647 research outputs found
Language-based multimedia information retrieval
This paper describes various methods and approaches for language-based multimedia information retrieval, which have been developed in the projects POP-EYE and OLIVE and which will be developed further in the MUMIS project. All of these project aim at supporting automated indexing of video material by use of human language technologies. Thus, in contrast to image or sound-based retrieval methods, where both the query language and the indexing methods build on non-linguistic data, these methods attempt to exploit advanced text retrieval technologies for the retrieval of non-textual material. While POP-EYE was building on subtitles or captions as the prime language key for disclosing video fragments, OLIVE is making use of speech recognition to automatically derive transcriptions of the sound tracks, generating time-coded linguistic elements which then serve as the basis for text-based retrieval functionality
Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) and Delta-Like Agents: Insights Into Their Origin
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a human pathogen, and the only known species in the genus Deltavirus. HDV is a satellite virus and depends on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for packaging, release, and transmission. Extracellular HDV virions contain the genomic HDV RNA, a single-stranded negative-sense and covalently closed circular RNA molecule, which is associated with the HDV-encoded delta antigen forming a ribonucleoprotein complex, and enveloped by the HBV surface antigens. Replication occurs in the nucleus and is mediated by host enzymes and assisted by cis-acting ribozymes allowing the formation of monomer length molecules which are ligated by host ligases to form unbranched rod-like circles. Recently, meta-transcriptomic studies investigating various vertebrate and invertebrate samples identified RNA species with similarities to HDV RNA. The delta-like agents may be representatives of novel subviral agents or satellite viruses which share with HDV, the self-complementarity of the circular RNA genome, the ability to encode a protein, and the presence of ribozyme sequences. The widespread distribution of delta-like agents across different taxa with considerable phylogenetic distances may be instrumental in comprehending their evolutionary history by elucidating the transition from transcriptome to cellular circular RNAs to infectious subviral agents
Plastic optical fibre sensor for spine bending monitoring
peer-reviewedThis paper presents a study on the application of plastic optical fibre for spine bending monitoring based on an intensity modulation. The bending angle is measured as the angle between the emitting and receiving fibres is changed. The measured light attenuation is compared with a theoretical evaluation and the differences between these values are discussed. It was found that the light attenuation for the light intensity agreed well (margin of error < 15%) with the theoretical value for the range between 180o (representing no bend) and 200o and it was significantly increased for the bending angle beyond that value due to the effect of fibre gap increment which resulted in a less reliable experimental estimation.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe
Privacy in crowdsourcing:a systematic review
The advent of crowdsourcing has brought with it multiple privacy challenges. For example, essential monitoring activities, while necessary and unavoidable, also potentially compromise contributor privacy. We conducted an extensive literature review of the research related to the privacy aspects of crowdsourcing. Our investigation revealed interesting gender differences and also differences in terms of individual perceptions. We conclude by suggesting a number of future research directions.</p
ℓ-space spectroscopy of the Cosmic Microwave Background with the BOOMERanG experiment
The BOOMERanG experiment has recently produced detailed maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background, where sub-horizon structures are resolved with good signal to noise ratio. A power spectrum (spherical harmonics) analysis of the maps detects three peaks, at multipoles ℓ = (213_(-13)^(+10)),(541_(-32)^(+20))(845_(-25)^(+12)). In this paper we discuss the data analysis and the implications of these results for cosmology
Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia and prevention of transfusion requirement associated with solid tumors: A randomized, controlled study
Background: Anemia is a common side effect of anticancer chemotherapy. Blood transfusion, previously the only available treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia, may result insome clinical or subclinical adverse effects in the recipients. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) provides a new treatment modality for chemotherapy-induced anemia. Patients and methods: To evaluate the effect of rhEPO onthe need for blood transfusions and on hemoglobin (Hb)concentrations, 227 patients with solid tumors and chemotherapy-induced anemia were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Of 189 patients evaluable for efficacy, 101 received 5000 IU rhEPO daily s.c, while 88 patients received no treatment during the 12-week controlled phase of the study. Results: The results demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the need for blood transfusions (28% vs. 42%, P = 0.028) and in the mean volume of packed red blood cells transfused (152 ml vs. 190 ml, p = 0.044) in patients treated with rhEPO compared to untreated controls. This effect was even more pronounced in patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy (26% vs. 45%, % 0.038). During the controlled treatment phase, the median Hb values increased in the rhEPO patients while remaining unchanged in the control group. The response was seen in all tumor types. Conclusions: RhEPO administration at a dose of 5000 IU daily s.c. increases hemoglobin levels and reduces transfusionrequirements in chemotherapy-induced anemia, especially during platinum-based chemotherap
Proactive and politically skilled professionals: What is the relationship with affective occupational commitment?
