Predicting Content Views Using Finite Integrals

Video hosting and sharing services enable creators and advertisers to create campaigns that engage viewers. To price the advertisements, and to give advertisers on the campaign an idea of the popularity of the content, the viewership is predicted. Both under- and over-prediction of views are associated with penalties, respectively of wasted inventory and capacity crunches. View estimations based on channel average suffer from sample bias and invisible trends. This disclosure describes techniques of in-flight view prediction, e.g., predictions of views done after the launch of a campaign for the remaining days of a campaign. The predictions of the total views on a line-up of in-flight videos are based on the distributions of prior view history. The described predictor delivers continuously improving predictions for live videos, and enables determination of whether a campaign is meeting view goals. It thereby enables real-time fine-tuning of inventory and capacity for the remaining days of the campaign

A novel resource-constrained insect monitoring system based on machine vision with edge AI

Effective insect pest monitoring is a vital component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. It helps to support crop productivity while minimising the need for plant protection products. In recent years, many researchers have considered the integration of intelligence into such systems in the context of the Smart Agriculture research agenda. This paper describes the development of a smart pest monitoring system, developed in accordance with specific requirements associated with the agricultural sector. The proposed system is a low-cost smart insect trap, for use in orchards, that detects specific insect species that are detrimental to fruit quality. The system helps to identify the invasive insect, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) or Halyomorpha halys (HH) using a Microcontroller Unit-based edge device comprising of an Internet of Things enabled, resource-constrained image acquisition and processing system. It is used to execute our proposed lightweight image analysis algorithm and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model for insect detection and classification, respectively. The prototype device is currently deployed in an orchard in Italy. The preliminary experimental results show over 70 percent of accuracy in BMSB classification on our custom-built dataset, demonstrating the proposed system feasibility and effectiveness in monitoring this invasive insect species

phenModel: A temperature-dependent phenology/voltinism model for a herbivorous insect incorporating facultative diapause and budburst

A comprehensive phenology/voltinism model was developed for Phratora vulgatissima, an important pest of bioenergy crops. The model, phenModel, was developed based on development times of different life cycle stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, pre-oviposition, oviposition, sexual maturation) obtained from constant temperature laboratory experiments. As part of this study, a number of linear and non-linear models which describe the temperature-dependent development rate (inverse of development time) for each of the different life cycle stages were fitted. Based on the criteria of model parsimony and model fit, the non-linear Lactin-2 model was chosen as the optimum model to describe temperature-driven development in P. vulgatissima. To account for the variation in development times between individuals, an important but often ignored aspect in phenology models, a number of stochastic models (2- and 3- parameter Weibull and logistic models) were evaluated, based on the assumption that normalised development times conform to a similar shaped ('same shape') distribution. Novel aspects of the phenology model include the incorporation of a biologically relevant biofix, based on a budburst model for Salix viminalis, and a photoperiod threshold to induce facultative diapause. The model, which is written in R for accessibility, requires inputs of daily minimum and maximum temperature and site latitude and produces outputs describing the timing of completion of developmental stages for specified proportions of the population. It was evaluated against available field data and found to largely reproduce the observations providing a measure of its potential utility. A key component of the model allows for a sensitivity analysis of the model parameters. The model is structured so that it can easily be adapted for other leaf-feeding beetles which display a facultative reproductive diapause cued by photoperiod, and where the onset of oviposition is dependent on budburst, assuming relevant life cycle stage parameters are available

Contextual adaptation of the Personnel Evaluation Standards for assessing faculty evaluation systems in developing countries: the case of Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Faculty evaluations can identify needs to be addressed in effective development programs. Generic evaluation models exist, but these require adaptation to a particular context of interest. We report on one approach to such adaptation in the context of medical education in Iran, which is integrated into the delivery and management of healthcare services nationwide.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a triangulation design, interviews with senior faculty leaders were conducted to identify relevant areas for faculty evaluation. We then adapted the published checklist of the Personnel Evaluation Standards to fit the Iranian medical universities' context by considering faculty members' diverse roles. Then the adapted instrument was administered to faculty at twelve medical schools in Iran.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The interviews revealed poor linkages between existing forms of development and evaluation, imbalance between the faculty work components and evaluated areas, inappropriate feedback and use of information in decision making. The principles of Personnel Evaluation Standards addressed almost all of these concerns and were used to assess the existing faculty evaluation system and also adapted to evaluate the core faculty roles. The survey response rate was 74%. Responses showed that the four principles in all faculty members' roles were met <it>occasionally </it>to <it>frequently</it>. Evaluation of teaching and research had the highest mean scores, while clinical and healthcare services, institutional administration, and self-development had the lowest mean scores. There were statistically significant differences between small medium and large medical schools (p < 0.000).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The adapted Personnel Evaluation Standards appears to be valid and applicable for monitoring and continuous improvement of a faculty evaluation system in the context of medical universities in Iran. The approach developed here provides a more balanced assessment of multiple faculty roles, including educational, clinical and healthcare services. In order to address identified deficiencies, the evaluation system should recognize, document, and uniformly reward those activities that are vital to the academic mission. Inclusion of personal developmental concerns in the evaluation discussion is essential for evaluation systems.</p

