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Abstract Botanical experts are typically relied upon to classify houseplants since even subtle differences in characteristics such as leaves can distinguish one species from another. Therefore, an automated system for recognizing houseplant leaves with accuracy and reliability becomes a valuable asset for the identification of indoor plant species. In this paper, a houseplant leaf classification system utilizing deep learning algorithms is proposed, which has been improved to effectively classify and identify a variety of houseplant leaf types. The system uses the ResNet-50 architecture based on convolutional neural network to analyze features of the leaf images and extract relevant information for classification. In addition, this work presents a newly constructed local dataset consisting of 2500 images to classify species of houseplant leaves. The dataset includes ten types of houseplant leaves that are suitable for cultivation in various climates at home. The dataset was augmented using data augmentation algorithms to increase its size and reduce overfitting. The developed system was training and testing using a local dataset. To evaluate the improved model, comparative experiments were conducted utilizing pre-trained models (original ResNet-50 and MobileNet_v2). The improved model revealed recognition accuracy of 99% with the augmented dataset and 98.60% without the augmentation, affirming its effectiveness. The improved model could potentially be used in various fields, including horticulture, plant pathology, and environmental monitoring to identify plant species.

Abdominal lymphovascular malformations (ALMs) are rare cystic masses that can present with nonspecific symptoms. We present a case of a 7-month-old boy who, during an uncomplicated communicating hydrocele repair, was found to have an incidental large, prolapsed mesenteric abdominal lymphovascular malformation. The case serves to highlight the variability in presentation and natural history of ALMs, and the ease with which they can be disguised by more common pathology. We further underscore the importance of individualized therapy with regards to ALMs, emphasized by our course of active surveillance allowing our patient to avoid ionizing radiation and additional surgical intervention.

Current guidelines regarding treatment for germ-cell tumors (GCTs) emphasizes cautious progression focusing on stage-specific treatments. Presented herein is the case of a 30-year-old man who, through monitoring of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and surveillance imaging, avoided excessive treatment. This case demonstrates how an experienced clinician, familiar with natural history of GCTs, can appropriately classify level of risk and allow a patient to preserve natural fertility. Furthermore, we highlight the potential for miRNA analysis in staging and management of GCTs. This case serves to underscore the importance of acting with caution in the pursuit of the best outcome for our patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukemia is blood cancer, and it is one of the most common and deadly causes of death in the world. Morphologically, Leukemia cells are classified into three types of L1, L2, and L3 by the French‑American‑British (FAB) classification. A new method of automatically segmenting blast cells from microscopic blood smear images proposed in this research. This study proposes significant pre-processing to obtain high segmentation performance and presents a new combination of image processing approaches. specially, the five color spaces selected with K-means cluster to segment subtypes of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. The majority of the components of the performance color space were chosen based on their similarity with ground truth image through using five evaluation parameters. The proposed codes for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia subtype accurate segmentation applied on local and public datasets (427 images). The best color space type was YIQ which had 87% performance for the public dataset with segmentation evaluation 96.24% for dice parameter

This paper reports the results of the first three in a series of experiments on tactile perception which form part of a larger project on tactile perceptions and spatial representations and the design of tactile interfaces for mobility devices for blind, partially sighted and deafblind people. The results indicate the potential of tactile interfaces, including to support environmental exploration and mobility. The participants showed reasonably good ability to determine the direction of motion of an arrow, with best recognition rates in the up and right directions. They showed reasonably good ability to use a tactile interface to detect and avoid obstacles after a very short learning period and more limited ability to learn and remember an environmental representation using information from a tactile interface and walking through the environment without specific instructions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article draws on the experiences of 28 deafblind people in six different countries to discuss accompanied and unaccompanied independent travel for deafblind people. These experiences were obtained from interviews carried out as part of a larger research project on travel issues. The research aimed to improve understanding of their travel behavior, including preferences for the use of travel aids or sighted guides, their spatial representations and the need for accessible information systems and public spaces, as well as cross-country comparisons and the changes required to facilitate both everyday and tourism travel for (deaf)blind people. The analysis of their experiences was used to develop recommendations in the areas of communication and access to information, international standardization to support international travel, crossing (indicators), street furniture, orientation and mobility training, and public transport, as well as suggestions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCities as a living environment play a significant role in creating satisfaction, they indeed shape human's lifestyle and determine their life quality. Regarding the quality of man-made environments not only encourages them to cooperate, but also induces a sense of satisfaction among individuals. Urban growth and rapid urban expansion have caused various crises in terms of urban life including environmental challenges and declining the quality of urban environs. Following increased urbanization in our country and rapid changing space for several reasons in terms of urban texture, the quality of urban environs has seriously declined. When it comes to environmental quality, the emphasis is still over construction and physical shape. The paper tends to measure and zone the physical environment quality of the middle texture of Tabriz city based on recent statistics and data. The research method is based on the objectives applying descriptive- analytical in terms of its methodology. During first steps of sample collection, we initially measure the quality of urban environment through field studies preparing and filling out some questionnaires. And in the second step, we apply softwares including: EXCEL, CHOICE, EXPERT to measure the data and finally apply ARC GIS to display the research findings. However the yields of central tissue zoning of Tabriz reflect that 5.77% of regional area is in an unfavorable condition, 19.38% favorable condition and 74.83% is in moderate utility status.

