Combination Of Different Groups Research Articles

Improved Wetland Mapping of a Highly Fragmented Agricultural Landscape Using Land Surface Phenological Features

Wetlands are integral components of agricultural landscapes, providing a wide range of ecological, economic, and social benefits essential for sustainable development and rural livelihoods. Globally, they are vulnerable ecological assets facing several significant threats including water extraction and regulation, land clearing and reclamation, and climate change. Classification and mapping of wetlands in agricultural landscapes is crucial for conserving these ecosystems to maintain their ecological integrity amidst ongoing land-use changes and environmental pressures. This study aims to establish a robust framework for wetland classification and mapping in intensive agricultural landscapes using time series of Sentinel-2 imagery, with a focus on the Gwydir Wetland Complex situated in the northern Murray–Darling Basin—Australia’s largest river system. Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, we extracted two groups of predictors based on six vegetation indices time series calculated from multi-temporal Sentinel-2 surface reflectance (SR) imagery: the first is statistical features summarizing the time series and the second is phenological features based on harmonic analysis of time series data (HANTS). We developed and evaluated random forest (RF) models for each level of classification with combination of different groups of predictors. Our results show that RF models involving both HANTS and statistical features perform strongly with significantly high overall accuracy and class-weighted F1 scores (p < 0.05) when comparing with models with either statistical or HANTS variables. While the models have excellent performance (F-score greater than 0.9) in distinguishing wetlands from other landcovers (croplands, terrestrial uplands, and open waters), the inter-class discriminating power among wetlands is class-specific: wetlands that are frequently inundated (including river red gum forests and wetlands dominated by common reed, water couch, and marsh club-rush) are generally better identified than the ones that are flooded less frequently, such as sedgelands and woodlands dominated by black box and coolabah. This study demonstrates that HANTS features extracted from time series Sentinel data can significantly improve the accuracy of wetland mapping in highly fragmentated agricultural landscapes. Thus, this framework enables wetland classification and mapping to be updated on a regular basis to better understand the dynamic nature of these complex ecosystems and improve long-term wetland monitoring.

New biobased chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol/graphene oxide derivatives for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds from aqueous mixtures

The main scope of this study is synthesis, characterization and implementation of new bio-based chitosan derivatives for the removal by adsorption of pharmaceutical mixtures from aqueous matrices. Six different materials of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol were synthesized using an increasing quantity of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). A combination of different groups of pharmaceuticals was used as a model pollutant. Within this context, four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, paracetamol), one anti-epileptic (carbamazepine) and two antihypertensives (valsartan and irbesartan) were selected. The highest adsorption capacity was exhibited by the composites with the highest concentration of GO and rGO (0.2%), while the pollutants that presented the highest adsorption removal were valsartan and diclofenac. The adsorption process was appeared to be finished after 3 h for all compounds of the studied mixture (well-fitted to pseudo-2nd order model). The results indicated that the Langmuir model offered better match for the experimental data, while the adsorption capacity of adsorbents increased with the rise of the temperature. Overall, the highest adsorption capacities achieved at pH 10 (55 °C). Desorption was accomplished by using different aqueous eluents (with pH 2–10) and organic solvents. FTIR, SEM, EDS techniques were used to characterize the composition and morphology, and for the compounds detection the UHPLC system was used.

