Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring convolutional networks for end-to-end visual servoing

Present image based visual servoing approaches rely on extracting hand crafted visual features from an image. Choosing the right set of features is important as it directly affects the performance of any approach. Motivated by recent breakthroughs in performance of data driven methods on recognition and localization tasks, we aim to learn visual feature representations suitable for servoing tasks in unstructured and unknown environments. In this paper, we present an end-to-end learning based approach for visual servoing in diverse scenes where the knowledge of camera parameters and scene geometry is not available a priori. This is achieved by training a convolutional neural network over color images with synchronised camera poses. Through experiments performed in simulation and on a quadrotor, we demonstrate the efficacy and robustness of our approach for a wide range of camera poses in both indoor as well as outdoor environments.
How does a regional climate model modify the projected climate change signal of the driving GCM: A study over different CORDEX regions using REMO

Global and regional climate model simulations are frequently used for regional climate change assessments and in climate impact modeling studies. To reflect the inherent and methodological uncertainties in climate modeling, the assessment of regional climate change requires ensemble simulations from different global and regional climate model combinations. To interpret the spread of simulated results, it is useful to understand how the climate change signal is modified in the GCM-RCM modelmodelgeneral circulation model-regional climate model (GCM-RCM) chain. This kind of information can also be useful for impact modelers; for the process of experiment design and when interpreting model results. In this study, we investigate how the simulated historical and future climate of the Max-Planck-Institute earth system model (MPI-ESM) is modified by dynamic downscaling with the regional model REMO in different world regions. The historical climate simulations for 1950–2005 are driven by observed anthropogenic forcing. The climate projections are driven by projected anthropogenic forcing according to different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). The global simulations are downscaled with REMO over the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) domains Africa, Europe, South America and West Asia from 2006–2100. This unique set of simulations allows for climate type specific analysis across multiple world regions and for multi-scenarios. We used a classification of climate types by Koppen-Trewartha to define evaluation regions with certain climate conditions. A systematic comparison of near-surface temperature and precipitation simulated by the regional and the global model is done. In general, the historical time period is well represented by the GCM and the RCM. Some different biases occur in the RCM compared to the GCM as in the Amazon Basin, northern Africa and the West Asian domain. Both models project similar warming, although somewhat less so by the RCM for certain regions and climate types. A common feature in regions of tropical climate types is that REMO shows dryer climate conditions than forMax Planck Institute for Meteorology-Earth System Model (MPI-ESM) for RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, leading to an opposing sign in the climate change signal. With an increase in radiative forcing from RCP 2.6 to RCP 8.5 and towards the end of the 21st century, some of the detected differences between GCM and RCM are more pronounced.
Creating 360° educational video: a case study

The application of virtual reality (VR) to education has been documented for over half a century. During this time studies investigating its use have demonstrated positive findings ranging from increased time on task, to enjoyment, motivation and retention. Despite this, VR systems have never achieved widespread adoption in education. This is arguably due to both limitations of the VR technologies themselves, and the overhead incurred by both content developers and users. In this paper we describe a case study of an alternative approach to creating educational VR content. Instead of using computer graphics, we used a spherical camera in conjunction with a VR head-mounted display to provide 360° educational lectures. The content creation process, as well as issues we encountered during this study are explained, before we conclude by discussing the viability of this approach.
Improving cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and resuscitation training by combining audiovisual feedback and debriefing*

Objective:Delivery of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases survival from cardiac arrest, yet studies have shown that cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality is often poor during actual in-hospital resuscitation. Furthermore, recent work has shown that audiovisual feedback alone during cardiopulmonary resuscitation modestly improves performance. We hypothesized that a multimodal training method comprising audiovisual feedback and immediate debriefing would improve cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance among care providers. Design:Prospective randomized interventional study. Setting:Simulated cardiac arrests at an academic medical center. Subjects:A total of 80 nurses were randomized to two groups. Intervention:Each group underwent three trials of simulated cardiac arrest. The “feedback” group received real-time audiovisual feedback during the second and third trials, whereas the “debriefing-only” group performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation without feedback. Both groups received short individual debriefing after the second trial. Measurements:Cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality was recorded using a cardiopulmonary resuscitation-sensing defibrillator that measures chest compression rate/depth and can deliver audiovisual feedback messages from both groups during the three trials. An adequate compression rate was defined as 90–110 compressions/min and an adequate depth as 38–51 mm. Main Results:In the debriefing-only group, the percentage of participants providing compressions of adequate depth increased after debriefing, from 38% to 68% (p = 0.015). In the feedback group, depth compliance improved from 19% to 58% (p = 0.002). Compression rate did not improve significantly with either intervention alone. The combination of feedback and debriefing improved compression rate compliance from 45% to 84% (p = 0.001) and resulted in a doubling of participants providing compressions of both adequate rate and depth, 29% vs. 64% (p = 0.005). Conclusions:Significant cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality deficits exist among healthcare providers. Debriefing or feedback alone improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality, but the combination led to marked performance improvements. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation feedback and debriefing may serve as a powerful tool to improve rescuer training and care for cardiac arrest patients.
Molecular confinement influences protein structure and enhances thermal protein stability

