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Many applications require automatic image analysis for different quality of the input images. In many cases, the quality of acquired images is suitable for the purpose of the application. However, in some cases the quality of the acquired image has to be modified according to needs of a specific application. A higher quality of the image can be achieved by Image Enhancement (IE) algorithms. The choice of IE technique is challenging as this choice varies with the application purpose. The goal of this research is to investigate the possibility of the selective application for the IE algorithms. The values of entropy and Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) of the acquired image are considered as parameters for selectivity. Three algorithms such as Retinex, Bilateral filter and Bilateral tone adjustment have been chosen as IE techniques for evaluation in this work. Entropy and PSNR are used for the performance evaluation of selected IE algorithms. In this study, we considered the images from three fingerprint image databases as input images to investigate the algorithms. The decision to enhance an image in these databases by the considered algorithms is based on the empirically evaluated entropy and PSNR thresholds. Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) has been selected as the application of interest. The evaluation results show that the performance of the investigated IE algorithms affects significantly the performance of AFIS. The second conclusion is that entropy and PSNR might be considered as indicators for required IE of the input image for AFIS.

The investment treaty network and the tax treaty network comprise more than 3,000 treaties each. The provisions of these treaties generally are highly customized on the basis of the investment flows and economic interests of the contracting States. The number of treaties in force and their customization potentially turn the amendment of these treaty networks in their entirety into a cumbersome and long process. To modify the treaty networks in a swift and coordinated manner, the investment treaty makers and the tax treaty makers almost contemporaneously developed the idea of implementing treaty changes through a single multilateral convention. On 10 December 2014, the United Nations adopted the Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor' State Arbitration, also known as the Mauritius Convention. In addition, on 24 November 2016, the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), commonly referred to as the Multilateral Tax Instrument, was concluded under the aegis of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The Mauritius Convention and the Multilateral Tax Instrument share the object and purpose of modifying an extensive number of treaties. However, due to their novelty, little research has been done until now on their common characteristics and differences. The article aims at filling this gap by comparing both multilateral conventions. It also aims at drawing lessons from the analysis of both multilateral conventions that might be of benefit for future modifications of an extensive number of treaties through a single instrument.

Objetivo: avaliar por meio de fotografias de perfil e um questionário específico, a estética facial de indivíduos com fissura transforame incisivo bilateral (FTB), operados segundo o protocolo do HRAC-USP. Modelo: Estudo transversal, com análise das fotografias, atribuindo escores aos pacientes e comparando-os estatisticamente. Local de Execução: HRAC-USP. Participantes: Amostra: 30 pacientes, 24 do gênero masculino e 6 do gênero feminino, com idades entre 5 anos e 8 meses a 10 anos e 4 meses, leucodermas, com FTB . Examinadores: 5 Ortodontistas do HRAC-USP (OHRAC), 5 ortodontistas não relacionados à área de fissura (ONF), 5 Cirurgiões Plásticos do HRAC-USP (CPHRAC), 5 Cirurgiões Plásticos não relacionados à área de fissura (CPNF), 5 leigos (L) com formação superior. Variáveis: classificação da agradabilidade facial, em escala de 1 a 9, estruturas reconhecidas como responsáveis pela pior classificação. Resultados: O grupo OHRAC atribuiu mediana de 7 (aparência esteticamente agradável), o grupo CPHRAC atribuiu 5 (esteticamente aceitável). O grupo L atribuiu 4 (esteticamente aceitável). Os grupos ONF e CPNF, designaram 3 (esteticamente desagradável). Existiu diferença significante entre todas as categorias, exceto para os ONF e CPNF. Foram associadas à classificação esteticamente desagradável o nariz, o terço médio da face e o lábio superior. Conclusões: A estética facial da amostra foi classificada em agradável (grupo OHRAC), aceitável (grupos CPHRAC e L) e desagradável (grupos ONF e CPNF). Houve diferença significante entre os grupos, exceto para os ONF e CPNF. As estruturas associadas aos piores escores foram o nariz, o terço médio da face e o lábio superior. / Objective: to evaluate, by means of photographs of profile and a specific questionnaire, the facial esthetics of individuals with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CBCLP) operated according to the protocol of HRAC-USP. Design: cross-sectional study with analysis of the photographs, by assignment of scores to the patients and statistical comparison. Setting: HRAC-USP. Participants: sample: 30 white patients with CBCLP, being 24 males and 6 females, aged 5 years 8 months to 10 years 4 months. Examines: 5 orthodontists of HRAC-USP (OHRAC), 5 orthodontists not treating patients with clefts (ONC), 5 plastic surgeons of HRAC-USP (PSHRAC), 5 plastic surgeons not treating patients with clefts (PSNC), and 5 lay graduated examiners (L). Variables: classification of facial pleasantness in a scale from 1 to 9, structures recognized as responsible for the worst classification. Results: the OHRAC group assigned a median of 7 (esthetically pleasant appearance) and the PSHRAC assigned 5 (esthetically acceptable). Group L assigned 4 (esthetically acceptable). Groups ONC and PSNC assigned 3 (esthetically unpleasant). There was a significant difference between all categories, except for ONC and PSNC. The structures associated to the esthetically unpleasant classification were the nose, middle third of the face and upper lip. Conclusions: the facial esthetics of the sample was classified as pleasant (OHRAC group), acceptable (PSHRAC and L groups) and unpleasant (ONC and PSNC groups). here was a significant difference between groups, except for the ONC and PSNC. The structures associated to the worst scores were the nose, middle third of the face and upper lip.

