Conformally Covariant Bi-Differential Operators on a Simple Real Jordan Algebra

For a simple real Jordan algebra $V,$ a family of bi-differential operators from $\mathcal{C}^\infty(V\times V)$ to $\mathcal{C}^\infty(V)$ is constructed. These operators are covariant under the rational action of the conformal group of $V.$ They generalize the classical {\em Rankin-Cohen} brackets (case $V=\mathbb{R}$)

Regularized Surface and Point Landmarks Based Efficient Non-Rigid Medical Image Registration

Medical image registration is one of the fundamental tasks in medical image processing. It has various applications in field of image guided surgery (IGS) and computer assisted diagnosis (CAD). A set of non-linear methods have been already developed for inter-subject and intra-subject 3D medical image registration. However, efficient registration in terms of accuracy and speed is one of the most demanded of today surgical navigation (SN) systems. This paper is a result of a series of experiments which utilizes Fast Radial Basis Function (RBF) technique to register one or more medical images non-rigidly. Initially, a set of curves are extracted using a combined watershed and active contours algorithm and then tiled and converted to a regular surface using a global parameterization algorithm. It is shown that the registration accuracy improves when higher number of salient features (i.e. anatomical point landmarks and surfaces) are used and it also has no impact on the speed of the algorithm. The results show that the target registration error is less than 2 mm and has sub-second performance on intra-subject registration of MR image real datasets. It is observed that the Fast RBF algorithm is relatively insensitive to the increasing number of point landmarks used as compared with the competing feature based algorithms

Strategies to Improve Financial Profitability in the Banking Industry

More than 50% of business failures in the United States are because of leaders’ inability to manage working capital. This qualitative, multiple case study is grounded in the cash conversion cycle theory. The purpose is to explore the strategies bank leaders have used to improve working capital management in three banks in Kentucky to increase bank profitability and improve financial stability. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with three different banking leaders who have implemented successful working capital strategies. Using methodological triangulation and Yin’s five-step data analysis resulted: (a) risk and liquidity, (b) top-down approach, and (c) investment approach. The findings from this study include strategies for improving the use of working capital, leading to business profitability and increases in employment opportunities

Effect of Pinus halepensis Mill. Reforestation on the Above-Ground Biomass and Internode Elongation and Leaf Size of Native Species in Morroco

This study aims to determine the effect of the reforestation of Pinus halepensis Mill. on the above-ground biomass and morphological characteristics of native species (internode elongation and leaf size) in the Beni Sohane forest. Plant biomass of the herbaceous layer was harvested on randomly selected 2 m2 quadrats in reforested plots of ± 12, ± 25, and ± 45-year-old, and native forest controls. The internode length and leaf size (length and width) were measured on plants randomly selected belonging to four native species Quercus ilex L., Pistacia lentiscus L., Phillyrea angustifolia L., and Cistus creticus L.. The results showed that P. halepensis reforestation had no significant effect on the above-ground biomass and the leaves and internodes dimensions in the young plantations ± 12-year-old. However, as the pine trees mature, the average dry matter weight decreases, especially in stands 45 years old, where this weight was significantly lower than that of natural forests. This fact has led to herders abandoning important pastures previously used by their cattle. In addition, the fast growth of P. halepensis trees formed a canopy above all indigenous species resulting in changes in the dimensions of internodes and leaves. For the two oldest plantations, the internode length, leaf width, and length of the 4 species have been significantly increased. However, the leaf length-to-width ratio decreased significantly, with leaves in reforested plots being larger rather than longer compared to control samples in native forests. Planting P. halepensis can negatively impact the long-term growth of native plants, so we recommend periodically removing some of the pines (thinning) to restore the balance of these ecosystems. Thus, species selection for reforestation should consider maximizing rather than destroying ecological and socioeconomic services

Analyse quantitative de la communication financière via internet : Cas du marché boursier Marocain

L’objectif de cet article est de tester l’existence d’un impact de l’information publiée via internet sur le comportement des investisseurs à travers l’étude de la réaction des rendements des valeurs cotées sur le marché boursier marocain

L’approche par réseau d’appui à l’internationalisation des PME : Cas de la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie et de services Meknès

A travers cet article, notre objectif majeur est d’augmenter l’efficience de la Chambre de commerce et d’industrie et de services de Meknès, en intégrant des nouveaux outils issus de l’approche par réseaux dans sa démarche d’appui à l’internationalisation des PME, tout en proposant des recommandations opérationnelles pour réussir leur adaptation au contexte spécifique de la ville de Meknès

Text classification supervised algorithms with term frequency inverse document frequency and global vectors for word representation: a comparative study

Over the course of the previous two decades, there has been a rise in the quantity of text documents stored digitally. The ability to organize and categorize those documents in an automated mechanism, is known as text categorization which is used to classify them into a set of predefined categories so they may be preserved and sorted more efficiently. Identifying appropriate structures, architectures, and methods for text classification presents a challenge for researchers. This is due to the significant impact this concept has on content management, contextual search, opinion mining, product review analysis, spam filtering, and text sentiment mining. This study analyzes the generic categorization strategy and examines supervised machine learning approaches and their ability to comprehend complex models and nonlinear data interactions. Among these methods are k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and ensemble learning algorithms employing various evaluation techniques. Thereafter, an evaluation is conducted on the constraints of every technique and how they can be applied to real-life situations