The COST292 experimental framework for TRECVID 2007

In this paper, we give an overview of the four tasks submitted to TRECVID 2007 by COST292. In shot boundary (SB) detection task, four SB detectors have been developed and the results are merged using two merging algorithms. The framework developed for the high-level feature extraction task comprises four systems. The first system transforms a set of low-level descriptors into the semantic space using Latent Semantic Analysis and utilises neural networks for feature detection. The second system uses a Bayesian classifier trained with a “bag of subregions”. The third system uses a multi-modal classifier based on SVMs and several descriptors. The fourth system uses two image classifiers based on ant colony optimisation and particle swarm optimisation respectively. The system submitted to the search task is an interactive retrieval application combining retrieval functionalities in various modalities with a user interface supporting automatic and interactive search over all queries submitted. Finally, the rushes task submission is based on a video summarisation and browsing system comprising two different interest curve algorithms and three features

COST292 experimental framework for TRECVID 2008

In this paper, we give an overview of the four tasks submitted to TRECVID 2008 by COST292. The high-level feature extraction framework comprises four systems. The first system transforms a set of low-level descriptors into the semantic space using Latent Semantic Analysis and utilises neural networks for feature detection. The second system uses a multi-modal classifier based on SVMs and several descriptors. The third system uses three image classifiers based on ant colony optimisation, particle swarm optimisation and a multi-objective learning algorithm. The fourth system uses a Gaussian model for singing detection and a person detection algorithm. The search task is based on an interactive retrieval application combining retrieval functionalities in various modalities with a user interface supporting automatic and interactive search over all queries submitted. The rushes task submission is based on a spectral clustering approach for removing similar scenes based on eigenvalues of frame similarity matrix and and a redundancy removal strategy which depends on semantic features extraction such as camera motion and faces. Finally, the submission to the copy detection task is conducted by two different systems. The first system consists of a video module and an audio module. The second system is based on mid-level features that are related to the temporal structure of videos

COST292 experimental framework for TRECVID 2006

In this paper we give an overview of the four TRECVID tasks submitted by COST292, European network of institutions in the area of semantic multimodal analysis and retrieval of digital video media. Initially, we present shot boundary evaluation method based on results merged using a confidence measure. The two SB detectors user here are presented, one of the Technical University of Delft and one of the LaBRI, University of Bordeaux 1, followed by the description of the merging algorithm. The high-level feature extraction task comprises three separate systems. The first system, developed by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) utilises a set of MPEG-7 low-level descriptors and Latent Semantic Analysis to detect the features. The second system, developed by Bilkent University, uses a Bayesian classifier trained with a "bag of subregions" for each keyframe. The third system by the Middle East Technical University (METU) exploits textual information in the video using character recognition methodology. The system submitted to the search task is an interactive retrieval application developed by Queen Mary, University of London, University of Zilina and ITI from Thessaloniki, combining basic retrieval functionalities in various modalities (i.e. visual, audio, textual) with a user interface supporting the submission of queries using any combination of the available retrieval tools and the accumulation of relevant retrieval results over all queries submitted by a single user during a specified time interval. Finally, the rushes task submission comprises a video summarisation and browsing system specifically designed to intuitively and efficiently presents rushes material in video production environment. This system is a result of joint work of University of Bristol, Technical University of Delft and LaBRI, University of Bordeaux 1

Challenges to immunization: the experiences of homeless youth

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Homelessness is a critical social issue, both a product of, and contributing to, poor mental and physical health. Over 150,000 young Canadians live on the streets. Homeless youth experience a high incidence of infectious diseases, many of which are vaccine preventable. Early departure from school and limited access to public health services makes them a particularly vulnerable high-risk group. This study explores challenges to obtaining essential vaccines experienced by homeless youth.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative research study to explore knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences surrounding immunization of hard-to-reach homeless youth was designed. Participants were recruited for focus groups from Phoenix House and Shelter, a non-profit, community-based organization assisting homeless youth in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. An experienced facilitator guided the recorded discussions. Transcripts of audiotapes were analyzed using a constant comparative method until data revealed a set of exemplars and themes that best captured participants’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and experiences surrounding immunization and infectious diseases.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Important themes emerged from our analysis. Considerable variability in knowledge about immunization and vaccine preventable diseases was found. The homeless youth in the study had limited awareness of meningitis in contrast to a greater knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and influenza, gained during the H1N1/09 public health campaign. They recognized their poverty as a risk for contracting infectious diseases, along with their inability to always employ known strategies to prevent infectious diseases, due to circumstances. They showed considerable insight into the detrimental effects of poor hygiene, sleeping locations and risk behaviour. Interviewed homeless youth regarded themselves as good compliers of health professional advice and offered valuable suggestions to improve immunization in their population.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To provide effective public health interventions, it is necessary to consider the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of hard to reach, high risk groups. Our study shows that homeless youth are interested and capable in discussing immunization. Active targeting of homeless youth for public health immunization programs is needed. Working collaboratively with non-profit organizations that assist homeless youth provides an opportunity to increase their knowledge of infectious risks and to improve immunization strategies in this vulnerable group.</p

