91 research outputs found
Multi-layer Architecture For Storing Visual Data Based on WCF and Microsoft SQL Server Database
In this paper we present a novel architecture for storing visual data.
Effective storing, browsing and searching collections of images is one of the
most important challenges of computer science. The design of architecture for
storing such data requires a set of tools and frameworks such as SQL database
management systems and service-oriented frameworks. The proposed solution is
based on a multi-layer architecture, which allows to replace any component
without recompilation of other components. The approach contains five
components, i.e. Model, Base Engine, Concrete Engine, CBIR service and
Presentation. They were based on two well-known design patterns: Dependency
Injection and Inverse of Control. For experimental purposes we implemented the
SURF local interest point detector as a feature extractor and -means
clustering as indexer. The presented architecture is intended for content-based
retrieval systems simulation purposes as well as for real-world CBIR tasks.Comment: Accepted for the 14th International Conference on Artificial
Intelligence and Soft Computing, ICAISC, June 14-18, 2015, Zakopane, Polan
Care burden, loneliness, and social isolation in caregivers of people with physical and brain health conditions in English-speaking regions: Before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND: Public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) pandemic have disproportionately affected informal caregivers of people living with long term health conditions. We aimed to explore levels of care burden, loneliness, and social isolation among caregivers of people with enduring physical and brain health conditions in English-speaking regions worldwide, by investigating outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional anonymous online survey data from 2287 English-speaking caregivers of people with long term health conditions from four English-speaking regions (UK, Ireland, USA, New Zealand) included measures of care burden, loneliness, and social isolation, reported before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses were descriptive, followed by an ordinal regression model for predictors of burden. RESULTS: Compared to pre-pandemic levels, all caregivers experienced a significant increase in burden, loneliness, and isolation. Caregivers of people with both brain health and physical conditions were the most burdened and had the highest levels of loneliness and isolation compared to caregivers of people with either a brain health or physical condition only. The increase in care burden among caregivers of people with brain health challenges was associated with caregiver's gender, moderate and severe emotional loneliness, magnitude and frequency of isolation during the pandemic, and care circumstances (cohabitation with the care recipient, restrictions on the ability to provide care). CONCLUSIONS: Health and social care interventions should target caregivers' care circumstances and psychological outcomes, particularly in women, accounting for the significant additional burden of care, loneliness, and isolation resulting from pandemic-related restrictions
O(N) continuous electrostatics solvation energies calculation method for biomolecules simulations
We report a development of a new fast surface-based method for numerical
calculations of solvation energy of biomolecules with a large number of charged
groups. The procedure scales linearly with the system size both in time and
memory requirements, is only a few percent wrong for any molecular
configurations of arbitrary sizes, gives explicit value for the reaction field
potential at any point, provides both the solvation energy and its derivatives
suitable for Molecular Dynamics simulations. The method works well both for
large and small molecules and thus gives stable energy differences for
quantities such as solvation energies of molecular complex formation.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, more results, examples and references adde
Participant Experiences of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as a Treatment for Antipsychotic Medication Induced Weight Gain
Background: Despite the growing number of studies on the use of non-invasive brain stimulation in people with schizophrenia, there is limited research on participant views of such treatment methods.Aim: Explore participant experiences and perceptions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS).Methods: Twelve people with schizophrenia took part in semi-structured interviews after having completed 5 sessions of tDCS. Thematic analysis was used to identify codes and themes.Results: Five themes were identified: (1) motivation for study enrolment; (2) concerns about tDCS; (3) factors reducing the fear of tDCS; (4) experience of tDCS; (5) perceived effects of tDCS.Conclusions: The study provides insight into the perceptions and experiences of each individual. Participants were concerned about the safety of tDCS and associated it with invasive procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy and lobotomy. Educational materials and a good relationship with the researcher played an important role in reducing the fear of brain stimulation. All participants described tDCS as uncomfortable, however, agreed that unpleasant sensations only lasted for a short while (20 s−5 min). After the first session, participants no longer felt anxious about the remaining ones. Strategies to improve treatment experience and study recruitment have been identified
Selected tools for supporting start-ups in Poland
This article reviews regional and national initiatives which foster the growth of start-ups in Poland. It begins with an attempt to define a start-up company and outline the rationale for public and private support for innovative entrepreneurship. The second section contains six case studies of organisations based in Warsaw and Kraków which support start-ups at various stages of development. The main goal of this research is to broaden practical knowledge by examining the different tools, approaches, motivations, and roles played by selected stakeholders within the Polish start-up ecosystem. The research shows the changing landscape of the Polish start-up support scene, demonstrated by different approaches and institutional arrangements. It reveals an increase in the number of linkages to other countries, as well as the crucial role of entrepreneurial learning and mentoring. Additionally, the findings highlight challenges associated with the practice of collecting conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of start-up support programmes
Clustering and regional development: business services in Kraków
The article investigates the potential of regional initiatives supporting business clusters. It begins with an overview of Michael E. Porter’s concept of clusters and the impact competitive clusters can have on productivity, innovation, and employment. The author also briefly examines the ways clusters might be supported by local government. Next, the trends of outsourcing and offshoring, which influence the growth of business and technology services sector worldwide, are described. The third section focuses on a business services cluster in Kraków, Poland, which is now a key outsourcing destination in Europe. The final section draws on interviews with employees of 15 cluster-based companies conducted between August and December 2016. The goal of this research was better understand Kraków’s strengths and weaknesses as an outsourcing location, gather insights on ways to improve the local business environment, and obtain information about predicted changes in companies’ activities and management over the next few years
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