The sol‐gel method of encapsulating proteins in a silica matrix was investigated as a potential experimental system for testing the effects of molecular confinement on the structure and stability of proteins. We demonstrate that silica entrapment (1) is fully compatible with structure analysis by circular dichroism, (2) allows conformational studies in contact with solvents that would otherwise promote aggregation in solution, and (3) generally enhances thermal protein stability. Lysozyme, α‐lactalbumin, and metmyoglobin retained native‐like solution structures following sol‐gel encapsulation, but apomyoglobin was found to be largely unfolded within the silica matrix under control buffer conditions. The secondary structure of encapsulated apomyoglobin was unaltered by changes in pH and ionic strength of KCl. Intriguingly, the addition of other neutral salts resulted in an increase in the α‐helical content of encapsulated apomyoglobin in accordance with the Hofmeister ion series. We hypothesize that protein conformation is influenced directly by the properties of confined water in the pores of the silica. Further work is needed to differentiate the steric effects of the silica matrix from the solvent effects of confined water on protein structure and to determine the extent to which this experimental system mimics the effects of crowding and confinement on the function of macromolecules in vivo.
Profile Monitoring via Nonlinear Mixed Models

Profile monitoring is a relatively new technique in quality control best used where the process data follow a profile (or curve) at each time period. Little work has been done on the monitoring of nonlinear profiles. Previous work has assumed that the measurements within a profile are uncorrelated. To relax this restriction, we propose the use of nonlinear mixed models to monitor the nonlinear profiles in order to account for the correlation structure. We evaluate the effectiveness of fitting separate nonlinear regression models to each profile in Phase I control chart applications for data with uncorrelated errors and no random effects. For data with random effects, we compare the effectiveness of charts based on a separate nonlinear regression approach versus those based on a nonlinear mixed model approach. Our proposed approach uses the separate nonlinear regression model fits to obtain a nonlinear mixed model fit. Our studies show the nonlinear mixed model approach to be clearly superior to fitting separate nonlinear regression models. As a consequence, the nonlinear mixed model approach results in charts with good abilities to detect changes in Phase I data and has a simple-to-calculate control limit.
Physiologic Axial Load, Frictional Resistance, and the Football Shoe—Surface Interface

The purpose of this investigation was to report on the interaction between different types of athletic shoes and playing surfaces using physiologic loads of 40 and 220 lbs. This is a continuation of our previous report using a load of 25 lbs. Nine shoes by three manufacturers were characterized as turf, court, molded cleat, or traditional cleat and tested on both natural grass and synthetic turf. A specially designed pneumatic testing device was used in order to measure translational resistance and rotational torque of the shoe-surface interface. Measurements were acquired for 1) force-X describing translational loading, 2) moment-Y describing the torque generated by linear translation, and 3) moment-Z describing the moment generated by axial rotation, and data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc comparison. It was found that increased the axial loads from 40 to 220 lbs significantly increased the frictional resistance (p < .05) between the shoe and the artificial turf surface in a nonlinear fashion. Turf shoes demonstrated the most frictional resistance of any group for this condition. Increases in the forces generated in linear translation from the axial load of 40 to 220 lbs produced the most significant increases of any resistance test on the turf surface. The cleated shoes (both traditional and molded) generated the highest frictional and torsional resistance on the grass surface when compared to the other categories of shoes. Grass generated higher peak moments than turf for the cleated shoes. These results demonstrate the considerable differences between laboratory and physiologic conditions and that the increase in frictional resistance is nonlinear with increasing loads.
Maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of intervention programs to address micronutrient malnutrition: symposium report

