People Detection and Tracking using Depth Camera

In this paper we present a method for real-time detection and tracking of people in video captured by a depth camera. For each object to be assessed, an ordered sequence of values that represents the distances between its center of mass to the boundary points is calculated. The recognition is based on the analysis of the total distance value between the above sequence and some pre-defined human poses, after apply the Dynamic Time Warping. This similarity approach showed robust results in people detection.

An approach for graphical user interface bad smells detection

In the context of an e ort to develop methodologies to support the evaluation of interactive system, this paper investigates an approach to detect graphical user interface bad smells. Our approach consists in detecting user interface bad smells through model-based reverse engineering from source code. Models are used to de ne which widgets are present in the interface, when can particular graphical user interface (GUI) events occur, under which conditions, which system actions are executed, and which GUI state is generated next.

Detection of psychiatric morbidity in the primary medical care setting in Brazil

The aims of this study were a) to assess the ability of primary care doctors to make accurate ratings of psychiatric disturbance and b) to evaluate the use of a case-finding questionnaire in the detection of psychiatric morbidity. The estudy took place in three primary care clinics in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, during a six-month survey. A time sample of consecutive adult attenders were asked to complete a case-finding questionnaire for psychiatric disorders (the Self Report Questionnaire - SRQ) and a subsample were selected for a semi-structured psychiatric interview (the Clinical Interview Schedule - CIS). At the end of the consultation the primary care doctors were asked to assess, in a standardized way, the presence or absence of psychiatric disorder; these assessments were then compared with that ratings obtained in the psychiatric interview. A considerable proportion of minor psychiatric morbidity remained undetected by the three primary care doctors: the hidden morbidity ranged from 22% to 79%. When these were compared to those of the case-finding questionnaire, they were consistently lower, indicating that the use of these instruments can enhance the recognition of psychiatric disorders in primary care settings. Four strategies for adopting the questionnaire are described, and some of the clinical consequences of its use are discussed.

Metodological issues in measuring the detection of emotional disorders by primary care physicians: a review of the literature

A series of studies in the field of Epidemiological Psychiatry have been performed over the last two decades, and these have focused on the ability of primary care physicians to detect emotional disorders in the patients that attend their practices. The scientific methodology utilized in these studies is the subject of this review, which contains a discussion concerning: a) interviewer awareness bias; b) accuracy of the instruments and c) medical and psychological concepts involved in defining minor emotional disorders. Suggestions for change in the methodology are made in each of the sections of the review.

Wavelength Selective a-SiC:H p-i-n/p-i-n Heterostructure for Fluorescent Proteins Detection

In this paper we present results on the optimization of multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructures that can be used as optical transducers for fluorescent proteins detection using the Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer approach. Double structures composed by pin based aSiC:H cells are analyzed. The color discrimination is achieved by ac photocurrent measurement under different externally applied bias. Experimental data on spectral response analysis, current-voltage characteristics and color and transmission rate discrimination are reported. An electrical model, supported by a numerical simulation gives insight into the device operation. Results show that the optimized a-SiC:H heterostructures act as voltage controlled optical filters in the visible spectrum. When the applied voltages are chosen appropriately those optical transducers can detect not only the selective excitation of specimen fluorophores, but also the subsequent weak acceptor fluorescent channel emission.

Field effect and light-assisted a-Si:H sensors for detection of ions in solution

In this paper we present an amorphous silicon device that can be used in two operation modes to measure the concentration of ions in solution. While crystalline devices present a higher sensitivity, their amorphous counterpart present a much lower fabrication cost, thus enabling the production of cheap disposable sensors for use, for example, in the food industry. The devices were fabricated on glass substrates by the PECVD technique in the top gate configuration, where the metallic gate is replaced by an electrolytic solution with an immersed Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Silicon nitride is used as gate dielectric enhancing the sensitivity and passivation layer used to avoid leakage and electrochemical reactions. In this article we report on the semiconductor unit, showing that the device can be operated in a light-assisted mode, where changes in the pH produce changes on the measured ac photocurrent. In alternative the device can be operated as a conventional ion selective field effect device where changes in the pH induce changes in the transistor's threshold voltage.

