PhD forum : multiple camera management using wide base-line matching

Manual calibration of large and dynamic networks of cameras is labour intensive and time consuming. This is a strong motivator for the development of automatic calibration methods. Automatic calibration relies on the ability to find correspondences between multiple views of the same scene. If the cameras are sparsely placed, this can be a very difficult task. This PhD project focuses on the further development of uncalibrated wide baseline matching techniques.

Procuring OSM : base-line models of off-site manufacture business processes in Australia

A pressing cost issue facing construction is the procurement of off-site pre-manufactured assemblies. In order to encourage Australian adoption of off-site manufacture (OSM), a new approach to underlying processes is required. The advent of object oriented digital models for construction design assumes intelligent use of data. However, the construction production system relies on traditional methods and data sources and is expected to benefit from the application of well-established business process management techniques. The integration of the old and new data sources allows for the development of business process models which, by capturing typical construction processes involving OSM, provides insights into such processes. This integrative approach is the foundation of research into the use of OSM to increase construction productivity in Australia. The purpose of this study is to develop business process models capturing the procurement, resources and information flow of construction projects. For each stage of the construction value chain, a number of sub-processes are identified. Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN), a mainstream business process modelling standard, is used to create base-line generic construction process models. These models identify OSM decision-making points that could provide cost reductions in procurement workflow and management systems. This paper reports on phase one of an on-going research aiming to develop a proto-type workflow application that can provide semi-automated support to construction processes involving OSM and assist in decision-making in the adoption of OSM thus contributing to a sustainable built environment.

Drug abuse prevention education in Michigan schools : a study of 1971-72 base line data /

Mode of access: Internet.

Physiological base-line studies of zoological specimens: Serum biochemical values of chimpanzees,

Mode of access: Internet.

Derivation of base-line geochemistry, petrography, and isotopic data for the host rocks to the Lucky Strike deposit and comparison with data from other alteration zones, Buchans Mining Camp, Newfoundland

