Unsupervised manifold learning using Reciprocal kNN Graphs in image re-ranking and rank aggregation tasks

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Image Re-Ranking Acceleration on GPUs

Huge image collections are becoming available lately. In this scenario, the use of Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) systems has emerged as a promising approach to support image searches. The objective of CBIR systems is to retrieve the most similar images in a collection, given a query image, by taking into account image visual properties such as texture, color, and shape. In these systems, the effectiveness of the retrieval process depends heavily on the accuracy of ranking approaches. Recently, re-ranking approaches have been proposed to improve the effectiveness of CBIR systems by taking into account the relationships among images. The re-ranking approaches consider the relationships among all images in a given dataset. These approaches typically demands a huge amount of computational power, which hampers its use in practical situations. On the other hand, these methods can be massively parallelized. In this paper, we propose to speedup the computation of the RL-Sim algorithm, a recently proposed image re-ranking approach, by using the computational power of Graphics Processing Units (GPU). GPUs are emerging as relatively inexpensive parallel processors that are becoming available on a wide range of computer systems. We address the image re-ranking performance challenges by proposing a parallel solution designed to fit the computational model of GPUs. We conducted an experimental evaluation considering different implementations and devices. Experimental results demonstrate that significant performance gains can be obtained. Our approach achieves speedups of 7x from serial implementation considering the overall algorithm and up to 36x on its core steps.

Development and Validation of a Clinical Scale for the Evaluation of Forearm Skin Photoaging

Background: Despite the focus on facial photoaging ratings, there are few classifications developed for forearm skin aging assessment.Objective: To develop and validate a clinical scale for the evaluation of forearm skin aging.Methods: Three clinical dermatology faculty members selected, discussed, and appraised the main signs of forearm photoaging. The validation of the resulting scale was performed by 5 assessors who were previously trained to classify 102 photographs of forearms with different degrees of aging. Retests were performed in 15 days.Results: There was significant correlation between the selected variables and the subjective global aging scale. The developed scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87) and high correlation with the global photoaging scale (rho = 0.92). Inter- and intraobserver final scores showed high agreement.Conclusion: A validated clinical photoaging scale for forearms with internal consistency, reliability, and validity was developed.

Occurrences of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from four districts of Tocantins state, Brazilian Legal Amazon Region

Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis have been recognized as economically important diseases with considerable impact on the livestock industry. Little is known concerning the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep from Tocantins state, Brazil. Here, we investigated antibodies against these parasites and associated factors in 182 sheep from Araguaina, Santa Terezinha do Tocantins, Arguianopolis and Palmeiras do Tocantins districts, Tocantins. Sheep sera were assayed for T. gondii and N. caninum IgG antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), using cut-off point at a dilution of 1: 40 and 1: 25 respectively. The prevalence of seropositive animal for T. gondii was 13.74% and 13.74% for N. caninum. None of the characteristics studied including reproductive problems, presence of cats, presence of dogs and veterinary care (p>0.05) was associated with occurrence of T. gondii or N. caninum infection. Only breed was identified as associated factor for the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in sheep (p<0.05). The present study is the first report on serum occurrence of T. gondii and N. caninum in sheep from the state of Tocantins, Brazil.

Semi-supervised learning for relevance feedback on image retrieval tasks

Relevance feedback approaches have been established as an important tool for interactive search, enabling users to express their needs. However, in view of the growth of multimedia collections available, the user efforts required by these methods tend to increase as well, demanding approaches for reducing the need of user interactions. In this context, this paper proposes a semi-supervised learning algorithm for relevance feedback to be used in image retrieval tasks. The proposed semi-supervised algorithm aims at using both supervised and unsupervised approaches simultaneously. While a supervised step is performed using the information collected from the user feedback, an unsupervised step exploits the intrinsic dataset structure, which is represented in terms of ranked lists of images. Several experiments were conducted for different image retrieval tasks involving shape, color, and texture descriptors and different datasets. The proposed approach was also evaluated on multimodal retrieval tasks, considering visual and textual descriptors. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Isolamento de fungos produtores de ácido γ-linolênico de solo da Estação Ecologica de Juréia-Itatins, SP

Fungi producing γ-linolenic acid (GLA) were isolated from soil of the Ecological Station of Juréia-Itatins, SP. This essential fatty acid has aroused great interest due to its increasing by applications in pharmaceutical industry. The GLA production by zygomycetous fungi is an alternative way of comparing seed extraction. Thirty-two zygomycetous strains of Mucorales were isolated, most of them belonging to Mucor genus. The GLA production was evaluated after 4 days of incubation at 25°C on a rotary shaker at 150 rpm in medium containing 2% glucose, and 1% yeast extract, following new medium addition (20%) and incubation for an additional period of 3 days at 12°C, without agitation. The GLA production varied according to the microorganism and the strain.

Insights into the Specificity of Thioredoxin Reductase-Thioredoxin Interactions. A Structural and Functional Investigation of the Yeast Thioredoxin System

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Structural Aspects of the Distinct Biochemical Properties of Glutaredoxin 1 and Glutaredoxin 2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chemical composition and fumigant effect of essentialoil of Lippia sidoides Cham. and monoterpenes against Tenebrio molitor (L.) (coleoptera: tenebrionidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Controle químico de biótipos de buva (Conyza canadensis e Conyza bonariensis) resistentes ao glyphosate

Studies were conducted at Estacao Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro, SP to evaluate the response of glyphosate-resistant horseweed and hairy fleabane biotypes to herbicides glyphosate, bromacil + diuron, diuron e paraquat isolated and in mixture and effect of a sequential application of glyphosate. The experimental design was of complete randomized blocks with four replication and seven treatments. The herbicides were applied with costal sprayer, constant pressure with three nozzles TT110015, the equivalent spray volume was 150 L ha(-1). The control was visually evaluated, trough percentile note scale. The best results were obtained to general control of weed with diuron isolated and glyphosate in mixture with bromacil + diuron while to glyphosate-resistant horseweed and hairy fleabane there was no difference between the treatments. After sequential application to Conyza sp control, the best treatment was obtained associated with diuron and bromacil+diuron.

