Semantic Pose using Deep Networks Trained on Synthetic RGB-D

In this work we address the problem of indoor scene understanding from RGB-D images. Specifically, we propose to find instances of common furniture classes, their spatial extent, and their pose with respect to generalized class models. To accomplish this, we use a deep, wide, multi-output convolutional neural network (CNN) that predicts class, pose, and location of possible objects simultaneously. To overcome the lack of large annotated RGB-D training sets (especially those with pose), we use an on-the-fly rendering pipeline that generates realistic cluttered room scenes in parallel to training. We then perform transfer learning on the relatively small amount of publicly available annotated RGB-D data, and find that our model is able to successfully annotate even highly challenging real scenes. Importantly, our trained network is able to understand noisy and sparse observations of highly cluttered scenes with a remarkable degree of accuracy, inferring class and pose from a very limited set of cues. Additionally, our neural network is only moderately deep and computes class, pose and position in tandem, so the overall run-time is significantly faster than existing methods, estimating all output parameters simultaneously in parallel on a GPU in seconds.Comment: ICCV 2015 Submissio

Tilman Nagels " ‚Authentizität‘ in der Leben-Mohammed-Forschung". Eine Antwort

This contribution is a response to Tilman Nagel's essay " ‘Authentizität' in der Leben-Mohammed-Forschung” [‘Authenticity' in the research on the Life of Mohammed] in which the author again presents the main theses argued in his monograph Mohammed. Leben und Legende and responds to criticism. Whereas his critics agree with Nagel that complete ‘authenticity' is unattainable in principle, yet an asymptotic approximation of Mohammed as a figure is indeed possible, the way to attain such an approximation remains a matter of dispute. Contrary to Nagel, the proponents of the so-called isnad-cum-matn analysis hold this method, which offers the possibility to date ḥadīṯs (traditions) and reconstruct texts in circulation in the 1st cent. H., for one of the most successful towards achieving this goal. Another successful procedure of proven value is the evaluation and appraisal of the corpus of traditions traced back to ʿUrwa b. az-Zubayr (d. c. 712), one of the earliest and most important collectors of historical material in Islam. Proponents of both of these procedures do not apply the term ‘authentic', as asserted by Nagel, in the sense of ‘what exactly happened', but rather use this term if the transmitters of a tradition are historical figures and when the process of transmission is proven to have ensued as indicated in the chain of transmissio

The constitution of the Koran as a codified work : Paradigm for codifying Hadith and the Islamic sciences?

Based on observations that the codification process of both Koran and hadith exhibits considerable similarities and that the codification of many Arabic-Islamic sciences proceeds analogously to that of hadith, the following will examine whether the codification of the holy book of Islam was paradigmatic for the codification process of hadith and the other Arabic-Islamic sciences. "Paradigm" here is understood not as a "mystical" prefiguration, but as a pattern of development that repeats itself two or more times because the same or similar prerequisites elicit the same or similar effects. The question as to whether such a pattern exists can demand a certain interest: if a positive answer can be arrived at, it would be possible to demonstrate a regularity according to which the development from speech to writing took place in Islam.Issue title: Oral Tradition in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

The validation of muscle power output measures in lower and upper body resistance exercises

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-115).The reliability and comparability of results obtained from different methods of assessment has been the source of debate for the last decade. Aim: To investigate the reliability and comparability of measurements of force, velocity and power measured simultaneously during upper and lower body resistance exercises for the following three methods: a) power derived from ground reaction force, i.e. using a force plate (FP), b) power derived from the displacement of the bar, i.e. displacement tracking laser (L) and c) power as a combination of force derived from ground reaction force (FP) and velocity derived from the displacement of the bar (L) (FPL). Methods: 15 Males with a history of resistance training of at least one year participated in the study