Bakgrund: Unilateral benträning är ett relativt outforskat område inom träningsvetenskapen. Traditionellt genomförs fysträning för intermittenta idrotter bilateralt, trots att idrottens rörelser sker unilateralt. Det finns många studier som behandlar samband mellan agility och effektutveckling, men få som har undersökt skillnaden mellan unilateral och bilateral effektutveckling sett till agility. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om unilateral effektutveckling har en starkare korrelation med agility än vad bilateral effektutveckling och agility har hos kvinnliga fotbollsspelare i division 2. Metod: Kvinnliga fotbollsspelare (n=13, ålder 23 ± 4 år) utförde vertikalhopp med tilläggsbelastning på båda benen, vänster ben och höger ben på 20 kg, 30 kg, 40 kg samt för båda benen på 50 kg och T-test och Pro agility test. Effektutveckling i förhållande till kroppsvikten på båda benen (PBbw), vänster ben (PVbw) och höger ben (PHbw) analyserades och korrelerades sedan mot T-test (Ttest) och Pro agility test (Proagility). Resultat: Signifikanta korrelationer hittades mellan agility och både vänster unilateral (PVbw-Ttest, r = -0,578) och bilateral (PBbw-Ttest, r = -0,741; PBbw-Proagility, r = -0,555) effektutveckling, där korrelationen bilateralt var starkast. Ingen signifikant korrelation hittades mellan höger ben och agility. Konklusion: Bilateral effektutveckling hade en starkare korrelation med agility än vad unilateral effektutveckling och agility hade hos kvinnliga fotbollsspelare i division 2. / Background: Unilateral training is considered to be a new field of interest within the science of sports. Traditionally most of the strength and conditioning training is performed bilaterally even though the majority of motions in sports are carried out unilaterally. Previous studies have examined the correlations between agility and power output but few of them investigated the difference between unilateral and bilateral power output and agility. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether the correlation between unilateral power output and agility is stronger than the correlation between bilateral power output and agility in female division 2 soccer players. Method: Female soccer players (n=13, age 23 ± 4 years) performed loaded counter movement jumps with 20 kg, 30 kg and 40 kg for both legs, left leg and right leg and with 50 kg for both legs and T-test and Pro agility test. Power output, in relation to body weight for both legs (PBbw), left leg (PVbw) and right leg (PHbw) was analyzed and correlated against T-test (Ttest) and Pro agility test (Proagility). Results: Significant correlations were found between agility and both left unilateral (PVbw-Ttest, r = -0,578) and bilateral (PBbw-Ttest, r = -0,741; PBbw-Proagility, r = -0,555) power output, where the bilateral correlation was the strongest. No significant correlation was found between the right leg and agility. Conclusion: Bilateral power output had a stronger correlation with agility than unilateral power output and agility in female division 2 soccer players.

This study aims at examine if an Europeanization is affecting the bilateral diplomatic relation between Sweden and Italy as managed by the national embassies. The questions asked to pursue the aim are; how the bilateral diplomatic work is managed between the countries, are there any signs of Europeanization within this relation or is it still contingent on intergovernmental principles? In this study an analytical model is created and used to analyze how the bilateral diplomacy between Italy and Sweden is managed through the embassies. The discussion on top –down Europeanization by Tanja Börzel is central to the development of the analytical model. Indicators of Europeanization are generated and applied in the empirical analysis. The empirical material is based on documents and interviews.   One general conclusion of this study asserts that there is no direct top-down Europeanization going on within the national bilateral diplomacy. Another one affirms that an indirectly top-down Europeanization on an embryonic stage may be going on within the embassy-driven bilateral work carried out between the EU member states.

