Possible Amount Of Data Research Articles

Top-down and bottom-up approaches to video quality of experience studies; overview and proposal of a new model

Modern video streaming services require quality assurance of the presented audiovisual material. Quality assurance mechanisms allow streaming platforms to provide quality levels that are considered sufficient to yield user satisfaction, with the least possible amount of data transferred. A variety of measures and approaches have been developed to control video quality, e.g., by adapting it to network conditions. These include objective matrices of the quality and thresholds identified by means of subjective perceptual judgments. The former group of matrices has recently gained the attention of (multi) media researchers. They call this area of study “Quality of Experience” (QoE). In this paper, we present a theoretical model based on review of previous QoE’s models. We argue that most of them represent the bottom-up approach to modeling. Such models focus on describing as many variables as possible, but with a limited ability to investigate the causal relationship between them; therefore, the applicability of the findings in practice is limited. To advance the field, we therefore propose a structural, top-down model of video QoE that describes causal relationships among variables. This novel top-down model serves as a practical guide for structuring QoE experiments, ensuring the incorporation of influential factors in a confirmatory manner.

Modified Self-Adaptive Bayesian Algorithm for Smart Heart Disease Prediction in IoT System

Heart disease (HD) has surpassed all other causes of death in recent years. Estimating one’s risk of developing heart disease is difficult, since it takes both specialized knowledge and practical experience. The collection of sensor information for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac disease is a recent application of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in healthcare organizations. Despite the efforts of many scientists, the diagnostic results for HD remain unreliable. To solve this problem, we offer an IoT platform that uses a Modified Self-Adaptive Bayesian algorithm (MSABA) to provide more precise assessments of HD. When the patient wears the smartwatch and pulse sensor device, it records vital signs, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure, and sends the data to a computer. The MSABA is used to determine whether the sensor data that has been obtained is normal or abnormal. To retrieve the features, the kernel discriminant analysis (KDA) is used. By contrasting the suggested MSABA with existing models, we can summarize the system’s efficacy. Findings like accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 measures show that the suggested MSABA-based prediction system outperforms competing approaches. The suggested method demonstrates that the MSABA achieves the highest rate of accuracy compared to the existing classifiers for the largest possible amount of data.

Active learning for data efficient semantic segmentation of canine bones in radiographs.

X-ray bone semantic segmentation is one crucial task in medical imaging. Due to deep learning's emergence, it was possible to build high-precision models. However, these models require a large quantity of annotated data. Furthermore, semantic segmentation requires pixel-wise labeling, thus being a highly time-consuming task. In the case of hip joints, there is still a need for increased anatomic knowledge due to the intrinsic nature of the femur and acetabulum. Active learning aims to maximize the model's performance with the least possible amount of data. In this work, we propose and compare the use of different queries, including uncertainty and diversity-based queries. Our results show that the proposed methods permit state-of-the-art performance using only 81.02% of the data, with time complexity.

The Relationship between Corporate Governance and Performance of Pension Fund Managers in Kenya

Pension funds performance in Kenya have been facing myriad of challenges ranging from poor administration and investments of pension funds, lack of transparency and accountability, non-remittance of monthly contributions by employers, misappropriation of scheme assets by the trustees, loss of scheme funds through negligence of trustees and poor investment of the scheme assets. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between corporate governance, and performance of registered pension fund managers in Kenya. This study adopted positivism philosophy. The study employed a cross sectional survey design whereby access to the widest possible amount of data from the targeted Fund Managers in Kenya was sought. The population of interest of the study was 31 Fund Managers in Kenya licensed by RBA and CMA. The study used purely primary data sources. Primary data was obtained from the selected respondents. Primary data was collected through questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to establish the relative significance of each of the variables on the influence of corporate governance on the performance of pension fund managers in Kenya. The study findings indicated that there was significant relationship between corporate governance and performance of pension fund managers in Kenya. The study concluded that there is significant relationship between corporate governance and performance of pension fund managers in Kenya. The study determined that the corporate governance practices being implemented had been incorporated in the Pension Fund’s investment management decisions with its assets being more diversified and having enhanced reporting on investments. The study recommends on pension reforms, by creating a new class of potential activist shareholders in the form of pension funds, could in principle improve corporate governance and increased shareholder discipline. The governments as well as Pension Fund Managers supervisors should consider a more active role in the selection process of the board members, while reducing their choices to professional beneficiaries of the pension funds Keywords: Corporate Governance, Transparency, Ownership Structure, Accountability, Participation Performance, Pension Fund Managers & Kenya

