86 research outputs found
The University of Glasgow at ImageClefPhoto 2009
In this paper we describe the approaches adopted to generate the five runs submitted to ImageClefPhoto 2009 by the University of Glasgow. The aim of our methods is to exploit document diversity in the rankings. All our runs used text statistics extracted from the captions associated to each image in the collection, except one run which combines the textual statistics with visual features extracted from the provided images.
The results suggest that our methods based on text captions significantly improve the performance of the respective baselines, while the approach that combines visual features with text statistics shows lower levels of improvements
Improving conversational dynamics with reactive speech synthesis
The active exchange of ideas and/or information is a crucial feature of human-human conversation. Yet it is a skill that present-day ‘conversational’ interfaces are lacking, which effectively hampers the dynamics of interaction and makes it feel artificial. In this paper, we present a reactive speech synthesis system that can handle user’s interruptions. Initial results of evaluation of our interactive experiment indicate that participants prefer a reactive system to a non-reactive one. Based on participants’ feedback, we suggest potential applications for reactive speech synthesis systems (i.e. interactive tutor and adventure game) and propose further interactive user experiments to evaluate them. We anticipate that the reactive system can offer more engaging and dynamic interaction and improve user experience by making it feel more like a natural human-human conversation
K-Space at TRECVID 2008
In this paper we describe K-Space’s participation in
TRECVid 2008 in the interactive search task. For 2008
the K-Space group performed one of the largest interactive
video information retrieval experiments conducted
in a laboratory setting. We had three institutions participating
in a multi-site multi-system experiment. In
total 36 users participated, 12 each from Dublin City
University (DCU, Ireland), University of Glasgow (GU,
Scotland) and Centrum Wiskunde and Informatica (CWI,
the Netherlands). Three user interfaces were developed,
two from DCU which were also used in 2007 as well as
an interface from GU. All interfaces leveraged the same
search service. Using a latin squares arrangement, each
user conducted 12 topics, leading in total to 6 runs per
site, 18 in total. We officially submitted for evaluation 3
of these runs to NIST with an additional expert run using
a 4th system. Our submitted runs performed around
the median. In this paper we will present an overview of
the search system utilized, the experimental setup and a
preliminary analysis of our results
The Depletion of Nuclear Glutathione Impairs Cell Proliferation in 3t3 Fibroblasts
BACKGROUND:Glutathione is considered essential for survival in mammalian cells and yeast but not in prokaryotic cells. The presence of a nuclear pool of glutathione has been demonstrated but its role in cellular proliferation and differentiation is still a matter of debate. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We have studied proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts for a period of 5 days. Cells were treated with two well known depleting agents, diethyl maleate (DEM) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), and the cellular and nuclear glutathione levels were assessed by analytical and confocal microscopic techniques, respectively. Both agents decreased total cellular glutathione although depletion by BSO was more sustained. However, the nuclear glutathione pool resisted depletion by BSO but not with DEM. Interestingly, cell proliferation was impaired by DEM, but not by BSO. Treating the cells simultaneously with DEM and with glutathione ethyl ester to restore intracellular GSH levels completely prevented the effects of DEM on cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS:Our results demonstrate the importance of nuclear glutathione in the control of cell proliferation in 3T3 fibroblasts and suggest that a reduced nuclear environment is necessary for cells to progress in the cell cycle
Sourcing von Finanzprozessen - Ein Modell zur simultanen Bewertung von Economies of Scale und Scope
Exploring capability maturity models and relevant practices as solutions addressing information technology service offshoring project issues
This research investigated Capability Maturity Models (CMM) / Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) best practices and their effects on managing and mitigating critical issues associated with offshore development. Using a web-based survey, data was collected from 451 Information Technology and software development firms in the US. The results of the analysis show that IT companies applying CMM/CMMI models have fewer issues associated with IT offshoring. When US IT companies utilizing and incorporating different practices from TSP and People-CMM into CMMI-DEV/SVC and CMMI-ACQ, they have fewer offshoring issues related to language barriers and cultural differences
Erythrocytes do not activate purified and platelet soluble guanylate cyclases even in conditions favourable for NO synthesis
New approaches to the treatment of orphan genetic disorders: Mitigating molecular pathologies using chemicals
Investigating gesture and pressure interaction with a 3D display
We examine the use of a mobile device to provide multifunctional input and output for a stereoscopic 3D television (TV) display. Through a number of example applications, we demonstrate how a combination of gestural and haptic input (touch and pressure) can be successfully deployed to allow the user to navigate a complex information space (multimedia and TV content), while at the same time visual feedback can be used to provide additional information to the user enriching the experience. In order to investigate the usefulness of our example applications a user evaluation was conducted, where our prototypes were compared with more traditional devices for multimedia interaction. The results of the user evaluations highlight the benefits of our approach and also provide some design guidelines
- …