Towards an Example-Based Image Compression Architecture for Video-Conferencing

This paper consists of two major parts. First, we present the outline of a simple approach to very-low bandwidth video-conferencing system relying on an example-based hierarchical image compression scheme. In particular, we discuss the use of example images as a model, the number of required examples, faces as a class of semi-rigid objects, a hierarchical model based on decomposition into different time-scales, and the decomposition of face images into patches of interest. In the second part, we present several algorithms for image processing and animation as well as experimental evaluations. Among the original contributions of this paper is an automatic algorithm for pose estimation and normalization. We also review and compare different algorithms for finding the nearest neighbors in a database for a new input as well as a generalized algorithm for blending patches of interest in order to synthesize new images. Finally, we outline the possible integration of several algorithms to illustrate a simple model-based video-conference system.

New Timber Architecture in Scotland.

New Timber Architecture in Scotland illustrates 90 exemplar projects and demonstrates clearly that there is no single building type unsuited to the use of this adaptable, variable and infinitely renewable material. Too long out of fashion, timber is now widely specified and has become an important design element in some of the most innovative projects being built today. The projects selected for inclusion are not the work of a few superstar architects: they represent the output of a significant percentage of architectural practices in Scotland and illustrate a burgeoning confidence in timber as an exciting, contemporary construction material. New Timber Architecture in Scotland aims to stimulate others to follow their lead.

Analyses of patterns of copper and lead mineralisation in human skeletons excavated from an ancient mining and smelting centre in the Jordanian desert

Grattan, J.P., Al-Saad, Z., Gilbertson, D.D., Karaki, L.O., Pyatt, F.B 2005 Analyses of patterns of copper and lead mineralisation in human skeletons excavated from an ancient mining and smelting centre in the Jordanian desert Mineralogical Magazine. 69(5) 653-666.

The heavy metal content of skeletons from an ancient metalliferous polluted area in southern Jordan with particular reerence to bioaccumulation and human health

Pyatt, F.B., Pyatt, A.J., Walker, C., Sheen, T., Grattan, J.P, The heavy metal content of skeletons from an ancient metalliferous polluted area in southern Jordan with particular reerence to bioaccumulation and human health, Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety 60, 13th August 2003, 295-300

Invertebrates of ancient heavy metal spoil and smelting tip sites in southern Jordan: Thier distribution and use as bioindicators of metalliferous pollution derived from ancient sources

Pyatt, B. Amos, D. Grattan, J. Pyatt, A. Terrell-Nield, C. Invertebrates of ancient heavy metal spoil and smelting tip sites in southern Jordan: Thier distribution and use as bioindicators of metalliferous pollution derived from ancient sources. Journal of Arid Environments. 2002. 52 pp 53-62

An Imperial Legacy? An Exploration of the environmental impact of ancient metal mining and smelting in southern Jordan

Pyatt, B. Gilmore, G. Grattan, J. Hunt, C. McLaren, S. An imperial legacy? An exploration of the environmental impact of ancient metal mining and smelting in southern Jordan. Journal of Archaeological Science. 2000. 27 pp 771-778

'Death...more desirable than life'? The human skeletal record and toxicological implications of ancient copper mining and smelting in Wadi Faynan, southwestern Jordan

Grattan, J., Huxley, S., Karaki, L. A., Toland, H., Gilbertson, D., Pyatt, B., Saad, Z. A. (2002). 'Death . . . more desirable than life'? The human skeletal record and toxicological implications of ancient copper mining and smelting in Wadi Faynan, southwestern Jordan. Toxicology and Industrial Health, 18 (6), 297-307.

Using hybrid knowledge engineering and image processing in color virtual restoration of ancient murals

IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 1338-1343, 2003.

