nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Joint Rain Detection and Removal via Iterative Region Dependent Multi Task Learning
Venue: ArXiv

In this paper, we address a rain removal problem from a single image, even in the presence of heavy rain and rain accumulation. Our core ideas lie in our new rain image models and a novel deep learning architecture. We first modify the commonly used model, which is a linear combination of a rain streak layer and a background layer, by adding a binary map that locates rain streak regions. Second, we create a model consisting of a component representing rain accumulation (where individual streaks cannot be seen, and thus visually similar to mist or fog) and another component representing various shapes and directions of overlapping rain streaks, which normally happen in heavy rain. Based on the first model, we develop a multi task deep learning architecture that learns the binary rain streak map, the appearance of rain streaks, and the clean background, which is our ultimate output. The additional binary map is critically beneficial, since its loss function can provide additional strong information to the network. In many cases though, rain streaks can be dense and large in their size, thus to obtain the clean background, we need spatial contextual information. For this, we utilize the dilated convolution. To handle rain accumulation (again, a phenomenon visually similar to mist or fog) and various shapes and directions of overlapping rain streaks, we propose an iterative information feedback (IIF) network that removes rain streaks and clears up the rain accumulation iteratively and progressively. Overall, this multi task learning and iterative information feedback benefits each other and constitutes a network that is end to end trainable. Our extensive evaluation on real images, particularly on heavy rain, shows the effectiveness of our novel models and architecture, outperforming the state of the art methods significantly.
Automatic Shadow Detection and Removal from a Single Image
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence

We present a framework to automatically detect and remove shadows in real world scenes from a single image. Previous works on shadow detection put a lot of effort in designing shadow variant and invariant hand crafted features. In contrast, our framework automatically learns the most relevant features in a supervised manner using multiple convolutional deep neural networks (ConvNets) The features are learned at the super pixel level and along the dominant boundaries in the image. The predicted posteriors based on the learned features are fed to a conditional random field model to generate smooth shadow masks. Using the detected shadow masks, we propose a Bayesian formulation to accurately extract shadow matte and subsequently remove shadows. The Bayesian formulation is based on a novel model which accurately models the shadow generation process in the umbra and penumbra regions. The model parameters are efficiently estimated using an iterative optimization procedure. Our proposed framework consistently performed better than the state of the art on all major shadow databases collected under a variety of conditions.
Vascularized composite allotransplantation: a closer look at the banff working classification
Venue: Transplant international official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation

The first Banff vascularized composite allotransplantation meeting was held in 2007 to standardize criteria for the characterization and reporting of severity and types of rejection. As a result, the 2007 Banff VCA working classification for skin allograft pathology was formalized and now serves as the standard for diagnosis of VCA rejection. Similar to other working classification systems, strengths and limitations have been identified including the adequacy of the specimen, the definition of severity between grades, the reproducibility, the adequacy of the specimens, the types of rejection, and the integration of newer technologies such as molecular and genomic approaches. Although a relatively few number of cases have been performed and followed up to date, additional phenotypes such as antibody mediated rejection, fibrosis, atrophy, and vascular changes are being reported and characterized based on accumulated experience in the field of VCA and parallels with other solid organs. This study aims to consider strengths and limitations of the Banff VCA working system and highlights ongoing challenges and opportunities available related to histopathology in this emerging field of transplantation.
Oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions on Ru, RuO2, Ir, and IrO2 thin film electrodes in acidic and alkaline electrolytes: A comparative study on activity and stability

Metallic iridium and ruthenium as well as their oxides are among the most active oxygen evolution (OER) electrocatalysts in acidic media, and are also of interest for the catalysis of the hydrogen evolution (HER) The stability of these materials under different operating conditions is, however, still not fully understood. In the current work, activity and stability of well defined Ru, RuO2, Ir, and IrO2 thin film electrodes are evaluated in acidic and alkaline electrolytes using an electrochemical scanning flow cell (SFC) connected to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP MS) Identical experimental protocols are intentionally employed for all electrodes and electrolytes, to obtain unambiguous and comparable information on intrinsic activity and stability of the electrodes. It is found that independent of the electrolyte, OER activity decreases as Ru Ir RuO2 IrO2, while dissolution increases as IrO2 RuO2
Genomic assisted haplotype analysis and the development of high throughput SNP markers for salinity tolerance in soybean
Venue: Scientific reports

