) to control CNS virus replication. Interestingly, the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) protein UNC93b1 facilitated host survival independent of its known effects on endosomal TLR signalling. Taken together, these data show that alphaviruses activate microglia via multiple PRRs, highlighting the complexity of the signalling networks by which CNS host responses are elicited by these infections

Plasmonic excitations in noble metals: The case of Ag

The delicate interplay between plasmonic excitations and interband transitions in noble metals is described by means of {\it ab initio} calculations and a simple model in which the conduction electron plasmon is coupled to the continuum of electron-hole pairs. Band structure effects, specially the energy at which the excitation of the $d$-like bands takes place, determine the existence of a subthreshold plasmonic mode, which manifests itself in Ag as a sharp resonance at 3.8 eV. However, such a resonance is not observed in the other noble metals. Here, this different behavior is also analyzed and an explanation is provided.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Risk Assessment of a Synthetic Pyrethroid, Bifenthrin on Pulses

This work was undertaken to determine the pre-harvest interval of bifenthrin and to minimize its residues in pulses and thereby ensure consumer safety and avoid non-compliance in terms of residues violations in export market. Furthermore the residue dynamics in the soil under pulses was explored to assess the environmental safety. The residues of bifenthrin dissipated following first order kinetics. The residues in harvest time grains were below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.02 mg/kg applicable for European Union. In soil the degradation rate was fast with a half life of 2–3 days. This work is of high practical significance to the domestic and export pulse industry of India to ensure safety compliance in respect of bifenthrin residues, keeping in view the requirements of international trade

A geometric morphometric study on geographical Iranian populations of the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Multivariate analyses of the morphological variation in five geographical populations of the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), was performed using 15 and 12 landmarks selected from the fore- and hindwings respectively. Using their geometric morphometric characters (26 in the forewings and 20 in the hindwings), 287 and 277 images of fore- and hindwings were made respectively. Analyses of size showed the wings of the females are bigger than those of the males (forewing: F = 3.98, P = 0.047; hindwing: F = 14.62, P = 0.000) on populations tested. The discriminant function analysis (DFA) of fore- and hindwings differentiated five geographical populations with 86.1% and 69.3%, respectively. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of shape variables in fore- and hindwings indicated significant differences among populations as well as sexes (at least for one of the shape variables). Sex interaction within the populations was significant in fore- and hindwings, particularly based on the hindwing landmarks. The relative warp analysis (RWA) showed well-supported discrimination between sexes. The results showed significant difference between the sexes and also within the populations