Synergistic effects of vagus nerve stimulation and antiseizure medication

IntroductionVagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective, non-pharmacological therapy for epileptic seizures. Until now, favorable combinations of different groups of antiseizure medication (ASM) and VNS have not been sufficiently addressed. The aim of this study was to identify the synergistic effects between VNS and different ASMs.MethodsWe performed an observational study of patients with epilepsy who were implanted with VNS and had a stable ASM therapy during the first 2 years after the VNS implantation. Data were collected from the Mainz Epilepsy Registry. The efficacy of VNS depending on the concomitantly used ASM group/individual ASMs was assessed by quantifying the responder rate (≥ 50% seizure reduction compared to the time of VNS implantation) and seizure freedom (absence of seizures during the last 6 months of the observation period).ResultsOne hundred fifty one patients (mean age 45.2 ± 17.0 years, 78 females) were included in the study. Regardless of the used ASM, the responder rate in the whole cohort was 50.3% and the seizure freedom was 13.9%. Multiple regression analysis showed that combination of VNS with synaptic vesicle glycoprotein (SV2A) modulators (responder rate 64.0%, seizure freedom 19.8%) or slow sodium channel inhibitors (responder rate 61.8%, seizure freedom 19.7%) was associated with a statistically significant better responder rate and seizure freedom than combinations of VNS and ASM with other mechanism of action. Within these ASM groups, brivaracetam showed a more favorable effect than levetiracetam, whereas lacosamide and eslicarbazepine were comparable in their effects.ConclusionOur data suggest that the combination of VNS with ASMs belonging to either SV2A modulators or slow sodium channel inhibitors could be optimal to achieve a better seizure control following VNS. However, these preliminary data require further validation under controlled conditions.

Advanced machine learning approach to increase diagnostic accuracy in atypical Alzheimer’s disease cases

AbstractBackgroundThe early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other types of dementia is essential in clinical practice. Up to 50% of patients with any form of dementia may remain undiagnosed during their lifetime and the diagnosis of AD may often be inaccurate. In assessing patients, accurate diagnosis based on only clinical data and structural (MRI or CT) imaging is suboptimal in a subset of patients with atypical presentation. Although amyloid PET imaging and CSF biomarkers can provide incremental benefits, numerous obstacles preclude their wider use in clinical practice. In this work, a parametric study was performed to create a machine learning (ML) model to accurately diagnose hard‐to‐detect cases of AD, to mitigate the need for more expensive or invasive testing such as amyloid imaging or spinal tap.MethodData from 173 participants (MCI and mild dementia), including 105 patients (60%) with AD and 68 (40%) Non‐AD patients, were included from our memory clinic. The dataset for each participant included pertinent history, AD risk factors, scores on a neuropsychological testing battery, functional status, and MRI volumetric studies. Participants were divided into two groups: Group I (easy‐to‐detect) with a high probability of AD diagnosis based on clinical data (subjective and objective amnestic presentation) and volumetric studies (hippocampal and medial temporal lobe atrophy). Group II (hard‐to‐detect), who did not fit into the first group and the diagnosis was confirmed with either amyloid imaging or CSF analysis. The distribution of diagnosis by group: 1‐ Easy to detect (43 AD, 29 Non‐AD),2‐ Hard to detect (62 AD, 39 Non‐AD), a total of three experiments with different combinations of groups were conducted, 1‐ All Groups (Exp.1.), 2‐ Hard to detect (Exp.2.), 3‐ Easy to detect (Exp.3.). In all experiments, Leave‐One‐Out cross‐validation technique was performed.ResultA total number of 132 features utilized, by employing feature selection approach, 13 features were selected. Our model attains the highest accuracy of 87.27% on classification of Exp.1., 83.28% on Exp.2. and 95.80% on Exp.3.ConclusionWe investigated discrimination of AD from Non‐AD on hard‐to‐detect cases using ML. The proposed method obtains competitive performance and achieves improved accuracy results.

THE IMPACT OF SPECIFIC FACTORS ON THE REVENUE OF THE IT SECTORS IN POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

This article reveals the dynamics of the development of Poland’s and the Czech Republic’s IT/ITC sectors. The following groups of factors influencing the economic component of the IT/ITC sector were identified: tax policy, factors related to education, and labor force indicators. The simplified regression models were used for each group, and the influence of elements on the economic component of the efficiency of companies in the IT/ITC sector was presented separately. As a result of the weak argumentation of models for each group, the need to create unique models for each country based on a combination of different groups’ factors was proved. Based on Var models, when conducting correlation-regression analyzes, models were derived for the dependence of the economic performance indicators of the sectors of Poland and the Czech Republic on given factors.

