This work demonstrates a hybrid deep learning (DL) model for lung cancer (LC) detection using CT images. Firstly, the input image is passed to the pre-processing stage, where the input image is filtered using a BF and the obtained filtered image is subjected to lung lobe segmentation, where segmentation is done using squeeze U-SegNet. Feature extraction is performed, where features including entropy with fuzzy local binary patterns (EFLBP), local optimal oriented pattern (LOOP), and grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) features are mined. After completing the extracting of features, LC is detected utilising the hybrid efficient-ShuffleNet (HES-Net) method, wherein the HES-Net is established by the incorporation of EfficientNet and ShuffleNet. The presented HES-Net for LC detection is investigated for its performance concerning TNR, and TPR, and accuracy is established to have acquired values of 92.1%, 93.1%, and 91.3%.

Takahito YOSHIDA,Takaharu YAGUCHI,Takashi MATSUBARA, Vol.E107-D, No.11, pp.1458-1462
Accurately simulating physical systems is essential in various fields. In recent years, deep learning has been used to automatically build models of such systems by learning from data. One such method is the neural ordinary differential equation (neural ODE), which treats the output of a neural network as the time derivative of the system states. However, while this and related methods have shown promise, their training strategies still require further development. Inspired by error analysis techniques in numerical analysis while replacing numerical errors with modeling errors, we propose the error-analytic strategy to address this issue. Therefore, our strategy can capture long-term errors and thus improve the accuracy of long-term predictions.
Publication Date: 2024/11/01

Qinghua WU,Weitong LI, Vol.E107-D, No.11, pp.1422-1432
Multi-focus image fusion involves combining partially focused images of the same scene to create an all-in-focus image. Aiming at the problems of existing multi-focus image fusion algorithms that the benchmark image is difficult to obtain and the convolutional neural network focuses too much on the local region, a fusion algorithm that combines local and global feature encoding is proposed. Initially, we devise two self-supervised image reconstruction tasks and train an encoder-decoder network through multi-task learning. Subsequently, within the encoder, we merge the dense connection module with the PS-ViT module, enabling the network to utilize local and global information during feature extraction. Finally, to enhance the overall efficiency of the model, distinct loss functions are applied to each task. To preserve the more robust features from the original images, spatial frequency is employed during the fusion stage to obtain the feature map of the fused image. Experimental results demonstrate that, in comparison to twelve other prominent algorithms, our method exhibits good fusion performance in objective evaluation. Ten of the selected twelve evaluation metrics show an improvement of more than 0.28%. Additionally, it presents superior visual effects subjectively.
Publication Date: 2024/11/01

Product innovation has become a crucial part of the sustainability of the coconut agro-industry in Indonesia, covering upstream and downstream sides. To overcome this challenge, it is necessary to create several model stages using a hybrid method that combines machine learning based on multiple criteria decision making and mass balance analysis. The research case study was conducted in Tembilahan district, Riau province, Indonesia, one of the primary coconut producers in Indonesia. The analysis results showed that potential products for domestic customers included coconut milk, coconut cooking oil, coconut chips, coconut jelly, coconut sugar, and virgin coconut oil. Furthermore, considering the experts, the most potential product to be developed was coconut sugar with a weight of 0.26. Prediction of coconut sugar demand reached 13,996,607 tons/year, requiring coconut sap as a raw material up to 97,976,249.

Reinforcement Quantum Annealing: A Quantum-Assisted Learning Automata Approach We introduce the reinforcement quantum annealing (RQA) scheme in which an intelligent agent interacts with a quantum annealer that plays the stochastic environment role of learning automata and tries to iteratively find better Ising Hamiltonians for the given problem of interest. As a proof-of-concept, we propose a […]

The post Reinforcement Quantum Annealing: A Quantum-Assisted Learning Automata Approach appeared first on UMBC ebiquity.

Results using the reinforcement learning technique on two SAT benchmarks using a D-Wave 2000Q quantum processor showed significantly better solutions with fewer samples compared to the best-known quantum annealing techniques.

The post Paper: Reinforcement Quantum Annealing: A Hybrid Quantum Learning Automata appeared first on UMBC ebiquity.

Social exchange theory is a broad theory that has been used to explain trust as an outcome of various exchange relationships, and research commonly presumes trust exists between exchange partners that have prior relationships. In this paper, we contribute to social exchange theory by isolating the trust outcomes of interorganizational exchanges from other outcomes emphasized by learning and knowledge-based perspectives, and by specifying important boundary conditions for the emergence of trust in interorganizational exchanges. We make such a theoretical contribution within the domain of strategic alliances by investigating the effects of previous alliance agreements, or prior ties, between the partnering firms. We find that prior ties generally lead to learning about a partner's anticipated behavioral patterns, which helps a firm predict when self-interested behavior may occur and know how to interact with the partner during the coordination and execution of the alliance tasks. By contrast, it is evident that the kind of trust emphasized in social exchange theory is not generally rooted in prior ties and only emerges from prior relationships under certain conditions. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on social exchange theory and for delineating the theory's domain of applicability.

