Discontinuous Sequences Research Articles

اسلوب التجزئة في شعر ما بعد الحداثة الانكليزي: مقال مراجعة موضوع

This paper is a subject review. It investigates the use of the Fragmentation technique in Post-modern English Literature. The paper, meanwhile, examines the different opinions and researches by writers in the post-modern contemporary world. The fragmentation technique points out to a way of writing by using discontinuous sequences of words. It refers, to a condition of illusion and meaninglessness which surrounds the post-modern society.

An examination of phrase-frames in L2 english academic writing: Exploring relationships with writing quality

Corpus research has increasingly highlighted the importance of formulaic language (e.g., lexical bundles, n-grams) in various genres and registers. However, less attention has been paid to the value of discontinuous formulaic sequences. The present study extends research of this kind by targeting the use of phrase-frames (multi-word sequences with an internal variable slot [e.g., the * of the]) in relation to proficiency differences in L2 English academic essays produced by L1 Japanese university students. All texts were written in response to a common prompt, composed under similar conditions, and graded by trained raters. These essays were then assigned to high or low proficiency groupings based on the rating they received. Phrase frames of 4- and 5-words were extracted and analyzed for type count, token count, variability, and predictability differences. Major findings included higher proficiency writers making more frequent use of 4- and 5-word phrase frames (types and tokens), as well as using less variable, more predictable frames. Methodological and pedagogical implications of these findings are discussed.

The >250-kyr Lake Chala record: A tephrostratotype correlating archaeological, palaeoenvironmental and volcanic sequences across eastern Africa

Regional tephrostratigraphic frameworks connect palaeoclimate, archaeological and volcanological records preserved in soils or lake sediments via shared volcanic ash (tephra) layers. In eastern Africa, tracing of tephra isochrons between geoarchaeological sequences is an established chronostratigraphic approach. However, to date, few long tephra records exist from sites with continuous depositional sequences, such as lake sediments, which offer the potential to connect local and discontinuous sequences at the regional scale. Long lake sediment sequences may also capture more complete eruptive histories of understudied volcanic centres. Here, we present and date the tephrostratigraphic record of a >250,000-year (>250-kyr) continuous sediment sequence extracted from Lake Chala, a crater lake on the Kenya-Tanzania border near Mt Kilimanjaro. Single-grain glass major and minor element analyses of visible and six cryptotephra layers reveal compositions ranging from mafic foidites and basanites to more evolved tephri-phonolites, phonolites, trachytes and a single rhyolite. Of these, nine are correlated to scoria cone eruptions of neighbouring Mt Kilimanjaro or the Chyulu volcanic field ∼60 km to the north; seven are correlated to phonolitic eruptions of Mt Meru, ∼100 km to the west; and four to voluminous trachytic eruptions of Central Kenyan Rift (CKR) volcanoes located ∼350 km to the north. The only rhyolitic tephra layer, a cryptotephra, correlates to the 73.7-ka BP (before present, taken as 1950 CE) Younger Toba Tuff (YTT) from Sumatra. Two of the CKR tephra layers provide direct ties with terrestrial sequences relevant to Middle Stone Age archaeology of the eastern Lake Victoria basin in Kenya. Absolute age estimates obtained by direct 40Ar/39Ar dating of 10 tephra layers are combined with six 210Pb and 162 14C dates covering the last 25-kyr and the well-constrained known age of the YTT to build a first absolute chronology for the full Lake Chala sediment sequence. The uninterrupted >250-kyr Lake Chala sedimentary archive represents a unique tephrostratotype sequence for eastern Africa, optimising the chronological value of tephra correlations in regional palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and volcanological research. Further study of cryptotephra in the Lake Chala sequence and additional geochemical characterisation and dating of ancient volcanic eruptions from nearby and further afield may eventually produce a regionally connected and detailed tephrostratigraphic framework for eastern equatorial Africa.

