RobustSwap: A Simple yet Robust Face Swapping Model against Attribute Leakage

Face swapping aims at injecting a source image's identity (i.e., facial features) into a target image, while strictly preserving the target's attributes, which are irrelevant to identity. However, we observed that previous approaches still suffer from source attribute leakage, where the source image's attributes interfere with the target image's. In this paper, we analyze the latent space of StyleGAN and find the adequate combination of the latents geared for face swapping task. Based on the findings, we develop a simple yet robust face swapping model, RobustSwap, which is resistant to the potential source attribute leakage. Moreover, we exploit the coordination of 3DMM's implicit and explicit information as a guidance to incorporate the structure of the source image and the precise pose of the target image. Despite our method solely utilizing an image dataset without identity labels for training, our model has the capability to generate high-fidelity and temporally consistent videos. Through extensive qualitative and quantitative evaluations, we demonstrate that our method shows significant improvements compared with the previous face swapping models in synthesizing both images and videos. Project page is available at https://robustswap.github.io/Comment: 21 page

A database of 5305 healthy Korean individuals reveals genetic and clinical implications for an East Asian population

Despite substantial advances in disease genetics, studies to date have largely focused on individuals of European descent. This limits further discoveries of novel functional genetic variants in other ethnic groups. To alleviate the paucity of East Asian population genome resources, we established the Korean Variant Archive 2 (KOVA 2), which is composed of 1896 whole-genome sequences and 3409 whole-exome sequences from healthy individuals of Korean ethnicity. This is the largest genome database from the ethnic Korean population to date, surpassing the 1909 Korean individuals deposited in gnomAD. The variants in KOVA 2 displayed all the known genetic features of those from previous genome databases, and we compiled data from Korean-specific runs of homozygosity, positively selected intervals, and structural variants. In doing so, we found loci, such as the loci of ADH1A/1B and UHRF1BP1, that are strongly selected in the Korean population relative to other East Asian populations. Our analysis of allele ages revealed a correlation between variant functionality and evolutionary age. The data can be browsed and downloaded from a public website (https://www.kobic.re.kr/kova/). We anticipate that KOVA 2 will serve as a valuable resource for genetic studies involving East Asian populations

A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for adiponectin levels in East Asians identifies a novel locus near WDR11-FGFR2

Blood levels of adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted protein correlated with metabolic and cardiovascular risks, are highly heritable. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies for adiponectin levels have identified 14 loci harboring variants associated with blood levels of adiponectin. To identify novel adiponectin-associated loci, particularly those of importance in East Asians, we conducted a meta-analysis of GWA studies for adiponectin in 7827 individuals, followed by two stages of replications in 4298 and 5954 additional individuals. We identified a novel adiponectin-associated locus on chromosome 10 near WDR11-FGFR2 (P = 3.0 × 10−14) and provided suggestive evidence for a locus on chromosome 12 near OR8S1-LALBA (P = 1.2 × 10−7). Of the adiponectin-associated loci previously described, we confirmed the association at CDH13 (P = 6.8 × 10−165), ADIPOQ (P = 1.8 × 10−22), PEPD (P = 3.6 × 10−12), CMIP (P = 2.1 × 10−10), ZNF664 (P = 2.3 × 10−7) and GPR109A (P = 7.4 × 10−6). Conditional analysis at ADIPOQ revealed a second signal with suggestive evidence of association only after conditioning on the lead SNP (Pinitial = 0.020; Pconditional = 7.0 × 10−7). We further confirmed the independence of two pairs of closely located loci (<2 Mb) on chromosome 16 at CMIP and CDH13, and on chromosome 12 at GPR109A and ZNF664. In addition, the newly identified signal near WDR11-FGFR2 exhibited evidence of association with triglycerides (P = 3.3 × 10−4), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, P = 4.9 × 10−4) and body mass index (BMI)-adjusted waist–hip ratio (P = 9.8 × 10−3). These findings improve our knowledge of the genetic basis of adiponectin variation, demonstrate the shared allelic architecture for adiponectin with lipids and central obesity and motivate further studies of underlying mechanisms

Exploring the degradation pathways of a nickel-rich cathode during high-temperature storage in high-energy lithium-ion batteries

