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Insect detection from imagery using YOLOv3-based adaptive feature fusion convolution network
No full textContext: Insects are a major threat to crop production. They can infect, damage, and reduce agricultural yields. Accurate and fast detection of insects will help insect control. From a computer algorithm point of view, insect detection from imagery is a tiny object detection problem. Handling detection of tiny objects in large datasets is challenging due to small resolution of the insects in an image, and other nuisances such as occlusion, noise, and lack of features.
Aims: Our aim was to achieve a high-performance agricultural insect detector using an enhanced artificial intelligence machine learning technique.
Methods: We used a YOLOv3 network-based framework, which is a high performing and computationally fast object detector. We further improved the original feature pyramidal network of YOLOv3 by integrating an adaptive feature fusion module. For training the network, we first applied data augmentation techniques to regularise the dataset. Then, we trained the network using the adaptive features and optimised the hyper-parameters. Finally, we tested the proposed network on a subset dataset of the multi-class insect pest dataset Pest24, which contains 25 878 images.
Key results: We achieved an accuracy of 72.10%, which is superior to existing techniques, while achieving a fast detection rate of 63.8 images per second.
Conclusions: We compared the results with several object detection models regarding detection accuracy and processing speed. The proposed method achieved superior performance both in terms of accuracy and computational speed.
Implications: The proposed method demonstrates that machine learning networks can provide a foundation for developing real-time systems that can help better pest control to reduce crop damage
Physical activity participation in Australians with multiple sclerosis: associations with geographical remoteness
No full textPurpose
Physical activity (PA) participation offers many benefits for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS are significantly less active than the general population; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding the association between geographical remoteness and PA participation in persons with MS. We identify PA levels across levels of rurality in an Australian MS population.
Materials and methods
The Australian MS Longitudinal Study collects regular survey data from persons with MS in Australia, including demographic, clinical, and health behavioural data. Physical activity engagement was identified with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form and geographical remoteness was identified from participants’ postcode using the Access and Remoteness Index for Australia. Hurdle regression analysis examined the relationship between remoteness and PA participation, and level of PA, after controlling for confounding.
Results
Data from 1260 respondents showed that 24% of persons with MS did not participate in any PA. Remoteness was not associated with the participation in any PA (OR 1.04; 89% highest density probability interval (HDPI) estimate 0.88, 1.22). Amongst those with any PA (n = 960), those living in more remote areas had, on average, higher levels of PA (RR 1.21; 89% HDPI estimate 1.11, 1.34).
Conclusions
Physical activity promotion does not need to differ based on geographical location
Primary generalist teachers’ physical education teaching practice and student experiences in the Maldives
No full textThe aim of this thesis was to contribute to the understanding of Maldives’ primary school physical education (PE) delivered by generalist teachers and the student experiences. In pursuing this aim, I used mixed-methods in a series of studies. These included investigations of generalist teacher’s perceived confidence and motivation to teach PE, student physical activity (PA) levels, teacher declared barriers to delivering PE, alongside student’s PE-focussed perceived level of teacher support, need satisfaction, need frustration, motivation and adaptive outcomes. In addition, examined was the effectiveness of an 8-week intervention programme targeting increased PA and motivational climate in PE classes.
In Chapter 1, I provide the context of this study; including geographic, historical, cultural and education systems in the Maldives. In Chapter 2, my rationale for undertaking this study with the summary of the theoretical paradigm and methodology of the studies are described. In Chapter 3, I focus on pertinent work from both general and PE domains that have utilised relevant theoretical frameworks such as self-efficacy theory for confidence and motivation of teachers, promoting in-class physical activity grounded in the HOPE (Health Optimising Physical Education) and SHARP principles model (Stretching whilst moving, High repetition of motor skills, Accessibility through differentiation, Reducing sitting and standing, and Promoting in-class physical activity). Finally, I review literature related to enhancing motivational climate through Self-Determination Theory (SDT). In Chapter 4, I explain the paradigmatic underpinnings of the methodology and methods of the studies. In Chapter 5, I focus on exploring generalist teacher’s confidence and motivation to deliver PE. In Chapter 6, I direct my attention to measuring student PA levels and teacher behaviour in PE classes, and explore the challenges and barriers teachers’ encounter when delivering PE. In Chapter 7, I focus on empirically examining the indicators of student experiences in their generalist-delivered PE classes. These include, student perceived support, need satisfaction, need frustration, motivation and adaptive outcomes. In Chapters 8 and 9, I focus on the development, implementation, and evaluation of an 8-week intervention programme. Specifically, the aim of Chapter 8 was to evaluate the impact of the intervention programme on enhancing student PA levels. The goal of Chapter 9 was to investigate the effectiveness of the intervention programme on improving student experiences in PE classes, as examined in Chapter 6. Finally, in Chapter 10, I review the information presented in Chapters 1 to 9, consider the limitations and implications of this work, and present suggestions for future research.
