Showing papers by "Dublin City University published in 2006"
26 Oct 2006
TL;DR: An introduction to information retrieval (IR) evaluation from both a user and a system perspective is given, high-lighting that system evaluation is by far the most prevalent type of evaluation carried out.
Abstract: The TREC Video Retrieval Evaluation (TRECVid)is an international benchmarking activity to encourage research in video information retrieval by providing a large test collection, uniform scoring procedures, and a forum for organizations 1 interested in comparing their results. TRECVid completed its fifth annual cycle at the end of 2005 and in 2006 TRECVid will involve almost 70 research organizations, universities and other consortia. Throughout its existence, TRECVid has benchmarked both interactive and automatic/manual searching for shots from within a video corpus,automatic detection of a variety of semantic and low-level video features, shot boundary detection and the detection of story boundaries in broadcast TV news. This paper will give an introduction to information retrieval (IR) evaluation from both a user and a system perspective, high-lighting that system evaluation is by far the most prevalent type of evaluation carried out. We also include a summary of TRECVid as an example of a system evaluation bench-marking campaign and this allows us to discuss whether such campaigns are a good thing or a bad thing. There are arguments for and against these campaigns and we present some of them in the paper concluding that on balance they have had a very positive impact on research progress.
1,395 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a minireview of nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors is presented, which summarizes the main functions of nanoparticles in these sensor systems, such as the immobilization of biomolecules, the catalysis of electrochemical reactions, the enhancement of electron transfer between electrode surfaces and proteins, labeling and acting as reactant.
Abstract: The unique chemical and physical properties of nanoparticles make them extremely suitable for designing new and improved sensing devices, especially electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Many kinds of nanoparticles, such as metal, oxide and semiconductor nanoparticles have been used for constructing electrochemical sensors and biosensors, and these nanoparticles play different roles in different sensing systems. The important functions provided by nanoparticles include the immobilization of biomolecules, the catalysis of electrochemical reactions, the enhancement of electron transfer between electrode surfaces and proteins, labeling of biomolecules and even acting as reactant. This minireview addresses recent advances in nanoparticle-based electrochemical sensors and biosensors, and summarizes the main functions of nanoparticles in these sensor systems.
1,105 citations
TL;DR: The transfer of design principles to artificial systems has led to the develop-ment of catalytic multicomponent systems for the photo-catalytic reduction of CO.
Abstract: The central processes in natural photosynthesis are light-drivenelectrontransferfromthespecial-pairchromophoretothe primary acceptor, and the subsequent charge separationto enable the reduction of substrates. The transfer of thesedesign principles to artificial systems has led to the develop-ment of catalytic multicomponent systems for the photo-catalytic reduction of CO
299 citations
TL;DR: The fact that children's nurses appeared to make decisions about involving children in decision making in the absence of a reliable framework was a significant finding and highlights a real problem in the current climate.
Abstract: Aims and objectives. To explore children's, parents’ and nurses’ views on participation in care in the healthcare setting.
Background. Children have a right to be consulted and involved in their care.
Design. The grounded theory method was used and data were collected through in-depth interviews, questionnaires and observation. Sample consisted of 11 children, 10 parents and 12 nurses from four paediatric wards in two hospitals in England.
Results. Parents felt that children should be involved in the decision-making process thereby enhancing and promoting children's self-esteem and positive self-regard, which would consequently enhance their overall welfare. Likewise, children expressed the need for consultation and information so that they could understand their illness; be involved in their care, and prepare themselves for procedures. However, children's own opinions and views were underused and they had varying experiences of being consulted about their care and treatment. Nurses appeared to hold varying and discrepant views on the involvement of children in decisions and for some nurses, the child's involvement seemed to be dependent on the child's cognitive maturity and being defined as a rational subject.
Conclusion. Health professionals’ communication behaviour may reflect recognition of children's cognitive abilities rather than their competence to understand. The fact that children's nurses appeared to make decisions about involving children in decision making in the absence of a reliable framework was a significant finding and highlights a real problem in the current climate.
Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses faced with workforce pressures may encounter considerable challenges to facilitating children's involvement in decisions about their care. Hence it is imperative that nurses’ examine the basis of their decisions and use more explicit criteria for determining children's involvement.
285 citations
TL;DR: The findings clearly indicate that children need adequate information tailored to their needs, that their views are sought in the planning and delivery of their care and that hospital environments need to be made more child–centred.
