Accurate pedestrian localization in overhead depth images via Height-Augmented HOG

We tackle the challenge of reliably and automatically localizing pedestrians in real-life conditions through overhead depth imaging at unprecedented high-density conditions. Leveraging upon a combination of Histogram of Oriented Gradients-like feature descriptors, neural networks, data augmentation and custom data annotation strategies, this work contributes a robust and scalable machine learning-based localization algorithm, which delivers near-human localization performance in real-time, even with local pedestrian density of about 3 ped/m2, a case in which most stateof- the art algorithms degrade significantly in performance

A large-scale real-life crowd steering experiment via arrow-like stimuli

We introduce "Moving Light": an unprecedented real-life crowd steering experiment that involved about 140.000 participants among the visitors of the Glow 2017 Light Festival (Eindhoven, NL). Moving Light targets one outstanding question of paramount societal and technological importance: "can we seamlessly and systematically influence routing decisions in pedestrian crowds?" Establishing effective crowd steering methods is extremely relevant in the context of crowd management, e.g. when it comes to keeping floor usage within safety limits (e.g. during public events with high attendance) or at designated comfort levels (e.g. in leisure areas). In the Moving Light setup, visitors walking in a corridor face a choice between two symmetric exits defined by a large central obstacle. Stimuli, such as arrows, alternate at random and perturb the symmetry of the environment to bias choices. While visitors move in the experiment, they are tracked with high space and time resolution, such that the efficiency of each stimulus at steering individual routing decisions can be accurately evaluated a posteriori. In this contribution, we first describe the measurement concept in the Moving Light experiment and then we investigate quantitatively the steering capability of arrow indications.Comment: 8 page

A large-scale real-life crowd steering experiment via arrow-like stimuli

We introduce “Moving Light”: an unprecedented real-life crowd steering experiment that involved about 140.000 participants among the visitors of the Glow 2017 Light Festival (Eindhoven, NL). Moving Light targets one outstanding question of paramount societal and technological importance: “can we seamlessly and systematically influence routing decisions in pedestrian crowds?” Establishing effective crowd steering methods is extremely relevant in the context of crowd management, e.g. when it comes to keeping floor usage within safety limits (e.g. during public events with high attendance) or at designated comfort levels (e.g. in leisure areas). In the Moving Light setup, visitors walking in a corridor face a choice between two symmetric exits defined by a large central obstacle. Stimuli, such as arrows, alternate at random and perturb the symmetry of the environment to bias choices. While visitors move in the experiment, they are tracked with high space and time resolution, such that the efficiency of each stimulus at steering individual routing decisions can be accurately evaluated a posteriori. In this contribution, we first describe the measurement concept in the Moving Light experiment and then we investigate quantitatively the steering capability of arrow indications

Conduct disorder in girls: neighborhoods, family characteristics, and parenting behaviors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about the social context of girls with conduct disorder (CD), a question of increasing importance to clinicians and researchers. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between three social context domains (neighborhood, family characteristics, and parenting behaviors) and CD in adolescent girls, additionally testing for race moderation effects. We predicted that disadvantaged neighborhoods, family characteristics such as parental marital status, and parenting behaviors such as negative discipline would characterize girls with CD. We also hypothesized that parenting behaviors would mediate the associations between neighborhood and family characteristics and CD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited 93 15–17 year-old girls from the community and used a structured psychiatric interview to assign participants to a CD group (n = 52) or a demographically matched group with no psychiatric disorder (n = 41). Each girl and parent also filled out questionnaires about neighborhood, family characteristics, and parenting behaviors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neighborhood quality was not associated with CD in girls. Some family characteristics (parental antisociality) and parenting behaviors (levels of family activities and negative discipline) were characteristic of girls with CD, but notll. There was no moderation by race. Our hypothesis that the association between family characteristics and CD would be mediated by parenting behaviors was not supported.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study expanded upon previous research by investigating multiple social context domains in girls with CD and by selecting a comparison group who were not different in age, social class, or race. When these factors are thus controlled, CD in adolescent girls is not significantly associated with neighborhood, but is associated with some family characteristics and some types of parental behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships need to be further investigated. We discuss possible explanations for our findings and suggest directions for future research.</p

Integration of oncology and palliative care : a Lancet Oncology Commission

Full integration of oncology and palliative care relies on the specific knowledge and skills of two modes of care: the tumour-directed approach, the main focus of which is on treating the disease; and the host-directed approach, which focuses on the patient with the disease. This Commission addresses how to combine these two paradigms to achieve the best outcome of patient care. Randomised clinical trials on integration of oncology and palliative care point to health gains: improved survival and symptom control, less anxiety and depression, reduced use of futile chemotherapy at the end of life, improved family satisfaction and quality of life, and improved use of health-care resources. Early delivery of patient-directed care by specialist palliative care teams alongside tumour-directed treatment promotes patient-centred care. Systematic assessment and use of patient-reported outcomes and active patient involvement in the decisions about cancer care result in better symptom control, improved physical and mental health, and better use of health-care resources. The absence of international agreements on the content and standards of the organisation, education, and research of palliative care in oncology are major barriers to successful integration. Other barriers include the common misconception that palliative care is end-of-life care only, stigmatisation of death and dying, and insufficient infrastructure and funding. The absence of established priorities might also hinder integration more widely. This Commission proposes the use of standardised care pathways and multidisciplinary teams to promote integration of oncology and palliative care, and calls for changes at the system level to coordinate the activities of professionals, and for the development and implementation of new and improved education programmes, with the overall goal of improving patient care. Integration raises new research questions, all of which contribute to improved clinical care. When and how should palliative care be delivered? What is the optimal model for integrated care? What is the biological and clinical effect of living with advanced cancer for years after diagnosis? Successful integration must challenge the dualistic perspective of either the tumour or the host, and instead focus on a merged approach that places the patient's perspective at the centre. To succeed, integration must be anchored by management and policy makers at all levels of health care, followed by adequate resource allocation, a willingness to prioritise goals and needs, and sustained enthusiasm to help generate support for better integration. This integrated model must be reflected in international and national cancer plans, and be followed by developments of new care models, education and research programmes, all of which should be adapted to the specific cultural contexts within which they are situated. Patient-centred care should be an integrated part of oncology care independent of patient prognosis and treatment intention. To achieve this goal it must be based on changes in professional cultures and priorities in health care