Single-stage repeated batch cycles using co-culture of Enterobacter cloacae and purple non-sulfur bacteria for hydrogen production

Hydrogen production by biological routes is a sustainable alternative since it requires a low amount of energy for its products and can use renewable raw materials as substrates. The current work studied the production of hydrogen by photofermentation in a single stage using the co-culture of Enterobacter cloacae and one of the photosynthetic bacteria: Rhodobacter capsulatus or Rhodopseudomonas palustris. A combination of different groups of bacteria grown in a single bioreactor has the advantages of simple handling, reduced fermentation time, and high yield rates. Repeated batch cycle operations evaluating the influence of the addition of glucose or lactose from milk whey permeate (MWP) in an isolated or alternate manner were performed. The addition of glucose and MWP promoted maximum productivity of 319.35 mmol H2/L.day in 180 h of process, using the co-culture (1:1) of E. cloacae and R. capsulatus. Furthermore, the experimental run using E. cloacae and R. palustris reached 262.77 mmol H2/L.day (325 h). Besides, the highest organic acid concentration was of butyric acid, reaching 26.63 g/L in assay 6, followed by lactic acid (17.26 g/L) and acetic acid (11.60 g/L).

Research based on optimization model of C4 olefins preparation

In this paper,the data given by the topic are studied,and the model is established and optimized.Firstly,the function relationship was established.The least square method was used to calculate the coefficient of each variable,so as to obtain the linear relationship between the data,and the correlation coefficient was obtained through the linear relationship[1].Then the temperature and different ingredients have a great influence on the conversion of ethanol and C4 olefin selectivity.Establish multivariate function,by comparing the size of correlation coefficient,by controlling the single variable method,for different combinations of groups to achieve the effect of a single variable,these data are converted into line graph,and then find out the optimal catalyst combination and temperature in each group.

Комплексный подход к лечению детей с аллергическим ринитом

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common childhood disease. At the same time, there is an underdiagnosis of this condition in the clinical practice and its significant impact on the life quality of the patient and his family. The article describes a modern stepwise approach in complex AR therapy in children. This approach involves the choice of drug therapy in accordance with the disease course. In this case, it is necessary, in particular, to take into account the clinically significant sensitization profile, the presence of concomitant allergic and non-allergic pathology, the patterns of the expected exposure of relevant allergens, the disease course severity, the patient’s age, response to therapy, etc. The current problems of conservative treatment are discussed. Information on the pharmacological drug groups for the AR treatment is presented: H1-antagonists, antileukotriene drugs, intranasal glucocorticosteroids. The main effects and the most common adverse events of their usage are considered. Practical issues of AR treatment tactics, relevant for pediatricians, allergists and otorhinolaryngologists, are highlighted. The prescription of drug combinations of different groups is substantiated, providing a simultaneous effect on different links of the pathogenetic process. The importance of elimination measures and allergen-specific immunotherapy is noted. KEYWORDS: allergic rhinitis, sensitization, H1-antagonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, glucocorticosteroids, children. FOR CITATION: Asmanov A.I., Konyukova N.G., Pivneva N.D. et al. Comprehensive treatment method for children with allergic rhinitis. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(5):348–352 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-5-348-352.

Variation in Intergroup Relationships Among Species and Among and Within Local Populations of African Apes

