Deep Optical Flow Estimation Via Multi-Scale Correspondence Structure Learning

As an important and challenging problem in computer vision, learning based optical flow estimation aims to discover the intrinsic correspondence structure between two adjacent video frames through statistical learning. Therefore, a key issue to solve in this area is how to effectively model the multi-scale correspondence structure properties in an adaptive end-to-end learning fashion. Motivated by this observation, we propose an end-to-end multi-scale correspondence structure learning (MSCSL) approach for optical flow estimation. In principle, the proposed MSCSL approach is capable of effectively capturing the multi-scale inter-image-correlation correspondence structures within a multi-level feature space from deep learning. Moreover, the proposed MSCSL approach builds a spatial Conv-GRU neural network model to adaptively model the intrinsic dependency relationships among these multi-scale correspondence structures. Finally, the above procedures for correspondence structure learning and multi-scale dependency modeling are implemented in a unified end-to-end deep learning framework. Experimental results on several benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Biofiltration du méthane issu de sites d'enfouissement sanitaire en présence de composés organiques volatils

Abstract : Global warming is a growing concern due to the increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere. Methane (CH4) contributes to 11% of global GHG emissions and landfills generate 17% of global anthropogenic CH4 emissions. Biotechnologies such as biofiltration offer sustainable solutions for the biotreatment of CH4 (at concentrations lower than 5% v/v), although the presence of other pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in landfill gas (LFG) and low CH4 mass transfer issues need to be considered. Biofiltration of CH4 in complex mixtures with VOCs is yet to be fully understood, with further studies required to strengthen knowledge in this field. This study focuses on the simultaneous biofiltration of CH4 with two aromatic compounds, xylene (X) and ethylbenzene (EB), by studying the effect of operational parameter changes such as empty bed residence time (EBRT) and concentration of CH4, X and EB on biofiltration performances. First, a literature review discussing LFG emissions, conventional LFG abatement methods, the suitability of biotechnologies for LFG removal in old and small landfills, and the challenges and advantages of biofiltration for LFG were provided. Secondly, the simultaneous biofiltration of CH4 in the presence of either X or EB was carried out in inorganic packed bed biofilters (BFs) at an EBRT of 4.5 min at CH4 concentrations in the range of 1000-10000 ppmv and individual VOC concentrations between 200-500 ppmv. The study found that low concentrations of CH4 (2000-6000 ppmv) had a minor effect on the removal efficiency (RE) of the VOCs, with average RE remaining above 85% for VOCs at 200 ppmv. However, at higher CH4 concentrations i.e. 10000 ppmv, inhibition became apparent for both VOCs and CH4, reducing both their REs by 80%. Thirdly, a ternary mixture consisting of CH4, X and EB was treated in an inorganic based-bed BF for CH4 concentrations in the range of 1000-10000 ppmv and VOC concentrations varying from 200 to 600 ppmv. The study found that CH4-RE was 41% when its concentration was 2000 ppmv and the concentrations of X and EB were 200 ppmv, at an EBRT of 9 min. Similarly, X and EB-REs were 58% and 57% respectively, at the same concentrations but with a shorter EBRT of 4.5 min. The biodegradation of pollutants in the BF was found to be located at different sections. The highest CH4-RE was in the top section while X and EB-REs were highest in the middle section and were not affected by CH4 concentrations. In the third part of the study, an artificial neural network (ANNs) was used to predict the BF performance. The ANN models accurately predicted dynamic and pseudo-steady-state CH4 and VOCs-REs. The findings suggest the need for a large database to enhance ANN performance in simulating