An audio-based sports video segmentation and event detection algorithm

In this paper, we present an audio-based event detection algorithm shown to be effective when applied to Soccer video. The main benefit of this approach is the ability to recognise patterns that display high levels of crowd response correlated to key events. The soundtrack from a Soccer sequence is first parameterised using Mel-frequency Cepstral coefficients. It is then segmented into homogenous components using a windowing algorithm with a decision process based on Bayesian model selection. This decision process eliminated the need for defining a heuristic set of rules for segmentation. Each audio segment is then labelled using a series of Hidden Markov model (HMM) classifiers, each a representation of one of 6 predefined semantic content classes found in Soccer video. Exciting events are identified as those segments belonging to a crowd cheering class. Experimentation indicated that the algorithm was more effective for classifying crowd response when compared to traditional model-based segmentation and classification techniques

Coexistence and relative abundance in annual plant assemblages: The roles of competition and colonization

Although an interspecific trade-off between competitive and colonizing ability can permit multispecies coexistence, whether this mechanism controls the structure of natural systems remains unresolved. We used models to evaluate the hypothesized importance of this trade-off for explaining coexistence and relative abundance patterns in annual plant assemblages. In a nonspatial model, empirically derived competition-colonization trade-offs related to seed mass were insufficient to generate coexistence. This was unchanged by spatial structure or interspecific variation in the fraction of seeds dispersing globally. These results differ from those of the more generalized competition-colonization models because the latter assume completely asymmetric competition, an assumption that appears unrealistic considering existing data for annual systems. When, for heuristic purposes, completely asymmetric competition was incorporated into our models, unlimited coexistence was possible. However, in the resulting abundance patterns, the best competitors/poorest colonizers were the most abundant, the opposite of that observed in natural systems. By contrast, these natural patterns were produced by competition-colonization models where environmental heterogeneity permitted species coexistence. Thus, despite the failure of the simple competition-colonization trade-off to explain coexistence in annual plant systems, this trade-off may be essential to explaining relative abundance patterns when other processes permit coexistence

The demand for local bus services in England

This paper examines the demand for local bus services in England. The study is based on a dynamic model relating per capita bus patronage to bus fares, income, and service level, and is estimated using a combination of time-series and cross-section data for English counties. The results indicate that patronage is relatively fare-sensitive, with a wide variation in the elasticities

Analysis of reproductive performances during the formation of a synthetic rabbit strain

[EN] In 1995, a synthetic rabbit strain ('2666') was formed at INRA for commercial meat purposesby crossing the INRA '2066' strain and the 'V' strain from the Polytechnical University of Valencia (Spain).The development of some reproductive traits and body weight at palpation of the '2666' does was studiedfrom the F1 (first generation cross) to the F4 generation in comparison with the 'V' does. This developmentwas quantified in terms of Dickerson's crossbreeding parameters. The base strains did not differ significantlyfor any of the studied traits, either overall or in their direct and maternal genetic value. F1 does exhibitedsignificant individual heterosis for body weight (5.5% of the parental average), pregnancy rate (13.3%),total born (18.3%), born alive (24.4%) and weaned (21.0%) per litter born. Concerning body weight, asignificant crossbred superiority over the 'V' line was retained in the F2 but not thereafter. The rate ofpregnancy showed no crossbred advantage from the F2 on. Concerning litter size traits, the benefit ofcrossbreeding was maintained until the F4, but at a lower magnitude than in the F1. Body weight andpregnancy rate exhibited maternal heterosis, while litter size did not. Direct epistatic losses were significantfor body weight, tended towards significance for pregnancy rate, but did not affect litter size. Overall, thecomparison between the synthetic strain and the founders was favourable to the synthetics.Brun, J.; Baselga, M. (2005). Analysis of reproductive performances during the formation of a synthetic rabbit strain. World Rabbit Science. 13. doi:10.4995/wrs.2005.514SWORD1

