Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep learning architecture for pedestrian 3-D localization and tracking using multiple cameras

In this paper, we propose a novel deep-learning architecture for accurate 3-D localization and tracking of a pedestrian using multiple cameras. The deep-learning network is composed of two networks: detection network and localization network. The detection network yields the pedestrian detections and the localization network estimates the ground position of a pedestrian within its detection box. In addition, an attentional pass filter is introduced to effectively connect the two networks. Using the detection proposals and their 2-D grounding positions obtained from the two networks, multi-camera multi-target 3-D localization and tracking algorithm is developed through min-cost network flow approach. In the experiments, it is shown that the proposed method improves the performance of 3-D localization and tracking.
Metagenomics Reveals the Impact of Wastewater Treatment Plants on the Dispersal of Microorganisms and Genes in Aquatic Sediments

ABSTRACT Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release treated effluent containing mobile genetic elements (MGEs), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and microorganisms into the environment, yet little is known about their influence on nearby microbial communities and the retention of these factors in receiving water bodies. Our research aimed to characterize the genes and organisms from two different WWTPs that discharge into Lake Michigan, as well as from surrounding lake sediments to determine the dispersal and fate of these factors with respect to distance from the effluent outfall. Shotgun metagenomics coupled to distance-decay analyses showed a higher abundance of genes identical to those in WWTP effluent genes in sediments closer to outfall sites than in sediments farther away, indicating their possible WWTP origin. We also found genes attributed to organisms, such as those belonging to Helicobacteraceae, Legionellaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Neisseriaceae, in effluent from both WWTPs and decreasing in abundance in lake sediments with increased distance from WWTPs. Moreover, our results showed that the WWTPs likely influence the ARG composition in lake sediments close to the effluent discharge. Many of these ARGs were located on MGEs in both the effluent and sediment samples, indicating a relatively broad propensity for horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Our approach allowed us to specifically link genes to organisms and their genetic context, providing insight into WWTP impacts on natural microbial communities. Overall, our results suggest a substantial influence of wastewater effluent on gene content and microbial community structure in the sediments of receiving water bodies. IMPORTANCE Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release their effluent into aquatic environments. Although treated, effluent retains many genes and microorganisms that have the potential to influence the receiving water in ways that are poorly understood. Here, we tracked the genetic footprint, including genes specific to antibiotic resistance and mobile genetic elements and their associated organisms, from WWTPs to lake sediments. Our work is novel in that we used metagenomic data sets to comprehensively evaluate total gene content and the genetic and taxonomic context of specific genes in environmental samples putatively impacted by WWTP inputs. Based on two different WWTPs with different treatment processes, our findings point to an influence of WWTPs on the presence, abundance, and composition of these factors in the environment.
Fusing Bluetooth Beacon Data with Wi-Fi Radiomaps for Improved Indoor Localization

Indoor user localization and tracking are instrumental to a broad range of services and applications in the Internet of Things (IoT) and particularly in Body Sensor Networks (BSN) and Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) scenarios. Due to the widespread availability of IEEE 802.11, many localization platforms have been proposed, based on the Wi-Fi Received Signal Strength (RSS) indicator, using algorithms such as K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) and Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE). In this paper, we introduce a hybrid method that combines the simplicity (and low cost) of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and the popular 802.11 infrastructure, to improve the accuracy of indoor localization platforms. Building on KNN, we propose a new positioning algorithm (dubbed i-KNN) which is able to filter the initial fingerprint dataset (i.e., the radiomap), after considering the proximity of RSS fingerprints with respect to the BLE devices. In this way, i-KNN provides an optimised small subset of possible user locations, based on which it finally estimates the user position. The proposed methodology achieves fast positioning estimation due to the utilization of a fragment of the initial fingerprint dataset, while at the same time improves positioning accuracy by minimizing any calculation errors.
Measuring vigilance decrement using computer vision assisted eye tracking in dynamic naturalistic environments

Eye tracking offers a practical solution for monitoring cognitive performance in real world tasks. However, eye tracking in dynamic environments is difficult due to high spatial and temporal variation of stimuli, needing further and thorough investigation. In this paper, we study the possibility of developing a novel computer vision assisted eye tracking analysis by using fixations. Eye movement data is obtained from a long duration naturalistic driving experiment. Source invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm was implemented using VLFeat toolbox to identify multiple areas of interest (AOIs). A new measure called ‘fixation score’ was defined to understand the dynamics of fixation position between the target AOI and the non target AOIs. Fixation score is maximum when the subjects focus on the target AOI and diminishes when they gaze at the non-target AOIs. Statistically significant negative correlation was found between fixation score and reaction time data (r =−0.2253 and p<0.05). This implies that with vigilance decrement, the fixation score decreases due to visual attention shifting away from the target objects resulting in an increase in the reaction time.
Durability Improvement of Bio-Based Material by Polymer

