Tracking topic evolution via salient keyword matching with consideration of semantic broadness for Web video discovery

A method to track topic evolution via salient keyword matching with consideration of semantic broadness for Web video discovery is presented in this paper. The proposed method enables users to understand the evolution of topics over time for discovering Web videos in which they are interested. A framework that enables extraction and tracking of the hierarchical structure, which contains Web video groups with various degrees of semantic broadness, is newly derived as follows: Based on network analysis using multimodal features, i.e., features of video contents and metadata, our method extracts the hierarchical structure and salient keywords that represent contents of each Web video group. Moreover, salient keyword matching, which is newly developed by considering salient keyword distribution, semantic broadness of each Web video group and initial topic relevance, is applied to each hierarchical structure obtained in different time stamps. Unlike methods in previous works, by considering the semantic broadness as well as the salient keyword distribution, our method can overcome the problem of the desired semantic broadness of topics being different depending on each user. Also, the initial topic relevance enables correction of the gap from an initial topic at the start of tracking. Consequently, it becomes feasible to track the evolution of topics over time for finding Web videos in which the users are interested. Experimental results for real-world datasets containing YouTube videos verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.     

Efficiency-enhanced cost-volume filtering featuring coarse-to-fine strategy

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Cost-volume filtering (CVF) is one of the most widely used techniques for solving general multi-labeling problems based on a Markov random field (MRF). However...     

Quantitative measurement of hard x-ray spectra for high intensity laser produced plasma

X-ray line spectra ranging from 17 to 77 keV were quantitatively measured with a Laue spectrometer, composed of a cylindrically curved crystal and a detector. Either a visible CCD detector coupled with a CsI phosphor screen or an imaging plate can be chosen, depending on the signal intensities and exposure times. The absolute sensitivity of the spectrometer system was calibrated using pre-characterized laser-produced x-ray sources and radioisotopes. The integrated reflectivity for the crystal is in good agreement with predictions by an open code for x-ray diffraction. The energy transfer efficiency from incident laser beams to hot electrons, as the energy transfer agency for specific x-ray line emissions, is derived as a consequence of this work.     

Relationship between apatite-forming ability and mechanical properties of bioactive PMMA-based bone cement modified with calcium salts and alkoxysilane

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-based bone cement is used for the fixation of artificial joints in orthopaedics. However, the fixation is liable to loosen in the body, because the cement does not bond to living bone. So-called bioactive ceramics bond directly to living bone through the apatite layer formed on their surfaces in the body. We previously revealed that modification using γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) and water-soluble calcium salts such as calcium acetate and calcium hydroxide was effective for providing the PMMA-based bone cement with apatite-forming ability in a simulated body fluid (SBF, Kokubo solution) that closely reproduces the body environment. However, the effect of the chemical reaction forming the apatite on the mechanical properties of the cements has not been clarified. The present work aimed to investigate this issue from the viewpoint of the interface structure between the apatite and the cement. The surface of the cement modified with calcium acetate and MPS was fully covered with newly formed apatite after soaking in Kokubo solution within 7 days, while half of the surface area of the cement modified with calcium hydroxide and MPS was covered with the apatite. The bending strength of the modified cements decreased after soaking in Kokubo solution. Porous structure was observed in the region about 50–100 μm in depth from the top surface because of release of the Ca²⁺ ions by both modified cements after soaking in Kokubo solution. The decrease in bending strength of the modified cements could be attributed to the formation of the pores. In addition, the pores on the top surfaces of the cements were filled with the newly formed apatite. The apatite formation would be effective not only for bioactivity but also for decreasing the reduction of mechanical strength.     

Development of a chirped pulse amplification laser with zigzag slab Nd:glass amplifiers dedicated to x-ray laser research

A chirped pulse amplification laser with zigzag slab Nd:glass amplifiers dedicated to x-ray laser research is described. The laser provides a 1.6 ps duration pulse with approximately 7 J energy at a repetition rate of 0.1 Hz. In the power amplifier system, laser light is amplified in a two-step manner: The first step is image-relayed multipass amplification up to approximately 1 J with a 10 mm x 10 mm beam. The second step is double-pass amplification up to >10 J with a 10 mm x 90 mm beam. By using this laser system, the saturated amplification of the Ni-like Ag laser at a wavelength of 13.9 nm has been successfully demonstrated.     