Reconstructing the Last 71 ka Paleoclimate in Northeast China by Integrating Typical Loess Sections

Long-term continuous deposits and well-preserved thick loess sections are natural archives for the reconstruction of global climate change. However, the loess sections are often discontinuous owing to soil erosions and accumulations. This study aimed at reconstructing long-term continuous paleoclimatic records by integrating the target sections of two typical loess sequences in northeast (NE) China. One section, the Dajiugang (DJG) section, was investigated and sampled, and the Sanbahuo (SBH) section was used as the target for integrating and reconstructing the paleoclimate. Sedimentary, pedogenesis, and luminescence dating analyses were conducted to analyze the potentials for reconstructing the paleoclimate by integrating two typical loess sections. The results indicated that the paleoclimate records derived from the DJG section can be used to reconstruct the continuous paleoclimate of NE China by integrating them with the SBH section. The paleoclimate information inferred from the DJG section could impute paleoclimate data from 71 to 11.7 ka, which were missing in the SBH section. The paleoclimate of NE China generally consisted of three periods from 71 to 11.7 ka: cold and dry from 29 to 11.7 ka, alternately cold and warm from 57 to 29 ka, and warm and wet to cold and dry from 71 to 57 ka. Integrating the target loess sections can contribute to reconstructing regional long-term continuous paleoclimate records where discontinuous loess sequences occurred.

Integer factor based SVPWM approach for multilevel inverters with continuous and discontinuous switching sequences

Integer factor based SVPWM approach for multilevel inverters with continuous and discontinuous switching sequences

High maternal-fetal HLA eplet compatibility is associated with severe manifestation of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is responsible for more than 70 000 and 500 000 maternal and fetal deaths, respectively each year. Incomplete remodelling of the spiral arteries in placenta is the most accepted theory of preeclampsia pathogenesis. However, the process is complexed with immunological background, as pregnancy resembles allograft transplantation. Fetus expresses human leukocyte antigens (HLA) inherited from both parents, thus is semiallogeneic to the maternal immune system. Therefore, induction of fetal tolerance is crucial for physiological outcome of pregnancy. Noteworthy, the immunogenicity of discordant HLA antigens is determined by functional epitopes called eplets, which are continuous and discontinuous short sequences of amino acids. This way various HLA molecules may express the same eplet and some HLA incompatibilities can be more immunogenic due to different eplet combination. Therefore, we hypothesized that maternal- fetal HLA incompatibility may be involved in the pathogenesis of gestational hypertension and its progression to preeclampsia. We also aimed to test if particular maternal-fetal eplet mismatches are more prone for induction of anti- fetal HLA antibodies in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. High resolution next-generation sequencing of HLA-A, -B, -C, -DQB1 and -DRB1 antigens was performed in mothers and children from physiological pregnancies (12 pairs) and from pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension (22 pairs) and preeclampsia (27 pairs). In the next step HLA eplet identification and analysis of HLA eplet incompatibilities was performed with in silico approach HLAMatchmaker algorithm. Simultaneously maternal sera were screened for anti-fetal HLA class I, class II and anti-MICA antibodies with Luminex, and data were analyzed with HLA-Fusion software. We observed that high HLA-C, -B, and DQB1 maternal-fetal eplet compatibility was associated with severe preeclampsia (PE) manifestation. Both quantity and quality of HLA epletmismatches affected the severity of PE. Mismatches in HLA-B eplets: 65QIA+76ESN, 70IAO, 180E, HLA-C eplets: 193PL3, 267QE, and HLA-DRB1 eplet: 16Y were associated with a mild outcome of preeclampsia if the complication occurred. High HLA-C, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-B eplet compatibility between mother and child is associated with severe manifestation of preeclampsia. Both quantity and quality of maternal-fetal HLA eplet mismatches affects severity of preeclampsia.

Heinrich Stadial 1 continental sand dunes and Middle to Late Holocene paleosol sequences in SE Iberia: Implications for human occupation and site formation processes

Continental aeolian sandy deposits are common in the semi-arid Mediterranean biomes of the Iberian Peninsula. Very few studies, however, have addressed their chronology, formation, and evolution. In this work, we present the interdisciplinary study of the Villena dune field (SE Iberian Peninsula) for which sand dune-paleosol sequences spanning the Last Glacial to the Late Holocene have been documented. The surface area of the Villena dune field and the dune morphology were mapped using LIDAR elevation data. Three different stratigraphic sequences were analyzed through geochronology (OSL and AMS C14), micromorphology,soil chemistry, grain size and X-ray powder diffraction. The formation of the Villena dune field was OSL dated between 16.3 ± 0.6 and 14.97 ± 0.5 ka during the Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1). Deflation, diffuse floods and runoff processes led to the removal of GS-1 and Early Holocene sediments from the stratigraphic sequences. Subsequently, discontinuous polycyclic soil sequences developed on the dune top sections from the Middle to the Late Holocene. Three main pedogenetic processes linked to palaeoenvironmental shifts –organic matter accumulation, calcium carbonate redistribution and periglacial features– were documented in two soil sequences registered in the stratigraphies investigated, which also included sedimentary hiatuses. Our work identified for the first time: (i) the formation of continental dune deposits spanning the HS1 on the Iberian Mediterranean region; (ii) sedimentary dynamics helping to understand Early to Late Holocene archaeological site formation processes in this area; and (iii) periglacial features dated the Little Ice Age.