The aim of this study is to extend research on employee affective commitment in three ways: (1) instead of organizational commitment the focus is on occupational commitment; (2) the role of proactive personality on affective occupational commitment is examined; and (3) occupational satisfaction is examined as a mediator and political skills as moderator in the relationship between proactive personality and affective occupational commitment. Two connected studies, one in a hospital located in the private sector and one in a university located in the public sector, are carried out in Pakistan, drawing on a total sample of over 400 employees. The results show that proactive personality is positively related to affective occupational commitment, and that occupational satisfaction partly mediates the relationship between proactive personality and affective occupational commitment. No effect is found for a moderator effect of political skills in the relationship between proactive personality and affective occupational commitment. Political skills however moderate the relationship between proactive personality and affective organizational commitment
Saturation Behavior: a general relationship described by a simple second-order differential equation
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The numerous natural phenomena that exhibit saturation behavior, <it>e.g</it>., ligand binding and enzyme kinetics, have been approached, to date, via empirical and particular analyses. This paper presents a mechanism-free, and assumption-free, second-order differential equation, designed only to describe a typical relationship between the variables governing these phenomena. It develops a mathematical model for this relation, based solely on the analysis of the typical experimental data plot and its saturation characteristics. Its utility complements the traditional empirical approaches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the general saturation curve, described in terms of its independent (<it>x</it>) and dependent (<it>y</it>) variables, a second-order differential equation is obtained that applies to any saturation phenomena. It shows that the driving factor for the basic saturation behavior is the probability of the interactive site being free, which is described quantitatively. Solving the equation relates the variables in terms of the two empirical constants common to all these phenomena, the initial slope of the data plot and the limiting value at saturation. A first-order differential equation for the slope emerged that led to the concept of the effective binding rate at the active site and its dependence on the calculable probability the interactive site is free. These results are illustrated using specific cases, including ligand binding and enzyme kinetics. This leads to a revised understanding of how to interpret the empirical constants, in terms of the variables pertinent to the phenomenon under study.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The second-order differential equation revealed the basic underlying relations that describe these saturation phenomena, and the basic mathematical properties of the standard experimental data plot. It was shown how to integrate this differential equation, and define the common basic properties of these phenomena. The results regarding the importance of the slope and the new perspectives on the empirical constants governing the behavior of these phenomena led to an alternative perspective on saturation behavior kinetics. Their essential commonality was revealed by this analysis, based on the second-order differential equation.</p
How do MNC R&D laboratory roles affect employee international assignments?
Research and development (R&D) employees are important human resources for multinational corporations (MNCs) as they are the driving force behind the advancement of innovative ideas and products. International assignments of these employees can be a unique way to upgrade their expertise; allowing them to effectively recombine their unique human resources to progress existing knowledge and advance new ones. This study aims to investigate the effect of the roles of R&D laboratories in which these employees work on the international assignments they undertake. We categorise R&D laboratory roles into those of the support laboratory, the locally integrated laboratory and the internationally interdependent laboratory. Based on the theory of resource recombinations, we hypothesise that R&D employees in support laboratories are not likely to assume international assignments, whereas those in locally integrated and internationally interdependent laboratories are likely to assume international assignments. The empirical evidence, which draws from research conducted on 559 professionals in 66 MNC subsidiaries based in Greece, provides support to our hypotheses. The resource recombinations theory that extends the resource based view can effectively illuminate the international assignment field. Also, research may provide more emphasis on the close work context of R&D scientists rather than analyse their demographic characteristics, the latter being the focus of scholarly practice hitherto
Visual Evoked Potentials Change as Heart Rate and Carotid Pressure Change
The relationship between cardiovascular activity and the brain was explored by recording visual evoked potentials from the occipital regions of the scalp during systolic and diastolic pressure (Experiment I) and during fast and slow heartbeats at systolic and diastolic pressure (Experiment II). Visual evoked potentials changed significantly as heart rate and carotid pressure fluctuated normally, and these changes were markedly different in the right and left cerebral hemispheres. Evoked potentials recorded from the right hemisphere during various cardiac events differed significantly, whereas those recorded from the left did not. In both experiments, differences in the right hemisphere were due primarily to the P1 component, which was larger at diastolic than at systolic pressure. The present findings are consistent with formulations from behavioral studies suggesting that baroreceptor activity can influence sensory intake, and suggest that hemispheric specialization may play an important role in the relationship between cardiac events, the brain and behavior.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73146/1/j.1469-8986.1982.tb02579.x.pd
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