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Spectral reflectance reconstruction based on wideband multi-illuminant imaging and a modified particle swarm optimization algorithm
Get PDFA method for spectral reflectance factor reconstruction based on wideband multi-illuminant imaging was proposed, using a programmable LED lighting system and modified Bare Bones Particle Swarm Optimization algorithms. From a set of 16 LEDs with different spectral power distributions, nine light sources with correlated color temperatures in the range of 1924 K - 15746 K, most of them daylight simulators, were generated. Samples from three color charts (X-Rite ColorChecker Digital SG, SCOCIE ScoColor paint chart, and SCOCIE ScoColor textile chart), were captured by a color industrial camera under the nine light sources, and used in sequence as training and/or testing colors. The spectral reconstruction models achieved under multi-illuminant imaging were trained and tested using the canonical Bare Bones Particle Swarm Optimization and its proposed modifications, along with six additional and commonly used algorithms. The impacts of different illuminants, illuminant combinations, algorithms, and training colors on reconstruction accuracy were studied comprehensively. The results indicated that training colors covering larger regions of color space give more accurate reconstructions of spectral reflectance factors, and combinations of two illuminants with a large difference of correlated color temperature achieve more than twice the accuracy of that under a single illuminant. Specifically, the average reconstruction error by the method proposed in this paper for patches from two color charts under A + D90 light sources was 0.94 and 1.08 CIEDE2000 color difference units. The results of the experiment also confirmed that some reconstruction algorithms are unsuitable for predicting spectral reflectance factors from multi-illuminant images due to the complexity of optimization problems and insufficient accuracy. The proposed reconstruction method has many advantages, such as being simple in operation, with no requirement of prior knowledge, and easy to implement in non-contact color measurement and color reproduction devices
Identifying the intercultural leadership capacity of host agent church-planters interacting with immigrants in the USA
Get PDFThe global phenomenon of immigration creates culturally complex communities, bringing both challenges because of diversity and many new missional opportunities to engage immigrant people. The study aims to investigate the pre-engagement mentation processes of the Stadia Church-Planter Leaders that lead to their engagement with immigrants. The study asserts that the pre-decisional and post-decisional mentation activity, along with evidence of their current engagement, contributes new information that expands their leadership capacity and formation. The study draws from missiology, Cultural Intelligence, and human psychology literature to construct a unique theoretical framework that relies upon primary and secondary theories and the merits of substantial research to provide the means for examining specific intercultural criteria that support the new area of leadership capacity and formation. The pre-engagement mentation criteria (hereafter referred to as engagement mentation) are their cultural intelligence; constructive attitudinal and affective behaviour; their biblical beliefs, and accompanying sources of motivation regarding their thoughts about engagement with immigrant communities in the U.S. The study evaluates their cultural intelligence (hereafter referred to as CQ) after analysing their demographic profile, international experiences, and intercultural interactions. Secondly, the study investigates their xenophobic attitudes as well as other intrinsic and extrinsic attitudes, thoughts, and emotions that occur in the engagement mentation stages that may affect the SCPL’s engagement. Finally, the study examines the theological positions and biblical convictions held by the SCPLs regarding what they believe about engaging the nations (immigrants) in the context of the U.S. The study also reveals their reported sources of motivation that lead them to engage. The final piece of evidence provided shows if they are engaging currently with immigrants. The collection of engagement mentation and engagement activity results presents a clear picture of the initial baseline levels of intercultural engagement capacity for the SCPLs. Results indicate that the SCPLs have a moderately above-average cultural intelligence capability that could be strengthened, particularly in the cognitive sub-dimension. Secondly, the SCPLs report low levels of xenophobic attitudes, but some areas could be improved upon to reduce these negative sentiments further. Lastly, the SCPLs’ biblical beliefs and theological positions reportedly direct their engagement and are strong sources of motivation for their engagement. The recommendation is that these beliefs could be strengthened by deepening the focus on migrant-related theological beliefs and diaspora missiology
Noel McDermott's Wellbeing Show with Nicky Lambert, Associate Professor in Mental Health
No full textVodcas
International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) recommendations for the performance and interpretation of activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time mixing tests
No full textThis guidance document has been prepared on behalf of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH). The aim of the document is to provide guidance and recommendations for the performance and interpretation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) plasma mixing tests in clinical laboratories in all regions of the world. The following areas are included in this document: preanalytical, analytical, postanalytical, and quality assurance considerations as they relate to the proper performance and interpretation of plasma mixing tests. The recommendations are based on good laboratory practice, published data in peer-reviewed literature, and expert opinion
