SpecTracle: Wearable Facial Motion Tracking from Unobtrusive Peripheral Cameras

Facial motion tracking in head-mounted displays (HMD) has the potential to enable immersive "face-to-face" interaction in a virtual environment. However, current works on facial tracking are not suitable for unobtrusive augmented reality (AR) glasses or do not have the ability to track arbitrary facial movements. In this work, we demonstrate a novel system called SpecTracle that tracks a user's facial motions using two wide-angle cameras mounted right next to the visor of a Hololens. Avoiding the usage of cameras extended in front of the face, our system greatly improves the feasibility to integrate full-face tracking into a low-profile form factor. We also demonstrate that a neural network-based model processing the wide-angle cameras can run in real-time at 24 frames per second (fps) on a mobile GPU and track independent facial movement for different parts of the face with a user-independent model. Using a short personalized calibration, the system improves its tracking performance by 42.3% compared to the user-independent model

A internacionalização de empresas portuguesas: estudo de caso

Num contexto de globalização, os mercados externos apresentam-se, cada vez mais, como imprescindíveis à sobrevivência das empresas. Com efeito, as oportunidades e ameaças que a globalização envolve são determinantes para que as empresas procurem novas formas de manter e aumentar o seu desempenho e sustentabilidade. A internacionalização assume, por isso, primordial importância para a competitividade das mesmas. Este processo envolve a definição de estratégias operacionais que resultarão em importantes fluxos financeiros, de produtos e de conhecimento para as organizações. Em Portugal e, após a recente crise económica, o tema da internacionalização, sobretudo para as Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PME), tornou-se fundamental para a sua sustentabilidade. O processo de internacionalização é incremental para a grande maioria das empresas portuguesas. O investimento externo surge como efeito de uma experiência de exportação. Considerando que um processo de internacionalização é um processo complexo, envolvendo riscos elevados, o objetivo deste trabalho será estudar o processo de internacionalização de duas empresas portuguesas e uma ibérica. Seguindo uma metodologia qualitativa, assente no estudo de caso, pretende-se perceber o porquê e como decorreu o seu processo de internacionalização, seus objetivos e estratégias envolvidas. Dado que, ao analisar o processo de internacionalização de uma empresa, é importante confrontar modelos teóricos com a prática empresarial, procuraremos confrontar e verificar a validade das teorias e literatura relevantes com os casos em análise. De acordo com os resultados obtidos foi possível concluir que não existe, para as empresas em estudo, um modo de entrada único, existindo recurso à utilização de múltiplos modos de entrada, identificável com o modelo não sequencial. A vontade de crescimento revelou-se como a motivação em comum e mais referida pelas empresas, assim como as barreiras culturais para os principais entraves à internacionalização. Ambas as empresas recorrem a apoios externos, mas com diferentes finalidades e as mesmas revelaram-se ainda ricas na variedade de informações a que nos foi dado acesso.In a context of globalization, external markets are becoming more and more indispensable to the survival of companies. Indeed, the opportunities and threats that globalization entails are crucial for companies to seek new ways to maintain and increase their performance and sustainability. Internationalization is therefore of prime importance for their competitiveness. This process involves the definition of operational strategies that will result in important financial, product and knowledge flows for organizations. In Portugal, and after the recent economic crisis, the theme of internationalization, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), has become fundamental for its sustainability. The internationalization process is incremental for the great majority of Portuguese companies. External investment is the result of an export experience. Considering that an internationalization process is a complex process, involving high risks, the aim of this work will be to study the internationalization process of two Portuguese companies and one Iberian. Following a qualitative methodology, based on case study, we intend to understand why and how its internationalization process occurred, its goals and the strategies involved. Given that, when analyzing the process of internationalization of a company, it is important to confront theoretical models with business practice, we will try to confront and verify the validity of relevant theories and literature with the cases under analysis. According to the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that for the companies under study there is no single input mode, and there is a use of multiple input modes, identifiable with the non-sequential model. The will to growth has proved to be the common motivation and more mentioned by the companies, as well as the cultural barriers to the main obstacles to internationalization. Both companies rely on external support, but for different purposes and they have proved rich in the variety of information to which we have been granted access

Cloud Properties of CERES-MODIS Edition 4 and CERES-VIIRS Edition 1

The Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) analyzes MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) to derive cloud properties that are combine with aerosol and CERES broadband flux data to create a multi-parameter data set for climate study. CERES has produced over 15 years of data from Terra and over 13 years of data from Aqua using the CERES-MODIS Edition-2 cloud retrieval algorithm. A recently revised algorithm, CERESMODIS Edition 4, has been developed and is now generating enhanced cloud data for climate research (over 10 years for Terra and 8 years for Aqua). New multispectral retrievals of properties are included along with a multilayer cloud retrieval system. Cloud microphysical properties are reported at 3 wavelengths, 0.65, 1.24, and 2.1 microns to enable better estimates of the vertical profiles of cloud water contents. Cloud properties over snow are retrieved using the 1.24-micron channel. A new CERES-VIIRS cloud retrieval package was developed for the VIIRS spectral complement and is currently producing the CERES-VIIRS Edition 1 cloud dataset. The results from CERES-MODIS Edition 4 and CERES-VIIRS Edition 1 are presented and compared with each other and other datasets, including CALIPSO, CloudSat and the CERES-MODIS Edition-2 results

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Disorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021. Methods We estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined. Findings Globally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer. Interpretation As the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed

PCR detection of pathogenic viruses in southern California urban rivers

Aims: To investigate human viral contamination in urban rivers and its impact on coastal waters of southern California, USA. Methods and Results: Three types of human viruses (adeno, entero and hepatitis A) were detected using nested- and RT-PCR from 11 rivers and creeks. Faecal indicator bacteria as well as somatic and F-specific coliphage were also tested. Approximately 50% of the sites were positive for human adenoviruses. However, there was no clear relationship between detection of human viruses and the concentration of indicator bacteria and coliphage. Both faecal indicator bacteria and human viral input at beaches near river mouths were associated with storm events. The first storm of the wet season seemed to have the greatest impact on the quality of coastal water than following storm events. Conclusions: This study provides the first direct evidence that human viruses are prevalent in southern California urban rivers. Urban run-off impacts coastal water quality most significantly during the storm season. Significance and Impact of the Study: To protect human health during water recreational activities, it is necessary to develop effective strategies to manage urban run-off during storm events

PCR detection of pathogenic viruses in southern California urban rivers

Aims: To investigate human viral contamination in urban rivers and its impact on coastal waters of southern California, USA. Methods and Results: Three types of human viruses (adeno, entero and hepatitis A) were detected using nested- and RT-PCR from 11 rivers and creeks. Faecal indicator bacteria as well as somatic and F-specific coliphage were also tested. Approximately 50% of the sites were positive for human adenoviruses. However, there was no clear relationship between detection of human viruses and the concentration of indicator bacteria and coliphage. Both faecal indicator bacteria and human viral input at beaches near river mouths were associated with storm events. The first storm of the wet season seemed to have the greatest impact on the quality of coastal water than following storm events. Conclusions: This study provides the first direct evidence that human viruses are prevalent in southern California urban rivers. Urban run-off impacts coastal water quality most significantly during the storm season. Significance and Impact of the Study: To protect human health during water recreational activities, it is necessary to develop effective strategies to manage urban run-off during storm events

Prevalence of Cholera Toxin Genes (ctxA and zot) among Non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae Strains from Newport Bay, California

The examination of 137 non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae isolates from Newport Bay, California, indicated the presence of diverse genotypes and a temporal succession. Unexpectedly, the cholera toxin gene (ctxA) was found in 17% of the strains, of which one-third were also positive for the zot gene. This suggests that ctxA is prevalent in the region of nonepidemicity and is likely to have an environmental origin