Symbolic Compression and Processing of Document Images

In this paper, we describe a compression and representation scheme which exploits the component-level redundancy found within a document image. The approach identifies patterns which appear repeatedly, represents similar patterns with a single prototype, stores the location of pattern instances, and codes the residuals between the prototypes and the pattern instances. Using a novel encoding scheme, we provide a representation that facilitates scalable lossy compression and progressive transmission and supports document image analysis in the compressed domain. We motivate the approach, provide details of the encoding procedures, report compression results, and describe a class of document image understanding tasks that operate on the compressed representation.     

Acute responses of non-human primates to airway delivery of an adenovirus vector containing the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator cDNA

Recombinant human adenovirus (Ad) vectors are leading candidates for human gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) based on demonstration of efficient transfer of exogenous genes to rodent respiratory epithelium in vivo and human respiratory cells in vitro. The safety of Ad-mediated gene transfer to the respiratory epithelium and acute (up to 21 days) clinical responses to airway delivery of a replication-deficient recombinant, E1-, E3- Ad type 5-based vector containing the human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator cDNA (AdCFTR) were evaluated in rhesus monkeys. Airway delivery of an Ad vector with the lacZ marker gene demonstrated beta-galactosidase expression in epithelial cells. Animals administered intratracheal AdCFTR demonstrated human CFTR cDNA expression in airway epithelial cells. Animals administered AdCFTR intranasal, and 24 hr later, intrabronchial [2 x 10(7) to 5 x 10(10) plaque-forming units (pfu), n = 12], in a fashion similar to a proposed human protocol, or only intrabronchial (10(11) pfu, n = 3), had no significant changes in clinical parameters compared to vehicle controls (n = 6). Microscopic analysis of the lung by necropsy or bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in inflammatory cells, primarily lymphocytes, in the area where AdCFTR was delivered, which persisted for at least 2 months in some animals. Serum anti-Ad type 5 neutralizing antibody titers did not rise and shed Ad was not detected. The presence of AdCFTR DNA, analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was not detected in organs outside the lung. These data demonstrate that AdCFTR is well tolerated in non-human primates, although there is dose-dependent inflammation in the lung not clinically apparent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Diabetes complications and risk factors in an Australian population. How well are they managed?

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the relationship between complications and risk factors in the type 2 diabetes population, and to assess the level of assistance people with diabetes receive in controlling their risk factors. METHODS: Participants were recruited from representative population surveys of South Australians aged over 18 years. Participants were asked a series of questions about their risk factors and the advice and assistance they received from their general practitioner (GP) in modifying their risk factors. Additionally, participants were clinically tested for a number of macro and microvascular complications. RESULTS: South Australians with type 2 diabetes have a high prevalence of risk factors, with the majority being overweight or obese, doing no vigorous exercise and having high blood pressure. They also have a high prevalence of complications, with 53% having at least one macrovascular complication and 66% having at least one microvascular complication. Additionally, participants reported high levels of GP advice and assistance on the risk factors where pharmacological controls were available, but low levels of assistance where non-pharmacological interventions were needed to control the risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes risk factors and complications among South Australians with type 2 diabetes is a cause for concern, as is the lack of assistance offered by GPs to modify risk factors. Multi-disciplinary approaches to the control of risk factors and patient self-management and education are critical to the progression and success of diabetes care.     

Integrating perceptual and cognitive modeling for adaptive and intelligent human-computer interaction

This paper describes technology and tools for intelligent human-computer interaction (IHCI) in which human cognitive, perceptual, motor and affective factors are modeled and used to adapt the H-C interface. IHCI emphasizes that human behavior encompasses both apparent human behavior and the hidden mental state behind behavioral performance. IHCI expands on the interpretation of human activities, known as W4 (what, where, when, who). While W4 only addresses the apparent perceptual aspect of human behavior the W5+ technology for IHCI described in this paper addresses also the why and how questions, whose solution requires recognizing specific cognitive states. IHCI integrates parsing and interpretation of nonverbal information with a computational cognitive model of the user which, in turn, feeds into processes that adapt the interface to enhance operator performance and provide for rational decision-making. The technology proposed is based on a general four-stage interactive framework, which moves from parsing the raw sensory-motor input, to interpreting the user's motions and emotions, to building an understanding of the user's current cognitive state. It then diagnoses various problems in the situation and adapts the interface appropriately. The interactive component of the system improves processing at each stage. Examples of perceptual, behavioral, and cognitive tools are described throughout the paper Adaptive and intelligent HCI are important for novel applications of computing, including ubiquitous and human-centered computing.     

Image analysis: Problems,progress and prospects

Over the past 25 years, many ad hoc techniques for analyzing images have been developed and the subject has gradually begun to develop a scientific basis. This paper outlines the basic steps in a general image analysis process. It summarizes the state of the art with respect to each step, points out limitations of present methods and indicates potential directions for future work.     

Noise reduction in three-dimensional digital images

Two dimensional and three dimensional noise reduction techniques are used on real 3D images and compared. The comparison is based on the busyness of the resulting images and on their fidelity to the original images. The following methods, each with 2D and 3D versions, are reviewed: mean filtering, median filtering, nearest neighbor smoothing, selective averaging and maximum likelihood smoothing. The results suggest that the 3D techniques are more effective at removing noise and retaining image information content than the 2D techniques. The methods that produced the highest quality images were the nearest neighbor and maximum likelihood smoothing techniques. The mean and median filtering methods removed the most noise, but blurred the images. The selective averaging method provided intermediate results.