Objetivo: avaliar por meio de fotografias de perfil e um questionário específico, a estética facial de indivíduos com fissura transforame incisivo bilateral (FTB), operados segundo o protocolo do HRAC-USP. Modelo: Estudo transversal, com análise das fotografias, atribuindo escores aos pacientes e comparando-os estatisticamente. Local de Execução: HRAC-USP. Participantes: Amostra: 30 pacientes, 24 do gênero masculino e 6 do gênero feminino, com idades entre 5 anos e 8 meses a 10 anos e 4 meses, leucodermas, com FTB . Examinadores: 5 Ortodontistas do HRAC-USP (OHRAC), 5 ortodontistas não relacionados à área de fissura (ONF), 5 Cirurgiões Plásticos do HRAC-USP (CPHRAC), 5 Cirurgiões Plásticos não relacionados à área de fissura (CPNF), 5 leigos (L) com formação superior. Variáveis: classificação da agradabilidade facial, em escala de 1 a 9, estruturas reconhecidas como responsáveis pela pior classificação. Resultados: O grupo OHRAC atribuiu mediana de 7 (aparência esteticamente agradável), o grupo CPHRAC atribuiu 5 (esteticamente aceitável). O grupo L atribuiu 4 (esteticamente aceitável). Os grupos ONF e CPNF, designaram 3 (esteticamente desagradável). Existiu diferença significante entre todas as categorias, exceto para os ONF e CPNF. Foram associadas à classificação esteticamente desagradável o nariz, o terço médio da face e o lábio superior. Conclusões: A estética facial da amostra foi classificada em agradável (grupo OHRAC), aceitável (grupos CPHRAC e L) e desagradável (grupos ONF e CPNF). Houve diferença significante entre os grupos, exceto para os ONF e CPNF. As estruturas associadas aos piores escores foram o nariz, o terço médio da face e o lábio superior. / Objective: to evaluate, by means of photographs of profile and a specific questionnaire, the facial esthetics of individuals with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CBCLP) operated according to the protocol of HRAC-USP. Design: cross-sectional study with analysis of the photographs, by assignment of scores to the patients and statistical comparison. Setting: HRAC-USP. Participants: sample: 30 white patients with CBCLP, being 24 males and 6 females, aged 5 years 8 months to 10 years 4 months. Examines: 5 orthodontists of HRAC-USP (OHRAC), 5 orthodontists not treating patients with clefts (ONC), 5 plastic surgeons of HRAC-USP (PSHRAC), 5 plastic surgeons not treating patients with clefts (PSNC), and 5 lay graduated examiners (L). Variables: classification of facial pleasantness in a scale from 1 to 9, structures recognized as responsible for the worst classification. Results: the OHRAC group assigned a median of 7 (esthetically pleasant appearance) and the PSHRAC assigned 5 (esthetically acceptable). Group L assigned 4 (esthetically acceptable). Groups ONC and PSNC assigned 3 (esthetically unpleasant). There was a significant difference between all categories, except for ONC and PSNC. The structures associated to the esthetically unpleasant classification were the nose, middle third of the face and upper lip. Conclusions: the facial esthetics of the sample was classified as pleasant (OHRAC group), acceptable (PSHRAC and L groups) and unpleasant (ONC and PSNC groups). here was a significant difference between groups, except for the ONC and PSNC. The structures associated to the worst scores were the nose, middle third of the face and upper lip.

Bilateral deficit (BLD) is a phenomenon where the force generated from simultaneous bilateral limb contractions is less than the sum force generated by separate right and left limb contractions. There have been many BLD studies, but the measures of force generation have predominantly been with isometric and isokinetic contractions. There are, however, no dynamic upper body isotonic unilateral weight lifting studies on acute power output. The purpose of this study was to determine acute power output between bilateral and unilateral weight lifting under the conditions of traditional and circuit weight lifting. Seventeen male BYU rugby players (age = 21.8 ± 2.1 years; mass = 93.5 ± 12.5 kg; height = 181.9 ± 5.0 cm) participated in the study. Each subject participated in 4 randomized weight lifting testing sessions separated by at least 48 h. Each weight lifting protocol included 6 dumbbell lifts (bench press, bent over row, overhead press, bicep curls, front raise, and bent over raise) performed as explosively as possible for 5 sets of 5 repetitions at 40–50% of 1RM. GymAware [GYM] units measured power output for the right and left arms. Peak and mean power (of all lifts combined) was greatest in the unilateral traditional weight lifting (UTWL) group compared to all other groups (p < .0001 for each comparison). No significant differences in overall peak and mean power (all lifts combined) existed between the other 3 groups. UTWL peak and mean power outputs were significantly highest for all lifts. UTWL and bilateral traditional weight lifting (BTWL) generated the second or third highest peak power outputs for all lifts, but they were not statistically different from each other except for the bent over raise. Bilateral circuit weight lifting (BCWL) generated the lowest peak power output in all lifts, but was not statistically different from the third lowest peak power output except for the bent over raise. Our study determined that dynamic upper body isotonic unilateral movements generate significantly greater power output than dynamic upper body isotonic bilateral movements using free weights. It was also concluded that traditional weight lifting protocols generated greater power output than circuit weight lifting protocols.

