BIRI: a new approach for automatically discovering and indexing available public bioinformatics resources from the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rapid evolution of Internet technologies and the collaborative approaches that dominate the field have stimulated the development of numerous bioinformatics resources. To address this new framework, several initiatives have tried to organize these services and resources. In this paper, we present the BioInformatics Resource Inventory (BIRI), a new approach for automatically discovering and indexing available public bioinformatics resources using information extracted from the scientific literature. The index generated can be automatically updated by adding additional manuscripts describing new resources. We have developed web services and applications to test and validate our approach. It has not been designed to replace current indexes but to extend their capabilities with richer functionalities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We developed a web service to provide a set of high-level query primitives to access the index. The web service can be used by third-party web services or web-based applications. To test the web service, we created a pilot web application to access a preliminary knowledge base of resources. We tested our tool using an initial set of 400 abstracts. Almost 90% of the resources described in the abstracts were correctly classified. More than 500 descriptions of functionalities were extracted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These experiments suggest the feasibility of our approach for automatically discovering and indexing current and future bioinformatics resources. Given the domain-independent characteristics of this tool, it is currently being applied by the authors in other areas, such as medical nanoinformatics. BIRI is available at <url>http://edelman.dia.fi.upm.es/biri/</url>.</p

Hyperspectral Image Segmentation Using a New Spectral Unmixing-Based Binary Partition Tree Representation

International audienceThe Binary Partition Tree (BPT) is a hierarchical region-based representation of an image in a tree structure. BPT allows users to explore the image at different segmentation scales. Often, the tree is pruned to get a more compact representation and so the remaining nodes conform an optimal partition for some given task. Here, we propose a novel BPT construction approach and pruning strategy for hyperspectral images based on spectral unmixing concepts. Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) consists of finding the spectral signatures of the materials present in the image (endmembers) and their fractional abundances within each pixel. The proposed methodology exploits the local unmixing of the regions to find the partition achieving a global minimum reconstruction error. Results are presented on real hyperspectral data sets with different contexts and resolutions

Intelligent techniques for improved engine fuel economy

ii This thesis presents an investigation into a novel method of estimating the trajectory (future direction and elevation) of a vehicle, and subsequently influencing the control of an engine. The technique represents a convenient and robust method of achieving road prediction, to form a fuzzy system that „looks ahead‟, leading potentially to improved fuel consumption and a consequent reduction in exhaust emissions. The work described in this thesis brings together two modern technologies, Neuro-fuzzy techniques and Global Positioning System, and applies them to engine/vehicle control. The intelligent GPS-based control system presented in this thesis utilises information about the current vehicle position and upcoming terrain in order to reduce vehicle fuel consumption as well as improve road safety and comfort. The development of such in-vehicle control systems has provided static and dynamic road information. The vehicle running parameters have been mathematically defined whilst the engin

Energy-saving policies in grid computing and smart environments

Texto completo descargado desde TeseoThis work studies the problem of energy consumption growth in two spheres: Grid-Computing and Smart Environments. These problems are tackled through the establishment of energy-saving policies developed for each environment in order to save the maximum energy as possible. In the Grid-Computing environment, seven energypolicies were designed in an attempt to minimize energy consumption through shutting resources down and booting them. It is proved that approximately 40% of energy can be saved. Efficiency of various grid locations was compared using Data Envelopment Analysis methodology. In Smart Environments where sensors perceive lighting conditions, the energy-saving policy adjusts lighting in order to satisfy user preferences and prevents energy from being wasted. A set of wireless sensors were deployed on two offices at the department of Computer Languages and Systems. The dataset created over several months was employed to extract information about user lighting preferences, from the application of which it is proven that around 70% of energy can be saved in lighting appliances.Premio Extraordinario de Doctorado U

Publishing Activities of Shiites and Democratization of Islamic Thought in Indonesia

