Bag of Deep Features for Instructor Activity Recognition in Lecture Room

This paper has been presented at : 25th International Conference on MultiMedia Modeling (MMM2019)This research aims to explore contextual visual information in the lecture room, to assist an instructor to articulate the effectiveness of the delivered lecture. The objective is to enable a self-evaluation mechanism for the instructor to improve lecture productivity by understanding their activities. Teacher’s effectiveness has a remarkable impact on uplifting students performance to make them succeed academically and professionally. Therefore, the process of lecture evaluation can significantly contribute to improve academic quality and governance. In this paper, we propose a vision-based framework to recognize the activities of the instructor for self-evaluation of the delivered lectures. The proposed approach uses motion templates of instructor activities and describes them through a Bag-of-Deep features (BoDF) representation. Deep spatio-temporal features extracted from motion templates are utilized to compile a visual vocabulary. The visual vocabulary for instructor activity recognition is quantized to optimize the learning model. A Support Vector Machine classifier is used to generate the model and predict the instructor activities. We evaluated the proposed scheme on a self-captured lecture room dataset, IAVID-1. Eight instructor activities: pointing towards the student, pointing towards board or screen, idle, interacting, sitting, walking, using a mobile phone and using a laptop, are recognized with an 85.41% accuracy. As a result, the proposed framework enables instructor activity recognition without human intervention.Sergio A Velastin has received funding from the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 600371, el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (COFUND2014-51509) el Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (CEI-15-17) and Banco Santander

A novel mppt technique based on mutual coordination between two pv modules/arrays

A novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique based on mutual coordination of two photovoltaic (PV) modules/arrays has been proposed for distributed PV (DPV) systems. The proposed technique works in two stages. Under non-mismatch conditions between PV modules/arrays, superior performance stage 1 is active, which rectifies the issues inherited by the perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT. In this stage, the technique revolves around the perturb and observe (P&O) algorithm containing an intelligent mechanism of leader and follower between two arrays. In shading conditions, stage 2 is on, and it works like conventional P&O. Graphical analysis of the proposed technique has been presented under different weather conditions. Simulations of different algorithms have been performed in Matlab/Simulink. Simulation results of the proposed technique compliment the graphical analysis and show a superior performance and a fast response as compared to others, thus increasing the efficiency of distributed PV systems

Neighboring-Pixel-Based Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm for Partially Shaded Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

In this paper, a neighboring-pixel-based virtual imaging (NPBVI) technique is developed to comprehensively detect the shading conditions on PV arrays. The proposed VI technique is then merged with a probabilistic mechanism of shaded module currents. Finally, a mathematical model is presented, which predicts the current voltage (I-V) region corresponding to the global maximum (GM) of the shaded PV array. The effectiveness of the proposed NPBVI MPPT is validated through numerous experiments that were carried out using a hardware prototype with a 150 W power rating. For the experiments, a PV array consisting of 3 × 2 (Np× Ns ) 20 W PV modules was utilized. The experiments showcase agreement that the proposed method successfully identified the GM region of a partially shaded PV array

Fistulotomy versus fistulectomy for simple fistula in ano: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To compare fistulotomy with fistulectomy for wound healing, duration of surgery, post-operative pain, incontinence and recurrence in patients with fistula in ano. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of adults who had undergone fistulotomy/fistulectomy for simple fistula in ano from January 2007 to August 2012. Data collection was done in August 2013 using questionnaire and telephonic interviews. Outcome variables like duration of wound healing, recurrence, incontinence, duration of surgery and post-operative pain were compared in both the groups. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 192 cases, there were 96(50%) in each group. The mean age was 40.51 years (range: 21-72 years) in the fistulotomy group and 41.14 years (range: 21-66 years) in the fistulectomy group (p=0.66). Both groups were comparable for baseline demographic variables. The median duration of wound healing was shorter in the fistulotomy group 15 days (Interquartile range: 7-20 days) compared to the fistulectomy group 30 days (Interquartile range: 15-42 days) (p\u3c0.001). The incidence of recurrence was comparable in fistulotomy vs. fistulectomy (3[3.12%] vs. 4[4.16%]; p=0.70). The incidence of incontinence was higher in fistulotomy compared to fistulectomy (5[5.3%] vs. 12[12.5%]; p=0.07). The severity of incontinence was also compared but the difference was insignificant (p=0.06). The median duration of surgery was significantly shorter in fistulotomy group 17 minutes (Interquartile range: 12-25 minutes) compared to fistulectomy group 25 minutes Interquartile range: 20-35 minutes (p\u3c0.001). The median post-operative pain in the surgical day care unit and at the first follow-up in clinic was zero for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fistulotomy yielded better results than fistulectomy since it significantly decreased the duration of wound healing and duration of surgery without increasing the incidence of recurrence, incontinence and post-operative pain

