Accessing Video Contents through Key Objects over IP

In order to support content-based video database access over the Internet Protocol (IP), achieving the following objectives are important: (i) video query by a representative object (key object) or some statistical characterization of the target contents, (ii) bandwidth-efficient browsing over IP, and (iii) scalable and user-centric video transmission over a heterogeneous and variable-bandwidth network. We present a video object extraction and scalable coding system designed to meet the above objectives. In our system, key objects of meaning to video database users are generated via a human-computer-interaction procedure, and are tracked across frames. Given a key object, an algorithm classifies a subset of its VOPs as key VOPs. This subset forms the basis of a highly bandwidth-efficient base layer for supporting activities such as browsing and refining queries. Over the base layer, a number of enhancement layers can be defined to progressively increase the spatial and temporal resolutions of retrieved video. It is expected that heterogeneous users can subscribe to different numbers of the enhancement layers according to their own conditions, such as access authorization, available connection bandwidth, and quality preference.     

Is medical research informing professional practice more highly cited? Evidence from AHFS DI Essentials in drugs.com

Scientometrics - Citation-based indicators are often used to help evaluate the impact of published medical studies, even though the research has the ultimate goal of improving human wellbeing. One...     

Exploring a Local Linear Model Tree Approach to Car‐Following

Because car‐following (CF) models are fundamental to replicating traffic flow they have received considerable attention over the last 50 years. They are in a continuous state of improvement due to their significant role in traffic microsimulations, intelligent transportation systems, and safety engineering models. This article uses the local linear model tree (LOLIMOT) approach to model driver's CF behavior to incorporate human perceptual imperfections into a CF model. This model defines some localities in the input space. These localities are fuzzy and have overlaps with each other. Specific models for each of the localities are then defined and combined in a fuzzy manner to predict the final output. The model was developed using real world dynamic data sets. Three different data sets were used for training, testing, and validating the model. The performance of the model was compared to a number of existing CF models. The results showed very close agreement between the real data and the LOLIMOT outputs.     

A Fixed-Distribution PAC Learning Theory for Neural FIR Models

The PAC learning theory creates a framework to assess the learning properties of static models. This theory has been extended to include learning of modeling tasks with m-dependent data given that the data are distributed according to a uniform distribution. The extended theory can be applied for learning of nonlinear FIR models with the restriction that the data are unformly distributed. In this paper, The PAC learning scheme is extended to deal with any FIR model regardless of the distribution of the data. This fixed-distribution m-dependent extension of the PAC learning theory is then applied to the learning of FIR three-layer feedforward sigmoid neural networks.     

Robust image watermarking scheme using bit-plane of hadamard coefficients

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Nowadays, due to widespread usage of the Internet, digital contents are distributed quickly and inexpensively throughout the world. Watermarking techniques can...     

Do Mendeley reader counts reflect the scholarly impact of conference papers? An investigation of computer science and engineering

Scientometrics - Counts of Mendeley readers may give useful evidence about the impact of published research. Although previous studies have found significant positive correlations between counts of...     

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows of viscoelastic fluids in converging/diverging channels

The present work is a theoretical investigation of the applicability of magnetic fields for controlling hydrodynamic separation in Jeffrey-Hamel flows of viscoelastic fluids. To achieve this goal, a local similarity solution was found for laminar, two-dimensional flow of a viscoelastic fluid obeying second-order/second-grade model as its constitutive equation with the assumption being made that the flow is symmetric and purely radial. These assumptions enabled a third-order nonlinear ODE to be obtained as the single equation governing the MHD flow of this particular fluid in flow through converging/diverging channels. With three physical boundary conditions available, Chebyshev collocation-point method was used to solve this ODE numerically. Results are presented in terms of parameters such as Reynolds number, Weissenberg number, channel half-angle, and the magnetic number. It was found that these parameters all have a profound effect on the velocity profiles in Jeffrey-Hamel flows. The effect of magnetic field was found to be more striking in that it is predicted to force fluid elements near the wall to exceed centerline velocity in converging channels and to suppress separation in diverging channels. Interestingly, the effect of the magnetic field in delaying flow separation is predicted to become more pronounced the higher the fluid’s elasticity.     

Liver Transplantation for Colorectal Liver Metastases: Current Management and Future Perspectives

Patients with nonresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer have few therapeutic options and a dismal prognosis. Although liver transplantation for this indication has historically a poor reputation, recent advances in the field of chemotherapy and immunosuppression have paved the way to revisit the concept. New data have shown promising results that need to be validated in several ongoing clinical trials. Since liver grafts represent a scarce resource, several new tools are being explored to expand the donor pool for this indication. The purpose of this review is to present all current available data and perspectives about liver transplantation for nonresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer.     

The high scholarly value of grey literature before and during Covid-19

Scientometrics - New academic knowledge in journal articles is partly built on peer reviewed research already published in journals or books. Academics can also draw from non-academic sources, such...