Bio-based materials such as wood, bamboo, bio-straw material are vulnerable to degradation by microorganisms and susceptible to change in dimension under humidity, which greatly reduced their service life. In this study, a novel thought was inspired from the unique porous structure of bio-based material that durability of wood may be capable of being improved by generating polymer in situ the special structure. Maleic anhydride (Man) and Styrene (St) were used to penetrate into wood for further copolymerization. SEM observation shows that polymer filled in wood porous structure and tightly contacted wood matrix (i.e. biopolymers), indicating strong interaction between them. FTIR analysis indicates that polymer chemically grafted onto wood matrix by reaction of anhydride group and hydroxyl group. As the amount of hydroxyl groups greatly reduced for their reacting with polymer, the dimensional stability of wood immersing in water was improved; and as the reaction of wood with polymer, the biopolymers were wrapped by resultant polymer, preventing the sample from attack of microorganisms, thus decay resistance of treated wood against microorganisms was greatly improved. Both of them contributed to the improvement of wood durability.
A design research study on enhancing creativity - The case of developing product-service bundles

As the sole production of goods is more and more becoming a commodity, many manufactures start bundling their physical products with related value-added services in order to differentiate their value propositions. The process of developing such customer-oriented combinations of products and services is an innovation process that requires the input of creative individuals. In this design-oriented paper we describe the conceptual design and prototypical implementation of an IT system that supports creative individuals performing such creative development efforts. The conceptual design builds on the provision of explicit knowledge by means of multi-perspective, hierarchical navigation structures. We argue that this concept (a) fosters information access that accords with the creative nature of a product development process and (b) furthering creative thinking through the provision of three distinct types of stimuli that actuates new entry points in a person’s cognitive network. The conceptual design of the system has its underpinnings in associative theories on creativity.
FBG inscription in non-hydrogenated SMF28 fiber with a ns Q-switched Nd:VO4 laser at 213 nm

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscription efficiencies with a nanosecond (ns) KrF-Excimer laser source at 248 nm and with a ns Q-switched, 5th-harmonic Nd:VO4 laser source at 213 nm were compared. With both laser sources the phase mask method was used for FBG inscription. The growth process of the refractive index change during UV-exposure is presented as a function of cumulated fluence for inscription in standard non-hydrogenated SMF28 fibers. The inscription efficiency was found to be significantly higher for the 213 nm than for the 248 nm radiation, indicating a higher photosensitivity at 213 nm compared to 248 nm in low Ge-doped fibers.
Nebivolol, But Not Metoprolol, Treatment Improves Endothelial Fibrinolytic Capacity in Adults With Elevated Blood Pressure

Background Vascular endothelial fibrinolytic function is impaired in adults with prehypertension and hypertension and plays a mechanistic role in the development of atherothrombotic events. The influence of β‐blockers on endothelial fibrinolysis is unknown. This study compared the effects of chronic nebivolol and metoprolol treatment on endothelial tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) release in adults with elevated blood pressure (BP). Methods and Results Forty‐four middle‐aged adults (36% women) with elevated BP completed a 3‐month, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial comparing nebivolol (5 mg/d), metoprolol succinate (100 mg/d), and placebo. Net endothelial t‐PA release was determined in vivo in response to intrabrachial infusions of bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside before and after each intervention. In a subset, the dose‐response curves to bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside were repeated with a coinfusion of the antioxidant vitamin C. At baseline, resting BP and endothelial t‐PA release were comparable between the 3 groups. BP decreased to a similar extent (≈10 mm Hg) in the nebivolol‐ and metoprolol‐treated groups. There was a substantial increase (≈30%; P<0.05) in the capacity of the endothelium to release t‐PA following chronic treatment with nebivolol but not metoprolol or placebo. Mitigating oxidant stress with vitamin C coinfusion potentiated t‐PA release (90%; P<0.05) at baseline in all groups. However, after the intervention, t‐PA release was unchanged by vitamin C coinfusion in the nebivolol group only. Conclusions Nebivolol but not metoprolol improves endothelial t‐PA release in adults with elevated BP. This may be an important vascular benefit of nebivolol. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01595516.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Neuroblastomas using High-Density Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Arrays

