The Greedy Dirichlet Process Filter - An Online Clustering Multi-Target Tracker

Reliable collision avoidance is one of the main requirements for autonomous driving. Hence, it is important to correctly estimate the states of an unknown number of static and dynamic objects in real-time. Here, data association is a major challenge for every multi-target tracker. We propose a novel multi-target tracker called Greedy Dirichlet Process Filter (GDPF) based on the non-parametric Bayesian model called Dirichlet Processes and the fast posterior computation algorithm Sequential Updating and Greedy Search (SUGS). By adding a temporal dependence we get a real-time capable tracking framework without the need of a previous clustering or data association step. Real-world tests show that GDPF outperforms other multi-target tracker in terms of accuracy and stability

De-industrialization or re-industrialization? On the future of the Eastern German economy

The paper is intended to explore the prospective direction of structural adjustment in eastern Germany in the light of recent developments. The authors do argue that the Mezzogiorno-picture, a completely de-industrialized region between the Elbe- and the Oder-river, is not convincing. In the long-run, say in two decades, eastern Germany has good opportunities to become the most modern and competitive industrial basis in central Europe. In the medium-run, however, a dualization is likely - an industry with a rather new, highly capital-intensive segment and a subsidized old one. Consequently, there will emerge fast growing regions within Eastern Germany, so-called productivity islands, and regions with high chronical unemployment. This will be the unavoidable price for a very rapid equalization of real wages between east and west.

Outward processing in Central and East European transition countries: Issues and results from German statistics

Our paper explores the recent trends in outward processing (OP) of German firms in former centrally planned economies (CPEs). We argue that OP is an interesting alternative to cross-border trade and equity foreign arrangements. We present the theoretical framework to understand OP as well as some facts and figures which may prove the empirical evidence. Finally, we discuss consequences for corporate restructuring in CPEs.

Foreign direct investment and trade in transition countries: Tracing links

Several studies have emphasized the links between trade reorientation and industrial restructuring in transition countries. In these studies trade has usually been considered as transactions among unrelated enterprises in different countries. However, an important and steadily growing share of trade are transactions with multinational enterprises and their foreign affiliates. Foreign direct investment of multinationals is the missing link in explaining this type of trade. The paper deals with the so-called intra-firm trade of multinationals operating in transition countries. It argues that trade within the internal networks of multinationals is the major route for international technology'transfer. It summarizes shortly previous studies and takes a glance at the trade structure of Hungarian enterprises involved in a joint venture. Finally, it discusses the implications for corporate restructuring in transition countries.

Western enterprises on eastern markets: The German perspective

The paper offers a vision of the future of cross-border activities between Germany and the Central and East European reform countries. It provides a comprehensive theoretical framework and it presents some stylized facts. It focuses on three prominent areas: trade in goods and services, off-shore processing and foreign direct investment. Although trade in goods and services is still the dominant form of cross-border activities, other forms make up mightily. Industry and country variables strongly influence the type of activities. Trade and off-shore processing are predominantly derived from comparative advantages (especially cheap labour) in Heckscher- Ohlin industries. Foreign direct investment, however, can be found mainly in (mobile) Schumpcter industries.

Structural changes in online retailing and the marketing mix: An analysis considering multichannel online retailing and voice dialog interfaces

The online retail environment is expanding, enhancing the possibilities for customers to shop online. On the one hand, a proliferation of online channels establishes a multichannel online retailing landscape, which offers customers more alternatives in terms of where to shop online. On the other hand, a change in the user interaction mode of existing customer touchpoints, from graphics to voice, creates new voice dialog interfaces, which enhance the way with regard to how customers can shop online. In this context, this publication-based dissertation aims to generate theoretical and practical contributions on these two most recent developments in online retailing, i.e., multichannel online retailing and voice dialog interfaces, to improve marketing mix decision-making

Hydrological information in gravity: observation and modelling

Hydrological variations represent significant, broadband, and integral information in temporal gravity observations. On the one hand, they need to be eliminated from high-precision time series as they interfere with small geodynamic signals. On the other hand, they are considered as a valuable supplement to traditional hydrological point measurements. Of particular interest is to what extent such information can be used to improve the understanding of hydrological process dynamics and to evaluate distributed hydrological models. In this context, a new application of temporal gravity observations has been emerging: the study of natural hydrological mass changes and their underlying processes. Interdisciplinary research has been carried out for the hilly and geologically inhomogeneous surroundings of the superconducting gravimeter at the Geodynamic Observatory Moxa, Germany. From repeated gravity observations on a local network as well as combined hydrological catchment and well-constrained gravimetric 3D modelling a high accuracy reduction for the local hydrological signal in the continuous recordings of the superconducting gravimeter was developed. Applying this reduction, the data of the superconducting gravimeter become suitable to be interpreted with regard to changes in continental water storage. Clear global seasonal variations are detected which were previously masked by the local hydrology. This seasonal signal is also found in variations based on global hydrological models and in GRACE satellite observations. The local hydrological model was evaluated. To further enhance its quality and improve the modelled effect of extreme hydrological events such as heavy rain or snow melt, the response time between different storages of the model may be shortened. In general, the methods developed and the results achieved for the surroundings of Moxa observatory can be transferred to other gravity stations and regions worldwide