Dynamic Data Driven Applications System Concept for Information Fusion

AbstractWe present a framework of Information Fusion (IF) using the Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) concept. Existing literature at the intersection of these two topics supports environmental modeling (e.g., terrain understanding) for context enhanced applications. Taking advantage of sensor models, statistical methods, and situation- specific spatio-temporal fusion products derived from wide area sensor networks, DDDAS demonstrates robust multi-scale and multi-resolution geographical terrain computations. We highlight the complementary nature of these seemingly parallel approaches and propose a more integrated analytical framework in the context of a cooperative multimodal sensing application. In particular, we use a Wide-Area Motion Imagery (WAMI) application to draw parallels and contrasts between IF and DDDAS systems that warrants an integrated perspective. This elementary work is aimed at triggering a sequence of deeper insightful research towards exploiting sparsely sampled piecewise dense WAMI measurements – an application where the challenges of big-data with regards to mathematical fusion relationships and high-performance computations remain significant and will persist. Dynamic data-driven adaptive computations are required to effectively handle the challenges with exponentially increasing data volume for advanced information fusion systems solutions such as simultaneous target tracking and identification

Overview of contextual tracking approaches in information fusion

Proceedings of: Geospatial InfoFusion III. 2-3 May 2013 Baltimore, Maryland, United States.Many information fusion solutions work well in the intended scenarios; but the applications, supporting data, and capabilities change over varying contexts. One example is weather data for electro-optical target trackers of which standards have evolved over decades. The operating conditions of: technology changes, sensor/target variations, and the contextual environment can inhibit performance if not included in the initial systems design. In this paper, we seek to define and categorize different types of contextual information. We describe five contextual information categories that support target tracking: (1) domain knowledge from a user to aid the information fusion process through selection, cueing, and analysis, (2) environment-to-hardware processing for sensor management, (3) known distribution of entities for situation/threat assessment, (4) historical traffic behavior for situation awareness patterns of life (POL), and (5) road information for target tracking and identification. Appropriate characterization and representation of contextual information is needed for future high-level information fusion systems design to take advantage of the large data content available for a priori knowledge target tracking algorithm construction, implementation, and application.Publicad

TrhOnt: building an ontology to assist rehabilitation processes

Background: One of the current research efforts in the area of biomedicine is the representation of knowledge in a structured way so that reasoning can be performed on it. More precisely, in the field of physiotherapy, information such as the physiotherapy record of a patient or treatment protocols for specific disorders must be adequately modeled, because they play a relevant role in the management of the evolutionary recovery process of a patient. In this scenario, we introduce TRHONT, an application ontology that can assist physiotherapists in the management of the patients' evolution via reasoning supported by semantic technology. Methods: The ontology was developed following the NeOn Methodology. It integrates knowledge from ontological (e.g. FMA ontology) and non-ontological resources (e.g. a database of movements, exercises and treatment protocols) as well as additional physiotherapy-related knowledge. Results: We demonstrate how the ontology fulfills the purpose of providing a reference model for the representation of the physiotherapy-related information that is needed for the whole physiotherapy treatment of patients, since they step for the first time into the physiotherapist's office, until they are discharged. More specifically, we present the results for each of the intended uses of the ontology listed in the document that specifies its requirements, and show how TRHONT can answer the competency questions defined within that document. Moreover, we detail the main steps of the process followed to build the TRHONT ontology in order to facilitate its reproducibility in a similar context. Finally, we show an evaluation of the ontology from different perspectives. Conclusions: TRHONT has achieved the purpose of allowing for a reasoning process that changes over time according to the patient's state and performance.Authors thank Dr. Jon Torres and Dr. Jesus Seco for their help with the physiotherapy-related aspects. Authors thank Dr. Maria Poveda-Villalon for her help with OOPS!. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [grant number FEDER/TIN2013-46238-C4-1-R] and by the Basque Country Government [grant number IT797-13]

Context Aided Tracking with Adaptive Hyperspectral Imagery

A methodology for the context-aided tracking of ground vehicles in remote airborne imagery is developed in which a background model is inferred from hyperspectral imagery. The materials comprising the background of a scene are remotely identified and lead to this model. Two model formation processes are developed: a manual method, and method that exploits an emerging adaptive, multiple-object-spectrometer instrument. A semi-automated background modeling approach is shown to arrive at a reasonable background model with minimal operator intervention. A novel, adaptive, and autonomous approach uses a new type of adaptive hyperspectral sensor, and converges to a 66% correct background model in 5% the time of the baseline {a 95% reduction in sensor acquisition time. A multiple-hypothesis-tracker is incorporated, which utilizes background statistics to form track costs and associated track maintenance thresholds. The context-aided system is demonstrated in a high- fidelity tracking testbed, and reduces track identity error by 30%

American and English procedures for the determination and expression of sovereign will

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

An environmental overview of the Walvis Bay 'Bay Area', Namibia

Bibliography: leaves 97-100.This dissertation forms part of a process which began when DANCED initiated the first stages of a project aimed at aiding the Namibian Government in the development of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management _Plan for the coastline of the Erongo Region. DANCED requested the assistance of the MPhil students, from the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science of the University of Cape Town, in the compilation of a baseline report for the region. The first step involved the collection and synthesis of baseline data on all environmental factors (natural and social) pertaining to the Erongo Region. This was followed by individual research dissertations by each member of the class. After review of the Baseline Report, the greater Walvis Bay 'bay area ' was identified as a priority area in terms of coastal zone management of the Erongo Region. The aim of this dissertation is thus to provide an environmental overview of the Walvis Bay ' bay area' that can assist planners and relevant authorities in the effective management the area. Firstly, the importance of the study area as a conservation area is established. It is noted that the Walvis Bay wetland is one of the top five most important wetland areas in Africa. Secondly, there is little co-ordination and communication between the authorities that have jurisdiction over portions of the study area and this has led to ineffective management of the area. Thirdly, the study area is defined and the major human activities operating within the study area are identified and described

Albuquerque Evening Citizen, 01-25-1906

https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/abq_citizen_news/4189/thumbnail.jp