Flora Polínica da Reserva do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (São Paulo, Brasil): Família: 136-Solanaceae

Foram estudados os grãos de pólen de 12 gêneros e 41 espécies de Solanaceae ocorrentes na Reserva do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga: Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schlecht., Athenaea picta (Mart.) Sendtn., Brunfelsia latifolia Benth., Brunfelsia pauciflora (Cham. & Schlecht.) Benth., Capsicum flexuosum (L.) Sendtn., Capsicum villosum (L.) Sendtn., Cestrum amictum (L.) Schlecht., Cestrum corymbosum (L.) Schlecht., Cestrum lanceolatum (L.) Miers, Cestrum schlechtendalii (L.) G. Don, Cestrum sendtnerianum (L.) Mart. ex Sendtn., Cyphomandra diploconos Sendtn., Cyphomandra velutina Sendtn., Dyssochroma viridiflora (Sims) Ducke, Nicotiana langsdorffii (Weinm.) Roem. & Schult., Physalis peruviana L., Physalis viscosa L., Sessea brasiliensis Tol., Solandra grandiflora Sw, Solanum americanum Mill., Solanum atropurpureum Schrank., Solanum bullatum Vell., Solanum capsicoides Allion., Solanum cernuum Vell., Solanum concinnum Schott ex Sendtn., Solanum didynum Dun., Solanum diflorum Vell., Solanum excelsum St. Hil. ex Dun., Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dun., Solanum hoehnei Morton, Solanum inaequale Vell., Solanum inodornum Vell., Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. ex Dun., Solanum mauritianum Scop., Solanum paniculatum L., Solanum rufescens Sendtn., Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., Solanum swartzianum Roem. & Schult., Solanum vaillantii Dun., Solanum variabile Mart., Solanum viarum Dun. São apresentadas descrições para todas as espécies estudadas, ilustrações, observações e seis chaves polínicas.

Colheita de líquido cefalorraquidiano em cães: modificação de técnica prévia

Unlike the already described techniques, which are based on imaginary lines among extremities or bone projections, this research describes a collection technique modification of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in dogs, in the atlantooccipital space. The palpation of bone structures in this joint, plus the supported directioning of the needle, does make the collection easy, even by professionals which have no experience in this kind of procedure. The applied technique enabled the collection of adequate volumes of limpid and colorless CSF of 50 healthy dogs in the first attempt of collection. There was no contamination with blood during the procedure, what made possible the correct interpretation of laboratory parameters usually examined in CSF samples.

Susceptibility of citrus species to Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of the Alternaria brown spot

Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of Alternaria brown spot (ABS), causes necrosis on leaves, twigs, and fruit, reducing the productivity and quality of fruits. Tangerines and their hybrids are highly susceptible to the disease. Species, hybrids, and cultivars of Citrus from the germplasm bank of the Estacao Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro, São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated in 2004 and 2005 with respect to their resistance to A. alternata, both through natural infection and by inoculation. Detached leaves were also used to demonstrate susceptibility or resistance to the disease. Ten cultivars of Satsumas (Citrus unshiu), and 14 cultivars of Clementine mandarin (C. clementina) did not show any symptoms of the disease in their leaves, either through natural infection or when inoculated in the field. The Burguess SRA-412, Wallent SRA-438, Carvalhais, Ampefy SRA-459, Ananas SRA, and Macaque SRA-426 mandarin hybrids (C. reticulata) did not show symptoms of the disease under natural or artificial infection in the field. Some cultivars of C. deliciosa, C. tangerina, C. erythrosa, and C. temple showed symptoms of the disease, even though no previous record of their susceptibility to Alternaria brown spot had been previously reported. The hybrids Fairchild, Nova, Page, Fortune, and Sunburst were susceptible to the disease. However, Fremont mandarin (a crossing between C. clementina and C. reticulata), Encore (C. nobilis x C. deliciosa), and Fallglo (C. reticulata x C. paradisi) did not show symptoms in field, and few symptoms were verified in detached leaves. These materials are promising for the cultivation of tangerines, and will enable genetic improvement for the development of cultivars resistant to Alternaria brown spot. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of tangerine hybrid resistance to Alternaria alternata

The Alternaria Brown Spot, caused by Alternaria alternata, is a major fungal disease in some kinds of tangerines, tangor, mandarins and pomelos. In Brazil as well as worldwide, A. alternata can cause necrosis in fruits, branches and leaves, causing substantial profit loss. In the present research, in laboratory conditions and in the field, we evaluated the resistance to the fungus, in leaves and fruits, for 22 varieties and hybrids of tangerines. To this end, we evaluated genotypes belonging to the Germplasm Bank of the Estacao Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro. The resistant genetic materials (found in leaves and fruits) represented four varieties of clementines (Citrus clementina); six varieties of mandarins (two belonging to C. reticulata, two to C. tangerina, one to C. deliciosa and one to C. nobilis); one tangelo (C. tangerina x C. paradisi); two mandarin hybrids (one resulting from crossing C nobilis x C. deliciosa and the other from crossing C. clementina x C. reticulata); one tangor hybrid (C. clementina) and two satsuma hybrids (C. unshiu x C. deliciosa). We also determined a relation between the inoculation of leaves and fruits. The resistance and susceptibility following inoculation in leaves and fruits supports a relationship between these organs and the physiological responses observed for the evaluated genotypes. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.