Exploring Deep Learning for deformative operators in vector-based cartographic road generalization

Cartographic generalisation is the process by which geographical data is simplified and abstracted to increase the legibility of maps at reduced scales. As map scales decrease, irrelevant map features are removed (selective generalisation), and relevant map features are deformed, eliminating unnec- essary details while preserving the general shapes (deformative generalisation). The automation of cartographic generalisation has been a tough nut to crack for years because it is governed not only by explicit rules but also by a large body of implicit cartographic knowledge that conven- tional automation approaches struggle to acquire and formalise. In recent years, the introduction of Deep Learning (DL) and its inductive capabilities has raised hope for further progress. This thesis explores the potential of three Deep Learning architectures — Graph Convolutional Neural Network (GCNN), Auto Encoder, and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) — in their application on the deformative generalisation of roads using a vector-based approach. The generated small- scale representations of the input roads differ substantially across the architectures, not only in their included frequency spectra but also in their ability to apply certain generalisation operators. However, the most apparent learnt and applied generalisation operator by all architectures is the smoothing of the large-scale roads. The outcome of this thesis has been encouraging but suggests to pursue further research about the effect of the pre-processing of the input geometries and the inclusion of spatial context and the combination of map features (e.g. buildings) to better capture the implicit knowledge engrained in the products of mapping agencies used for training the DL models

Nondispersive Infrared Spectrometry: A New Method for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection with the 13C-Urea Breath Test

Nondispersive infrared spectrometry (NDIRS) was used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection with the 13C-urea breath test. The results were compared with those of standard isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Both methods accurately distinguished between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative individuals. The results demonstrate that NDIRS technology is accurate and therefore of equal value to standard IRMS for detection of H. pylori infection. It can be recommended for routine clinical application. As NDIRS technology is much cheaper than current IRMS machines, we consider the new method extremely useful for clinical application

Sponges of the family Esperiopsidae (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida) from Northwest Africa, with the descriptions of four new species

Sponges belonging to the genera Amphilectus Vosmaer, Esperiopsis Carter and Ulosa de Laubenfels of the family Esperiopsidae were collected during 1986 and 1988 expeditions of the Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis (at that time the National Museum of Natural History at Leiden and the Zoological Museum of Amsterdam) in waters off the coasts of Mauritania and the Cape Verde Islands. Four new species, Amphilectus utriculus sp. nov., Amphilectus strepsichelifer sp. nov., Esperiopsis cimensis sp. nov., Ulosa capblancensis sp. nov., and two already known species, Amphilectus cf. fucorum (Esper) and Ulosa stuposa (Esper) are described and discussed

Tobler/Beglinger-Brevier zum Institutionellen Abkommen Schweiz-EU

Die Schweiz und die Europäische Union (EU) verhandeln seit dem Frühling 2014 über ein institutionelles Abkommen“ zu wichtigen Teilen des bilateralen Rechts. Man spricht auch von den „institutionellen Fragen“, einem „institutionellen Rahmenabkommen“ und neuerdings – seit dem Juni 2017 – einem „Konsolidierungsabkommen“. Das Thema erscheint regelmässig in den Medien und ist z.T. stark umstritten. Dementsprechend unterschiedlich wird die Sachlage dargestellt – mit der Folge, dass unklar bleibt, worum es denn eigentlich genau geht. Das vorliegende Brevier versucht, wichtige, immer wiederkehrende Diskussionspunkte zu klären und so zum besseren Verständnis der komplexen Thematik beizutragen

Tobler/Beglinger-Brevier zum Institutionellen Abkommen Schweiz-EU

Question and answer document on the draft EU-Swiss Institutional Agreemen

Carbon Dioxide Insufflation in Routine Colonoscopy Is Safe and More Comfortable: Results of a Randomized Controlled Double-Blinded Trial

Many patients experience pain and discomfort after colonoscopy. Carbon dioxide (CO2) can reduce periprocedural pain although air insufflation remained the standard procedure. The objective of this double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether CO2 insufflation does decrease pain and bloating during and after colonoscopy compared to room air. Methods. 219 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to either CO2 or air insufflation. Propofol was used in all patients for sedation. Transcutaneous CO2 was continuously measured with a capnograph as a safety parameter. Pain, bloating, and overall satisfaction were assessed at regular intervals before and after the procedure. Results(data are mean ±SD). 110 patients were randomized to CO2 and 109 to room air. The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The mean propofol dose was not different between the treatments, as were the time to reach the ileum and the withdrawal time. pCO2 at the end of the procedure was 35.2 ± 4.3 mmHg (CO2 group) versus 35.6 ± 6.0 mmHg in the room air group (P > .05). No relevant complication occurred in either group. There was significantly less bloating for the CO2 group during the postprocedural recovery period (P < .001) and over the 24-hour period (P < .001). Also, patients with CO2 insufflation experienced significantly less pain (P = .014). Finally, a higher overall satisfaction (P = .04 ) was found in the CO2 group. Conclusions. This trial provides compelling evidence that CO2 insufflation significantly reduces bloating and pain after routine colonoscopy in propofol-sedated patients. The procedure is safe with no significant differences in CO2 between the two groups

Relating Petroleum System & Play Development to Basin Evolution: South Atlantic Marginal Basins

Doust, H. [Promotor]Cloetingh, S.A.P.L. [Promotor

Les implications du processus de libéralisation des transports publics urbains à l’exemple de Bienne L’analyse du processus de libéralisation dans le domaine du transport public urbain suisse à l’aide du modèle des régimes institutionnels des ressources infrastructurelles

Pour le développement urbain durable, la gestion des grands réseaux urbains constitue un défi majeur. L’adéquation entre recettes fiscales et maintient du service public semble de plus en plus difficile à trouver. La libéralisation amorcée du transport public urbain en Suisse (et en Eu-rope) affecte profondément l’organisation, les responsabilités et les enjeux de tout le système du transport public pour une agglomération. La transformation de la régulation socio-politique pour assouplir, voire abolir les restrictions de mise sur le marché force les différents acteurs à se repositionner. Le modèle des régimes institutionnels des ressources se prête pour analyser le domaine du transport public. Il met en exergue les incohérences entre les politiques publi-ques pour régler le secteur et les droits de propriétés qui régissent la branche. L’analyse empi-rique de la transformation du transport public dans l’agglomération biennoise montre que le nouveau régime, mis en place depuis 1996, ne correspond pas à l’idéal type d’un régime libéra-lisé. Je parle de régime hybride. Il a permis d’accroître l’efficience du secteur des transports pu-blics et répond également mieux aux besoins de l’usager et aux exigences de la durabilité. S’agit-il d’effets sur le long terme, provoqué par la transformation du régime, ou sommes-nous en face d’un engagement spéculatif des acteurs en vue d’une future rente de situation

Effects of carbohydrate sugars and artificial sweeteners on appetite and the secretion of gastrointestinal satiety peptides

In vitro, both carbohydrate sugars and artificial sweeteners (AS) stimulate the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). It has been suggested that the gut tastes sugars and AS through the same mechanisms as the tongue, with potential effects on gut hormone release. We investigated whether the human gut responds in the same way to AS and carbohydrate sugars, which are perceived by lingual taste as equisweet. We focused on the secretion of gastrointestinal (GI) satiety peptides in relation to appetite perception. We performed a placebo-controlled, double-blind, six-way, cross-over trial including twelve healthy subjects. On separate days, each subject received an intragastric infusion of glucose, fructose or an AS (aspartame, acesulfame K and sucralose) dissolved in 250ml of water or water only (control). In a second part, four subjects received an intragastric infusion of the non-sweet, non-metabolisable sugar analogue 2-deoxy-d-glucose. Glucose stimulated GLP-1 (P=0·002) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY; P=0·046) secretion and reduced fasting plasma ghrelin (P=0·046), whereas fructose was less effective. Both carbohydrate sugars increased satiety and fullness (albeit not significantly) compared with water. In contrast, equisweet loads of AS did not affect gastrointestinal peptide secretion with minimal effects on appetite. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose increased hunger ratings, however, with no effects on GLP-1, PYY or ghrelin. Our data demonstrate that the secretion of GLP-1, PYY and ghrelin depends on more than the detection of (1) sweetness or (2) the structural analogy to glucos

Serum protein electrophoresis : an underused but very useful test

Serum protein electrophoresis is used in clinical practice to identify patients with multiple myeloma and other serum protein disorders. It is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform screening procedure. Electrophoresis separates serum proteins based on their physical properties and identifies morphologic patterns in response to acute and chronic inflammation, various malignancies, liver or renal failure, and hereditary protein disorders. For gastroenterologists, the use of serum protein electrophoresis may be helpful in the diagnosis of both common diseases with unusual presentations and rare disorders with typical presentations. Therefore, it represents an ideal screening tool