Iris Recognition: The Consequences of Image Compression

Iris recognition for human identification is one of the most accurate biometrics, and its employment is expanding globally. The use of portable iris systems, particularly in law enforcement applications, is growing. In many of these applications, the portable device may be required to transmit an iris image or template over a narrow-bandwidth communication channel. Typically, a full resolution image (e.g., VGA) is desired to ensure sufficient pixels across the iris to be confident of accurate recognition results. To minimize the time to transmit a large amount of data over a narrow-bandwidth communication channel, image compression can be used to reduce the file size of the iris image. In other applications, such as the Registered Traveler program, an entire iris image is stored on a smart card, but only 4 kB is allowed for the iris image. For this type of application, image compression is also the solution. This paper investigates the effects of image compression on recognition system performance using a commercial version of the Daugman iris2pi algorithm along with JPEG-2000 compression, and links these to image quality. Using the ICE 2005 iris database, we find that even in the face of significant compression, recognition performance is minimally affected

An XML Query Engine for Network-Bound Data

XML has become the lingua franca for data exchange and integration across administrative and enterprise boundaries. Nearly all data providers are adding XML import or export capabilities, and standard XML Schemas and DTDs are being promoted for all types of data sharing. The ubiquity of XML has removed one of the major obstacles to integrating data from widely disparate sources –- namely, the heterogeneity of data formats. However, general-purpose integration of data across the wide area also requires a query processor that can query data sources on demand, receive streamed XML data from them, and combine and restructure the data into new XML output -- while providing good performance for both batch-oriented and ad-hoc, interactive queries. This is the goal of the Tukwila data integration system, the first system that focuses on network-bound, dynamic XML data sources. In contrast to previous approaches, which must read, parse, and often store entire XML objects before querying them, Tukwila can return query results even as the data is streaming into the system. Tukwila is built with a new system architecture that extends adaptive query processing and relational-engine techniques into the XML realm, as facilitated by a pair of operators that incrementally evaluate a query’s input path expressions as data is read. In this paper, we describe the Tukwila architecture and its novel aspects, and we experimentally demonstrate that Tukwila provides better overall query performance and faster initial answers than existing systems, and has excellent scalability

The multi-tier mecanism and the Dispute Avoidance resolution into the collaborative environment proposed by the New Engeniering Contract 4 (NEC4)

En medio de la necesidad de encontrar mecanismos efectivos y eficientes en la solución de controversias en los proyectos de construcción, el presente artículo analiza la propuesta que abordan los mecanismos escalonados de solución de controversias junto con los paneles preventivos de controversias (dispute avoidance board), propuesta que discurre en medio de un entorno en colaboración (y no la inexacta idea de un “contrato colaborativo”), ambientado por el recientemente editado contrato NEC4. El texto propone al lector la posibilidad de plantear, a partir de su experiencia y los conceptos vertidos en el texto, un escenario útil y adhoc utilizando ambas herramientas, según las necesidades del proyecto. El presente artículo propone un modo de cómo entender y emplear los mecanismos que ofrece el Contrato NEC 4, y en especial con relación al mecanismo escalonado de resolución de controversias y la Junta Preventiva de Disputas, con el objetivo de alcanzar los fines de eficiencia en la ejecución de un proyecto y evitar lo que ha ocurrido con otros mecanismos, considerados éstos últimos, en la práctica, como meros pasos formales previos a una solución definitiva.In the midst of the need to find effective and efficient mechanisms for solving disputes in construction projects, this article analyzes the proposal dealing with the multi-tier mechanisms along with the dispute avoidance board, a proposal that runs as part of a collaborative environment (and not the inaccurate idea of a “collaborative contract”), set up by the recently edited-NEC 4. The text offers to the reader the chance to consider, based on their experience and the exposed concepts in the text, a useful and ad-hoc scene using both tools, according to the needs of the project. This article proposes a way of understanding and using the mechanisms offered by the NEC 4 Contract, and especially in relation to the multitier mechanism and the Avoidance Dispute Board, in order to achieve the goals of efficiency in the execution of a project and avoiding what has happened with another mechanisms, which were considered in practice as merely formal steps prior to a definitive solution

Academic Technology Center of UFRGS as a community of practice and possibility of creation of non-formal learning spaces : an ethnographic study

A promoção de autênticas experiências de aprendizagem na formação discente é um desafio para a maior parte das instituições de ensino. A busca por iniciativas já em andamento que possam contribuir para alcançar este objetivo pode revelar possibilidades de ações futuras. No presente trabalho apresentamos os resultados de um estudo etnográfico no Centro de Tecnologia Acadêmica da UFRGS. Entendemos que seu modelo de gestão de conhecimento pode servir para o cultivo de ambientes não formais de aprendizagem. Como resultado, pudemos tipificar o CTA como uma Comunidade de Prática, identificando seus elementos estruturais. Tal caracterização pode inspirar a criação de centros similares em outras instituições de ensino, auxiliando, assim, profissionais interessados em ampliar as oportunidades formativas de seus estudantes.Proporcionar auténticas experiencias de aprendizaje en la capacitación de los estudiantes es un desafío para muchas instituciones educativas. La búsqueda de iniciativas en curso que puedan contribuir a lograr este objetivo puede exponer posibilidades para acciones futuras. En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de un estudio etnográfico en el Centro de Tecnología Académica de UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul). Suponemos que su modelo de gestión del conocimiento se puede utilizar para fomentar espacios no formales de aprendizaje. Como resultado, pudimos caracterizar el CTA como una comunidad de práctica, identificando sus elementos estructurales. Esta caracterización puede inspirar la creación de centros similares en otras instituciones de enseñanza, lo que ayudaría a los profesionales interesados en ampliar las oportunidades de capacitación para sus estudiantes.Provide authentic learning experiences in the training of students is a challenge for many educational institutions. The search for ongoing initiatives that can contribute to achieving this objective may expose possibilities for future actions. In this work we present the results of an ethnographic study in a Center of Academic Technology of a Brazilian public university. We assume that its knowledge management model can be used to foster non-formal learning spaces. As a result, we were able to typify it as a community of practice, identifying its structural elements. This characterization can inspire the creation of similar centers in other teaching institutions, assisting professionals interested in expanding the training opportunities for their students

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus velezensis improves Vibrio anguillarum clearance in European sea bass by activating essential innate immune mechanisms

Bacillus spp. supplementation as probiotics in cultured fish diets has a long history of safe and effective use. Specifically, B. velezensis show great promise in fine-tuning the European sea bass disease resistance against the pathogenicity caused by several members of the Vibrio family. However, the immunomodulatory mechanisms behind this response remain poorly understood. Here, to examine the inherent immune variations in sea bass, two equal groups were fed for 30 days with a steady diet, with one treatment supplemented with B. velezensis. The serum bactericidal capacity against live cells of Vibrio anguillarum strain 507 and the nitric oxide and lysozyme lytic activities were assayed. At the cellular level, the phagocytic response of peripheral blood leukocytes against inactivated Candida albicans was determined. Moreover, head-kidney (HK) total leukocytes were isolated from previously in vivo treated fish with LPS of V. anguillarum strain 507. Mechanistically, the expression of some essential proinflammatory genes interleukin-1 (il1b), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (tnfa), and cyclooxygenase 2 (cox2) and the sea bass specific antimicrobial peptide (AMP) dicentracin (dic) expressions were assessed. Surprisingly, the probiotic supplementation significantly increased all humoral lytic and cellular activities assayed in the treated sea bass. In addition, time-dependent differences were observed between the control and probiotic treated groups for all the HK genes markers subjected to the sublethal LPS dose. Although the il1b was the fastest responding gene to a significant level at 48 hours post-injection (hpi), all the other genes followed 72h in the probiotic supplemented group. Finally, an in vivo bacteria challenge against live V. anguillarum was conducted. The probiotic fed fish observed a significantly higher survival. Overall, our results provide clear vertical evidence on the beneficial immune effects of B. velezensis and unveil some fundamental immune mechanismpublishedVersio