A Data Fusion Perspective on Human Motion Analysis Including Multiple Camera Applications

Proceedings of: 5th International Work-Conference on the Interplay Between Natural and Artificial Computation, (IWINAC 2013). Mallorca, Spain, June 10-14.Human motion analysis methods have received increasing attention during the last two decades. In parallel, data fusion technologies have emerged as a powerful tool for the estimation of properties of objects in the real world. This papers presents a view of human motion analysis from the viewpoint of data fusion. JDL process model and Dasarathy's input-output hierarchy are employed to categorize the works in the area. A survey of the literature in human motion analysis from multiple cameras is included. Future research directions in the area are identified after this review.Publicad

Выбор условий получения электролитических порошков цинка для металлнаполненных композиций

The paper presents a method of obtaining high-dispersed zinc powders by electrolysis and comparison of the properties of zinc-rich compositions prepared using as a pigment zinc powders obtained by different methods. Measurements have shown that the electrical conductivity of zinc-rich coatings containing electrolytic zinc powder, not inferior to the conductivity of the film with powder PZHD-0 obtained by the method of evaporation-condensation, despite the significant difference in the amount of zinc pigment. On the basis of the received data we can conclude that the use of electrolytic zinc powder as a pigment will significantly save zinc.В работе представлен способ получения высокодисперсных порошков цинка электролизом и сравнение свойств цинкнаполненных композиций, приготовленных с применением в качестве пигмента цинковых порошков, полученных разными методами. Проведенные измерения показали, что удельная электропроводность цинкнаполненных покрытий, содержащих электролитический порошок цинка, не уступает по проводимости пленкам с порошком ПЦВД-0, полученного методом испарения-конденсации, несмотря на существенное различие в количестве цинкового пигмента. На основании полученных данных можно сделать вывод, что использование электролитического порошка цинка в качестве пигмента позволит значительно экономить цинк.This work was supported by RFBR, project number 11-03-00226.Работа выполнена при поддержке РФФИ, проект № 11-03-00226

Photochemically reduced polyoxometalate assisted generation of silver and gold nanoparticles in composite films: a single step route

A simple method to embed noble metal (Ag, Au) nanoparticles in organic–inorganic nanocomposite films by single step method is described. This is accomplished by the assistance of Keggin ions present in the composite film. The photochemically reduced composite film has served both as a reducing agent and host for the metal nanoparticles in a single process. The embedded metal nanoparticles in composites film have been characterized by UV–Visible, TEM, EDAX, XPS techniques. Particles of less than 20 nm were readily embedded using the described approach, and monodisperse nanoparticles were obtained under optimized conditions. The fluorescence experiments showed that embedded Ag and Au nanoparticles are responsible for fluorescence emissions. The described method is facile and simple, and provides a simple potential route to fabricate self-standing noble metal embedded composite films

Involvement of Noradrenergic Neurotransmission in the Stress- but not Cocaine-Induced Reinstatement of Extinguished Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Mice: Role for β-2 Adrenergic Receptors

The responsiveness of central noradrenergic systems to stressors and cocaine poses norepinephrine as a potential common mechanism through which drug re-exposure and stressful stimuli promote relapse. This study investigated the role of noradrenergic systems in the reinstatement of extinguished cocaine-induced conditioned place preference by cocaine and stress in male C57BL/6 mice. Cocaine- (15 mg/kg, i.p.) induced conditioned place preference was extinguished by repeated exposure to the apparatus in the absence of drug and reestablished by a cocaine challenge (15 mg/kg), exposure to a stressor (6-min forced swim (FS); 20–25°C water), or administration of the α-2 adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonists yohimbine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) or BRL44408 (5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.). To investigate the role of ARs, mice were administered the nonselective β-AR antagonist, propranolol (5, 10 mg/kg, i.p.), the α-1 AR antagonist, prazosin (1, 2 mg/kg, i.p.), or the α-2 AR agonist, clonidine (0.03, 0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) before reinstatement testing. Clonidine, prazosin, and propranolol failed to block cocaine-induced reinstatement. The low (0.03 mg/kg) but not high (0.3 mg/kg) clonidine dose fully blocked FS-induced reinstatement but not reinstatement by yohimbine. Propranolol, but not prazosin, blocked reinstatement by both yohimbine and FS, suggesting the involvement of β-ARs. The β-2 AR antagonist ICI-118551 (1 mg/kg, i.p.), but not the β-1 AR antagonist betaxolol (10 mg/kg, i.p.), also blocked FS-induced reinstatement. These findings suggest that stress-induced reinstatement requires noradrenergic signaling through β-2 ARs and that cocaine-induced reinstatement does not require AR activation, even though stimulation of central noradrenergic neurotransmission is sufficient to reinstate

