The Optimisation of Elementary and Integrative Content-Based Image Retrieval Techniques

Image retrieval plays a major role in many image processing applications. However, a number of factors (e.g. rotation, non-uniform illumination, noise and lack of spatial information) can disrupt the outputs of image retrieval systems such that they cannot produce the desired results. In recent years, many researchers have introduced different approaches to overcome this problem. Colour-based CBIR (content-based image retrieval) and shape-based CBIR were the most commonly used techniques for obtaining image signatures. Although the colour histogram and shape descriptor have produced satisfactory results for certain applications, they still suffer many theoretical and practical problems. A prominent one among them is the well-known “curse of dimensionality “. In this research, a new Fuzzy Fusion-based Colour and Shape Signature (FFCSS) approach for integrating colour-only and shape-only features has been investigated to produce an effective image feature vector for database retrieval. The proposed technique is based on an optimised fuzzy colour scheme and robust shape descriptors. Experimental tests were carried out to check the behaviour of the FFCSS-based system, including sensitivity and robustness of the proposed signature of the sampled images, especially under varied conditions of, rotation, scaling, noise and light intensity. To further improve retrieval efficiency of the devised signature model, the target image repositories were clustered into several groups using the k-means clustering algorithm at system runtime, where the search begins at the centres of each cluster. The FFCSS-based approach has proven superior to other benchmarked classic CBIR methods, hence this research makes a substantial contribution towards corresponding theoretical and practical fronts

Analysis, Modeling and Generation of Traditional Lao Woven Textile

Traditional Lao textiles are wealth in religious motifs, the motifs and patterns on the textiles reflect traditions, beliefs and livelihood of people. The creativity in playing with motifs and patterns represents valuable cultural heritage on clothes that seriously needs to be preserved and protected before it is depleted. The structure of Lao motifs and patterns are complicated, but weaving processes still use traditional techniques and simple floor-loom. Therefore, it takes a lot of time for making a weave-draft on the loom and percentage of losing weave-drafts is very high. In contrast, industrial textiles use electronic loom and digital weave-drafts to produce fabrics, which are suitable for fast production but lack complicated traditional patterns. As a result, in this research we investigated different scientific algorithms for digitizing motifs, patterns and weave-drafts of Lao textiles in order to fill the gap between traditional and modern weave techniques, and to improve processes of design and weaving. We developed three design Lao Textile (LT) modules for digitizing leading to international standard formats which are understandable and usable for both hand-weavers and weaving machines. The LT-Tieup module provides motifs and patterns construction. The LT-Weave is for motifs and patterns modification, and the LT-Design module is for textile design and visualization. All the digitized motifs and patterns are archived on our online repository for cultural preservation purpose, the online repository is a tool to store weave-drafts and for communication among researchers, weavers and cultural heritage experts. Experiment results of our research show that our approach closes the gap between traditional weaving and digital weave representations, fulfilling the aim of our project

CURATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE THROUGH LIBRARIES

Libraries, museums and archives hold valuable collections in a variety of media, presenting a vast body of knowledge rooted in the history of human civilisation. These form the repository of the wisdom of great works by thinkers of past and the present. The holdings of these institutions are priceless heritage of the mankind as they preserve documents, ideas, and the oral and written records. To value the cultural heritage and to care for it as a treasure bequeathed to us by our ancestors is the major responsibility of libraries. The past records constitute a natural resource and are indispensable to the present generation as well as to the generations to come. Libraries preserve the documentary heritage resources for which they are primarily responsible. Any loss of such materials is simply irreplaceable. Therefore, preserving this intellectual, cultural heritage becomes not only the academic commitment but also the moral responsibility of the librarians/information scientists, who are in charge of these repositories. The high quality of the papers and the discussion represent the thinking and experience of experts in their particular fields. The contributed papers also relate to the methodology used in libraries in Asia to provide access to manuscripts and cultural heritage. The volume discusses best practices in Knowledge preservation and how to collaborate and preserve the culture. The book also deals with manuscript and archives issues in the digital era. The approach of this book is concise, comprehensively, covering all major aspects of preservation and conservation through libraries. The readership of the book is not just limited to library and information science professionals, but also for those involved in conservation, preservation, restoration or other related disciplines. The book will be useful for librarians, archivists and conservators. We thank the Sunan Kalijaga University, Special Libraries Association- Asian Chapter for their trust and their constant support, all the contributors for their submissions, the members of the Local and International Committee for their reviewing effort for making this publication possible