In this paper, we present a novel method for automatic 3D face authentication. We introduce a coupled 2D and 3D feature-extraction method to determine the positions of eye sockets. The nose tip is considered as the extreme vertex along the normal directions of eye sockets. Once the nose tip and eye sockets are found, the bilateral symmetrical plane will be determined. The central profile which is on the bilateral symmetrical plane is the foundation for recognizing human face in our method. We use a weighting function for ICP according to the bilateral symmetrical behavior. We take 2.5D range image and its corresponding texture as the input data and compare the scanned model with the specified database model. The value of the weighted distance between two compared models is used for authentication. We have successively implemented this method for the authentication of the human faces. The result illustrates that this method work well in self authentication.
Artificial muscles are soft actuators with the capability of either bending or contraction/elongation subjected to external stimulation. However, there are currently no artificial muscles that can accomplish these actions simultaneously. We found that the single layered, latticed microstructure of onion epidermal cells after acid treatment became elastic and could simultaneously stretch and bend when an electric field was applied. By modulating the magnitude of the voltage, the artificial muscle made of onion epidermal cells would deflect in opposing directions while either contracting or elongating. At voltages of 0–50 V, the artificial muscle elongated and had a maximum deflection of −30 μm; at voltages of 50–1000 V, the artificial muscle contracted and deflected 1.0 mm. The maximum force response is 20 μN at 1000 V.
The Photonic-Crystal-to-Multilayer-Transformation (PCMT) developed in this paper provides a novel and rapid tool for analyzing and designing photonic crystals. The PCMT method transfers a complicated 3-D photonic crystal to a 1-D multilayer equivalent. Then, the optical properties can be easily calculated by Fresnel's equation. This method reduces the amount of computing resource and results in excellent agreement with the band theory of photonic crystals. We used the PCMT method to design an opal-based photonic crystal, which was then fabricated using self-assembly approach. Practically, it is challenging to fabricate a perfect and infinite photonic crystal. Therefore, the determination of the crystal thickness is important. The PCMT is also a non-destructive testing tool. It can estimate the crystal thickness by determining the transmission or reflection coefficient. In this aspect, the PCMT will be a useful and reliable tool in designing and measuring photonic crystals.
This paper presents the fabrication and application of an iron-oxide nanoparticle/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cone as a component integrated in lab on a chip. The two main functions of this component are to capture magnetic microbeads in the microfluid and to mix two laminar fluids by generating asymmetric turbulence. The iron-oxide nanoparticle/PDMS cone is fabricated by a simple method without using any mold. The uncured iron-oxide nanoparticle/PDMS is dropped on the chip by an automatic dispenser and forms the cone shape by applying the magnetic field above the top of the drop. Finally, the cone is cured at 70°C in the microchannel of the chip.
Fall prevention is an important issue particularly for the elderly. This paper proposes a camera-based line-laser obstacle detection system to prevent falls in the indoor environment. When obstacles are detected, the system will emit alarm messages to catch the attention of the user. Because the elderly spend a lot of their time at home, the proposed line-laser obstacle detection system is designed mainly for indoor applications. Our obstacle detection system casts a laser line, which passes through a horizontal plane and has a specific height to the ground. A camera, whose optical axis has a specific inclined angle to the plane, will observe the laser pattern to obtain the potential obstacles. Based on this configuration, the distance between the obstacles and the system can be further determined by a perspective transformation called homography. After conducting the experiments, critical parameters of the algorithms can be determined, and the detected obstacles can be classified into different levels of danger, causing the system to send different alarm messages.
Data show that differences exist in the birthweight of singletons after frozen embryo transfer (FET) compared with fresh transfer or gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT). Factors associated with low birthweight (LBW) after assisted reproduction technology (ART) were studied. Birthweight, distribution of birthweight, z-score, LBW (<2500 g), gestation and percentage preterm (<37 weeks) for singleton births >19 weeks gestation, conceived by ART or non-ART treatments (ovulation induction and artificial insemination) between 1978 and 2005 were analysed for one large Australian clinic. For first births, the mean birthweight was significantly (P < 0.005) lower, and LBW and preterm birth more frequent for GIFT (mean = 3133 g, SD = 549, n = 109, LBW = 10.9% and preterm = 10.0%), IVF (3166, 676, 1615, 11.7, 12.5) and ICSI (3206, 697, 1472, 11.5, 11.9) than for FET (3352, 615, 2383, 6.5, 9.2) and non-ART conceptions (3341, 634, 940, 7.1, 8.6). Regression modelling showed ART treatment before 1993 and fresh embryo transfer were negatively related to birthweight after including other covariates: gestation, male sex, parity, birth defects, Caesarean section, perinatal death and socio-economic status. Birthweights were lower and LBW rates higher after GIFT or fresh embryo transfer than after FET. Results for FET were similar to those for non-ART conceptions. This suggests IVF and ICSI laboratory procedures affecting the embryos are not causal but other factors operating in the woman, perhaps associated with oocyte collection itself, which affect endometrial receptivity, implantation or early pregnancy, may be responsible for LBW with ART.
Abstract Background To compare the RapidArc plan for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans using dosimetric analysis. Methods Nine patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled in this study. Dosimetric values for RapidArc, IMRT, and 3DCRT were calculated for total doses of 45~50.4 Gy using 1.8 Gy/day. The parameters included the conformal index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and hot spot (V 107% ) for the planned target volume (PTV) as well as the monitor units (MUs) for plan efficiency, the mean dose (D mean ) for the organs at risk (OAR) and the maximal dose at 1% volume (D 1% ) for the spinal cord. The percentage of the normal liver volume receiving ≥ 40, > 30, > 20, and > 10 Gy (V 40 Gy , V 30 Gy , V 20 Gy , and V 10 Gy ) and the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were also evaluated to determine liver toxicity. Results All three methods achieved comparable homogeneity for the PTV. RapidArc achieved significantly better CI and V 107% values than IMRT or 3DCRT ( p < 0.05). The MUs were significantly lower for RapidArc (323.8 ± 60.7) and 3DCRT (322.3 ± 28.6) than for IMRT (1165.4 ± 170.7) ( p < 0.001). IMRT achieved a significantly lower D mean of the normal liver than did 3DCRT or RapidArc ( p = 0.001). 3DCRT had higher V 40 Gy and V 30 Gy values for the normal liver than did RapidArc or IMRT. Although the V 10 Gy to the normal liver was higher with RapidArc (75.8 ± 13.1%) than with 3DCRT or IMRT (60.5 ± 10.2% and 57.2 ± 10.0%, respectively; p < 0.01), the NTCP did not differ significantly between RapidArc (4.38 ± 2.69) and IMRT (3.98 ± 3.00) and both were better than 3DCRT (7.57 ± 4.36) ( p = 0.02). Conclusions RapidArc provided favorable tumor coverage compared with IMRT or 3DCRT, but RapidArc is not superior to IMRT in terms of liver protection. Further studies are needed to establish treatment outcome differences between the three approaches.
Artificial muscles are soft actuators with the capability of either bending or contraction/elongation subjected to external stimulation. However, there are currently no artificial muscles that can accomplish these actions simultaneously. We found that the single layered, latticed microstructure of onion epidermal cells after acid treatment became elastic and could simultaneously stretch and bend when an electric field was applied. By modulating the magnitude of the voltage, the artificial muscle made of onion epidermal cells would deflect in opposing directions while either contracting or elongating. At voltages of 0–50 V, the artificial muscle elongated and had a maximum deflection of −30 μm; at voltages of 50–1000 V, the artificial muscle contracted and deflected 1.0 mm. The maximum force response is 20 μN at 1000 V.
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