Disinfection of Surfaces Contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus by UV Radiation of Low-Pressure Mercury-Vapour Lamp

The aim of the work was to determine the effective ultraviolet (UV) doses required for the disinfection of surfaces contaminated with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus using a low-pressure mercury lamp. Materials and methods. To carry out prompt disinfection of surfaces, a specially designed source of UV radiation with a power of 7.5 W at a wavelength of 254 nm in the form of a portable flashlight was employed, which has a high efficiency of UV radiation output and the possibility of long-term autonomous operation from a compact battery. In the studies, a suspension culture of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus with biological activity of 5.3∙106 PFU/ml was used. The objects of testing were plastic Petri dishes (disposable) and office paper (grade C, density 80 g/m2 ). Results and discussion. Doses of UV radiation that provide disinfection of surfaces contaminated with the COVID-19 pathogen with an efficiency of 99.0 % (paper) to 99.95 % (plastic) have been determined. The results obtained make it possible to recommend a portable UV irradiator for use in the practice of preventive measures to combat the spread of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

Evidence for the Re-Enactment of a Recently Learned Behavior during Sleepwalking

Animal studies have shown that sequenced patterns of neuronal activity may be replayed during sleep. However, the existence of such replay in humans has not yet been directly demonstrated. Here we studied patients who exhibit overt behaviors during sleep to test whether sequences of movements trained during the day may be spontaneously reenacted by the patients during sleep

Исследование по возделыванию трититригии в полузасушливой зоне

Over the course of several years of meticulous selection, The Tsitsin Main Moscow Botanical Garden of Academy of Sciences, successfully cultivated a novel trititrigia crop, characterized as a hybrid between wheat and couch grass. The intrinsic potential of this crop, as highlighted by the authors, instigated a keen interest in its investigation. (Research purpose) To conduct research on the cultivation of trititrigia Pamyati Lyubimovoy (In Memory of Lyubimova) in the semi-arid southern zone of the Rostov region. (Materials and methods) Trititrigia was cultivated on typical chernozem soil with carbonate content, characterized by heavy loamy texture, in conditions of insufficient and unstable moisture, following the zonal technology for cultivating winter wheat. The main pre-sowing tillage was performed using a shallow method by a combined KUM-4 unit. For seed sowing, the «Demetra» selective seeder was used. Throughout the trials from October 2020 to August 2022, meteorological conditions were taken into account, including precipitation levels and air temperature. Using two crops as examples, the biometric data of trititrigia plants, yield structure elements, combine yield and drought resistance were studied. (Results and discussion) It is determined that trititrigia Pamyati Lyubimovoy (In Memory of Lyubimova) aligns with the declared parameters in terms of plant height, ear length, and duration of the vegetative period. The plant development type of trititrigia is identical to winter wheat. (Conclusions) It is established that trititrigia Pamyati Lyubimovoy (In Memory of Lyubimobva) shows low resistance to drought within a semi-arid climate. Additionally, the straw yield surpasses the grain yield by a factor of four, while the weight of 1000 grains is low at 23.58 grams. Moreover, the combine yield (3.80 tons per hectares) falls short compared to the winter wheat variety Stanichnaya (5.09 tons per hectares). Further investigations into trititrigia within a semi-arid climate are considered necessary to determine its cultivation feasibility.В Главном ботаническом саду им. Н.В. Цицина Российской академии наук путем многолетней селекции была выведена новая культура трититригия, представляющая собой пшенично-пырейный гибрид. Анонсированный авторами потенциал данной культуры послужил мотивацией к ее изучению. (Цель исследования) Провести исследования по возделыванию трититригии сорта Памяти Любимовой в полузасушливой южной зоне Ростовской области. (Материалы и методы) Трититригию выращивали на черноземе обыкновенном карбонатном тяжелосуглинистом в условиях недостаточного и неустойчивого увлажнения в соответствии с зональной технологией возделывания озимой пшеницы. Основную обработку почвы до предпосевного состояния проводили мелким способом с применением комбинированного агрегата КУМ-4. Для посева семян использовали селекционную сеялку «Деметра». В ходе испытаний с октября 2020 по август 2022 года учитывали метеорологические условия: количество осадков и температуру воздуха. На примере двух посевов изучали биометрические данные растений трититригии, элементы структуры урожая, комбайновую урожайность и засухоустойчивость. (Результаты и обсуждение) Определили, что трититригия Памяти Любимовой по высоте растения, длине колоса, продолжительности вегетационного периода соответствует заявленным оригинаторами сорта параметрам. Тип развития растений трититригии идентичен озимой пшенице. (Выводы) Определили, что культура трититригии Памяти Любимовой проявляет низкую устойчивость к засухе в полузасушливым климате, урожай соломы превышает урожай зерна в 4 раза, масса 1000 зерен низкая – 23,58 грамма комбайновая урожайность (3,80 тонны на гектар) ниже чем озимой пшеницы сорта Станичная (5,09 тонны на гектар). Отметили необходимость дальнейших исследований трититригии в полузасушливом климате для выявления целесообразности ее возделывания

Does Sleep Improve Your Grammar? : Preferential Consolidation of Arbitrary Components of New Linguistic Knowledge

We examined the role of sleep-related memory consolidation processes in learning new form-meaning mappings. Specifically, we examined a Complementary Learning Systems account, which implies that sleep-related consolidation should be more beneficial for new hippocampally dependent arbitrary mappings (e.g. new vocabulary items) relative to new systematic mappings (e.g. grammatical regularities), which can be better encoded neocortically. The hypothesis was tested using a novel language with an artificial grammatical gender system. Stem-referent mappings implemented arbitrary aspects of the new language, and determiner/suffix+natural gender mappings implemented systematic aspects (e.g. tib scoiffesh + ballerina, tib mofeem + bride; ked jorool + cowboy, ked heefaff + priest). Importantly, the determiner-gender and the suffix-gender mappings varied in complexity and salience, thus providing a range of opportunities to detect beneficial effects of sleep for this type of mapping. Participants were trained on the new language using a word-picture matching task, and were tested after a 2-hour delay which included sleep or wakefulness. Participants in the sleep group outperformed participants in the wake group on tests assessing memory for the arbitrary aspects of the new mappings (individual vocabulary items), whereas we saw no evidence of a sleep benefit in any of the tests assessing memory for the systematic aspects of the new mappings: Participants in both groups extracted the salient determiner-natural gender mapping, but not the more complex suffix-natural gender mapping. The data support the predictions of the complementary systems account and highlight the importance of the arbitrariness/systematicity dimension in the consolidation process for declarative memories

Automated Force Volume Image Processing for Biological Samples

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has now become a powerful technique for investigating on a molecular level, surface forces, nanomechanical properties of deformable particles, biomolecular interactions, kinetics, and dynamic processes. This paper specifically focuses on the analysis of AFM force curves collected on biological systems, in particular, bacteria. The goal is to provide fully automated tools to achieve theoretical interpretation of force curves on the basis of adequate, available physical models. In this respect, we propose two algorithms, one for the processing of approach force curves and another for the quantitative analysis of retraction force curves. In the former, electrostatic interactions prior to contact between AFM probe and bacterium are accounted for and mechanical interactions operating after contact are described in terms of Hertz-Hooke formalism. Retraction force curves are analyzed on the basis of the Freely Jointed Chain model. For both algorithms, the quantitative reconstruction of force curves is based on the robust detection of critical points (jumps, changes of slope or changes of curvature) which mark the transitions between the various relevant interactions taking place between the AFM tip and the studied sample during approach and retraction. Once the key regions of separation distance and indentation are detected, the physical parameters describing the relevant interactions operating in these regions are extracted making use of regression procedure for fitting experiments to theory. The flexibility, accuracy and strength of the algorithms are illustrated with the processing of two force-volume images, which collect a large set of approach and retraction curves measured on a single biological surface. For each force-volume image, several maps are generated, representing the spatial distribution of the searched physical parameters as estimated for each pixel of the force-volume image

The association between alcohol use, alcohol use disorders and tuberculosis (TB). A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2004, tuberculosis (TB) was responsible for 2.5% of global mortality (among men 3.1%; among women 1.8%) and 2.2% of global burden of disease (men 2.7%; women 1.7%). The present work portrays accumulated evidence on the association between alcohol consumption and TB with the aim to clarify the nature of the relationship.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic review of existing scientific data on the association between alcohol consumption and TB, and on studies relevant for clarification of causality was undertaken.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There is a strong association between heavy alcohol use/alcohol use disorders (AUD) and TB. A meta-analysis on the risk of TB for these factors yielded a pooled relative risk of 2.94 (95% CI: 1.89-4.59). Numerous studies show pathogenic impact of alcohol on the immune system causing susceptibility to TB among heavy drinkers. In addition, there are potential social pathways linking AUD and TB. Heavy alcohol use strongly influences both the incidence and the outcome of the disease and was found to be linked to altered pharmacokinetics of medicines used in treatment of TB, social marginalization and drift, higher rate of re-infection, higher rate of treatment defaults and development of drug-resistant forms of TB. Based on the available data, about 10% of the TB cases globally were estimated to be attributable to alcohol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The epidemiological and other evidence presented indicates that heavy alcohol use/AUD constitute a risk factor for incidence and re-infection of TB. Consequences for prevention and clinical interventions are discussed.</p