Soil salinity is a limiting factor of crop yield. The soybean is sensitive to soil salinity, and a dominant gene, Glyma03g32900 is primarily responsible for salt tolerance. The identification of high throughput and robust markers as well as the deployment of salt tolerant cultivars are effective approaches to minimize yield loss under saline conditions. We utilized high quality (15x) whole genome resequencing (WGRS) on 106 diverse soybean lines and identified three major structural variants and allelic variation in the promoter and genic regions of the GmCHX1 gene. The discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with structural variants facilitated the design of six KASPar assays. Additionally, haplotype analysis and pedigree tracking of 93 U.S. ancestral lines were performed using publically available WGRS datasets. Identified SNP markers were validated, and a strong correlation was observed between the genotype and salt treatment phenotype (leaf scorch, chlorophyll content and Na+ accumulation) using a panel of 104 soybean lines and, an interspecific bi parental population (F8) from PI483463 x Hutcheson. These markers precisely identified salt tolerant/sensitive genotypes >91% and different structural variants >98% These SNP assays, supported by accurate phenotyping, haplotype analyses and pedigree tracking information, will accelerate marker assisted selection programs to enhance the development of salt tolerant soybean cultivars.
Development and validation of the Axiom((r) Apple480K SNP genotyping array.
Venue: The Plant journal for cell and molecular biology

Cultivated apple (Malus x domestica Borkh. is one of the most important fruit crops in temperate regions, and has great economic and cultural value. The apple genome is highly heterozygous and has undergone a recent duplication which, combined with a rapid linkage disequilibrium decay, makes it difficult to perform genome wide association (GWA) studies. Single nucleotide polymorphism arrays offer highly multiplexed assays at a relatively low cost per data point and can be a valid tool for the identification of the markers associated with traits of interest. Here, we describe the development and validation of a 487K SNP Affymetrix Axiom((r) genotyping array for apple and discuss its potential applications. The array has been built from the high depth resequencing of 63 different cultivars covering most of the genetic diversity in cultivated apple. The SNPs were chosen by applying a focal points approach to enrich genic regions, but also to reach a uniform coverage of non genic regions. A total of 1324 apple accessions, including the 92 progenies of two mapping populations, have been genotyped with the Axiom((r) Apple480K to assess the effectiveness of the array. A large majority of SNPs (359 994 or 74% fell in the stringent class of poly high resolution polymorphisms. We also devised a filtering procedure to identify a subset of 275K very robust markers that can be safely used for germplasm surveys in apple. The Axiom((r) Apple480K has now been commercially released both for public and proprietary use and will likely be a reference tool for GWA studies in apple.
Comparative population genomics of latitudinal variation in Drosophila simulans and Drosophila melanogaster
Venue: Molecular ecology

Examples of clinal variation in phenotypes and genotypes across latitudinal transects have served as important models for understanding how spatially varying selection and demographic forces shape variation within species. Here, we examine the selective and demographic contributions to latitudinal variation through the largest comparative genomic study to date of Drosophila simulans and Drosophila melanogaster, with genomic sequence data from 382 individual fruit flies, collected across a spatial transect of 19 degrees latitude and at multiple time points over 2 years. Consistent with phenotypic studies, we find less clinal variation in D. simulans than D. melanogaster, particularly for the autosomes. Moreover, we find that clinally varying loci in D. simulans are less stable over multiple years than comparable clines in D. melanogaster. D. simulans shows a significantly weaker pattern of isolation by distance than D. melanogaster and we find evidence for a stronger contribution of migration to D. simulans population genetic structure. While population bottlenecks and migration can plausibly explain the differences in stability of clinal variation between the two species, we also observe a significant enrichment of shared clinal genes, suggesting that the selective forces associated with climate are acting on the same genes and phenotypes in D. simulans and D. melanogaster.
Mirroring Facial Expressions and Emotions in Dyadic Conversations
Venue: LREC

This paper presents an investigation of mirroring facial expressions and the emotions which they convey in dyadic naturally occurring first encounters. Mirroring facial expressions are a common phenomenon in face to face interactions, and they are due to the mirror neuron system which has been found in both animals and humans. Researchers have proposed that the mirror neuron system is an important component behind many cognitive processes such as action learning and understanding the emotions of others. Preceding studies of the first encounters have shown that overlapping speech and overlapping facial expressions are very frequent. In this study, we want to determine whether the overlapping facial expressions are mirrored or are otherwise correlated in the encounters, and to what extent mirroring facial expressions convey the same emotion. The results of our study show that the majority of smiles and laughs, and one fifth of the occurrences of raised eyebrows are mirrored in the data. Moreover some facial traits in co occurring expressions co occur more often than it would be expected by chance. Finally, amusement, and to a lesser extent friendliness, are often emotions shared by both participants, while other emotions indicating individual affective states such as uncertainty and hesitancy are never showed by both participants, but co occur with complementary emotions such as friendliness and support. Whether these tendencies are specific to this type of conversations or are more common should be investigated further.
Would you like to play together? Adults' attachment and the mirror game
Venue: Attachment human development