Abstract: This article reports on children's experiences of hospitalization. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 11 children aged between seven and 14 years from four paediatric units in England. The children identified a range of fears and concerns, which included: separation from parents and family; unfamiliar environment; investigations and treatments; and loss of self-determination. The children's loss of self-determination over personal needs exacerbated their fears and concerns. It needs to be recognized that compliance with hospital routines is a variable, which influences children's reaction to hospitalization. The findings clearly indicate that children need adequate information tailored to their needs, that their views are sought in the planning and delivery of their care and that hospital environments need to be made more child-centred. Interventions designed to reduce children's stress during hospitalization are not only likely to decrease their stress at the time, but also likely to influence how future experiences are appraised and managed.
266 citations
TL;DR: A sensor with potential for the development of a "chemical barcode" for real-time monitoring of fish freshness and correlates with bacterial growth patterns in fish samples thus enabling the "real-time" monitoring of spoilage in various fish species.
255 citations
TL;DR: The interaction between basic and applied research is of particular importance and selected examples are highlighted and the development of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes is tracked and discussed taking into account new scientific developments as well as novel applications.
Abstract: Since the mid 1970's interest in the chemistry and applications of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes has increased steadily. In this perspective, the development of this area is tracked and discussed taking into account new scientific developments as well as novel applications. The interaction between basic and applied research is of particular importance and selected examples are highlighted.
243 citations
TL;DR: A neutral 2-site chloride selective compound has been developed (3), based on a 1,3-alternate tetrasubstituted calix[4]arene providing a preorganized supramolecular scaffold that is among the first to combine urea functional groups bridged with single methylene spacers to pyrene moieties.
Abstract: A neutral 2-site chloride selective compound has been developed (3), based on a 1,3-alternate tetrasubstituted calix[4]arene providing a preorganized supramolecular scaffold. The resultant supramolecular cavity is among the first to combine urea functional groups bridged with single methylene spacers to pyrene moieties. It combines a naturally and synthetically proven H-bonding system with the elegant ratiometric fluorescent signaling properties of an intramolecular pyrene excimer system, triggered by conformational changes upon anion coordination. The excimer emission of 3 is quenched, with a simultaneous rise in the monomer emission solely by the chloride anion among a wide variety of anions tested. 3 has an association constant of 2.4 x 10(4) M(-1) with chloride. The suitability and advantages of ratiometric optical sensor compounds like 3 for use in practical sensor devices is discussed. 3 has an LOD of 8 x 10(-6) M with chloride in acetonitrile-chloroform (95:5 v/v). A dynamic fluorescence study revealed a response time of < 3 s. A recently developed and simple HPLC-based purification method complimented conventional organic work up methods to yield pure product.
237 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors test the existence of a positive link between interaction and density using data from the Social Capital Benchmark Survey and find that low density living reduces social capital and thus social interaction.
Abstract: Various authors, most notably Putnam (2000), have argued that low-density living reduces social capital and thus social interaction, and this argument has been used to buttress criticisms of urban sprawl. If low densities in fact reduce social interaction, then an externality arises, validating Putnam's critique. In choosing their own lot sizes, consumers would fail to consider the loss of interaction benefits for their neighbors when lot size is increased. Lot sizes would then be inefficiently large, and cities excessively spread out. The paper tests the premise of this argument (the existence of a positive link between interaction and density) using data from the Social Capital Benchmark Survey. In the empirical work, social interaction measures for individual survey respondents are regressed on census-tract density and a host of household characteristics, using an instrumental-variable approach to control for the potential endogeneity of density.
236 citations
TL;DR: In vivo imaging and immunomicroscopy of murine muscles injected with type A toxin revealed that the extended duration of action results from the longevity of its protease, persistence of the cleaved SNAP‐25 and a protracted time course for the remodelling of treated nerve–muscle synapses.
Abstract: The seven serotypes (A-G) of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) are proteins produced by Clostridium botulinum and have multifunctional abilities: (i) they target cholinergic nerve endings via binding to ecto-acceptors (ii) they undergo endocytosis/translocation and (iii) their light chains act intraneuronally to block acetylcholine release. The fundamental process of quantal transmitter release occurs by Ca2+-regulated exocytosis involving sensitive factor attachment protein-25 (SNAP-25), syntaxin and synaptobrevin. Proteolytic cleavage by BoNT-A of nine amino acids from the C-terminal of SNAP-25 disables its function, causing prolonged muscle weakness. This unique combination of activities underlies the effectiveness of BoNT-A haemagglutinin complex in treating human conditions resulting from hyperactivity at peripheral cholinergic nerve endings. In vivo imaging and immunomicroscopy of murine muscles injected with type A toxin revealed that the extended duration of action results from the longevity of its protease, persistence of the cleaved SNAP-25 and a protracted time course for the remodelling of treated nerve-muscle synapses. In addition, an application in pain management has been indicated by the ability of BoNT to inhibit neuropeptide release from nociceptors, thereby blocking central and peripheral pain sensitization processes. The widespread cellular distribution of SNAP-25 and the diversity of the toxin's neuronal acceptors are being exploited for other therapeutic applications.