Island of Hope: Migration and Solidarity in the Mediterranean, Megan A. Carney (2021) [Book review]
No full textReview of: Island of Hope: Migration and Solidarity in the Mediterranean, Megan A. Carney (2021) Oakland, CA: California University Press, 223 pp., ISBN 978-0-52034-451-8, h/bk, 29.9
Harnessing synergy: a multidimensional exploration of AI, big data, and blockchain convergence in the healthcare sector
Get PDFThe healthcare industry has seen a significant uptake of innovative, technology-driven solutions recently that are aimed at enhancing its efficiency, effectiveness, and resilience. Among different technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and blockchain technology have emerged as the most promising. However, researchers have mostly investigated these technologies’ applications in isolation rather than together thereby constraining their full potential. This forms the motivation for this study where a systematic literature review is used to investigate how these technologies could be applied together in healthcare. A related comprehensive framework is also proposed that both advances the theory on this topic and also provides guidance to industry professionals on how it (the convergence of these technologies) could be used to address the sector’s challenges and improve performance
Adaptive PMME medium access control protocol for multi-event IoT sensor networks
No full textIn this paper, we enhance the Carrier Sense ppersistent Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol used in Multievent IoT Sensor Networks by introducing variable p-values. These p-values are adjusted based on the priority level and the number of concurrent sending nodes to ensure high-priority data receives better Quality of Service (QoS), specifically in terms of packet success rate. Our approach aims to minimize the risk of collisions and boost overall network efficiency. Extensive analysis and simulations conducted using Castalia confirm that our Adaptive Priority MAC protocol for MISNs outperforms existing protocols such as Timeout Multi-priority based MAC (TMPQ) and Priority MAC protocol for Multi-Event Wireless Sensor Networks (PMME), particularly in reducing packet loss rate while still ensuring latency and energy efficiency
Generative artificial intelligence (AI): a key innovation or just hype in primary care settings?
Get PDFValidity and reliability of the FlightScope Mevo+ launch monitor for assessing golf performance
No full textThe purpose of this study was to (a) assess the validity of the FlightScope Mevo+ against the TrackMan 4 and (b) determine the within-session reliability of both launch monitor systems when using a driver and a 6-iron. Twenty-nine youth golfers, with a minimum of 3 years of playing experience, volunteered for this study. All golfers completed 10 shots with a 6-iron and a driver, with 8 metrics concurrently monitored from both launch monitor systems in an indoor biomechanics laboratory. For both clubs, Pearson's r values ranged from small to near perfect (r range = 0.254–0.985), with the strongest relationships evident for clubhead speed (CHS) and ball speed (r ≥ 0.92). Bland-Altman plots showed almost perfect levels of agreement between devices for smash factor (mean bias ≤−0.016; 95% CI: −0.112, 0.079), whereas the poorest levels of agreement was for spin rate (mean bias ≤1,238; 95% CI: −2,628, 5,103). From a reliability standpoint, the TrackMan showed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from moderate to excellent (ICC = 0.60–0.99) and coefficient of variation (CV) values ranged from good to poor (CV = 1.31–230.22%). For the Mevo+ device, ICC data ranged from poor to excellent (ICC = −0.22 to 0.99) and CV values ranged from good to poor (CV = 1.46–72.70%). Importantly, both devices showed similar trends, with the strongest reliability consistently evident for CHS, ball speed, carry distance, and smash factor. Finally, statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were evident between devices for spin rate (driver: d = 1.27; 6-iron: d = 0.90), launch angle (driver: d = 0.54), and attack angle (driver: d = −0.51). Collectively, these findings suggest that the FlightScope Mevo+ launch monitor is both valid and reliable when monitoring CHS, ball speed, carry distance, and smash factor. However, additional variables such as spin rate, launch angle, attack angle, and spin axis exhibit substantially greater variation compared with the TrackMan 4, suggesting that practitioners may wish to be cautious when providing golfers with feedback relating to these metrics
Initial validation of the Self Experiences Questionnaire-2 in people with chronic pain
Get PDFPurpose: The struggle with sense of self has a fundamental impact on health and wellbeing in people with chronic pain. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) particularly includes a process related to sense of self, called self-as-context (SAC). A measure of SAC, called the Self Experiences Questionnaire-8 (SEQ-8) has been developed in people with chronic pain. A brief version of the SEQ can facilitate more efficient assessment in clinical settings, and further research using intensive assessment to produce situation and time-sensitive information on SAC. The aim of the study was to establish a two-item version of the SEQ.
Methods: This study used secondary analyses of data from 453 people with chronic pain.
Results: The newly validated SEQ-2 demonstrated acceptable reliability, Cronbach’s α= .77, and performed well in assessing SAC, with 88.6% of the variance in the SEQ-8 explained by the SEQ-2. The construct validity of the SEQ-2 was supported by its associations with other theoretically-specified processes, r= .25-.51, p<.001. and measures of functioning, |r|=.18-.40, p<.001. The incremental validity of the SEQ-2 was relatively limited, |β|=.08-.34. Conclusions: The SEQ-2 appears to be an acceptable measure of SAC. The brief version of the SEQ can facilitate the application of individualised research methods and personalised pain treatments, informed by intensive assessment