A linked-data paradigm for the integration of static and dynamic building data in digital twins

Digital Twins is an emerging field of research, mainly because they span the entire building lifecycle promising to uncover hidden inefficiencies and deliver data-driven applications. Broadly defined as real-time digital representations of physical assets, Digital Twins require a connection between static and real-time data. However, building information is usually stored in different formats across the lifecycle, making data integration a challenging task. We hereby often rely on linked data technologies, yet overall system integration approaches with multiple types of data sources. In this work, a data linking methodology is proposed to combine static building design data from Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and dynamic data using the Brick Schema; a domain ontology which configures data analytics applications during the operational phase. To facilitate this integration, we develop a tool to facilitate the linking of building topology, product, and sensor data using the two schemata. The implementation of our methodology in a real test case demonstrates its significance in combining diverse data sources which can be an important step for the delivery of Digital Twin applications

The SONICOM HRTF dataset

Immersive audio technologies, ranging from rendering spatialized sounds accurately to efficient room simulations, are vital to the success of augmented and virtual realities. To produce realistic sounds through headphones, the human body and head must both be taken into account. However, the measurement of the influence of the external human morphology on the sounds incoming to the ears, which is often referred to as head-related transfer function (HRTF), is expensive and time-consuming. Several datasets have been created over the years to help researcherswork on immersive audio; nevertheless, the number of individuals involved and amount of data collected is often insufficient for modern machine-learning approaches. Here, the SONICOM HRTF dataset is introduced to facilitate reproducible research in immersive audio. This dataset contains the HRTF of 120 subjects, as well as headphone transfer functions; 3D scans of ears, heads, and torsos; and depth pictures at different angles around subjects' heads

The need for aquatic tracking networks: the permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network

Aquatic biotelemetry techniques have proven to be valuable tools to generate knowledge on species behaviour, gather oceanographic data and help in assessing effects from anthropogenic disturbances. These data types support international policies and directives, needed for species and habitat conservation. As aquatic systems are highly interconnected and cross administrative borders, optimal data gathering should be organized on a large scale. This need triggered the development of regional, national and international aquatic animal tracking network initiatives around the globe. In Belgium, a national acoustic receiver network for fish tracking, called the Permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network, was set up in 2014 with different research institutes collaborating. It is a permanent network with 160 acoustic receivers and since the start, over 800 animals from 16 different fish species have been tagged and generated more than 17 million detections so far. To handle all the (meta)data generated, a data management platform was built. The central database stores all the data and has an interactive web interface that allows the users to upload, manage and explore (meta)data. In addition, the database is linked to an R-shiny application to allow the user to visualize and download the detection data. The permanent tracking network is not only a collaborative platform for exchange of data, analysis tools, devices and knowledge. It also creates opportunities to perform feasibility studies and Ph.D. studies in a cost-efficient way. The Belgian tracking network is a first step towards a Pan-European aquatic tracking network

In-gas-cell laser ionization spectroscopy in the vicinity of 100Sn: Magnetic moments and mean-square charge radii of N=50-54 Ag

In-gas-cell laser ionization spectroscopy studies on the neutron deficient 97-101Ag isotopes have been performed with the LISOL setup. Magnetic dipole moments and mean-square charge radii have been determined for the first time with the exception of 101Ag, which was found in good agreement with previous experimental values. The reported results allow tentatively assigning the spin of 97,99Ag to 9/2 and confirming the presence of an isomeric state in these two isotopes, whose collapsed hyperfine structure suggests a spin of 1/2 . The effect of the N=50 shell closure is not only manifested in the magnetic moments but also in the evolution of the mean-square charge radii of the isotopes investigated, in accordance with the spherical droplet model predictions