Human cryptosporidiosis: detection of specific antibodies in the serum by an indirect immunofluorescence

Cryptosporidium sp., a coccidian parasite usually found in the faeces of cattle, has been recently implicated as an agent of human intestinal disease, mainly in immunocompromised patients. In the study realized, by an indirect immunofluorescence technique, specific immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) have been demonstrated in human serum against Cryptosporidium oocysts. Purified oocysts were used as antigens in the indirect immunofluorecence assay. After analyzing this test in sera from selected groups of patients, the frequency of both specific IgG and IgM of immunocompetent children who were excreting oocysts in their faeces was 62% and in children with negative excretion of oocysts was 20% and 40%, respectively. In adults infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who were excreting Cryptosporidium in their stools, the frequency was 57% for IgG but only 2% for IgM. Twenty three percent of immunocompromised adults with not determined excretion of oocysts in their stools had anti-Cryptosporidium IgG in their sera. Children infected with human immunodeficiency virus had no IgM and only 14% had IgG detectable in their sera. The indirect immunoflorescence assay, when used with other parasitological techniques appears to be useful for retrospective population studies and for diagnosis of acute infection. The humoral immune response of HIV positive patients to this protozoan agent needs clarification.

Design of a sea-level tsunami detection network for the Gulf of Cadiz

The devastating impact of the Sumatra tsunami of 26 December 2004, raised the question for scientists of how to forecast a tsunami threat. In 2005, the IOC-UNESCO XXIII assembly decided to implement a global tsunami warning system to cover the regions that were not yet protected, namely the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and the North East Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected seas (the NEAM region). Within NEAM, the Gulf of Cadiz is the more sensitive area, with an important record of devastating historical events. The objective of this paper is to present a preliminary design for a reliable tsunami detection network for the Gulf of Cadiz, based on a network of sea-level observatories. The tsunamigenic potential of this region has been revised in order to define the active tectonic structures. Tsunami hydrodynamic modeling and GIS technology have been used to identify the appropriate locations for the minimum number of sea-level stations. Results show that 3 tsunameters are required as the minimum number of stations necessary to assure an acceptable protection to the large coastal population in the Gulf of Cadiz. In addition, 29 tide gauge stations could be necessary to fully assess the effects of a tsunami along the affected coasts of Portugal, Spain and Morocco.

A non-pixel image reader for continuous image detection based on tandem heterostructures

An optically addressed read-write sensor based on two stacked p-i-n heterojunctions is analyzed. The device is a two terminal image sensing structure. The charge packets are injected optically into the p-i-n writer and confined at the illuminated regions changing locally the electrical field profile across the p-i-n reader. An optical scanner is used for charge readout. The design allows a continuous readout without the need for pixel-level patterning. The role of light pattern and scanner wavelengths on the readout parameters is analyzed. The optical-to-electrical transfer characteristics show high quantum efficiency, broad spectral response, and reciprocity between light and image signal. A numerical simulation supports the imaging process. A black and white image is acquired with a resolution around 20 mum showing the potentiality of these devices for imaging applications.

Tuning the spectral distribution of p-i-n a-SiC : H devices for colour detection

ZnO:Al/p (SiC:H)/i (Si:H)/n (SiC:H) large area image and colour sensor are analysed. Carrier transport and collection efficiency are investigated from dark and illuminated current-voltage (I-V) dependence and spectral response measurements under different optical and electrical bias conditions. Results show that the carrier collection depends on the optical bias and on the applied voltage. By changing the electrical bias around the open circuit voltage it is possible to filter the absorption at a given wavelength and so to tune the spectral sensitivity of the device. Transport and optical modelling give insight into the internal physical process and explain the bias control of the spectral response and the image and colour sensing properties of the devices.

