A Marker-free Visual Based Interfacing Device for Menu Driven Systems

In this paper we propose a marker-free visual based interface device to be used with menu driven systems. This system, called HandsFree, uses the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) together with Shader technology to perform the image processing..

Design considerations for a marker-free visual-based interfacing device for telco operation

Abstract: The parts of the system in the telecommunication environment that is used by technicians are sometimes completely menu driven. The interfaces to these parts can be made much simpler. Visual-based interfacing is a relatively new field of interest with advancements being made toward marker free human input tracking..

Image Processing on the GPU: Implementing the Canny Edge Detection Algorithm

Abstract: In this paper we present a detailed Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-based implementation of the well known Canny edge detection algorithm. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview on our approach to implement the Canny edge detection algorithm, as it encompasses a set of image processing techniques. The result is an algorithm that can be applied in real-time applications..

Characterization of a small helicopter UAV’s main rotor blade through Image Processing

Abstract: Image processing is applied to the task of characterizing the response of a miniature helicopter’s main rotor to collective control inputs under static conditions. The objective is to measure the pitch of the main rotor blade in relation to collective control inputs and deduce a transfer function model from the data..

Robust single image noise estimation from approximate local statistics

Abstract: Abstract—A novel method for estimating the variance and standard deviation of the additive white Gaussian noise contained in an image will be presented. Only a single image is used to estimate the noise properties. Local image outliers are discarded, this allows us to separate the additive zero mean white Gaussian noise contained in a noisy image from the original image structure..

Automated surveillance and detection of foreign stationary objects

Abstract: CCTV systems are frequently monitored manually by a human observer. This human observer is typically responsible for dealing with tens or hundreds of cameras at a time. Potential security threats may easily be missed by the system’s human operators due to fatigue or being overwhelmed by the amount of change in the images..

Stationary region predictor using a stationary camera

A method to determine the stationery probability of regions or feature points in a video sequence is proposed in this paper. This is done by identifying feature points using the Harris corner detector, finding descriptors for the feature points and then tracking the feature points. The information gained from tracking the feature points is then used to determine the stationery probability of these features. This method is shown to successfully identify probable stationery and moving regions in video sequences

Image colourisation for compression using GPU hardware

Abstract: There is a growing demand for high definition (HD) graphics with multimedia content. This demand requires significantly more computational power than before. The increased demand in video content will continue to grow, resulting in vast volumes of data continuously shifted across networks and the internet..

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Cause of Death and Predictors of All-Cause Mortality in Anticoagulated Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation : Data From ROCKET AF

M. Kaste on työryhmän ROCKET AF Steering Comm jäsen.Background-Atrial fibrillation is associated with higher mortality. Identification of causes of death and contemporary risk factors for all-cause mortality may guide interventions. Methods and Results-In the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF) study, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were randomized to rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted warfarin. Cox proportional hazards regression with backward elimination identified factors at randomization that were independently associated with all-cause mortality in the 14 171 participants in the intention-to-treat population. The median age was 73 years, and the mean CHADS(2) score was 3.5. Over 1.9 years of median follow-up, 1214 (8.6%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier mortality rates were 4.2% at 1 year and 8.9% at 2 years. The majority of classified deaths (1081) were cardiovascular (72%), whereas only 6% were nonhemorrhagic stroke or systemic embolism. No significant difference in all-cause mortality was observed between the rivaroxaban and warfarin arms (P=0.15). Heart failure (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.33-1.70, P= 75 years (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.51-1.90, P Conclusions-In a large population of patients anticoagulated for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, approximate to 7 in 10 deaths were cardiovascular, whereasPeer reviewe