Personality traits and cognitive performance in elite athletes

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-58).Mental performance consists of cognitive components, such as memory capacity, motor function, or decision making, and psychological components, such as personality traits, psychological well-being, or coping strategies. While certain personality traits have been shown to be associated with specific strengths and weaknesses in an individual’s cognitive abilities only few studies have been done to investigate this relationship in athletes. Our study therefore aims to investigate the correlations between certain personality traits and cognitive performance in a sample of elite hockey players. 25 male athletes completed the ‘WebNeuro Sport’ assessment by the Brain Resource Company

Ketogenic diet therapy in infants with epilepsy

Approximately 25% of children with epilepsy are drug-resistant. Lack of seizure control in infants impacts developmental outcome and places a large burden on NHS services, but there are few data to guide optimal treatment in infants with drug-resistant epilepsy. Ketogenic diet therapy is an effective non-pharmacological treatment option for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy and reports of its use in infants have increased over the last decade. This article gives an overview of use of ketogenic diet therapy in infants with epilepsy, including a history of dietary treatment, evidence for efficacy in infants, patient selection and clinical and dietetic management

Psychotic-like experiences with cannabis use predict cannabis cessation and desire to quit- A cannabis discontinuation hypothesis

Background Evidence suggests that cannabis-induced psychotic-like experiences may be a marker of psychosis proneness. The effect of such experiences on cannabis use has not systematically been examined.Methods We undertook a mixed-methods online survey of 1231 cannabis users (including 926 continued users) using the Cannabis Experiences Questionnaire. We examined the effect of psychotic-like and pleasurable experiences on cessation of cannabis and intention to quit. Socio-demographic variables, cannabis use parameters and substance misuse history were included as covariates. Free-text data explored subjective reasons for changes in use.Results Cessation of cannabis use was associated with greater psychotic-like experiences [p < 0.001, Exp(B) 1.262, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.179-1.351], whilst continued cannabis users were more likely to report pleasurable experiences [p < 0.001, Exp(B) 0.717, 95% CI 0.662-0.776]. Intention to quit cannabis in continued users was associated with greater psychotic-like experiences [p < 0.003, Exp(B) 1.131, 95% CI 1.044-1.225], whilst intention to not quit was significantly associated with increased pleasurable experiences [p < 0.015, Exp(B) 0.892, 95% CI 0.814-0.978]. Whereas former users clearly ascribed cessation to negative experiences, continued users who expressed intention to quit less readily ascribed the intention to negative experiences.Conclusions Elucidation of psychotic-like experiences may form the basis of a therapeutic intervention for those who wish to quit. Cessation in those with cannabis-induced psychotomimetic experiences may offset the risk for the development of a psychotic disorder, in this higher risk group

First-Century Sources for the Life of Muhammad? A Debate

This article proposes to interpret Surah 97 based on research undertaken in the framework of the Corpus Coranicum, project. The first part scrutinizes Christopn LUXENBERG'S seriously flawed argument that Surah 97 can be understood as a Qur'anic hymn on the Nativity of Jesus if some of its key expressions are read against the semantic background of Syriac, while the remainder of the article endeavours to develop a more tenable understanding of the text. This involves an attempt to date Surah 97 relative to other Qur'anic texts and to detect possible additions to it. In addition, the article discusses the meaning and reference of its most central term, laylat al-qadr. Finally special attention is given to the question whether the text might not, in spite of the circularity of LUXENBERG'S reading, contain implicit references to the Nativity. © Walter de Gruyter 2012

Electrophoretic manipulation of multiple-emulsion droplets

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.In this report the electrophoretic manipulation of structured oil-water-oil (O/W)/O core-shell droplets is presented. Water shells have been created that allow the electrophoretic manipulation of oil droplets in an oil environment. It was found that the inner droplet regardless of size and composition does not affect the electrophoretic mobility of the outer water shell, neither before nor after contact with a biased electrode. This method can be used for the manipulation of oil droplets in a continuous oil phase or for the transportation of microbial cells that would otherwise be killed at low electric field strengths