Although many animals typically defend key resources from conspecifics during encounters, tolerant encounters also occur frequently in some primate species. For example, African apes and humans (Homininae) show large variation in terms of agonistic and affiliative intergroup relationships, and local human communities are formed via a network of affiliative relationships among groups. To understand this variation and its evolution, we need to examine the variation between species, between populations, and within populations. In the genus Pan, both eastern and western chimpanzees commonly express aggressive intergroup relationships, whereas intergroup relationships in bonobos are generally affiliative. In the genus Gorilla, although the proportions of groups with multiple males differ, all subspecies show large overlap of home ranges and both aggressive and affiliative intergroup interactions. Differences in intergroup relationships among local populations of the same (sub)species are limited in both Pan and Gorilla. In contrast, intergroup relationships vary within the same local populations in bonobos, with female dispersal among groups seemingly contributing to the affiliative relationships. Such tendencies in bonobos seem to resemble those in local human communities, where intergroup relationships differ for different combinations of groups and female dispersal among groups plays an important role in affiliative relationships. Intergroup relationships within the same local populations also vary from affiliative to aggressive in all subspecies of gorillas, and kin relations between leading males play important roles in affiliative relationships. Studies of variation in intergroup relationships, the contributions of males and females to such variation, and the genetic structure of local populations might increase our understanding of the evolutionary process underpinning local communities in Homininae.

Recent advances of thiazole hybrids in biological applications.

Thiazoles have attracted much synthetic interest due to their wide variety of biological properties and are important members of heterocyclic compounds. In recent years, studies on the synthesis of thiazole compounds have been increasing because of the properties of this core. In particular, the hybrid structures in which the thiazole ring and the other nuclei are linked have gained popularity. Hybrid structures are formed by the combination of different groups of chemical reactivity and biological activity characteristics. In this review, we highlight recent developments related to hybrid structures containing a thiazole core, recently developed as anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tubercular, antialzheimer and antidiabetic compounds.

Biogas production from agricultural and municipal waste

The article presents the results of biogas production from municipal and agricultural waste. The mesophilic digestion of feedstocks was evaluated. Fermentation process was performed according to the DIN 38414-S8. Five types of agricultural waste were used for the research: 100% maize silage, 25% apple pomace – 75% maize silage, 50% apple pomace – 50% maize silage, 75% apple pomace – 25% maize silage and under – size fraction of municipal waste from the sorting drum. Fermentation of waste was carried out for 30 days. In the produced biogas, there were measured the content of: CH4, CO2, O2 and the total yield of biogas. The combination of different groups of waste in the fermentation process causes a higher efficiency of biogas production. Additionally thermal analysis (TG, DSC) of biogas digestate were conducted. Due to the impurities present in the biogas digestate derived from municipal waste, it becomes impossible to use it as fertilizer in agriculture.

Negalios galia ir jos panaudojimo socialinės pagalbos procese galimybės: proto negalią turinčių asmenų ir gatvės jaunuolių bendros stovyklos atvejo analizė

[straipsnis, santrauka, reikšminiai žodžiai lietuvių kalba; santrauka ir reikšminiai žodžiai anglų kalba]
 Šio straipsnio tikslas yra giliau panagrinėti skirtingų klientų grupių derinimo patirtis – atskleisti asmenų, turinčių proto negalią, ir gatvės jaunuolių tarpusavio sąveikos abipusę naudą per reguliariai vykstančias bendras stovyklas, ypatingą dėmesį kreipiant būtent į proto negalią turinčių žmonių gebėjimus ir jų panaudojimo galimybes. Tikslui pasiekti buvo atliktas kokybinis tyrimas imant nestruktūruotus ir pusiau struktūruotus interviu iš asmenų, dalyvavusių integruotose vasaros stovyklose, kuriose turėjo galimybę sąveikauti gatvės jaunuoliai ir proto negalią turintys asmenys. Apibendrinant tyrimo rezultatus, galima teigti, kad bendruomeninio gyvenimo su proto negalią turinčiais asmenimis patirtis demitizuoja visuomenės įsitikinimus apie šios socialinės rizikos grupės nevisavertį žmogiškumą. Atvirkščiai, jų tikrumas tampa dovana tiems, kurie išdrįsta dalyvauti jų bendruomeniniame gyvenime, ypač daug ankstyvo socialinio gyvenimo sunkumų patyrusiems gatvės jaunuoliams.