Background Neuroblastomas are characterized by chromosomal alterations with biological and clinical significance. We analyzed paired blood and primary tumor samples from 22 children with high-risk neuroblastoma for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and DNA copy number change using the Affymetrix 10K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Findings Multiple areas of LOH and copy number gain were seen. The most commonly observed area of LOH was on chromosome arm 11q (15/22 samples; 68%). Chromosome 11q LOH was highly associated with occurrence of chromosome 3p LOH: 9 of the 15 samples with 11q LOH had concomitant 3p LOH (P = 0.016). Chromosome 1p LOH was seen in one-third of cases. LOH events on chromosomes 11q and 1p were generally accompanied by copy number loss, indicating hemizygous deletion within these regions. The one exception was on chromosome 11p, where LOH in all four cases was accompanied by normal copy number or diploidy, implying uniparental disomy. Gain of copy number was most frequently observed on chromosome arm 17q (21/22 samples; 95%) and was associated with allelic imbalance in six samples. Amplification of MYCN was also noted, and also amplification of a second gene, ALK, in a single case. Conclusions This analysis demonstrates the power of SNP arrays for high-resolution determination of LOH and DNA copy number change in neuroblastoma, a tumor in which specific allelic changes drive clinical outcome and selection of therapy.
Contact fracture of brittle bilayer coatings on soft substrates

Contact-induced fracture modes in trilayers consisting of a brittle bilayer coating on a soft substrate were investigated. Experiments were performed on model transparent glass/sapphire/polycarbonate structures bonded with epoxy adhesive, to enable in situ observation during the contact. Individual layer surfaces were preferentially abraded to introduce uniform flaw states and so allowed each crack type to be studied separately and controllably. Fracture occurred by cone cracking at the glass top surface or by radial cracking at the glass or sapphire bottom surfaces. Critical loads for each crack type were measured, for fixed glass thickness and several specified sapphire thicknesses. Finite element modeling (FEM) was used to evaluate the critical load data for radial cracking, using as essential input material parameters evaluated from characterization tests on constituent materials and supplemental glass/polymer and sapphirse/polymer bilayer structures. The FEM calculations demonstrated pronounced stress transfer from the applied contact to the underlying sapphire layer, explaining a tendency for preferred fracture of this relatively stiff component. Factors affecting the design of optimal trilayer structures for maximum fracture resistance of practical layer systems were considered.
Modeling of internal geometry of 3D woven fabrics by computation method

This article enumerates a two-phase modeling technique to predict the properties of 3D woven structures. The first phase is devoted to the cross-section modeling of tows, the output of which is utilized in modeling of fabric internal geometry. The output of the modeling helps to predict internal geometry of various 3D constructions for design and development of textile structural composites. An analytical method for calculating the geometric description of the composite unit cell based on the summation of volumes of tows in the three principal directions is presented. The cross-sectional shape and aspect ratio of the stuffer, filler, and binder tows have been taken into consideration. The second phase of the model enables to play with yarn linear density, thread density, number of tow layers, binding structure, and packing factor of tows for predicting areal density, thickness, and volume fraction of the preform fabric before actually manufacturing it. Both the models compute the output values on MATLAB R2010b platform and it has been found that calculated values are in good agreement with measured values.
Development of Novel Formulations to Enhance in Vivo Transdermal Permeation of Tocopherol

Tocopherol represents a big challenge for transdermal permeation owing to its extreme hydrophobicity and large molecular mass. The aim of the present study was to develop alpha-tocopherol (T) topical formulations and evaluate their ex vivo and in vivo permeation. Franz diffusion cells were used for ex vivo permeation, and neonatal rats were used for in vivo permeation. Seven gel formulations and 21 liquid formulations were investigated for physical stability, viscosity and permeation of T. Analysis of T was performed by a validated HPLC method using a UV detector. The ex vivo permeation from gel and emulsion formulations was very poor (0.001-0.015 %). Highest permeation was observed from monophasic liquid formulations containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), tocopheryl polyethylene glycols (TPGs), propylene glycol, ethanol and 9.5 % T. The in vivo results demonstrated higher retention in the epidermis compared to subcutaneous tissues, 1377 and 1.13 μg g-1, respectively. Increasing T concentration from 4.8 to 9.5 % did not increase the amount permeated or % of T retained. It was concluded that simple solutions of T in the presence of DMSO and TPGs were more promising systems for effective transdermal permeation compared to gel, emulsion or oleaginous systems.
IR-03-061 Population Growth in Space and Time : The Spatial Logistic Equation

