Performance Capture of High‐Speed Motion Using Staggered Multi‐View Recording

We present a markerless performance capture system that can acquire the motion and the texture of human actors performing fast movements using only commodity hardware. To this end we introduce two novel concepts: First, a staggered surround multi‐view recording setup that enables us to perform model‐based motion capture on motion‐blurred images, and second, a model‐based deblurring algorithm which is able to handle disocclusion, self‐occlusion and complex object motions. We show that the model‐based approach is not only a powerful strategy for tracking but also for deblurring highly complex blur patterns.     

A computational feedforward model predicts categorization of masked emotional body language for longer, but not for shorter, latencies

Given the presence of massive feedback loops in brain networks, it is difficult to disentangle the contribution of feedforward and feedback processing to the recognition of visual stimuli, in this case, of emotional body expressions. The aim of the work presented in this letter is to shed light on how well feedforward processing explains rapid categorization of this important class of stimuli. By means of parametric masking, it may be possible to control the contribution of feedback activity in human participants. A close comparison is presented between human recognition performance and the performance of a computational neural model that exclusively modeled feedforward processing and was engineered to fulfill the computational requirements of recognition. Results show that the longer the stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA), the closer the performance of the human participants was to the values predicted by the model, with an optimum at an SOA of 100 ms. At short SOA latencies, human performance deteriorated, but the categorization of the emotional expressions was still above baseline. The data suggest that, although theoretically, feedback arising from inferotemporal cortex is likely to be blocked when the SOA is 100 ms, human participants still seem to rely on more local visual feedback processing to equal the model's performance.     

Growth of highly oriented graphite films at room temperature by pulsed laser deposition using carbon-sulfur targets

Carbon-sulfur films were grown by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature using different graphite-sulfur mixtures as targets. The structure of the films was characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The composition and the chemical bonds were analyzed by Rutherford-backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The films were composed of amorphous carbon with sp²-, sp³- and S-C-C-S bonds and textured graphite on the top of the film. The thin graphite layer on top of the carbon-sulfur films is highly oriented, comparable to highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, and free of sulfur in the graphite lattice. The lateral size of the oriented graphite grains in the films was up to 8 μm. Magnetic measurements reveal that the films prepared under the conditions of our study show neither magnetic ordering nor superconductivity in the studied temperature range T > 2 K.     

Twin‐screw extrusion production and characterization of starch foam products for use in cushioning and insulation applications

Cylindrical starch foam shapes were produced on a small scale (～11–12 kg/hr) Werner Pfleiderer ZSK‐30 twin‐screw extrusion (TSE) process using water, which functions as a plasticizer as well as a blowing agent. The properties of the starch foams depend on the type of starch used (hydroxypropylated high amylose corn starch, 70% amylose), the amount of water and additives (poly(hydroxyamino ether)) (PHAE) used, and extrusion conditions such as temperature and the screw configuration. PHAE offers the adhesion and durability of epoxy resins with the flexibility and processibility of thermoplastic resins. PHAE was successful in imparting mechanical strength and toughness, cell integrity, weather and water resistance to the foam structure. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of the extrusion (melt) temperature, amount of water added and the screw configuration on the density of starch foams. The water externally added was varied from 3% to 12%, while the PHAE content was varied from 3% to 15% of the starch used (on a wet basis). The foaming was carried out at melt temperatures in the range from 85 to 145°C. A match of material properties with process engineering conditions was achieved to facilitate the control of expansion to a structure with valuable commercial properties. The effects of processing conditions on the foaming process were studied using a Werner Pfleiderer ZSK‐30 twin screw extruder. The optimum temperature, blowing agent content, and PHAE content were determined. The density of the cylindrical foam extrudates obtained was 22–25 kg/m³. The screw configuration, temperature and pressure profiles, and additives affected the morphology, expansion ratio (ER), resilience, and compressibility of the product. These results were then employed on an industrial scale (410–420 kg/hr) twin‐screw food extruder, a Wenger‐80, to manufacture foam sheets. The density of the foam sheets was 27–30 kg/m³. The cushioning and insulation properties were studied and are reported. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:438–451, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Kinetic modelling of a fluidized bed claus plant

