Going beyond semantic image segmentation, towards holistic scene understanding, with associative hierarchical random fields

In this thesis we exploit the generality and expressive power of the Associative Hierarchical Random Field (AHRF) graphical model to take its use beyond that of semantic image segmentation, into object-classes, towards a framework for holistic scene understanding. We provide a working definition for the holistic approach to scene understanding, which allows for the integration of existing, disparate, applications into an unifying ensemble. We believe that modelling such an ensemble as an AHRF is both a principled and pragmatic solution. We present a hierarchy that shows several methods for fusing applications together with the AHRF graphical model. Each of the three; feature, potential and energy, layers subsumes its predecessor in generality and together give rise to many options for integration. With applications on street scenes we demonstrate an implementation of each layer. The first layer application joins appearance and geometric features. For our second layer we implement a things and stuff co-junction using higher order AHRF potentials for object detectors, with the goal of answering the classic questions: What? Where? and How many? A holistic approach to recognition-and-reconstruction is realised within our third layer by linking two energy based formulations of both applications. Each application is evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. In all cases our holistic approach shows improvement over baseline methods

Embedded finite-element solver for computation of brushless permanent-magnet motors

This paper describes the theory underlying the formulation of a “minimum set” of finite-element solutions to be used in the design and analysis of saturated brushless permanent-magnet motors. The choice of finite-element solutions is described in terms of key points on the flux–MMF diagram. When the diagram has a regular shape, a huge reduction in finite-element analysis is possible with no loss of accuracy. If the loop is irregular, many more solutions are needed. This paper describes an efficient technique in which a finite-element solver is associated with a classical $d$– $q$-axis circuit model in such a way that the number of finite-element solutions in one electrical half-cycle can be varied between 1 and 360. The finite-element process is used to determine not only the average torque but also the saturated inductances as the rotor rotates

Psychometric Validation and Demographic Differences in Two Recently Developed Trait Mindfulness Measures

Although in recent years an increasingly large body of mindfulness research has accrued, there continues to be a lack of information about how to measure trait mindfulness, as well as whether it varies across demographic variables such as age and gender. Four hundred and six participants from across New Zealand completed a battery of self-report measures in order to examine demographic differences in mindfulness, as well as to look at how mindfulness predicts outcome variables such as happiness and depression. Additionally, psychometric validation was undertaken on two new trait measures of mindfulness: the Toronto Mindfulness Scale, which did not demonstrate good psychometric validity, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, which did demonstrate good psychometric validity. This study found that females reported higher levels of mindfulness than males, though males demonstrated a stronger mediating relationship between mindfulness and happiness. In addition, higher levels of mindfulness were reported by older individuals; however, young adults manifested the strongest negative relationship between mindfulness and depression across the lifespan. These findings are then discussed in the context of clinical utility and future research

A Numerical Method to Compute Brain Injury Associated to Concussion

This research proposes a new a numerical method to compute brain injury associated with concussion using the Peak Virtual Power method, using the THUMS 4.02 head model. The results indicate that mild and severe concussions could be prevented for lateral collisions and frontal impacts with PVP values lower than 0.928mW and 9.405mW, respectively, and no concussion would happen in the head vertical direction for a PVP value less than 1.184mW. This innovative method proposes a new paradigm to improve helmet designs, assess sports injuries and improve people's wellbeing.Comment: 12 page

A Numerical Method to Compute Brain Injury Associated to Concussion

This research proposes a new a numerical method to compute brain injury associated with concussion using the Peak Virtual Power method, using the THUMS 4.02 head model. The results indicate that mild and severe concussions could be prevented for lateral collisions and frontal impacts with PVP values lower than 0.928mW and 9.405mW, respectively, and no concussion would happen in the head vertical direction for a PVP value less than 1.184mW. This innovative method proposes a new paradigm to improve helmet designs, assess sports injuries and improve people's wellbeing.Comment: 12 page

Copper modulates zinc metalloproteinase-dependent ectodomain shedding of key signaling and adhesion proteins and promotes the invasion of prostate cancer epithelial cells

A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc metalloproteinases (ZMPs) that catalyse the 'ectodomain shedding' of a range of cell surface proteins including signalling and adhesion molecules. These 'sheddases' are associated with the invasion and metastasis of a range of cancers. Increased serum and tumour tissue levels of copper are also observed in several cancers although little is known about how the metal might promote disease progression at the molecular level. In the current study, we investigated whether copper might regulate the ectodomain shedding of two key cell surface proteins implicated in the invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer, the Notch ligand Jagged1 and the adhesion molecule E-cadherin, and whether the metal was able to influence the invasion of the prostate cancer epithelial cell line PC3. Physiological copper concentrations stimulated the ZMP-mediated proteolysis of Jagged1 and E-cadherin in cell culture models whilst other divalent metals had no effect. Copper-mediated Jagged1 proteolysis was also observed following the pre-treatment of cells with cycloheximide and in a cell-free membrane system, indicating a post-translational mechanism of sheddase activation. Finally, the concentrations of copper that stimulated ZMP-mediated protein shedding also enhanced PC3 invasion; an effect which could be negated using a sheddase inhibitor or copper chelators. Collectively, these data implicate copper as an important factor in promoting prostate cancer cell invasion and indicate that the selective post-translational activation of ZMP-mediated protein shedding might play a role in this process.

Universal primers that amplify RNA from all three flavivirus subgroups

Background: Species within the Flavivirus genus pose public health problems around the world. Increasing cases of Dengue and Japanese encephalitis virus in Asia, frequent outbreaks of Yellow fever virus in Africa and South America, and the ongoing spread of West Nile virus throughout the Americas, show the geographical burden of flavivirus diseases. Flavivirus infections are often indistinct from and confused with other febrile illnesses. Here we review the specificity of published primers, and describe a new universal primer pair that can detect a wide range of flaviviruses, including viruses from each of the recognised subgroups

Study of Flare Assessment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Paper Patients

© 2017, The Authors. Arthritis Care & Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American College of Rheumatology. Objective: To determine the level of agreement of disease flare severity (distinguishing severe, moderate, and mild flare and persistent disease activity) in a large paper-patient exercise involving 988 individual cases of systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods: A total of 988 individual lupus case histories were assessed by 3 individual physicians. Complete agreement about the degree of flare (or persistent disease activity) was obtained in 451 cases (46%), and these provided the reference standard for the second part of the study. This component used 3 flare activity instruments (the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group [BILAG] 2004, Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment [SELENA] flare index [SFI] and the revised SELENA flare index [rSFI]). The 451 patient case histories were distributed to 18 pairs of physicians, carefully randomized in a manner designed to ensure a fair case mix and equal distribution of flare according to severity. Results: The 3-physician assessment of flare matched the level of flare using the 3 indices, with 67% for BILAG 2004, 72% for SFI, and 70% for rSFI. The corresponding weighted kappa coefficients for each instrument were 0.82, 0.59, and 0.74, respectively. We undertook a detailed analysis of the discrepant cases and several factors emerged, including a tendency to score moderate flares as severe and persistent activity as flare, especially when the SFI and rSFI instruments were used. Overscoring was also driven by scoring treatment change as flare, even if there were no new or worsening clinical features. Conclusion: Given the complexity of assessing lupus flare, we were encouraged by the overall results reported. However, the problem of capturing lupus flare accurately is not completely solved