This thesis analyses data collected across five separate studies involving participants drawn from Maldives’ primary school PE classes. It contributes a novel and comprehensive understanding of the status of PE delivery by generalist teachers and student experiences in Maldives’ primary schools. Through the use of surveys, class observations and semi-structured interviews, the findings from the baseline studies (Chapters 5 to 7) are as follows. Chapter 5 indicated generalist teachers in the Maldivian context believed their knowledge of PE was deficient, which impacted their confidence and motivation to implement PE lessons. Chapter 6 results confirmed that the students averaged 31.05% (7.95 minutes) of PE time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). According to the teachers, PE programme implementation was impacted by a lack of teacher knowledge and confidence, teacher attire, and perceived lack of infrastructure, resources and equipment. In spite of limited PE time and resources, the results from Chapter 7 showed that children in the Maldivian school context were highly motivated and enjoyed PE lessons whilst experiencing need supportive teaching styles. Lastly, this work reports the outcomes of an 8-week intervention programme (Chapters 8 and 9) designed with the intention of increasing children’s MVPA level and motivational climate. Chapter 8 findings established MVPA in the intervention schools increased significantly from the baseline measures, whereas in the control schools, MVPA remained constant. The results presented in Chapter 9 confirmed that the intervention programme significantly enhanced the students’ perceived need support, and autonomous motivation. It also reduced teachers’ need frustrating behaviours within PE classes. Therefore, it is concluded that this detailed exploration of generalist teachers’ PE delivery and student experiences in PE, and the impact of the intervention programme have significant conceptual and practical implications for improving the quality of PE in Maldives’ primary schools
Hydroxytyrosol Benefits Boar Semen Quality via Improving Gut Microbiota and Blood Metabolome
Get PDFSemen quality is one of the most important factors for the success of artificial insemination which has been widely applied in swine industry to take the advantages of the superior genetic background and higher fertility capability of boars. Hydroxytyrosol (HT), a polyphenol, has attracted broad interest due to its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. Sperm plasma membrane contains a large proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids which is easily impaired by oxidative stress and thus to diminish semen quality. In current investigation, we aimed to explore the effects of dietary supplementation of HT on boar semen quality and the underlying mechanisms. Dietary supplementation of HT tended to increase sperm motility and semen volume/ejaculation. And the follow-up 2 months (without HT, just basal diet), the semen volume was significantly more while the abnormal sperm was less in HT group than that in control group. HT increased the “beneficial microbes” Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Eubacterium, Intestinimonas, Coprococcus, and Butyricicoccus, however, decreased the relative abundance of “harmful microbes” Streptococcus, Oscillibacter, Clostridium_sensu_stricto, Escherichia, Phascolarctobacterium, and Barnesiella. Furthermore, HT increased plamsa steroid hormones such as testosterone and its derivatives, and antioxidant molecules while decreased bile acids and the derivatives. All the data suggest that HT improves gut microbiota to benefit plasma metabolites then to enhance spermatogenesis and semen quality. HT may be used as dietary additive to enhance boar semen quality in swine industry
Genome‐wide profile in DNA methylation in goat ovaries of two different litter size populations
No full textAlthough some studies have investigated the DNA methylation modification in goat ovaries, it is not understood DNA methylation related to goat litter size. This investigation was designed to explore the DNA methylation status in the ovaries of high litter size and low litter size groups using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). We found that there was global difference on DNA methylation in high litter size and low litter size goat ovaries. Many differentially methylated region-related genes (DMGs) were found in the ovaries of these two different goat populations. Moreover, enrichment analysis discovered that many DMGs were involved in gamete development, reproductive system development, wingless-type MMTV integration site family (WNT) signalling pathways and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK) signalling pathways. The data indicated that DNA methylation in goat ovaries may play important roles in the folliculogenesis, the oocyte ovulation rate and finally the litter size. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in ovaries of high and low litter size goat which helps the understanding of ovarian DNA methylation in relation to goat fertility capability
Cosmopolitan agency and meaningful intercultural interactions: an ecological and person-in-context conceptualisation
No full textA growing number of studies on students’ intercultural interactions and learning in higher education contexts have placed cosmopolitanism and agency at the centre of conceptual and empirical inquiry. The concept of ‘cosmopolitan agency’ has been proposed as a hallmark of intercultural relationships, such as friendships, between international and domestic university students, which are found difficult to develop in many countries. However, the literature has not established the conditions necessary for the (non-)emergence of this student agency. This paper fills this knowledge gap by presenting an ecological and person-in-context conceptual framework of cosmopolitan agency in intercultural student interactions on campus and beyond. Drawing on multidisciplinary literature (e.g. higher education, psychology, sociology, cosmopolitanism, urban and disability studies), the paper submits a theoretical proposal that cosmopolitan agency (as present practice) emerges at the dynamic experiential interface between cosmopolitan capital (as an individual resource built on past experience) and affordances in convivial proximity (as the environment triggering future projection). This proposal is elaborated through the empirical illustration of four (i.e. amicable, critical, latent and inactive) states of cosmopolitan agency that manifest different forms of intercultural interactions. The paper is expected to advance theoretical inquiry into the issues of power, privilege, morality and reflexivity in students’ engagement in intercultural interactions, and to support a third option for interactions between passive presence and fully-fledged relationships. The directions for future conceptual and empirical research that are ultimately expected to serve for the improvement of student experience are also provided
