Automatic summarization of rushes video using bipartite graphs

In this paper we present a new approach for automatic summarization of rushes video. Our approach is composed of three main steps. First, based on a temporal segmentation, we filter sub-shots with low information content not likely to be useful in a summary. Second, a method using maximal matching in a bipartite graph is adapted to measure similarity between the remaining shots and to minimize inter-shot redundancy by removing repetitive retake shots common in rushes content. Finally, the presence of faces and the motion intensity are characterised in each sub-shot. A measure of how representative the sub-shot is in the context of the overall video is then proposed. Video summaries composed of keyframe slideshows are then generated. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach we re-run the evaluation carried out by the TREC, using the same dataset and evaluation metrics used in the TRECVID video summarization task in 2007 but with our own assessors. Results show that our approach leads to a significant improvement in terms of the fraction of the TRECVID summary ground truth included and is competitive with other approaches in TRECVID 2007

Using Sensor Metadata Streams to Identify Topics of Local Events in the City

In this paper, we study the emerging Information Retrieval (IR) task of local event retrieval using sensor metadata streams. Sensor metadata streams include information such as the crowd density from video processing, audio classifications, and social media activity. We propose to use these metadata streams to identify the topics of local events within a city, where each event topic corresponds to a set of terms representing a type of events such as a concert or a protest. We develop a supervised approach that is capable of mapping sensor metadata observations to an event topic. In addition to using a variety of sensor metadata observations about the current status of the environment as learning features, our approach incorporates additional background features to model cyclic event patterns. Through experimentation with data collected from two locations in a major Spanish city, we show that our approach markedly outperforms an alternative baseline. We also show that modelling background information improves event topic identification

Automatic summarization of rushes video using bipartite graphs

In this paper we present a new approach for automatic summarization of rushes, or unstructured video. Our approach is composed of three major steps. First, based on shot and sub-shot segmentations, we filter sub-shots with low information content not likely to be useful in a summary. Second, a method using maximal matching in a bipartite graph is adapted to measure similarity between the remaining shots and to minimize inter-shot redundancy by removing repetitive retake shots common in rushes video. Finally, the presence of faces and motion intensity are characterised in each sub-shot. A measure of how representative the sub-shot is in the context of the overall video is then proposed. Video summaries composed of keyframe slideshows are then generated. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach we re-run the evaluation carried out by TRECVid, using the same dataset and evaluation metrics used in the TRECVid video summarization task in 2007 but with our own assessors. Results show that our approach leads to a significant improvement on our own work in terms of the fraction of the TRECVid summary ground truth included and is competitive with the best of other approaches in TRECVid 2007

Paradigms, possibilities and probabilities: Comment on Hinterecker et al. (2016)

Hinterecker et al. (2016) compared the adequacy of the probabilistic new paradigm in reasoning with the recent revision of mental models theory (MMT) for explaining a novel class of inferences containing the modal term “possibly”. For example, the door is closed or the window is open or both, therefore, possibly the door is closed and the window is open (A or B or both, therefore, possibly(A & B)). They concluded that their results support MMT. In this comment, it is argued that Hinterecker et al. (2016) have not adequately characterised the theory of probabilistic validity (p-validity) on which the new paradigm depends. It is unclear how p-validity can be applied to these inferences, which are anyway peripheral to the theory. It is also argued that the revision of MMT is not well motivated and its adoption leads to many logical absurdities. Moreover, the comparison is not appropriate because these theories are defined at different levels of computational explanation. In particular, revised MMT lacks a provably consistent computational level theory that could justify treating these inferences as valid. It is further argued that the data could result from the non-colloquial locutions used to express the premises. Finally, an alternative pragmatic account is proposed based on the idea that a conclusion is possible if what someone knows cannot rule it out. This account could be applied to the unrevised mental model theory rendering the revision redundant

Evidence of wildfires and elevated atmospheric oxygen at the Frasnian−Famennian boundary in New York (USA): Implications for the Late Devonian mass extinction

The Devonian Period experienced significant fluctuations of atmospheric oxygen (O2) levels (∼25−13%), for which the extent and timing are debated. Also characteristic of the Devonian Period, at the Frasnian−Famennian (F−F) boundary, is one of the “big five” mass extinction events of the Phanerozoic. Fossilized charcoal (inertinite) provides a record of wildfire events, which in turn can provide insight into the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems and the atmospheric composition. Here, we report organic petrology, programmed pyrolysis analysis, major and trace element analyses, and initial osmium isotope (Osi) stratigraphy from five sections of Upper Devonian (F−F interval) from western New York, USA. These data are discussed to infer evidence of a wildfire event at the F−F boundary. Based on the evidence for a wildfire at the F−F boundary we also provide an estimate of atmospheric O2 levels of ∼23−25% at this interval, which is in agreement with the models that predict elevated pO2 levels during the Late Devonian. This, coupled with our Os isotope records, support the currently published Osi data that lacks any evidence for an extra-terrestrial impact or volcanic event at the F−F interval, and therefore to act as a trigger for the F−F mass extinction. The elevated O2 level at the F−F interval inferred from this study supports the hypothesis that pCO2 drawdown and associated climate cooling may have acted as a driving mechanism of the F−F mass extinction

