High-Level Concepts for Affective Understanding of Images

This paper aims to bridge the affective gap between image content and the emotional response of the viewer it elicits by using High-Level Concepts (HLCs). In contrast to previous work that relied solely on low-level features or used convolutional neural network (CNN) as a black-box, we use HLCs generated by pretrained CNNs in an explicit way to investigate the relations/associations between these HLCs and a (small) set of Ekman's emotional classes. As a proof-of-concept, we first propose a linear admixture model for modeling these relations, and the resulting computational framework allows us to determine the associations between each emotion class and certain HLCs (objects and places). This linear model is further extended to a nonlinear model using support vector regression (SVR) that aims to predict the viewer's emotional response using both low-level image features and HLCs extracted from images. These class-specific regressors are then assembled into a regressor ensemble that provide a flexible and effective predictor for predicting viewer's emotional responses from images. Experimental results have demonstrated that our results are comparable to existing methods, with a clear view of the association between HLCs and emotional classes that is ostensibly missing in most existing work

Big data analytics:Computational intelligence techniques and application areas

Big Data has significant impact in developing functional smart cities and supporting modern societies. In this paper, we investigate the importance of Big Data in modern life and economy, and discuss challenges arising from Big Data utilization. Different computational intelligence techniques have been considered as tools for Big Data analytics. We also explore the powerful combination of Big Data and Computational Intelligence (CI) and identify a number of areas, where novel applications in real world smart city problems can be developed by utilizing these powerful tools and techniques. We present a case study for intelligent transportation in the context of a smart city, and a novel data modelling methodology based on a biologically inspired universal generative modelling approach called Hierarchical Spatial-Temporal State Machine (HSTSM). We further discuss various implications of policy, protection, valuation and commercialization related to Big Data, its applications and deployment

An Overview of Construction Waste Management

The need of construction projects is increasing day by day in developing countries to improve and build new infrastructures. Due to massive procurement of materials on these projects, significant amount of waste is generated. This waste has substantial impacts not only on project cost but also on the environment.  So waste measurement and its source of generation would be the first initiative to control these wastes. In this regard, around sixty (60) papers were reviewed to determine the most wasteful materials based on past papers literature. Further, to determine the barriers in waste management, frequency analysis was performed. Based on these analysis it was found that design changes, procurement problems, theft and vandalism, etc. are major sources of waste generation. Further, out of twenty five (25) materials, most wasteful were wood, steel, bricks, concrete, tiles, sand, cement and ceiling boards. Moreover, major barriers in waste management are inappropriate regulations, financial issues, lack of standards and lack of awareness programs. So to promote suitable construction, waste management practices must be followed, in this regard more studies are required to focus in developing a comprehensive waste management framework

Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound U Classification System of Thyroid Ultrasound in Predicting Thyroid Malignancy by Using Histopathology as Gold Standard

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound U classification system of thyroid ultrasound in predicting thyroid malignancy by using histopathology as gold standard.Methodology: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the Fatima memorial Hospital, Lahore in a duration of one-year January 2017 to January 2018. All the patients irrespective of age and gender were taken. Patients were segregated with the presence of thyroid nodules. Lateron the patients were subjected to US and ultrasound guided FNAC. Correlation of the histopathology reports was made with the u classification system. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were calculated in a conservative and non-conservative method.Results: It was observed that out of 100 nodules examined 11 were malignant. The sensitivity of the ultrasonography was 80% and specificity was 34%. Moreover, positive predictive value was 100% and negative predictive value was found to be 90%.Conclusion: The u classification system is a reliable tool for the detection of the thyroid nodules and predicting malignancy which is proved by histopathology. More research however is necessary for widespread acceptance and application of this tool

Perception of Neurosurgical Residents about Learning in Operation Theatre in Tertiary Care Hospitals

OBJECTIVES To explore Neurosurgical postgraduate residents perceptions of their learning environment in operating rooms.METHODOLOGY From March 2022 to August 2022, this cross-sectional study will be carried out in the Department of Neurosurgery Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, and Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad. The STEEM survey examined how surgical theatres were perceived as educational environments. After receiving informed consent, a printed questionnaire was provided to 32 surgical residents. SPSS 24 was used to conduct descriptive and inferential data analyses. RESULTS Thirty-one (31) of the 32 surgical residents that were surveyed (or 98.3%) answered. Residents' average age was 29.27 years (2.37); 27 were male, and 05 were female. Most residents were in their third (34.4%) and fourth (21.3%) years of residency. 147.66 (18.57) was the overall mean score. Participants' age and gender did not affect the mean scores; nevertheless, responses were statistically more favorable for residents in their first or fifth year of residency. Fifty-three locals responded favorably or positively overall. CONCLUSION Overall, residents had positive opinions of their training, their supervisors, the opportunities for learning in the operating room, the environment, and the monitoring they received

The Impact of High Quality Relationship on Innovative Work Behavior of Employees through Psychological Wellbeing: A Case of Pharmaceutical Sector in Pakistan

The impact of qualities and experiences of high quality relationship is of great value to the companies and field of human resource. Pakistan is facing critical situation regarding qualities and experiences of relationship of employees. Innovative work behavior of employees has not been studied in developing countries like Pakistan. In order to assist the business in pharmaceutical sector this study is aimed at investigating the effect of experiences and qualities of high quality relationship on innovative work behavior of employees. Pharmaceutical sector was considered for this study as this sector has significant contribution in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Pakistan. This research was quantitative in nature in which data was collected from managerial and non-managerial employees of pharmaceutical sector. Total 310 questionnaires were completely filled and entered in SPSS for analysis. Correlation analysis was performed in SPSS to show relationship between the variables. Model was tested through structural equation modeling in AMOS and goodness of fit indices were estimated using Hu and Bentler (2010) criteria and all the values were found to show good fit model. To test the mediation among variables through regression the SOBEL test was used as a supplemental test. All the direct and mediational hypotheses were accepted. The results reveal that the psychological wellbeing mediates the relationship between experiences, qualities of high quality relationship and innovative work behavior. Limitation of the study and managerial implications are also discussed along with guideline for future research

n point dct vlsi architecture for emerging hevc standard

This work presents a flexible VLSI architecture to compute the -point DCT. Since HEVC supports different block sizes for the computation of the DCT, that is, up to , the design of a flexible architecture to support them helps reducing the area overhead of hardware implementations. The hardware proposed in this work is partially folded to save area and to get speed for large video sequences sizes. The proposed architecture relies on the decomposition of the DCT matrices into sparse submatrices in order to reduce the multiplications. Finally, multiplications are completely eliminated using the lifting scheme. The proposed architecture sustains real-time processing of 1080P HD video codec running at 150 MHz

Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease among Diabetic Patients at Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been linked to various gastrointestinal motility disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).This study aimed to determine the proportion of GERD in patients with diabetes mellitus.Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the medical outpatient department of Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore, from October to December, 2020. Patients previously diagnosed with type II diabetes were included using non-probability consecutive sampling, and the GERDQ questionnaire was used to determine the frequency. IBM SPSS statistics version 23 was used for the analysis of data.Results: Of the 273 participants, 183 (67.0%) were male and the mean age was 51.13±12.8 years. The mean duration of diabetes was 6.97±4.76 years and oral hypoglycemic agents were used by 133 (48.7%) participants. Overall, 133 (48.7%) of the participants had GERD with a mean GERDQ score of 10.8(±1.4).Conclusion: Almost half (48.7%) of the participants have GERD; the most common symptom is regurgitation of stomach contents. Awareness should be raised, and early screening should be done to prevent long-term complications.

Vulnerability to Climate Change and Socio-Economic Factors: A Comparison of Selected Districts of Punjab

This study analyzes ten districts of the province Punjab of Pakistan to investigate and compare the vulnerability of selected districts. Total Three sub-groups (socio-economic variables, adaptive capacity, bio-physical variables) are generated by using the data from Pakistan Social & Living Standard Measurement Survey (PSLM) and Pakistan Meteorological Department of the years 2014-15, to calculate total vulnerability. Using primary variables at the district level, this study determines each district’s rural and urban areas' total vulnerability score. The results show that few districts, e.g., Rawalpindi has 0.74 total vulnerability score out of 1, are highly vulnerable compared to other districts despite having a better socio-economic situation. On the other hand, few districts, like Multan, have a low vulnerability to climate change and socio-economic factors. Keywords: CO2, socio-economic, bio-physical, environment, Vulnerability. JEL Classification Codes: Q3, O13, P28