Deep Learning-based Compressed Domain Multimedia for Man and Machine: A Taxonomy and Application to Point Cloud Classification

In the current golden age of multimedia, human visualization is no longer the single main target, with the final consumer often being a machine which performs some processing or computer vision tasks. In both cases, deep learning plays a undamental role in extracting features from the multimedia representation data, usually producing a compressed representation referred to as latent representation. The increasing development and adoption of deep learning-based solutions in a wide area of multimedia applications have opened an exciting new vision where a common compressed multimedia representation is used for both man and machine. The main benefits of this vision are two-fold: i) improved performance for the computer vision tasks, since the effects of coding artifacts are mitigated; and ii) reduced computational complexity, since prior decoding is not required. This paper proposes the first taxonomy for designing compressed domain computer vision solutions driven by the architecture and weights compatibility with an available spatio-temporal computer vision processor. The potential of the proposed taxonomy is demonstrated for the specific case of point cloud classification by designing novel compressed domain processors using the JPEG Pleno Point Cloud Coding standard under development and adaptations of the PointGrid classifier. Experimental results show that the designed compressed domain point cloud classification solutions can significantly outperform the spatial-temporal domain classification benchmarks when applied to the decompressed data, containing coding artifacts, and even surpass their performance when applied to the original uncompressed data

Deep Learning-Based Compressed Domain Multimedia for Man and Machine: A Taxonomy and Application to Point Cloud Classification

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Zigzag graphene nanoribbon edge reconstruction with stone-wales defects

In this paper, we study zigzag graphene nanoribbons with edges reconstructed with Stone-Wales defects, by means of an empirical (first-neighbor) tight-binding method, with parameters determined by ab initio calculations of very narrow ribbons. We explore the characteristics of the electronic band structure with a focus on the nature of edge states. Edge reconstruction allows the appearance of a new type of edge states. They are dispersive, with nonzero amplitudes in both sublattices; furthermore, the amplitudes have two components that decrease with different decay lengths with the distance from the edge; at the Dirac points one of these lengths diverges, whereas the other remains finite, of the order of the lattice parameter. We trace this curious effect to the doubling of the unit cell along the edge, brought about by the edge reconstruction. In the presence of a magnetic field, the zero-energy Landau level is no longer degenerate with edge states as in the case of the pristine zigzag ribbon.Fundacao para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) SFRH/BD/44456/2008.FEDER - Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPET

The Synthetic Image TEsting Framework (SITEF) for the evaluation of multi-spectral image segmentation algorithms

ABSTRACT One of the most challenging tasks in Remote Sensing at present is how to handle the huge amounts of image data acquired every day by the existing Earth Observation Satellites (EOS). An alternative approach to the standard per-pixel analysis of multi-spectral EOS images has evolved over the last decade. Instead of focusing on individual image pixels, the object-based image analysis approach consists of partitioning an image into meaningful image-objects. One of the reasons for the development of object-based methods has been the dramatic increase in commercially available high resolution digital remote sensing imagery, with spatial resolutions of 5.0 m and finer [1]. Also it has been recognised that the image pixel is not a "natural" element of an image scene. A common element of all object-based image analysis systems is the segmentation stage, where the image is partitioned in a number of objects (or segments), which is clearly a critical stage of the whole process. If the segmentation fails to identify as an object a given element present in the image, the subsequent stages will generally be unable to recognise or to classify this element. An evaluation of the abilities and limitations of the segmentation algorithms used is therefore an important aspect of any object based image analysis system. However, there is no established standard procedure for the evaluation of the segmentation results produced for EOS images The purpose of this work is to present the Synthetic Image TEsting Framework (SITEF), a tool to evaluate the performance of segmentation algorithms on multi-spectral images. The method is based on the production of synthetic images with the spectral characteristics of the image pixels extracted from a signature multi-spectral image The methodology used here is an evolution of the method described in REFERENCES [1] G.J. Hay, G. Castilla, M.A. Wulder, J.R. Ruiz, "An automated object-based approach for the multiscale image segmentation of forest scene

Levantamento das patologias e monitorização do arco-cruzeiro da Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro

O estado de conservação das construções tradicionais motiva para um crescente interesse na recuperação e manutenção deste património. Antes de mais, é importante obter uma visão geral da evolução temporal das construções permitindo assim a caracterização dos diversos aspectos estruturais e construtivos. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objectivo de estudar as patologias associadas à nave principal da Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro e em particular as patologias associadas ao arco-cruzeiro que se encontra no interior desta, com o intuito de se estabelecer a melhor estratégia de monitorização a aplicar para controlo da evolução dos danos estruturais observados. Como resultado desta análise das patologias, foi proposto e implementado um plano de monitorização do arco-cruzeiro, com um sistema de instrumentação que permite monitorizar a evolução das deformações de forma não intrusiva, garantindo a reversibilidade e a eventual futura extensão do sistema de instrumentação. Foi ainda desenvolvido um modelo numérico em elementos finitos para interpretação das causas dos danos estruturais observados

Estratégia de monitorização de monumentos: caso de estudo: Arco-Cruzeiro da Igreja da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Aveiro