Using longitudinal antibiotic point prevalence survey (PPS) to drive antimicrobial stewardship programmes in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) provides a means of tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Unfortunately, in Nigeria, like in some other low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs), AMS practice has been lacklustre due to poor institutional support amongst other factors. Efforts were made to address this situation by engaging with the management of National Hospital Abuja, Nigeria, using antibiotic prescription information obtained through repeated point prevalence survey.Methodology: Two rounds of antibiotic PPS were conducted in 2015 and 2017 using the Global Point Prevalence Survey (G-PPS) format. Data were collected from all inpatients receiving antibiotics on the selected day of study, including patient characteristics, antimicrobial prescription details, laboratory results and information on a set of quality indicators. The data were uploaded to an online G-PPS application hosted at the University of Antwerp in Belgium for validation, analysis and reporting.Results: The PPS data showed that hospital-wide antibiotic use prevalence increased from 58% in 2015 to 61% in 2017. Surgical prophylaxis beyond 24 hours also increased from 88-90% in 2015 to 100% in 2017, and only minority of therapies were supported by laboratory input for diagnosis and monitoring; 22% in 2015 and 5% in 2017.Conclusion: These results were used for evidence-based engagement with the management to formally support AMS activities in the hospital. Positive outcomes were the formal reconstitution and inauguration of AMS committee in 2018 as well as the issuance of a formal policy statement by the hospital in 2020. The ease and free availability of Global PPS methodology makes it ideal in driving antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP) in LMICs like Nigeria. Keywords: Antibiotic stewardship checklist, institutional support, point   French Title: Utilisation d'une enquête longitudinale sur la prévalence ponctuelle des antibiotiques (PPS) pour conduire des programmes de gestion des antimicrobiens dans un hôpital tertiaire nigérian Contexte: La gestion des antimicrobiens (AMS) offre un moyen de lutter contre la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM). Malheureusement, au Nigéria, comme dans certains autres pays à revenu faible ou intermédiaire (PRFI), la pratique de la MGS a été médiocre en raison d'un soutien institutionnel insuffisant, entre autres facteurs. Des  Longitudinal PPS for AMS programmes efforts ont été faits pour remédier à cette situation en collaborant avec la direction de l'hôpital national d'Abuja, au Nigéria, en utilisant les informations sur les prescriptions d'antibiotiques obtenues grâce à une enquête ponctuelle répétée de prévalence.Méthodologie: Deux séries d'antibiotiques PPS ont été menées en 2015 et 2017 en utilisant le format Global Point Prevalence Survey (G-PPS). Des données ont été recueillies auprès de tous les patients hospitalisés recevant des antibiotiques le jour sélectionné de l'étude, y compris les caractéristiques des patients, les détails de la prescription d'antimicrobiens, les résultats de laboratoire et les informations sur un ensemble d'indicateurs de qualité. Les données ont été téléchargées sur une application en ligne G-PPS hébergée à l'Université d'Anvers en Belgique à des fins de validation, d'analyse et rapports.Résultats: Les données PPS ont montré que la prévalence de l'utilisation d'antibiotiques à l'échelle de l'hôpital est passée de 58% en 2015 à 61% en 2017. La prophylaxie chirurgicale au-delà de 24 heures est également passée de 88 à 90% en 2015 à 100% en 2017, et seule une minorité de thérapies a été soutenue par entrée de laboratoire pour le diagnostic et la surveillance; 22% en 2015 et 5% en 2017.Conclusion: Ces résultats ont été utilisés pour un engagement fondé sur des données probantes avec la direction afin de soutenir officiellement les activités AMS à l'hôpital. Les résultats positifs ont été la reconstitution formelle et l'inauguration du comité AMS en 2018 ainsi que la publication d'une déclaration de politique formelle par l'hôpital en 2020. La facilité et la disponibilité gratuite de la méthodologie Global PPS la rend idéale pour conduire le programme de gestion des antimicrobiens (ASP) en PRFI comme le Nigéria. Mots clés: liste de contrôle pour la gestion des antibiotiques, soutien institutionnel, enquête ponctuelle de prévalence, déclaration de politique prevalence survey, policy statement &nbsp

Separable time-causal and time-recursive spatio-temporal receptive fields

We present an improved model and theory for time-causal and time-recursive spatio-temporal receptive fields, obtained by a combination of Gaussian receptive fields over the spatial domain and first-order integrators or equivalently truncated exponential filters coupled in cascade over the temporal domain. Compared to previous spatio-temporal scale-space formulations in terms of non-enhancement of local extrema or scale invariance, these receptive fields are based on different scale-space axiomatics over time by ensuring non-creation of new local extrema or zero-crossings with increasing temporal scale. Specifically, extensions are presented about parameterizing the intermediate temporal scale levels, analysing the resulting temporal dynamics and transferring the theory to a discrete implementation in terms of recursive filters over time.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1404.203

Shape Isomerism at N = 40: Discovery of a Proton Intruder in 67Co

The nuclear structure of 67Co has been investigated through 67Fe beta-decay. The 67Fe isotopes were produced at the LISOL facility in proton-induced fission of 238U and selected using resonant laser ionization combined with mass separation. The application of a new correlation technique unambiguously revealed a 496(33) ms isomeric state in 67Co at an unexpected low energy of 492 keV. A 67Co level scheme has been deduced. Proposed spin and parities suggest a spherical (7/2-) 67Co ground state and a deformed first excited (1/2-) state at 492 keV, interpreted as a proton 1p-2h prolate intruder state.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, preprint submitted to Physical Review Letter