Analysis of the Trade Cycle in the UK and its Relationship to the Business Cycle

This study aims to analyze the trade cycle in the UK and analyze its relationship to the business cycle. This study uses secondary quarter data in the form of exports, imports, and UK GDP from 1987 to 2016. Band-pass filter data filter method is used in this study to isolate short-term cycles and assume an average growth of each variable. The results of this study indicate that the trade cycle in the UK has a medium-term cycle of around 2-4 years for both exports and imports. And there is a significant relationship between global economic events and movements in the trade cycle. Like in the early 2000s and late 2008. The relationship that exists in the cycle, especially the trade cycle between exports and imports, is found to be procyclical where the conditions are mutually exclusive. Meanwhile, between the trade cycle and the business cycle in the UK, there are many counter-cyclical situations where the relationship between the two cycles is inversely proportional. This is different from the findings of previous studies

Multiregionální segmentace biomedicínských obrazů s využitím metody lokálních těžišť

This thesis deals with biomedical image segmentation with the help of the local centre of mass method. Segmentation of medical images is very crucial for diagnostic and surgical purposes. Therefore, new methods are constantly being developed to enable high-quality segmentation that will manoeuvre the influence of noise and artefacts. The method used for this work is Local mass segmentation, a type of unsupervised image segmentation that segments pixels based on the centre of mass of the region using the information of the neighbouring pixels and that of the entire image. This work aims to apply this segmentation method to biomedical images generated from different imaging modalities (Computed Tomography, X-Rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Skiagraphy) that made up the dataset. The dataset contains images of skeletal structures. The algorithm segments and identifies objects of interest using unique colours that will differentiate each structure. Also, the algorithm was subjected to thorough testing to determine its effectiveness, robustness and segmentation performance using simulation environments in Matlab software. The simulation included using noise generators and median filters. The result is graphically presented and analysed using descriptive statistical parameters. In addition, selected evaluation metrics were used to analyse and better understand the results.Tato práce se zabývá segmentací biomedicínského obrazu pomocí metody lokálního těžišt´ . Segmentace lékařských snímků je velmi zásadní pro diagnostické a chirurgické účely. Neustále se proto vyvíjejí nové metody, které umožní kvalitní segmentaci, která bude manévrovat vliv hluku a artefaktů. Metoda použitá pro tuto práci je metody lokální těžišt´, typ nekontrolované segmentace obrazu, která segmentuje pixely na základě těžiště oblasti pomocí informací sousedních pixelů a informací celého obrázku. Tato práce si klade za cíl aplikovat tuto segmentační metodu na biomedicínské snímky generované různými zobrazovacími modalitami (počítačová tomografie, rentgenové záření, magnetická rezonance a skiagrafie), které tvořily soubor dat. Datový soubor obsahuje snímky kosterních struktur. Algoritmus segmentuje a identifikuje objekty zájmu pomocí jedinečných barev, které odliší každou strukturu. Algoritmus byl také podroben důkladnému testování, aby se zjistila jeho účinnost, robustnost a výkon segmentace pomocí simulačních prostředí v softwaru Matlab. Simulace zahrnovala použití generátorů šumu a mediánových filtrů. Výsledek je graficky prezentován a analyzován pomocí deskriptivních statistických parametrů. Kromě toho byly k analýze a lepšímu pochopení výsledků použity vybrané hodnotící metriky.450 - Katedra kybernetiky a biomedicínského inženýrstvívýborn

