HDR Image Watermarking

In this Chapter we survey available solutions for HDR image watermarking. First, we briefly discuss watermarking in general terms, with particular emphasis on its requirements that primarily include security, robustness, imperceptibility, capacity and the availability of the original image during recovery. However, with respect to traditional image watermarking, HDR images possess a unique set of features such as an extended range of luminance values to work with and tone-mapping operators against whom it is essential to be robust. These clearly affect the HDR watermarking algorithms proposed in the literature, which we extensively review next, including a thorough analysis of the reported experimental results. As a working example, we also describe the HDR watermarking system that we recently proposed and that focuses on combining imperceptibility, security and robustness to TM operators at the expense of capacity. We conclude the chapter with a critical analysis of the current state and future directions of the watermarking applications in the HDR domain

Markov Chains Fusion for Video Scene Generation

In this paper we address the general issue of merging Markov chains used to model two instances of a given process with some properties in common. In particular, in this work we apply this scenario to a multimedia application that generates new video scenes mixing the original segments of a given movie. To perform the latter process, it is first necessary to describe the structure of the scenes in some way, which in our case is done through Markov chains. The video scenes are then recombined by fusing their corresponding models using the general method described here. We analyze and validate the proposed methodology only for this specific application, however the solution presented here could be used in a very diverse array of applications where Markov chains are routinely used, ranging from queuing modeling to financial decision processes

Circular economy in the water and wastewater sector: Tariff impact and financial performance of SMARTechs

This paper proposes a financial evaluation of the investment in SMARTechs in wastewater companies. SMAR Techs are innovative technologies that enable companies to work toward the circular economy approach, thanks to allowing the development of by-products from wastewater. A simulation of the financial impact of the SMARTech introduction was conducted based on the Italian tariff system. It is performed assuming two different scenarios. These relate to a market’s presence (or absence) for the by-products resulting from the application of SMARTechs. The results show that investing in these technologies provides both financial and environmental benefits

The topological line of ABJ(M) theory

We construct the one-dimensional topological sector of $\mathcal N = 6$ ABJ(M) theory and study its relation with the mass-deformed partition function on $S^3$. Supersymmetric localization provides an exact representation of this partition function as a matrix integral, which interpolates between weak and strong coupling regimes. It has been proposed that correlation functions of dimension-one topological operators should be computed through suitable derivatives with respect to the masses, but a precise proof is still lacking. We present non-trivial evidence for this relation by computing the two-point function at twoloop, successfully matching the matrix model expansion at weak coupling and finite ranks. As a by-product we obtain the two-loop explicit expression for the central charge $c_T$ of ABJ(M) theory. Three- and four-point functions up to one-loop confirm the relation as well. Our result points towards the possibility to localize the one-dimensional topological sector of ABJ(M) and may also be useful in the bootstrap program for 3d SCFTs.Comment: 38 pages, 2 figures, 3 table

Generating story variants with constrained video recombination

We present a novel approach to the automatic generation of filmic variants within an implemented Video-Based Storytelling (VBS) system that successfully integrates video segmentation with stochastically controlled re-ordering techniques and narrative generation via AI planning. We have introduced flexibility into the video recombination process by sequencing video shots in a way that maintains local video consistency and this is combined with exploitation of shot polysemy to enable shot reuse in a range of valid semantic contexts. Results of evaluations on output narratives using a shared set of video data show consistency in terms of local video sequences and global causality with no loss of generative power

Effects of deep heating modalities on the morphological and elastic properties of the non-insertional region of achilles tendon: a pilot study

Background: Over the last 20 years, both diathermy and ultrasound have been popular choices for many clinicians in treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is a lack of clinical evidence of deep heating modalities to treat tendon pathology, There is no study to investigate the effects of such as physical modalities on morphological and elastic properties on the human tendons. Objective: the objective of the present study was to compare the effects of diathermy and ultrasound therapies on cross sectional area, transversal height and hardness percentage of the non-insertional region of the Achilles tendon in able-bodied subjects. Methods: healthy volunteers were divided in diathermy and ultrasound group received six 15-min treatment sessions. Before and after treatment a sonographic assessment was conducted by mean of ultrasonography and the following parameters were recorded: cross sectional area, transversal height and hardness percentage. Results: thirty-two subjects were enrolled. Between-group comparisons showed a significant change on hardness percentage (p = 0.004) after treatment in diathermy therapy group. Within-group comparison showed a significant improvement in the hardness percentage for the diathermy (p = 0.001) and ultrasound (p = 0.046) after two weeks of treatment. Conclusion: this pilot study demonstrated larger effects on morphological and elastic properties of the non-insertional region of the Achilles tendon after diathermy than ultrasound therapy in normal tendons. Diathermy may be a useful deep heat modality for treating non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy

Interactive Film Recombination

In this paper we discuss an innovative media entertainment application called Interactive Movietelling. As an offspring of Interactive Storytelling applied to movies, we propose to integrate narrative generation through AI planning with video processing and modeling to construct filmic variants starting from the baseline content. The integration is possible thanks to content description using semantic attributes pertaining to intermediate-level concepts shared between video processing and planning levels. The output is a recombination of segments taken from the input movie performed so as to convey an alternative plot. User tests on the prototype proved how promising Interactive Movietelling might be, even if it was designed at a proof of concept level. Possible improvements that are suggested here lead to many challenging research issues

Evaluation of a pixelated large format CMOS sensor for x-ray microbeam radiotherapy

PURPOSE: Current techniques and procedures for dosimetry in microbeams typically rely on radiochromic film or small volume ionization chambers for validation and quality assurance in 2D and 1D, respectively. Whilst well characterized for clinical and preclinical radiotherapy, these methods are noninstantaneous and do not provide real time profile information. The objective of this work is to determine the suitability of the newly developed vM1212 detector, a pixelated CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) imaging sensor, for in situ and in vivo verification of x-ray microbeams.METHODS: Experiments were carried out on the vM1212 detector using a 220 kVp small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) at the Helmholtz Centre Munich. A 3 x 3 cm2 square piece of EBT3 film was placed on top of a marked nonfibrous card overlaying the sensitive silicon of the sensor. One centimeter of water equivalent bolus material was placed on top of the film for build-up. The response of the detector was compared to an Epson Expression 10000XL flatbed scanner using FilmQA Pro with triple channel dosimetry. This was also compared to a separate exposure using 450 µm of silicon as a surrogate for the detector and a Zeiss Axio Imager 2 microscope using an optical microscopy method of dosimetry. Microbeam collimator slits with range of nominal widths of 25, 50, 75, and 100 µm were used to compare beam profiles and determine sensitivity of the detector and both film measurements to different microbeams.RESULTS: The detector was able to measure peak and valley profiles in real-time, a significant reduction from the 24 hr self-development required by the EBT3 film. Observed full width at half maximum (FWHM) values were larger than the nominal slit widths, ranging from 130 to 190 µm due to divergence. Agreement between the methods was found for peak-to-valley dose ratio (PVDR), peak to peak separation and FWHM, but a difference in relative intensity of the microbeams was observed between the detectors.CONCLUSIONS: The investigation demonstrated that pixelated CMOS sensors could be applied to microbeam radiotherapy for real-time dosimetry in the future, however the relatively large pixel pitch of the vM1212 detector limit the immediate application of the results.</p

Fenfluramine treatment is associated with improvement in everyday executive function in preschool-aged children (<5 years) with Dravet syndrome: A critical period for early neurodevelopment

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether fenfluramine (FFA) is associated with improvement in everyday executive function (EF)-self-regulation-in preschool-aged children with Dravet syndrome (DS). METHODS: Children with DS received placebo or FFA in one of two phase III studies (first study: placebo, FFA 0.2 mg/kg/day, or FFA 0.7 mg/kg/day added to stiripentol-free standard-of-care regimens; second study: placebo or FFA 0.4 mg/kg/day added to stiripentol-inclusive regimens). Everyday EF was evaluated at baseline and Week 14-15 for children aged 2-4 years with parent ratings on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function®-Preschool (BRIEF®-P); raw scores were transformed to T-scores and summarized in Inhibitory Self-Control Index (ISCI), Flexibility Index (FI), Emergent Metacognition Index (EMI), and Global Executive Composite (GEC). Clinically meaningful improvement and worsening were defined using RCI ≥ 90% and RCI ≥ 80% certainty, respectively. The associations between placebo vs FFA combined (0.2, 0.4, and 0.7 mg/kg/day) or individual treatment groups and the likelihood of clinically meaningful change in BRIEF®-P indexes/composite T-scores were evaluated using Somers'd; pairwise comparisons were calculated by 2-sided Fisher's Exact tests (p ≤ 0.05) and Cramér's V. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 61 evaluable children of median age 3 years (placebo, n = 22; FFA 0.2 mg/kg/day, n = 15; 0.4 mg/kg/day [with stiripentol], n = 10; 0.7 mg/kg/day, n = 14 [total FFA, n = 39]). Elevated or problematic T-scores (T ≥ 65) were reported in 55% to 86% of patients at baseline for ISCI, EMI, and GEC, and in ∼33% for FI. Seventeen of the 61 children (28%) showed reliable, clinically meaningful improvement (RCI ≥ 90% certainty) in at least one BRIEF®-P index/composite, including a majority of the children in the FFA 0.7 mg/kg/day group (9/14, 64%). Only 53% of these children (9/17) also experienced clinically meaningful reduction (≥50%) in monthly convulsive seizure frequency, including 6/14 patients in the FFA 0.7 mg/kg/day group. Overall, there were positive associations between the four individual treatment groups and the likelihood of reliable, clinically meaningful improvement in all BRIEF®-P indexes/composite (ISCI, p = 0.001; FI, p = 0.005; EMI, p = 0.040; GEC, p = 0.002). The FFA 0.7 mg/kg/day group showed a greater likelihood of reliable, clinically meaningful improvement than placebo in ISCI (50% vs 5%; p = 0.003), FI (36% vs 0%; p = 0.005), and GEC (36% vs 0%; p = 0.005). For EMI, the FFA 0.7 mg/kg/day group showed a greater likelihood of reliable, clinically meaningful improvement than the FFA 0.2 mg/kg/day group (29% vs 0%; p = 0.040), but did not meet the significance threshold compared with placebo (29% vs 5%; p = 0.064). There were no significant associations between treatment and the likelihood of reliable, clinically meaningful worsening (p > 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: In this preschool-aged DS population with high baseline everyday EF impairment, FFA treatment for 14-15 weeks was associated with dose-dependent, clinically meaningful improvements in regulating behavior, emotion, cognition, and overall everyday EF. These clinically meaningful improvements in everyday EF were not entirely due to seizure frequency reduction, suggesting that FFA may have direct effects on everyday EF during the early formative years of neurodevelopment

CDKL5 deficiency disorder: progressive brain atrophy may be part of the syndrome

The clinical phenotype of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) has been delineated but neuroimaging features have not been systematically analyzed. We studied brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in a cohort of CDD patients and reviewed age at seizure onset, seizure semiology, head circumference. Thirty-five brain MRI from 22 unrelated patients were included. The median age at study entry was 13.4 years. In 14/22 patients (85.7%), MRI in the first year of life was unremarkable in all but two. In 11/22, we performed MRI after 24 months of age (range 2.5-23 years). In 8 out of 11 (72.7%), MRI showed supratentorial atrophy and in six cerebellar atrophy. Quantitative analysis detected volumetric reduction of the whole brain (-17.7%, P-value = 0.014), including both white matter (-25.7%, P-value = 0.005) and cortical gray matter (-9.1%, P-value = 0.098), with a reduction of surface area (-18.0%, P-value = 0.032), mainly involving the temporal regions, correlated with the head circumference (&amp; rho; = 0.79, P-value = 0.109). Both the qualitative structural assessment and the quantitative analysis detected brain volume reduction involving the gray and white matter. These neuroimaging findings may be related to either progressive changes due to CDD pathogenesis, or to the extreme severity of epilepsy, or both. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify the bases for the structural changes we observed