28 research outputs found
Human Perception Based Color Image Segmentation
No full textColor image segmentation is probably the most important task in image analysis and understanding. A novel Human Perception Based Color Image Segmentation System is presented in this paper. This system uses a neural network architecture. The neurons here uses a multisigmoid activation function. The multisigmoid activation function is the key for segmentation. The number of steps ie. thresholds in the multisigmoid function are dependent on the number of clusters in the image. The threshold values for detecting the clusters and their labels are found automatically from the first order derivative of histograms of saturation and intensity in the HSI color space. Here the main use of neural network is to detect the number of objects automatically from an image. It labels the objects with their mean colors. The algorithm is found to be reliable and works satisfactorily on different kinds of color images
Human Perception Based Color Image Segmentation
No full textColor image segmentation is probably the most important task in image analysis and understanding. A novel Human Perception Based Color Image Segmentation System is presented in this paper. This system uses a neural network architecture. The neurons here uses a multisigmoid activation function. The multisigmoid activation function is the key for segmentation. The number of steps ie. thresholds in the multisigmoid function are dependent on the number of clusters in the image. The threshold values for detecting the clusters and their labels are found automatically from the first order derivative of histograms of saturation and intensity in the HSI color space. Here the main use of neural network is to detect the number of objects automatically from an image. It labels the objects with their mean colors. The algorithm is found to be reliable and works satisfactorily on different kinds of color images
One hundred days: the effects of India's employment guarantee program on child work
No full textThe challenge of evaluating anti-poverty interventions in non-experimental settings lies in establishing a causal linkage between an intervention and a desired outcome. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are rightfully regarded as the gold standard, they are not practically or ethically feasible in all development projects. This dissertation focuses on the use of natural experiments to evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of anti-poverty interventions on children. Designed around unplanned events, natural experiments provide information comparable to RCTs, and are cost and time efficient. Article 1 summarizes the evidence from natural experiments on the effects of interventions that increase income and education. Article 2 summarizes the evidence from several natural experiments that evaluate the effects of India’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), an employment policy. Broad findings suggest that while the policy successfully targeted poor households, and increased rural employment and wages, it had the unintended consequence of increasing child labor, and decreasing educational outcomes. Article 3 uses data from a nationally representative survey to evaluate the effects of the policy on child work. Results suggest that child and household level characteristics have a significant effect on determining child work. Further, as suggested by the literature, children living in households that worked under the policy are more likely to be engaged in work (both paid and domestic) than children living in non-participant households. While it is not possible to make causal attributions, possible explanations include unintended effects of the policy or household selection effects.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Neeta Goe
Abrupt Scene Change Detection
No full textA number of automated shot-change detection
methods for indexing a video sequence to facilitate browsing and
retrieval have been proposed in recent years. This paper emphasizes
on the simulation of video shot boundary detection using one of the
methods of the color histogram wherein scaling of the histogram
metrics is an added feature. The difference between the histograms of
two consecutive frames is evaluated resulting in the metrics. Further
scaling of the metrics is performed to avoid ambiguity and to enable
the choice of apt threshold for any type of videos which involves
minor error due to flashlight, camera motion, etc. Two sample videos
are used here with resolution of 352 X 240 pixels using color
histogram approach in the uncompressed media. An attempt is made
for the retrieval of color video. The simulation is performed for the
abrupt change in video which yields 90% recall and precision value
OTRA based second and third order sinusoidal oscillators and their phase noise performance
No full textPOVERTY, DEVELOPMENT AND DISABILITY
No full textHendriks (1999:111) highlights the point that all studies during the past decade indicate, namely that person’s with disabilities and their families are disproportionately represented amongst the poorest of poor. With the change of perception of persons with disabilities, it is now realised that environmental factors and the context in which such persons live are crucial in the success of their becoming productive members of society. As a result of this understanding, the socio-economic empowerment of persons with disabilities within a developmental framework is being advocated. The author will highlight the need for synergy between mainstream development and those developments specifically for persons with disabilities, given the South African context. In South Africa the majority of the population lives in poverty and in underdeveloped communities with few resources and opportunities. It is argued that it would be difficult to meet the needs of the disabled in these circumstances. In such situations most disability issues are important to all development: equality, empowerment, human rights, poverty and marginalisation (Lee cited in Yeo, 2001:8). In the light of this, the author stresses the need for, and the benefit of, integrating disability issues into all development programmes at community level. The integration of disability issues into all development programmes is a cost-effective approach in dealing with poverty and disability in resource-poor settings. Challenges in implementing this approach will be discussed
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Java prototype of hypercard bibliography past implementation and present choices
No full textThis project was started with JDK Version 1.0 and was later upgraded to version JDK Version 1.2.2, to create a graphical user interface using the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) to a HyperCard bibliography of software engineering. The bibliographic index tool is designed to facilitate searching for text and is run as a Java applet. It presents an alphabetically ordered list of author names and subjects. With the bibliography index tool one can manipulate a bibliographic list directly over the World Wide Web on a computer that lists electronic bibliographies
Assessment of Dermatology Clinic Resources at Safety-Net Hospitals: Results from a National Survey
No full textThe general metadata -- e.g., title, author, abstract, subject headings, etc. -- is publicly available, but access to the submitted files is restricted to UT Southwestern campus access and/or authorized UT Southwestern users.BACKGROUND: The extent of resources available to outpatient dermatology clinics at safety-net hospitals providing care to the underserved is not well characterized. Identification of resource gaps can direct strategies that improve dermatologic care to this population.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the state of resources at safety-net dermatology clinics. We hypothesized that staffing and specialty services at safety-net hospital dermatology clinics were suboptimal, and that these clinics have long patient wait-times and high no-show rates.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess resources at outpatient dermatology clinics in safety-net hospitals affiliated with US dermatology residency programs. Surveys consisting of 42 questions were sent via e-mail to the chiefs of outpatient dermatology clinics at 50 safety-net hospitals. The survey was administered between July and October 2016.
RESULTS: 31 (62%) safety-net dermatology clinics participated in the survey. The median wait time for the third next available appointment for a new and follow-up patient was 45 (interquartile range: 30-90) days and 30 (16.5-55) days, respectively. The median no-show rate was 30% (24.5-35). Clinics reported median ratios of 3 providers to 1 nurse (1.75-4), and 2 providers to 1 medical assistant (2-4). 58.1% utilized non-paid dermatology attendings. 93.5% offered dermatopathology and pediatric dermatology services, while 41.9% had on-site Mohs surgery.
CONCLUSION: Patients face long wait times and no-show rates are high, with suboptimal provider to support staff ratios. Most clinics had access to dermatology subspecialty care, such as pediatric dermatology, and dermatopathology. Expanding staffing, improving patient no-show rates, and use of teledermatology could improve access to dermatologic care in safety-net hospital systems
