Localized content-based image retrieval

We define localized content-based image retrieval as a CBIR task where the user is only interested in a portion of the image, and the rest of the image is irrelevant. In this paper we present a localized CBIR system, Accio, that uses labeled images in conjunction with a multiple-instance learning algorithm to first identify the desired object and weight the features accordingly, and then to rank images in the database using a similarity measure that is based upon only the relevant portions of the image. A challenge for localized CBIR is how to represent the image to capture the content. We present and compare two novel image representations, which extend traditional segmentation-based and salient point-based techniques respectively, to capture content in a localized CBIR setting.     

The progressive party problem: Integer linear programming and constraint programming compared

Many discrete optimization problems can be formulated as either integer linear programming problems or constraint satisfaction problems. Although ILP methods appear to be more powerful, sometimes constraint programming can solve these problems more quickly. This paper describes a problem in which the difference in performance between the two approaches was particularly marked, since a solution could not be found using ILP.The problem arose in the context of organizing a progressive party at a yachting rally. Some yachts were to be designated hosts; the crews of the remaining yachts would then visit the hosts for six successive half-hour periods. A guest crew could not revisit the same host, and two guest crews could not meet more than once. Additional constraints were imposed by the capacities of the host yachts and the crew sizes of the guests.Integer linear programming formulations which included all the constraints resulted in very large models, and despite trying several different strategies, all attempts to find a solution failed. Constraint programming was tried instead and solved the problem very quickly, with a little manual assistance. Reasons for the success of constraint programming in this problem are identified and discussed.     

Studies of possible chemical emissions from PVC articles used in indoor applications and the effect on indoor air quality

Owing to their widespread use in interior applications, PVC products are frequently discussed in studies of indoor air quality. This paper reports results from the study of products in use and also products based on laboratory formulations that incorporate both unnaturally high and low levels of ingredients that could volatilize into the indoor air, thus giving a worst and best case scenario in terms of indoor emissions. Both PVC wallcovering and PVC flooring formulations have been studied, and laboratory produced samples have been subjected to gas chromatographic analysis to determine both the chemical species and the concentrations at which these can be emitted in typical interior applications. In all cases, including the worst ones, the level of these species in the indoor air is well below the permitted interior levels for the species concerned. These results, plus some outline of the concern over indoor health, are presented.     

Fluorescent proteins as markers in the plant secretory pathway

The use of fluorescent proteins and live cell imaging has greatly increased our knowledge of cell biology in recent years. Not only can these technologies be used to study protein trafficking under different conditions, but they have also been of use in elucidating the relationships between different organelles in a noninvasive manner. The use of multiple different fluorochromes allows the observation of interactions between organelles and between proteins, making this one of the fastest-developing and exciting fields at this time. In this review, we discuss the multitude of fluorescent markers that have been generated to study the plant secretory pathway. Although these markers have been used to solve many mysteries in this field, some areas that require further discussion remain.     

Obsolescence of computing literature

A multisynchronous obsolescence study has been performed on two computing journals that publish on technical aspects of computer system management (networks and operating systems). This area of computer science is found to have a relatively high obsolescence rate (a median citation rate of four years). This rate is similar to that of fields in engineering and the technology-dependent hard sciences.     

Sample Compression,Learnability, and the Vapnik-Chervonenkis Dimension

Within the framework of pac-learning, we explore the learnability of concepts from samples using the paradigm of sample compression schemes. A sample compression scheme of size k for a concept class C 2 ^X consists of a compression function and a reconstruction function. The compression function receives a finite sample set consistent with some concept in C and chooses a subset of k examples as the compression set. The reconstruction function forms a hypothesis on X from a compression set of k examples. For any sample set of a concept in C the compression set produced by the compression function must lead to a hypothesis consistent with the whole original sample set when it is fed to the reconstruction function. We demonstrate that the existence of a sample compression scheme of fixed-size for a class C is sufficient to ensure that the class C is pac-learnable.Previous work has shown that a class is pac-learnable if and only if the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) dimension of the class is finite. In the second half of this paper we explore the relationship between sample compression schemes and the VC dimension. We define maximum and maximal classes of VC dimension d. For every maximum class of VC dimension d, there is a sample compression scheme of size d, and for sufficiently-large maximum classes there is no sample compression scheme of size less than d. We discuss briefly classes of VC dimension d that are maximal but not maximum. It is an open question whether every class of VC dimension d has a sample compression scheme of size O(d).     

