Multiple object tracking using a neural cost function

This paper presents a new approach to the tracking of multiple objects in CCTV surveillance using a combination of simple neural cost functions based on Self-Organizing Maps, and a greedy assignment algorithm. Using a reference standard data set and an exhaustive search algorithm for benchmarking, we show that the cost function plays the most significant role in realizing high levels of performance. The neural cost function’s context-sensitive treatment of appearance, change of appearance and trajectory yield better tracking than a simple, explicitly designed cost function. The algorithm matches 98.8% of objects to within 15 pixels

Fatigue and Recovery from Dynamic Contractions in Men and Women Differ for Arm and Leg Muscles

Introduction: Whether there is a gender difference in fatigue and recovery from maximal velocity fatiguing contractions and across muscles is not understood. Methods: Sixteen men and 19 women performed 90 isotonic contractions at maximal voluntary shortening velocity (maximal velocity concentric contractions, MVCC) with the elbow flexor and knee extensor muscles (separate days) at a load equivalent to 20% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Results: Power (from MVCCs) decreased similarly for men and women for both muscles (P \u3e 0.05). Men and women had similar declines in MVIC of elbow flexors, but men had greater reductions in knee extensor MVIC force and MVIC electromyogram activity than women (P \u3c 0.05). The decline in MVIC and power was greater, and force recovery was slower for the elbow flexors compared with knee extensors. Conclusions: The gender difference in muscle fatigue often observed during isometric tasks was diminished during fast dynamic contractions for upper and lower limb muscles

Reproducibility of the bronchoconstrictive response to eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea

Background: Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea (EVH) is considered an effective bronchoprovocation challenge for identifying exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). However, the reproducibility of the hyperpnoea-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) response elicited by EVH remains unknown and was therefore the focus of this study. Methods: Two cohorts of 16 physically active males (each cohort comprised 8 controls and 8 with physician diagnosis of asthma) participated in two studies of the short- and long-term reproducibility of the bronchoconstrictive response to an EVH test with dry air. EVH was performed on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 (short-term study), and 0, 35, and 70 (long-term study). HIB was diagnosed by a ≥10% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after EVH. Results: On day 0 of the short-term study, FEV1 fell by 2 ± 1% (P < 0.05) and 27 ± 18% (P < 0.01) from pre-to post-EVH in control and HIB-positive groups respectively. The post-EVH fall in FEV1 did not differ across the short-term study test days. In the HIB-positive group, the day-to-day coefficient of variation, reproducibility, and smallest meaningful change for the fall in FEV1 were 12%, 328 mL, and 164 mL, respectively. On day 0 of the long-term study, FEV1 fell by 2 ± 2% and 25 ± 18% (P < 0.01) after EVH in control and HIB-positive groups respectively. The post-EVH fall in FEV1 did not differ across the long-term study test days. In the HIB-positive group, the day-to-day coefficient of variation, reproducibility, and smallest meaningful change for the fall in FEV1 were 10%, 196 mL, and 98 mL respectively. Conclusion: The EVH test elicits a reproducible bronchoconstrictive response in physically active males with physician diagnosed asthma. These data thus support the clinical utility of the EVH test for EIB screening and monitoring

The Role of Soccer in the Post-Colonial Relationship Between Brazil and Portugal

This thesis analyses the role of soccer in the post-colonial relationship between Brazil and Portugal. It begins by discussing the history of the two countries, in particular the discovery and colonization of Brazil by Portugal. It then examines notable Brazilian-born Portuguese players, and then analyzes Brazilian player transfers to Portugal in the 2011- 12 season. It concludes by discussing the wider impact of the results, and the effect of globalization on the modern-day soccer world

Demystifying the Mystery of Second Career Teachers’ Motivation to Teach

Within the field of education, there has been much discussion regarding what prompts the career change of second career teachers. This study examines motivational factors that influence second career teachers’ decision to teach and how their previous careers influence their teaching experience. The theoretical framework that acts as foundational platform is the Expectancy Theory. The study utilized a qualitative approach. Data was collected using focus groups and analyzed utilizing open coding consistent with Corbin and Strauss (2010). The results of the study revealed that most participants were intrinsically motivated to transition to the teaching profession

Integrative Click Chemistry for Tuning Physicochemical Properties of Cancer Cell-Laden Hydrogels