Smart sensors and their application in monitoring respiratory rate

Tato bakalářská práce je zaměřena na návrh senzitivita inteligentního senzoru pro monitorování respiračních poměrů pomocí respirační induktivní pletysmografie (RIP). RIP je metoda pro monitorování dýchacích poměrů pomocí dýchacího pásu, ke kterému jsou připojeny inteligentní senzory a obklopují jej v oblasti hrudníku a břicha. Byla provedena rozsáhlá literární rešerše piezoelektrických materiálů, které by byly vhodné pro inteligentní senzor fyzikálních sil, zejména v nízkofrekvenčním rozsahu. Senzor síly byl navržen na základě piezoelektrické keramiky typu PZT. Byl uvažován převodník roztažné síly (způsobené změnou obvodu hrudníku) na tlakovou sílu, měřenou piezoelektrickým senzorem. Experimentálně byly zkoumány dva typy piezoelektrických materiálů: měkká keramika PZT a křemen modifikace . Piezoelektrický koeficient pro modifikaci křemene byl experimentálně ověřen v dynamickém režimu. Bylo diskutováno měření výstupního náboje Q snímače pomocí obvodu s velmi vysokou vstupní impedancí.Ukázalo se, že křemen je vhodnější než keramika PZT, pokud jde o kvalitu signálu senzoru. Pozornost byla věnována také novým relaxorovým materiálům, které vykazují extrémně vysoký koeficient elektromechanické vazby. Jejich dostupnost je však omezená. Rozsah experimentální práce byl omezen z důvodu opatření proti šíření koronaviru v období od března do května 2020, protože v laboratořích VÚTS a CxI na univerzitě byly karantény.This bachelor thesis focuses on determining the sensitivity and design of a smart sensor that could be used in a device for the monitoring of respiratory rate with the help of respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP). RIP is a method for monitoring respiratory rate by using a respiratory belt to which smart sensors are attached and surrounding it to the thoracic region and abdomen of a patient. An extensive literature search on piezoelectric materials that would be suitable for a smart sensor of physical forces, especially in the low-frequency range, was performed. A force sensor was designed based on PZT considering the transducer of large Force (caused by changes in chest wall movement) to the compressive Force measured by the piezoelectric sensor, was considered. Two types of piezoelectric materials were experimentally studied: PZT soft ceramics and -Quartz. The piezoelectric coefficient for Quartz modification was verified experimentally in the dynamic model. The measurement of the output charge Q of the sensor, using the circuit with a very large input impedance, was discussed. From all indications, the Quartz is more suitable than soft PZT in terms of sensor signal quality. Considerable attention was given to the more recent relaxor materials, which show an extremely high coefficient of electromechanical coupling. However, their availability is limited. The scope of the experimental work was limited by measures against the spread of coronavirus in the period from March to May 2020, as the VÚTS and CxI laboratories were on quarantine

Financial Sector Performance: Evidence in Twelve West African Countries

In most West African countries, the financial sectors are the least developed area. The absence of deep-efficient financial markets put major economic growth constraints. This study aimed to investigate the financial sector performance in twelve selected West African countries. To determine financial sector performance, a panel data semi-log model was employed. Data were collected from the World Bank Open data page from 2004-2013. The results revealed that both variables matched the hypothesis, indicating a positive impact in the financial sector. It indicated that the variables used in this study were major players of the financial sector in the selected countries. This study recommends that because financial stability, globally and within countries, generates jobs and improves productivity, more efforts should be made to ensure an effective and developed financial sector system. It is so because limited and inadequate access to credit will limit small and medium-sized enterprises' contributions to private sector developmen

Millennial Generation (Gen-Y) Preferences Towards Landed House Ownership in Yogyakarta Urban Agglomeration Using Logistic Regression

The city of Yogyakarta has become a magnet for the millennial generation (Gen-Y), leading to increased urbanization as residents flock to the city. This surge has resulted in a growing demand for land to accommodate public facilities, social amenities, and housing for workers. Despite soaring land prices, driven by high demand, land stocks have not diminished. Over the last 16 years, land prices have escalated by 30 times. However, the wages of Gen-Y formal workers in the DIY region stand at IDR 2,361,434, with an annual increase of only 8.51%. This rapid growth in property prices has not kept pace with the income growth of the millennial generation, raising concerns about their ability to access landed house ownership. This study aims to identify the preferences of the millennial generation regarding landed house ownership in the Yogyakarta Urban Agglomeration. The analytical method employed is Logistic Regression, involving 125 respondents of Gen-Y workers aged 27 to 41 years in the Yogyakarta Urban Agglomeration. Seven variables, encompassing 25 categorical predictors, were considered. The significant indicators influencing Gen-Y preferences in landed house ownership include the cost of building a house, building materials, and the nominal installment of the house. The findings of this research can be instrumental for relevant stakeholders in formulating policies in the housing sector, particularly in the regulation of subsidized housing for the Gen-Y. The contribution of this study lies in providing essential information for informed decision-making and effective policy implementation to tackle the housing challenges faced by the millennial generation in the Yogyakarta Urban Agglomeration

Bringing the social into vaccination research: Community-led ethnography and trust-building in immunization programs in Sierra Leone

Background Vaccine hesitancy is a complex, contested social phenomenon and existing research highlights the multifaceted role of trust in strengthening vaccine confidence. However, understanding public engagement with vaccination through the lens of (mis)trust requires more contextual evidence on trust's qualitative determinants. This includes expanding the geographic focus beyond current studies' focus on High Income Countries. Furthermore, obstacles remain in effectively integrating social science findings in the design of vaccine deployment strategies, and in ensuring that those who implement interventions and are affected by them are directly involved in producing knowledge about vaccination challenges. Methods We piloted a community-led ethnographic approach, training Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Kambia District, Sierra Leone, in qualitative social science methods. Methods included participant observation, participatory power mapping and rumour tracking, focus group discussions and key stakeholder interviews. CHWs, with the support of public health officials and professional social scientists, conducted research on vaccination challenges, analysed data, tested new community engagement strategies based on their findings and elicited local perspectives on these approaches. Results Our findings on vaccine confidence in five border communities highlighted three key themes: the impact of prior experiences with the health system on (mis)trust; relevance of livelihood strategies and power dynamics for vaccine uptake and access; and the contextual nature of knowledge around vaccines. Across these themes, we show how expressions of trust centered on social proximity, reliability and respect and the role of structural issues affecting both vaccine access and confidence. The pilot also highlighted the value and practical challenges to meaningfully co-designed research. Conclusion There is scope for broader application of a community-led ethnographic approach will help redesign programming that is responsive to local knowledge and experience. Involving communities and low-cadre service providers in generating knowledge and solutions can strengthen relationships and sustain dialogue to bolster vaccine confidence

