Timed Fast Exact Euclidean Distance (tFEED) maps

In image and video analysis, distance maps are frequently used. They provide the (Euclidean) distance (ED) of background pixels to the nearest object pixel. In a naive implementation, each object pixel feeds its (exact) ED to each background pixel; then the minimum of these values denotes the ED to the closest object. Recently, the Fast Exact Euclidean Distance (FEED) transformation was launched, which was up to 2x faster than the fastest algorithms available. In this paper, first additional improvements to the original FEED algorithm are discussed. Next, a timed version of FEED (tFEED) is presented, which generates distance maps for video sequences by merging partial maps. For each object in a video, a partial map can be calculated for different frames, where the partial map for fixed objects is only calculated once. In a newly developed, dynamic test-environment for robot navigation purposes, tFEED proved to be up to 7x faster than using FEED on each frame separately. It is up to 4x faster than the fastest ED algorithm available for video sequences and even 40% faster than generating city-block or chamfer distance maps for frames. Hence, tFEED is the first real time algorithm for generating exact ED maps of video sequences

Submental sensitive transcutaneous electrical stimulation reverses virtual lesion of the oropharyngeal cortex

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of submental sensitive transcutaneous electrical stimulation (SSTES) on pharyngeal cortical representation after a virtual pharyngeal lesion in healthy subjects.MethodsMotor-evoked potentials of the mylohyoid muscles and videofluoroscopic parameters were measured before and after the creation of the virtual lesion, at the end of SSTES (T0), at 30minutes (T30) and 60minutes (T60).ResultsNine subjects completed the study. After 20minutes of SSTES, there was an increase of motor-evoked potential amplitude at 0 and 30min (P<0.05). There was no significant modification of videofluoroscopic measurements. Regarding the cortical mapping after SSTES, there was an increase in the number of points with a cortical response in the dominant hemisphere but also in the non-dominant hemisphere, effect which remained constant at 60minutes (P<0.05).DiscussionSSTES is effective on cortical plasticity for the mylohyoid muscles and reverses pharyngeal cortical inhibition in healthy subjects. It could therefore be a simple non-invasive way to treat post-stroke dysphagia

A SaaS-Based Logistics Informatization Model for Specialized Farmers Cooperatives in China

International audienceThe logistics informatization of Specialized Farmers Cooperatives (SFC) plays an important role in the development of agriculture, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is the development trend of information technology (IT). Firstly, the state-of-the-art of IT on SFC and the enlightenment SaaS to the IT application in logistic are introduced. Then, analyzing of the characteristics of logistics management system for SFC based on SaaS, we explore a SaaS-based logistics informatization model for SFC in China, and some key technologies to model application are also discussed, such as software architecture, system security and data modeling. Finally, some suggestions are put forward for a large-scale promotion of the model