How great an effect does self-generated spatial structure have on logistic population growth? Results are described from an individual based model (IBM) with spatially localised dispersal and competition, and from a deterministic approximation to the IBM describing the dynamics of the first and second spatial moments. The dynamical system incorporates a novel closure that gives a close approximation to the IBM in the presence of strong spatial structure. Population growth given by the spatial logistic equation can differ greatly from that of the non-spatial logistic model. Numerical simulations show that populations may grow more slowly or more rapidly than would be expected from the non-spatial model, and may reach their maximum rate of increase at densities other than half of the carrying capacity. Populations can achieve asymptotic densities substantially greater than or less than the carrying capacity of the non-spatial logistic model, and can even tend towards extinction. These properties of the spatial logistic equation are caused by local dispersal and competition which affect spatial structure, which in turn affects population growth. Accounting for these local spatial processes brings the theory of single-species population growth a step closer to the growth of real spatiallystructured populations.
Towards Business Process Modeling in Business Contracting--Analyzing Collaboration Contracts as a Field of Application for Process Models

Today's rising quantity of business collaborations increases the relevance of business contracting between companies. This leads at the same time to more complex and incomprehensible business contracts. We state a need for new approaches to handle this complexity. Business process modeling is a well established methodology of business process management (BPM) that can be used to handle complexity in business processes. In this paper we argue that conceptual models can improve comprehensibility of complex contracts by modeling those parts of business contracts that regulate specific procedures. Based on a contract analysis we indentify different contract content types and their potential for process modeling. The results show great potential in some content types and less in others. Based on our findings we propose the design of a software-based recommendation tool that could facilitate business contract design and the comprehensibility of these contracts.
Managing Creative Risks

Business process management (BPM) has emerged as an important enabler for managing risks. Organizations use BPM techniques such as process modeling to create transparency and to identify process-related risks. Existent risk management frameworks distinguish between different types of risk, such as people, technical, and management risk. Our study suggests that creativity in business processes leads to a particular subset of risks which organizations respond to by applying specific strategies of risk avoidance and mitigation. These creative risks occur within business processes as different people come together to generate creative products. These people bring in different perceptions of creativity and aesthetics and solve creative tasks in different ways. Thus, business processes that involve creativity are characterized by a high variance both in process flow and process outcome which can lead to unwanted consequences. Based on interpretive case studies we introduce the concept of creative risk and explain what strategies organizations can apply to handle it.
Cultural Integration in Germany

This chapter investigates the integration processes of immigrants in Germany by comparing certain immigrant groups to natives differentiating by gender and immigrant generation. Indicators which are supposed to capture cultural integration of immigrants are differences in marital behavior as well as language abilities, ethnic identification and religious distribution. A special feature of the available data is information about overall life satisfaction, risk aversion and political interest. These indicators are also presented. All of these indicators are depicted in comparison between natives and immigrants differentiated by ethnic origin, gender and generation. This allows visualization of differences by ethnic groups and development over time. Statements about the cultural integration processes of immigrants are thus possible. Furthermore, economic integration in terms of female labor force participation is presented as an additional feature. Empirical findings suggest that differences among immigrants and between immigrants and Germans do exist and differ significantly by ethnic origin, gender and generation. But differences seem to diminish when we consider the second generations. This indicates greater adaptation to German norms and habits, and thus better cultural, socio-economic and political integration of second generation immigrants in Germany.
Visualizing Multidimensional Data with Glyph SPLOMs

Scatterplot matrices or SPLOMs provide a feasible method of visualizing and representing multi‐dimensional data especially for a small number of dimensions. For very high dimensional data, we introduce a novel technique to summarize a SPLOM, as a clustered matrix of glyphs, or a Glyph SPLOM. Each glyph visually encodes a general measure of dependency strength, distance correlation, and a logical dependency class based on the occupancy of the scatterplot quadrants. We present the Glyph SPLOM as a general alternative to the traditional correlation based heatmap and the scatterplot matrix in two examples: demography data from the World Health Organization (WHO), and gene expression data from developmental biology. By using both, dependency class and strength, the Glyph SPLOM illustrates high dimensional data in more detail than a heatmap but with more summarization than a SPLOM. More importantly, the summarization capabilities of Glyph SPLOM allow for the assertion of “necessity” causal relationships in the data and the reconstruction of interaction networks in various dynamic systems.
Deformation Transfer to Multi‐Component Objects

We present a simple and effective algorithm to transfer deformation between surface meshes with multiple components. The algorithm automatically computes spatial relationships between components of the target object, builds correspondences between source and target, and finally transfers deformation of the source onto the target while preserving cohesion between the target's components. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach on various complex models.