Using spatio-temporal continuity constraints to enhance visual tracking of moving objects

We present a framework for annotating dynamic scenes involving occlusion and other uncertainties. Our system comprises an object tracker, an object classifier and an algorithm for reasoning about spatio-temporal continuity. The principle behind the object tracking and classifier modules is to reduce error by increasing ambiguity (by merging objects in close proximity and presenting multiple hypotheses). The reasoning engine resolves error, ambiguity and occlusion to produce a most likely hypothesis, which is consistent with global spatio-temporal continuity constraints. The system results in improved annotation over frame-by-frame methods. It has been implemented and applied to the analysis of a team sports video

An empirical study of industrial consumer buying behaviour: how airlines buy airplanes

We show that commercial aircraft customers buy aircraft brands probabilistically and that their aggregate buying patterns conform to the well-known double jeopardy and duplication of purchase laws. This is a major conceptual contribution to the analysis of industrial buyer behavior with important implications for industrial marketing management. Analysis using stochastic models of brand choice with consumer panel data is the norm in fmcg categories, but the lack of such data in industrial markets should not be seen as insuperable; a variety of data gathering techniques make it possible to assemble sufficient data even in markets where purchases are spread out over many years. Thus our second contribution is to show that competitive market structure can be revealed by data readily available to marketing managers that can be analyzed simply, with basic analysis tool, but with profound managerial implications

The Challenges for Smart Cities in the UK

The rising interest in smart cities in the UK and Europe is in danger of sliding into a public/private debate. While the literature on smart cities is extensive, it is also confusing and often contradictory. Moreover, the technology advances that enable smart cities to develop advance far more quickly than does the academic analysis that follows. In this article we briefly summarize the literature in order to create a progress report for smart cities in the UK. We begin with a short review of the Smart Cities concept. Our main finding is that the implementation of smart city concepts across the UK is patchy, partly because in the UK cities control only about 18% of their budgets and their ability to act locally is constrained. As a result, smart city initiatives and investments leave much to be desired in terms of function and impact. We conclude that in the UK, the challenges to meeting the smart city ideal are many and profound, but not insuperable. The results can be summarized in four main issues that cities face in becoming smarter: 1. Critical political challenges--as opposed to technological—require involvement of highly placed political leaders, 2. Marketplace forces need to be shaped for the broader community to benefit, 3. Smart cities cannot be either bottom up or top down, they have to be both, 4. Concerns about privacy, engagement, and appropriate use of all aspects of smart city interfaces need to be better understood

Valine Biosynthesis: Mrub_2994 is Orthologous to \u3cem\u3eE. coli\u3c/em\u3e b3770 and Mrub_1844 is Orthologous to \u3cem\u3eE. coli\u3c/em\u3e b3771

This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which uses the bioinformatics tools associated with the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation – Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT) to predict gene function. We investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_2994 and Mrub_1844. We predict that Mrub_1884 encodes the enzyme dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DNA coordinates 1901362..1903026 on the forward strand), which is the third step of the valine biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00290). It catalyzes the conversion of 2,3-dihydroxy-3methylbutanoate to 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b3771, which has the gene identifier ilvD. We also predict that Mrub_2994 encodes the enzyme branched-chain amino acid transaminase. (DNA coordinates 3033210..3034169 on the forward strand), which is the fourth step of the valine biosynthesis pathway (KEGG map number 00290). It catalyzes the conversion of 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate to L-valine. The E. coli K12 MG1655 ortholog is predicted to be b3770, which has the gene identifier ilvE

Environmental impacts and production effects of subsurface drainage at an intensive apple orchard near Donnybrook, WA

This report documents results of research carried out within the Donnybrook area, Western Australia, to determine appropriate management for shallow groundwater system responsible for waterlogging of horticultural crops. On one irrigated and previously waterlogged orchard block an assessment is made of the role that subsurface water control had on fruit production and soil water conditions. The report focuses on environmental aspects

Goomig Farmlands development Baseline water quality in the lower Keep River

In 2008 the Ord Irrigation Expansion Project was approved by the Western Australian Government to develop irrigated agriculture on the Weaber Plain. By mid-2014 construction of almost all of the water supply, drainage, access, monitoring and other infrastructure for the 7400ha Goomig Farmlands development had substantially been completed. An important concern is the effect the Goomig Farmlands development may have on the water quality of the downstream lower Keep River aquatic environment, particularly as it relates to threatened species that inhabit or may inhabit the area. Possible increases in salinity, nutrients, suspended sediment, heavy metals and farm chemicals delivered in run-off are therefore of primary interest

