Learning Multiple Visual Tasks while Discovering their Structure

Multi-task learning is a natural approach for computer vision applications that require the simultaneous solution of several distinct but related problems, e.g. object detection, classification, tracking of multiple agents, or denoising, to name a few. The key idea is that exploring task relatedness (structure) can lead to improved performances. In this paper, we propose and study a novel sparse, non-parametric approach exploiting the theory of Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces for vector-valued functions. We develop a suitable regularization framework which can be formulated as a convex optimization problem, and is provably solvable using an alternating minimization approach. Empirical tests show that the proposed method compares favorably to state of the art techniques and further allows to recover interpretable structures, a problem of interest in its own right.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, 3 table

The impacts of replacing air bubbles with microspheres for the clarification of algae from low cell-density culture

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is a well-known coagulation–flotation system applied at large scale for microalgae harvesting. Compared to conventional harvesting technologies DAF allows high cell recovery at lower energy demand. By replacing microbubbles with microspheres, the innovative Ballasted Dissolved Air Flotation (BDAF) technique has been reported to achieve the same algae cell removal efficiency, while saving up to 80% of the energy required for the conventional DAF unit. Using three different algae cultures (Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira maxima), the present work investigated the practical, economic and environmental advantages of the BDAF system compared to the DAF system. 99% cells separation was achieved with both systems, nevertheless, the BDAF technology allowed up to 95% coagulant reduction depending on the algae species and the pH conditions adopted. In terms of floc structure and strength, the inclusion of microspheres in the algae floc generated a looser aggregate, showing a more compact structure within single cell alga, than large and filamentous cells. Overall, BDAF appeared to be a more reliable and sustainable harvesting system than DAF, as it allowed equal cells recovery reducing energy inputs, coagulant demand and carbon emissions

Migrants' health: Building migrant-sensitive health systems

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Simulated performance of a xenohybrid bone graft (Smartbone®) in the treatment of acetabular prosthetic reconstruction

open6Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgical procedure for the replacement of hip joints with artificial prostheses. Several approaches are currently employed in the treatment of this kind of defect. Overall, the most common method involves using a quite invasive metallic support (a Burch–Schneider ring). Moreover, valid alternatives and less invasive techniques still need to be supported by novel material development. In this work, we evaluated the performance of SmartBone®, a xenohybrid bone graft composed of a bovine bone matrix reinforced with biodegradable polymers and collagen, as an effective support in acetabular prosthesis reconstruction. Specifically, the material’s mechanical properties were experimentally determined (E = ~1.25 GPa, Ef = ~0.34 GPa, and Et = ~0.49 GPa) and used for simulation of the hip joint system with a SmartBone® insert. Moreover, a comparison with a similar case treated with a Burch–Schneider ring was also conducted. It was found that it is possible to perform THA revision surgeries without the insertion of an invasive metal support and it can be nicely combined with SmartBone®’s osteointegration characteristics. The material can withstand the loads independently (σmax = ~12 MPa) or be supported by a thinner titanium plate in contact with the bone in the worst cases. This way, improved bone regeneration can be achieved.openGrottoli C.F.; Cingolani A.; Zambon F.; Ferracini R.; Villa T.; Perale G.Grottoli, C. F.; Cingolani, A.; Zambon, F.; Ferracini, R.; Villa, T.; Perale, G

Il lavoro povero in Italia: problemi e prospettive

Nel volume è affrontato il tema della povertà lavorativa in Italia in una prospettiva multidisciplinare: non solo sotto il profilo lavoristico, ma anche sotto quello sociologico. Attraverso vari contributi si analizzano problematiche e prospettive del tema della povertà lavorativa

LFI requirements for RFQM performance verification test

Scope of this document is to define LFI requirements for the beam pattern measurements will be performed on the Planck RFQM telescope / FPU assembly by the Planck Industry contractor. The requirements are presented for the measurement of the main beam, the intermediate zone, the spillover zone, and the straylight region, respectively. These regions (in position and shape) have been identified for each considered beam pattern, in the S/C coordinate system. The accuracy level to be reached in the measurement of each region is reported

LFI requirements for RFQM pattern measurements

Scope of this document is to define LFI requirements for the beam pattern measurements will be performed on the Planck RFQM telescope / FPU assembly by the Planck Industry contractor

Bio adipic acid production from sodium muconate and muconic acid: a comparison of two systems

sodium muconate and trans,trans‐muconic acid were heterogeneously hydrogenated to adipic acid, a strategic intermediate for the industry of polyamides and high performance polymers. Hydrogen pressure, metal to substrate ratio, substrate concentration and reaction temperature were varied to study the effect of these parameters on the reaction products. Commercial Pd/AC 5 % was used as catalyst and characterized by TEM, BET and XPS analyses. The results revealed that temperature is the parameter which mainly affect the reaction. Moreover, hydrogenation of trans,trans‐muconic acid is faster than sodium muconate reduction. Full conversion and full yield toward adipic acid was obtained using trans,trans‐muconic acid as substrate after 60 min at the following operating conditions: temperature=70 °C, metal/substrate=1/200 (molPd/molsub), trans,trans‐muconic acid concentration=1.42E‐02M and hydrogen pressure=1 bar. In all reactions (2E)hexenedioic acid was detected as main intermediate

Chapter La basilica inferiore di San Crisogono: lettura morfometrica di un’architettura stratificata

