A texture based approach to reconstruction of archaeological finds

Reconstruction of archaeological finds from fragments, is a tedious task requiring many hours of work from the archaeologists and restoration personnel. In this paper we present a framework for the full reconstruction of the original objects using texture and surface design information on the sherd. The texture of a band outside the border of pieces is predicted by inpainting and texture synthesis methods. The confidence of this process is also defined. Feature values are derived from these original and predicted images of pieces. A combination of the feature and confidence values is used to generate an affinity measure of corresponding pieces. The optimization of total affinity gives the best assembly of the piece. Experimental results are presented on real and artificial data

On Fuzzy Length Spaces and Fuzzy Geodesics

In this paper, the notion of a fuzzy length space is introduced, and the definition of a fuzzy geodesic in a fuzzy metric space is given. Some properties of these new concepts are studied and the relation between them is revealed

A comparison of thoracic or lumbar patient-controlled epidural analgesia methods after thoracic surgery

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare patient-controlled thoracic or lumbar epidural analgesia methods after thoracotomy operations. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were prospectively randomized to receive either thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA group) or lumbar epidural analgesia (LEA group). In both groups, epidural catheters were administered. Hemodynamic measurements, visual analog scale scores at rest (VAS-R) and after coughing (VAS-C), analgesic consumption, and side effects were compared at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: The VAS-R and VAS-C values were lower in the TEA group in comparison to the LEA group at 2, 4, 8, and 16 hours after surgery (for VAS-R, P = 0.001, P = 0.01, P = 0.008, and P = 0.029, respectively; and for VAS-C, P = 0.035, P = 0.023, P = 0.002, and P = 0.037, respectively). Total 24-hour analgesic consumption was different between groups (175 +/- 20 mL versus 185 +/- 31 mL; P = 0.034). The comparison of postoperative complications revealed that the incidence of hypotension (21/57, 36.8% versus 8/63, 12.7%; P = 0.002), bradycardia (9/57, 15.8% versus 2/63, 3.2%; P = 0.017), atelectasis (1/57, 1.8% versus 7/63, 11.1%; P = 0.04), and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) treatment (0/57, 0% versus 5/63, 7.9%; P = 0.03) were lower in the TEA group in comparison to the LEA group. CONCLUSIONS: TEA has beneficial hemostatic effects in comparison to LEA after thoracotomies along with more satisfactory pain relief profile

Early postzygotic mutations contribute to de novo variation in a healthy monozygotic twin pair

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Background: Human de novo single-nucleotide variation (SNV) rate is estimated to range between 0.82-1.70×10-8 mutations per base per generation. However, contribution of early postzygotic mutations to the overall human de novo SNV rate is unknown. Methods: We performed deep whole-genome sequencing (more than 30-fold coverage per individual) of the whole-blood-derived DNA samples of a healthy monozygotic twin pair and their parents. We examined the genotypes of each individual simultaneously for each of the SNVs and discovered de novo SNVs regarding the timing of mutagenesis. Putative de novo SNVs were validated using Sanger-based capillary sequencing. Results: We conservatively characterised 23 de novo SNVs shared by the twin pair, 8 de novo SNVs specific to twin I and 1 de novo SNV specific to twin II. Based on the number of de novo SNVs validated by Sanger sequencing and the number of callable bases of each twin, we calculated the overall de novo SNV rate of 1.31×10-8 and 1.01×10-8 for twin I and twin II, respectively. Of these, rates of the early postzygotic de novo SNVs were estimated to be 0.34×10-8 for twin I and 0.04×10-8 for twin II. Conclusions: Early postzygotic mutations constitute a substantial proportion of de novo mutations in humans. Therefore, genome mosaicism resulting from early mitotic events during embryogenesis is common and could substantially contribute to the development of diseases

A novel Big Data analytics and intelligent technique to predict driver's intent

Modern age offers a great potential for automatically predicting the driver's intent through the increasing miniaturization of computing technologies, rapid advancements in communication technologies and continuous connectivity of heterogeneous smart objects. Inside the cabin and engine of modern cars, dedicated computer systems need to possess the ability to exploit the wealth of information generated by heterogeneous data sources with different contextual and conceptual representations. Processing and utilizing this diverse and voluminous data, involves many challenges concerning the design of the computational technique used to perform this task. In this paper, we investigate the various data sources available in the car and the surrounding environment, which can be utilized as inputs in order to predict driver's intent and behavior. As part of investigating these potential data sources, we conducted experiments on e-calendars for a large number of employees, and have reviewed a number of available geo referencing systems. Through the results of a statistical analysis and by computing location recognition accuracy results, we explored in detail the potential utilization of calendar location data to detect the driver's intentions. In order to exploit the numerous diverse data inputs available in modern vehicles, we investigate the suitability of different Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques, and propose a novel fuzzy computational modelling methodology. Finally, we outline the impact of applying advanced CI and Big Data analytics techniques in modern vehicles on the driver and society in general, and discuss ethical and legal issues arising from the deployment of intelligent self-learning cars

Effects of Organophosphorus and Pyrethroid pesticides on antioxidant enzymes and reactivation effects of Pralidoxime: In vitro studies