Abstract Interventions to address micronutrient deficiencies have large potential to reduce the related disease and economic burden. However, the potential risks of excessive micronutrient intakes are often not well determined. During the Global Summit on Food Fortification, 9–11 September 2015, in Arusha, a symposium was organized on micronutrient risk–benefit assessments. Using case studies on folic acid, iodine and vitamin A, the presenters discussed how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of intervention programs to address micronutrient malnutrition. Pre‐implementation assessment of dietary intake, and/or biomarkers of micronutrient exposure, status and morbidity/mortality is critical in identifying the population segments at risk of inadequate and excessive intake. Dietary intake models allow to predict the effect of micronutrient interventions and their combinations, e.g. fortified food and supplements, on the proportion of the population with intakes below adequate and above safe thresholds. Continuous monitoring of micronutrient intake and biomarkers is critical to identify whether the target population is actually reached, whether subgroups receive excessive amounts, and inform program adjustments. However, the relation between regular high intake and adverse health consequences is neither well understood for many micronutrients, nor do biomarkers exist that can detect them. More accurate and reliable biomarkers predictive of micronutrient exposure, status and function are needed to ensure effective and safe intake ranges for vulnerable population groups such as young children and pregnant women. Modelling tools that integrate information on program coverage, dietary intake distribution and biomarkers will further enable program makers to design effective, efficient and safe programs.
Further discussion on a Block Triangular Observer Form

This paper discusses the existence conditions of a block triangular observer form (BTOF) for unforced nonlinear multi-output systems. The BTOF is originally presented in (J. Rudolph and M. Zeitz) to allow an established exact error linearization observer design method to be generalized to a larger class of multi-output systems. Its existence conditions are investigated in (J. Rudolph and M. Zeitz, 1994), (Y. Wang and A. Lynch, 2008). Different from the approach employed in previous works, where the existence conditions of a lower dimension state transformation putting certain subsystem into BTOF is discussed separately, this note considers the state transformation of the entire system at a time. The assumption that the outputs and states of the lower subsystems are treated as parameters, which is made in the previous works to simplify the derivation of the existence conditions, is removed. New necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the BTOF.
Using Aptamer-Based Technology to Probe the Plasma Proteome for Cardiovascular Disease Prediction.

Circulating biomarkers play a major role in risk stratification of patients with cardiovascular disease. The 3 most widely used cardiovascular biomarkers—troponin, C-reactive protein, and B-type natriuretic peptide—have each been shown to predict risk of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes beyond traditional clinical factors, and for that reason, use of these biomarkers is recommended in various practice guidelines. How then should additional biomarkers be added to the clinical armamentarium? The traditional approach has been for candidate biomarkers to emerge from preclinical or pilot clinical data and then be tested individually in progressively larger cohorts that typically involve thousands of patients. This serial approach is slow and requires the development of dedicated assays, typically immunoassays, to detect each biomarker of interest. Multiplexed immunoassays have been developed but typically are constrained by interference between antibodies, proteins, and assay diluents, leading to degradations in accuracy that limit the number of simultaneous assays
parMERASA -- Multi-core Execution of Parallelised Hard Real-Time Applications Supporting Analysability

Engineers who design hard real-time embedded systems express a need for several times the performance available today while keeping safety as major criterion. A breakthrough in performance is expected by parallelizing hard real-time applications and running them on an embedded multi-core processor, which enables combining the requirements for high-performance with timing-predictable execution. parMERASA will provide a timing analyzable system of parallel hard real-time applications running on a scalable multicore processor. parMERASA goes one step beyond mixed criticality demands: It targets future complex control algorithms by parallelizing hard real-time programs to run on predictable multi-/many-core processors. We aim to achieve a breakthrough in techniques for parallelization of industrial hard real-time programs, provide hard real-time support in system software, WCET analysis and verification tools for multi-cores, and techniques for predictable multi-core designs with up to 64 cores.
Metadesigning e-government services: a case study in a local agency

This paper describes the ongoing collaboration between the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Brescia and a local government agency. The goal is to create the socio-technical conditions for transferring the ability to develop web-based government-to-citizen services from software professionals to administrative personnel. To this end, proper end-user development techniques should be defined by capturing and exploiting employees' best practices and expertise. With reference to a typical government service, the paper reports summary results from a study of administrative personnel work practices and explores employees' motivations to become end-user software developers. It then outlines the design pattern language we have been defining for the considered domain to represent, from the employees' point of view, the problems encountered while creating government services together with their possible solutions. This is the starting point for identifying a further language that addresses the problem of end-user development of e-government services from an interaction-design point of view. These pattern languages can be regarded as metadesign tools for end-user development whose final aim is to support, and even improve, existing best practices in service creation, thus increasing employees' motivation and engagement in end-user development activities.
Antibiotic use in animal feed and its impact on human healt

