Active Object Localization in Visual Situations

We describe a method for performing active localization of objects in instances of visual situations. A visual situation is an abstract concept---e.g., "a boxing match", "a birthday party", "walking the dog", "waiting for a bus"---whose image instantiations are linked more by their common spatial and semantic structure than by low-level visual similarity. Our system combines given and learned knowledge of the structure of a particular situation, and adapts that knowledge to a new situation instance as it actively searches for objects. More specifically, the system learns a set of probability distributions describing spatial and other relationships among relevant objects. The system uses those distributions to iteratively sample object proposals on a test image, but also continually uses information from those object proposals to adaptively modify the distributions based on what the system has detected. We test our approach's ability to efficiently localize objects, using a situation-specific image dataset created by our group. We compare the results with several baselines and variations on our method, and demonstrate the strong benefit of using situation knowledge and active context-driven localization. Finally, we contrast our method with several other approaches that use context as well as active search for object localization in images.Comment: 14 page

Semantic Image Retrieval via Active Grounding of Visual Situations

We describe a novel architecture for semantic image retrieval---in particular, retrieval of instances of visual situations. Visual situations are concepts such as "a boxing match," "walking the dog," "a crowd waiting for a bus," or "a game of ping-pong," whose instantiations in images are linked more by their common spatial and semantic structure than by low-level visual similarity. Given a query situation description, our architecture---called Situate---learns models capturing the visual features of expected objects as well the expected spatial configuration of relationships among objects. Given a new image, Situate uses these models in an attempt to ground (i.e., to create a bounding box locating) each expected component of the situation in the image via an active search procedure. Situate uses the resulting grounding to compute a score indicating the degree to which the new image is judged to contain an instance of the situation. Such scores can be used to rank images in a collection as part of a retrieval system. In the preliminary study described here, we demonstrate the promise of this system by comparing Situate's performance with that of two baseline methods, as well as with a related semantic image-retrieval system based on "scene graphs.

Effects of harvesting methods on sustainability of a bay scallop fishery: dredging uproots seagrass and displaces recruits

Fishing is widely recognized to have profound effects on estuarine and marine ecosystems (Hammer and Jansson, 1993; Dayton et al., 1995). Intense commercial and recreational harvest of valuable species can result in population collapses of target and nontarget species (Botsford et al., 1997; Pauly et al., 1998; Collie et al. 2000; Jackson et al., 2001). Fishing gear, such as trawls and dredges, that are dragged over the seafloor inflict damage to the benthic habitat (Dayton et al., 1995; Engel and Kvitek, 1995; Jennings and Kaiser, 1998; Watling and Norse, 1998). As the growing human population, over-capitalization, and increasing government subsidies of fishing place increasing pressures on marine resources (Myers, 1997), a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which fishing affects coastal systems is required to craft sustainable fisheries management

Development of a regional curve to relate discharge and drainage area to hydraulic geometry for the Red River of the North Basin

Restoration of riparian corridors and stream channels is important for many reasons, including preserving water quality, maintaining channel stability and controlling floods. Regional hydraulic geometry curves allow estimation of stable hydraulic geometry relationships that are necessary to engineer successful restoration projects. These curves can also be used to approximate discharge data for ungaged streams with lmown hydraulic geometry and drainage area. Hydraulic geometry data were collected in the field for twenty-five stream gage sites in the Red River of the North Basin. Recurrence intervals for bankfull ranged from 1.2 to 1.6 years, with an average recurrence interval of 1.4. Discharge and drainage area data were then plotted in groupings using Level III ecoregions (Omernik et al 1998), watershed accounting unit (State of North Dakota 1974), Rosgen stream type, and entrenched versus unentrenched streams. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the most accurate strategy for grouping data to generate the regional curve. Regional curves in the Red River of the North Basin were found to be most accurate based on USGS accounting units. The average correlation coefficient for this strategy was 0.62. The best fit in this grouping compared contributing drainage area (CDA) to ball discharge (BFQ), with a correlation coefficient of 0.86. The lowest fit in this category compared total drainage area (TDA) to mean depth (MD), with a correlation coefficient of only 0.39, suggesting that this equation be used with extreme caution. The best fit overall using linear regression compared bankfull discharge (BFQ) to bankfull cross-sectional area (XSA) by entrenchment, with a correlation coefficient of 0.87, however, the overall category correlation coefficients ranged from 0.13 to 0.87, with an average of only 0.42, so this grouping does not show a good fit overall. While it should be used with caution, and similar reaches on the same stream should also be taken into consideration, a regional curve for the Red River of the North Basin based on USGS accounting units provides a valuable tool for estimating stable hydraulic geometry measurements for restoration projects

International Policy and Roma Education in Europe: Essential Inputs or Centralized Distractions?

This article examines the case of Roma inclusion in education as a study of the ways in which international policy can and cannot bring change at the local level. I first reflect on the numerous international organizations and initiatives to improve the educational outcomes of Roma, and to reduce segregation and other non-inclusionary practices. Given these actions—and their relatively small impact—I identify both benefits and drawbacks of international efforts to achieve Roma inclusion and improve education outcomes. I conclude that international organizations provide significant inputs for Roma inclusion, but also serve as centralized distractions that foster extremely high expectations and thus great disappointment with the results. Cet article examine le cas de l’inclusion des Roms dans le système éducatif comme moyen d’évaluer la mesure dans laquelle la politique internationale peut effectuer des changements à l’échelle locale. Ma réflexion porte d’abord sur les nombreux organismes internationaux et les multiples initiatives qui visent l’amélioration de l’éducation aux Roms, et la réduction de la ségrégation et autres pratiques non-inclusives. Compte tenu de ces démarches—et de leur impact relativement petit—j’identifie tant les bienfaits que les désavantages des efforts internationaux qui essaient d’augmenter l’inclusion des Roms et améliorer leur éducation. Je conclus que les organismes internationaux contribuent de façon considérable à l’inclusion des Roms, mais qu’ils servent également de distractions centralisées qui favorisent des attentes extrêmement élevées et ainsi, une grande déception quant aux résultats

African American students in physical therapy: enhancing diversity

African Americans are motivated by early exposure to the profession and future expectations for their personal career path including stability work-life balance and helping others. The elimination of barriers such as finances lack of support and cultural microaggressions influences their career path. Following statistical analysis of admissions data conclusions were made that the current admissions criteria does not successfully predict first year success for any students including African American students. Lastly African American physical therapy graduates from UMMC reported excitement upon admission concerns over quotas lack of African American faculty students and physical therapists and the presence of microaggressions while in the program. Diversity within the profession of physical therapy is important to achieve optimum healthcare outcomes. Mississippi lacks African American physical therapist compared to the number of African Americans residing in the state. In order to increase the number of practicing physical therapists in Mississippi the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) needs to increase the number of African American students who are admitted and eventually matriculate from the physical therapy program. This companion dissertation addresses the lack of African Americans in physical therapy and explores recommendations on how to improve this disparity. First focus groups were utilized to gain insights into the motivations and influences that prompt African American students to enter a doctoral healthcare profession. Second the admissions process was examined using a quantitative approach to determine if the current admission process limits African American enrollment. Lastly graduates of the UMMC physical therapy program were intervieto explore their experiences and perceptions of their education in the department of physical therapy. Recommendations to improve the number of African Americans in physical therapy include 1) revision of the current admissions process that will include a more holistic approach 2) the formation of a mentoring programs and 3) implementation of increased cultural competency education. In addition recruitment efforts need to be more directed at physical therapy and occur in early education