The role of 256-slice CT in differentiation between non-perforated and perforated appendicitis

ObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to analyze the efficacy of 256-slice CT in differentiation between the perforated and non-perforated appendicitis. Subjects and methodsThe study included 85 patients with acute appendicitis. Appendicectomy and pathological confirmation were done for 79 patients and classified into 44 patients with non-perforated appendix and other 35 patients with perforated appendix. The statistical analysis was performed using six CT findings (abscess formation, phlegmon, extraluminal air, extraluminal appendicolith, focal defect in the appendicular wall and inflammatory changes of the retroperitoneal space) individually and when combined together in five groups. ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each CT finding were ranged between 20%–51%, 86–100% and 65–76% respectively. The PPV and NPV of these findings ranged between 75–100% and 61–70% respectively. Detection of any of these findings in combination of different groups resulted in raising of the sensitivity reaching between 71 and 97%. ConclusionMultislice CT is considered the modality of choice for imaging of acute appendicitis, not only to confirm the diagnosis but also it plays an important role in assessment of appendicular complication, particularly in detection of perforated appendix.

In Vitro Analysis of the Tribological Behaviour of Different Material Combinations for Telescopic Crowns

Telescopic crowns are used to connect removable dental prostheses with the remaining dentition. Several material combinations are used for manufacturing primary and secondary crowns. The present experimental study analysed the influence of different material combinations on the long-term development of surface roughness and pull-off forces. Six different material combinations were tested. Secondary crowns were manufactured either by casting or electroforming. Each material combination was tested with n = 10 specimens. A material testing device with integrated power sensors was used for 10,000 cycles per test. Signs of wear were identified by surface roughness measurements, and visualized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) technologies. Statistical significances were tested by using the U-Test with Bonferroni correction. The choice of materials and the manufacturing process were found to influence the long-term development of pull-off forces as well as wear-associated surface roughness. Combinations of different groups of materials for primary and secondary crowns showed favourable results. Worse results were found for the combination pure titanium and pure titanium and the combination high gold alloy and electroformed gold. Wear-associated surface roughness was higher for combinations of similar or identical groups of materials. For manufacturing telescopic crowns, combinations of different groups of materials are preferred. For secondary crown manufacturing, electroforming is superior to casting.

Texture analysis in gel electrophoresis images using an integrative kernel-based approach

Texture information could be used in proteomics to improve the quality of the image analysis of proteins separated on a gel. In order to evaluate the best technique to identify relevant textures, we use several different kernel-based machine learning techniques to classify proteins in 2-DE images into spot and noise. We evaluate the classification accuracy of each of these techniques with proteins extracted from ten 2-DE images of different types of tissues and different experimental conditions. We found that the best classification model was FSMKL, a data integration method using multiple kernel learning, which achieved AUROC values above 95% while using a reduced number of features. This technique allows us to increment the interpretability of the complex combinations of textures and to weight the importance of each particular feature in the final model. In particular the Inverse Difference Moment exhibited the highest discriminating power. A higher value can be associated with an homogeneous structure as this feature describes the homogeneity; the larger the value, the more symmetric. The final model is performed by the combination of different groups of textural features. Here we demonstrated the feasibility of combining different groups of textures in 2-DE image analysis for spot detection.

The Way of Constructing Green Block's Eco-grid by Ecological Infrastructure Planning

Globalization and rapid urbanization have become a hot issue in the contemporary urban development process. City resources’ over-concentration and the environmental problems bring new pressure to urban infrastructure. So the study of green infrastructure planning under the background of eco-city is imminent. From the medium scale of green community, the ecological infrastructure planning is the way of constructing urban ecological grid and its scope of application most focus on metropolis, cities and towns. Compared to large scale, it will has more research significance as its ecological infrastructure carrier distribution is more scattered and random causing from the urban land's fragmentation. The paper studies the multi-functional connotation and four planning principles of ecological infrastructure through the research methods of data collection, case analysis and field research starting from the medium scale of city. The ecological infrastructure planning of green block scale is multi-function and multi-dimensional. In the process of green infrastructure planning, it should be based on the planning principles of multi-disciplinary, multi-level, integrity and sustainability. Finally the article based on the example of Philadelphia ecological storm water infrastructure planning successfully build and implement a Philadelphia's green stormwater infrastructure grid and improve the ecological outlook through the measure of the combination of different groups in the city, the incentive policy guidance, the multidisciplinary planning system and putting forward the concept of measuring quantify of ecological infrastructure - “Greened Acre”. Ecological infrastructure planning method is no longer constrained by the ecological protection but tend to be more functional and multi-dimensional in order to solving complex problems in city.