Phrase-frames in Low- and Intermediate-level EFL Learners’ Essays: Variability, Structures, and Functions

A recent trend in formulaic language research has been investigating phrase-frames, which are discontinuous formulaic sequences with a variable slot. The current study aims to investigate the phrase-frames used by low- and intermediate-level learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The phrase-frames are extracted from a self-compiled learner writing corpus across nine grades, and they are analyzed in terms of their variability, structures, and functions. The results show that as learners studied for more years, they would use phrase-frames that are more variable. Besides, they would use phrase-frames of different structures more flexibly, especially function word frames, and use phrase-frames for more varied functions. Through the research into the characteristics of phrase-frames and discussion about the reasons behind the differences between groups, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of formulaic language development in low- and intermediate-level EFL learners and provides some insights into formulaic language teaching.

A fully human neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting a highly conserved epitope of the human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B.

Human cytomegalovirus causes severe diseases in children (by congenital infection) and immunocompromised patients. Treatment with antiviral agents, such as ganciclovir, is limited by their toxicity. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a fully human neutralizing monoclonal antibody to inhibit human cytomegalovirus infection and viral cell-to-cell spread. We isolated a potent neutralizing antibody, EV2038 (IgG1 lambda), targeting human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B using Epstein-Barr virus transformation. This antibody inhibited human cytomegalovirus infection by all four laboratory strains and 42 Japanese clinical isolates, including ganciclovir-resistant isolates, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging from 0.013 to 0.105 μg/mL, and 90% inhibitory concentration (IC90) ranging from 0.208 to 1.026 μg/mL, in both human embryonic lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) and human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. Additionally, EV2038 prevented cell-to-cell spread of eight clinical viral isolates, with IC50 values ranging from 1.0 to 3.1 μg/mL, and IC90 values ranging from 13 to 19 μg/mL, in ARPE-19 cells. EV2038 recognized three discontinuous sequences on antigenic domain 1 of glycoprotein B (amino acids 549-560, 569-576, and 625-632), which were highly conserved among 71 clinical isolates from Japan and the United States. Pharmacokinetics study in cynomolgus monkeys suggested the potential efficacy of EV2038 in vivo, the concentration of which in serum remained higher than the IC90 values of cell-to-cell spread until 28 days after intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg EV2038. Our data strongly support EV2038 as a promising candidate and novel alternative for the treatment of human cytomegalovirus infection.

A hybrid intelligent rolling bearing fault diagnosis method combining WKN-BiLSTM and attention mechanism

Fault diagnosis of rolling bearings helps ensure mechanical systems’ safety. The characteristics of temporal and interleaved noise in the bearing fault diagnosis data collected in the industrial field are addressed. This paper proposes a hybrid intelligent fault diagnosis method (WKN-BiLSTM-AM) based on WaveletKernelNetwork (WKN) and bidirectional long-short term memory (BiLSTM) network with attention mechanism (AM). The WKN model is introduced to extract the relevant impact components of defects in the vibration signals, reduce the model training parameters and facilitate the processing of signals containing noise. Then, the fusion of spatial-temporal features is achieved by combining BiLSTM networks to compensate for the lack of individual networks that ignore the dependent information between discontinuous sequences. Finally, the AM module is introduced to improve the feature coding performance of BiLSTM and fault diagnosis accuracy. Comparison and validation between the proposed WKN-BiLSTM-AM method and other state-of-the-art models are given on the Case Western Reserve University and Paderborn University datasets. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in bearing fault diagnosis, and the model’s generalization capability.

