title: A map-based place-browser for a PDA

authors: Bainbridge, David

subjects: mobile searching

abstract: This article describes PlaceBrowser, a PDA based application that allows the user of the application to navigate around an area of geographical interest, such as a city, using a zoomable, panable hierarchy of aerial images, in a fashion similar to Google Maps. The novel aspect to the work is that an area of precise interest within the map can be pin-pointed by the user by directly dragging out a rectangular area on the map. This forms the source to a spatial search that returns landmarks that are then used to trigger a Web based query. The results of this query are displayed to the user. The net effect is that, in response to dragging out a rectangular area, web pages that are relevant to this area but have not been explicitly geo-spatially tagged with metadata (longitude,latitude) are shown to the user.

text: A map-based place-browser for a PDA This article describes PlaceBrowser, a PDA based application that allows the user of the application to navigate around an area of geographical interest, such as a city, using a zoomable, panable hierarchy of aerial images, in a fashion similar to Google Maps. The novel aspect to the work is that an area of precise interest within the map can be pin-pointed by the user by directly dragging out a rectangular area on the map. This forms the source to a spatial search that returns landmarks that are then used to trigger a Web based query. The results of this query are displayed to the user. The net effect is that, in response to dragging out a rectangular area, web pages that are relevant to this area but have not been explicitly geo-spatially tagged with metadata (longitude,latitude) are shown to the user.

year: 2007-10-24

title: A neural-based code for computing image velocity from small sets of middle temporal (MT/V5) neuron inputs

authors: Perrone, John A.

subjects: 2D motion

abstract: It is still not known how the primate visual system is able to measure the velocity of moving stimuli such as edges and dots. Neurons have been found in the Medial Superior Temporal (MST) area of the primate brain that respond at a rate proportional to the speed of the stimulus but it is not clear how this property is derived from the speed-tuned Middle Temporal (MT) neurons that precede area MST along the visual motion pathway. I show that a population code based on the outputs from a number of MT neurons is susceptible to errors if the MT neurons are tuned to a broad range of spatial frequencies and have receptive fields that span a wide range of sizes. I present a solution that uses the activity of just three MT units within a velocity channel to estimate the velocity using a weighted vector average (centroid) technique. I use a range of velocity channels (1, 2, 4, and 88/s) with inhibition between them so that only a single channel passes the velocity estimate onto the next stage of processing (MST). I also include a contrast-dependent redundancy-removal stage which provides tighter spatial resolution for the velocity estimates under conditions of high contrast but which trades off spatial compactness for greater sensitivity at low contrast. The new model produces an output signal proportional to the stimulus input velocity (consistent with MST neurons) and its input stages have properties closely tied to those of neurons in areas V1 and MT.

text: A neural-based code for computing image velocity from small sets of middle temporal (MT/V5) neuron inputs It is still not known how the primate visual system is able to measure the velocity of moving stimuli such as edges and dots. Neurons have been found in the Medial Superior Temporal (MST) area of the primate brain that respond at a rate proportional to the speed of the stimulus but it is not clear how this property is derived from the speed-tuned Middle Temporal (MT) neurons that precede area MST along the visual motion pathway. I show that a population code based on the outputs from a number of MT neurons is susceptible to errors if the MT neurons are tuned to a broad range of spatial frequencies and have receptive fields that span a wide range of sizes. I present a solution that uses the activity of just three MT units within a velocity channel to estimate the velocity using a weighted vector average (centroid) technique. I use a range of velocity channels (1, 2, 4, and 88/s) with inhibition between them so that only a single channel passes the velocity estimate onto the next stage of processing (MST). I also include a contrast-dependent redundancy-removal stage which provides tighter spatial resolution for the velocity estimates under conditions of high contrast but which trades off spatial compactness for greater sensitivity at low contrast. The new model produces an output signal proportional to the stimulus input velocity (consistent with MST neurons) and its input stages have properties closely tied to those of neurons in areas V1 and MT.

year: 2012

title: Indigenous perspectives and gene editing in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Hudson, Maui

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Gene editing is arguably the most significant recent addition to the modern biotechnology toolbox, bringing both profoundly challenging and enabling opportunities. From a technical point of view the specificity and relative simplicity of these new tools has broadened the potential applications. However, from an ethical point of view it has re-ignited the debates generated by earlier forms of genetic modification. In New Zealand gene editing is currently considered genetic modification and is subject to approval processes under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). This process requires decision makers to take into account Māori perspectives. This article outlines previously articulated Māori perspectives on genetic modification and considers the continuing influence of those cultural and ethical arguments within the new context of gene editing. It also explores the range of ways cultural values might be used to analyse the risks and benefits of gene editing in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Methods used to obtain these perspectives consisted of (a) review of relevant literature regarding lessons learned from the responses of Maori to genetic modification, (b) interviews of selected ‘key Maori informants’ and (c) surveys of self-selected individuals from groups with interests in either genetics or environmental management. The outcomes of this pilot study identified that while Māori informants were not categorically opposed to new and emerging gene editing technologies a priori, they suggest a dynamic approach to regulation is required where specific uses or types of uses are approved on a case by case basis. This study demonstrates how the cultural cues that Māori referenced in the genetic modification debate continue to be relevant in the context of gene editing but that further work is required to characterize the strength of various positions across the broader community.

text: Indigenous perspectives and gene editing in Aotearoa New Zealand Gene editing is arguably the most significant recent addition to the modern biotechnology toolbox, bringing both profoundly challenging and enabling opportunities. From a technical point of view the specificity and relative simplicity of these new tools has broadened the potential applications. However, from an ethical point of view it has re-ignited the debates generated by earlier forms of genetic modification. In New Zealand gene editing is currently considered genetic modification and is subject to approval processes under the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). This process requires decision makers to take into account Māori perspectives. This article outlines previously articulated Māori perspectives on genetic modification and considers the continuing influence of those cultural and ethical arguments within the new context of gene editing. It also explores the range of ways cultural values might be used to analyse the risks and benefits of gene editing in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Methods used to obtain these perspectives consisted of (a) review of relevant literature regarding lessons learned from the responses of Maori to genetic modification, (b) interviews of selected ‘key Maori informants’ and (c) surveys of self-selected individuals from groups with interests in either genetics or environmental management. The outcomes of this pilot study identified that while Māori informants were not categorically opposed to new and emerging gene editing technologies a priori, they suggest a dynamic approach to regulation is required where specific uses or types of uses are approved on a case by case basis. This study demonstrates how the cultural cues that Māori referenced in the genetic modification debate continue to be relevant in the context of gene editing but that further work is required to characterize the strength of various positions across the broader community.

year: 2019