The Buchans ore bodies of central Newfoundland represent some of the highest grade VMS deposits ever mined. These Kuroko-type deposits are also known for the well developed and preserved nature of the mechanically transported deposits. The deposits are hosted in Cambro-Ordovician, dominantly calc-alkaline, bimodal volcanic and epiclastic sequences of the Notre Dame Subzone, Newfoundland Appalachians. Stratigraphic relationships in this zone are complicated by extensively developed, brittledominated Silurian thrust faulting. Hydrothermal alteration of host rocks is a common feature of nearly all VMS deposits, and the recognition of these zones has been a key exploration tool. Alteration of host rocks has long been described to be spatially associated with the Buchans ore bodies, most notably with the larger in-situ deposits. This report represents a base-line study in which a complete documentation of the geochemical variance, in terms of both primary (igneous) and alteration effects, is presented from altered volcanic rocks in the vicinity of the Lucky Strike deposit (LSZ), the largest in-situ deposit in the Buchans camp. Packages of altered rocks also occur away from the immediate mining areas and constitute new targets for exploration. These zones, identified mostly by recent and previous drilling, represent untested targets and include the Powerhouse (PHZ), Woodmans Brook (WBZ) and Airport (APZ) alteration zones, as well as the Middle Branch alteration zone (MBZ), which represents a more distal alteration facies related to Buchans ore-formation. Data from each of these zones were compared to those from the LSZ in order to evaluate their relative propectivity. Derived litho geochemical data served two functions: (i) to define primary (igneous) trends and (ii) secondary alteration trends. Primary trends were established using immobile, or conservative, elements (i. e., HFSE, REE, Th, Ti0₂, Al₂0₃, P₂0₅). From these, altered volcanic rocks were interpreted in terms of composition (e.g., basalt - rhyodacite) and magmatic affinity (e.g., calc-alkaline vs. tholeiitic). The information suggests that bimodality is a common feature of all zones, with most rocks plotting as either basalt/andesite or dacite (or rhyodacite); andesitic senso stricto compositions are rare. Magmatic affinities are more varied and complex, but indicate that all units are arc volcanic sequences. Rocks from the LSZ/MBZ represent a transitional to calc-alkalic sequence, however, a slight shift in key geochemical discriminants occurs between the foot-wall to the hanging-wall. Specifically, mafic and felsic lavas of the foot-wall are of transitional (or mildly calc-alkaline) affinity whereas the hanging-wall rocks are relatively more strongly calc-alkaline as indicated by enriched LREE/HREE and higher ZrN, NbN and other ratios in the latter. The geochemical variations also serve as a means to separate the units (at least the felsic rocks) into hanging-wall and foot-wall sequences, therefore providing a valuable exploration tool. Volcanic rocks from the WBZ/PHZ (and probably the APZ) are more typical of tholeiitic to transitional suites, yielding flatter mantlenormalized REE patterns and lower ZrN ratios. Thus, the relationships between the immediate mining area (represented by LSZ/MBZ) and the Buchans East (PHZ/WBZ) and the APZ are uncertain. Host rocks for all zones consist of mafic to felsic volcanic rocks, though the proportion of pyroclastic and epiclastic rocks, is greatest at the LSZ. Phenocryst assemblages and textures are common in all zones, with minor exceptions, and are not useful for discrimination purposes. Felsic rocks from all zones are dominated by sericiteclay+/- silica alteration, whereas mafic rocks are dominated by chlorite- quartz- sericite alteration. Pyrite is ubiquitous in all moderately altered rocks and minor associated base metal sulphides occur locally. The exception is at Lucky Strike, where stockwork quartzveining contains abundant base-metal mineralization and barite. Rocks completely comprised of chlorite (chloritite) also occur in the LSZ foot-wall. In addition, K-feldspar alteration occurs in felsic volcanic rocks at the MBZ associated with Zn-Pb-Ba and, notably, without chlorite. This zone represents a peripheral, but proximal, zone of alteration induced by lower temperature hydrothermal fluids, presumably with little influence from seawater. Alteration geochemistry was interpreted from raw data as well as from mass balanced (recalculated) data derived from immobile element pairs. The data from the LSZ/MBZ indicate a range in the degree of alteration from only minor to severe modification of precursor compositions. Ba tends to show a strong positive correlation with K₂0, although most Ba occurs as barite. With respect to mass changes, Al₂0₃, Ti0₂ and P₂0₅ were shown to be immobile. Nearly all rocks display mass loss of Na₂O, CaO, and Sr reflecting feldspar destruction. These trends are usually mirrored by K₂0-Rb and MgO addition, indicating sericitic and chloritic alteration, respectively. More substantial gains ofK₂0 often occur in rocks with K-feldspar alteration, whereas a few samples also displayed excessive MgO enrichment and represent chloritites. Fe₂0₃ indicates both chlorite and sulphide formation. Si0₂ addition is almost always the case for the altered mafic rocks as silica often infills amygdules and replaces the finer tuffaceous material. The felsic rocks display more variability in Si0₂. Silicic, sericitic and chloritic alteration trends were observed from the other zones, but not K-feldspar, chloritite, or barite. Microprobe analysis of chlorites, sericites and carbonates indicate: (i) sericites from all zones are defined as muscovite and are not phengitic; (ii) at the LSZ, chlorites ranged from Fe-Mg chlorites (pycnochlorite) to Mg-rich chlorite (penninite), with the latter occurring in the stockwork zone and more proximal alteration facies; (iii) chlorites from the WBZ were typical of those from the more distal alteration facies of the LSZ, plotting as ripidolite to pycnochlorite; (iv) conversely, chlorite from the PHZ plot with Mg-Al-rich compositions (chlinochlore to penninite); and (v) carbonate species from each zone are also varied, with calcite occurring in each zone, in addition to dolomite and ankerite in the PHZ and WBZ, respectively. Lead isotope ratios for galena separates from the different various zones, when combined with data from older studies, tend to cluster into four distinctive fields. Overall, the data plot on a broad mixing line and indicate evolution in a relatively low-μ environment. Data from sulphide stringers in altered MBZ rocks, as well as from clastic sulphides (Sandfill prospect), plot in the Buchans ore field, as do the data for galena from altered rocks in the APZ. Samples from the Buchans East area are even more primitive than the Buchans ores, with lead from the PHZ plotting with the Connel Option prospect and data from the WBZ matching that of the Skidder prospect. A sample from a newly discovered debris flow-type sulphide occurrence (Middle Branch East) yields lead isotope ratios that are slightly more radiogenic than Buchans and plot with the Mary March alteration zone. Data within each cluster are interpreted to represent derivation from individual hydrothermal systems in which metals were derived from a common source.

The Laboratory Efficacy of Cypermethrin Dust Against Lesser Mealworm Larvae and Adults, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Cypermethrin dust was evaluated as a tool for the integrated management of lesser mealwonns (also called the darkling beetle), Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer). This experiment examined the efficacy of the cypermethrin against adult and late instar lesser mealwonns under laboratory conditions. Two bioassay methods were evaluated, using either a petri plate or a covered plastic container simulating poultry house conditions. In the simulated conditions, two different samples were used and cypermethrin was either dusted onto the surface of the container or was directly dusted onto the bottom. The LC50 for adults was 636.6 ppm, however, 929.7 ppm of cypermethrin dust was needed to achieve a 50% mortality rate in late instar larvae 24 h after the administration of the insecticide. A similar trend was observed in the simulated poultry houses when the adult mortality was > 90% while effectiveness in late in. star larvae was decreased, i.e., between 50 and 85%. Significant differences in the toxicity profiles were observed in larvae mortality when cypermethrin it was dusted directly onto the litter surface, compared to the bottom of the container. We have verified that cypermethrin dust is available for use in poultry houses however, toxicity profiles of lesser mealworm may depend on the beetle's stage of development and method of application

Inhibition of central angiotensin II-induced pressor responses by hydrogen peroxide

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

TNF-α Sensitizes Mechanoreceptors in Human Odontoblasts

Background: Mechanotransduction in the dental pulp is mediated by mechano-sensitive trigeminal afferents but accumulating evidence suggests odontoblasts also contribute to mechano-sensory functions of the pulp as evidenced by expression of TRP channels, calcium-activated potassium channels and TREK-1 potassium channels. Activation of these mechano-sensitive channels is considered critical for the mechanotransduction of fluid movement within dentinal tubules into electrical signals transmitted by the pulpal afferents to elicit tooth sensitivity and pain. Since tooth pain and sensitivity are potentiated by inflammation we hypothesise that the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α sensitizes odontoblast responses to mechanical stimuli. Objective: To investigate the effect of TNF-α on the response of odontblast-like cells to mechanical stimuli. Method: Odontoblast-like cells were derived from dental pulp cells of immature third molars as previously described (El-karim et al 20112011 Pain, 152, 2211-2223). Odontoblast response to mechanical stimuli (application of hypotonic solution) was determined using ratiometric calcium imaging. Cells were treated with TNF-α for either 24hrs or short application for 10 mins prior to calcium imaging. Result: Odontoblast-like cells responded to hypotonic solution (230 mOSM) by increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration [Ca+2]i that was reduced to near base line in the presence of the TRPV4 antagonist RN-1734. Incubation of odontoblast -like cells with TNFα for 24 hrs resulted in a significant increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in response to hypotonic stimuli compared to untreated cells. Similar results were obtained when cells were treated with TNF-α for 10 mins prior to imaging. Conclusion: Both short and long term treatment of odontoblasts-like cells with TNF-α resulted in enhanced responses to mechanical stimuli mediated via TRPV4 channel suggesting a role for this channel in inflammatory dental pain.

