Estimation of additive white Gaussian noise levels in images has a variety of image processing applications including image enhancement, segmentation and feature extraction. Designing an algorithm with a consistent performance across a range of noise levels and image contents is a challenging problem; without any prior information, it is difficult to differentiate the noise signal from the underlying image signal. In this paper, an adaptive block-based noise level estimation algorithm in the singular value decomposition domain is proposed. The algorithm has the ability to change the singular value tail length according to the observed noise levels. A number of different choices of block size are considered and, for each choice, a mathematical model is proposed to describe how to adjust the singular value tail length as a function of the initial noise level estimates. In comparison with a seminal fixed singular value tail length algorithm, the proposed algorithm significantly improves the noise level estimation accuracy at low noise levels at the expense of a small increase in computational time; for example, for the block size of 64 × 64 and AWGN level σ = 1 , the MSE is reduced by 65%, whilst the computational time is increased by less than 1.3%.

Human-Robot

A presente pesquisa tem por objetivo identificar a partir da legislação, da doutrina e da jurisprudência o reconhecimento da família multiparental e analisar os desdobramentos de efeitos no direito sucessório. A família, como um fenômeno sociológico, sujeita-se à dinâmica que emerge das relações de convivência entre os indivíduos. Hodiernamente, esta entidade apresenta-se sob novos formatos, afetando outras dimensões que a ela se relacionam, como o aspecto patrimonial. A multiparentalidade é considerada um avanço no campo do direito familiarista, que demonstra a essencialidade do vínculo afetivo como forma de garantia da dignidade da pessoa humana no âmbito familiar. Nesta seara, se verifica a deficiência do ordenamento jurídico brasileiro quando da previsão e solução dos efeitos jurídicos advindos do reconhecimento da multiparentalidade. O legislador civil deixou de regulamentar a transferência de patrimônio dos ascendentes multiparentais em concorrência com o cônjuge supérstite e a sucessão dos ascendentes multiparentais na modalidade pura.

The second half of the 20th century in Bosnian literature is marked by the new tendencies of avant-garde writers, who will create their work through a different form of artistic creation, compared to the one that was presented at the beginning of this period. It is important to clarify the specificity of the various procedures that have positively directed dramatic creativity towards the modern lines of European literary circles. Derviš Sušić (1925-1990.), the Bosnian-Herzegovinian tradition and the reality of images, presented in a completely new artistic vision, make oscillation, in the writer's creation, between the determinants of historical facts and the legacy of oral tradition. Derviš Sušić Within the avant-garde tendencies of contemporary writers of the regional region, which appear in the mid-20th century, Sušić dominates in his virtuous creations of dramatic situations and dilemmas, in which his protagonists act. In a specific presentation of crucial culmination points, within the framework of the process of "drama of the flow of consciousness," a modern process in the conduct of drama, this writer analytically approaches the individual's dialectical duplication. Through artistically shaped fragments taken from historical records, this literary virtuoso presents in his texts a culmination point of Bosnian survival, very picturesque dramatic shaped historical characters and crucial events. It is symptomatic that Susić's characters become prototypes of stage characters, without temporal or location restrictions, transmitting a universal message of a unique attitude about the value of human activity and existence, outperform stereotypical models recognizable in the additional drama literature. Through the colorful of seeing and a range of specific dramatic characters, without the diversity of their differentiation in national status or sociopolitical affiliation, this writer creates a special ambient effect in the construction of his poetic fabrics based on historical background. The task of this paper is to prove the causality and conditionality of altruistic (social) and egoistic (individual) agonies in the actions and actions of Sušić's characters, in the examples of dramatic texts "Veliki vezir" (1969) and "Posljednja ljubav Hasana Kaimija "(1973), as well as the influence of emotional indicators on the concrete initiation of the dramatic conflict. It is therefore very interesting to explore and verify the models that will dominantly dominate the regional scene for almost half a century and be accepted as models in the way of writing its contemporaries, among the readers' population, but also at the same time with very successful placement in the theater audience.

Introduction: There is continued unmet medical need for new medicines across countries especially for cancer, immunological diseases, and orphan diseases. However, there are growing challenges with funding new medicines at ever increasing prices along with funding increased medicine volumes with the growth in both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases across countries. This has resulted in the development of new models to better manage the entry of new medicines, new financial models being postulated to finance new medicines as well as strategies to improve prescribing efficiency. However, more needs to be done. Consequently, the primary aim of this paper is to consider potential ways to optimize the use of new medicines balancing rising costs with increasing budgetary pressures to stimulate debate especially from a payer perspective. Methods: A narrative review of pharmaceutical policies and implications, as well as possible developments, based on key publications and initiatives known to the co-authors principally from a health authority perspective. Results: A number of initiatives and approaches have been identified including new models to better manage the entry of new medicines based on three pillars (pre-, peri-, and post-launch activities). Within this, we see the growing role of horizon scanning activities starting up to 36 months before launch, managed entry agreements and post launch follow-up. It is also likely there will be greater scrutiny over the effectiveness and value of new cancer medicines given ever increasing prices. This could include establishing minimum effectiveness targets for premium pricing along with re-evaluating prices as more medicines for cancer lose their patent. There will also be a greater involvement of patients especially with orphan diseases. New initiatives could include a greater role of multicriteria decision analysis, as well as looking at the potential for de-linking research and development from commercial activities to enhance affordability. Conclusion: There are a number of ongoing activities across countries to try and fund new valued medicines whilst attaining or maintaining universal healthcare. Such activities will grow with increasing resource pressures and continued unmet need.