“A Disturbing Lack of Musical and Stylistic Continuity”? Elliott Carter, Charles Ives, and Musical Borrowing

Elliott and Charles Ives shared complex personal and professional relationship. Ives supported Carter's musical pursuits as young man and remained guiding influence throughout his career. As Jan Swafford writes, however, Carter, whose mature music would owe great deal to Ives ... would pay back his mentor with baffling mixture of admiration, advocacy, and cold repudiation (Swafford 1998: 334). Although he eventually softened his early criticism of Ives and acknowledged his musical debts, was consistently puzzled by the stress in Ives's music on musical borrowing--i.e., the procedures by which composer includes material from or refers to pre-existing musical pieces in the context of an original work. (1) As put it, Ives's reliance on quotations accounted for a disturbing lack of musical and stylistic continuity (Perlis 1974: 145). On another occasion, described Ives's inclusion of popular songs and hymns as constantly (Edwards 1971: 63). (2) In view of these and numerous other statements, it is equally perplexing that borrows from Ives's music on several occasions, most overtly in his 2001 Figment No. 2 (RememberingMr. Ives) for solo cello. This composition contains literal snippets and gestures from, as well as stylistic allusions to, two Ives pieces: the Concord Sonata and Hallowe'en. In what follows, I explore the ways in which borrows from Ives both literally and figuratively; how he incorporates those quotations into his music; and how he evokes Ives's memory and musical style in several works. Along the way, I illuminate some contradictions of Carter's aesthetic stance and connect them to broader problematics in late twentieth-century modernism. The Quotation Problem In nearly all of his writings on Ives, acknowledges and admires Ives's musical innovations, particularly those in rhythm and temporality. For example, in 1973 letter to John Kirkpatrick, observes: What is interesting about Ives, today, are the many different procedures he thought up, so it seems, to produce his polyrhythmic and dissonant (quoted in Meyer and Shreffler 2008: 210). Several scholars have previously investigated Carter's interest in Ives's abstract compositional techniques. Felix Meyer and Anne Shreffler explain that Carter the composer continued to find solutions for the same musical problems that Ives had posed: the combination of different groups of instruments moving at different speeds, new formal concepts, new ways to control the flow of time, and ways of orchestrating so that complex polyphonic could be clearly (6). David Schiff also notes that textures reminiscent of Ives's music can be heard throughout Carter's mature works, in abstract form (Schiff 1983: 35). Considering his admiration for such compositional procedures in Ives's music, it is peculiar that seldom comments on the large body of music Ives composed without any trace of musical borrowing. Many of these pieces such as the piano studies were intended as compositional experiments and show Ives's imagination at its most fertile. In them, he creates and solves particular musical problems of rhythm, pitch, and temporality in smaller settings. (3) In fact, majority of these works would have interested in light of their compositional rigor, but he chose not to comment on them, highlighting instead his disagreements with Ives's music that contains quotations. To take an example of his problematic stance toward quotation in Ives's music, consider what wrote in an essay from 1974: As for myself, I have always been fascinated by the polyrhythmic aspect of Ives's music, as well as its multiple layering, but perplexed at times by the disturbing lack of musical and stylistic continuity, caused largely by the constant use of musical quotations in many works. To me composer develops his own personal language, suitable to express his field of experience and thought. …

Multi-feature based boresight self-calibration of a terrestrial mobile mapping system