Estudio Línea Base – ELBA Callao, primavera 2011

Estudio Línea Base – ELBA Callao, primavera 2011. Inf Inst Mar Perú. 39(3-4): 149-198.- El ELBA se efectuó en el área delimitada por las islas San Lorenzo y El Frontón y la Península de La Punta, del 21 al 30 de noviembre 2011, para a) caracterizar biológica y oceanográficamente el área de estudio y b) obtener bases técnicas para el ordenamiento pesquero y acuícola. En el área predominaron sedimentos arenosos y grava de origen terrígeno. Presentó características térmicas frías al interior y cálidas al sur, con influencia de aguas costeras. La comunidad fitoplanctónica presentó abundancia de diatomeas. Se identificó zonas con alta biomasa de bentos y con altos valores de stress. Los sólidos suspendidos totales, cadmio y coliformes totales y termotolerantes sobrepasaron los límites de los estándares de calidad acuática en el Perú. Las comunidades de invertebrados más importantes fueron: concha de abanico Argopecten purpuratus, cangrejos Cancer setosus (ahora Romaleon polyodon) y C. porteri, almeja Semele spp., pulpo Octopus mimus y macroalga Macrocystis sp.; el calamar Loligo gahi usa el área para desovar.

Efeitos de dois tipos de pergunta sobre os comportamentos verbal e não-verbal

O presente estudo procurou avaliar se a sinalização da mudança nas contingências programadas pela apresentação de pergunta tornaria o seguimento de regras mais provável de mudar acompanhando a mudança nas contingências. Doze estudantes universitários foram expostos a um procedimento de escolha segundo o modelo. A tarefa era apontar para três estímulos de comparação, em seqüência, na presença de um estímulo modelo. A emissão das seqüências corretas produzia pontos trocáveis por dinheiro. As respostas eram reforçadas em esquema de reforçamento contínuo. Os participantes foram distribuídos em quatro condições experimentais, cada uma composta por quatro sessões. A Sessão 1 era a linha de base. As contingências programadas na Sessão 2 eram alteradas na Sessão 3 e mantidas inalteradas na Sessão 4. Nas Condições 1 e 2 o comportamento não-verbal era estabelecido por reforço diferencial e nas Condições 3 e 4 era estabelecido por regra. Duas perguntas eram feitas: a pergunta Tipo 1 consistia em solicitar ao participante que descrevesse o comportamento que produzia reforço; e a pergunta Tipo 2 consistia em pedir ao participante para avaliar a possibilidade de haver ou não mais de um comportamento que produzia reforço na situação experimental. A pergunta Tipo 1 era apresentada a cada três tentativas ao longo das Sessões 2, 3 e 4 de todas as condições; enquanto que a pergunta Tipo 2 era apresentada no início da Sessão 3 das Condições 1 e 3 e no início da Sessão 4 das Condições 2 e 4. As verbalizações dos participantes não eram reforçadas diferencialmente. Os resultados mostraram que dois dos três participantes da Condição 1 e os três da Condição 2 mudaram seus desempenhos verbais e não-verbais quando houve mudança nas contingências. Na Condição 3, os três participantes mudaram seus desempenhos quando houve mudança nas contingências e na Condição 4 dois dos três fizeram o mesmo. Sugere-se que a pergunta Tipo 2, em conjunção com a pergunta Tipo 1, contribuiu para a ocorrência de desempenhos verbais e não-verbais sensíveis às mudanças nas contingências quando o comportamento nãoverbal foi estabelecido por regra. Os resultados têm implicações para o esclarecimento do papel de perguntas na sensibilidade dos comportamentos verbais e não-verbais às mudanças nas contingências.

Efeitos de atividades distrativas associadas à progressão do atraso sobre o responder autocontrolado de crianças

Estudos sobre autocontrole têm indicado dois procedimentos como eficazes para aumentar a emissão de respostas autocontroladas: a progressão do atraso do reforço e/ou o uso de atividades distrativas durante o atraso. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de dois tipos de atividades distrativas (lúdica e intelectual) associadas à progressão do atraso do reforço sobre o responder autocontrolado de crianças e a possível manutenção de respostas autocontroladas alcançadas nos treinos, em sessões posteriores com atraso para a troca de até 3 dias. Nove participantes de 5 a 7 anos foram expostos a uma situação de escolha entre dois estímulos apresentados na tela de um computador para obter fichas que posteriormente eram trocadas por itens. Escolhas impulsivas produziam 1 ficha (magnitude baixa) e escolhas autocontroladas produziam 3 fichas (magnitude alta). Havia 6 condições experimentais: (a) Linha de Base Magnitude: magnitude alta/0 s e magnitude baixa/0 s; (b) Linha de Base Atraso: magnitude baixa/0 s e magnitude baixa/60 s; (c) Aumento Progressivo: a magnitude baixa foi apresentada junto ao menor atraso e a magnitude alta foi apresentada junto ao maior atraso, que aumentou 10 segundos em 7 fases (0 s a 60 s) – Grupo A; (d) Aumento Progressivo Combinado à Atividade Lúdica: mesmas fases da condição anterior, mas era possível realizar atividade de colorir durante o atraso – Grupo B; (e) Aumento Progressivo Combinado à Atividade Intelectual: mesmas fases, mas era possível realizar atividade de resolver problemas matemáticos durante o atraso – Grupo C; e (f) Atraso na Troca: reforços (fichas) de magnitude alta e baixa foram entregues após a sessão, mas os de magnitude alta só eram trocadas por itens após 1, 2 ou 3 dias. Os resultados não mostraram diferenças consistentes entre os resultados dos treinos (só progressão, progressão com atividade lúdica e progressão com atividade intelectual). Porém, os dados sugerem que treino utilizando atividade intelectual durante o atraso do reforço pode ser menos eficaz para manter as respostas autocontroladas em períodos de atraso de um a 3 dias para a troca das fichas. De um modo geral, a utilização de atrasos maiores parece ter favorecido, mais que atrasos menores, a sensibilidade a variáveis externas não controladas no experimento.

A first-derivative spectrophotometric method for the determination of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride in ophthalmic solution

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Multiple camera management using wide baseline matching

Camera calibration information is required in order for multiple camera networks to deliver more than the sum of many single camera systems. Methods exist for manually calibrating cameras with high accuracy. Manually calibrating networks with many cameras is, however, time consuming, expensive and impractical for networks that undergo frequent change. For this reason, automatic calibration techniques have been vigorously researched in recent years. Fully automatic calibration methods depend on the ability to automatically find point correspondences between overlapping views. In typical camera networks, cameras are placed far apart to maximise coverage. This is referred to as a wide base-line scenario. Finding sufficient correspondences for camera calibration in wide base-line scenarios presents a significant challenge. This thesis focuses on developing more effective and efficient techniques for finding correspondences in uncalibrated, wide baseline, multiple-camera scenarios. The project consists of two major areas of work. The first is the development of more effective and efficient view covariant local feature extractors. The second area involves finding methods to extract scene information using the information contained in a limited set of matched affine features. Several novel affine adaptation techniques for salient features have been developed. A method is presented for efficiently computing the discrete scale space primal sketch of local image features. A scale selection method was implemented that makes use of the primal sketch. The primal sketch-based scale selection method has several advantages over the existing methods. It allows greater freedom in how the scale space is sampled, enables more accurate scale selection, is more effective at combining different functions for spatial position and scale selection, and leads to greater computational efficiency. Existing affine adaptation methods make use of the second moment matrix to estimate the local affine shape of local image features. In this thesis, it is shown that the Hessian matrix can be used in a similar way to estimate local feature shape. The Hessian matrix is effective for estimating the shape of blob-like structures, but is less effective for corner structures. It is simpler to compute than the second moment matrix, leading to a significant reduction in computational cost. A wide baseline dense correspondence extraction system, called WiDense, is presented in this thesis. It allows the extraction of large numbers of additional accurate correspondences, given only a few initial putative correspondences. It consists of the following algorithms: An affine region alignment algorithm that ensures accurate alignment between matched features; A method for extracting more matches in the vicinity of a matched pair of affine features, using the alignment information contained in the match; An algorithm for extracting large numbers of highly accurate point correspondences from an aligned pair of feature regions. Experiments show that the correspondences generated by the WiDense system improves the success rate of computing the epipolar geometry of very widely separated views. This new method is successful in many cases where the features produced by the best wide baseline matching algorithms are insufficient for computing the scene geometry.