Why is it easy for some people to play together and difficult for others? In this interdisciplinary pilot study, we looked at dyadic interaction in motion as a paradigm to explore the expression of attachment in adulthood. We used a device that gives simple, quantitative and automated indicators for the quality of interaction while playing the mirror game. Forty seven participants played the mirror game with the same gender matched expert players. In addition, participants were interviewed on the Adult Attachment Interview to assess their quality of attachment. Using high resolution kinematic measures, we found that secure attachment was correlated with high complexity of the game and low synchrony compared to insecure attachment. The findings suggest that security of attachment is related to a more exploratory and less rigid game than insecure dismissing attachment. These preliminary findings imply that high resolution analysis of simple movement interaction could carry information about attachment behavior.
Immigration and growth of GDP in the United States of America

This paper estimates the effect of immigration on real GDP in the United States of America using annual time series data from 1950 to 2013. For the estimation and analysis an aggregate production function model is developed in which total capital, labor, and immigration are variables to explain real GDP. Before estimating the model the time series properties of the data are diagnosed and an error correction model is developed and estimated. The estimated results suggest that labor and capital have a significant effect on output growth. Immigration, however, has neither positive nor negative statistical effect on real GDP.
Immigration dependent extensive growth in small island tourism economies The cases of Aruba and Sint Maarten

Aruba and Sint Maarten are two countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, situated in the Caribbean. Both have embarked on a dedicated tourism driven and highly immigration dependent development model starting in the 1970s and 1980s, making them typical examples of 'Small Island Tourist Economies' or SITEs. This article focuses on one aspect of the quality of their development, which is whether this high volume strategy has resulted in increased productivity. To that end, the development of several tourism volume indicators is compared to real gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Using real per capita GDP as an indicator, an assessment is made of labour productivity growth. Production volume has increased enormously through foreign investments and immigration, while productivity has remained stagnant. Given the intrinsic limitations of the two island territories, to achieve a sustainable strategy, Aruba and Sint Maarten need to limit production volume while attracting more productive investments and.
Performance of a non contact infrared thermometer in healthy newborns
Venue: BMJ Open

To evaluate the performance of a non contact infrared thermometer (NCIT) in comparison with digital axillary thermometer (DAT) and infrared tympanic thermometers (ITT) in a population of healthy at term and preterm newborns nursed in incubators. Setting 1 level III maternity hospital, and its intensive neonatal care unit. Participants 119 healthy at term newborns and 70 preterm newborns nursed in incubators were consecutively enrolled. Exclusion criteria were unstable/critical conditions, polymalformative congenital syndromes and severe congenital syndromes.  Body temperature readings were prospectively collected. Each participant underwent bilateral axillary temperature measurement with DAT, bilateral tympanic measurement with ITT and mid forehead temperature measurements using NCIT.  Degree of agreement between methods was evaluated by the Bland and Altman method.  714 measurements in 119 healthy at term newborns and 420 measurements in 70 preterm newborns nursed in incubators were performed. Clinical reproducibility of NCIT was 0.0455degC for infants in incubators and 0.0861degC for infants outside an incubator. Bias was 0.029degC for infants in incubators and <0.0001degC for infants outside an incubator. Zero outliers were recorded. The mean difference between methods was good both for newborns at term (0.12degC for NCIT vs DAT and 0.02degC for NCIT vs ITT) and preterm newborns in incubators (0.10degC for NCIT vs DAT and 0.14degC for NCIT vs ITT) Limits of agreement were 0.99 to 0.75 and 0.78 to 0.75 in at term newborns and were particularly satisfactory in preterm newborns in incubators (95% CI: 0.48 to 0.27 and 0.68 to 0.40)  Our results with Bland and Altman analysis demonstrate that NCIT is a very promising tool, especially in preterm newborns nursed in incubators.
Satellite formation control and navigation experiment platform based on UAVs
Venue: CCC 2016