This paper presents a multi-feature based system calibration method for estimating the boresight angles of a land-based mobile mapping system (MMS) comprised of multiple two dimensional (2D) scanners. The method invokes a least-squares adjustment (LSA) to simultaneously estimate several sets of boresight angles for multiple laser scanners incorporated in an MMS as well as the parameters associated with one or more types of geometric features. This is achieved by constraining the groups of feature point clouds captured by multiple runs to fit their corresponding geometric models in such a way that the weighted sum of squares of adjustment residuals is minimized. The method is particularly suitable for in situ calibration because the geometric features involved are commonly occurring structures (e.g. building façades, bridge surfaces, highway signs and hanging power cables) that are usually captured during the actual survey. In addition to using a planar feature model for calibration, a novel and rigorous three-dimensional (3D) catenary curve model is proposed for geometric modelling of hanging cables to augment the calibration. The proposed calibrations were examined with several different combinations of groups of planar and catenary features and the resulting analysis suggests that the in situ calibrations are effective when compared to the manufacturer’s dedicated calibration, with the overall point cloud accuracies for plane fitting being 5.5cm and 5.4cm for the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. It has been successfully demonstrated that the proposed method can be used in a scene having no building façades but only some long hanging cables and horizontal ground surfaces. This is particularly useful for rural areas or inter-city/provincial highways where building façades cannot commonly be captured. Parameter correlations in the calibrations were also addressed. It has also been shown that using catenary features in addition to planar features for the calibration can help de-correlate some parameters and improve the overall accuracy. The in situ nature and the high flexibility of integrating different features of the calibration make the proposed method straightforward for most end-users.

English

In this study, a technique to extract crossectional fat (CSFA), muscle (CSMA), femur (CSFEMA) and bone (CSBA) areas of the thigh in the knee offering osteoarthritis (OA) disease signs is established. These morphometric measures are obtained by using segmentation, based on Fuzzy C-means (FCM) clustering and used as features. 103 subjects which are presenting normal and four levels of severity OA are used. Subjects are allocated into five OA-severity categories, formed in accordance with the Kellgren–Lawrence scale from KL values 0 to 4 as “normal”, “doubtful, “minimal”, “moderate”, and “severe” respectively. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier is used to classify morphometric     features to see the relations and detect OA between the KL scores and the morphology of the thigh     muscles. Regarding the number of data for each classes and hardness of severity symptoms of OA, to get a better classification accuracy different combinations of groups, such as five individual groups and two groups (KL0-1 as group one, KL3-4 / KL0-1 as group one, KL2, 3 and 4 as group two) are tried to get classification accuracies. The best classification accuracy rate is achieved when the KL scores are grouped into two main classes. The first class represented the less severe cases and belongs to the KL scores of 0 and 1. The second class is composed of cases with KL grades greater than or equal to 2. The SVM classifier accuracy (72%) is a satisfactory result regarding the hardness of the application domain. That is, analysis of the morphometric measures used in this study is not an easy task because of the variability of MRI image morphologies depending on the people. Results demonstrate that the two groups are classified 72% classification accuracy which will provoke new researches for a precise analysis of the OA and hence leading to more accurate prognosis in clinical practice.   Key words: Osteoarthritis, fuzzy c-means clustering, support vector machine, segmentation.

Infant Neurological Examination from 3 to 12 Months: Predictive Value of the Single Items

The prognostic value of the single items of a standardised neurological examination, the Hammersmith Infant Neurologic Examination (HINE), was explored longitudinally in 658 infants at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-term age. ROC curves were built based on the presence/absence of cerebral palsy at 2 years of age. Global HINE scores showed very high prediction (ROC curve areas above 0.9) at all ages. The items with the highest predictive value were always movement quality and quantity. In the first semester, among the most predictive items were those assessing tone, while beyond that time they were reflexes and reactions. Our results show that the high predictive value of the HINE across the first year of life is granted by the successful combination of different groups of items for each age-period. This should be recognised in clinical practice when assessing the significance of individual neurological profiles.