The Intervening Effect of Investment Policies on the Relationship between Corporate Governance and Performance of Pension Fund Managers in Kenya

The pension fund is a common asset pool meant to generate stable growth over the long term, and provide pensions for employees when they reach the end of their working years and commence retirement. These targeted investments often require union built construction or are aimed at job creation and retention as in the case of private equity investments. Pension fund performance has received increased attention across the world with public pension fund performing dismally when compared to private pension fund.. This study sought to determine the intervening effect of investment policies on the relationship between corporate governance and performance of pension fund managers in Kenya. The study employed a cross sectional survey design whereby access to the widest possible amount of data from the targeted Fund Managers in Kenya was sought. The population of interest of the study was 31 Fund Managers in Kenya licensed by RBA and CMA. The study used purely primary data sources. Primary data was obtained from the selected respondents. Primary data was collected through questionnaire. Regression analysis was used to establish the relative significance of each of the variables on the influence of corporate governance on the performance of pension fund managers in Kenya. The study findings indicated that there exists a partial mediation effect on the mediating role of investment policies on the relationship between corporate governance and performance of pension fund managers. The study thus, rejected the null hypothesis and adopted the alternative hypothesis that there is a partial intervening effect of investment policies in the relationship between corporate governance and performance of pension fund managers in Kenya. The study recommends that the governing body of the pension fund should set forth in a written statement and actively observe an overall investment policy. The investment policy should establish clear investment objectives for the pension fund that are consistent with the retirement income objective of the pension fund and, therefore, with the characteristics of the liabilities of the pension fund and with the acceptable degree of risk for the pension fund, the plan sponsor and the plan members and beneficiaries. The approach for achieving those objectives should satisfy the prudent person standard taking into account the need for proper diversification and risk management, the maturity of the obligations and the liquidity needs of the pension fund, and any specific legal limitations on portfolio allocation. Keywords: Investment Policies, Corporate Governance, Performance & Pension Fund Managers.

Aesthetics of Byzantine Christian Art

The current study addressed the study of (The aesthetics of Byzantine Christian art). Its problem was identified by answering the following question: What are the aesthetics of Christian art represented by the Byzantine icon? Also, it aims to (recognize the aesthetics of Byzantine icon art). The research community was identified to achieve the goal, which consisted of icons and religious drawings that the researchers could count as a framework for the research community after collecting pictures of the subject from foreign and Arab sources and Internet sites. The sample was drawn according to the following reasons: a) It covers the temporal and spatial limits of the research and what fits with the data to achieve the goal, b) Diversity of technical methods adopted in drawing icons and c) The study sample models witnessed a diversity of contents and ideas. The research study reached the following conclusions. First, they borrow iconographic products, religious images and semantic symbols related to the Christian tradition and employ them through analytical visual inferences, in harmony with the structural and structural treatments of the elements and organizational foundations. Second, the products of icon art are associated with the nature of the transition from the tangible to the ideal and in line with the loading of the composition structure with an expressive energy, explaining the necessity of interpretation of religious discourse, and defining the operational vision with a clear dramatic sense. Third, the iconographic models depend on philosophical data supporting the religious meaning carried in them and giving endless explanations for the public discourse affecting the functionality of (idea) or (event). Fourth, the models of iconographic art are close to the nature of the functional induction of spiritual and sacred tendencies. At the level of deep interpretations accompanying visual forms with a clear aesthetic impact, we find that icon art carries with it religious reference effects related to the sacred. Lastly, Icon art invests in accumulating aesthetic knowledge to produce the artistic image and summons the largest possible amount of data affecting its formulation and output.