Mrub_1325, Mrub_1326, Mrub_1327, and Mrub_1328 are orthologs of B_3454, B_3455, B_3457, B_3458, respectively found in \u3cem\u3eEscherichia coli\u3c/em\u3e coding for a Branched Chain Amino Acid ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter System

In this project we investigated the biological function of the genes Mrub_1325, Mrub_1326, Mrub_1327, and Mrub_1328 (KEGG map number 02010). We predict these genes encode components of a Branched Chain Amino Acid ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter: 1) Mrub_1325 (DNA coordinates 1357399-1358130 on the reverse strand) encodes the ATP binding domain; 2) Mrub_1326 (DNA coordinates 1358127-1359899 on the reverse strand) encodes the ATP-binding domain and permease domain; 3) Mrub_1327 (DNA coordinates 1359899-1360930 on the reverse strand) encodes a permease domain; and 4)Mrub_1328 (DNA coordinates 1711022-1712185 on the reverse strand) encodes the substrate binding domain. This system is not predicted to have a solute binding protein, which is a component of most ABC transporters. This transport system is found in E. coli K12 MG1655, the predicted orthologs of Mrub_1325, Mrub_1326, Mrub_1327, and Mrub_1328, livF, livG, livH, and livK respectively, are b3454, b3455, b3457, and b3458, form a livFGHK operon encoding an ABC transporter for branched chain amino acid transport. Mrub_1326 is likely a fused protein of both livG and livM suggesting it may also be orthologous to b3456. This project is part of the Meiothermus ruber genome analysis project, which predicts gene function using the bioinformatics tools collected under the umbrella of the Guiding Education through Novel Investigation –Annotation Collaboration Toolkit (GENI-ACT)

Surface Water Characteristics of the Weaber Plain and lower Keep River Catchments: data review and preliminary results

In 2008, the Ord Irrigation Expansion Project was approved by the Western Australian Government to develop irrigated agriculture on the Weaber Plain. An important concern is the effect the Weaber Plain agricultural development may have on the water quality of the downstream Border Creek and Keep River This report assembles and reviews all available physico-chemical water quality data for the lower Keep River and Border Creek systems and presents data from the initial year of a targeted baseline monitoring program (June 2010 – June 2013)

Observations of localised effects of the Busselton compensating basins on surface water, groundwater and soil salinity

Between 2001 and 2009 the Water Corporation constructed three flood-compensating basins on farmland in the Vasse and Sabina river catchments, upstream of in the city of Busselton. The basins are designed to reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas of Busselton by temporarily storing and then regulating runoff during flood events. This report fulfils the reporting requirements of a contract between the Water Corporation and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Data relating to the local groundwater and surface-water dynamics, salinity, nutrients and pH, plus changes to shallow and deep-soil salinity (from repeat ground-based electromagnetic induction [EM] surveying), was reviewed and analysed

Is a visual worth more than a thousand words? An investigation into brand engagement and social shopping on visual social media

Social media networking is now the most popular online activity worldwide and a large part of social media interaction involves sharing visual content on platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest. The phenomenal growth in numbers of users makes visual platforms enticing for marketers who spend ever-increasing time, effort and money on social media in the hope of generating consumer engagement for their brands. This research investigates customer behaviour for the largest visual social media platform, Instagram. It looks at users’ behavioural engagement and links engagement to brand purchase decisions through a social shopping construct. In order to evaluate the potential marketing benefits of visual social media we compared brand-generated content with user- generated content in terms of brand engagement and its effect on social shopping. Engagement was measured in four different dimensions – cognitive, emotional, personal, and behavioural. Key issues in the use of visual social media are the credibility of the source content and the user’s willingness to be the recipient of marketing interventions This mixed-method approach revealed that user-generated content created by unfamiliar users such as bloggers is most effective in influencing purchase. Conversely and surprisingly, user-generated content from close social ties are least effective in inspiring purchase behaviour. The study highlights the importance for marketers of reaching key influencers with large followings in order to engender social shopping amongst visual social media users