High-resolution mapping of SrTm4, a recessive resistance gene to wheat stem rust

Key messageThe diploid wheat recessive stem rust resistance gene SrTm4 was fine-mapped to a 754-kb region on chromosome arm 2AmL and potential candidate genes were identified.Race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt), the causal agent of wheat stem (or black) rust is one of the most serious threats to global wheat production. The identification, mapping, and deployment of effective stem rust resistance (Sr) genes are critical to reduce this threat. In this study, we generated SrTm4 monogenic lines and found that this gene confers resistance to North American and Chinese Pgt races. Using a large mapping population (9522 gametes), we mapped SrTm4 within a 0.06 cM interval flanked by marker loci CS4211 and 130K1519, which corresponds to a 1.0-Mb region in the Chinese Spring reference genome v2.1. A physical map of the SrTm4 region was constructed with 11 overlapping BACs from the resistant Triticum monococcum PI 306540. Comparison of the 754-kb physical map with the genomic sequence of Chinese Spring and a discontinuous BAC sequence of DV92 revealed a 593-kb chromosomal inversion in PI 306540. Within the candidate region, we identified an L-type lectin-domain containing receptor kinase (LLK1), which was disrupted by the proximal inversion breakpoint, as a potential candidate gene. Two diagnostic dominant markers were developed to detect the inversion breakpoints. In a survey of T. monococcum accessions, we identified 10 domesticated T. monococcum subsp. monococcum genotypes, mainly from the Balkans, carrying the inversion and showing similar mesothetic resistant infection types against Pgt races. The high-density map and tightly linked molecular markers developed in this study are useful tools to accelerate the deployment of SrTm4-mediated resistance in wheat breeding programs.

Frame-based formulaic features in L2 writing pedagogy: Variants, functions, and student writer perceptions in academic writing

This paper analyzes formulaic language in conference abstracts in Applied Linguistics and tracks an application of the findings to a second language English academic writing context. Specifically, the authors identify and profile phrase-frames (a form of discontinuous formulaic sequence) in terms of their frequency, internal variation, predictability, structure, and rhetorical functions in a corpus of approximately 1,600 conference abstracts in Applied Linguistics. The analysis informed a corpus- and genre-based second language writing pedagogical intervention on formulaic language, and the paper also presents the experiences of learners through sample student writing, survey, and interview data. Overall, findings highlight the pedagogical potential for including frame-based formulaic language in second language writing pedagogy due to the prevalence and inherent productivity of such features, the clear role they play in signaling functional intentions in rhetoric, and their ability to stimulate reflection and discussion of formulaicity in writing more broadly.

Tensile behaviour of unaged and hygrothermally aged discontinuous Bouligand structured CFRP composites

AbstractThe aim of this article is to determine the effects of hygrothermal ageing on the tensile behaviour of asymmetric discontinuous helicoidally stacked (Bouligand structured) carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. Eight different discontinuous Bouligand stacking sequences were manufactured using both major and minor pitch angles. The major pitch angles used were 90° and 120° while minor pitch angles at 5°, 10°, 15° and 25° were stacked from each of the major pitch angles. The composites were tested in tension as either dry unaged specimens or following hygrothermal ageing in seawater at the constant temperatures of 40°C and 60°C for over 2000 h. Both tensile modulus and tensile strength are found to be detrimentally affected by hygrothermal ageing and the extent to which ageing affects these properties is shown to be a function of the inter-ply pitch angle. All discontinuous Bouligand structured composites that were hygrothermally aged at the higher temperature of 60°C were less stiff and weaker than those aged at 40°C and those that were unaged. This is a result of increased heat exacerbating the ingress of water and consequently damaging fibre-matrix interfaces and plasticizing the matrix. The results showed that the minor pitch angles had clear effects on the strength and stiffness of the composites. Composites with 120° major pitch angles exhibited superior elastic modulus and strength values compared with composites with 90° major pitch angles. The Hashin damage model is shown to be accurate in predicting failure in discontinuous Bouligand structured CFRP composites, as evidenced by comparison to fracture paths observed after mechanical testing.

Optimizing Light Flash Sequence Duration to Shift Human Circadian Phase.

Unlike light input for forming images, non-image-forming retinal pathways are optimized to convey information about the total light environment, integrating this information over time and space. In a variety of species, discontinuous light sequences (flashes) can be effective stimuli, notably impacting circadian entrainment. In this study, we examined the extent to which this temporal integration can occur. A group of healthy, young (n = 20) individuals took part in a series of 16-day protocols in which we examined the impact of different lengths of light flash sequences on circadian timing. We find a significant phase change of -0.70 h in response to flashes that did not differ by duration; a 15-min sequence could engender as much change in circadian timing as 3.5-h sequences. Acute suppression of melatonin was also observed during short (15-min) exposures, but not in exposures over one hour in length. Our data are consistent with the theory that responses to light flashes are mediated by the extrinsic, rod/cone pathway, and saturate the response of this pathway within 15 min. Further excitation leads to no greater change in circadian timing and an inability to acutely suppress melatonin, indicating that this pathway may be in a refractory state following this brief light stimulation.

