The K-Space segmentation tool set

In this paper we describe two applications, created as part of the K-Space Network of Excellence, designed to allow researchers to use and experiment with state-of-the-art methods for spatial segmentation of images and video sequences. The first of these tools is an _Interactive Segmentation Tool_, developed to allow accurate human-guided segmentation of semantic objects from images using different segmentation algorithms. The tool is particularly useful for generating ground-truth segmentations, extracting objects for further processing, and as a general image processing application.The second tool we developed is designed for fully automatic spatial region segmentation of image and video. The tool is web-based; usage only requires a browser. Both the automatic and interactive segmentation tools have been made available online; we anticipate they will be a valuable resource for other researchers

The effects of Bodymax high-repetition resistance training on measures of body composition and muscular strength in active adult women

This is the author's PDF version of an article published in Journal of strenght and conditioning research in 2003. The definitive version is available at http://www.nsca-jscr.orgThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a light, high-repetition resistance-training program on skinfold thicknesses and muscular strength in women. Thirty-nine active women (mean age 38.64 +/- 4.97 years) were randomly placed into a resistance-training group (RT; n = 20) or a control group (CG; n = 19). The RT group performed a resistance-training program called Bodymax for 1 hour, 3 d.wk(-1), which incorporated the use of variable free weights and high repetitions in a group setting. The CG group continued its customary aerobic training for 1 hour 3 d.wk(-1). Five skinfold and 7 muscular strength measures were determined pretraining and after 12 weeks of training. Sum of skinfolds decreased (-17 mm; p < 0.004) and muscular strength increased (+57.4 kg; p < 0.004) in the RT group. Effect sizes for individual skinfold sites and strength measures were "medium" and "high," respectively. Bodymax is an effective resistance-training program for reducing skinfold thickness and increasing muscular strength in active women. Therefore, women with a similar or lower-activity status should consider incorporating such training into their regular fitness programs

Patterns of US air transport across the economic unevenness of 2003-2013

This map summarizes the relative change in activity at 379 airports during the tumultuous economic period that lasted from 2003 to 2013 in the conterminous USA. Rather than treating airports only as individual nodes, the work identifies relative regional spatial change in airport activity based upon the combination of the percentage changes in three factors: departures, passenger levels, and available seats. The geographic results, calculated by kriging, show that the outcome over the period is not spatially uniform. In particular, the map shows that parts of the Rust Belt, Appalachia, and the Intermountain West fared relatively worse while the plains and coasts did somewhat better. The analysis expresses the fact that while footloose in the short-run, long-term adjustments in the airline industry, like those experienced across 2003-2013, did so in a spatially coherent way

Image segmentation evaluation using an integrated framework

In this paper we present a general framework we have developed for running and evaluating automatic image and video segmentation algorithms. This framework was designed to allow effortless integration of existing and forthcoming image segmentation algorithms, and allows researchers to focus more on the development and evaluation of segmentation methods, relying on the framework for encoding/decoding and visualization. We then utilize this framework to automatically evaluate four distinct segmentation algorithms, and present and discuss the results and statistical findings of the experiment

Visual analysis for drum sequence transcription

A system is presented for analysing drum performance video sequences. A novel ellipse detection algorithm is introduced that automatically locates drum tops. This algorithm fits ellipses to edge clusters, and ranks them according to various fitness criteria. A background/foreground segmentation method is then used to extract the silhouette of the drummer and drum sticks. Coupled with a motion intensity feature, this allows for the detection of ‘hits’ in each of the extracted regions. In order to obtain a transcription of the performance, each of these regions is automatically labeled with the corresponding instrument class. A partial audio transcription and color cues are used to measure the compatibility between a region and its label, the Kuhn-Munkres algorithm is then employed to find the optimal labeling. Experimental results demonstrate the ability of visual analysis to enhance the performance of an audio drum transcription system

A framework and user interface for automatic region based segmentation algorithms

In this paper we describe a framework and tool developed for running and evaluating automatic region based segmentation algorithms. The tool was designed to allow simple integration of existing and future segmentation algorithms, both single image based algorithms and those that operate on video data. Our framework supports plug-in segmenters, media decoders, and region-map codecs. We provide several sophisticated implementations of these plug-ins, including a video decoder capable of frame accurate decoding of a large variety of video formats, an image decoder which also handles a comprehensive collection of formats, and a efficient implementation of a region-map codec. The tool includes both a graphical user interface to allow users to browse, visually inspect, and evaluate the algorithm output, and a batch processing interface for segmentation of large data collections. The application allows researchers to focus more on the development and evaluation of segmentation methods, relying on the framework for encoding/decoding input and output, and the front end for visualization

Molecular determinants of sensitivity to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors in epithelial ovarian cancer

Less than half of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) survive five years following diagnosis, underscoring the imperative need for improved treatment. Many patients, including those with advanced disease, initially respond to platinum agents, which constitute the backbone of therapy. However, tumors ultimately become resistant, rendering further treatment ineffective. Additionally, the poor tolerability of these agents warrants the exploration of more targeted treatments – one such strategy is exploiting synthetic lethal genetic relationships. Recent genomic sequencing efforts have revealed that as many of half of EOCs have homologous recombination (HR) alterations. HR is a critical pathway for the repair of platinum-induced ICLs, thus compromised HR is hypothesized to explain the initial response to chemotherapy in many patients. Accordingly, women whose tumors harbor mutations in the critical HR genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2), demonstrate improved prognosis. BRCA1/2 mutations also confer exquisite sensitivity to inhibitors of the enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARPis), hence loss of BRCA1/2 and PARP1 is synthetic lethal. A number of models have been proposed to explain this synthetic lethality, yet a consensus model that accounts for the diverse cellular roles of BRCA1/2 and PARP1 has yet to be established. Delineating the precise molecular underpinnings of PARPi action in BRCA1/2-deficient cells will aid clinicians in identifying the appropriate population of women with EOC likely to benefit from PARPi treatment and provide insight into resistance mechanisms that arise in these patients. Combining this approach with retrospective analysis of PARPi clinical trials will best define the proper indication for PARPi in EOC and other human cancers

Efficient storage and decoding of SURF feature points

Practical use of SURF feature points in large-scale indexing and retrieval engines requires an efficient means for storing and decoding these features. This paper investigates several methods for compression and storage of SURF feature points, considering both storage consumption and disk-read efficiency. We compare each scheme with a baseline plain-text encoding scheme as used by many existing SURF implementations. Our final proposed scheme significantly reduces both the time required to load and decode feature points, and the space required to store them on disk

Compact power conditioning and RF systems for a high power RF source

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on Feb. 19, 2010).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dr. Randy Curry, Thesis Supervisor.M.S. University of Missouri--Columbia 2008 .As part of the University Consortium for High Power Microwave (HPM) Integration, compact power conditioning and RF systems were investigated with a maximum diameter of 15.24 cm. A simulator of a flux compression generator (FCG) was built as a non-destructive test stand to evaluate the power conditioning and RF systems. The FCG simulator approximated the rising current signal of an FCG with a peak between 20 kA and 60 kA. The power conditioning system consisted of a spiral-strip pulse transformer, an exploding wire fuse, and a crowbar switch. The pulse transformer enabled compact inductive energy storage, voltage step-up, and electrical isolation. The exploding wire fuse was implemented as an opening switch to transfer energy to the RF circuit, and extensive modeling of the dynamic fuse resistance was performed. The crowbar switch prevented stray circuit or generator inductance from causing fuse restrike. The RF system utilized a compact high voltage capacitor and low inductance shunt to produce high frequency RF as an alternative to HPM sources. Three geometries of the RF system were investigated with capacitances ranging from 275 pF to 730 pF. A tri-plate system was built as a proof of principle of operation of the RF system with the power conditioning components. Spiral-strip and coaxial-cylinder capacitor geometries were investigated as compact designs. Testing of the power conditioning and RF systems was conducted with the FCG simulator and FCGs. Voltages of 180 kV or more were generated with all three geometries, resulting in greater than 130 MW of peak power. The RF frequency content peaked at 10s of MHz, and the frequency content of the tri-plate geometry extended to 250 MHz. In experiments with an antenna load, the peak voltage was greater than 700 kV. An electric field of 6 kV/m peak-to-peak was measured 5.5 m from the RF system, thus achieving the final goal of the consortium.Includes bibliographical reference