Split‐Depth Image Generation and Optimization

Split‐depth images use an optical illusion, which can enhance the 3D impression of a 2D animation. In split‐depth images (also often called split‐depth GIFs due to the commonly used file format), static virtual occluders inform of vertical or horizontal bars are added to a video clip, which leads to occlusions that are interpreted by the observer as a depth cue. In this paper, we study different factors that contribute to the illusion and propose a solution to generate split‐depth images for a given RGB + depth image sequence. The presented solution builds upon a motion summarization of the object of interest (OOI) through space and time. It allows us to formulate the bar positioning as an energy‐minimization problem, which we solve efficiently. We take a variety of important features into account, such as the changes of the 3D effect due to changes in the motion topology, occlusion, the proximity of bars or the OOI, and scene saliency. We conducted a number of psycho‐visual experiments to derive an appropriate energy formulation. Our method helps in finding optimal positions for the bars and, thus, improves the 3D perception of the original animation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a variety of examples. Our study with novice users shows that our approach allows them to quickly create satisfying results even for complex animations.     

General and Robust Error Estimation and Reconstruction for Monte Carlo Rendering

Adaptive filtering techniques have proven successful in handling non‐uniform noise in Monte‐Carlo rendering approaches. A recent trend is to choose an optimal filter per pixel from a selection of non spatially‐varying filters. Nonetheless, the best filter choice is difficult to predict in the absence of a reference rendering. Our approach relies on the observation that the reconstruction error is locally smooth for a given filter. Hence, we propose to construct a dense error prediction from a small set of sparse but robust estimates. The filter selection is then formulated as a non‐local optimization problem, which we solve via graph cuts, to avoid visual artifacts due to inconsistent filter choices. Our approach does not impose any restrictions on the used filters, outperforms previous state‐of‐the‐art techniques and provides an extensible framework for future reconstruction techniques.     

Making Imperfect Shadow Maps View‐Adaptive: High‐Quality Global Illumination in Large Dynamic Scenes

We propose an algorithm to compute interactive indirect illumination in dynamic scenes containing millions of triangles. It makes use of virtual point lights (VPL) to compute bounced illumination and a point‐based scene representation to query indirect visibility, similar to Imperfect Shadow Maps (ISM). To ensure a high fidelity of indirect light and shadows, our solution is made view‐adaptive by means of two orthogonal improvements: First, the VPL distribution is chosen to provide more detail, that is, more dense VPL sampling, where these contribute most to the current view. Second, the scene representation for indirect visibility is adapted to ensure geometric detail where it affects indirect shadows in the current view.     

A complete, exact and efficient implementation for computing the edge-adjacency graph of an arrangement of quadrics

We present a complete, exact and efficient implementation to compute the edge-adjacency graph of an arrangement of quadrics, i.e. surfaces of algebraic degree 2. This is a major step towards the computation of the full 3D arrangement. We enhanced an implementation for an exact parameterization of the intersection curves of two quadrics, such that we can compute the exact parameter value for intersection points and from that the edge-adjacency graph of the arrangement. Our implementation is complete in the sense that it can handle all kinds of inputs including all degenerate ones, i.e. singularities or tangential intersection points. It is exact in that it always computes the mathematically correct result. It is efficient measured in running times, i.e. it compares favorably to the only previous implementation.     

Memorandum on design-oriented information systems research

Information Systems Research (“Wirtschaftsinformatik”) basically follows two research approaches: the behavioristic approach and the design-oriented approach. In this memorandum, 10 authors propose principles of design-oriented information systems research. Moreover, the memorandum is supported by 111 full professors from the German-speaking scientific community, who with their signature advocate the principles specified therein.     

Synthesis of thioether phosphocholine analogues

The synthesis of thioether phospholipids, which represent a new class of antitumor agents, is reported here. In particular, the route of synthesis of 3-hexadecylmercapto-2-methoxymethylpropyl-2′-trimethylammonio-ethyl phosphate (BM 41.440, Ilmofosine), one of the most potent cytostatic/cytotoxic derivatives, is described in detail. Starting with diethylbis-hydroxymethylmalonate, ethyl 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylate is formed via diethyl 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-5,5-dicarboxylate and 5-ethoxycarbonyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylic acid. Reduction of ethyl 2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylate with LiAlH₄ affords 5-hydroxymethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane. Alkylation with dimethyl sulfate gives 5-methoxymethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dioxane. The ring structure then is opened byN-bromosuccinimide, resulting in the formation of 3-bromo-2-methoxymethylpropyl benzoate. Reaction of 3-bromo-2-methoxymethylpropyl benzoate with the sodium salt of hexadecanethiol leads to 3-hexadecylmercapto-2-methoxy-methylpropanol, which is reacted with a cyclic chlorophosphate to give the corresponding phosphorylated 3-hexadecylmercapto-2-methoxymethylpropanol. Treatment with trimethylamine yields BM 41.440. This compound already has been tested in clinical phase I/II trials in West Germany.     