'What's going on?' Within the context of our critically-informed teaching practice, we see moments of deep learning and reflexivity in classroom discussions and assessments. Yet, these moments of criticality are interspersed with surface learning and reflection. We draw on dichotomous, linear developmental, and messy explanations of learning processes to empirically explore the learning journeys of 20 international Chinese and 42 domestic New Zealand students. We find contradictions within our own data, and between our findings and the extant literature. We conclude that expressions of surface learning and reflection are considerably more complex than they first appear. Moreover, developing critical reflexivity is a far more subtle, messy, and emotional experience than previously understood. We present the theoretical and pedagogical significance of these findings when we consider the implications for the learning process and the practice of management education.

Do firms learn from their failed innovation attempts? Answering this question is important because failure is an integral part of exploratory learning. In this study, we explore whether and under what circumstances firms learn from their small failures in experimentation. Building on organizational learning literature, we examine the conditions under which prior failures influence firms' R&D output amount and quality. An empirical analysis of voluntary patent expirations (i.e., patents that firms give up by not paying renewal fees) in 97 pharmaceutical firms between 1980 and 2002 shows that the number, importance, and timing of small failures are associated with a decrease in R&D output (patent count) but an increase in the quality of the R&D output (forward citations to patents). Exploratory interviews suggest that the results are driven by a multi-level learning process from failures in pharmaceutical R&D. The findings contribute to the organizational learning literature by providing a nuanced view of learning from failures in experimentation.

Power in business schools is ubiquitous. We develop individuals for powerfull positions. Yet, the way we deal with power is limited by our utilitarian focus, avoiding the visceral nature of power. In relation to this we address two questions business schools don't ask: what is the experiential nature of power? How are we teaching power? We use experiential, aesthetic developments on power in the social sciences to critique the rational-utilitarian stance on power found in business schools, drawing on the work of Dewey and French philosopher Levinas to treat power as a lived phenomenon. We overview and critique approaches to teaching power in business curricula informed by our own research on Executive MBA students learning through choral conducting. Taking an appreciative-positive stance, this research showed students developing new, non-rational, non-utilitarian understandings of power. They developed nuanced learning on the feeling, relationality and responsibility of exercising power. Coming out of this we argue for more experiential and reflexive learning methods to be applied to the phenomena of power. Finally we shine a reflexive light on ourselves and our 'power to profess', suggesting ways we can change our own practice to better prepare our students for the power they wield.

Theories of status rarely address unearned status gain—an unexpected and unsolicited increase in relative standing, prestige or worth, attained not through individual effort or achievement, but from a shift in organizationally valued characteristics. We build theory about unearned status gain drawing from a qualitative study of 90 U.S.-based employees of a Japanese organization following a company-wide English language mandate. These native English-speaking employees believed that the mandate elevated their worth in the organization, a status gain they attributed to chance, hence deeming it unearned. They also reported a heightened sense of belonging, optimism about career advancement, and access to expanded networks. Yet among those who interacted regularly with Japanese counterparts, narratives also revealed discomfort, which manifested in at least two ways. These informants engaged in "status rationalization," emphasizing the benefits Japanese employees might obtain by learning English, and prevaricated on whether the change was temporary or durable, a process we call "status stability appraisal." The fact that these narratives were present only among those working closely with Japanese employees highlights intergroup contact as a factor in shaping the unearned status gain experience. Supplemental analysis of data gathered from 66 Japanese employees provided the broader organizational context and the nonnative speakers' perspective of the language shift. These findings expand our overall understanding of status dynamics in organizations, and show how status gains can yield both positive and negative outcomes.

If partnering with local firms is an intuitive strategy with which to mitigate uncertainty in foreign ventures, then why don't organizations always partner with local firms, especially in uncertain settings? We address this question by unbundling the effects of uncertainty in foreign ventures at the venture and country levels. We contend that, while both levels increase the need for partnering with local firms in foreign ventures, country-level uncertainty increases the difficulty of partnering with local firms and decreases the likelihood of such partnerships. We also posit that experiential learning helps firms manage the two types of uncertainty, and thereby reduces the need for partnering—yet, experience in the host country makes partnering more feasible and increases the likelihood of such partnerships. To test our hypotheses, we conceptualize the decision to partner with a local firm in a foreign venture as a multilayered decision, and model it accordingly. Using a global sample of venture capital investments made between 1984 and 2011, we find support for the distinct effects of venture- and country-level uncertainty as well as for corresponding levels of experiential learning. These findings have implications for the literature on cross-border venture capital investment and international business in general.