In vitro/in vivo assessment of flurbiprofen-matrix type transdermal delivery system

In this study, matrix type patch formulations of flurbiprofen using certain skin permeation enhancers [isopropyl myristate (IPM), isopropyl palmitate (IPP) and Tween 80] were formulated, evaluated and compared. The cumulative amounts permeated and the permeation rates were higher for the prepared formulations as compared to the controls (without enhancers). The results also revealed better skin permeation characteristics of flurbiprofen using IPM than other enhancers. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the optimized formulation (F7), calculated from the blood levels of the drug, revealed a profile with the ability to maintain adequate plasma levels for 24 h (i.e. up to the next application): AUC(0-24) 10.406 ± 1.34ng.h/ml, Tmax 1.5 ± 0.91 and Cmax 1.3049 ± 0.21 µg.ml-1-. The amount of drug bioavailable for targeting the site of action is comparable to that of market control. Based on experimental results, preparation of 10 % flurbiprofen matrix type patch formulation containing IPM is promisingColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Formulation of water and sanitation policies and strategies: experiences from Rwanda

This paper describes the process of formulation of Rwanda’s National Water Supply and Sanitation Policies and Strategies, which were approved by the Cabinet in December 2016. The major steps in the process included conceptualisation (preparation of a concept note and work plan); constitution of a dedicated task force to oversee the process; engagement of international consultants; literature review and information collection; preparation of background papers; stakeholders’ consultations; preparation of draft polices and strategies; review and quality assurance by the sector working group and the task force; consensus building; finalisation and approval. The process spanned almost two years and cost approximately US$ 170,000, including the cost of external consultants and stakeholders’ consultations. The case of Rwanda provides valuable lessons for other countries that plan to update their national water and sanitation policies and strategies in view of changes in the context and emerging issues and to ensure alignment with the SDGs

Rural WASH programming: experiences from Rwanda

Rwanda WASH Project was implemented in rural areas of four low-WASH access districts during 2009 - 2015 by the Government of Rwanda with support from UNICEF and the Government of the Netherlands. This project had four key components i.e. community water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion, institutional WASH and capacity building. The project, which benefitted over 500,000 people, resulted in increase in average access to improved water supply and sanitation in the target districts from 47 per cent to 85 per cent and from 34 per cent to 70 per cent, respectively. A project sustainability assessment carried out in 2016 showed that the infrastructure built under the project was fully functional. The experiences of the project underline the importance of establishment of effective project coordination mechanism, use of existing government structures, capacity building, strong monitoring and evaluation framework and public-private partnership for management of water supply systems

New Longitudinal Waves in Electron-Positron-Ion Quantum Plasmas

A general quantum dispersion equation for electron-positron(hole)-ion quantum plasmas is derived and studied for some interesting cases. In an electron-positron degenerate Fermi gas, with or without the Madelung term, a new type of zero sound waves are found. Whereas in an electron-hole plasmas a new longitudinal quantum waves are revealed, which have no analogies in quantum electron-ion plasmas. The excitation of these quantum waves by a low-density monoenergetic straight electron beam is examined. Furthermore, the KdV equation for novel quantum waves is derived and the contribution of the Madelung term in the formation of the KdV solitons is discussed

Effect of temperature anisotropy on various modes and instabilities for a magnetized non-relativistic bi-Maxwellian plasma

Using kinetic theory for homogeneous collisionless magnetized plasmas, we present an extended review of the plasma waves and instabilities and discuss the anisotropic response of generalized relativistic dielectric tensor and Onsager symmetry properties for arbitrary distribution functions. In general, we observe that for such plasmas only those electromagnetic modes whose magnetic field perturbations are perpendicular to the ambient magneticeld, i.e.,B1 \perp B0, are effected by the anisotropy. However, in oblique propagation all modes do show such anisotropic effects. Considering the non-relativistic bi-Maxwellian distribution and studying the relevant components of the general dielectric tensor under appropriate conditions, we derive the dispersion relations for various modes and instabilities. We show that only the electromagnetic R- and L- waves, those derived from them and the O-mode are affected by thermal anisotropies, since they satisfy the required condition B1\perpB0. By contrast, the perpendicularly propagating X-mode and the modes derived from it (the pure transverse X-mode and Bernstein mode) show no such effect. In general, we note that the thermal anisotropy modifies the parallel propagating modes via the parallel acoustic effect, while it modifies the perpendicular propagating modes via the Larmor-radius effect. In oblique propagation for kinetic Alfven waves, the thermal anisotropy affects the kinetic regime more than it affects the inertial regime. The generalized fast mode exhibits two distinct acoustic effects, one in the direction parallel to the ambient magnetic field and the other in the direction perpendicular to it. In the fast-mode instability, the magneto-sonic wave causes suppression of the firehose instability. We discuss all these propagation characteristics and present graphic illustrations