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)The pancreas is a vital organ that secretes key metabolic hormones and digestive enzymes. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the world, limited advances in diagnosis or therapies have been made over decades. Key features of PDAC progression include an elevated matrix sti ness and an increased deposition of extracellular matrices (ECM), such as hyaluronic acid (HA). Understanding how cells interact with components in the tumor microenvironment (TME) as PDAC progresses can assist in developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic treatment options. In recent years, hydrogels have proven to be an excellent platform for studying cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Utilizing chemically modi ed and naturally derived materials, hydrogel networks can be formed to encompass not only the components, but also the physicochemical properties of the dynamic TME. In this work, a dynamic hydrogel system that integrates multiple click chemistries was developed for tuning matrix physicochemical properties in a manner similar to the temporally increased matrix sti ness and depositions of HA. Subsequently, these dynamic hydrogels were used to investigate how matrix sti ening and increased HA presentation might a ect survival of PDAC cells and their response to chemotherapeutics

Essays on Race in Policing

In recent years, a number of high-profile policing controversies have led to global indignation over racial disparities in policing and perceived police brutality. This paper explores three different dimensions of race in policing. The first chapter of this dissertation examines whether the presence of female and minority police officers affects the likelihood of police use of force and whether officers are more or less likely to use force against civilians of a different race. Focusing on a subset of 911 calls resulting in arrest, I use an instrumental variables estimation method with dispatch availability by officer race/gender as an instrument for the presence of different officer types. I find that the presence of a female officer significantly reduces the likelihood that force is used. Calls involving white officers and black civilians are significantly more likely to result in use of force. The second chapter uses data on 7.5 million police-civilian interactions made by 1,663 Texas Highway Patrol officers to estimate the impact of five mandatory police trainings on the racial composition of traffic stops and racial disparities in related outcomes. The five trainings considered are (1) Cultural Diversity; (2) Arrest, Search & Seizure; (3) Racial Profiling; (4) Traffic; and (5) Deescalation. We exploit quasi-random variation in the timing of when individual officers receive training and estimate a series of event study models. We find that training has little to no effect on policing behavior in terms of either racial composition or stops or related outcomes. In general, our findings cast serious doubt on the ability of policymakers to use training as an effective intervention for combatting longstanding disparities in law enforcement. The third chapter examines whether externally-imposed affirmative action plans designed to increase the shares of nonwhite and female police officers have impacted the rates of reported offenses and/or offenses cleared by arrest. Using a series of modern econometric strategies including difference-in-differences decomposition and generalized synthetic controls, we do not find a significant effect of court-imposed affirmative action plans on the rates of reported offenses or reported offenses cleared by arrest. We also consider whether unlitigated agencies change their practices due to the threat of litigation but are unable to identify causal evidence of such threat effects

In Vitro Manual Therapy and Biorobotic Simulation of Glenohumeral Joint Mobilization Techniques

Physical therapists (PT) employ mobilization techniques for restoring range of motion to joints. Few studies have attempted to quantify the biomechanics of manual therapy on the glenohumeral (GH) joint. The objectives of this study were to develop an in vitro protocol to determine the biomechanical effects of joint mobilization on the GH joint, and to then simulate these mobilizations in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Joint Implant Biomechanics Laboratory’s Robotic Testing Platform (RTP). The GH joint is an incredibly shallow socket joint. This gives the joint an unusually large range of motion (ROM) compared to other ball joints. The increased ROM makes the joint unstable and susceptible to injury. The joint is completely surrounded by many muscles for support. The primary stabilizers are the rotator cuff (RC) muscles: subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor. These muscles were chosen to be simulated for the experiments. The objective of this study was to develop a protocol for quantifying and comparing GH joint mobilization techniques performed by physical therapists in a human cadaveric model. Two different GH joint positions were investigated using grade IV non-oscillatory mobilizations. Force data was captured using a six (DOF) load cell; three dimensional (3D) positional data was captured using a camera system with light emitting diodes (LEDs). Most notable differences between joint position and therapists occurred during posterior glide mobilization. In addition to studying other GH mobilization techniques the protocol can be used to determine structural tissue properties and/or measure effects of shoulder injuries on GH biomechanics. A separate robotic protocol was developed to simulate anterior, posterior, and inferior glides on the GH joint in neutral position. Tests were conducted through 10° flexion and 10° extension in neutral rotation, 30° internal rotation, and 30° external rotation. External rotation was found to be the stiffest joint configuration in all glide positions; neutral rotation configuration was found to be the least stiff. Two protocols were successfully developed: one for capturing PT’s technique in manual therapy, another for simulating PT’s manual therapy via a robotic testing platform. Future work can be aimed at expanding the ROM these present protocols study. Additionally, the manual articulation model can be developed into a training tool after gathering in vivo human data from additional experiments using a gait lab. The stated model could then be used to teach therapists particular techniques necessary for clinical treatment