The aim of this work was to investigate the inhibition effects of some organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides on antioxidant enzymes. In addition, oximes were reported by reactivation ability against pesticide inhibited-acetylcholinesterase and we focused to investigate the reactivation effect of pralidoxime against organophosphate inhibited–antioxidant enzymes. This study was conducted to determine the in vitro effects of pyrethroid pesticides (deltamethrinR, λ-cyhaloethrinR) and organophosphate pesticides (malathionR, dichlorvosR) on antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase). IC50 values were determined by means of activity percentage diagrams. Reactivation effect of pralidoxime was determined for organophosphate inhibited-enzymes. The concentrations of deltamethrinR, malathionR, dichlorvosR, λ-cyhaloethrinR that inhibited 50% of catalase were 5.2 µM, 158 µM, 133 µM, 320 µM, respectively, inhibited 50% of superoxide dismutase were 62 µM, 240 µM, 328 µM, 2320 µM, respectively  and inhibited 50% of glutathione peroxidase were 0.7 µM, 1198 µM, 1638 µM, 98 µM, respectively. Additionally, only catalase is reactivated by pralidoxime against dichlorvosR and malathionR. Deltamethrin was found to be a more potent inhibitor for the antioxidant enzymes followed by the rest of pesticides used in this study. Only organophosphate inhibited-catalase is reactivated by pralidoxime

Evaluation of physical and physiological parameters of the elite underwater rugby players

Underwater rugby (UWR) is a developing sport which is organised under umbrella of Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. Although this sports has over than 50 years history, very few studies have so far been published in the sports literature.  This research reveals physical and physiological profiles of UWR players in Turkey. Eleven male athletes participated to this study. Their body weight, height, body fat proportion, skinfold thicknesses, length and girth measurements, strength, flexibility, respiratory functions, anaerobic capacities, aerobic capacities were measured. In pool tests, 50 m crawl style, 50 m apnea, 8x25m apnea and 400 m crawl style with UWR equipments were done. Body mass index, body fat proportion, skinfold thickness of the underwater rugby players were higher compared to swimming and water polo literature. A positive correlation was found both between the 50 m apnea times and body fat proportions of the players and also among the 400 m crawl style with ABC equipments and body fat proportions and body weights of the players. A significant positive correlation was detected among skinfold thickness and the 50 m crawl style times with UWR equipments, 50 m apnea times, 8x25 m apnea times and 400 m crawl style times. Pulmonary volumes and capacities of the athletes were found higher than those of the water polo players and swimmers. This increase in the work of breathing muscles might be caused by hyperventilation of the underwater players before and after breathholding and blowing out the water in the snorkel after diving. In conclusion, more comparative data from UWR players is strongly warranted to define the physical and physiological features of UWR players

Locomotor demands of 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, and VAMEVAL test and comparisons with regular locomotor demands in training sessions and matches: a study conducted in youth male soccer players

Purpose. The study aim was 2-fold: (i) characterize and compare the locomotor demands of 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIRT), and VAMEVAL test; (ii) compare the locomotor demands of these progressive multistage tests with those of training sessions and matches in youth soccer players. Methods. A descriptive case study lasting 3 weeks was performed to implement the tests once and to monitor the locomotor demands in training sessions and matches. Overall, 12 soccer players (age: 18.21 ± 0.34 years) from the same team partici pated after consideration of inclusion criteria. A Global Positioning System unit was used for each player over the training sessions, matches, and multistage tests to monitor locomotor demands. The following outcomes were extracted: total distance; peak speed; distances covered at 3.00–6.99 km/h (Z1), 7.00–10.99 km/h (Z2), 11.00–14.99 km/h (Z3), 15.00–18.99 km/h (Z4), and 19.00 km/h (Z5); accelerations at 0.50 to 0.99 m/s2 and 1.00 to 1.99 m/s2 ; and decelerations at –0.99 to –0.50 m/s2 and –1.99 to –1.00 m/s2 . Results. Significant differences between progressive multistage tests were found in total distance (p = 0.028); distances covered at Z1 (p < 0.001), Z2 (p < 0.001), Z3 (p < 0.001), Z4 (p = 0.009), and Z5 (p = 0.044); accelerations at 0.50 to 0.99 m/s2 (p < 0.001) and 1.00 to 1.99 m/s2 (p < 0.001); and decelerations at –0.99 to –0.50 m/s2 (p < 0.001) and –1.99 to –1.00 m/s2 (p < 0.001). The total distance of the 3 progressive multistage tests may vary between 39% and 49% of a middle training session (match-day 3). However, as for intense locomotor demands at distance covered at Z4, 2 of the field-based tests ex ceeded a typical match-day 3 between 308 m (+83%) in 30-15IFT and 112 m (+30%) in YYIRT. Conclusions. The results suggests that 30-15IFT is more demanding considering high-intensity locomotor activities, while YYIRT and VAMEVAL are more demanding considering moderate locomotor demands. Moreover, specific adjustments in training sessions must be conducted, especially when introducing 30-15IFT and YYIRT since they may exceed the typical doses of distances covered at 11.00–14.99 km/h and 15.00–18.99 km/h.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio