Post-processing Procedures for Passive GPS based Travel Survey

AbstractA challenge in posteriori data processing for passive GPS based travel survey, which constitute the heart of this paper, is to develop a series of methods to automatically restore the sequences of data points, both in space and time. It means the trips and activities occurred in the survey time should be identifiable chronologically and those identified by the program should respect this definition convention. Reference to the research results of our colleagues, and by combining the experiences of other French travel survey and personal mobility survey at Lille, a series of methods has been developed and put into application. The data outcome is ready for further applications

Revisiting Vision Transformer from the View of Path Ensemble

Vision Transformers (ViTs) are normally regarded as a stack of transformer layers. In this work, we propose a novel view of ViTs showing that they can be seen as ensemble networks containing multiple parallel paths with different lengths. Specifically, we equivalently transform the traditional cascade of multi-head self-attention (MSA) and feed-forward network (FFN) into three parallel paths in each transformer layer. Then, we utilize the identity connection in our new transformer form and further transform the ViT into an explicit multi-path ensemble network. From the new perspective, these paths perform two functions: the first is to provide the feature for the classifier directly, and the second is to provide the lower-level feature representation for subsequent longer paths. We investigate the influence of each path for the final prediction and discover that some paths even pull down the performance. Therefore, we propose the path pruning and EnsembleScale skills for improvement, which cut out the underperforming paths and re-weight the ensemble components, respectively, to optimize the path combination and make the short paths focus on providing high-quality representation for subsequent paths. We also demonstrate that our path combination strategies can help ViTs go deeper and act as high-pass filters to filter out partial low-frequency signals. To further enhance the representation of paths served for subsequent paths, self-distillation is applied to transfer knowledge from the long paths to the short paths. This work calls for more future research to explain and design ViTs from new perspectives.Comment: Accepted by ICCV 2023, oral presentatio

Business on Chain: A Comparative Case Study of Five Blockchain-Inspired Business Models

Blockchain technology, despite its origins as the underlying infrastructure for value transfer in the era of cryptocurrency, has been touted as the main disruptive force in modern businesses. Blockchain has the capacity to chronologically capture and store transactional data in a standardized and tamper-proof format that is transparent to all stakeholders involved in the transaction. This, in turn, has prompted companies to rethink preexisting business practices, thereby yielding a myriad of fascinating business models anchored in blockchain technology. In this study, we advance contemporary knowledge of business applications of blockchain by drawing on the theoretical lens of the digital business model and value configuration to decipher how pioneers in this space are leveraging blockchain to create and capture value. Through a comparative, multiple case study approach, we analyzed five companies in mainland China that have rolled out blockchain initiatives. From our case analyses, we derived a typology of five blockchain-inspired business models, each of which embodies a distinctive logic for market differentiation. For each business model, we offer insights into its value creation logic, its value capturing mechanism, and the challenges that could threaten its longer-term viability. Grounded in our findings, we discuss key implications for theory and practice

Advanced drilling detection and multi-information identification of water-conducting channel of coal floor

The coal floor develops various water-conducting channels, which seriously threaten the safe production of mines. In order to establish a more scientific multi-information identification technology system for the water-conducting channels in the coal floor, and prevent floor water inrush. Firstly, the principles of reasonable trajectory, reasonable target layer and exploration area maximization are proposed based on the characteristics of the water-conducting channels and the advantages of the ground directional drilling area exploration technology. Diversified types, unclear locations, and significant water inrush hazards are the characteristics of water-conducting channels. Secondly, the summary analysis is conducted on the exploration process of water diversion channels in areas such as HuaiBei Mining Area, Huainan Mining Area, Xingtai Mining Area, and Huanghebei Coal Field. When revealing the water-conducting channels, there are significant differences in visual indicators such as rock debris, drilling time, drilling fluid leakage, and confirmatory indicators such as permeability and grouting parameters compared to revealing normal formations. Therefore, the identification indicators of multi-information during the drilling process are divided into two types: qualitative and quantitative. Based on the variation amplitude of two qualitative indicators, rock debris and drilling time, when encountering water-conducting channels, it gives corresponding standard curves, and determines the classification system for water-conducting channel types. Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis is conducted on the changes in the two quantitative indicators of drilling fluid leakage and permeability when encountering water-conducting channels. 30 m3/h of drilling fluid leakage and 10 Lu of permeability are proposed as the classification criteria for conductivity. Based on this, a dual factor comprehensive classification system for water-conducting channels conductivity is established, and the conductivity is divided into four levels. Finally, taking a typical mine in the North China coalfield as a case study, the principle of exploration is adopted to explore the water-conducting channels. The multi-information identification technology is applied to successfully identify four faults, two karst fracture zones and a collapse in the detection area, and determines conductivity levels of water-conducting channels. The research results have guiding effect and important significance for improving the identification and control of water-conducting channels

Improving the coverage and accuracy of syphilis testing: The development of a novel rapid, point-of-care test for confirmatory testing of active syphilis infection and its early evaluation in China and South Africa

Background: Current point-of-care tests (POCT) for syphilis, based on the detection of Treponema pallidum (TP) total antibodies, have limited capacity in distinguishing between active and past/treated syphilis. We report the development and early evaluation of a new prototype POCT based on the detection of TP-IgA antibodies, a novel biomarker for active syphilis. Methods: The TP-IgA POCT (index test) was developed in response to the World Health Organisation (WHO) target product profile (TPP) for a POCT for confirmatory syphilis testing. Two sub-studies were conducted consecutively using 458 pre-characterised stored plasma samples in China (sub-study one, addressing the criteria for the WHO TPP), and 503 venous blood samples collected from pregnant/postpartum women in South Africa (sub-study two, addressing potential clinical utility). Performance of the index test was assessed against standard laboratory-based serology using a combination of treponemal (TPHA) and non-treponemal (rapid plasma reagin [RPR]) tests. Findings: In sub-study one, the index test demonstrated 96·1% (95%CI=91·7%-98·5%) sensitivity and 84·7% (95%CI=80·15–88·6%) specificity for identification of active syphilis (TPHA positive, RPR positive). It correctly identified 71% (107/150) samples of past-treated syphilis (TPHA positive, RPR negative). In sub-study two, the index test achieved 100% (95%CI=59%-100%) sensitivity for active syphilis and correctly identified all nine women with past syphilis. Interpretation: The TP-IgA POCT has met the WHO TPP for a POCT for diagnosis of active syphilis and demonstrated its potential utility in a clinical setting. Future studies are warranted to evaluate field performance of the final manufactured test. Funding: Saving Lives at Birth: Grand Challenge for Development, Thrasher Research Fund, and the Victorian Government Operational Infrastructure Scheme

Mix-of-Show: Decentralized Low-Rank Adaptation for Multi-Concept Customization of Diffusion Models

Public large-scale text-to-image diffusion models, such as Stable Diffusion, have gained significant attention from the community. These models can be easily customized for new concepts using low-rank adaptations (LoRAs). However, the utilization of multiple concept LoRAs to jointly support multiple customized concepts presents a challenge. We refer to this scenario as decentralized multi-concept customization, which involves single-client concept tuning and center-node concept fusion. In this paper, we propose a new framework called Mix-of-Show that addresses the challenges of decentralized multi-concept customization, including concept conflicts resulting from existing single-client LoRA tuning and identity loss during model fusion. Mix-of-Show adopts an embedding-decomposed LoRA (ED-LoRA) for single-client tuning and gradient fusion for the center node to preserve the in-domain essence of single concepts and support theoretically limitless concept fusion. Additionally, we introduce regionally controllable sampling, which extends spatially controllable sampling (e.g., ControlNet and T2I-Adaptor) to address attribute binding and missing object problems in multi-concept sampling. Extensive experiments demonstrate that Mix-of-Show is capable of composing multiple customized concepts with high fidelity, including characters, objects, and scenes

A point-of-care lateral flow assay for neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2

Background: As vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 are now being rolled out, a better understanding of immunity to the virus, whether from infection, or passive or active immunisation, and the durability of this protection is required. This will benefit from the ability to measure antibody-based protection to SARS-CoV-2, ideally with rapid turnaround and without the need for laboratory-based testing. Methods: We have developed a lateral flow POC test that can measure levels of RBD-ACE2 neutralising antibody (NAb) from whole blood, with a result that can be determined by eye or quantitatively on a small instrument. We compared our lateral flow test with the gold-standard microneutralisation assay, using samples from convalescent and vaccinated donors, as well as immunised macaques. Findings: We show a high correlation between our lateral flow test with conventional neutralisation and that this test is applicable with animal samples. We also show that this assay is readily adaptable to test for protection to newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the beta variant which revealed a marked reduction in NAb activity. Lastly, using a cohort of vaccinated humans, we demonstrate that our whole-blood test correlates closely with microneutralisation assay data (specificity 100% and sensitivity 96% at a microneutralisation cutoff of 1:40) and that fingerprick whole blood samples are sufficient for this test. Interpretation: Taken together, the COVID-19 NAb-testTM device described here provides a rapid readout of NAb based protection to SARS-CoV-2 at the point of care

The Chinese Smog Crisis as Media Event: Examining Twitter Discussion of the Documentary Under the Dome

Media event theory examines how viewers take part in live televised events despite lack of physical presence. The media event scholarship has rarely considered how technologies like the Internet reconfigure the dynamics of such events. Drawing on Chinese language users’ Twitter discussion about Under the Dome, a high-profile 2015 documentary about air pollution in China, this article uses social network and content analyses to examine the mechanisms of media events in the networked digital space. Diverse actors engaged in the distribution and interpretation of this media event, most of whom were individual actors. Two subnetworks are revealed on Twitter: the disengaged one mainly distributed links to the documentary, and the engaged one actively discussed the documentary. While Twitter discussion of Under the Dome lacked broad and sophisticated discourse, we still find promising signs of public discussion on the smog issue and public policy in the long run. Theoretically, this study underscores the potential of integrating media event and framing theories to tackle the refashioned nature of media events. Empirically, the findings allow us to better understand how a wide range of individual and institutional actors co-stage and co-interpret media events by leveraging the technological and communicative affordances of Twitter

The complete chloroplast genome of the Chinese medicinal herb Senecio scandens

Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham. is a crucial source of Chinese traditional medicine with antibacterial properties. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. scandens. The assembled chloroplast genome was 150,729 bp in length, containing two inverted repeated (IR) regions of 24,455 bp each, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,984 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,835 bp. The genome encodes 133 genes consisting of 89 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of S. scandens is 37.4%, with the highest GC content of 43% in the IR region. A total of 38 simple sequence repeats are identified in the cp genome of S. scandens. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a sister relationship between S. scandens and Pericallis hybrida, indicating further revisions for the genus Senecio. This work provides basic genetic resources for investigating the evolutionary status and population genetics diversities for this medicinal species

Bipartite containment tracking in second-order multi-agent systems over switching cooperation-competition networks

The bipartite containment tracking control of second-order multi-agent systems over arbitrarily switching cooperation-competition networks is discussed in this paper. In this case, the followers are divided into two subgroups, which are cooperative within the same subgroup and competitive between the two subgroup. In addition, the leaders have a common sense of cooperation with the followers within one of the subgroups and competition or non-communication with the followers within another subgroup. With the sufficient connectivity condition being given, the fact that the followers who cooperate with the leaders will gradually enter the real convex hull formed by the leaders, and the followers who compete with the leaders will enter a virtual convex hull which is symmetrical with the real convex hull, is proved theoretically. It is also shown that the followers will keep moving in time after entering the convex hulls. Finally, the bipartite containment tracking performances proved by theory are verified by a simulation example