We present an automatic tool for compact representation and cross-referencing of long video sequences, which is based on a novel visual abstraction of semantic content. Our highly compact hierarchical representation results from the non-temporal clustering of scene segments into a new conceptual form grounded in the recognition of real-world backgrounds. We represent shots and scenes using mosa...

A LinkBack is a mechanism for bloggers to obtain automatic notifications when other bloggers link to their posts. LinkBacks are an important pillar of the blogosphere because they allows blog posts to cross-reference each other. Over the last few years, spammers have consistently tried to abuse LinkBack mechanisms as they provide an automated way to inject spam into blogs. A recent study shows ...

There is a large literature on contagion. It is perhaps the most important systemic risk to the financial system. The term is widely used so this covers many topics. The paper starts with a discussion of exactly how the term is used. Perhaps most importantly it is used to refer to the spread of crises from one country to another through real links such as trade, through portfolio rebalancing an...

Studies that evaluate the accuracy of binary classification tools are needed. Such studies provide 2 × 2 cross-classifications of test outcomes and the categories according to an unquestionable reference (or gold standard). However, sometimes a suboptimal reliability reference is employed. Several methods have been proposed to deal with studies where the observations are cross-classified with a...

This paper discusses findings of a frame-based contrastive text analysis, using the large-scale and precise descriptions of semantic frames provided by the FrameNet project (Baker, 2006; Fillmore, 2006). It points out that even though the existing FrameNet methodology allows us to compare languages at a more detailed level than previous studies (e.g. Talmy, 2003; Slobin, 2004), in order to inve...

In the past decades, many clustering algorithms have been proposed for the analysis of gene expression data, but little guidance is available to help choose among them. Given the same data set, different clustering algorithms can potentially generate very different clusters. A biologist with a gene expression data set is faced with the problem of choosing an appropriate clustering algorithm for...

The problem considered in this paper is one of damped vibrations of the beam in transportation. The dynamical analysis of systems in motion is a very well-known issue, but many detailed cases have not been published yet. The considered case is applied with the double-sided fixed beams placed on a rotational disk. The disk treated as a rigid one is rotated with a constant angular velocity in the...

This study examines the content of Portuguese wine blogs and addresses two main questions: (i) which content and design elements of Portuguese wine blogs have more impact on the promotion of wine, and (ii) how can the content and design quality of wine blogs be assessed and improved. To answer these questions, a number of features of wine blogs are examined, and an initial attempt is made to de...

Health service research has the potential to contribute to the identification of significant reforms for health services at a time when most governments are grappling with how to reign in health costs. Consequently, An Introduction to Health Services Research is a timely publication. This publication deals with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. However, it also takes the reade...

Both direct and indirect techniques have been used for many years to determine nuclear reaction rates at astrophysical energies. A number of problems have been encountered which limit measurements by direct techniques, including very low cross sections, the importance of subthreshold states and the need for radioactive targets. Over the past decade, new indirect techniques have been developed t...