211 citations
11 Dec 2006
TL;DR: An intelligent utility-based strategy for network selection in this multi-access network scenario is proposed and it is shown that risk takers who are willing to pay more money get a better service.
Abstract: Development in wireless access technologies and multihomed personal user devices is driving the way towards a heterogeneous wireless access network environment. Success in this arena will be reliant on the ability to offer an enhanced user experience. Users will plan to take advantage of the competition and always connect to the network which can best service their preferences for the current application. They will rely on intelligent network selection decision strategies to aid them in their choice. The contribution of this paper is to propose an intelligent utility-based strategy for network selection in this multi-access network scenario. A number of utility functions are examined which explore different user attitudes to risk for money and delay preferences related to their current application. For example we show that risk takers who are willing to pay more money get a better service.
TL;DR: The concept of wireless sensor networks conjures up images of a world of ubiquitous sensing, but it requires a massive increase in the number of sensors available, and considerable advances in materials science are needed before these can be used on a large scale.
Abstract: The concept of wireless sensor networks conjures up images of a world of ubiquitous sensing, but it requires a massive increase in the number of sensors available. Although there has been considerable activity in transducer-based 'sensor nets', there have been virtually no corresponding deployments of chemical- or biological-sensing networks - considerable advances in materials science are needed before these can be used on a large scale.
TL;DR: A novel approach for the automatic segmentation has been developed to extract the epi-cardium and endo- Cardium boundaries of the left ventricle (lv) of the heart using multi-slice and multi-phase magnetic resonance (MR) images.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors combine analysis of generation economics, load and wind generation characteristics, generation adequacy, and plant utilization to gain insight into the role of wind generation in desirable generation portfolios.
Abstract: Assessing the correct future mix in generation portfolios has become more difficult given the introduction of emission trading schemes, the recent fuel price rises, and the increasing competitiveness of wind energy. This paper combines analysis of generation economics, load and wind generation characteristics, generation adequacy, and plant utilization to gain insight into the role of wind generation in desirable generation portfolios. The unique characteristics of wind generation are accounted for in the analysis, and sensitivity analysis is carried out with respect to discount rates, carbon taxes, and various fuel price scenarios. Results show that for a large range of future scenarios, wind generation has a significant role to play in future generation portfolios in Ireland. Mean-variance portfolio theory is applied to examine the benefits of portfolio diversification in terms of avoiding exposure to volatile fuel prices. Analysis shows that wind generation has a further role to play in generation portfolios in this respect
10 Oct 2006
TL;DR: This paper describes the implementation of various pairings on a contemporary 32-bit smart-card, the Philips HiPerSmart, an instantiation of the MIPS-32 based SmartMIPS architecture, and demonstrates that pairings can be calculated as efficiently as classic cryptographic primitives on this architecture.
Abstract: Pairings on elliptic curves are fast coming of age as cryptographic primitives for deployment in new security applications, particularly in the context of implementations of Identity-Based Encryption (IBE). In this paper we describe the implementation of various pairings on a contemporary 32-bit smart-card, the Philips HiPerSmartTM, an instantiation of the MIPS-32 based SmartMIPSTM architecture. Three types of pairing are considered, first the standard Tate pairing on a nonsupersingular curve $E(\mathbb{F}_p)$, second the Ate pairing, also on a nonsupersingular curve $E(\mathbb{F}_p)$, and finally the ηT pairing on a supersingular curve $E(\mathbb{F}_{2^m})$. We demonstrate that pairings can be calculated as efficiently as classic cryptographic primitives on this architecture, with a calculation time of as little as 0.15 seconds.
TL;DR: This article summarizes and discusses the main insights into the structure and mechanism of HRP, with special emphasis on HRP mutagenesis, and outlines its use in a variety of applications, particularly biosensors.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the implementation of various pairings on a contemporary 32-bit smartcard, the Philips HiPerSmart, an instantiation of the MIPS-32 based SmartMIPSarchitecture.