This paper examines the pattern of publication in a mass Islamic organization that is a minority in Indonesia, namely those originating from the Shia Islamic School. The publication process itself is inseparable from the position of an organization which is one of the centers of Shia community activities in Indonesia in giving and receiving knowledge and information. The study on the Indonesian Ahlulbait Jamaat Association (IJABI) which was founded in Bandung uses qualitative methods with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, documentation studies, and literature studies. The results of the study show that there is a model of publication activity which is characterized by the presence of managers, participants, and supporters of publication activities based on the role of communication among the very dominant Shia citizens. This needs to be exemplified by other organizations, in order to strengthen the character, intelligence and skills of the community in facing the fast, effective and efficient development of the ag

Sharia and Democracy: Efforts to Synergize the Demands of Faith with the legal System in Indonesia

Since the fall of the New Order's authoritarian regime, Indonesia as a country with the largest Muslim population in the world is often praised as a country that has proven that Islam, democracy and modernity can grow and develop together. However, democracy in Indonesia does not escape the challenges associated with the return of the spirit of religion in political life. The problem is the return of religion to politics – and to public life in general – is a serious challenge to the rule of democratically enacted law and the civil liberties that go with it. Islamic activism or Islamism although they use freedom provided by democracy, actually rejects the principles of democracy and human rights which they see as contrary to the sharia and the absolute sovereignty of God. In the past thirteen years there has been a tendency for rising aspirations for Indonesia to be regulated by sharia law. The purpose of this research is to look for the meaning of sharia and democracy for Muslims, the theological foundations for Muslim to support democracy, and the challenges and alternative solutions that can be offered so that sharia can be transformed to Indonesia legal system. By assuming that sharia has a purpose and that Islamic law can change, evolve in line with developments and challenges of the times, the author argues that the synergy between sharia and democracy can occur in Indonesia as long as Muslims in Indonesia can accept plurality in understanding the sharia and are not bound to one model in understanding sharia. The author believes that sharia can be applied in democratic countries such as Indonesia, because the purpose of the sharia and the purpose of the state are the same, namely the achievement of social justice for all without discrimination

The frequency of falls in children judo training

Purpose: Falling techniques are inseparable part of youth judo training. Falling techniques are related to avoiding injuries exercises (Nauta et al., 2013). There is not good evidence about the ratio of falling during the training in children. Methods: 26 children (age 8.88±1.88) were video recorded on ten training sessions for further indirect observation and performance analysis. Results: Research protocol consisted from recording falls and falling techniques (Reguli et al., 2015) in warming up, combat games, falling techniques, throwing techniques and free fighting (randori) part of the training session. While children were taught almost exclusively forward slapping roll, backward slapping roll and sideward direct slapping fall, in other parts of training also other types of falling, as forward fall on knees, naturally occurred. Conclusions: Judo coaches should stress also on teaching unorthodox falls adding to standard judo curriculum (Koshida et al., 2014). Various falling games to teach children safe falling in different conditions should be incorporated into judo training. Further research to gain more data from groups of different age in various combat and non-combat sports is needed

Fear of crime and victimization among the elderly participating in the self-defence course

Purpose. Self-defence training could enhance seniors´ defensive skills and fitness. There is lack of evidence about fear and concerns of seniors participating in the self-defence course. Methods. 18 elderly persons (16 female, 1 male; age 66.2, SD=5.86) participated in the self-defence course lasting 8 training units (each unit 60 minutes). Standardized tool for fear of crime and victimization analysis previously used in Euro-Justis project in the Czech Republic (2011) was used in pretest and posttest. Results. We explored the highest fear of crime by participants in their residence area after dark (mean=2,77; median=3; SD=0,80), lower fear at the night in their homes (mean=2,29; median=2; SD=0,75) and in their residence area at the daytime (mean=2,00; median=2; SD=0,77) at the beginning of the course. We noticed certain decrease of fear of crime after the intervention. Participant were less afraid of crime in their residence area after dark (mean=2,38; median=2; SD=0,77), they felt lower fear of crime at the night in their homes (mean=2,00; median=2; SD=0,48) and in their residence area at the daytime (mean=1,82; median=2; SD=0,63). Conclusions. The approach to self-defence teaching for elderly should be focused not just on the motor development, but also on their emotional state, fear of crime, perception of dangerousness of diverse situations and total wellbeing. Fear of crime analysis can contribute to create tailor made structure of the self-defence course for specific groups of citizens