Anaesthesia and PET of the Brain

Although drugs have been used to administer general anaesthesia for more than a century and a half, relatively little was known until recently about the molecular and cellular effects of the anaesthetic agents and the neurobiology of anaesthesia. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies have played a valuable role in improving this knowledge. PET studies using 11C-flumazenil binding have been used to demonstrate that the molecular action of some, but not all, of the current anaesthetic agents is mediated via the GABAA receptor. Using different tracers labelled with 18F, 11C and 15O, PET studies have shown the patterns of changes in cerebral metabolism and blood flow associated with different intravenous and volatile anaesthetic agents. Within classes of volatile agents, there are minor variations in patterns. More profound differences are found between classes of agents. Interestingly, all agents cause alterations in the blood flow and metabolism of the thalamus, providing strong support for the hypothesis that the anaesthetic agents interfere with consciousness by interfering with thalamocortical communication.</p

The COST292 experimental framework for TRECVID 2007

In this paper, we give an overview of the four tasks submitted to TRECVID 2007 by COST292. In shot boundary (SB) detection task, four SB detectors have been developed and the results are merged using two merging algorithms. The framework developed for the high-level feature extraction task comprises four systems. The first system transforms a set of low-level descriptors into the semantic space using Latent Semantic Analysis and utilises neural networks for feature detection. The second system uses a Bayesian classifier trained with a "bag of subregions". The third system uses a multi-modal classifier based on SVMs and several descriptors. The fourth system uses two image classifiers based on ant colony optimisation and particle swarm optimisation respectively. The system submitted to the search task is an interactive retrieval application combining retrieval functionalities in various modalities with a user interface supporting automatic and interactive search over all queries submitted. Finally, the rushes task submission is based on a video summarisation and browsing system comprising two different interest curve algorithms and three features

Effects of Reduced Sulfur Species on the Recovery of Gold and Silver by Cyanide Leaching

Cyanidation circuits that treat sulfidic ores may contain one or more of the following reduced sulfur species: sulfide (HS-), polysulfides (Sn2-), thiocyanate (SCN-), thiosulfate (S2O32-), trithionate (S3O62-), tetrathionate (S4O62-), pentathionate (S5O62-), hexathionate (S6O62-). The actual speciation of the reduced sulfur species in the circuits will primarily depend on the redox potential, pH, cyanide levels and existing sulfur species in recycled process water, as well as the presence of other reactive metal species. Higher polythionates (i.e. tetra-, penta- and hexa-thionate) present in leach solutions react with cyanide ions rapidly and consume the available cyanide causing lower metal recoveries at cyanide leaching plants. However, if higher polythionate ions could be degraded to trithionate, cyanide consumption would be lowered and metal recoveries would be increased.The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of increased gold and silver recoveries and decreased cyanide consumptions by controlling the higher polythionate levels with the addition of sulfite salts to the leach slurries. Experimental results showed that average gold and silver recoveries increased by 13.3% and 28.8%, respectively at 500 ppm NaCN and 300 ppm SO32- concentration levels compared to the control experiments where no sulfite was added to the leach slurries. Additionally, higher sulfite concentrations in the leach slurries resulted in lower tetrathionate and thiocyanate and, higher thiosulfate, trithionate and available cyanide concentrations

Pressure Cyanidation

Although the effect of high oxygen pressure at elevated slurry temperatures on gold recoveries was previously investigated, the sole effect of the pressure at ambient temperature on cyanide leaching with the presence of nearly enough oxygen for the cyanide reactions to occur has not been found to be studied.This research work carried out with the objective of investigating the effect of pressure on the recovery of gold from an oxide gold ore and flotation tailings sample the during cyanide leaching process at room temperature. Pressure cyanidation experiments were run in a laboratory scale autoclave under different oxygen and nitrogen gas pressures and pH conditions. Results showed that, gold recoveries of the pressure cyanidation experiments conducted at room temperature were as much as two times higher than the atmospheric leaching conditions for the same leaching times. Oxide ore samples leached at ninety (90) psi nitrogen pressure had thirty-six percent (36%) better recovery, carbon in leach (CIL) feed (flotation tailings samples) leached at the same nitrogen pressure had seventy-seven percent (77%) better recovery compared to atmospheric leaching conditions at the same period of leaching time