This paper is devoted to investigate the integrability and linearizability problems around a singular point at the origin of a cubic three-dimensional Lotka-Volterra differential system with -resonance. A complete set of necessary conditions for both integrability and linearizability are given. For sufficiency part, we show that the system has two analytic first integrals at the origin. In particular, we use Darboux method of integrability, linearizable node and transformation technique to show that the system admits two independent first integrals.

Cities as a living environment play a significant role in creating satisfaction, they indeed shape human's lifestyle and determine their life quality. Regarding the quality of man-made environments not only encourages them to cooperate, but also induces a sense of satisfaction among individuals. Urban growth and rapid urban expansion have caused various crises in terms of urban life including environmental challenges and declining the quality of urban environs. Following increased urbanization in our country and rapid changing space for several reasons in terms of urban texture, the quality of urban environs has seriously declined. When it comes to environmental quality, the emphasis is still over construction and physical shape. The paper tends to measure and zone the physical environment quality of the middle texture of Tabriz city based on recent statistics and data. The research method is based on the objectives applying descriptive- analytical in terms of its methodology. During first steps of sample collection, we initially measure the quality of urban environment through field studies preparing and filling out some questionnaires. And in the second step, we apply softwares including: EXCEL, CHOICE, EXPERT to measure the data and finally apply ARC GIS to display the research findings. However the yields of central tissue zoning of Tabriz reflect that 5.77% of regional area is in an unfavorable condition, 19.38% favorable condition and 74.83% is in moderate utility status.