Sinapingehalte in Speisesenf

Zusammenfassung In 16 Speisesenfproben wird ein Sinapingehalt von 4,4–7,1 m/g Frischgewicht festgestellt. Für den Geschmack kommt dem bitter schmekkenden Sinapin nur eine untergeordnete Rolle zu. Bezogen auf die fettfreie Trockensubstanz liegt der Gehalt ähnlich hoch wie in Samenmehlen der AusgangsmaterialienSinapis undBrassica. Eine Sinapinspaltung während der Mostrichherstellung und -lagerung kann ausgeschlossen werden.

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Contents of sinapine in mustard

Summary The content of sinapine in 16 commercial samples of mustard has been determined and found to be in the range of 4.4–7.1 m/g fresh weight. The bitter tasting sinapine is only of minor importance for the taste of mustard. Basis fat-free dry matter the content of sinapine is similarly high as those in the seed meals of Sinapis and Brassica. A cleavage of sinapine during preparation and preservation of mustard is unlikely.

     

Testing real-time embedded systems using high level architecture

This work proposes an environment for testing of heterogeneous embedded systems by means of distributed co-simulation. The test occurs in real-time, co-simulating the system software and hardware platform using the high level architecture (HLA) as a middleware. The novelty of this approach is not only providing support for simulations, but allowing the synchronous integration of heterogeneous simulators with a physical real-time environment. In this work we use the Ptolemy framework as a simulation platform. The approach of co-simulation based on HLA allows different simulators and physical devices to inter-operate, for example robots can operate and be tested with a Ptolemy simulations. Case studies are presented to prove the concept, showing the successful integration between Ptolemy and the HLA and test systems using Robot-in-the-loop. The integration of real-time devices through robot operating system was also presented. The approach proved to be able to detect logical and physical design flaws.     

The Language Evolver Lever — Tool Demonstration —

Since many domains are constantly evolving, the associated domain specific languages (DSL) inevitably have to evolve too, to retain their value. But the evolution of a DSL can be very expensive, since existing words of the language (i.e. programs) and tools have to be adapted according to the changes of the DSL itself. In such cases, these costs seriously limit the adoption of DSLs.This paper presents Lever, a tool for the evolutionary development of DSLs. Lever aims at making evolutionary changes to a DSL much cheaper by automating the adaptation of the DSL parser as well as existing words and providing additional support for the correct adaptation of existing tools (e.g. program generators). This way, Lever simplifies DSL maintenance and paves the ground for bottom-up DSL development.     

Online screening of homogeneous catalyst performance using reaction detection mass spectrometry

An integrated online screening system was developed to rapidly screen homogeneous catalysts for activity toward a selected synthesis. The continuous-flow system comprises standard HPLC pumps for the delivery of substrates, an HPLC autosampler for the injection of homogeneous catalysts, a thermostated reactor to mediate synthesis, and a single-stage quadrupole mass spectrometer (MS) equipped with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for the determination of product formation. MS detection offers sensitivity, specificity, and speed when applied to the analysis of dynamic processes in the condensed phase. By applying the present methodology for the study of substrate conversion mediated by homogeneous catalysts, the concentration of substrates and reaction product could be monitored while information about the catalysts could also be obtained. In an initial screening application, the performance of a selected number of Lewis acids in the multicomponent synthesis of a highly substituted 2-imidazoline was determined. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation were determined by injecting different concentrations of 2-imidazoline standards and proved to be 1.6 and 5.2 nM, respectively. The results obtained with the new screening method were in good agreement with a traditional bench-scale experiment. Moreover, the system was capable of determining catalyst performance with very low catalyst and solvent consumption while the ruggedness of the system was exhibited with a 24-h continuous analysis of 280 successive catalyst injections with a peak area variation within 7% relative standard deviation.