On Kolmogorov Complexity of Unitary Transformations in Quantum Computing

We introduce a notion of Kolmogorov complexity of unitary transformation, which can (roughly) be understood as the least possible amount of information required to fully describe and reconstruct a given finite unitary transformation. In the context of quantum computing, it corresponds to the least possible amount of data to define and describe a quantum circuit or quantum computer program. Our Kolmogorov complexity of unitary transformation is built upon Kolmogorov "qubit complexity" of Berthiaume, W. Van Dam and S. Laplante via mapping from unitary transformations to unnormalized density operators, which are subsequently "purified" into unnormalized vectors in Hilbert space. We discuss the optimality of our notion of Kolmogorov complexity in a broad sense.

Adapterama I: universal stubs and primers for 384 unique dual-indexed or 147,456 combinatorially-indexed Illumina libraries (iTru & iNext).

Massively parallel DNA sequencing offers many benefits, but major inhibitory cost factors include: (1) start-up (i.e., purchasing initial reagents and equipment); (2) buy-in (i.e., getting the smallest possible amount of data from a run); and (3) sample preparation. Reducing sample preparation costs is commonly addressed, but start-up and buy-in costs are rarely addressed. We present dual-indexing systems to address all three of these issues. By breaking the library construction process into universal, re-usable, combinatorial components, we reduce all costs, while increasing the number of samples and the variety of library types that can be combined within runs. We accomplish this by extending the Illumina TruSeq dual-indexing approach to 768 (384 + 384) indexed primers that produce 384 unique dual-indexes or 147,456 (384 × 384) unique combinations. We maintain eight nucleotide indexes, with many that are compatible with Illumina index sequences. We synthesized these indexing primers, purifying them with only standard desalting and placing small aliquots in replicate plates. In qPCR validation tests, 206 of 208 primers tested passed (99% success). We then created hundreds of libraries in various scenarios. Our approach reduces start-up and per-sample costs by requiring only one universal adapter that works with indexed PCR primers to uniquely identify samples. Our approach reduces buy-in costs because: (1) relatively few oligonucleotides are needed to produce a large number of indexed libraries; and (2) the large number of possible primers allows researchers to use unique primer sets for different projects, which facilitates pooling of samples during sequencing. Our libraries make use of standard Illumina sequencing primers and index sequence length and are demultiplexed with standard Illumina software, thereby minimizing customization headaches. In subsequent Adapterama papers, we use these same primers with different adapter stubs to construct amplicon and restriction-site associated DNA libraries, but their use can be expanded to any type of library sequenced on Illumina platforms.

Biodiversidata: A Collaborative Initiative Towards Open Data Availability in Uruguay

Data-sharing has become a key component in the modern scientific era of large-scale research, with numerous advantages for both data collectors and users. However, data-sharing in Uruguay remains neglected given that major public sources of biodiversity information (government and academia) are not open-access. As a consequence, the patterns and drivers of biodiversity in this country remain poorly understood and so does our ability to manage and conserve its biodiversity. To overcome this critical gap, collaborative strategies are needed to communicate the importance and benefits of data openness, exchange and provide technical tools and training on all aspects of data management, sharing practices, focus on incentives, and motivation structures for data-holders. Here, we introduce the Biodiversidata initiative (www.biodiversidata.org) – a novel Uruguayan Consortium of Biodiversity Data. Biodiversidata is a collaboration among experts with the aim of improving the country’s biodiversity knowledge and the open-access of the vast resources they generate. Biodiversidata aims to collate the first comprehensive open-access database on Uruguay's whole biodiversity, to support advancements in scientific research and conservation actions. Currently, Biodiversidata consists of over 30 experts from across national and international institutions, studying diverse biodiversity groups. After less than two years, we have collected, curated and standardised a dataset of ~70,000 records of primary biodiversity data of tetrapod species – the first and most comprehensive open biodiversity database ever gathered for Uruguay to date. However, the process is hampered by multiple challenges: the lack of support for sampling of specimens and maintenance of collections has contributed to the situation were data are often perceived as personal property rather than collective resources; institutions have no plans or strategies directed to digitisation of their collections which actually places biodiversity data in Uruguay ‘at risk’ of being lost; the scarce governmental and academic incentive structures towards open scientific research relegates data-sharing to a personal decision; although scientists individually are willing to share their research data, the lack of data management plans within their research groups hampers the capacity to digitise the data and thus, to make them available; former initiatives aimed to create comprehensive biodiversity databases did not consider the balance between openness and gain for researchers, setting the subject of data-sharing more of an obligation than a path of promotion, which impacted negatively in the perception of scientist to open their data. the lack of support for sampling of specimens and maintenance of collections has contributed to the situation were data are often perceived as personal property rather than collective resources; institutions have no plans or strategies directed to digitisation of their collections which actually places biodiversity data in Uruguay ‘at risk’ of being lost; the scarce governmental and academic incentive structures towards open scientific research relegates data-sharing to a personal decision; although scientists individually are willing to share their research data, the lack of data management plans within their research groups hampers the capacity to digitise the data and thus, to make them available; former initiatives aimed to create comprehensive biodiversity databases did not consider the balance between openness and gain for researchers, setting the subject of data-sharing more of an obligation than a path of promotion, which impacted negatively in the perception of scientist to open their data. To overcome some of these challenges, we decided to direct Biodiversidata to individual researchers/experts and not institutions. We called them with the plan of collecting the maximum possible amount of data from vertebrate, invertebrate and plant species, use it to collaboratively generate impactful scientific research. An important aspect was that we requested data only to fit the premise of being primary biodiversity data (i.e., data records that document the occurrence of a species in space and time). This meant cleaning and standardising very heterogeneous information, from a variety of source types and formats, including updating scientific names and georeferentiating sampling locations. However, centralising the cleaning process allowed researchers to send their raw records without spending time cleaning them themselves and, as a consequence, enlarged the amount of data being collated. Collectively, Biodiversidata’s approach towards changing the culture of data-sharing practices has relied on the reinforcement of a scientific collaboration culture that benefits not only researchers at the individual level, but the progress of larger-scale issues as a whole. There is a long way to go on the subject of open research data in Uruguay, though, aiming strategies to people, capitalising data management and progressing with step-by-step rewards, is already showing some preliminary encouraging results.

Evaluation and optimal redesigning of river water-quality monitoring networks (RWQMN) using geostatistics approach (case study: Karun, Iran)

Water-quality monitoring networks (WQMNs) are principal to planning and management of water resources. However, constructing and maintaining monitoring stations as well as analyzing the acquired data are costly processes. A well-designed network is one that provides the greatest possible amount of data from the fewest number of stations, so that the overall cost of monitoring is reduced. In this study, WQMN sampling locations of the Karun River, in south-western Iran were evaluated by simultaneously applying two geostatistical methods: ordinary kriging (OK) and sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS). In the evaluation, kriging estimations, and their variances and realizations of the concentrations of two main water-quality variables [electrical conductivity (EC) and dissolved oxygen (DO)] were considered. The results showed that the system of sampling locations should be modified to reach an optimized network. It is necessary to set up stations or increase sampling frequency in some existing stations when adjacent ones are far away or when some polluters exist nearby. The combining of the two techniques (OK and SGS) applied simultaneously was evaluated in this study to evaluate the existing WQMN. The results showed that this process applies to evaluating and optimizing other WQMNs as well.

Combining Lipophilic dye, <em>in situ</em> Hybridization, Immunohistochemistry, and Histology

Going beyond single gene function to cut deeper into gene regulatory networks requires multiple mutations combined in a single animal. Such analysis of two or more genes needs to be complemented with in situ hybridization of other genes, or immunohistochemistry of their proteins, both in whole mounted developing organs or sections for detailed resolution of the cellular and tissue expression alterations. Combining multiple gene alterations requires the use of cre or flipase to conditionally delete genes and avoid embryonic lethality. Required breeding schemes dramatically enhance effort and cost proportional to the number of genes mutated, with an outcome of very few animals with the full repertoire of genetic modifications desired. Amortizing the vast amount of effort and time to obtain these few precious specimens that are carrying multiple mutations necessitates tissue optimization. Moreover, investigating a single animal with multiple techniques makes it easier to correlate gene deletion defects with expression profiles. We have developed a technique to obtain a more thorough analysis of a given animal; with the ability to analyze several different histologically recognizable structures as well as gene and protein expression all from the same specimen in both whole mounted organs and sections. Although mice have been utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique it can be applied to a wide array of animals. To do this we combine lipophilic dye tracing, whole mount in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and histology to extract the maximal possible amount of data.

Combining Lipophilic dye, <em>in situ</em> Hybridization, Immunohistochemistry, and Histology

Going beyond single gene function to cut deeper into gene regulatory networks requires multiple mutations combined in a single animal. Such analysis of two or more genes needs to be complemented with in situ hybridization of other genes, or immunohistochemistry of their proteins, both in whole mounted developing organs or sections for detailed resolution of the cellular and tissue expression alterations. Combining multiple gene alterations requires the use of cre or flipase to conditionally delete genes and avoid embryonic lethality. Required breeding schemes dramatically enhance effort and cost proportional to the number of genes mutated, with an outcome of very few animals with the full repertoire of genetic modifications desired. Amortizing the vast amount of effort and time to obtain these few precious specimens that are carrying multiple mutations necessitates tissue optimization. Moreover, investigating a single animal with multiple techniques makes it easier to correlate gene deletion defects with expression profiles. We have developed a technique to obtain a more thorough analysis of a given animal; with the ability to analyze several different histologically recognizable structures as well as gene and protein expression all from the same specimen in both whole mounted organs and sections. Although mice have been utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique it can be applied to a wide array of animals. To do this we combine lipophilic dye tracing, whole mount in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and histology to extract the maximal possible amount of data.

Signal strength based routing for power saving in mobile ad hoc networks

The transmission bandwidth between two nodes in mobile ad hoc networks is important in terms of power consumption. However, the bandwidth between two nodes is always treated the same, regardless of what the distance is between the two nodes. If a node equips a GPS device to determine the distance between two nodes, the hardware cost and the power consumption increase. In this paper, we propose using a bandwidth-based power-aware routing protocol with signal detection instead of using GPS devices to determine the distance. In our proposed routing protocol, we use the received signal variation to predict the transmission bandwidth and the lifetime of a link. Accordingly, the possible amount of data that can be transmitted and the remaining power of nodes in the path after data transmission can be predicted. By predicting the possible amount of data that can be transmitted and the remaining power of nodes after data transmission, we can design a bandwidth-based power-aware routing protocol that has power efficiency and that prolongs network lifetime. In our simulation, we compare our proposed routing protocol with two signal-based routing protocols, SSA and ABR, and a power-aware routing protocol, MMBCR, in terms of the throughput, the average transmission bandwidth, the number of rerouting paths, the path lifetime, the power consumed when a byte is transmitted, and the network lifetime (the ratio of active nodes).

A phylogenomic study of human, dog, and mouse.

In recent years the phylogenetic relationship of mammalian orders has been addressed in a number of molecular studies. These analyses have frequently yielded inconsistent results with respect to some basal ordinal relationships. For example, the relative placement of primates, rodents, and carnivores has differed in various studies. Here, we attempt to resolve this phylogenetic problem by using data from completely sequenced nuclear genomes to base the analyses on the largest possible amount of data. To minimize the risk of reconstruction artifacts, the trees were reconstructed under different criteria—distance, parsimony, and likelihood. For the distance trees, distance metrics that measure independent phenomena (amino acid replacement, synonymous substitution, and gene reordering) were used, as it is highly improbable that all of the trees would be affected the same way by any reconstruction artifact. In contradiction to the currently favored classification, our results based on full-genome analysis of the phylogenetic relationship between human, dog, and mouse yielded overwhelming support for a primate–carnivore clade with the exclusion of rodents.