In order to simulate the in orbit movement of formation satellites, the unmanned helicopter is utilized to set up the microgravity environment relative navigation ground simulation platform. The platform can provide the movement of six degrees of freedom and can simulate the formation satellite flying in three dimensional space. The test platform includes host computer system, communication system, UAVs formation control system, satellite attitude simulation system, and so on. Sensors are equipped with laser radar and visible light cameras. Formation control and navigation of multi body can be achieved under complex network environment. The platform can be used for the test of satellite autonomous formation simulation, joint fleet navigation, and so on. The algorithm of multi body formation, multi source and multi target tracking based on sensor network, multi body navigation and remote control can be verified on this platform.
The impacts of urban mass rapid transit lines on the density and mobility of high income households: A case study of Singapore

Urban rail transit could affect urban development in multiple aspects. Using Singapore as an example, we investigate the impact of planners' and developers' decisions on the density distribution of high income households in areas around Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations and how these households respond to better access to urban rail transit systems. We find that the maximum density permitted by the master plan is only marginally correlated with the distances to MRT stations. Instead, the average unit size tends to be smaller, and the share of small sized units tends to be higher in new private projects that are close to MRT stations after the new lines are in operation. This indicates that developers, who act mainly in response to the market, intentionally place more housing units in developments closer to MRT stations. Consequently, more upper and upper middle class households that can afford private housing are accommodated in areas with greater accessibility to MRT. By comparing two household travel surveys before and after the opening of the Circle Line, we find that MRT did not change household demographics much in the station area, but there was an evident change in the mode share of trips made by the surveyed households, embodied by lower levels of car dependence and more reliance on MRT.
The Shadow Cost of Bank Capital Requirements

We estimate the shadow cost of capital requirements using data on a costly loophole that allowed banks to relax these constraints. This loophole liquidity guarantees to asset backed commercial paper conduits was exploited by the largest banks before the crisis of 2008. We show theoretically that a bank's use of the loophole reveals its private compliance cost, which takes into account both the costs of issuing equity and the effectiveness of capital regulation. We find that increasing capital requirements would impose a modest cost $220 million a year for all participating banks combined per one percentage point increase, and $14 million on average. Received June 5, 2015; accepted February 23, 2016
A Computer Vision Algorithm for Omnidirectional Bee Counting at Langstroth Beehive Entrances

A computer vision algorithm is proposed for omnidirectional bee counting in images of Langstroth beehive entrances captured in situ with a miniature camera connected to a multi sensor, solar powered electronic beehive monitoring device. The algorithm consists of three stages: pre processing, landing pad identification, and omnidirectional bee counting. In the pre processing stage, an approximate image region where the landing pad is likely to be is cropped and the brightness of the cropped image adjusted. The landing pad identification is obtained through iterative reduction of the cropped image to the actual landing pad. Omnidirectional bee counts are computed by dividing the total number of bee pixels by the average number of pixels occupied by individual bees. The algorithm was evaluated on 1,781 images from two electronic beehive monitoring devices deployed in Langstroth beehives with live honeybees and achieved an accuracy of over 80 per cent compared to the ground truth obtained from human evaluators.  vision; contour analysis; color analysis; electronic beehive monitoring; sustainable computing
HYDROGEN FUELED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE: A REVIEW

Continuous and fast depletion of the fossil fuels and exponential growth in the industrial demand for conventional fuels are increasing sharply. This is demanding the circumstances to carry out research in order to find out the viable alternate fuels, for meeting sustainable energy demand with minimum environmental hazards, cost effective and safe. All the above challenges can be addressed by the use of hydrogen as an alternate fuel. In this paper the fundamentals of the hydrogen as a fuel in the internal combustion engine has been discussed. Fuel properties such as combustion, performance and emission characteristics of hydrogen fuelled engine are been described.
Street vending and waste picking in developing countries: a long standing hazardous occupational activity of the urban poor
Venue: International journal of occupational and environmental health

Uncontrolled urbanization in developing countries has led to widespread urban poverty and increased susceptibility to environmental exposures owing to the hazardous occupational activities of the urban poor. Street vending and waste picking are the dominant works undertaken by the urban poor, and besides the physical hazards, it also exposes them to several pathogens and high levels of air pollutants present in the outdoor environment. The situation has severe consequences for the health of the workers. Eliminating these occupational activities from the urban landscape of developing countries should therefore receive urgent attention from the global health community and governments. In this article, we provide evidence to support this policy recommendation by documenting exposure experiences of the workers, the associated adverse health effects, whilst also outlining measures for addressing the problem sustainably. We conclude that with the adoption of the sustainable development goals (SDG) governments now have a commitment to address poverty and the associated occupational health hazards experienced by the poor through their choices to help achieve the health related SDG target (3.9) of substantially reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination by 2030.