Ancient Celtic Place-Names in Europe and Asia Minor: Publications of the Philological Society, 39

Sims-Williams, P. (2006). Ancient Celtic Place-Names in Europe and Asia Minor: Publications of the Philological Society, 39. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. RAE2008

Rainfall infiltration and soil hydrological characteristics below ancient forest, planted forest, and grassland in a temperate northern climate

How rainfall infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics develop over time under forests of different ages in temperate regions is poorly understood. In this study, infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics were investigated under forests of different ages and under grassland. Soil hydraulic characteristics were measured at different scales under a 250 year old grazed grassland (GL), a six (6 yr) and 48 (48 yr) year old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantation, remnant 300 year old individual Scots pines (OT) and a 4000 year old Caledonian Forest (AF). In-situ field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) was measured and visible root:soil area was estimated from soil pits. Macroporosity, pore structure, and macropore connectivity were estimated from X-ray tomography of soil cores, and from water-release characteristics. At all scales the median values for Kfs, root fraction, macro-porosity and connectivity values tended to AF > OT > 48 yr > GL > 6 yr, indicating that infiltration rates and water storage increased with forest age. The remnant Caledonian Forest had a huge range of Kfs (12 to > 4922 mm h-1), with maximum Kfs values 7 to 15 times larger than 48-year-old Scots pine plantation, suggesting that undisturbed old forests, with high rainfall and minimal evapotranspiration in winter, may act as important areas for water storage and sinks for storm rainfall to infiltrate and transport to deeper soil layers via preferential flow. The importance of the development of soil hydrological characteristics under different aged forests is discussed.

Wergiliusz jako twórca labiryntu

Romani antiqui putabant litteras aedificiis similes esse. Nonnulli scriptores Latini tali modo metaphoras suas composuerunt, ut descriptio aedificii una cum descriptione operis poetici esset. Aeneis etiam effigiem suam continet, quae est ecphrasis portae templi Apollinis. In fabulam Aeneae Vergilius fabulam Daedali introduxit, quae diu doctis ad nihil pertinere videbatur. Falsissime quidem, quia non solum coniunctio fabularum exsistit, sed etiam multae sunt causae fabulae Daedali hoc loco imponendae. Imprimis caelamen monstrat multos casus ex vita Daedali et Aeneae similes fuisse, deinde ostendere Daedalum creatorem hibridarum esse videtur. Aeneis etiam hibrida est, quia constat ex duabus partibus, quae sunt, ut ita dicam, „pars Odysseica” et „pars Iliadica”. Utri (Daedalus Vergiliusque scilicet) sunt ergo creatores hibridarum. Maximi momenti est quaestio: quis dicit “miserum!” in hac parte poematis? Auctrix commentationis censet illum clamantem Vergilium esse, quia poeta constructorem „alter ego” suum esse credebat. Auctrix scripsit etiam imaginem illam, in qua caelata est fabula de Minotauro sine Theseo, viam esse pietatis Aeneae minuendae. Scripsit verba illa quoque opinionem Vergilii de natura poesis et vocem Augusti absconditam esse.

Indian Architecture: Social and Political Challenges

The objective of this paper is to reassess the central factors which have shaped the Indian architecture. The author puts forward the concept of plurality introduced by Western art historians and argues that the diversity of the Indian architecture should not be explained in terms of religious differences, but in terms of the socio-economical situation in South Asia. He also elaborates on the Hindu caste system and its impact on the Indian architecture.

„Uksiążkowić świat”, czyli kilka słów o liberaturze

Celem artykułu jest przybliżenie kwestii dotyczących nowego zjawiska w literaturze, choć swymi korzeniami sięgającego czasów bardzo odległych, mianowicie liberatury. Przedstawiam nie tylko podstawowe tezy związane z liberaturą, np. postrzeganie utworu jako integralnej całości, w której następuje stopienie słowa i przestrzeni, ale także swoistą ewolucję form literackich, prowadzącą do narodzin nowego nurtu. Sednem tego procesu jest położenie nacisku na współistnienie formy i treści, obecne już w poezji wizualnej wywodzącej się ze starożytności i średniowiecza, a przybierające na sile w twórczości autorów związanych z XX-wiecznymi ruchami awangardowymi. „Totalne” myślenie o literaturze zyskało najciekawszy wyraz w twórczości autorów liberatów: Zenona Fajfera, Katarzyny Bazarnik i Radosława Nowakowskiego (zarówno praktyków, jak i teoretyków liberatury), których sylwetki oraz dzieła przedstawiam pokrótce w niniejszym artykule.