Famennian (Upper Devonian) conodont zonation: revised global standard

The revision of the Famennian part of the \u201cLate Devonian Standard Conodont Zonation\u201d is based on the inequivalence between biozones and time, and the rejection of the presumed single phyletic concept on which the previous zonation was based. It is also intended to simplify the zonation, eliminating the zonal groups named after only one taxon, and biozones that are defined by a Last Appearance Datum (LAD). The proposed revision is largely based on the zonation proposed by Ziegler and Sandberg (1990) and is for the most part correlatable using the same zonal markers. Modifications have only been made when strictly necessary, as the aim of the proposal is to maintain the stability of over 50 years of studies. The 22 zones constituting the revised zonation are defined by the First Appearance Datum (FAD) of species or subspecies that have a well-established stratigraphic range and wide geographic distribution. Each zone is named after the taxon for which the FAD defines the lower boundary. For each zone an association of other species useful for its identification is listed

Organic geochemistry evidence for wildfire and elevated pO2 at the Frasnian–Famennian boundary

The Devonian experienced radiations of plants and animals, as well as a major mass extinction event during the Frasnian–Famennian (Fsingle bondF) interval. Proposed triggers have been linked to volcanism, extraterrestrial impact, sea-level fluctuations, and climate cooling, etc. However, the nature of the wildfires and its role in the biotic evolution have been rarely investigated for the Fsingle bondF interval. Here, we report organic geochemistry proxies (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs) in three sections from New York (USA) to further investigate the wildfire activity and its potential link with the environmental and biotic perturbations around the Fsingle bondF interval. The studied intervals are dominated by three-ring PAHs which display an increasing abundance stratigraphically towards the Fsingle bondF boundary (FFB). An increase of 6-ring over 3-ring PAHs across the FFB is also observed for the studied sections, indicating elevated burning temperature. Additionally, slightly increased plant wax abundance and average chain length values and relatively constant Pr/Ph ratios are observed. Collectively, these results propose an increased burning frequency over the Fsingle bondF interval caused by elevated pO2 level, rather than a change in aridity. Terrestrial input only slightly increased across the FFB, and there is limited evidence for ocean anoxia. This correlates with the hypothesis that pCO2 drawdown and climate cooling could have been a driving mechanism of the Fsingle bondF biocrisis

Density functional study of the adsorption of K on the Ag(111) surface

Full-potential gradient corrected density functional calculations of the adsorption of potassium on the Ag(111) surface have been performed. The considered structures are Ag(111) (root 3 x root 3) R30degree-K and Ag(111) (2 x 2)-K. For the lower coverage, fcc, hcp and bridge site; and for the higher coverage all considered sites are practically degenerate. Substrate rumpling is most important for the top adsorption site. The bond length is found to be nearly identical for the two coverages, in agreement with recent experiments. Results from Mulliken populations, bond lengths, core level shifts and work functions consistently indicate a small charge transfer from the potassium atom to the substrate, which is slightly larger for the lower coverage.Comment: to appear in Phys Rev

Methionine cycle rewiring by targeting miR-873-5p modulates ammonia metabolism to protect the liver from acetaminophen

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) development is commonly associated with acetaminophen (APAP) overdose, where glutathione scavenging leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatocyte death. DILI is a severe disorder without effective late-stage treatment, since N-acetyl cysteine must be administered 8 h after overdose to be efficient. Ammonia homeostasis is altered during liver diseases and, during DILI, it is accompanied by decreased glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) expression and S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) levels that suggest a reduced methionine cycle. Anti-miR-873-5p treatment prevents cell death in primary hepatocytes and the appearance of necrotic areas in liver from APAP-administered mice. In our study, we demonstrate a GNMT and methionine cycle activity restoration by the anti-miR-873-5p that reduces mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The lack of hyperammoniemia caused by the therapy results in a decreased urea cycle, enhancing the synthesis of polyamines from ornithine and AdoMet and thus impacting the observed recovery of mitochondria and hepatocyte proliferation for regeneration. In summary, anti-miR-873-5p appears to be an effective therapy against APAP-induced liver injury, where the restoration of GNMT and the methionine cycle may prevent mitochondrial dysfunction while activating hepatocyte proliferative response