Utilization of the recursive shortest spanning tree algorithm for video-object segmentation by 2-D affine motion modeling

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A novel video-object segmentation algorithm is proposed, which takes the previously estimated 2-D dense motion vector field as input and uses the generalized recursive shortest spanning tree method to approximate each component of the motion vector field as a piecewise planar function. The algorithm is successful in capturing 3-D planar objects in the scene correctly, with acceptable accuracy at the boundaries. The proposed algorithm is fast and requires no initial guess about the segmentation mask. Moreover, it is a hierarchical scheme which gives finest to coarsest segmentation results. The only external parameter needed by the algorithm is the number of segmented regions that essentially control the level at which the coarseness the algorithm would stop. The proposed algorithm improves the “analysis model” developed in the European COST211 framework

Identification and Lossy Reconstruction in Noisy Databases

A high-dimensional database system is studied where the noisy versions of the underlying feature vectors are observed in both the enrollment and query phases. The noisy observations are compressed before being stored in the database, and the user wishes to both identify the correct entry corresponding to the noisy query vector and reconstruct the original feature vector within a desired distortion level. A fundamental capacity-storage-distortion tradeoff is identified for this system in the form of single-letter information theoretic expressions. The relation of this problem to the classical Wyner-Ziv rate-distortion problem is shown, where the noisy query vector acts as the correlated side information available only in the lossy reconstruction of the feature vector. \ua9 1963-2012 IEEE

White-emitting Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles with Cross-Linked Shell for Mechanical Stability and Controllable Photometric Properties in Color-Conversion LED Applications

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We report on the synthesis and characterization of water-dispersible, mechanically stable conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) in shelled architecture with tunable emission and controllable photometric properties via cross-linking. Using a reprecipitation method, white-emitting polymer nanoparticles are prepared in different sizes by varying the concentration of polymer; the emission kinetics are tuned by controlling the shell formation. For this purpose, polyfluorene derivatives containing azide groups are selected that can be decomposed under UV light to generate very reactive species, which opportunely facilitate the inter- and intra-cross-linking of polymer chains to form shells. Nanoparticles before and after UV treatment are characterized by various techniques. Their size and morphologies are determined by using dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and imaging techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). For optical characterization, UV-vis and steady-state and time-resolved fluorescent spectroscopies are performed. Solid-state behaviors of these CPNs are also Investigated by forming films through drop-casting. Moreover, the photometric calculations are also performed for films and dispersions to determine the color quality. A device has been constructed to show proof-of-principle white light generation from these nanoparticles. Additionally, mechanical stability studies are performed and demonstrated that these nanoparticles are indeed mechanically. stable by removing the solvent after cross-linking using a freeze-dryer and redispersing in water and THF. Optical and imaging data confirm that the redispersed particles preserve their shapes and sizes after cross-linking

Enhanced suppresion of localization in a continuous Random-Dimer Model

We consider a one-dimensional continuous (Kronig-Penney) extension of the (tight-binding) Random Dimer model of Dunlap et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 88 (1990)]. We predict that the continuous model has infinitely many resonances (zeroes of the reflection coefficient) giving rise to extended states instead of the one resonance arising in the discrete version. We present exact, transfer-matrix numerical calculations supporting, both realizationwise and on the average, the conclusion that the model has a very large number of extended states.Comment: 10 pages, 3 Figures available on request, REVTeX 3.0, MA/UC3M/1/9

Image sequence analysis for emerging interactive multimedia services - The European COST 211 framework

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Flexibility and efficiency of coding, content extraction, and content-based search are key research topics in the field of interactive multimedia. Ongoing ISO MPEG-4 and MPEG-7 activities are targeting standardization to facilitate such services. European COST Telecommunications activities provide a framework for research collaboration. COST 211bis and COST 211ter activities have been instrumental in the definition and development of the ITU-T H.261 and H.263 standards for videoconferencing over ISDN and videophony over regular phone lines, respectively. The group has also contributed significantly to the ISO MPEG-4 activities. At present a significant effort of the COST 211ter group activities is dedicated toward image and video sequence analysis and segmentation—an important technological aspect for the success of emerging object-based MPEG-4 and MPEG-7 multimedia applications. The current work of COST 211 is centered around the test model, called the Analysis Model (AM). The essential feature of the AM is its ability to fuse information from different sources to achieve a high-quality object segmentation. The current information sources are the intermediate results from frame-based (still) color segmentation, motion vector based segmentation, and changedetection-based segmentation. Motion vectors, which form the basis for the motion vector based intermediate segmentation, are estimated from consecutive frames. A recursive shortest spanning tree (RSST) algorithm is used to obtain intermediate color and motion vector based segmentation results. A rule-based region processor fuses the intermediate results; a postprocessor further refines the final segmentation output. The results of the current AM are satisfactory; it is expected that there will be further improvements of the AM within the COST 211 project

Early animal farming and zoonotic disease dynamics: modelling brucellosis transmission in Neolithic goat populations

Zoonotic pathogens are frequently hypothesized as emerging with the origins of farming, but evidence of this is elusive in the archaeological records. To explore the potential impact of animal domestication on zoonotic disease dynamics and human infection risk, we developed a model simulating the transmission of Brucella melitensis within early domestic goat populations. The model was informed by archaeological data describing goat populations in Neolithic settlements in the Fertile Crescent, and used to assess the potential of these populations to sustain the circulation of Brucella. Results show that the pathogen could have been sustained even at low levels of transmission within these domestic goat populations. This resulted from the creation of dense populations and major changes in demographic characteristics. The selective harvesting of young male goats, likely aimed at improving the efficiency of food production, modified the age and sex structure of these populations, increasing the transmission potential of the pathogen within these populations. Probable interactions between Neolithic settlements would have further promoted pathogen maintenance. By fostering conditions suitable for allowing domestic goats to become reservoirs of Brucella melitensis, the early stages of agricultural development were likely to promote the exposure of humans to this pathogen

“Bibliostory—Educational Comic Stories.” A Social Constructivist Approach to Media and Information Literacy Education for Children and Adolescents

Our paper presents a theoretical background for a Polish comic book “Bibliostory—educational comic stories” (Pl. Bibliostory—edukacyjne historie komiksowe). The comic targets children between 9 and 12 years of age and youths from 13 to 16 years of age. Each story illustrates one issue, such as information searching, organization of information, plagiarism, and information problem solving strategy. Bibliostory is based on two constructivist pedagogical concepts: the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and case-based learning/teaching. These concepts, on application level, are first of all associated with designing educational situations and relationships between teachers and students (educators and learners). The aim of our paper is to present the possibilities of application of these concepts in the educational comic books. We describe the general assumptions of two concepts, then we focus on elements applied in Bibliostory project. We also provide a review of literature on the educational potential of comic books.Zuza Wiorogórska’s work was carried out during her stay as the visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, thanks to a scholarship from the Kosciuszko Foundation. Ewa Rozkosz’s work was carried out thanks to the grant awarded by the Faculty of Education of the University of Lower Silesia for the project “Społeczno-kulturowe podejście w projektowaniu materiałów edukacyjnych na potrzeby edukacji medialnej I inforamacyjnej dzieci i młodzieży na przykładzie »Bibliostory«” (nr 05/ WGW/dok/2016)