Efficient indexing and retrieval of large-scale geo-tagged video databases

We are witnessing a significant growth in the number of smartphone users and advances in phone hardware and sensor technology. In conjunction with the popularity of video applications such as YouTube, an unprecedented number of user-generated videos (UGVs) are being generated and consumed by the public, which leads to a Big Data challenge in social media. In a very large video repository, it is difficult to index and search videos in their unstructured form. However, due to recent development, videos can be geo-tagged (e.g., locations from GPS receiver and viewing directions from digital compass) at the acquisition time, which can provide potential for efficient management of video data. Ideally, each video frame can be tagged by the spatial extent of its coverage area, termed Field-Of-View (FOV). This effectively converts a challenging video management problem into a spatial database problem. This paper attacks the challenges of large-scale video data management using spatial indexing and querying of FOVs, especially maximally harnessing the geographical properties of FOVs. Since FOVs are shaped similar to slices of pie and contain both location and orientation information, conventional spatial indexes, such as R-tree, cannot index them efficiently. The distribution of UGVs’ locations is non-uniform (e.g., more FOVs in popular locations). Consequently, even multilevel grid-based indexes, which can handle both location and orientation, have limitations in managing the skewed distribution. Additionally, since UGVs are usually captured in a casual way with diverse setups and movements, no a priori assumption can be made to condense them in an index structure. To overcome the challenges, we propose a class of new R-tree-based index structures that effectively harness FOVs’ camera locations, orientations and view-distances, in tandem, for both filtering and optimization. We also present novel search strategies and algorithms for efficient range and directional queries on our indexes. Our experiments using both real-world and large synthetic video datasets (over 30 years’ worth of videos) demonstrate the scalability and efficiency of our proposed indexes and search algorithms.     

Note: High speed optical profiler based on a phase-shifting technique using frequency-scanning lasers

We present a high speed optical profiler (HSOP) using frequency-scanning lasers for three-dimensional profile measurements of microscopic structures. To improve upon previous techniques for implementing the HSOP, we developed frequency-scanning lasers and a compact microscopic interferometer. The controller of the HSOP was also modified to generate proper phase-shifting steps. For measurements of step height specimens, the HSOP showed results comparable with a commercial optical profiler, even with much higher measurement speeds (up to 30 Hz). The typical repeatability of step height measurement was less than 1 nm. We also present measurements of microscopic structures to verify the HSOP's ability to perform high speed inline inspection for the semiconductor and flat-panel display industries.     

Smart‐Home Interface Design: Layout Organization Adapted to Americans' and Koreans' Cognitive Styles

Increases in the number of household appliances and devices with RFID tags have created a need for efficient organization of smart‐home interfaces in consideration of residents. Previous studies of information‐grouping and cultural‐differences in cognitive style on performance have yielded mixed results. Gender has not typically been considered, nor have subjective preferences been measured. We tested four participant groups (American and Korean males and females) and two interface groupings (functional and spatial). Participants performed tasks that required locating controls for specific devices/functions, after which they rated the interfaces on several scales. American males preferred the functional organization, but Koreans and American females tended to prefer the spatial organization. The results are consistent with Koreans' preference for thematic‐structure and the view that men's and women's cognitive styles differ in masculine/individualistic cultures (U.S.) but not in feminine/collectivistic cultures (Korea). Potential applications include physical (e.g., power and wall‐mounted switches) and virtual interactions (e.g., remote controls, GUI/Web/Phone). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Low level light therapy by Red–Green–Blue LEDs improves healing in an excision model of Sprague–Dawley rats

There are many methods of healing wounds. Among these, light therapy is reported to be beneficial, as beams assist the human body in treating, sterilizing, and regenerating cells. Both Laser and LED irradiation with specific wavelengths induce proliferation of fibroblasts depending on the wound area or wavelength and are effective in wound healing. This study used 8-week-old 250–300 g Male Sprague–Dawley Rats (ILAR Code: NTacSam:SD). The experiment was carried out for the non-irradiation group and the Red–Green–Blue LEDs irradiation groups (n of each group = 5). The experiment animals were relieved for 24 h after wounds had been excised and then the Red–Green–Blue LEDs irradiation groups were given irradiation therapy over 9 days 1 h per day. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted for cytokeratin in order to precisely measure the defect size. Also, Masson’s trichrome staining was conducted for comparison of collagen between the Red–Green–Blue LEDs irradiation groups and the non-irradiation group. Animals treated with Blue LEDs irradiation (p < 0.05), Green LEDs irradiation (p < 0.05), and Red LEDs irradiation (N.S.) healed at a faster rate than non-irradiated group. The LEDs irradiated groups also had more collagen, according to Masson’s trichrome staining for collagen analysis. The Red–Green–Blue LEDs irradiation had a beneficial effect on wound healing and could probably replace low power laser treatment.     

Performance of the MAP/G/1 Queue Under the Dyadic Control of Workload and Server Idleness

This paper studies the steady-state queue length process of the MAP/G/1 queue under the dyadic control of the D-policy and multiple server vacations. We derive the probability generating function of the queue length and the mean queue length. We then present computational experiences and compare the MAP queue with the Poisson queue.

Ambient‐light sensor system with wide dynamic range enhanced by adaptive sensitivity control

Abstract— A new digital ambient‐light sensor system is presented which employs two linear light sensors with different sensitivities and automatically adjusts the sensitivity based on the illumination condition. The adaptation mechanism allows a very wide range of light intensity to be detected, and the input dynamic range of the system is substantially improved from 22.5 to 45.1 dB. The proposed method does not require any additional precision bits for output data. Due to the small number of the output bits and the simple conversion process, the system can be easily integrated on the display panel.     

Electron‐beam deposition of MgO on plastic substrate and manufacturing flexible flat fluorescent lamp

Abstract— A flexible fluorescent lamp that utilizes the same plasma discharge mode as in PDPs has been manufactured. The structure of the flexible lamp is simple and easy to manufacture. All‐plastic materials including plastic substrates, barrier ribs (spacers), and sealants for low‐temperature manufacturing processing have been adopted except for the phosphor and MgO thin film. The MgO thin films were coated on the plastic substrates as a protection layer against the plasma discharge. The adhesion and biaxial texture of MgO thin film deposited on the plastic substrates, poly‐ethyle‐nenaphthalate (PEN) and polycarbonate (PC), at low temperature (100–180°C) has been characterized. The MgO film on PEN shows good adhesion under a repeated bending test. The manufactured flexible lamp consists of two plastic substrates of about 3 in. on the diagonal, barrier rib (spacer), and external ITO electrodes. The Ne‐Xe (5%) gas mixture at 100–200 Torr was used for the discharge gas. A maximum surface luminance of about 100 cd/m² was achieved for a 1 ‐kHz AC pulse.     

Joint frame rate adaptation and object recognition model selection for stabilized unmanned aerial vehicle surveillance

We propose an adaptive unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted object recognition algorithm for urban surveillance scenarios. For UAV-assisted surveillance, UAVs are equipped with learning-based object recognition models and can collect surveillance image data. However, owing to the limitations of UAVs regarding power and computational resources, adaptive control must be performed accordingly. Therefore, we introduce a self-adaptive control strategy to maximize the time-averaged recognition performance subject to stability through a formulation based on Lyapunov optimization. Results from performance evaluations on real-world data demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves the desired performance improvements.     

Dominance of Plasmonic Resonant Energy Transfer over Direct Electron Transfer in Substantially Enhanced Water Oxidation Activity of BiVO4 by Shape‐Controlled Au Nanoparticles

The performance of plasmonic Au nanostructure/metal oxide heterointerface shows great promise in enhancing photoactivity, due to its ability to confine light to the small volume inside the semiconductor and modify the interfacial electronic band structure. While the shape control of Au nanoparticles (NPs) is crucial for moderate bandgap semiconductors, because plasmonic resonance by interband excitations overlaps above the absorption edge of semiconductors, its critical role in water splitting is still not fully understood. Here, first, the plasmonic effects of shape‐controlled Au NPs on bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) are studied, and a largely enhanced photoactivity of BiVO₄ is reported by introducing the octahedral Au NPs. The octahedral Au NP/BiVO₄ achieves 2.4 mA cm^?2 at the 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, which is the threefold enhancement compared to BiVO₄. It is the highest value among the previously reported plasmonic Au NPs/BiVO₄. Improved photoactivity is attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance; direct electron transfer (DET), plasmonic resonant energy transfer (PRET). The PRET can be stressed over DET when considering the moderate bandgap semiconductor. Enhanced water oxidation induced by the shape‐controlled Au NPs is applicable to moderate semiconductors, and shows a systematic study to explore new efficient plasmonic solar water splitting cells.