Aim: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of 6 weeks bilateral (BL) versus unilateral (UL) complex training combined with high intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal strength, jumping ability, straight sprint (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), change of direction speed (CODS), repeated sprint ability (RSA) and specific endurance in Swedish elite male and female handball players. Another purpose was to examine if a bilateral deficit (BLD) exists in strength and jumping ability (power deficit) and if it changes differently with 6 weeks BL and UL complex training. Method: 18 male and 12 female elite handball players was selected to either a 6 weeks bilateral (BL, n = 10) or unilateral (UL, n = 20) complex strength training program. In addition both groups trained HIIT. Training volume, intensity and exercise motion was similar between the groups. Tests included maximal (1RM) UL and BL Smith machine squat strength, UL counter movement jump with arm swing (CMJ) and BL (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) jumping ability, modified T-test, straight sprint (5, 10, 20 and 30 m), repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (Yo-Yo IR) before and after 6 weeks training. Results: There was no significant difference between BL and UL groups and any of the selected tests. The UL group significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased sprint time pre- to post testing only between 0-10 m and significantly decreased RSAtotal pre- to post testing (p &lt; 0.01). BL group significantly (p &lt; 0.01) increased sprint time pre- to post testing only between 0-30 m. When pooling data from both groups significant (p &lt; 0.01) improvements were seen in maximal UL and BL strength, UL CMJ dominant leg, CODS and Yo-Yo IR test as well as increasing the BLD and power deficit for elite male and female handball players. Conclusion: 6 weeks of complex training using only BL or UL exercises combined with HIIT resulted in no significant changes between groups in any of the selected tests. Training unilaterally could possibly be a safer training method since the absolute load is lesser than BL training. / Syfte och frågeställningar: Syftet med studien är att undersöka effekterna av 6 veckors bilateral (BL) och unilateral (UL) kombinationsträning kombinerad med högintensiv intervall träning (HIIT) på maximal styrka, hoppförmåga, linjär sprint (5, 10, 20 och 30 m), snabbhet med riktningsförändringar (CODS), maximala upprepade sprinter med kort återhämtning (RSA) och specifik uthållighet på manliga och kvinnliga elithandbollsspelare. Ett annat syfte var att undersöka om bilateral deficit (BLD) existerar i styrke- och hoppövningar (power deficit) och huruvida 6 veckors BL och UL kombinationsträning påverkar förhållandet. Metod: 18 manliga och 12 kvinnliga elithandbollsspelare indelades i antingen ett bilateralt (BL, n = 10) eller ett unilateralt (UL, n = 20) kombinationsträningsprogram. Utöver kombinationsträningen utförde båda grupperna högintensiv intervallträning (HIIT). Träningsvolymen, intensiteten och övningsval var lika mellan grupperna. Testerna inkluderade maximal (1RM) UL och BL knäböjstyrka i Smith maskin, UL counter movement jump med armsving (CMJ) och BL CMJ, squat jump, (SJ), modifierat T-test, linjär sprint (5, 10, 20 och 30 m), upprepade shuttle sprintar (RSSA) och Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo IR) före och efter 6 veckors träning. Resultat: Det fanns ingen signifikant skillnad mellan BL eller UL gruppen i någon av de valda testerna. UL gruppen förbättrade signifikant (p &lt; 0.05 ) sprint tiden mellan 0-10 m och minskade RSAtotal (p &lt; 0.01) efter träningsperioden. BL gruppen ökade signifikant (p &lt; 0.01) sprint tiden mellan 0-30 m. När data från båda grupperna lades samman visade resultatet signifikanta (p &lt; 0.01) förbättringar i maximal UL och BL styrka, UL CMJ på det dominanta benet, CODS och Yo-Yo IR test och även en signifikant ökning i BLD och power deficiten för manliga och kvinnliga elithandbollspelare. Slutsats: 6 veckors kombinationsträning med enbart BL eller UL övningar och HIIT resulterade inte i signifikanta skillnader mellan grupperna på något av de valda testerna. ULträning kan möjligtvis vara en säkrare träningsmetod eftersom den absoluta belastningen är lägre jämfört med BL träning. / <p>Uppsatsen tilldelades stipendiemedel ur Överste och Fru Adolf Johnssons fond VT 2015.</p>