Phase Equilibria and Phase Transition of the Ni–Fe–Ga Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Alloy System

Phase equilibria and martensitic and magnetic transitions of the β (B2 and L2₁) phase in the Ni–Fe–Ga system were investigated. The b phase was found to be in equilibrium with the γ (A1 structure) or γ′ (L1₂ structure) phase. The Curie temperature, T _c , equilibrium temperature, T _o 5 (Ms + Af)/2, martensitic transition starting temperature, M _s , and reverse transition finishing temperature, Af , of the β single–phase alloys were sensitive to the Fe and Ga compositions. The Fe substitution for Ni decreased and increased the T _o and T _c , respectively. The Ga substitution for Ni or Fe decreased both the T _o and T _c . The entropy change accompanying the reverse martensitic transition showed compositional dependence due to the magnetic contribution. The saturation magnetization I _s of the Ni–Fe–Ga system showed a strong dependence on the magnetic valence Z _M . The Is values of the Ni–Fe–Ga alloys annealed at 1023 K showed the same Z _m dependence as other ferromagnetic shape memory alloy (FSMA) systems. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled "Phase Transformations in Magnetic Materials," which occurred during the TMS Annual Meeting, March 12-16, 2006, in San Antonio, Texas, under the auspices of the Joint TMS–MPMD and ASMI–MSCTS Phase Transformations Committee.     

The CAG repeat within the androgen receptor gene and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Thalidomide, a glutamic acid derivative, has recently been shown to inhibit in vitro angiogenesis, the process of formation of new blood vessels. This Phase II study examined the pharmacokinetics of thalidomide in patients with clinically progressive hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Patients (aged 55 to 80 years) were randomized to two different arms, low dose versus high dose. Patients in the low-dose group were given 200 mg of thalidomide and patients in the high-dose group received 200 mg of thalidomide, with subsequent dose escalations to 1200 mg. Serial serum or blood samples were obtained for pharmacokinetic assessment after administration of a single oral dose or multiple daily dosing of thalidomide and were assayed by reversed-phase HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters for both the single and multiple dosing were calculated with ADAPT II. A one-compartment model best fit the data. After single dosing, the oral clearance and apparent volume of distribution for the low-dose regimen (n = 13) were 7.41 +/- 2.05 L/h and 66.93 +/- 34.27 L, respectively, whereas for the high-dose regimen (n = 11), these values were 7.21 +/- 2.89 L/h and 165.81 +/- 84.18 L, respectively. The elimination half-lives for the low and high dose were 6.52 +/- 3.81 and 18.25 +/- 14.08 h, respectively. After the multiple dosing of thalidomide, the oral clearance and apparent volume of distribution for the low-dose group (n = 10) were 6.35 +/- 1.64 L/h and 64.63 +/- 23.20 L, respectively, whereas for the high-dose group (n = 11), these values were 7.73 +/- 2.27 L/h and 167.85 +/- 82.08 L, respectively. The elimination half-lives for the low and high dose were 7.08 +/- 1.87 and 16.19 +/- 9.57 h, respectively. For both the single and multiple dosing of thalidomide, the apparent volume of distribution and half-life were significantly higher for the high-dose group than those for the low-dose group. The higher apparent volume of distribution may be attributable to several factors, such as change in absorption, protein binding, etc. A dose-proportional increase in thalidomide steady-state concentrations was seen after multiple daily dosing of thalidomide.     

Co-Al基三元系中B2相的溶解度间隙与稳定性

Information on phase equilibria in the Co-Al based systems which are related to some magnetic and heat resistance materials is important for their microstructural control. Recently, it was proposed with a theoretical calculation on electronic band structure that some Heusler-type alloys Co2 XAl (X: Cr and Mn) should be a new type of spinelectronic materials so-called half-metallic ferromagnet. In the case of the Co2CrAl, however, magnetic properties expected from the theoretical work can not been experimentally obtained and the reason has been still unknown. On the other hand, a tunne- ling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect due to the half-metallic properties was reported in Co2 (Cr0.6 Fe0.4 ) Al alloy, but not the Co2CrAl alloy. In the present paper, it is reported that this discrepancy with the theoretical work in the Co2CrAl alloy is bought about by phase separation between A2 and B2 phases, and that the substitution of Fe for Cr can suppress the precipitation of A2 phase in the B2 phase. Such a phase separation is originally due to the miscibility gap between CoAl and Cr formed in the Co-Al-Cr ternary system as well as that reported by Hao et al. in the Ni-Co-Al-Fe system.     

Carbon-supported growth of cross-linked platinum nanowires by surfactant templating and their elecrochemical characterization

Platinum/carbon (Pt/C) composite materials were prepared by the hydrazine reduction of H2PtCl6 confined to a mixed surfactant lytropic liquid crystal (LC)/C mixture with varying amounts of water. The reaction at relatively low water contents successfully yielded cross-linked Pt nanowires with wire-widths of 2-5 nm. The novel Pt nanostructure is believed to be from poorly hydrated hexagonal domains formed together with layered domains by the phase separation of the precursory LC mixture in the presence of carbon. Electrochemical measurements using cyclic volutammetry and membrane electrode assemblies revealed that the cross-linked nanowired Pt/C composite exhibits fairly high electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction, as well as a high performance as the cathode material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.