Economies of (Alleged) Deviance: Sex Work and the Sport Mega Event

Based on ethnographic data collected during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, thisarticle is interested to examine urban processes which reinvent the changing (sexual) landscape. Focusing on the way (host) citiesshape sex work both imaginatively and physically, we explore the (lived) realities of neoliberal imaginaries that shape urbanspace. Often thought to exist in the urban shadow as an absent-presence in cosmopolitan processes, we demonstrate the manner inwhich sexualized and racialized women creatively resist the political and economic trajectories of neoliberal urbanism that seek toexpropriate land and dispossess certain bodies. In the context of Rio de Janeiro—as in other host cities—this is particularlyevident in the routine encounter between sexual minorities and local law enforcement. Mindful of the literature on state incursioninto social-sexual life, we remain attentive to the everyday strategies through which those deemed sexually deviant and/or victimnavigate local authorities in search of new opportunities for economic salvation in the midst of the sport mega-event

Population genomics of Drosophila suzukii reveal longitudinal population structure and signals of migrations in and out of the continental United States

Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila, is now an established pest in many parts of the world, causing significant damage to numerous fruit crop industries. Native to East Asia, D. suzukii infestations started in the United States (U.S.) a decade ago, occupying a wide range of climates. To better understand invasion ecology of this pest, knowledge of past migration events, population structure, and genetic diversity is needed. In this study, we sequenced whole genomes of 237 individual flies collected across the continental U.S., as well as several sites in Europe, Brazil, and Asia, to identify and analyze hundreds of thousands of genetic markers. We observed strong population structure between Western and Eastern U.S. populations, but no evidence of any population structure between different latitudes within the continental U.S., suggesting there is no broad-scale adaptations occurring in response to differences in winter climates. We detect admixture from Hawaii to the Western U.S. and from the Eastern U.S. to Europe, in agreement with previously identified introduction routes inferred from microsatellite analysis. We also detect potential signals of admixture from the Western U.S. back to Asia, which could have important implications for shipping and quarantine policies for exported agriculture. We anticipate this large genomic dataset will spur future research into the genomic adaptations underlying D. suzukii pest activity and development of novel control methods for this agricultural pes

DNA topoisomerase I and II expression in drug resistantgerm cell tumours

A small number of testicular germ cell tumours are refractory to current chemotherapy regimens. DNA topoisomerase I is the target for several new drugs and a potential candidate treatment for chemorefractory germ cell tumours. DNA topoisomerase IIα is the target for etoposide, which is currently used regularly in germ cell tumour treatment. The expression of DNA topoisomerase I and IIα were therefore assessed immunohistochemically in a range of testicular tumours, especially those with persistent malignant elements on retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Pre-chemotherapy orchidectomy specimens were matched with post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissections to examine changes in expression. There was considerable variation in the expression of topoisomerase I in different tumour types. Both yolk sac tumours and teratoma, mature showed universal expression of topoisomerase I, while 38% of seminomas and 30% of embryonal carcinomas were positive. Strong topoisomerase IIα expression was found in embryonal carcinoma. There was a negative correlation between topoisomerase I and IIα expression (P=0.004) and downregulation of topoisomerase IIα after chemotherapy (P=0.02). Topoisomerase I expression appears to increase in those cases with residual teratoma, mature, but is largely unchanged in those cases remaining as embryonal carcinoma. These results suggest that topoisomerase I inhibitors may be useful in chemorefractory germ cell tumours, especially yolk sac tumours and where there are unresectable residual teratoma, mature deposits

ApoB siRNA-induced Liver Steatosis is Resistant to Clearance by the Loss of Fatty Acid Transport Protein 5 (Fatp5)

The association between hypercholesterolemia and elevated serum apolipoprotein B (APOB) has generated interest in APOB as a therapeutic target for patients at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In the clinic, mipomersen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) APOB inhibitor, was associated with a trend toward increased hepatic triglycerides, and liver steatosis remains a concern. We found that siRNA-mediated knockdown of ApoB led to elevated hepatic triglycerides and liver steatosis in mice engineered to exhibit a human-like lipid profile. Many genes required for fatty acid synthesis were reduced, suggesting that the observed elevation in hepatic triglycerides is maintained by the cell through fatty acid uptake as opposed to fatty acid synthesis. Fatty acid transport protein 5 (Fatp5/Slc27a5) is required for long chain fatty acid (LCFA) uptake and bile acid reconjugation by the liver. Fatp5 knockout mice exhibited lower levels of hepatic triglycerides due to decreased fatty acid uptake, and shRNA-mediated knockdown of Fatp5 protected mice from diet-induced liver steatosis. Here, we evaluated if siRNA-mediated knockdown of Fatp5 was sufficient to alleviate ApoB knockdown-induced steatosis. We determined that, although Fatp5 siRNA treatment was sufficient to increase the proportion of unconjugated bile acids 100-fold, consistent with FATP5's role in bile acid reconjugation, Fatp5 knockdown failed to influence the degree, zonal distribution, or composition of the hepatic triglycerides that accumulated following ApoB siRNA treatment