Abstract: Pairings on elliptic curves are fast coming of age as cryptographic primitives for deployment in new security applications, particularly in the context of implementations of Identity-Based Encryption (IBE). In this paper we describe the implementation of various pairings on a contemporary 32-bit smart-card, the Philips HiPerSmart, an instantiation of the MIPS-32 based SmartMIPSarchitecture. Three types of pairing are considered, first the standard Tate pairing on a nonsupersingular curve E(Fp), second the Ate pairing, also on a nonsupersingular curve E(Fp), and finally the ηT pairing on a supersingular curve E(F2m). We demonstrate that pairings can be calculated as efficiently as classic cryptographic primitives on this architecture, with a calculation time of as little as 0.15 seconds.
TL;DR: An analytical model is developed, contrary to expectation, that the net heating in capacitive discharges excited by a combination of two disparate frequencies is much larger than the sum of the effects occurring when the two frequencies act separately.
Abstract: We discuss collisionless electron heating in capacitive discharges excited by a combination of two disparate frequencies. By developing an analytical model, we find, contrary to expectation, that the net heating in this case is much larger than the sum of the effects occurring when the two frequencies act separately. This prediction is substantiated by kinetic simulations, which are also in excellent general quantitative agreement with the model for discharge parameters that are typical of recent experiments.
TL;DR: In this paper, a rational design approach was taken to the planning and synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer capable of extracting caffeine (the template molecule) from a standard solution of caffeine and further from a food sample containing caffeine.
TL;DR: In this paper, dead-end microfiltration of microbial suspensions is reviewed with particular emphasis on the factors affecting the specific cake resistance, including cell size and shape, cell surface properties (including charge), ionic environment, fermentation medium components and ageing effects.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the larvae of G. mellonella can withstand a lethal inoculum of C. albicans if pre-exposed to a non-lethal dose of yeast or polysaccharide 24 h previously which is mediated by increased expression of a number of antimicrobial peptides and the appearance of anumber of peptides in the challenged larvae.
TL;DR: A biosensor with improved performance was developed through the immobilization of horseradish peroxidase onto electropolymerized polyaniline films doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
TL;DR: Larger defined studies are necessary in order to definitively establish the degree of complexity contributing to drug resistance and to identify novel therapeutic approaches - possibly involving chemotherapy, drug resistance modulators, and novel targeted therapies - to combat this disease.
Abstract: Breast cancer, the most common form of cancer among women in North America and almost all of Europe, is a significant health problem in terms of both morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that each year this disease is diagnosed in over one million people worldwide and is the cause of more than 400,000 deaths. Although chemotherapy forms part of a successful treatment regime in many cases, as few as 50% patients may benefit from this, as a result of intrinsic or acquired multiple drug resistance (MDR). Through the use of in vitro cell culture models, a number of mechanisms of MDR have been identified; many, if not all, of which may contribute to breast cancer resistance in the clinical setting. This phenomenon is complicated by the likely multi-factorial nature of clinical resistance combined with the fact that, although apparently studied extensively in breast cancer, reported analyses have been performed using a range of analytical techniques; many on small sub-groups of patients, with different clinicopathological characteristics and receiving a range of therapeutic approaches. Larger defined studies, using standardised genomic and proteomics profiling approaches followed by functional genomics studies, are necessary in order to definitively establish the degree of complexity contributing to drug resistance and to identify novel therapeutic approaches - possibly involving chemotherapy, drug resistance modulators, and novel targeted therapies - to combat this disease.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore fair trade within the context of other discursive narratives such as green consuming, ethical consuming, and voluntary simplicity and the strategic marketing implications for fair trade organizations.
Abstract: Although increased consumer concern for ethical issues has been recognised in research, this has tended to explore such concerns in isolation, neglecting to consider the often complex interaction between ethical issues in consumer decision‐making. Such interrelationships are important to the study of fair trade in terms of providing a richer understanding of market potential and development in strategic decision‐making. The present paper, therefore, seeks to explore fair trade within the context of other discursive narratives such as green consuming, ethical consuming, and voluntary simplicity and the strategic marketing implications for fair trade organisations.
TL;DR: In this article, the five most prominent contemporary terrorist uses of the Internet are information provision, financing, networking, recruitment, and information gathering, and the responses of government, law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and others to the terrorism-Internet nexus.
Abstract: The Internet is a powerful political instrument, which is increasingly employed by terrorists to forward their goals. The five most prominent contemporary terrorist uses of the Net are information provision, financing, networking, recruitment, and information gathering. This article describes and explains each of these uses and follows up with examples. The final section of the paper describes the responses of government, law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and others to the terrorism-Internet nexus. There is a particular emphasis within the text on the UK experience, although examples from other jurisdictions are also employed.
TL;DR: Stress response appears to be an important cellular mechanism in dystrophic muscle and may be exploitable as a new approach to counteract muscle degeneration.