complex CH4 biofiltration kinetics. Overall, this study provides promising results and insights into the simultaneous biofiltration of CH4 with VOCs, highlighting the significance of pollutant concentrations and EBRT. The use of ANNs for performance prediction shows potential for industrial applications, saving time and costs associated with experimentations.Le réchauffement climatique est une préoccupation croissante en raison de l'augmentation des gaz à effet de serre (GES) dans l'atmosphère. Le méthane (CH4) contribue à 11% des émissions mondiales de GES et les sites d’enfouissement sanitaires (SES) génèrent 17% des émissions anthropiques mondiales de CH4. Les biotechnologies telles que la biofiltration offrent des solutions durables pour le traitement biologique du CH4 (à des concentrations inférieures à 5% v/v), bien que la présence d'autres polluants tels que les composés organiques volatils (COVs) dans le gaz des sites d’enfouissement (GSE) doit être prise en compte. La biofiltration du CH4 dans des mélanges complexes en présence de COVs nécessite des études supplémentaires pour renforcer les connaissances dans ce domaine. Cette étude se concentre sur la biofiltration simultanée du CH4 en présence de deux composés aromatiques, le xylène (X) et l'éthylbenzène (EB) ; l'effet des changements de paramètres opérationnels tels que le temps de séjour en fût vide (EBRT) et la concentration de CH4, de X et de l’EB sur les performances de la biofiltration a été étudiée. Tout d'abord, une revue de littérature a porté sur les émissions de GSE, les méthodes conventionnelles de réduction des GSE, l'adéquation des biotechnologies pour l'élimination des GES dans les anciens SES ou les SES de faible taille, ainsi que sur les défis et avantages de la biofiltration des GES. Ensuite, la biofiltration simultanée du CH4 en présence de X ou de l’EB a été effectuée dans des biofiltres à lit inorganique sous un EBRT de 4.5 minutes pour des concentrations de CH4 comprises entre 1000 et 10000 ppmv et des concentrations individuelles de COVs comprises entre 200 et 500 ppmv. L'étude a révélé que les faibles concentrations de CH4 (2000-6000 ppmv) avaient un effet mineur sur la conversion (RE) des COVs, avec une RE moyenne supérieure à 85% pour les COVs (concentration de 200 ppmv). Cependant, pour des concentrations de CH4 plus élevées, c'est-à-dire 10000 ppmv, une inhibition est apparue à la fois pour les COV et le CH4, réduisant leurs REs respectives de 80%. Ensuite, un mélange ternaire composé de CH4, de X et de l’EB a été traité dans un biofiltre à lit inorganique pour des concentrations de CH4 comprises entre 1000 et 10000 ppmv et des concentrations de COVs variant de 200 à 600 ppmv. L'étude a montré que la RE du CH4 était de 41% lorsque sa concentration était de 2000 ppmv et que les concentrations de X et EB étaient de 200 ppmv, sous un EBRT de 9 minutes. De même, les REs de X et EB étaient de 58% et 57% respectivement, pour des concentrations identiques mais avec un EBRT plus court de 4,5 minutes. La biodégradation des polluants était située dans différentes sections du biofiltre. La RE du CH4 était la plus élevée dans la section supérieure, tandis que les REs de X et de l’EB étaient les plus élevées dans la section intermédiaire et n'étaient pas affectées par les concentrations de CH4. Dans la troisième partie de l'étude, un réseau de neurones artificiels (RNA) a été utilisé pour prédire les performances du biofiltre. Les modèles de RNA ont prédit avec précision les REs dynamiques et pseudo-stationnaires du CH4 et des COVs. Les résultats suggèrent la nécessité d'une grande base de données pour améliorer les performances des RNAs dans la simulation de la cinétique de la biofiltration complexe du CH4. Dans l'ensemble, cette étude fournit des résultats prometteurs et des connaissances sur la biofiltration simultanée du CH4 en présence de COVs et met en évidence l'importance des concentrations de polluants et de l'EBRT. L'utilisation des RNAs pour la prédiction des performances montre un potentiel pour des applications industrielles, ce qui permettrait d'économiser du temps et des coûts liés aux expérimentations