A phraseological study of highlighting strategies in novice and expert writing

Linguistic features used to highlight findings, concepts, ideas, and their significance are ubiquitous in academic writing. In the present exploratory study, we investigate how novice writers (L1 and L2 English) and expert writers use formulaic discontinuous sequences for highlighting purposes; we also look at the extent to which there are differences in use of these across five academic registers. Through a bottom-up approach, we identified five discontinuous sequences that were particularly productive for highlighting purposes: it is * to (e.g., it is interesting to), it is * that (e.g., it is clear that), the * of the (e.g., the importance of the), the * that (e.g., the fact that), and one of the * (e.g., one of the major). While the novice writers largely depend on the same discontinuous sequences as the experts, they tend to rely more heavily on a limited set of fillers (i.e., lexical items that go in the open slots). Only minor differences across registers were noted, which suggests that highlighting strategies play an important part in all registers investigated. It is hoped that results from this study can help novice writers extend their linguistic repertoire and inform future research on highlighting strategies.

A Midbrain Inspired Recurrent Neural Network Model for Robust Change Detection.

We present a biologically inspired recurrent neural network (RNN) that efficiently detects changes in natural images. The model features sparse, topographic connectivity (st-RNN), closely modeled on the circuit architecture of a "midbrain attention network." We deployed the st-RNN in a challenging change blindness task, in which changes must be detected in a discontinuous sequence of images. Compared with a conventional RNN, the st-RNN learned 9x faster and achieved state-of-the-art performance with 15x fewer connections. An analysis of low-dimensional dynamics revealed putative circuit mechanisms, including a critical role for a global inhibitory (GI) motif, for successful change detection. The model reproduced key experimental phenomena, including midbrain neurons' sensitivity to dynamic stimuli, neural signatures of stimulus competition, as well as hallmark behavioral effects of midbrain microstimulation. Finally, the model accurately predicted human gaze fixations in a change blindness experiment, surpassing state-of-the-art saliency-based methods. The st-RNN provides a novel deep learning model for linking neural computations underlying change detection with psychophysical mechanisms.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT For adaptive survival, our brains must be able to accurately and rapidly detect changing aspects of our visual world. We present a novel deep learning model, a sparse, topographic recurrent neural network (st-RNN), that mimics the neuroanatomy of an evolutionarily conserved "midbrain attention network." The st-RNN achieved robust change detection in challenging change blindness tasks, outperforming conventional RNN architectures. The model also reproduced hallmark experimental phenomena, both neural and behavioral, reported in seminal midbrain studies. Lastly, the st-RNN outperformed state-of-the-art models at predicting human gaze fixations in a laboratory change blindness experiment. Our deep learning model may provide important clues about key mechanisms by which the brain efficiently detects changes.

Using phrase-frames to trace the language development of L1 Chinese learners of English

A recent trend in corpus-based research emphasizes the importance to examine repeated, discontinuous word sequences in addition to continuous ones. The present study extends this trend into research on the use of phrase-frames (repeated word sequences with variable slots, e.g., it is * to) and their variants (e.g., important, easy) in a large corpus of L1 Chinese learner writing in English across five proficiency levels. Phrase-frames were automatically identified based on established frequency and range thresholds and manually filtered for meaningfulness. The analysis focuses on differences in the variability, predictability, and functions of the 100 most frequent phrase-frames (of spans three and four) across levels. The results revealed that, as learners move to more advanced proficiency levels, they tend to employ phrase-frames that are more variable and less predictable. Results also indicate that the functions expressed by high-frequency phrase-frames vary between proficiency levels. This study contributes to a better understanding of the process of L2 learners’ development of phraseological competence.

A comparative study of the phrase frames used in the essays of native and nonnative English students

A phrase frame (i.e., p-frame) is a type of recurrent discontinuous multiword sequence. So far, many studies have investigated the p-frames used in written texts in various genres, disciplines, and registers. However, few previous p-frame studies have attempted a comparative analysis of the p-frames used by native and nonnative English students. This scarcity prevents us from obtaining a full understanding of phraseological competence development in nonnative English learners. Using a corpus-driven approach, the current study identified and compared the 5-word p-frames used by native and nonnative English students in their college essays. The results showed no statistically significant difference between these two groups with respect to the types and tokens of p-frames used in their essays. However, significant intergroup differences could be observed when the predictability, variability, structural characteristics, and discourse functions of the identified p-frames were considered. These findings on the use of p-frames by native and nonnative English students could complement the comparative studies of recurrent continuous multiword sequences and thus advance our understanding of phraseological competence development in nonnative English learners.

Le problème de l’analyse des troubles de la pensée dans le discours avec la personne schizophrène : proposition méthodologique

ObjectiveWe are designing the beginnings of a methodology for the analysis of discursive disorders that will have the particularity of helping to pinpoint the discontinuous sequences that are most likely to signal the presence of thought disorders. We anticipate the development of a modeling system based on principles of pragmatic linguistics and formal semantics, which, applied to carefully selected discontinuous discourse sequences, will have a good chance of revealing the nature of the underlying thought disorders. MethodWe proceed to the analysis of the experimental literature in cognitive psychopathology that aims at identifying the cognitive processes, in this case related to semantic memory and executive functions, which are believed to define thought disorders. We confront this paradigm with other approaches in cognitive psychology and the philosophy of language that explore the language of thought. The combined theoretical and empirical findings allow us to arrive at a set of conjectures that anticipate the pragmatic and semantic properties of discourse transactions that are likely signs of disorders. ResultsWe compare these conjectures with the results of a previous study on the discovery of four “proven” types of discontinuous sequences; and we show which of these sequences can thus be considered as symptomatic of thought disorders. In continuity, we analyze some of these sequences by testing some principles of semantic modeling in order to identify the nature of the disorders and thought operations underlying the relevant discontinuous sequences. DiscussionWe show that discursive thought disorders should not be considered simply as an expression of a dysexecutive syndrome but also as a device that is likely to affect more complex thought operations, such as the inferences involved in the representation system of the conversational context, in the meaning calculus of the utterances, and in the speaker's meaning calculus. Improving the heuristics of formal systems for recognizing discourse disorders and interpreting thought disorders on the basis of more appropriate and accurate semantic modeling may lead to the development of more discriminating and effective diagnostic tools. ConclusionThe format of the formal systems that we have created will allow us to represent the interlocutory structure of the disorder in its natural context of expression with increasing precision, and should lead to the development of computerized tools to assist in diagnosis. Finally, the increased precision of formal modeling applied to communication disorders should also allow us to test the hypothesis according to which certain discursive configurations are based on thought disorders (in a broad sense) whereas others reveal cognitive dysfunctions that have to do, rather, with the conditions of possibility of discourse.

Fast and flexible processing of large FRET image stacks using the FRET-IBRA toolkit.

Ratiometric time-lapse FRET analysis requires a robust and accurate processing pipeline to eliminate bias in intensity measurements on fluorescent images before further quantitative analysis can be conducted. This level of robustness can only be achieved by supplementing automated tools with built-in flexibility for manual ad-hoc adjustments. FRET-IBRA is a modular and fully parallelized configuration file-based tool written in Python. It simplifies the FRET processing pipeline to achieve accurate, registered, and unified ratio image stacks. The flexibility of this tool to handle discontinuous image frame sequences with tailored configuration parameters further streamlines the processing of outliers and time-varying effects in the original microscopy images. FRET-IBRA offers cluster-based channel background subtraction, photobleaching correction, and ratio image construction in an all-in-one solution without the need for multiple applications, image format conversions, and/or plug-ins. The package accepts a variety of input formats and outputs TIFF image stacks along with performance measures to detect both the quality and failure of the background subtraction algorithm on a per frame basis. Furthermore, FRET-IBRA outputs images with superior signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy in comparison to existing background subtraction solutions, whilst maintaining a fast runtime. We have used the FRET-IBRA package extensively to quantify the spatial distribution of calcium ions during pollen tube growth under mechanical constraints. Benchmarks against existing tools clearly demonstrate the need for FRET-IBRA in extracting reliable insights from FRET microscopy images of dynamic physiological processes at high spatial and temporal resolution. The source code for Linux and Mac operating systems is released under the BSD license and, along with installation instructions, test images, example configuration files, and a step-by-step tutorial, is freely available at github.com/gmunglani/fret-ibra.