The degradation of nickel-based cathodes under high temperature is challenging for expanding their application to electric vehicles (EVs) and stationary energy storages. While a majority of the research focuses on the improving performances and degradation mechanisms for long-term cycling, relatively less studies are published regarding the long-term storage conditions. Herein, we discuss a high-temperature calendar life of Ni-rich cathode using systematic protocols with high-energy lithium-ion cell. Although the final capacity retention after the calendar life test is the same with &amp; SIM;70% compared to the original cell capacity, Ni-rich cathode showed diverse degradation behavior depending on the calendar temperature of 45 &amp; DEG;C and 60 &amp; DEG;C. The major degradation factor for cells stored at 60 &amp; DEG;C is the loss of lithium inventory; however, there was a severe loss of the active material in the cells stored at 45 &amp; DEG;C as well as lithium inventory loss

Verification of the Seismic Performance of a Rigidly Connected Modular System Depending on the Shape and Size of the Ceiling Bracket

Modular systems have been mostly researched in relatively low-rise structures but, lately, their applications to mid- to high-rise structures began to be reviewed, and research interest in new modularization subjects has increased. The application of modular systems to mid- to high-rise structures requires the structural stability of the frame and connections that consist of units, and the evaluation of the stiffness of structures that are combined in units. However, the combination of general units causes loss of the cross-section of columns or beams, resulting in low seismic performance and hindering installation works in the field. In addition, the evaluation of a frame considering such a cross-sectional loss is not easy. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a joint that is stable and easy to install. In the study, a rigidly connected modular system was proposed as a moment-resisting frame for a unit modular system, and their joints were developed and their performances were compared. The proposed system changed the ceiling beam into a bracket type to fasten bolts. It can be merged with other seismic force-resisting systems. To verify the seismic performance of the proposed system, a cyclic loading test was conducted, and the rigidly connected joint performance and integrated behavior at the joint of modular units were investigated. From the experimental results, the maximum resisting force of the proposed connection exceeded the theoretical parameters, indicating that a rigid joint structural performance could be secured

Key Considerations for Phase 2 or 3 Clinical Study Design of Anti-Inflammatory Agent for COVID-19 Treatment

Purpose: Current understanding of COVID-19 disease progression suggests a major role for the &quot;cytokine storm&quot; as an important contributor to COVID-19 mortality. To prevent an exaggerated immune response and improve COVID-19 patient endpoints, anti-inflammatory therapeutics have been proposed as clinically useful in severe patients with COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to propose a clinical trial design for the development of anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of COVID-19, taking into account the physiological and immunological process of COVID-19 and the treatment mechanism of anti-inflammatory agents.Methods: We reviewed and analyzed the guidelines for the development of COVID-19 treatments and the treatment of COVID-19 by regulatory agencies and previously conducted clinical trials on anti-inflammatory drugs for COVID-19. Finally, after discussing with an advisory group, a synopsis was presented for an example protocol for a COVID-19 anti-inflammatory agent phase 2 or 3 study that considers the drug mechanism and the disease progression of COVID-19.Results: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group design was suggested as a phase 2 or 3 trial design for developing an anti-inflammatory agent as a COVID-19 treatment. A key item of the example protocol specific to anti-inflammatory agents was the inclusion and exclusion criteria, taking into account the immunosuppressive effects of the drug, clinical time course of COVID-19 disease, and treatment guidelines for COVID-19. Time to recovery is the primary endpoint associated with clinical efficacy and is generally well accepted by many experts.Conclusion: Through this suggested phase 2 or 3 study design of an anti-inflammatory drug for COVID-19, we provide a basis for a study design that can be utilized in clinical development by pharmaceutical companies which are developing a potential anti-inflammatory agent for COVID-19.N

Design of a Coupling/decoupling Mechanism of End Effector for a First Aid Robot’s Injection Function

This paper details the design of a special end effector that allows a first aid robot to quickly and accurately give an injection. There is growing demand for robots that can perform rescue operations on behalf of rescue workers in dangerous areas such as disasters or wars. The robots are primarily responsible for searching and transporting the injured, but they sometimes need to perform rescue activities after providing simple first aid at the site. Previous studies have proposed special end effectors that are suitable for onsite situations and enable robots to perform the given task quickly and accurately. This paper proposes a mechanism design for the injection device, a special end effector that would allow a robot performing first aid to give an injection to the injured. The proposed mechanism enables easy but strong coupling/decoupling of a medical auto-injector. Only a small amount of force needs to be exerted using the robot manipulator. Coupling is maintained by an exceptionally large force. Also, the optimal design value for the injection device joint was derived using mathematical analyses and experiments with the coupling structure. © 2019, ICROS, KIEE and Springer.FALS