Some Aspects of Pattern Recognition by Computer

A computer may gather a lot of information from its environment in an optical or graphical manner. A scene, as seen for instance from a TV camera or a picture, can be transformed into a symbolic description of points and lines or surfaces. This thesis describes several programs, written in the language CONVERT, for the analysis of such descriptions in order to recognize, differentiate and identify desired objects or classes of objects in the scene. Examples are given in each case. Although the recognition might be in terms of projections of 2-dim and 3-dim objects, we do not deal with stereoscopic information. One of our programs (Polybrick) identifies parallelepipeds in a scene which may contain partially hidden bodies and non-parallelepipedic objects. The program TD works mainly with 2-dimensional figures, although under certain conditions successfully identifies 3-dim objects. Overlapping objects are identified when they are transparent. A third program, DT, works with 3-dim and 2-dim objects, and does not identify objects which are not completely seen. Important restrictions and suppositions are: (a) the input is assumed perfect (noiseless), and in a symbolic format; (b) no perspective deformation is considered. A portion of this thesis is devoted to the study of models (symbolic representations) of the objects we want to identify; different schemes, some of them already in use, are discussed. Focusing our attention on the more general problem of identification of general objects when they substantially overlap, we propose some schemes for their recognition, and also analyze some problems that are met.

Aspects of Armageddon: An exploration of the role of volcanic eruptions in human history and civilization

Grattan, J.P. (2006) Aspects of Armageddon: An exploration of the role of volcanic eruptions in human history and civilization, Quaternary International 151, 10-18.

Approaching the Unapproached Light: Milton and the Romantic Visionary

Shears, J. (2006). Approaching the Unapproached Light: Milton and the Romantic Visionary. In G. Hopps and J. Stabler (Eds.), Romanticism and Religion from William Cowper to Wallace Stevens (pp.25-40). The Nineteenth Century Series. Aldershot: Ashgate. RAE2008

Media History and Media Studies: aspects of the development of the study of media history in the UK 1945-2000

O'Malley, T. (2002). Media History and Media Studies: aspects of the development of the study of media history in the UK 1945-2000. Media History. 8 (2), 155-173. RAE2008

Constructing a myth of purity: the marketing of Welsh water

Roberts, Owen. 'Constructing a myth of purity: the marketing of Welsh water', in: 'A history of Water. Vol. iii: the world of water', (London: I.B. Tauris, 2006), pp.254-268 RAE2008

Aspects of Semantics and Pragmatics of Dialogue. SemDial 2010, 14th Workshop on the Semantics and Pragmatics of Dialogue

The papers collected in this book cover a range of topics in semantics and pragmatics of dialogue. All these papers were presented at SemDial 2010, the 14th Workshop on the Semantics and Pragmatics of Dialogue. This 14th edition in the SemDial series, also known as PozDial, took place in Poznań (Poland) in June 2010, and was organized by the Chair of Logic and Cognitive Science (Institute of Psychology, Adam Mickiewicz University). From over 30 submissions overall, 14 were accepted as full papers for plenary presentation at the workshop, and all are included in this book. In addition, 10 were accepted as posters, and are included here as 2-4 page short papers. Finally, we also include abstracts from our keynote speakers. We hope that the ideas gathered in this book will be a valuable source of up-to-date achievements in the field, and will become a valuable inspiration for new ones. We would like to express our thanks to all those who submitted to and participated in SemDial 2010, especially the invited speakers: Dale Barr (University of Glasgow), Jonathan Ginzburg (King's College London), Jeroen Groenendijk (University of Amsterdam) and Henry Prakken (Utrecht University, The University of Groningen). Last but not least, we would like to thank everybody engaged in the workshop organization -- the chairs, the local organizing committee for their hard work in Poznań, and the programme committee members for their thorough and helpful reviews.

Polskie nazwiska mieszkańców Drohobycza końca XVIII i początku XIX wieku na tle wschodniosłowiańskim

Wydział Neofilologii: Instytut Filologii Rosyjskiej. Zakład Ukrainistyki

Religia w polityce Filipa II Macedońskiego

Wydział Historyczny

El chamanismo entre los Indios Ticuna del Amazonas

Neste trabalho apresentam-se os sistemas amazónicos de crenças segundo a taxonomia para o estudioso das classificações religiosas. O chamanismo, como praxis religiosa amazónica, apresenta-se como um elemento definido pela religião. Elemento central das culturas amazónicas passadas e presentes, o chamanismo apresenta-se aqui nos seus aspectos essenciais. The Amazonian systems of beliefs are here presented following the traditional classification of religious systems studies. Shamanism, as an Amazonian religious praxis, is presented as an element defined by religion. A central element in both past and present Amazonian cultures, the main aspects of Shamanism are here presented.

Microbiological and physicochemical aspects of “salpicão”, a traditional dry sausage produced in the northeast of Portugal

Counts of total viable mesophilic bacteria (TVC), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Microccocaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, in traditional Portuguese dry sausages from two industrial producers, were compared in batter and final product. During the production process, the TVC increased significantly, most likely due to the multiplication of fermentative flora. Enterobacteriaceae decreased from batter to final product while the S. aureus increased. Great variability was verified in detection of L. monocytogenes both between batches and industrial producers

Idiosyncratic psychological aspects in entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is having the courage to transform an idea in reality and with it achieve personal, financial and recognition satisfaction. The psychological ability to handle failure has proven essential in success. Goal: Analyse the importance of idiosyncratic psychological aspects in the success of entrepreneurs. Method: Observational study, using a case study, a group of 20 entrepreneurs from the idea presentation phase to company incorporation during a period of two months. Results: During the observation period 4 distinct psychological phases of the entrepreneurs were observed, being it possible to describe them as follows: absorption of information and knowledge; application of the gathered knowledge to their specific cases; frustration generated by criticism, namely from investors who don’t recognize the value of their projects; realism and implementation of the project. Having passed more than 6 months after the analysis period, one can verify the entrepreneurs who have travelled the 4 phases and specially reached the realism of Phase 4, are today developing their projects being that the remaining ones, majority of which weren’t able to overcome Phase 3, are in a similar situation as at the end of the initial two months. Conclusion: The ability to cope with frustration and rejection is a determinant factor in the success of the entrepreneur. The ability to learn from rejection, more than resilience help the entrepreneur to proceed. Therefore, based on the observations, entrepreneurship has a lot to gain if besides technical assistance also coaching assistance is provided.

Family religious involvement and the quality of family relationships for early adolescents

Examination of association between the religious involvement (number of family religious activities, parental worship service attendance and parental prayer) and quality of family relationships with results indicating that religiously involved families of adolescents (ages 12-14) living in the U.S. are more like to have stronger family relationships than families that are not religiously active.

Family religious involvement and the quality of family relationships for early adolescents

Examination of association between the religious involvement (number of family religious activities, parental worship service attendance and parental prayer) and quality of family relationships with results indicating that religiously involved families of adolescents (ages 12-14) living in the U.S. are more like to have stronger family relationships than families that are not religiously active.