Depth sensor

This paper addresses the problem of registering multiple point sets. Solutions to this problem are often approximated by repeatedly solving for pairwise registration, which results in an uneven treatment of the sets forming a pair: a model set and a data set. The main drawback of this strategy is that the model set may contain noise and outliers, which negatively affects the estimation of the registration parameters. In contrast, the proposed formulation treats all the point sets on an equal footing. Indeed, all the points are drawn from a central Gaussian mixture, hence the registration is cast into a clustering problem...

This paper firstly introduces the importance of temperature control in concrete measurement, then a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor tag embedded for concrete temperature monitoring is presented. In order to reduce the influences of concrete electromagnetic parameters during the drying process, a T-type antenna is proposed to measure the concrete temperature at the required depth. The proposed RFID sensor tag is based on the EPC generation-2 ultra-high frequency (UHF) communication protocol and operates in passive mode...

In this paper, we propose a model-based scattering removal method for stereo vision for robot manipulation in indoor scattering media where the commonly used ranging sensors are unable to work. Stereo vision is an inherently ill-posed and challenging problem. It is even more difficult in the case of images of dense fog or dense steam scenes illuminated by active light sources. Images taken in such environments suffer attenuation of object radiance and scattering of the active light sources. To solve this problem, we first derive the imaging model for images taken in a dense scattering medium with a single active illumination close to the cameras...

BACKGROUND: Small pulmonary tumors are difficult to localize during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) because of lack of direct tissue contact. However, in partial lung resection, tumor localization is quite important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a new noncontact sensor for detecting pulmonary nodules during VATS using human and porcine models. METHODS: The sensor, based on the principle of phase differences, comprises an air nozzle for producing air pulse jets and an optical fiber sensor to measure phase differences and visualize object stiffness...

The mechanical imaging of lumps in tissues via surface measurements can permit the noninvasive detection of disease-related differences in body tissues. In routine clinical palpation, physicians frequently make decisions based on mechanical properties that they infer from tactile information felt via touch, but these examinations currently yield little quantitative information. This has motivated the development of electronic methods for mechanical imaging. However, conventional tactile sensors are rigid, unable to conform to curved geometries, and are not adaptable to the shape of all body parts, limiting their applicability in biomedical sensing applications...

The paper is devoted to the study of facial region temperature changes using a simple thermal imaging camera and to the comparison of their time evolution with the pectoral area motion recorded by the MS Kinect depth sensor. The goal of this research is to propose the use of video records as alternative diagnostics of breathing disorders allowing their analysis in the home environment as well. The methods proposed include (i) specific image processing algorithms for detecting facial parts with periodic temperature changes; (ii) computational intelligence tools for analysing the associated videosequences; and (iii) digital filters and spectral estimation tools for processing the depth matrices...

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the inclusion of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) composition to know which changes will result in the radiopacity of the material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was performed according to the American National Standard Institute/American Dental Association specification no. 57/2000 and ISO 6876/2001. Five plates with five holes measuring 1 mm in depth and 5 mm in internal diameter were filled according to the different experimental groups as follows: white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) + NP50 - W MTA with liquid Ag NP 50 ppm, WMTA + NP30 - W MTA with liquid Ag NP 30 ppm, WMTA + NP22 - W MTA with liquid Ag NP 22 ppm, WMTA + NPP - white MTA with liquid Ag NP and powder 1%, WMTA (control)...

Introduction This article ponders upon wearable medical measurement devices in relation to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and its' associated comorbidities - and whether these might benefit CKD-patients. We aimed to map the intersection(s) of nephrology and wearable sensor technology to help technologists understand medical aspects, and clinicians to understand technological possibilities that are available (or soon will become so). Areas covered A structured literature search on main comorbidities and complications CKD patients suffer from, was used to steer mini-reviews on wearable sensor technologies clustered around 3 themes being: Cardiovascular-related, diabetes-related and physical fitness/frailty...

BACKGROUND: An ongoing challenge for smart homes research for aging-in-place is how to make sense of the large amounts of data from in-home sensors to facilitate real-time monitoring and develop reliable alerts. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to explore the usefulness of a routine-based approach for making sense of smart home data for the elderly. METHODS: Maximum variation sampling was used to select three cases for an in-depth mixed methods exploration of the daily routines of three elderly participants in a smart home trial using 180 days of power use and motion sensor data and longitudinal interview data...

Following research on two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), zero-dimensional (0D) TMDs nanostructures have also garnered some attention due to their unique properties; exploitable for new applications. The 0D TMDs nanostructures stand distinct from their larger 2D TMDs cousins in terms of their general structure and properties. 0D TMDs possess higher bandgaps, ultra-small sizes, high surface-to-volume ratios with more active edge sites per unit mass. So far, reported 0D TMDs can be mainly classified as quantum dots, nanodots, nanoparticles, and small nanoflakes...

Two materials - a mesoporous silica (MS) and a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) functionalized with dipyridyl-pyridazine (dppz) units were grafted with near-infrared (NIR) emitting lanthanide (Nd(3+), Er(3+), Yb(3+)) complexes in an attempt to obtain hybrid NIR emitting materials. The parent materials: dppz-vSilica and dppz-ePMO were prepared by a hetero Diels-Alder reaction between 3,6-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (dptz) and the double bonds of either ethenylene-bridged PMO (ePMO) or vinyl-silica (vSilica) and subsequent oxidation...

Drowning is the major cause of death in self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving. This study proposes an embedded system with a live and light-weight algorithm which detects the breathing of divers through the analysis of the intermediate pressure (IP) signal of the SCUBA regulator. A system composed mainly of two pressure sensors and a low-power microcontroller was designed and programmed to record the pressure sensors signals and provide alarms in absence of breathing. An algorithm was developed to analyze the signals and identify inhalation events of the diver...

In this study, a non-contact laser ultrasonic propagation imaging technique was applied to detect the damage of plate-like structures. Lamb waves were generated by an Nd:YAG pulse laser system, while a galvanometer-based laser scanner was used to scan the preliminarily designated area. The signals of the structural responses were measured using a piezoelectric sensor attached on the front or back side of the plates. The obtained responses were analyzed by calculating the root mean square (RMS) values to achieve the visualization of structural defects such as crack, corrosion, and so on...

The deep ocean encompasses 95% of the oceans' volume and is the largest and least explored biome of Earth's Biosphere. New life forms are continuously being discovered. The physiological mechanisms allowing organisms to adapt to extreme conditions of the deep ocean (high pressures, from very low to very high temperatures, food shortage, lack of solar light) are still largely unknown. Some deep-sea species have very long life-spans, whereas others can tolerate toxic compounds at high concentrations; these characteristics offer an opportunity to explore the specialized biochemical and physiological mechanisms associated with these responses...

Haloarchaea are known for its adaptation in extreme saline environment. Halophilic archaea produces carotenoid pigments and proton pumps to protect them from extremes of salinity. Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) is a light-driven proton pump that resides in the membrane of haloarchaea Halobacterium salinarum. The photocycle of Bacteriorhodopsin passes through several states from K to O, finally liberating ATP for host's survival. Extensive studies on Bacteriorhodopsin photocycle has provided in depth knowledge on their sequential mechanism of converting solar energy into chemical energy inside the cell...

Soda lakes and pans represent saline ecosystems with unique chemical composition, occurring on all continents. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterise the main environmental gradients and trophic state that prevail in the soda pans (n=84) of the Carpathian Basin in Central Europe. Underwater light conditions, dissolved organic matter, phosphorus and chlorophyll a were investigated in 84 pans during 2009-2010. Besides, water temperature was measured hourly with an automatic sensor throughout one year in a selected pan...

Bacterial biofilms are a leading cause of infection in health-care settings. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors stand as valuable tools not only for the detection of biological entities and the characterisation of biomaterials but also as a suitable means to monitor bacterial film formation. This article reports on a proof-of-concept study for the use of an angular-based SPR biosensor for the monitoring of bacterial cell growth and biofilm formation and removal under the effect of different cleaning agents...

Oceanic conditions play an important role in determining the effects of climate change and these effects can be monitored through the changes in the physical properties of sea water. In fact, Oceanographers use various probes for measuring the properties within the water column. CTDs (Conductivity, Temperature and Depth) provide profiles of physical and chemical parameters of the water column. A CTD device consists of Conductivity (C), Temperature (T) and Depth (D) probes to monitor the water column changes with respect to relative depth...

PURPOSE: A key component of computer- assisted surgery systems is the accurate and robust registration of preoperative planning data with intraoperative sensor data. In laparoscopic surgery, this image-based registration remains challenging due to soft tissue deformations. This paper presents a novel approach for biomechanical soft tissue registration of preoperative CT data with stereo endoscopic image data. METHODS: The proposed method consists of two registrations steps...

We developed an intravaginal instrumented probe (covered with a 10×10 matrix of capacitive sensors) for assessing the three-dimensional (3D) spatiotemporal pressure profile of the vaginal canal. The pressure profile was compared to the pelvic floor (PF) digital assessment, and the reliability of the instrument and repeatability of the protocol was tested. We also tested its ability to characterize and differentiate two tasks: PF maximum contraction and Valsalva maneuver (maximum intra-abdominal effort with downward movement of the PF)...