Privacy-Preserved framework for Short-Term probabilistic net energy forecasting
No full textThis paper develops a differential privacy (DP) model for short-term probabilistic energy forecasting at the low-aggregate level. The method first takes probabilistic forecasting elements from a predictor and injects noise into the mean of the forecast based on the Laplace mechanism to guarantee privacy on the mean. The standard deviation is then carefully perturbed (enlarged) to ensure the forecast to be released contains a desirable confidence interval (CI), here 95%. By doing so, customers' privacy is protected, while the user, such as grid operators or retail providers, receives the forecast containing 95% CI of the original forecast. The predictor used to capture the model and data uncertainties is based on a Bayesian neural network (BNN), which is also benchmarked against a Gaussian Process (GP). The simulations are carried out for different levels of privacy, ε , and the obtained trend provides decision-makers with a clear idea of determining the appropriate ε . The study found that the forecasting error is smoothed out on the used dataset for ε≥0.6 . The proposed model is an output perturbation approach. Accordingly, the obtained results are compared with an input perturbation approach, showing that the proposed DP model gives the best accuracy/privacy trade-off for users. Furthermore, this study includes rooftop PV generation behind the meter, which is one of the recent transitioning challenges in energy forecasting. Detailed analysis reveals that forecasting is more challenging for periods before sunset when PV generation drop coincides with the common changing point of households' activities
Diagnostic dilemma in a rare case of extranodal natural killer T-Cell lymphoma
No full textPurpose: To describe a rare case of natural killer T-Cell lymphoma complicated by secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) presenting with unilateral orbital inflammation and undifferentiated systemic inflammatory disease.
Method: A review of medical records, imaging and histopathology.
Result: A 61-year-old male was referred with a ten-day history of right periorbital swelling. He had a history of lower respiratory tract infection prior with ongoing symptoms of breathlessness and dry cough. Imaging demonstrated fusiform enlargement of the medial and inferior rectus muscles and moderate proptosis. Mildly elevated inflammatory markers and deranged liver function tests were also noted on admission. After being initially treated for presumed orbital inflammatory syndrome, he subsequently developed an orbital compartment syndrome requiring a canthotomy and cantholysis and two endonasal decompressions. He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome on day 7 requiring intubation and management by intensive care. The presence of lympohistiocytic infiltrates in an orbital fat biopsy, fever, progressive pulmonary infiltrates, worsening liver function tests, pancytopenia and elevated ferritin confirmed the diagnosis of HLH (Modified 2009 HLH Criteria). A definitive pathologic diagnosis was made of an extranodal NK/T-Cell lymphoma (Nasal Type, EBV positive). The patient died on day 26 of admission secondary to multiple complications of HLH and chemotherapy-induced ileitis.
Conclusion: Natural Killer T-Cell lymphoma is a rare but aggressive and devastating lymphoma comprising only 1–3% of all orbital Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas. HLH is an uncommon multi-system inflammatory complication which can be triggered by lymphoid malignancies. This is the first reported case of an orbital NK/T-Cell Lymphoma presenting with HLH
Robust adaptive repetitive control for unknown linear systems with odd-harmonic periodic disturbances
No full textThis article presents a novel tracking control strategy for unknown linear systems perturbed by odd-harmonic periodic disturbances that combine adaptive and repetitive control methods. The proposed control strategy results in a robust adaptive odd-harmonic repetitive controller (RA-OHRC). Direct adaptive control with a robust adaptation law is utilized to accurately track the desired trajectory, ensuring the boundedness and convergence of the tracking error. An internal-model-based repetitive controller is added to compensate for periodic disturbances with odd-harmonic components. The boundedness and the convergence of the tracking error are verified through the Lyapunov-based stability analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed RA-OHRC scheme can be demonstrated using the simulation studies involving a servomotor model, which achieves accurate reference tracking, excellent disturbance rejection capability, and robustness against uncertainties
An ultra-specific image dataset for automated insect identification
No full textAutomated identification of insects is a tough task where many challenges like data limitation, imbalanced data count, and background noise needs to be overcome for better performance. This paper describes such an image dataset which consists of a limited, imbalanced number of images regarding six genera of subfamily Cicindelinae (tiger beetles) of order Coleoptera. The diversity of image collection is at a high level as the images were taken from different sources, angles and on different scales. Thus, the salient regions of the images have a large variation. Therefore, one of the main intentions in this process was to get an idea about the image dataset while comparing different unique patterns and features in images. The dataset was evaluated on different classification algorithms including deep learning models based on different approaches to provide a benchmark. The dynamic nature of the dataset poses a challenge to the image classification algorithms. However transfer learning models using softmax classifier performed well on the current dataset. The tiger beetle classification can be challenging even to a trained human eye, therefore, this dataset opens a new avenue for the classification algorithms to develop, to identify features which human eyes have not identified