Abstract Antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause disease in man is an issue of major concern. Although misuse of antibiotics in human medicine is the principal cause of the problem, antibiotic-resistant bacteria originating in animals are contributory factors, with some types of resistance in some species of bacteria. Antibiotics are added to animal feeds to treat and prevent infections and to improve growth and production. Until recently, the major concerns about incorporation of antibiotics in animal feeds related to antibiotic residues in products from treated animals. Although, in 1969, the Swann (1969) report drew attention to the potential for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to spread from treated animals via the food chain, there was little response until the detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in animals fed a related glycopeptide, avoparcin. Subsequently, attention started to focus on the issue and other examples of transfer of resistant bacteria through the food chain, such as enterococci resistant to quinupristin–dalfopristin or to everninomicin, fluoroquinolone-resistant campylobacters and multiresistant Escherichia coli, and salmonella such as Salmonella typhimurium DT104. Reviews and committees in many countries have highlighted the need for better control of licensing of antibiotics, and codes for prudent use of antibiotics by veterinary practitioners and farmers. The continued use of antibiotic growth promoters has been questioned and there is a need to ensure that antibiotics important in human medicine are not used therapeutically or prophylactically in animals.
Quantitation of Binding 15 15 From : Methods in Molecular Biology

Numerous authors, including contributors to this volume, have described methods to detect protein–protein interactions. Many of these approaches are now accessible to the inexperienced investigator thanks to core facilities and/or affordable instrumentation. This chapter discusses some common design considerations that are necessary to obtain valid measurements, as well as the assumptions and analytical methods that are relevant to the quantitation of these interactions.
Analysis of flow field and temperature distribution in compact strip production casting process

A three-dimensional finite difference model has been formulated, using the commercial code CFX4, to describe the fluid flow and heat transfer in the funnel mould and secondary cooling segment of the compact strip production (CSP) casting process. Through simulation and computation with the established simulation model, influences of the factors such as casting speed, casting superheat, immersion depth of submerged entrance nozzle, amount of cooling water in the secondary cooling segment on flow field and temperature field in the funnel mould and secondary cooling segment of CSP technology were analysed.
Central Corneal Thickness in Highly Myopic Eyes: Inter-device Agreement of Ultrasonic Pachymetry, Pentacam and Orbscan II Before and After Photorefractive Keratectomy

Purpose To determine inter-device agreement for central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement among ultrasound pachymetry, rotating Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), and scanning slit corneal topography (Orbscan II, Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) in highly myopic eyes before and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Methods This prospective comparative study included 61 eyes of 32 patients with high myopia who underwent PRK. Six month postoperative CCT values were compared to preoperative values in 27 patients (51 eyes) who completed the follow up period. To determine the level of agreement, Pentacam and Orbscan II readings were compared to ultrasonic pachymetry measurements as the gold standard method. Results Mean CCT measurements with ultrasound, Pentacam, and Orbscan II before PRK were 557µm, 556µm, and 564µm, respectively; and 451µm, 447µm, and 438µm 6 months after surgery in the same order. Preoperatively, the 95% limits of agreement (LoA) with ultrasound measurements were -20μm to 17μm for Pentacam and -21μm to 33μm for Orbscan II. Six months postoperatively, the 95% LoA were -30μm to 23μm for Pentacam and -69μm to 43μm for Orbscan II. Conclusion Preoperatively, CCT measurements were higher with Orbscan II as compared to ultrasound. Postoperatively, both Pentacam and Orbscan II measurements were lower than those obtained with ultrasound, but Pentacam had better agreement. The use of ultrasound, as the gold standard method, or Pentacam both appear to be preferable over Orbscan II among patients with high myopia.
There is more to Typing than Speed: Expressive Mobile Touch Keyboards via Dynamic Font Personalisation

Typing is a common task on mobile devices and has been widely addressed in HCI research, mostly regarding quantitative factors such as error rates and speed. Qualitative aspects, like personal expressiveness, have received less attention. This paper makes individual typing behaviour visible to the users to render mobile typing more personal and expressive in varying contexts: We introduce a dynamic font personalisation framework, TapScript, which adapts a finger-drawn font according to user behaviour and context, such as finger placement, device orientation and movements - resulting in a handwritten-looking font. We implemented TapScript for evaluation with an online survey (N=91) and a field study with a chat app (N=11). Looking at resulting fonts, survey participants distinguished pairs of typists with 84.5% accuracy and walking/sitting with 94.8%. Study participants perceived fonts as individual and the chat experience as personal. They also made creative explicit use of font adaptations.