Unsupervised learning of an atlas from unlabeled point-sets

One of the key challenges in deformable shape modeling is the problem of estimating a meaningful average or mean shape from a set of unlabeled shapes. We present a new joint clustering and matching algorithm that is capable of computing such a mean shape from multiple shape samples which are represented by unlabeled point-sets. An iterative bootstrap process is used wherein multiple shape sample point-sets are nonrigidly deformed to the emerging mean shape, with subsequent estimation of the mean shape based on these nonrigid alignments. The process is entirely symmetric with no bias toward any of the original shape sample point-sets. We believe that this method can be especially useful for creating atlases of various shapes present in medical images. We have applied the method to create mean shapes from nine hand-segmented 2D corpus callosum data sets and 10 hippocampal 3D point-sets.     

Video processing for active‐matrix polymer OLED TV

Abstract— Active‐matrix OLED panels have inherent features that allow a higher‐quality image reproduction than LCD panels, i.e., high‐contrast, fast response time, and the capability to produce locally high peak luminance levels. We demonstrated a 13‐in.‐ink‐jet‐printed active‐matrix polymer‐OLED prototype for TV applications at SID 2004. This prototype is used as a carrier for studying video‐processing algorithms that take full advantage of the specific characteristics of OLEDs. Addressing schemes, gamut conversion, histogram‐based brightness control, and sparkle processing will be discussed.     

The NSF Foundation Coalition: The First Five Years

The Foundation Coalition was funded in 1993 as the fifth coalition in the National Science Foundation's Engineering Education Coalitions Program. The member institutions—Arizona State University, Maricopa Community College District, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University - Kingsville, Texas Woman's University, and the University of Alabama—have developed improved curricula and learning environment models that are based on four primary thrusts: integration of subject matter within the curriculum, cooperative and active learning, technology-enabled learning, and continuous improvement through assessment and evaluation. This paper discusses the first five years of Coalition activities and major accomplishments to date.     

Heteroleptic thiolate diamine nickel complexes: Noble-free-metal catalysts in electrocatalytic and light-driven hydrogen evolution reaction

Three mononuclear heteroleptic nickel complexes bearing the non-innocent o-aminobenzenethiolate (2-amnt) ligand and different diamine ligands, namely, [Ni(2-amnt)(o-phen)] (o-phen = o-phenylenediamine) (1), [Ni(2-amnt)(3,4-daba)] (3,4-daba = 3, 4-diamino benzoic acid) (2) and [Ni(2-amnt)(dmnt)] (dmnt = diaminomaleonitrile) (3), were synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1–3 are active homogeneous proton reduction electrocatalysts in dimethylformamide with trifluoroacetic acid as a proton source. All the three complexes are tested in light-driven hydrogen evolution reaction, indicating different catalytic efficiencies. Thus, although complex 3 indicates no catalytic action, both complexes 1 and 2 catalyze H₂ evolution in water-dimethylformamide solutions using fluorescein (Fl) as a photosensitizer. Complex 2 acts as a homogeneous catalyst reached 834 turnovers (TON); whereas 1, despite being active in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), decomposes to form nanomaterials. DFT calculations combined with electrochemical and spectroscopic data were employed to investigate the catalytic mechanism for H₂ formation as well as to unravel the key factors that influence the relative catalytic efficiencies. The proposed catalytic pathway involves ligand-based reduction and protonation steps followed by the formation of a nickel-hydride intermediate that reacts with a solution proton to generate H₂ via a very low energy transition state.     

The effects of habituation and adding a rest-frame on experienced simulator sickness in an advanced mobility scooter driving simulator

The aim of this article is to investigate the effect of a physical rest-frame, habituation and age on simulator sickness in an advanced mobility scooter driving simulator. Twenty-six young and 34 older adults completed a total of 12 drives in an advanced mobility scooter driving simulator over two visits. A 2x2 crossover design was used to measure the effect of a rest frame that was added to the driving simulator on either the first or second visit. The Simulator Sickness Questionnaire was used to measure simulator sickness symptoms. A significant decrease in simulator sickness was observed between the first and the second visit. Older adults reported more severe simulator sickness symptoms compared to younger participants. No effect of rest-frame could be found. Habituation appears to be the most effective method to reduce simulator sickness in an advanced mobility scooter driving simulator. More research is needed to investigate simulator sickness in patient groups.

Practitioner summary: Experiencing simulator sickness is a major problem across all types of simulators. The present experiment investigated the effect of a rest-frame, habituation and age on developing simulator sickness symptoms in an advanced mobility scooter driving simulator. Habituation appeared to be the most effective method to reduce simulator sickness.     

Quality management system and accreditation of the in vivo monitoring laboratory at Karslruhe Institute of Technology

The in vivo monitoring laboratory (IVM) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), with one whole body counter and three partial-body counters, is an approved lab for individual monitoring according to German regulation. These approved labs are required to prove their competencies by accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005. In 2007 a quality management system (QMS), which was successfully audited and granted accreditation, was set up at the IVM. The system is based on the ISO 9001 certified QMS of the central safety department of the Research Centre Karlsruhe the IVM belonged to at that time. The system itself was set up to be flexible and could be adapted to the recent organisational changes (e.g. founding of KIT and an institute for radiation research) with only minor effort.     

CARE: an automobile crash data analysis tool

The Critical Analysis Reporting Environment provides an efficient tool for transportation safer engineers and policymakers to use in analyzing the categorical crash data typically obtained from police reports. CAPE has proven successful in the traffic safety community for two reasons: its simplicity and its efficiency. It is currently being used in several states.