Forecasting Motorists Long Term Behaviour in the Greater Nottingham Area

This report outlines work carried out to assess the factors that, in the medium and long term, may influence motorists' mode choice in the Greater Nottingham area. This work was based on four Stated Preference (SP) experiments that examined the choice between car and ordinary bus, car and bus-based park and ride, car and express bus and between departure times for car users. Just over 6,000 self completion questionnatres were distributed at random to residents in 28 wards. Over 1.700 usable responses were returned. representing a response rate of 29%. Despite a number of problems, a series of four strategic forecasting models were developed. These incoporated some important findings including that motorists value delay highly, value parking costs more highly than petrol costs and value adjusting their departure time less highly than in-vehicle time. The four forecasting models were then used to examine five scenarios; the introduction of park and ride, the effect of projected 2001 road traffic speeds, the effect of petrol cost increases, the effect of parking cost increases and the effect of decreasing bus in-vehicle time. Although there were a number of technical difficulties. our forecasts suggest that decreases in speeds, parking costs and petrol costs will not halt the growth in road traffic but will slow it down. Where possible motorists are more likely to change the time of theirjourney than theirmode. For dramatic changes in mode split both a big stick and big carrot are probably required. The big stick might be provided by some of parking control or road pricing, whilst the carrot might be some form of a high quality, fast bus network (or indeed other forms of public transport with a segregated right of way). The role of park and ride is likely to be relatively marginal but may be worth pursuing if part of an overall traffic management policy. There was little evidence from our models of there being any critical "thresholds" or "trigger points". However, many of the processes we have examined seem to have cumulative impacts and our forecasts identified the doubling of car journey times as being a possible "catalyst" which is likely to be achieved in the early part of the next centur

Effects of temporal variability on rare plant persistence in annual

Traditional conservation biology regards environmental fluctuations as detrimental to persistence, reducing long-term average growth rates and increasing the probability of extinction. By contrast, coexistence models from community ecology suggest that for species with dormancy, environmental fluctuations may be essential for persistence in competitive communities. We used models based on California grasslands to examine the influence of interannual fluctuations in the environment on the persistence of rare forbs competing with exotic grasses. Despite grasses and forbs independently possessing high fecundity in the same types of years, interspecific differences in germination biology and dormancy caused the rare forb to benefit from variation in the environment. Owing to the buildup of grass competitors, consecutive favorable years proved highly detrimental to forb persistence. Consequently, negative temporal autocorrelation, a low probability of a favorable year, and high variation in year quality all benefited the forb. In addition, the litter produced by grasses in a previously favorable year benefited forb persistence by inhibiting its germination into highly competitive grass environments. We conclude that contrary to conventional predictions of conservation and population biology, yearly fluctuations in climate may be essential for the persistence of rare species in invaded habitats

Exploring Energy-Efficient Reconfigurable Architectures for DSP Algorithms

Future hand-held multimedia terminals require a very high performance on a very small energy budged. Such devices can only be realized if their entire system is energy cognisant. In this paper a reconfigurable systems-architecture for mobile multimedia systems is introduced. The Field Programmable Function Array (FPFA) is discussed in detail. Several digital signal processing algorithms are discussed and mapped on the FPFA. Also,the power radius theory about low-power design is introduced

Applications of recurrent neural networks in batch reactors. Part II: Nonlinear inverse and predictive control of the heat transfer fluid temperature

Although nonlinear inverse and predictive control techniques based on artificial neural networks have been extensively applied to nonlinear systems, their use in real time applications is generally limited. In this paper neural inverse and predictive control systems have been applied to the real-time control of the heat transfer fluid temperature in a pilot chemical reactor. The training of the inverse control system is carried out using both generalised and specialised learning. This allows the preparation of weights of the controller acting in real-time and appropriate performances of inverse neural controller can be achieved. The predictive control system makes use of a neural network to calculate the control action. Thus, the problems related to the high computational effort involved in nonlinear model-predictive control systems are reduced. The performance of the neural controllers is compared against the self-tuning PID controller currently installed in the plant. The results show that neural-based controllers improve the performance of the real plant.Publicad

Applications of recurrent neural networks in batch reactors. Part I: NARMA modelling of the dynamic behaviour of the heat transfer fluid

This paper is focused on the development of nonlinear models, using artificial neural networks, able to provide appropriate predictions when acting as process simulators. The dynamic behaviour of the heat transfer fluid temperature in a jacketed chemical reactor has been selected as a case study. Different structures of NARMA (Non-linear ARMA) models have been studied. The experimental results have allowed to carry out a comparison between the different neural approaches and a first-principles model. The best neural results are obtained using a parallel model structure based on a recurrent neural network architecture, which guarantees better dynamic approximations than currently employed neural models. The results suggest that parallel models built up with recurrent networks can be seen as an alternative to phenomenological models for simulating the dynamic behaviour of the heating/cooling circuits which change from batch installation to installation.Publicad

On algebraic structures in supersymmetric principal chiral model

Using the Poisson current algebra of the supersymmetric principal chiral model, we develop the algebraic canonical structure of the model by evaluating the fundamental Poisson bracket of the Lax matrices that fits into the rs matrix formalism of non-ultralocal integrable models. The fundamental Poisson bracket has been used to compute the Poisson bracket algebra of the monodromy matrix that gives the conserved quantities in involution