The 43rd UID conference, held in Genova, takes up the theme of ‘Dialogues’ as practice and debate on many fundamental topics in our social life, especially in these complex and not yet resolved times. The city of Genova offers the opportunity to ponder on the value of comparison and on the possibilities for the community, naturally focused on the aspects that concern us, as professors, researchers, disseminators of knowledge, or on all the possibile meanings of the discipline of representation and its dialogue with ‘others’, which we have broadly catalogued in three macro areas: History, Semiotics, Science / Technology. Therefore, “dialogue” as a profitable exchange based on a common language, without which it is impossible to comprehend and understand one another; and the graphic sign that connotes the conference is the precise transcription of this concept: the title ‘translated’ into signs, derived from the visual alphabet designed for the visual identity of the UID since 2017. There are many topics which refer to three macro sessions: - Witnessing (signs and history) - Communicating (signs and semiotics) - Experimenting (signs and sciences) Thanks to the different points of view, an exceptional resource of our disciplinary area, we want to try to outline the prevailing theoretical-operational synergies, the collaborative lines of an instrumental nature, the recent updates of the repertoires of images that attest and nourish the relations among representation, history, semiotics, sciences

Conforto térmico e renovação de ar em habitação de interesse social: estudo de caso em Uberlândia, Brasil

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted aspects that require greater attention in residential buildings, especially in social housing developments. For example, thermal comfort and air renewal, play an important role in the environmental quality of housing and control of spreading pathogens, including coronavirus. The challenge is adequately providing these attributes in Brazilian social housing (SH) as naturally ventilated buildings where predominantly low-income families live. Considering it, a study was developed using computational simulation to evaluate the interaction between the indicators of thermal comfort (using the adaptive model) and air renewal (in air changes per hour - ACH) in a horizontal semi-detached typology of social housing provided by the Brazilian government program Minha Casa, Minha Vida, located in Uberlândia city, Minas Gerais state, Brazil.  Ventilated roofs, variable window opening patterns, effective ventilation areas, and horizontal window shadings were the behavioral and physical interventions suggested to comparative analyses according to their performance to the indicators.  The paper aims to present and discuss the main results obtained in terms of positive trends for the analyzed indicators’ performance and for the typology and location studied, seeking the achievement of better ventilated and thermally comfortable habitats. Additionally, a brief study on the most appropriate adaptive thermal comfort model for studies in the city of Uberlândia is presented, contributing to the future performance of more accurate thermal comfort analyses in SH, aiming at more assertive and resilient provision of guidances for renovations.La pandemia del COVID-19 puso de relieve aspectos que requieren mayor atención en las edificaciones residenciales, especialmente en las urbanizaciones de vivienda social. Por ejemplo, el confort térmico y la renovación del aire juegan un papel importante en la calidad ambiental de la vivienda y en el control de la propagación de patógenos, incluido el coronavirus. El desafío es proporcionar adecuadamente estos atributos en las viviendas sociales brasileñas (HIS), que son edificios con ventilación predominantemente natural donde viven familias de bajos ingresos. Teniendo esto en cuenta, se desarrolló un estudio mediante simulación computacional para evaluar la interacción entre indicadores de confort térmico (utilizando el modelo adaptativo) y renovación de aire (en cambios de aire por hora - ACH) en una tipología horizontal de vivienda social adosada, provista por el programa del gobierno brasileño Minha Casa, Minha Vida, ubicada en la ciudad de Uberlândia (MG), Brasil. Los techos ventilados, los patrones variables de apertura de ventanas, las áreas de ventilación efectiva y el sombreado horizontal de las ventanas fueron las intervenciones conductuales y físicas sugeridas para el análisis comparativo según su desempeño en los indicadores. El artículo tiene como objetivo presentar y discutir los principales resultados obtenidos en términos de tendencias positivas para el desempeño de los indicadores analizados y para la tipología y ubicación estudiada, buscando crear hábitats mejor ventilados y térmicamente confortables. Además, se presenta un breve estudio sobre el modelo adaptativo de confort térmico más adecuado para estudios en la ciudad de Uberlândia, contribuyendo para el desarrollo futuro de análisis de confort térmico más precisos en SIS, con el objetivo de una orientación más asertiva y resiliente de las reformas.A pandemia de COVID-19 evidenciou aspectos que exigem maior atenção em edifícios residenciais, especialmente em conjuntos habitacionais de interesse social. Por exemplo, o conforto térmico e a renovação do ar desempenham um papel importante na qualidade ambiental das moradias e no controle da propagação de patógenos, incluindo o coronavírus. O desafio é fornecer adequadamente esses atributos em habitações de interesse social (HIS) brasileiras, que são edifícios com ventilação predominantemente natural onde vivem famílias de baixa renda. Levando isso em consideração, um estudo foi desenvolvido utilizando simulação computacional para avaliar a interação entre os indicadores de conforto térmico (usando o modelo adaptativo) e renovação do ar (em trocas de ar por hora - ACH) em uma tipologia horizontal de habitação social geminada, fornecida pelo programa governamental brasileiro Minha Casa, Minha Vida, localizado na cidade de Uberlândia (MG), Brasil. Telhados ventilados, padrões variáveis de abertura de janelas, áreas efetivas de ventilação e sombreamento horizontal de janelas foram as intervenções comportamentais e físicas sugeridas para análises comparativas de acordo com seu desempenho para os indicadores. O artigo tem como objetivo apresentar e discutir os principais resultados obtidos em termos de tendências positivas para o desempenho dos indicadores analisados e para a tipologia e localização estudadas, buscando a criação de habitats mais bem ventilados e termicamente confortáveis. Além disso, um breve estudo sobre o modelo adaptativo de conforto térmico mais adequado para estudos na cidade de Uberlândia é apresentado, contribuindo para o futuro desenvolvimento de análises de conforto térmico mais precisas em HIS, visando a orientação mais assertiva e resiliente de reformas