Detection of anti-Giardia lamblia serum antibody among children of day care centers

OBJETIVES: To detect anti-Giardia lamblia serum antibodies in healthy children attending public day care centers and to assess serological tests as tools for estimating the prevalence of G. lamblia in endemic areas. METHODS: Three separate stool specimens and filter paper blood samples were collected from 147 children ranging from 0 to 6 years old. Each stool sample was processed using spontaneous sedimentation and zinc sulfate flotation methods. Blood samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Giardia IgG. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Of 147 individuals tested, 93 (63.3%) showed Giardia cysts in their feces. Using IIF and ELISA, serum antibodies were detected in 93 (63.3%) and 100 (68%) samples , respectively. Sensitivity of IIF and ELISA was 82% and 72%, respectively. However, ELISA revealed to be less specific (39%) than IIF (70%). IIF also showed a higher concordance with microscopic examination than ELISA.

Damage detection and quantification using transmissibility

Structures experience various types of loads along their lifetime, which can be either static or dynamic and may be associated to phenomena of corrosion and chemical attack, among others. As a consequence, different types of structural damage can be produced; the deteriorated structure may have its capacity affected, leading to excessive vibration problems or even possible failure. It is very important to develop methods that are able to simultaneously detect the existence of damage and to quantify its extent. In this paper the authors propose a method to detect and quantify structural damage, using response transmissibilities measured along the structure. Some numerical simulations are presented and a comparison is made with results using frequency response functions. Experimental tests are also undertaken to validate the proposed technique. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detection of Change in Fluorescence Between Reactive Cyan and the Yellow Fluorophores Usinga-SiC:H Multilayer Transducers

Optical colour sensors based on multilayered a-SiC:H heterostructures can act as voltage controlled optical filters in the visible range. In this article we investigate the application of these structures for Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) detection, The characteristics of a-SiC:H multilayered structure are studied both theoretically and experimentally in several wavelengths corresponding to different fluorophores. The tunable optical p-i'(a-SiC:H)-n/p-i(a-Si:H)-n heterostructures were produced by PECVD and tested for a proper fine tuning in the violet, cyan and yellow wavelengths. The devices were characterized through transmittance and spectral response measurements, under different electrical bias and frequencies. Violet, cyan and yellow signals were applied in simultaneous and results have shown that they can be recovered under suitable applied bias. A theoretical analysis supported by numerical simulation is presented.

Detection of pathogens from periodontal lesions

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively detect A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum from periodontal and healthy sites. METHODS: Subgingival clinical samples from 50 periodontitis adult patients and 50 healthy subjects were analyzed. Both organisms were isolated using a trypticase soy agar-bacitracin-vancomycin (TSBV) medium and detected by PCR. Conventional biochemical tests were used for bacteria identification. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum were isolated in 18% and 20% of the patients, respectively, and in 2% and 24% of healthy subjects. Among A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates, biotype II was the most prevalent. Primer pair AA was 100% sensitive in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans from both subject groups. Primers ASH and FU were also 100% sensitive to detect this organism in healthy subject samples. Primer pair FN5047 was more sensitive to detect F. nucleatum in patients or in healthy samples than primer 5059S. Primers ASH and 5059S were more specific in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum, respectively, in patients and in healthy subject samples. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is an effective tool for detecting periodontal pathogens in subgingival samples, providing a faster and safer diagnostic tool of periodontal diseases. The method's sensitivity and specificity is conditioned by the choice of the set of primers used.

Novel method using a laser scanning cytometer for detection of Mycobacteria in clinical samples

In order to evaluate the capacity of laser scanning cytometry (LSC) to detect acid-fast bacilli directly on clinical samples, a comparison between Kinyoun-stained smears analyzed under light microscopy and propidium iodide-auramine-stained smears analyzed by LSC was performed. The results were compared with those for culture on BACTEC MGIT 960. LSC is a new, reliable methodology to detect Mycobacteria.