2,890 research outputs found
MirBot: A collaborative object recognition system for smartphones using convolutional neural networks
MirBot is a collaborative application for smartphones that allows users to
perform object recognition. This app can be used to take a photograph of an
object, select the region of interest and obtain the most likely class (dog,
chair, etc.) by means of similarity search using features extracted from a
convolutional neural network (CNN). The answers provided by the system can be
validated by the user so as to improve the results for future queries. All the
images are stored together with a series of metadata, thus enabling a
multimodal incremental dataset labeled with synset identifiers from the WordNet
ontology. This dataset grows continuously thanks to the users' feedback, and is
publicly available for research. This work details the MirBot object
recognition system, analyzes the statistics gathered after more than four years
of usage, describes the image classification methodology, and performs an
exhaustive evaluation using handcrafted features, convolutional neural codes
and different transfer learning techniques. After comparing various models and
transformation methods, the results show that the CNN features maintain the
accuracy of MirBot constant over time, despite the increasing number of new
classes. The app is freely available at the Apple and Google Play stores.Comment: Accepted in Neurocomputing, 201
A Security Pattern for Cloud service certification
Cloud computing is interesting from the economic, operational and even energy consumption perspectives but it still raises concerns regarding
the security, privacy, governance and compliance of the data and software services offered through it. However, the task of verifying security
properties in services running on cloud is not trivial. We notice the provision and security of a cloud service is sensitive. Because of the
potential interference between the features and behavior of all the inter-dependent services in all layers of the cloud stack (as well as dynamic
changes in them). Besides current cloud models do not include support for trust-focused communication between layers. We present a
mechanism to implement cloud service certification process based on the usage of Trusted Computing technology, by means of its Trusted Computing Platform (TPM) implementation of its architecture. Among many security security features it is a tamper proof resistance built in device and provides a root of trust to affix our certification mechanism. We present as a security pattern the approach for service certification based on the use TPM.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec
Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Genetics and epigenetics play a key role in the development of several diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Family studies demonstrate that first degree relatives of patients with NAFLD are at a much higher risk of the disease than the general population. The development of the Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) technology has allowed the identification of numerous genetic polymorphisms involved in the evolution of diseases (e.g., PNPLA3, MBOAT7). On the other hand, epigenetic changes interact with inherited risk factors to determine an individual’s susceptibility to NAFLD. Modifications of the histones amino-terminal ends are key factors in the maintenance of chromatin structure and gene expression (cAMP-responsive element binding protein H (CREBH) or SIRT1). Activation of SIRT1 showed potential against the physiological mechanisms related to NAFLD. Abnormal DNA methylation represents a starting point for cancer development in NAFLD patients. Besides, the evaluation of circulating miRNA profiles represents a promising approach to assess and non-invasively monitor liver disease severity. To date, there is no approved pharmacologic therapy for NAFLD and the current treatment remains weight loss with lifestyle modification and exercise. In this review, the status of research into relevant genetic and epigenetic modifiers of NAFLD progression will be discusse
Effects of discontinuities of the derivatives of the inflaton potential
We study the effects of a class of features of the inflaton potential,
corresponding to discontinuties in its derivatives. We perform fully numerical
calculations and derive analytical approximations for the curvature
pertubations spectrum and the bispectrum which are in good agreement with the
numerical results.
The spectrum of primordial perturbations has oscillations around the scale
which leaves the horizon at the time when the feature occurs,
with the amplitude and phase of the oscillations determined by the size and the
order of the discontinuity. The large scale bispectrum in the squeezed and
equilateral limits have a very similar form and are linearly suppressed. Both
in the squeezed and equilateral small scale limit the bispectrum has an
oscillatory behavior whose phase depends on the parameters determining the
discontinuity, and whose amplitude is inversely proportional to the scale.
Given the generality of this class of features they could be used to model or
classify phenomenologically different types of non Gaussian features
encountered in observational data such as the cosmic microwave background
radiation or large scale structure.Comment: 26 pages, 22 figures, version accepted by EPJ
CMB anomalies and the effects of local features of the inflaton potential
Recent analysis of the WMAP and Planck data have shown the presence of a dip
and a bump in the spectrum of primordial perturbations at the scales
Mpc and Mpc respectively. We analyze for the first
time the effects a local feature in the inflaton potential to explain the
observed deviations from scale invariance in the primordial spectrum. We
perform a best fit analysis of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation
temperature and polarization data. The effects of the features can improve the
agreement with observational data respect to the featureless model. The best
fit local feature affects the primordial curvature spectrum mainly in the
region of the bump, leaving the spectrum unaffected on other scales.Comment: 18 pages, 8figures, published in EPJ
An operational framework for nonlocality
Due to the importance of entanglement for quantum information purposes, a
framework has been developed for its characterization and quantification as a
resource based on the following operational principle: entanglement among
parties cannot be created by local operations and classical communication, even
when parties collaborate. More recently, nonlocality has been identified
as another resource, alternative to entanglement and necessary for
device-independent quantum information protocols. We introduce an operational
framework for nonlocality based on a similar principle: nonlocality among
parties cannot be created by local operations and allowed classical
communication even when parties collaborate. We then show that the
standard definition of multipartite nonlocality, due to Svetlichny, is
inconsistent with this operational approach: according to it, genuine
tripartite nonlocality could be created by two collaborating parties. We
finally discuss alternative definitions for which consistency is recovered
Analysis of timber as sustainable material for construction
Comunicació presentada a IN-TECH 2014 International Conference on Innovative Technologies (Leiria, Portugal 10-13, september 2014).Facing the climate change scenario, professionals and technicians of civil engineering and
architecture are searching for ecological solutions and construction methods that would allow for higher
energy-efficiency and then reduce environmental impacts. Timber represents one of the best choices for
energy-efficient construction, since it also functions as a material with good thermal transmittance properties if
compared to other construction materials. This work analyses the possibilities and benefits that wood offers for
the construction industry, in terms of sustainability. On the one hand, the sustainable forest management
system contributes to ensure the quality and well-management in the exploitation of the forest in order to
produce timber and other sub-products such as cork, paper and tree resins. In relation to this, the construction
industry has an important role to increase the level of sustainable products by demanding certified timber. On
the other hand, due to its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), timber has the lower energy consumption compared to
other building materials, as well as the CO2 stored and saved contributes to mitigate climate change. The LCA
stages for the production of timber, the potential of saving carbon emissions and its comparison with other
building products are presented. Concerning energy efficiency, once timber is implemented in a building taking
part of the structure or as cladding material, it provides a high insulation decreasing the thermal transmittance
of the walls, roofs, floors and windows. Its versatility as construction material also enables obtaining innovative
solutions which can be implemented in buildings, as it is presented in this study. The optimum energy
performance and low carbon emissions of timber make from this product a suitable and sustainable material to
be highly considered for the construction industry
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