A multi-level abstraction and modeling in video databases

In this paper, we propose a multi-level abstraction mechanism for capturing the spatial and temporal semantics associated with various objects in an input image or in a sequence of video frames. This abstraction can manifest itself effectively in conceptualizing events and views in multimedia data as perceived by individual users. The objective is to provide an efficient mechanism for handling content-based queries, with the minimum amount of processing performed on raw data during query evaluation. We introduce a multi-level architecture for video data management at different levels of abstraction. The architecture facilitates a multi-level indexing/searching mechanism. At the finest level of granularity, video data can be indexed based on mere appearance of objects and faces. For management of information at higher levels of abstractions, an object-oriented paradigm is proposed which is capable of supporting domain specific views.     

UWB over fiber transmission to multiple radio access units using all-optical signal processing

An ultra-wideband over fiber architecture is proposed where multiple coherent pulsed optical signals are used for transmitting high data rate signals to five different radio access units (RAUs). The RAUs are placed in a star topology to form a broadcast distributive antenna system architecture. The architecture transmits \(5 \times 1.25\) Gbps data from control unit to the RAUs using a wavelength division multiplexed signal. The multiple pulsed optical carriers forming the wavelength division multiplexed signal are generated using a single continuous wave optical source. The data modulated coherent optical pulsed signals are all-optically converted to electrical Gaussian mono-cycle pulses at the RAUs. The proposed architecture is cost-efficient and gives good bit-error rate results.     

Techniques for the extraction of phytosterols and their benefits in human health: a review

This review summarizes the information on the health-promoting effects of phytosterols and the techniques for their extraction. The extraction and analysis processes of phytosterols are complex and have not been fully established. Phytosterols have significant roles in the areas of foods, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Free phytosterols extracted from plant sources are widely used in fortified foods and dietary supplements. Most phytosterols are extracted from plant matrices using organic solvents which are health and environmental hazards. However, the application of supercritical fluid in the extraction of phytosterols has offered a promising green technology in overcoming the limitations of conventional extraction.     

Media Streams Scheduling for Synchronization in Distributed Multimedia Systems

In this paper, we consider the problem of multimedia synchronization based on scheduling the transmission of multimedia documents in a networked environment. Assuming channels with different bandwidth and delay characteristics are established between the multimedia server and the client, we formulate the scheduling problem to ensure interstream and intrastream synchronization as a parallel processor scheduling problem. Since the heterogeneous parallel processor scheduling problem is NP-hard, we propose two heuristic algorithms with time complexity ofO(n log n+nm), wherenis the number of data units to be scheduled andmthe number of channels available. We also develop an enumerative algorithm to obtain the exact solutions. Extensive computational simulations reveal that the heuristics consistently obtain near-optimal solutions. From the simulation results, we also identify special structures of multimedia documents along with characteristics of the available channels which affect the relative performance of the algorithms.     

The effect of soaking,germination and cooking on the protein quality of mash beans (Phaseolus mungo)

The protein quality of mash beans (Phaseolus mungo) as affected by soaking, germination and cooking was determined at the 10% dietary protein level using weanling rats. Gains in body weight were 11.5 g for raw beans, 68.5 g for soaked-cooked and 33.0 g for germinated-cooked beans. The protein efficiency ratio values were 0.4, 1.9 and 1.1 for raw beans, soaked-cooked and germinated-cooked beans respectively. Net protein utilisation was improved from 44% for raw beans to 58% after soaking and cooking, but reduced to 47% after germinating and cooking. These changes were entirely accounted for by changes in digestibility, 72, 90 and 81% respectively, and biological values were unchanged at 61, 64 and 59 respectively.