This article cites compelling evidence indicating that end-stage-dementia patients receive poor palliative care. Some healthcare professionals and many families remain unaware that dementia is a terminal disease. Dementia is an underdiscussed, incurable illness. Often, its mention lies buried within the patient's history and is rarely cited as the reason for hospital admission. Yet, symptoms of advanced dementia are frequently the chief complaints warranting hospitalization to treat hip fractures and control infections due to skin breakdown. The lack of awareness about dementia's terminal trajectory points to an underutilization of palliative care. The 2008 Medicare Never-Events rule, blocking payment for hospital-acquired fractures due to falls and pressure ulcers, presents opportunities to increase palliative care's involvement in patients with this disease. This article reviews the literature, making evidence based suggestions for palliative care teams to heighten interdisciplinary education and collaboration focused on demented patients at risk for falls, fractures, and bedsores. The Medicare rulings present opportunities for palliative care to demonstrate how skilled practitioners engage patients and families in sensitive, decision-focused conversations, prompting surrogates' understanding that dementia is a terminal illness. In addition, these heightened interdisciplinary networks, inspired by palliative care, help ensure patient safety and assist hospitals achieve accountability for healthcare quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resident and recruited olfactory epithelial macrophages participate in the regulation of the survival, degeneration, and replacement of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). We have reported that liposome-encapsulated clodronate (Lip-C) induced selective and statistically significant depletion of macrophages in the OE of sham and 48 h OBX mice (38 and 35%, respectively) that resulted in increased OSN apoptosis and decreased numbers of mature OSNs and proliferating basal cells compared to controls (Lip-O). The aim of this study was to identify molecular mechanisms by which the selective depletion of macrophages in the OE resulted in these cellular changes by using a microarray expression pattern analysis. A 22 ANOVA identified 4,085 overall significantly (P 0.01) regulated genes in the OE of Lip-O and Lip-C sham and 48 h OBX mice, and further statistical analysis using pairwise comparisons identified 4,024 genes that had either a significant (P 0.01) treatment main effect (n 2,680), group main effect (n 778), or interaction effect (n 980). The mean hybridization signals of immune response genes, e.g., Cxcr4, and genes encoding growth factors and neurogenesis regulators, e.g., Hdgf and Neurod1, respectively, were primarily lower in Lip-C mice compared with Lip-O mice. Apoptosis genes, e.g., Bak1, were also differentially regulated in Lip-C and/or OBX mice. Expression patterns of selected genes were validated with real-time RT-PCR; immunohistochemistry was used to localize selected gene products. These results identified the differential regulation of several novel genes through which alternatively activated macrophages regulate OSN progenitor cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation, and the survival of OSNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-control, mental accounting, and framing are incorporated in a behavioral enrichment of the life. cycle theory of saving called the Behavioral Life-Cycle (BLC) hypothesis. The key assumption of the BLC theory is that households treat components of their wealth as nonfungible, even in the absence of credit rationing. Specifically, wealth is assumed to be divided into three mental accounts: current income, current assets, and future income. The temptation to spend is assumed to be greatest for current income and least for future income. Considerable empirical support for the BLC theory is presented, primarily drawn from published econometric studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally shift operators have been used to represent discrete time systems. However they have the drawbacks of often introducing unstable zeros into the discretization of a minimum phase continuous time system and not giving convergence to the continuous time behaviour as the sampling time tends to zero. The delta operator has been shown to perform better in both these respects, and many authors consider that it should replace the shift operator. However there are also a number of other possibilities. The question then arises of whether the delta operator is indeed the most appropriate operator to be used in the representation of discrete time systems. In this work the performance of δ-operator system representations is compared with that of w-operator ones. It is shown that both operators are suitable to be used in systems representations and superior to the commonly used shift operator, but that, on balance, the δ operator is preferable to the w operator. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Characterization of the pharmacokinetics of 2-FLAA has been completed in seven patients receiving 18 or 25 mg/m2 daily X 5 of 2-FLAMP over 30 min. Assuming 2-FLAMP was instantaneously converted to 2-FLAA, the plasma levels of 2-FLAA declined in a biexponential fashion. Computer fitting of the plasma concentration-time curves yielded an average distribution half-life (t1/2 alpha) of 0.60 h and a terminal half-life (t1/2 beta) of 9.3 h. The estimated plasma clearance was 9.07 +/- 3.77 l/h per m2 and the steady state volume of distribution, 96.2 +/- 26.0 l/m2. There was a significant inverse correlation between the area under the curve (AUC) and absolute granulocyte count (r = -0.94, P less than 0.02). A relationship between creatinine clearance and total body clearance was noted, but was not statistically significant (r = 0.828; P less than 0.1). Approximately 24% +/- 3% of 2-FLAA was excreted renally over the 5-day course of drug administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisantrene (NSC-337766) was administered to five patients with cancer of the liver (one case of hepatocellular carcinoma, two of metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary, two of metastatic colorectal carcinoma). Under fluoroscopic guidance, percutaneous hepatic venous catheters were placed in five patients and percutaneous hepatic arterial catheters in four. A fifth patient's hepatic arterial catheter was implanted at laparotomy. Hepatic plasma flow was estimated by the Fick principle using peripheral vein indocyanine green infusion. On the first day of treatment, patients received a 2- or 4 h hepatic arterial infusion of bisantrene (130 mg/m2); peripheral venous, hepatic arterial, and hepatic venous timed blood samples were drawn during and for 18 h after drug infusion. On the second day of treatment, 2- or 4 h peripheral vein infusion of bisantrene (130 mg/m2) was followed by the same blood sampling schedule. Patients were followed weekly for toxicity. Four patients received only one course of treatment, while a fifth received two courses. All patients experienced leukopenia (median nadir 2400/mm3; range 1400-2700/mm3). Two patients developed fever after drug infusion. No antitumor responses were observed. Plasma bisantrene concentrations were measured by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic analyses are reported for four patients. The hepatic extraction ratio ranged from 15% to 49%, hepatic plasma clearances were 0.029-0.353 1/min/m2; peripheral vein areas under the concentration-time curve during hepatic arterial infusion ranged from 35% to 50% of peripheral vein areas under the curve during peripheral vein infusion. We conclude that hepatic arterial bisantrene infusion offers only modest pharmacokinetic advantage to the target organ or to the systemic circulation over peripheral vein infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased recognition of the importance of sustainable development is posing new challenges for industry. A systems approach gives a framework for reconciling the needs of sustainable development with all the other demands on industry. The computer industry has been chosen to illustrate the application of a systems approach to green design in industry on account of both its increasing economic importance and the increasing role of computers in society. A number of examples are given to illustrate the advantages of a systems approach to green design, and the main principles and some of the details of a systems approach to green design in the computer industry are discussed. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the exemplary industrial system models from the event-driven simulator up to Approximate network analytical performance evaluation system tool (Anapest). The basic approximations assumed in Anapest are roughly discussed together with the basic network configuration for which the tool was developed. The two basic ways of Anapest validation, i.e. the internal network measuring tool Sitwa and event-driven simulation are depicted. In addition, the major network performance evaluation projects run till now described, together with the basic outcome from Anapest.