Uterine artery embolization versus surgical management in primary atonic postpartum hemorrhage: A randomized clinical trial

AbstractBackgroundPostpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of severe maternal morbidity and death. A prompt management of uterine atony is life saving. Surgery can be needed in many cases. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a safe procedure and can be tried to be alternative to surgical approach.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) in comparison with stepwise devascularization and compression sutures in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).MethodsRandomized controlled parallel-group trial included twenty-three women with postpartum hemorrhage who were treated with either selective embolization of the uterine arteries or stepwise devascularization and compression sutures after failure of conservative measures.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 9 patients (81.8%) of cases with complete cessation of the bleeding, while 2 cases (18.2%) suffered DIC and needed hysterectomy in the UAE group, while the other group (12 patients) had stepwise devascularization and compression sutures done after failure of the conservative measures, with 3 cases who needed hysterectomy after failure of these methods.ConclusionsUterine artery embolization is a safe, minimally invasive and effective method for treatment of postpartum hemorrhage and is alternative to surgical management

The 'Abbasid Caliphate, 132/750-170/786.

In the early decades of the second century A.H./eighth century A.D., the supporters of the 'Abbilsids overthrew the Umayyads and put the 'Abblsids in power in a revolution which not only substituted one dynasty for an-other, but had significant and far-reaching political, religious and social consequences. Since this was a formative period in Muslim historiography, one is faced by an overwhelming wealth of material, including numerous contradictory accounts which must be conscientiously sifted. Moreover, as is unavoidable in a period of transition and revolution, there are various loyalties to be unravelled and guarded against. Chapter I shows how historians dealt with the early Abbasid period. The controversial nature of the 'Abbasid revolution with its messianic aspect, the secrecy with which certain doctrines and principles were concealed from the uninitiated, the deceptive character of the occasional slogans destined for general consumption and the conflicting statements of 'Abbasid propaganda and Umayyad counter-propaganda make it difficult to form an accurate picture. However, as the 'Abbasid revolution must be viewed in the light of pre-ceding and following events, Chapter II reviews the situation in Khurasan and the relations of the Khurasani Arabs with the central regime. The chapter leads to an exposition of the political aspect of the 'Abbasid revolution and to the attempt to substantiate the outdated, but still accepted, in some quarters, racial interpretation of the revolt by the theory already outlined by some scholars that the 'Abbasid revolution was essentially the work of the Arabs in Khurasan and was conducted, throughout most of its stages, by Arab tribal groups whose role was predominant in the revolution. Chapter III deals with a recurrent feature of every revolution, namely internal rivalries among the revolutionaries, as is evident in the conflict between Abu Muslim on the one hand, and Abu Salama, Sulaym-an al-Khuza i, Ziyad b. Salih etc., on the other. Having achieved power the 'Abbasids discarded the extremist wing of the da'wa and adopted Orthodoxy in an attempt to win the support of the traditionists (Ashab al-Hadith), a move which resulted in the Rawandiyya risings in Khurasan and Irak. Simultaneously, the 'Abbasids got rid of certain ambitious dais who had grown too strong to be tolerated (Abu Muslim), or had deviated from the 'Abbasid path (Abd al-Jabbar al-Azdi). As the 'Abbasids failed to fulfil the hopes and expectations of the lower strata of society, other messianic and revolutionary movements arose and attracted disappointed elements. These opposition movements are dealt with in Chapters IV and V. Chapter IV shows that as all Bani Hashia had equal rights to the inheritance of the Prophet, one can hardly speak of an "claim" to the caliphate. The majority of 'Alid sympathizers were, in fact, fighting not so much to enforce this claim, as to improve their own lot and give vent to their hatred of the `Abbasid authorities. Chapter V deals with the Umayyed and Kharijite opposition. Though Irak regained its position as the centre of the empire at the expense of Syria, the Syrians did not yield, and expressed their resentment in a series of risings, some of which were connected with the Sofyani myth, while others had no messianic connotations. The Kharijites were, contrary to the generally accepted view, still active under the 'Abbisids. Their risings often proved dangerous to the authority of the 'Abbasid caliphate. 'Uman and Ifriqiyya were their sphere of influence, and many Kharijite risings in the Jazira, the Yaman, Sistan, and Khurasan had lasting success. Chapter VI treats of major political events, selected to illustrate the trends which characterized the early 'Abbasid period. It shows how tribal 'Asabiyya still played an outstanding rile in the politics of the new regime, how al-Mansur utilized it to weaken the influence of the tribal confederations in many parts of the empire, and was able to consolidate the new regime before expanding in Tabaristan or trying to regain Spain from the Umayyads. It finally shows how intrigues which arose at the 'Abbasid court early in the reign of al-Mahdi resulted in the murder of al-Hadi in 170/786

The Association between Race and Survival among Pediatric Patients with Neuroblastoma in the US between 1973 and 2015

Background: Conclusive information regarding the influence of race on survival among neuroblastoma patients is limited. Our objective is to investigate the association between race and cause-specific survival in pediatric patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma in the US between 1973 and 2015.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database. Patients aged 17 and younger of black, white, or Asian Pacific Islander (API) race diagnosed with neuroblastoma from 1973-2015 were included (n = 2,119). The outcome variable was time from diagnosis to death. Covariates included age, gender, ethnicity, stage, tumor site, and year of diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the hazard of survival for blacks (HR 0.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-1.16) or API (HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.76-1.37) compared with whites. However, patients diagnosed between 2000-2004 (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.36-0.59) and 2005-2015 (HR 0.33; 95% CI 0.26-0.41) had decreased hazards of death when compared to patients treated during 1973 to 1999.Conclusions: No association between race and survival time was found. However, survival improved among all patients treated during 2000-2004 and 2005-2015 compared with those treated before the year 2000, leading to a narrowing of the racial disparity based on survival.Peer reviewe

Phase Equilibrium Measurements and Modeling of Selected Asymmetric Ternary Mixtures

Chemical Engineerin