Wyner-Ziv side information generation using a higher order piecewise trajectory temporal interpolation algorithm

Distributed video coding (DVC) reverses the traditional coding paradigm of complex encoders allied with basic decoding, to one where the computational cost is largely incurred by the decoder. This enables low-cost, resource-poor sensors to be used at the transmitter in various applications including multi-sensor surveillance. A key constraint governing DVC performance is the quality of side information (SI), a coarse representation of original video frames which are not available at the decoder. Techniques to generate SI have generally been based on linear temporal interpolation, though these do not always produce satisfactory SI quality especially in sequences exhibiting asymmetric (non-linear) motion. This paper presents a higher-order piecewise trajectory temporal interpolation (HOPTTI) algorithm for SI generation that quantitatively and perceptually affords better SI quality in comparison to existing temporal interpolation-based approaches

Intelligent Side Information Generation in Distributed Video Coding

Distributed video coding (DVC) reverses the traditional coding paradigm of complex encoders allied with basic decoding to one where the computational cost is largely incurred by the decoder. This is attractive as the proven theoretical work of Wyner-Ziv (WZ) and Slepian-Wolf (SW) shows that the performance by such a system should be exactly the same as a conventional coder. Despite the solid theoretical foundations, current DVC qualitative and quantitative performance falls short of existing conventional coders and there remain crucial limitations. A key constraint governing DVC performance is the quality of side information (SI), a coarse representation of original video frames which are not available at the decoder. Techniques to generate SI have usually been based on linear motion compensated temporal interpolation (LMCTI), though these do not always produce satisfactory SI quality, especially in sequences exhibiting non-linear motion. This thesis presents an intelligent higher order piecewise trajectory temporal interpolation (HOPTTI) framework for SI generation with original contributions that afford better SI quality in comparison to existing LMCTI-based approaches. The major elements in this framework are: (i) a cubic trajectory interpolation algorithm model that significantly improves the accuracy of motion vector estimations; (ii) an adaptive overlapped block motion compensation (AOBMC) model which reduces both blocking and overlapping artefacts in the SI emanating from the block matching algorithm; (iii) the development of an empirical mode switching algorithm; and (iv) an intelligent switching mechanism to construct SI by automatically selecting the best macroblock from the intermediate SI generated by HOPTTI and AOBMC algorithms. Rigorous analysis and evaluation confirms that significant quantitative and perceptual improvements in SI quality are achieved with the new framework

Improved side information generation using adaptive overlapped block motion compensation and higher-order interpolation

This work addresses the twin issues of overlapping and blocking artifacts in Distributed Video Coding side information (SI). These both emanate from the block matching algorithm (BMA) used for motion vector (MV) generation rather than pixel-wise processing. In temporal correlation exploitation and particularly in the formulation of higher-order piecewise temporal trajectory interpolation (HOPTTI), BMA has been applied due to its speed and simplicity. While HOPTTI has exhibited superior SI quality to other BMA-based algorithms, the adaptive overlapped block motion compensation (AOBMC) algorithm reduces the overlapping and blocky artifacts by adjusting the coefficients of a raised cosine overlapped window based on neighboring MV reliability. The aim of this paper is to investigate the benefits of combining HOPTTI with AOBMC. A mode switching (MS) mechanism is introduced to exploit the spatial-temporal correlation in a sequence to select between frames which will benefit from combining HOPTTI with AOBMC via a matching criterion. Experimental results confirm that selectively combining HOPTTI with AOBMC gives better SI quality, with on average up to 1.8dB improvement compared to using only HOPTII, and up to 3.6dB improvement over existing AOBMC based algorithms

Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive measures for avian influenza in Lagelu, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background: Approximately 1.5 million birds have died or been depopulated as a result of avian influenza infection among poultry in Nigeria. In addition, one human fatal case has been reported in the country. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of, attitudes to, and compliance with preventive practices for avian influenza infection among poultry workers in a district in Nigeria.Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological study design was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire administered at interview to obtain information.Results: A total of 140 poultry workers from 25 poultry farms were interviewed. Their average age was 29.9±9.6 years, and the median duration of work activity was 3 years (range 1 to 21 years). Nearly all respondents (92.9%) had heard about avian influenza, and their main source of information was the mass media. Only 61.4% correctly defined the infection as a viral infection that occurs in all species of birds. Knowledge of transmission and preventive practices for the infection was varied andincomplete among respondents. The majority (78.6%) agreed that avian influenza is a serious and preventable disease; however, the perceived risk of infection was moderate. No vaccination of poultry against avian influenza was reported by 98.6% of respondents, and wearing of personal protective equipment was not a routine practice. Predictors of preventive practice included fewer years in the work (p = 0.049), being married (p = 0.01), high knowledge score (p = 0.014), not being involved incollecting eggs on the farm (p = 0.008), and a large population of poultry on the farm (p = 0.002).Conclusion: There is a need to provide effective and coordinated information to poultry workers about avian influenza and the precautions necessary to avoid spreading the virus among poultry and to humans

Original Article Knowledge, attitudes and compliance of poultry workers with preventive

Background: Approximately 1.5 million birds have died or been depopulated as a result of avian influenza infection among poultry in Nigeria. In addition, one human fatal case has been reported in the country. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge of, attitudes to, and compliance with preventive practices for avian influenza infection among poultry workers in a district in Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional epidemiological study design was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire administered at interview to obtain information. Results: A total of 140 poultry workers from 25 poultry farms were interviewed. Their average age was 29.9±9.6 years, and the median duration of work activity was 3 years (range 1 to 21 years). Nearly all respondents (92.9%) had heard about avian influenza, and their main source of information was the mass media. Only 61.4 % correctly defined the infection as a viral infection that occurs in all species of birds. Knowledge of transmission and preventive practices for the infection was varied and incomplete among respondents. The majority (78.6%) agreed that avian influenza is a serious and preventable disease; however, the perceived risk of infection was moderate. No vaccination of poultry against avian influenza was reported by 98.6% of respondents, and wearing of personal protective equipment was not a routine practice. Predictors of preventive practice included fewer years in the work (p = 0.049), being married (p = 0.01), high knowledge score (p = 0.014), not being involved i

Quality attributes and antioxidant activities of meat of broiler chickens administered aqueous Lagenaria breviflora

The ban on antibiotics across the globe necessitated the need for an alternative in the production and management of animal health, and this made herbal medicines like Lagenaria breviflora validated to be an alternative. Two hundred and eight (208) day‑old Cobb 500 chickens were randomly assigned to four (4) treatment groups of Lagenaria breviflora: control (0g), 50, 100, and 150 grams per litre, with fifty‑two (52) birds each, having thirteen (13) birds per four (4) replicates. The meat was excised from the breast region of slaughtered birds on the 49th day of the experiment and evaluated for meat technological quality, oxidative stability, and sensorial profile. The data generated were evaluated using the One‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The highest water absorption capacity (WAC) (61.50%) and water holding capacity (WHC) (51.09%) were observed in groups 150 g Lb and 100 g Lb, respectively. Administration of 50 g and 150 g aqueous extract of Lagenaria breviflora affected (p 0.05) on its L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness). The data showed that administration of Lagenaria breviflora had no effect (p > 0.05) on the sensory profile of the breast meat. Glutathione peroxidase (1.85U/L) (p < 0.05) was highest and similar in the control and 150 g Lb group. In conclusion, to ensure improved meat quality and oxidative stability of meat from broiler chickens, the administration of aqueous Lagenaria breviflora at 150 g per litre of water is recommended