This study investigates Anglo expatriate managers learning, knowledge acquisition, and adjustment to the host culture when working within Anglo multi-national companies operating in China. A structural equation model based on data from 121 expatriate managers reveal that Anglo managers adjust more effectively when their learning styles are congruent with the demands of the host culture. Their levels of accumulated managerial tacit knowledge and adaptive flexibility were also associated with their learning styles which in turn led to more effective adjustment to the host culture. Implications for theory, global manager development, and expatriate management are provided.

Evidence-based management has been widely advocated in management studies. It has great ambition: all manner of organizational problems are held to be amenable to an evidence-based approach. With such ambition, however, has come a certain narrowness which risks restricting our ability to understand the diversity of problems in management studies. Indeed, in the longer term, such narrowness may limit our capacity to engage with many real-life issues in organizations. Having repeatedly heard the case for evidence-based management, we invite readers to weigh up the case against. We also set out an alternative direction - one that promotes intellectual pluralism and flexibility, the value of multiple perspectives, openness, dialogue, and the questioning of basic assumptions. These considerations are the antithesis of an evidence-based approach, but central to a fully rounded management education.

In this paper, we use a practice-based wisdom perspective to address the challenges of managing competing logics in social enterprises. From previous work it is clear that a major task for social entrepreneurs is to manage the tension between social welfare and commercial logics. Although the social welfare logic and its related values and practices form the foundations of social enterprises, social entrepreneurs have also to ensure that their businesses are commercially sustainable making it necessary to engage with the commercial logic. To this end, we develop a curriculum matrix based on social practice wisdom to assist students to learn appropriate knowledge and skills, enact social entrepreneurship goals, and integrate competing logics in innovative and sustainable ways.

Carlo Lipizzi’s Societal impacts of artificial intelligence and machine learning offers a critical and comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning’s effects on society. This book provides a balanced perspective, cutting through the

Improving equity in data science, edited by Colby Tofel-Grehl and Emmanuel Schanzer, is a thought-provoking exploration of how data science education can be transformed to foster equity, especially within K-16 classrooms. The editors advocate for redefining

Earnings of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. rose by nearly a fifth in the nine months ending September on the back of strong revenue growth across its businesses.

Earnings of Philippine banks rose by 6.4 percent to P290 billion from January to September compared to last year’s P273 billion, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

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You probably already know the benefits of learning a language, so let’s focus on the app. Right off the bat, let’s be clear about one thing: When we say “app” we don’t mean that you’re limited to using Babbel on your phone. You can use Babbel on desktop, too, and your progress is synchronized across […]

A game hunter consults his conscience, a Native Rights advocate remembers being separated from her heritage, a local chef plays host to TV personality Gordon Ramsay, a widow remembers her late husband’s grace and humor, a Native Youth Olympics coach connects kids to culture through athletics, plus an artist, a musician, a cross-country bicyclist, two roller-derby girls, and a family in a half-built cabin on an island in the wilderness

Special thanks this episode to Juneau field producer MK MacNaughton and the National Endowment for the Arts.

BIOTALENT is a multilingual blended e-learning training programme to gain crucial skills and knowledge in biodiversity. Protecting life on earth in all its forms also involves introducing innovative ways to address pressing environmental issues of today. A strong investment in environmental education and a passion for science is therefore essential to this programme.

This one-day event, Taking place on 18 May 2017, in Brussels, will illustrate the uniqueness of the BIOTALENT project and programme in the way environmental education is brought to the course participant. The various expert speakers that are invited are all very passionate about innovation in education and the new ways in which scientific and environmental education can contribute to conserving biodiversity.  

To register and find out more visit the official announcement.

A "a collector of curiosities" once lived there.

The post Salem visitors can learn about this 1729 home by scanning a code appeared first on Boston.com.

Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but also brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and he won’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire! - Hebrews 12: 28-29 (The Message)

What is so important about worship?  

How many of us come for the singing and completely forget what the first part of our service is about? There can be two people standing beside each other during service - one can be in the “Holy of Holies” and the other can be thinking about the business meeting he has next week. One person can have an encounter with God and the other person say it’s just “ok”. 

Every time I enter into God’s presence, God speaks. He promises to do just that!

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. - Revelation 3:20 

 This passage is appropriate for the unbeliever but is written directly to the Church. When we come to church we get really excited about the Word of God. That’s good. We love to be fed. I think many people are missing that it is not just what we are eating but with whom we are eating. Church is not just that we get a good meal but that Jesus is dining with us.

LOOK - LISTEN - LEARN

 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” - Exodus 3:1-5

LOOK . . .   

My wife and I went to Maui, Hawaii for our honeymoon. We were on a beautiful walk along the beach one night when I heard many voices yelling, “Look!” I glanced over and didn’t see anything. It wasn’t until I turned the right direction and went from a glance to truly looking that I saw huge whales breaching the waters. 

 When I say the word LOOK, I don’t mean glance in God’s direction when you come to church. When we gather together to worship, that’s your cue to turn aside from whatever you were doing or whatever you have to do this week. Look at God. That is why the songs we sing have to do with God’s greatness and attributes. It’s time to look at God.  This of course goes way beyond a Sunday or service experience, but that’s definitely a great starting point. 

LISTEN . . .

So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” - Exodus 3:4

 God was waiting until He had his attention to speak. I will tell my kid’s to look at me when I’m talking to them. It is so irritating to try to teach them something as they are walking off doing other things or focused on something else. Let’s not do that to God. Honor stands at attention. I know if they are not looking at me they are not focused. I wonder how many people need to hear from God but He is waiting to see if they will look. 

LEARN . . . 

Anyone can learn; the question is do you realize your need to learn. The moment you stop seeing your need to learn is the moment you leave dry and empty. God said to take your sandals off, for the place you are standing is holy ground. The first thing we learn is that anything God touches is Holy. How could Moses write the 1^st five books of the bible? God taught Him. He spent time in the presence of God 

He made known His ways to Moses,His acts to the children of Israel. - Psalm 103:7

Our perspective changes in the presence of God. So when He calls to you . . . LOOK! When we LOOK, we are able to LISTEN. When we truly LISTEN, that’s where we LEARN. When we LEARN, that’s when we know what it looks like to ABIDE. And when we ABIDE, we WORSHIP! 

Israel is one of the tiniest countries in the world, only slightly larger than the state of New Jersey. Yet the nation’s small size belies its rich diversity and history -- a beautiful tapestry of different people and ethnicities like nowhere else on the planet. Take Jerusalem. It’s one of the world’s most ancient cities and plays a central role in the three major monotheistic religions. The Old City is divided into four distinct quarters, each with their own unique flavor and history. The...

Young Ponchito grew up beneath the constant screaming of his parents until they divorced. Lonely and withdrawn, he acted out in school and at home. Suddenly, his dad and everything changed. See what happened.

BURNED OUT  Burnout can occur for many reasons, and is common in certain professions, including the military, clergy, and healthcare. As a busy physician with young children, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith was a prime candidate. She remembers the day her chaotic life simply stopped her in her tracks: “So I did what any burned-out human would do after picking up the kids from day care. I set them in front of the TV with a snack, and I lay on the floor.” She remained there for quite a while. “The smile...

When I first began to learn how to plaster, if someone would have told me then that it would one day become necessary for me to learn to speak Italian, I would have chuckled and turned away.

The climate change protests are about the unleashing of voice and provide opportunities for charities to claim a role

New technology can sometimes appear to make the world more complex, but collaboration and coordination across specialist teams can ease the burden

Luke Lombardi was recently honored with the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California Emerging Leader Award, recognizing his leadership on sustainability and innovation in California.

Advanced collaborative robotics and AI boost productivity, ensure consistent quality and enhance ergonomics in the drywall finishing process.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a free webinar on its Beat the Heat contest.

The Siemens Building Technologies Division’s Beltsville, Md. branch office was recently awarded LEED® for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EB: OM) certification by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

SALTO Systems, a manufacturer of electronic access control solutions, has received carbon-neutral certification across all of its operations. 

3xLOGIC, a provider of integrated and intelligent security and business solutions, will debut its recently launched edge based deep learning analytics cameras at ISC West 2024, Booth #23059.

The winner of the SDM Project of the Year award highlights a larger trend in converting office space to residential.

What should employers and environmental, health and safety professionals consider when choosing virtual training for workers?

A new white paper contains valuable insights from J. J. Keller’s experts, as well as interactive elements to let you see firsthand how e-learning can transform your training program for the better.

How much do you know about alcohol and its effects? Take this quiz from the Fall 2018 issue of Family Safety & Health to find out.

Talk to a Protection 1 employee and there is a palpable energy that radiates outward about their job, the company and the customer. Chicago-based Protection 1, has always contained a deep-rooted love for the customer. But while employees embraced the concept, the execution was missing, as Protection 1 experienced declining growth for seven consecutive years.

A changing technological landscape and an evolving customer base means a security industry in flux. While this reality presents undeniable challenges, it also opens the door to a great deal of opportunity.

Washington – Some of the top-selling federal government publications of 2013 were occupational safety-related, according to a Government Printing Office list released Jan. 22.