Introduction:  Identification of the risk factors that can be modified is an essential aspect in the development of the effective strategy for therapeutic intervention with the purpose to improve mobility and injury prevention and post-fall consequences. This research aimed to analyze the impact of programmed therapeutic exercises on the fall risk factors in the elderly. Methods: We included 260 patients older than 65 years, and assigned them randomly into three groups. Group A: 65 patients subjected to therapeutic exercises for moderate-intensity muscle strengthening with Theraband stretch straps (corresponding to 11-14 on the Borg rating of perceived exertion scale). Group B: 65 patients subjected to therapeutic anti-gravity exercises. Control group: 130 patients not participating in programmed therapeutic exercises. Presence of fall risk factors was assessed in all three groups with standardized Fast Evaluation of Mobility, Balance, and Fear test (FEMBAF) before the initiation of therapy, after three and after six months of treatment. Results: At the end of the study, the subjects of the group A had significantly fewer limitations in performing basic life activities at home compared to the patients of the control and Group B, p = 0.037. The control group subjects were statistically significantly more likely to complain of vertigo than subjects of the experimental groups, p = 0.021. The subjects of the experimental groups had more than two falls than the control group subjects, p = 0.003 statistically. In the control group, the number of fractures after the fall at the end of the study increased significantly, statistically higher than in the subjects of the experimental groups, P = 0.037. Conclusion: Programmed therapeutic exercise significantly reduces the risk of falling factors, and significant effects have been achieved among subjects who have exercised with elastic strips.

Author(s): Blas, J de; Franceschini, R; Riva, F; Roloff, P; Schnoor, U; Spannowsky, M; Wells, JD; Wulzer, A; Zupan, J; Alipour-Fard, S; Altmannshofer, W; Azatov, A; Azevedo, D; Baglio, J; Bauer, M; Bishara, F; Blaising, J-J; Brass, S; Buttazzo, D; Chacko, Z; Craig, N; Cui, Y; Dercks, D; Dev, PS Bhupal; Luzio, L Di; Vita, S Di; Durieux, G; Fan, J; Ferreira, P; Frugiuele, C; Fuchs, E; Garcia, I; Ghezzi, M; Greljo, A; Grober, R; Grojean, C; Gu, J; Hunter, R; Joglekar, A; Kalinowski, J; Kilian, W; Kilic, C; Kotlarski, W; Kucharczyk, M; Leogrande, E; Linssen, L; Liu, D; Liu, Z; Lombardo, DM; Low, I; Matsedonskyi, O; Marzocca, D; Mimasu, K; Mitov, A; Mitra, M; Mohapatra, RN; Moortgat-Pick, G; Muhlleitner, M; Najjari, S; Nardecchia, M; Neubert, M; No, JM; Panico, G; Panizzi, L; Paul, A; Perello, M; Perez, G; Plascencia, AD; Pruna, GM; Redigolo, D; Reece, M; Reuter, J; Riembau, M; Robens, T; Robson, A; Rolbiecki, K; Sailer, A; Sakurai, K; Sala, F; Santos, R; Schlaffer, M; Shim, SY; Shuve, B; Simoniello, R; Sokolowska, D | Abstract: The Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) is a mature option for the future of high energy physics. It combines the benefits of the clean environment of $e^+e^-$ colliders with operation at high centre-of-mass energies, allowing to probe scales beyond the reach of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for many scenarios of new physics. This places the CLIC project at a privileged spot in between the precision and energy frontiers, with capabilities that will significantly extend knowledge on both fronts at the end of the LHC era. In this report we review and revisit the potential of CLIC to search, directly and indirectly, for physics beyond the Standard Model.

Predatory or pseudo journals have recently come into focus due to their massive internet expansion and extensive spam email soliciting. Recent studies explored this urging problem in several biomedical disciplines. In the present study, we identified 69 potential predatory (pseudo) pathology journals that were contrasted to 89 legitimate pathology journals obtained from the major bibliographic databases. All potential predatory journals in pathology shared at least one of the features proposed by previous studies (e.g. a poor web-site integrity, submissions via email, unclear or ambiguous peer-review process, missing names of the editorial board members, missing or pending the journal ISSN). Twenty-one (30%) of the potential predatory pathology journals had misleading titles mimicking those of legitimate journals. Only one of the identified journals was listed in the Directory of Open Access journals whereas none (0%) was indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE or Web of Science, listed in the Committee on Publication Ethics nor have they had a legitimate impact factor in the Journal Citation Reports.

In the modern conditions, business requires constant rationalization of all activities and processes that occur in the logistics system. One of the preconditions for ensuring the competitiveness in the market is to manage the own performance. This paper presents research that relates to the project of centralization of the warehouse in the company of paper production. Currently, any production facility has its own warehouse that is, through executed decomposition, proved like a poor solution. Any project requires certain investment funds, which are in this case over half million EUR, because it is a large and complex logistics company that employs about one thousand workers. The focus of this paper is an economic analysis of the project of centralization of warehouse. The new centralized system gives better results in the comparison with the current system of decentralization. Considering the savings, which are realized by switching to a centralized warehouse system, and required investment funds, repayment period of the same is slightly less than five years, what is relatively a short period.