Automatic Recognition of Object Use Based on Wireless Motion Sensors

In this paper, we present a method for automatic, online detection of a user’s interaction with objects. This represents an essential building block for improving the performance of distributed activity recognition systems. Our\ud method is based on correlating features extracted from motion sensors worn by the user and attached to objects. We present a complete implementation of the idea, using miniaturized wireless sensor nodes equipped with motion sensors. We achieve a recognition accuracy of 97% for a target response time of 2 seconds. The implementation is lightweight, with low communication bandwidth and processing needs. We illustrate the potential of the concept by means of an interactive multi-user game

NVIDIA Storage Performance Optimization

For the NVIDIA Disk Optimization project, the goal was to create a way for users to improve the performance of their hard disks via an easy-to-use test suite. The test suite that was created centers around taking advantage of NVIDIA\u27s proprietary disk technology, and was designed to be part of NVIDIA\u27s existing nTune software. Benchmark tools run before and after the execution of the created software show an increase in disk I/O performance

A study on automatic recognition of object use exploiting motion correlation of wireless sensors

An essential component in the ubiquitous computing vision is the ability of detecting with which objects the user is interacting during his or her activities. We explore in this paper a solution to this problem based on wireless motion and orientation sensors (accelerometer and compass) worn by the user and attached to objects. We evaluate the performance in realistic conditions, characterized by limited hardware resources, measurement noise due to motion artifacts and unreliable wireless communication. We describe the complete solution, from the theoretical design, going through simulation and tuning, to the full implementation and testing on wireless sensor nodes. The implementation on sensor nodes is lightweight, with low communication bandwidth and processing needs. Compared to existing work, our approach achieves better performance (higher detection accuracy and faster response times), while being much more computationally efficient. The potential of the concept is further illustrated by means of an interactive multi-user game. We also provide a thorough discussion of the advantages, limitations and trade-offs of the proposed solution

The impact of globalization on transport investment

Research background: The economic impact of investing in new transport capacity or improving existing ones is complex and often indirect. Loans for infrastructure are often needed, but they cannot create sufficient conditions for economic growth. Investments in transport infrastructure require public funding. An assessment of their cost-effectiveness is needed to ensure a reasonable and acceptable allocation. Relevant economic, environmental and social effects must be taken into account. There is a growing concern in the transport sector about decisions on the development of the transport system and the effects of scale and externalities they produce. Planners and decision-makers need to know more about the wider economic impact of individual infrastructure projects and transport policies in general. Purpose of the article: This paper aims to present the most important theoretical and practical aspects of the importance of transport investment worldwide, at European level and Romania. Investments in transport infrastructure will not improve the economic vitality of a region unless it has sufficient economic capacity and employment, land use and economic development policies. Methods: This article starts from the hypothesis of the influence of globalization on the development of transport systems in general and applies as a case study on Romania. The paper was based on the analysis of transport legislation, as well as data sets for the period 2011-2019, to observe the gradual development of all types of transport. Findings & Value added: Following these researches, the link between globalization and investments in transport systems was found by emphasizing accessibility to new infrastructures, new horizons and development plans for the main types of transport, which is a key element in economic activity. The main results were disseminated throughout the article and it adds value through the analysis created at global and regional level (at European level) and the interpretation of statistical data related to transport investments

Safety and Efficacy of Simultaneous Resection of Gastric Carcinoma and Synchronous Liver Metastasis—A Western Center Experience

Background and objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) is often diagnosed in the metastatic stage. Palliative systemic therapy is still considered the gold standard, even for patients with resectable oligometastatic disease. The aim of the current study is to assess the potential benefit of up-front gastric and liver resection in patients with synchronous resectable liver-only metastases from GC (LMGC) in a Western population. Materials and Methods: All patients with GC and synchronous LMGC who underwent gastric resection with or without simultaneous resection of LMs between January 1997 and December 2016 were selected from the institutional records. Those with T4b primary tumors or with unresectable or more than three LMs were excluded from the analysis. All patients who underwent emergency surgery for hemorrhagic shock or gastric perforation were also excluded. Results: Out of 28 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 16 underwent simultaneous gastric and liver resection (SR group), while 12 underwent palliative gastric resection (GR group). The median overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was of 18.81 months, with 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates of 71.4%, 17.9% and 14.3%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates in SR group (75%, 31.3% and 25%, respectively) were significantly higher than those achieved in GR group (66.7%, 0% and 0%, respectively; p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis of the entire cohort revealed that the only independent prognostic factor associated with better OS was liver resection (HR = 3.954, 95% CI: 1.542–10.139; p = 0.004). Conclusions: In a Western cohort, simultaneous resection of GC and LMGC significantly improved OS compared to patients who underwent palliative gastric resection

Influence of Film Structure and Precursor Composition on Rhodamine B Retention in Dye-Dopped Ormosils

The interplay between the chemical structure of the precursors, internal organization in the end materials and dye retention was investigated for composites (ormosils) doped with rhodamine B. Besides formulations with triethoxysilanes (RTES) only, we synthesized as well organic–inorganic hybrids with addition of titanium isopropoxide (TIP) and maleic anhydride (MA). The organic (R) functionality of RTES was changed from methyl (MeTES), to phenyl (PTES) and octyl (OTES). Atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy, coupled with thermogravimetric analysis prove that hydrophobicity increase stimulates the transition of film structure: from well-defined, compact particles (for MeTES), to a mixture of porous particles and non-granular material (for MeTES/PTES), with extreme results observed for octyl-based composites. For this latter, the apparent homogeneity comes from cluster-like organization, where the primary entities are pseudo—granules produced by hydrophobic interactions of oligomeric siloxanes. Controlling the composition and gelation procedure resulted in doped composites with good optical transparency and rhodamine B fluorescence emission bands at around 580 nm. Dye transport inside the inorganic structure is not facilitated when: (a) the particles have a compact (nonporous) inner structure and (b) the recipe does not contain the TIP/MA combination. For silica-based films, the dye is located in the macropores (between the granules) of the material and could be easy removed by washing with acetone. On the contrary, using TIP/MA changes not only the internal composition of the granular-like material (by creating a microporous titania-rich outer-shell of the particles) but also the affinity of the Rh-B to permeate and reside inside these new structures