Sparse Transfer Learning for Interactive Video Search Reranking

Visual reranking is effective to improve the performance of the text-based video search. However, existing reranking algorithms can only achieve limited improvement because of the well-known semantic gap between low level visual features and high level semantic concepts. In this paper, we adopt interactive video search reranking to bridge the semantic gap by introducing user's labeling effort. We propose a novel dimension reduction tool, termed sparse transfer learning (STL), to effectively and efficiently encode user's labeling information. STL is particularly designed for interactive video search reranking. Technically, it a) considers the pair-wise discriminative information to maximally separate labeled query relevant samples from labeled query irrelevant ones, b) achieves a sparse representation for the subspace to encodes user's intention by applying the elastic net penalty, and c) propagates user's labeling information from labeled samples to unlabeled samples by using the data distribution knowledge. We conducted extensive experiments on the TRECVID 2005, 2006 and 2007 benchmark datasets and compared STL with popular dimension reduction algorithms. We report superior performance by using the proposed STL based interactive video search reranking.Comment: 17 page

Device for providing a radiation treatment

The present relates to a device for providing a radiation treatment to a patient comprising :- an electron source for providing a beam of electrons, and- a linear accelerator for accelerating said beam until a predetermined energy, and - a beam delivery module for delivering the accelerated beam from said linear accelerator toward the patient to treat a target volume with a radiation dose, The device further comprises intensity modulation means configured to modulate the distribution of the radiation dose in the target volume according to a predetermined pattern.The pattern is determined to match the dimensions of a target volume of at least about 50 cm3, and/or a target volume located at least about 5 cm deep in the tissue of the patient with said radiation dose,The radiation dose distributed is up to about 20 Gy delivered during an overall treatment time less than about 50 ms

The Canada-UK Deep Sub-Millimeter Survey II: First identifications, redshifts and implications for galaxy evolution

Identifications are sought for 12 sub-mm sources detected by Eales et al (1998). Six are securely identified, two have probable identifications and four remain unidentified with I_AB > 25. Spectroscopic and estimated photometric redshifts indicate that four of the sources have z < 1, and four have 1 < z < 3, with the remaining four empty field sources probably lying at z > 3. The spectral energy distributions of the identifications are consistent with those of high extinction starbursts such as Arp 220. The far-IR luminosities of the sources at z > 0.5 are of order 3 x 10^12 h_50^-2 L_sun, i.e. slightly larger than that of Arp 220. Based on this small sample, the cumulative bolometric luminosity function shows strong evolution to z ~ 1, but weaker or possibly even negative evolution beyond. The redshift dependence of the far-IR luminosity density does not appear, at this early stage, to be inconsistent with that seen in the ultraviolet luminosity density. Assuming that the energy source in the far-IR is massive stars, the total luminous output from star-formation in the Universe is probably dominated by the far-IR emission. The detected systems have individual star-formation rates (exceeding 300 h_50^-2 M_O yr^-1) that are much higher than seen in the ultraviolet selected samples, and which are sufficient to form substantial stellar populations on dynamical timescales of 10^8 yr. The association with merger-like morphologies and the obvious presence of dust makes it attractive to identify these systems as forming the metal-rich spheroid population, in which case we would infer that much of this activity has occurred relatively recently, at z ~ 2.Comment: 17 pages text + 14 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. Gzipped tar file contains one text.ps file for text and tables, one Fig2.jpg file for Fig 2, and 13 Fig*.ps files for the remaining figure

An evaluation of programme management with reference to inner -city problem buildings: The case of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality ,South Africa

This research study is qualitative and cross-sectional in nature. Programme management by South African city governments is investigated and evaluated, as related to inner-city decay and problem (derelict; hijacked; dilapidated; overcrowded) buildings. A case study approach, focusing on the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is utilised to understand the phenomenon, and to answer the research question. The significant challenge of inner-city and central business district problem buildings in major South African cities has prompted the study; no scientific research has previously been conducted or published on this topic The study started out with this research question, asked in a case study context: to what extent are programmes dealing with inner-city problem buildings and decay managed effectively by city government in South Africa? In the literature review the researcher focused on programme management theory, emphasising the usefulness of project management principles and practice in public sector programme management contexts. In a subsequent chapter the applicable constitutional and legislative frameworks were presented. The researcher developed, as outcome, strategic remedial legal options available to city governments when dealing with transgressing owners of problematic buildings. Problem building by-laws were dealt with in detail. A qualitative research approach, including semi-structured in-depth interviews with political and managerial leaders at the case study city government, assisted the researcher in effective data generation. Data analysis was performed with vigour, based on thematic content analysis.relevant coding practices were utilised in analysis and interpretation of data

Proposal for an integrated silicon-photonics terahertz gas detector using photoacoustics

A design and multiphysical model is presented for an on-chip gas sensor that transduces terahertz gas absorption through sound generation into a mechanical motion that can be read out externally. The signal is triply enhanced by designing a structure that functions simultaneously as an optical, an acoustical and a mechanical resonator. The structure is made in high-resistivity silicon and can be fabricated using CMOS and HEMS fabrication technologies. The sensor is a purely passive element, so an external THz source and read-out are required. The chip has a footprint of 3 mm(2). A detection limit of 234 ppb of methanol for a source power of 1 mW and an integration time of 1 ms is predicted. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreemen