Object Detection and Classification in Occupancy Grid Maps using Deep Convolutional Networks

A detailed environment perception is a crucial component of automated vehicles. However, to deal with the amount of perceived information, we also require segmentation strategies. Based on a grid map environment representation, well-suited for sensor fusion, free-space estimation and machine learning, we detect and classify objects using deep convolutional neural networks. As input for our networks we use a multi-layer grid map efficiently encoding 3D range sensor information. The inference output consists of a list of rotated bounding boxes with associated semantic classes. We conduct extensive ablation studies, highlight important design considerations when using grid maps and evaluate our models on the KITTI Bird's Eye View benchmark. Qualitative and quantitative benchmark results show that we achieve robust detection and state of the art accuracy solely using top-view grid maps from range sensor data.Comment: 6 pages, 4 tables, 4 figure

An online NP-HPLC-DPPH method for the determination of the antioxidant activity of condensed polyphenols in cocoa

In PressUnroasted cocoa beans are rich in monomeric flavanols and particularly epicatechin-based proanthocyanidin oligomers, with the latter making up to 60% of the total polyphenol content. Although the antioxidant activity of cocoa polyphenols is well known, it is still a challenging analytical field, especially, when it comes to the determination of condensed polyphenols and the evaluation of their single contribution to the overall activity. Therefore, an online NP-HPLC-DPPH assay was developed to separate the homologous series of condensed polyphenols for assessing their antioxidant capacity in relation to their degree of polymerization (DP), simultaneously. In this context, normal-phase chromatography allows separation of polyphenols based on their degree of polymerization. This study showed that an unroasted cocoa extract contains condensed polyphenols with a DP of up to 10 monomer units. By means of the online post-column derivatisation with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the antioxidant capacity of the separated condensed polyphenols was assessed. It could be shown that, with the exception of the dimers, the contribution to the total antioxidant activity decreased from monomers to decamers. However, from the single proanthocyanidins identified, nonameric and decameric proanthocyanidins were found to have the highest values for the antioxidant capacity. The degree of polymerization associated with each molecular weight fraction was further confirmed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled with reverse-phase liquid chromatography. The online NP-HPLC-DPPH method can be used as qualitative and quantitative analysis of condensed proanthocyanidins and the simultaneous elucidation of the biological activity of proanthocyanidins in complex mixtures

Conceptualisation of the potential renewables pull effect : a result of topic area 3 "scenarios and transformation pathways" of the research project SCI4climate.NRW

This report was prepared by the Wuppertal Institute in cooperation with the German Economic Institute as part of the SCI4climate.NRW project. The report aims to shed light on the possible phenomenon that the availability and costs of "green" energy sources may become a relevant location factor for basic materials produced in a climate-neutral manner in the future. For this purpose, we introduce the term "Renewables Pull". We define Renewables Pull as the initially hypothetical phenomenon of a shift of industrial production from one region to another as a result of different marginal costs of renewable energies (or of secondary energy sources or feedstocks based on renewable energies). Shifts in industrial production in the sense of Renewables Pull can in principle be caused by differences in the stringency of climate policies in different countries, as in the case of Carbon Leakage. Unlike Carbon Leakage, however, Renewables Pull can also occur if similarly ambitious climate policies are implemented in different countries. This is because Renewables Pull is primarily determined by differences in the costs and availability of renewable energies. In addition, Renewables Pull can also be triggered by cost reductions of renewable energies and by changing preferences on the demand side towards climate-friendly products. Another important difference to Carbon Leakage is that the Renewables Pull effect does not necessarily counteract climate policy. Similar to Carbon Leakage, it is to be expected that Renewables Pull could become relevant primarily for very energy-intensive products in basic materials industries. In these sectors (e.g. in the steel or chemical industry), there is also the possibility that relocations of specific energy-intensive parts of the production process could trigger domino effects. As a result, large parts of the value chains previously existing in a country or region could also be subjected to an (indirect) Renewables Pull effect. For the federal state of NRW, in which the basic materials industry plays an important role, the possible emergence of Renewables Pull is associated with significant challenges as climate policy in Germany, the EU and also worldwide is expected to become more ambitious in the future. This report aims to enable and initiate a deeper analysis of the potential future developments and challenges associated with the Renewables Pull effect. Thus, in the final chapter of the report, several research questions are formulated that can be answered in the further course of the SCI4climate.NRW project as well as in other research projects

Entrepreneurship as catalyst for sustainable development : opening the black box

In the last decades, sustainable development has become an important topic of discussion for scholars and practitioners concerned with environmental issues. Since the publication of the Brundtland Report, which represents a milestone in triggering awareness for sustainability issues, sustainable development has steadily gained popularity to become one of the most important environmental discourses today. Together with innovation, the United Nations identified entrepreneurship as a key element for addressing sustainable development challenges. Due to its growing recognition as a driver of sustainable development, entrepreneurship is subject to research across many scientific disciplines. To systemize the current state of knowledge, the purpose of this paper is to systematically review recent literature and to outline how sustainable development influences entrepreneurial activities and vice versa. In addition, it investigates whether and under what circumstances entrepreneurship can contribute to the economic, environmental and social dimension of sustainable development. The systematic literature review shows that several research areas, such as opportunities, motivations, competencies, strategies and business models of sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs, have already received wide coverage by academic literature. However, our knowledge about how entrepreneurial activities contribute to the achievement of the United Nations sustainable development goals is still limited and should be addressed by further research

Characterisation by EIS of ternary Mg alloys synthesised by mechanical alloying

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used to study the electrochemical behaviour of ternary Mg60Ti10Si30 and Mg88Ti5Si7 alloy samples fabricated by mechanical alloying of the elemental powders in an argon atmosphere. The influence of different milling times up to 25 h and heat treatment on the electrochemical behaviour of the samples, after compacting under pressure into disks, has been investigated in 0.1 M Na2SO4 and 0.01 M NaCl electrolyte solutions. Complementary measurements of open circuit potential, polarisation curves, and surface and microstructural analysis have been carried out. The experimental results revealed that corrosion is greater for Mg88Ti5Si7 which contains free magnesium; however, in sulphate solution a protective oxide layer formed can reduce the corrosion rate. In Mg60Ti10Si30, heat treatment increases corrosion, which is explained through a greater tendency for pitting corrosion. Comparison is made between the electrochemical impedance data and the nanophase structure as well as with the electrochemical behaviour of other magnesium alloys.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TG0-4H21KGF-3/1/564bda28bb49702cb8769e10e8e350a

Hemmung der Tumorangiogenese durch Cannabinoide via Hochregulation des Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1

Die Cannabinoid-induzierte Freisetzung von TIMP-1 aus Lungentumorzellen stellt einen entscheidenden Faktor bei der Kommunikation zwischen Tumor- und Endothelzellen dar. Letztlich mit dem Resultat einer Inhibierung proangiogener Eigenschaften von Endothelzellen im Mikromilieu von Tumorzellen

TESTING OF CONNECTIONS TAKEN FROM OLD NAILED ROOF TRUSSES

Experimental testing of nailed connections taken from old roof trusses is presented in this paper. To enable the further use and preservation of nailed roof trusses, it is important to understand how the nail corrosion and aging processes of steel and wood affect the load-bearing capacity and deformation behaviour of such structures. The hypothesis was investigated whether corroded nails allow an increase in load-bearing capacity. Several old and new joints were tested in a first test series, and the results were very promising regarding the initial assumption. However, more tests must be carried out to verify the results