Pandora: Description of a Painting Database for Art Movement Recognition with Baselines and Perspectives

To facilitate computer analysis of visual art, in the form of paintings, we introduce Pandora (Paintings Dataset for Recognizing the Art movement) database, a collection of digitized paintings labelled with respect to the artistic movement. Noting that the set of databases available as benchmarks for evaluation is highly reduced and most existing ones are limited in variability and number of images, we propose a novel large scale dataset of digital paintings. The database consists of more than 7700 images from 12 art movements. Each genre is illustrated by a number of images varying from 250 to nearly 1000. We investigate how local and global features and classification systems are able to recognize the art movement. Our experimental results suggest that accurate recognition is achievable by a combination of various categories.To facilitate computer analysis of visual art, in the form of paintings, we introduce Pandora (Paintings Dataset for Recognizing the Art movement) database, a collection of digitized paintings labelled with respect to the artistic movement. Noting that the set of databases available as benchmarks for evaluation is highly reduced and most existing ones are limited in variability and number of images, we propose a novel large scale dataset of digital paintings. The database consists of more than 7700 images from 12 art movements. Each genre is illustrated by a number of images varying from 250 to nearly 1000. We investigate how local and global features and classification systems are able to recognize the art movement. Our experimental results suggest that accurate recognition is achievable by a combination of various categories.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, 6 table

High Dynamic Range Imaging by Perceptual Logarithmic Exposure Merging

In this paper we emphasize a similarity between the Logarithmic-Type Image Processing (LTIP) model and the Naka-Rushton model of the Human Visual System (HVS). LTIP is a derivation of the Logarithmic Image Processing (LIP), which further replaces the logarithmic function with a ratio of polynomial functions. Based on this similarity, we show that it is possible to present an unifying framework for the High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging problem, namely that performing exposure merging under the LTIP model is equivalent to standard irradiance map fusion. The resulting HDR algorithm is shown to provide high quality in both subjective and objective evaluations.Comment: 14 pages 8 figures. Accepted at AMCS journa

In-situ preparation of ultra-small Pt nanoparticles within rod-shaped mesoporous silica particles: 3-D tomography and catalytic oxidation of n-hexane

The shape and porous configuration of supports are key parameters to design outstanding catalysts. However, the selection of a proper mesoporous support, such as SBA-15, by itself does not guarantee accessibility to catalytic sites. The distribution of the active phase and its stability are strongly related to the procedure used to deposit it on the catalytic substrate. Herein, we have prepared rod-shaped SBA-15 silica supports functionalized with amine groups to facilitate the electrostatic attraction and a good distribution of the resulting Pt-based catalytic nanoparticles along the pore walls. Additionally, the use of tetrakis-(hydroxymethyl)-phosphonium chloride (THPC) as both reductant and stabilizer is presented as a novel alternative for Pt nanoparticle synthesis. The behaviour of this catalyst in the total oxidation of n-hexane demonstrates high activity and excellent stability after 70 h on reaction stream. STEM-HAADF and 3-D tomography were used to confirm the presence of the metallic nanoparticles within the mesochannels and to corroborate their reduced sintering after reaction

Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players

[Background] Strenuous physical activity can alter the status of folic acid, a vitamin directly associated with homocysteine (Hcy); alterations in this nutrient are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Handball players are a population at risk for nutrient deficiency because of poor dietary habits. [Objective] The aims of this study were to evaluate nutritional status for macronutrients and folic acid in members of a high-performance handball team, and determine the effect of a nutritional intervention with folic acid supplementation and education. [Design] A total of 14 high-performance handball players were monitored by recording training time, training intensity (according to three levels of residual heart rate (RHR): 80%), and subjective perceived exertion (RPE) during a 4-month training period. Nutritional, laboratory and physical activity variables were recorded at baseline (Week 0), after 2 months of dietary supplementation with 200 μg folic acid (50% of the recommended daily allowance) (Week 8) and after 2 months without supplementation (Week 16). We compared training load and analyzed changes in plasma concentrations of Hcy before and after the intervention. [Results] Bivariate analysis showed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between Hcy and folic acid concentrations (r = −0.84) at Week 8, reflecting a significant change in Hcy concentration (P < 0.05) as a result of hyperhomocysteinemia following the accumulation of high training loads. At Week 16 we observed a significant negative correlation (P < 0.01) between Hcy concentration and training time with an RHR <60%, indicating that aerobic exercise avoided abrupt changes in Hcy and may thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular accidents in high-performance athletes. [Conclusion] Integral monitoring and education are needed for practitioners of handball sports to record their folic acid status, a factor that directly affects Hcy metabolism. Folic acid supplementation may protect athletes against alterations that can lead to cardiovascular events related to exertion during competition.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (grant number AP2009- 3701) and by FIS Project PI07/1228 form the Carlos III Health Institute

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FINANCIAL AUDIT IN PREVENTING ACCOUNTING ERRORS AND FRAUD

In the audit of financial statements, the main objective of the auditor is to express an opinion on the accuracy of the reported information, in all significant aspects, in relation to the applicable accounting framework. Although international auditing standards state that auditors are not required to detect financial fraud in audited companies, they must ensure during their engagement that the risk of fraud will not affect the audit opinion. To detect the risk of fraud and reports of accounting manipulation, auditors can use several signal indicators. Practice and literature support that the use of indices to detect accounting manipulation can be achieved through various linear scoring functions including the Beneish Model (1999). In Romania, the problem of assessing the risk of audit fraud has not been adequately addressed, until now. The purpose of this scientific approach is to prevent, analyze and evaluate the risk of fraud, based on the estimated score function and the defined classification interval

Primary versus Secondary Central Nervous System Melanoma: a Diagnostic Dilemma and Report of a Case

Malignant melanoma is a cancer of melanocytic origin, typically cutaneous. Despite recent advances, the prognosis is poor. Brain metastases occur in approximately 7-16% of cases and leptomeningeal metastases in 5-7%. Primary central nervous system (CNS) melanoma is rare, accounting for 1% of all melanoma cases and 0.07% of brain tumors. Methods: A 65-year old man presented with haemorrhagic venous infarction of the left temporal lobe, leading to reversible motor aphasia and right-sided hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging also revealed peculiar supratentorial cerebral and meningeal lesions suggesting neoplasia or vasculitis. Ancillary tests were unremarkable, a brain biopsy was proposed, but the patient declined. After 1.5 years symptoms recurred and imaging studies found progression of lesions, with necrosis and surrounding vasogenic oedema. The patient finally agreed to a brain biopsy for conclusive diagnosis. Results: Histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment was consistent with malignant pigmented melanoma. There were no suspicious primary lesions, but the patient recounted having had a thoracic skin lump excised some years prior, allegedly benign, yet unavailable for second opinion. Conclusion: In suspicious CNS presentations, histopathological reevaluation of previously excised skin lesions is advised, especially if brain biopsy cannot be performed. Albeit rare, primary CNS melanoma should also be considered

Congenital Abnormalities of the Fetal Heart

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most frequent congenital malformations, the costliest hospital admissions for structural defects and the leading cause of infant general and malformations related mortality. Fetal echocardiography represents a skilled ultrasound examination, because of the complexity, physiological and structural particularities of the fetal heart. The efficiency of the cardiac scan is reported with great variation, depending on the scanning protocol, examiner experience and equipment quality but CHDs remains among the most frequently missed congenital abnormalities