O estado de conservação das construções tradicionais motiva para um crescente interesse na recuperação e manutenção do património construído. Antes de mais, é importante obter uma visão geral da evolução temporal das construções permitindo assim a caracterização dos diversos aspectos estruturais e construtivos. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objectivo de estudar as patologias associadas à nave principal da Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro e em particular as patologias associadas ao Arco-Cruzeiro que se encontra no interior desta, com o intuito de se estabelecer a melhor estratégia de monitorização dos danos estruturais a aplicar. Como resultado desta análise foi proposto e implementado um plano de monitorização, com o desenvolvimento de meios de instrumentação, que permitem monitorizar o comportamento estrutural do arco, de forma não intrusiva, garantindo a reversibilidade e a eventual futura extensão da instrumentação. Foi ainda desenvolvido um modelo numérico que serviu de apoio à interpretação dos danos estruturais encontrados

Limited host availability disrupts the genetic correlation between virulence and transmission

Virulence is expected to be linked to parasite fitness via transmission. However, it is not clear whether this relationship is genetically determined, nor if it differs when transmission occurs continuously during, or only at the end of, the infection period. Here, we used inbred lines of the macroparasitic spider mite Tetranychus urticae to disentangle genetic vs. nongenetic correlations among traits, while varying parasite density and opportunities for transmission. A positive genetic correlation between virulence and the number of transmitting stages produced was found under continuous transmission. However, if transmission occurred only at the end of the infection period, this genetic correlation disappeared. Instead, we observed a negative relationship between virulence and the num ber of transmitting stages, driven by density dependence. Thus, within-host density dependence caused by reduced opportunities for transmission may hamper selection for higher virulence, providing a novel explanation as to why limited host availability leads to lower virulenceinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Levantamento das patologias e monitorização do Arco-Cruzeiro da Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro

O estado de conservação das construções tradicionais motiva para um crescente interesse na recuperação e manutenção do património construído. Antes de mais, é importante obter uma visão geral da evolução temporal das construções permitindo assim a caracterização dos diversos aspectos estruturais e construtivos. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objectivo de estudar as patologias associadas à nave principal da Igreja da Misericórdia de Aveiro e em particular as patologias associadas ao Arco-Cruzeiro que se encontra no interior desta, com o intuito de se estabelecer a melhor estratégia de monitorização dos danos estruturais a aplicar. Como resultado desta análise foi proposto e implementado um plano de monitorização, com o desenvolvimento de meios de instrumentação, que permitem monitorizar o comportamento estrutural do arco, de forma não intrusiva, garantindo a reversibilidade e a eventual futura extensão da instrumentação. Foi ainda desenvolvido um modelo numérico em elementos finitos que serviu de apoio à interpretação das causas dos danos estruturais encontrados

Magnetoliposomes containing multicore nanoparticles and a new antitumor thienopyridine compound with potential application in chemo/thermotherapy

Multicore magnetic nanoparticles of manganese ferrite were prepared using carboxymethyl dextran as an agglutinating compound or by an innovative method using melamine as a cross-coupling agent. The nanoparticles prepared using melamine exhibited a flower-shape structure, a saturation magnetization of 6.16 emu/g and good capabilities for magnetic hyperthermia, with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.14 W/g. Magnetoliposome-like structures containing the multicore nanoparticles were prepared, and their bilayer structure was confirmed by FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) assays. The nanosystems exhibited sizes in the range of 250–400 nm and a low polydispersity index. A new antitumor thienopyridine derivative, 7-[4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]thieno[3,2-b]pyridine, active against HeLa (cervical carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460 (non-small-cell lung carcino-ma) and HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) cell lines, was loaded in these nanocarriers, obtaining a high encapsulation efficiency of 98% ± 2.6%. The results indicate that the new magnetoliposomes can be suitable for dual cancer therapy (combined magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy).This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UIDB/04650/2020) and through the research project PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020), financed by the European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), COMPETE2020, and Portugal2020. J.M.R. acknowledges FCT, ESF (European Social Fund—North Portugal Regional Operational Program) and HCOP (Human Capital Operational Program) for a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/115844/2016)

Chitosan crosslinked with genipin as support matrix for application in food process: Support characterization and β-d-galactosidase immobilization

AbstractIn order to develop safer processes for the food industry, we prepared a chitosan support with the naturally occurring crosslinking reagent, genipin, for enzyme. As application model, it was tested for the immobilization of β-d-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae. Chitosan particles were obtained by precipitation followed by adsorption of the enzyme and crosslinking with genipin. The particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The immobilization of the enzyme by crosslinking with genipin provided biocatalysts with satisfactory activity retention and thermal stability, comparable with the ones obtained with the traditional methodology of immobilization using glutaraldehyde. β-d-Galactosidase–chitosan–genipin particles were applied to galactooligosaccharides synthesis, evaluating the initial lactose concentration, pH and temperature, and yields of 30% were achieved. Moreover, excellent operational stability was obtained, since the immobilized enzyme maintained 100% of its initial activity after 25 batches of lactose hydrolysis. Thus, the food grade chitosan–genipin particles seem to be a good alternative for application in food process