Influence of aggregation inhibitors (verbenone and ipsidenol) on landing and attack behavior ofDendroctonus brevicomis (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

The influence of the aggregation inhibitors verbenone and ipsdienol on the response of western pine beetle,Dendroctonus brevicomis, to attractive host trees was investigated. Paired ponderosa pine trees (Pinus ponderosa) were baited with aggregation semiochemicals to stimulate mass attack. One tree in each pair received an inhibitor treatment consisting of five sets of two verbenone and two ipsdienol dispensers spaced 1 m apart vertically along the tree bole. Beetle landing was monitored with sticky traps on the tree bole, and attack density was assessed from bark samples removed four or seven days after baiting. The inhibitor treatment resulted in a significant reduction of both the numbers of beetles landing on trees and the density of attacking beetles compared to control trees (without inhibitors). The ratios of beetle landing density to attacking density were not different between inhibitor-treated and control trees, nor were the vertical distributions of beetles landing or attacking, suggesting that beetle behavior was primarily influenced at a longer range, prior to landing on the tree. Although the application of verbenone and ipsdienol did not preventD. brevicomis from attacking baited trees, our results suggest that when applied to unattacked (and unbaited) trees, their effectiveness at reducing the attack pressure might allow trees having a certain amount of resistance to survive attack by pioneer beetles.     

Close to me: the effect of asymmetrical environments on spatial attention

Attention can be captured by distractors and can affect performance. To examine whether asymmetrical distractors, such as a wall, affect spatial attention, Experiment 1 required participants (n = 20) to determine the relative length of pre-bisected lines when a temporary barrier was placed close to the left or right sides of the display. Post-hoc tests showed that attention was drawn towards left, but not right, walls. Experiment 2 (n = 18) sought to increase this effect using a solid brick wall rather than a temporary barrier. Instead of strengthening the result, no effect of barrier was observed. A non-effect was also observed in Experiment 3 (n = 18) when participants moved a cursor to the line's middle. Finally, Experiment 4 (n = 26) showed that asymmetrical barriers had no effect on visual search. While the data showed some evidence that attention is distracted by walls placed to the left, this effect is weak and task-specific.

Practitioner Summary: The ability to monitor critical information on displays can be affected by asymmetrical distractors. In many workplaces, a display may be placed alongside a wall. This study explored whether a wall placed to the left/right affects spatial attention. A weak, task-specific, attraction effect was observed for walls on the left.     

Impact of measurement precision and noise on superresolution image reconstruction

The performance of uniform and nonuniform detector arrays for application to the PANOPTES (processing arrays of Nyquist-limited observations to produce a thin electro-optic sensor) flat camera design is analyzed for measurement noise environments including quantization noise and Gaussian and Poisson processes. Image data acquired from a commercial camera with 8 bit and 14 bit output options are analyzed, and estimated noise levels are computed. Noise variances estimated from the measurement values are used in the optimal linear estimators for superresolution image reconstruction.     

Bilateral neurotoxic amygdala lesions in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta): Consistent pattern of behavior across different social contexts.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 122(4) of Behavioral Neuroscience (see record 2008-09788-025). In the aforementioned article, Table 1 on page 256 was incorrect. The correct table is printed in the erratum.] Although the amygdala has been repeatedly implicated in normal primate social behavior, great variability exists in the specific social and nonsocial behavioral changes observed in nonhuman primates with bilateral amygdala lesions. One plausible explanation pertains to differences in social context. This study measured the social behavior of amygdala-lesioned and unoperated rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) in 2 contexts. Monkeys interacted in 4-member social groups over 32 test days. They were previously assessed in pairs (N. J. Emery et al., 2001) and were therefore familiar with each other at the beginning of this study. Across the 2 contexts, amygdala lesions produced a highly consistent pattern of social behavior. Operated monkeys engaged in more affiliative social interactions with control partners than did controls. In the course of their interactions, amygdala-lesioned monkeys also displayed an earlier decrease in nervous and fearful personality qualities than did controls. The increased exploration and sexual behavior recorded for amygdala-lesioned monkeys in pairs was not found in the 4-member groups. The authors concluded that the amygdala contributes to social inhibition and that this function transcends various social contexts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)