Abstract: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most commonly inherited neuromuscular disorder in humans. Although the primary genetic deficiency of dystrophin in X-linked muscular dystrophy is established, it is not well-known how pathophysiological events trigger the actual fibre degeneration. We have therefore performed a DIGE analysis of normal diaphragm muscle versus the severely affected x-linked muscular dystrophy (MDX) diaphragm, which represents an established animal model of dystrophinopathy. Out of 2398 detectable 2-D protein spots, 35 proteins showed a drastic differential expression pattern, with 21 proteins being decreased, including Fbxol 1-protein, adenylate kinase, beta-haemoglobin and dihydrolipoarnide dehydrogenase, and 14 proteins being increased, including cvHSP, aldehyde reductase, desmin, vimentin, chaperonin, cardiac and muscle myosin heavy chain. This suggests that lack of sarcolemmal integrity triggers a generally perturbed protein expression pattern in dystrophin-deficient fibres. However, the most significant finding was the dramatic increase in the small heat shock protein cvHSP, which was confirmed by 2-D immunoblotting. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed elevated levels of cvHSP in MDX fibres. An immunoblotting survey of other key heat shock proteins showed a differential expression pattern in MDX diaphragm. Stress response appears to be an important cellular mechanism in dystrophic muscle and may be exploitable as a new approach to counteract muscle degeneration.
TL;DR: This review outlines the research that has been carried out on strategies for the protection of marine and riverine sensors against fouling.
Abstract: Traditionally, water quality has been monitored by sampling and lab based analysis. However, there are disadvantages associated with this method, for example, deterioration of samples with time, limited sampling points, limited temporal monitoring. This has provided impetus for the development of sensors which can be deployed from remote locations over extended deployment periods. However, a major limitation of these systems is their vulnerability to biofouling. This review outlines the research that has been carried out on strategies for the protection of marine and riverine sensors against fouling.
TL;DR: This paper presents a coupled level-set segmentation of the myocardium of the left ventricle of the heart using a priori information and introduces a novel and robust stopping term using both gradient and region-based information.
TL;DR: In this paper, the instantaneous virial balance of CCs in numerical models of MCs is studied and the authors identify CCs at different density thresholds and calculate, for each object, the terms that enter the EVT.
Abstract: We study the instantaneous virial balance of CCs in numerical models of MCs. The models represent a range of magnetic field strengths in MCs from subcritical to nonmagnetic regimes. We identify CCs at different density thresholds and calculate, for each object, the terms that enter the EVT. A CC is gravitationally bound when the gravitational term in the EVT is larger than the amount for the system to be virialized, which is more stringent than the condition that it be large enough to make the total volume energy negative. We also calculate other quantities used to indicate the state of gravitational boundedness: Jeans number Jc, mass-to-magnetic flux ratio μc, and virial parameter αvir. Our results suggest the following: (1) CCs are dynamical out-of-equilibrium structures. (2) The surface energies are of the same order as their volume counterparts. (3) CCs are either in the process of being compressed or dispersed by the velocity field. Yet, not all CCs that have a compressive net kinetic energy are gravitationally bound. (4) There is no one-to-one correspondence between the states of gravitational boundedness as described by the virial analysis or by the other indicators. In general, in the virial analysis, only the inner regions of the objects are gravitationally bound, whereas Jc, αvir, and μc estimates tend to show that they are more bound at the lowest threshold levels and more magnetically supercritical. (5) We observe, in the nonmagnetic simulation, the existence of a bound core with structural and dynamical properties that resemble those of Barnard 68. This suggests that such cores can form in a larger MC and then be confined by the warm gas of a newly formed, nearby H II region.
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: The authors examines the specific features of game localization which give it its unique nature and examines the priorities and constraints associated with translation of this particular genre, which relies heavily on imagination and creativity to deliver a satisfactory game experience.
Abstract: From its humble beginning in the 1970's, the video games industry has flourished and become a world-wide phenomenon. Although most games are developed in Japanese and English, the globalisation of popular culture and the desire to expand to new markets have led most producers to localise their games into many target language versions. This has brought about the emergence of a new field in translation, game localisation, which combines elements of audiovisual translation and software localisation. This paper looks at the specific features of game localisation which give it its unique nature. It examines the priorities and constraints associated with translation of this particular genre, which relies heavily on imagination and creativity to deliver a satisfactory game experience. Using as a case study the best-selling PlayStation series, Final Fantasy, examples are presented to illustrate the challenges game localisers face, focusing particularly on linguistic and cultural issues.