A kinetic model of a fluidized bed Claus reactor was developed using the Modified Bubble Assemblage Model (MBAM) to establish the practical implications of fluid bed technology for this new application. Simulations predicted that a two stage sub-dewpoint fluidized bed Claus plant is capable of achieving a recovery efficiency of 97.1%, which is comparable to a conventional three stage fixed bed plant, but considerably less than the overall equilibrium conversion of 99.5%. Conversion is limited by gas-bypassing, particularly in the downstream sub-dewpoint reactor. In the fluidized bed process, about half the catalyst is required and the pressure drop is significantly lower compared with a conventional plant of equivalent capacity. Moreover, the capital cost estimate for a two reactor fluid bed Claus plant (200 t/d sulphur) was estimated to be $20 million (Can) which is within 10% of a conventional plant.     

The Dragonfly Association Index (Insecta: Odonata)—a Tool for the Type‐Specific Assessment of Lowland Rivers

Species traits of 57 Odonata species occurring in the Austrian bioregion Eastern Ridges and Lowlands (ecoregion Hungarian Lowlands; Illies, 1978 ) were defined by factor loadings of 12 habitat parameters: stream sections crenon, rhithron and potamon; flow velocity; standing water; temporary water; size of water body; open water; open banks; submerged macrophytes; reed; and riparian trees. On the basis of the species‐specific configurations of these habitat parameters, cluster analysis revealed seven dragonfly associations with different habitat needs: association of open waters, association of sparsely vegetated banks, association of reed and riparian trees, association of reed and submerged macrophytes, association of temporary waters, rhithron association and potamon association. Correlations between the associations' habitat requirements and the habitat parameters of the seven (near‐)natural river types, which are present in this bioregion were performed to define river type‐specific association compositions. From these results, a dragonfly association index was created to assess the ecological status of these rivers within the five‐tiered system of the European Union Water Framework Directive, emphasizing hydro‐morphological aspects by comparing the type‐specific reference situation with the actual status quo of dragonfly colonization. The method was applied at different rivers, particularly for the purpose of evaluating restoration measures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness and tolerance of Navoban (5HT3-receptor antagonist tropisetron) in prevention of cytostatic drug-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with breast carcinomas and gynecological malignancies

Efficacy and safety of the antiemetic agent Navoban (5HT3-receptor-antagonist Tropisetron) on cytostatic-induced emesis of breast cancers and gynecological cancers was tested in 28 female patients receiving a total of 127 chemotherapy courses containing high (cisplatin), moderate high (cyclophosphamid) or moderate (for example 5 FU) emetogenic cytostatic drugs. We studied antiemetic response rates of Navoban (5 mg/d) during the first 24 hours after administration of the chemotherapy as well as response rates of the "delayed nausea and emesis" (days 2-9 after chemotherapy). A complete response was observed in 103 chemotherapy courses (= 81.1%) during the first 24 hours after chemotherapy and in 93 courses (= 73.2%) for the "delayed emesis". Treatment failures (more than 5 vomiting episodes) during the first 24 hours were present in four courses and for the "delayed emesis" in 11 courses. The side effects of Navoban such as constipation, headache or tiredness were minimum. Therefore no patient refused to receive the necessary chemotherapy. Navoban is, with its single dose application, an effective therapeutic drug for the prevention of nausea and emesis in patients receiving a chemotherapy.     

An evolutionary system for ozone concentration forecasting

Nowadays, with more than 50 % of the world’s population living in urban areas, cities are facing important environmental challenges. Among them, air pollution has emerged as one of the most important concerns, taking into account the social costs related to the effect of polluted air. According to a report of the World Health Organization, approximately seven million people die each year from the effects of air pollution. Despite this fact, the same report suggests that cities could greatly improve their air quality through local measures by exploiting modern and efficient solutions for smart infrastructures. Ideally, this approach requires insights of how pollutant levels change over time in specific locations. To tackle this problem, we present an evolutionary system for the prediction of pollutants levels based on a recently proposed variant of genetic programming. This system is designed to predict the amount of ozone level, based on the concentration of other pollutants collected by sensors disposed in critical areas of a city. An analysis of data related to the region of Yuen Long (one of the most polluted areas of China), shows the suitability of the proposed system for addressing the problem at hand. In particular, the system is able to predict the ozone level with greater accuracy with respect to other techniques that are commonly used to tackle similar forecasting problems.