An Update on the Surveillance of Livestock Diseases and Antimicrobial Use in Sierra Leone in 2021-An Operational Research Study.

In Sierra Leone, in 2020, a study by the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) on the surveillance system of animal diseases and antimicrobial use found poor reporting. Of the expected weekly districts reports, <1% were received and only three of the 15 districts had submitted reports occasionally between 2016 and 2019. Following this, staff-capacity-building on reporting was undertaken. In 2021, we reassessed the improvement in reporting and used the reports to describe livestock diseases and antimicrobials utilized in their treatment. Between March and October 2021, 88% of expected weekly reports from all 15 districts were received. There were minor deficiencies in completeness and consistency in the terminology used for reporting animal disease and antimicrobials. Available reports showed that 25% of the livestock had an infectious disease, and a quarter of the sick animals had received an antimicrobial drug. Most animals received antimicrobials belonging to World Organization for Animal Health's "veterinary critically important" category (77%) and World Health Organization's "critically" (17%) and "highly important" (60%) categories for human health. These indicate a significant improvement in the animal health surveillance system and highlight the need for enhanced antimicrobial stewardship to prevent misuse of antimicrobials that are significant in animal and human health

Isolation of Angola-like Marburg virus from Egyptian rousette bats from West Africa.

Marburg virus (MARV) causes sporadic outbreaks of severe Marburg virus disease (MVD). Most MVD outbreaks originated in East Africa and field studies in East Africa, South Africa, Zambia, and Gabon identified the Egyptian rousette bat (ERB; Rousettus aegyptiacus) as a natural reservoir. However, the largest recorded MVD outbreak with the highest case-fatality ratio happened in 2005 in Angola, where direct spillover from bats was not  shown. Here, collaborative studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Njala University, University of California, Davis USAID-PREDICT, and the University of Makeni identify MARV circulating in ERBs in Sierra Leone. PCR, antibody and virus isolation data from 1755 bats of 42 species shows active MARV infection in approximately 2.5% of ERBs. Phylogenetic analysis identifies MARVs that are similar to the Angola strain. These results provide evidence of MARV circulation in West Africa and demonstrate the value of pathogen surveillance to identify previously undetected threats

South African Ebola diagnostic response in Sierra Leone : a modular high biosafety field laboratory

BACKGROUND : In August 2014, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa established a modular high-biosafety field Ebola diagnostic laboratory (SA FEDL) near Freetown, Sierra Leone in response to the rapidly increasing number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases. METHODS AND FINDINGS : The SA FEDL operated in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, which remained a ªhotspotº of the EVD epidemic for months. The FEDL was the only diagnostic capacity available to respond to the overwhelming demand for rapid EVD laboratory diagnosis for several weeks in the initial stages of the EVD crisis in the capital of Sierra Leone. Furthermore, the NICD set out to establish local capacity amongst Sierra Leonean nationals in all aspects of the FEDL functions from the outset. This led to the successful hand-over of the FEDL to the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation in March 2015. Between 25 August 2014 and 22 June 2016, the laboratory tested 11,250 specimens mostly from the Western Urban and Western Rural regions of Sierra Leone, of which 2,379 (21.14%) tested positive for Ebola virus RNA. CONCLUSIONS : he bio-safety standards and the portability of the SA FEDL, offered a cost-effective and practical alternative for the rapid deployment of a field-operated high biocontainment facility. The SA FEDL teams demonstrated that it is highly beneficial to train the national staff in the course of formidable disease outbreak and accomplished their full integration into all operational and diagnostic aspects of the laboratory. This initiative contributed to the international efforts in bringing the EVD outbreak under control in Sierra Leone, as well as capacitating local African scientists and technologists to respond to diagnostic needs that might be required in future outbreaks of highly contagious pathogens.S1 Video. ªHotº processing of Ebola clinical specimens, PPE and decontamination procedures in South African modular, field-operated biocontainment facility in Sierra Leone.Janusz T Paweska was supported by funding from National Research Foundation and the Global Disease Detection Programmehttp://www.plosntds.orgam2017Microbiology and Plant Patholog