Implementation of a Blind navigation method in outdoors/indoors areas

According to WHO statistics, the number of visually impaired people is increasing annually. One of the most critical necessities for visually impaired people is the ability to navigate safely. This paper proposes a navigation system based on the visual slam and Yolo algorithm using monocular cameras. The proposed system consists of three steps: obstacle distance estimation, path deviation detection, and next-step prediction. Using the ORB-SLAM algorithm, the proposed method creates a map from a predefined route and guides the users to stay on the route while notifying them if they deviate from it. Additionally, the system utilizes the YOLO algorithm to detect obstacles along the route and alert the user. The experimental results, obtained by using a laptop camera, show that the proposed system can run in 30 frame per second while guiding the user within predefined routes of 11 meters in indoors and outdoors. The accuracy of the positioning system is 8cm, and the system notifies the users if they deviate from the predefined route by more than 60 cm.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures and 6 table

Interfacing SAW resonators for wireless high temperature applications

In the recent year, wireless sensor has become the interest of research due to their ability to monitor remotely especially in harsh condition. Here a double surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator system for wireless high temperature sensor application is discussed. The system also did not need any external power source to function, which made them as a passive system. In this paper, the principle of the system is discussed in detail together with simulation results. Finally, the suitable materials used to develop the system which includes the interconnection at the high temperatures are also been discussed

Manual therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Generally, conservative interventions including physiotherapy modalities and manual therapy have been recommended in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but this subject has not been studied in diabetic patients with CTS. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of manual therapy on diabetic patients with CTS. Methods: Thirty diabetic patients with CTS were randomly divided into two equal groups: modality group and manual therapy group. Participants in the modality group received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and therapeutic ultrasound (US) and patients in the manual therapy group received manual techniques for the median nerve and its surrounding structures. Interventions were applied 3 times weekly for 4 weeks in both groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS), symptom severity scale (SSS), functional status scale (FSS) and median neurodynamic test (MNT) were evaluated before and after the interventions in both groups. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Paired t-test revealed that all of the outcome measures had a significant change in the manual therapy group, whereas only the VAS and SSS changed significantly in the modality group at the end of 4 weeks. Independent t-test showed that the variables of SSS, FSS and MNT in the manual therapy group improved significantly greater than the modality group. Conclusions: Manual therapy techniques applied to mechanical interface of the median nerve and nerve mobilization possess more appropriate and valuable effects on hand difficulties than modalities in diabetic patients with CTS

Direct Load Control Programs by using of Logarithmic Modeling in Electricity Markets

Abstract: In this study a logarithmic modeling for Direct Load Control programs (DLC) as incentive-based Demand Response Programs (DRPs) is presented. The proposed model considers nonlinear behavioral characteristic of elastic loads which causes to more realistic modeling of demand response to DLC rates. To demonstrate the validity of the proposed technique, a real world power system is considered as test system. Where, Iranian power system is investigated. Simulation results emphasis on the effectiveness impact of running DLC programs using proposed logarithmic model on load profile of the peak day of the proposed power system

Reactive Power Planning for Loss Minimization Using Simulated Annealing

Abstract: This paper addresses an optimal Reactive Power Planning (RPP) of power system. The Static Var Compensator (SVC) is introduced into power system in order to reactive power support and voltage control. The locations and the outputs of SVCs are determined using our proposed optimal reactive power planning model. The proposed method optimizes several objective functions at the same time within one general objective. The optimized objectives are minimization of total investment in reactive power support, average voltage deviation and minimization of total system loss. These objective functions are one of the most important objectives for every transmission and distribution systems. Simulated Annealing technique (SA) is used to solve the optimization problem. The validity of the proposed method is tested on a typical power system

A historical overview of the classification, evolution, and dispersion of Leishmania parasites and sandflies

Background The aim of this study is to describe the major evolutionary historical events among Leishmania, sandflies, and the associated animal reservoirs in detail, in accordance with the geographical evolution of the Earth, which has not been previously discussed on a large scale. Methodology and Principal Findings Leishmania and sandfly classification has always been a controversial matter, and the increasing number of species currently described further complicates this issue. Despite several hypotheses on the origin, evolution, and distribution of Leishmania and sandflies in the Old and New World, no consistent agreement exists regarding dissemination of the actors that play roles in leishmaniasis. For this purpose, we present here three centuries of research on sandflies and Leishmania descriptions, as well as a complete description of Leishmania and sandfly fossils and the emergence date of each Leishmania and sandfly group during different geographical periods, from 550 million years ago until now. We discuss critically the different approaches that were used for Leishmana and sandfly classification and their synonymies, proposing an updated classification for each species of Leishmania and sandfly. We update information on the current distribution and dispersion of different species of Leishmania (53), sandflies (more than 800 at genus or subgenus level), and animal reservoirs in each of the following geographical ecozones: Palearctic, Nearctic, Neotropic, Afrotropical, Oriental, Malagasy, and Australian. We propose an updated list of the potential and proven sandfly vectors for each Leishmania species in the Old and New World. Finally, we address a classical question about digenetic Leishmania evolution: which was the first host, a vertebrate or an invertebrate? Conclusions and Significance We propose an updated view of events that have played important roles in the geographical dispersion of sandflies, in relation to both the Leishmania species they transmit and the animal reservoirs of the parasites