Al Hybrid Content-Based Retrieval Approach For Video Data

Increasing use of multimedia data makes it crucial to develop intelligent search mec:hanisms for retrieving multimedia data by content. Traditional text-based methods clearly do not suffice to describe the rich content of images, voice or video. Digital vidseo requires the incorporation of temporal information for any effective contentbased retrieval scheme. We present a novel technique which integrates object motion ancl temporal relationship information in order to characterize the events for subsequent search for similar clips. We propose a hybrid mechanism based on object motion trails similarity match and interval-based temporal modeling that leads to a unique framework for spatio-temporal content based access in digital video. We implemented the proposed methods and demonstrated that high-level query formulation can be achieved for the aforementioned purpose. Development of such technology will enable true multimedia search engines that will accomplish what current Internet search engines like Infoseek or Excite do today for textual data

Regulation of Inflammation by Short Chain Fatty Acids

The short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate (C2), propionate (C3) and butyrate (C4) are the main metabolic products of anaerobic bacteria fermentation in the intestine. In addition to their important role as fuel for intestinal epithelial cells, SCFAs modulate different processes in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract such as electrolyte and water absorption. These fatty acids have been recognized as potential mediators involved in the effects of gut microbiota on intestinal immune function. SCFAs act on leukocytes and endothelial cells through at least two mechanisms: activation of GPCRs (GPR41 and GPR43) and inhibiton of histone deacetylase (HDAC). SCFAs regulate several leukocyte functions including production of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10), eicosanoids and chemokines (e.g., MCP-1 and CINC-2). The ability of leukocytes to migrate to the foci of inflammation and to destroy microbial pathogens also seems to be affected by the SCFAs. In this review, the latest research that describes how SCFAs regulate the inflammatory process is presented. The effects of these fatty acids on isolated cells (leukocytes, endothelial and intestinal epithelial cells) and, particularly, on the recruitment and activation of leukocytes are discussed. Therapeutic application of these fatty acids for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies is also highlighted

Spatio-temporal content characterization and retrieval in multimedia databases

The increasing use of multimedia data makes it crucial to use intelligent search mechanisms for retrieving multimedia data by content. Traditional text-based methods clearly do not suffice to describe the rich content present in digital video. We present a video database indexing and search engine, PICTURESQUE (Pictorial Information and Content Transformation Unified Retrieval Engine for Spatiotemporal QUE ries) that incorporates object motion and temporal relationship information in a video database. Spatial composition of the salient objects and their movements play a crucial role in characterization of the “content” of video. PICTURESQUE offers a unified spatio-temporal model and a retrieval scheme for fast and effective access to the underlying database. We propose three different motion representation schemes, trail-based, trajectory coordinates, and interval-based models and validate their effectiveness by comparative performance measures. Our query mechanism is based on an intuitive QBE-like method that involves sketching of the desired motion by the users. Our use of efficient numerical techniques to describe both the query and data composition enables us to take advantage of analytical methods for query evaluation. In addition to improved performance, these methods provide benefits such as flexibility and temporal scale invariance. PICTURESQUE covers a complete solution from pre-indexing of video to presentation of results via a graphical user interface and its modular implementation provides concision and extensibility. Development of such technology will enable true multimedia search engines that will accomplish what current textual search engines do today

Multimodal detection of highlights for multimedia content

We present a multimedia information analysis framework for content-based browsing of video. Specifically, we develop algorithms for the automated extraction of video highlights in sports video that are based on audio, text, and image features. The extracted annotations are used to build applications for selective browsing of sports videos. Such summarization techniques enable content-based indexing of multimedia documents for efficient storage and retrieval. In addition, in the context of the newly emerging standard MPEG-7, these methods will enable applications that use MPEG-7 descriptions. As this standard provides only the syntax for representing such descriptions and not specific algorithms for extracting them, these algorithms are of great value for establishing MPEG-7 as an accepted standard. We provide experimental results for the proposed algorithms on several hours of sports programs that prove the feasibility of efficient video access techniques in a multimedia environment