Depth from Monocular Images using a Semi-Parallel Deep Neural Network (SPDNN) Hybrid Architecture

Deep neural networks are applied to a wide range of problems in recent years. In this work, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is applied to the problem of determining the depth from a single camera image (monocular depth). Eight different networks are designed to perform depth estimation, each of them suitable for a feature level. Networks with different pooling sizes determine different feature levels. After designing a set of networks, these models may be combined into a single network topology using graph optimization techniques. This "Semi Parallel Deep Neural Network (SPDNN)" eliminates duplicated common network layers, and can be further optimized by retraining to achieve an improved model compared to the individual topologies. In this study, four SPDNN models are trained and have been evaluated at 2 stages on the KITTI dataset. The ground truth images in the first part of the experiment are provided by the benchmark, and for the second part, the ground truth images are the depth map results from applying a state-of-the-art stereo matching method. The results of this evaluation demonstrate that using post-processing techniques to refine the target of the network increases the accuracy of depth estimation on individual mono images. The second evaluation shows that using segmentation data alongside the original data as the input can improve the depth estimation results to a point where performance is comparable with stereo depth estimation. The computational time is also discussed in this study.Comment: 44 pages, 25 figure

A Comparative Study of Architecture Curriculum Content based on Zeitgeist

learning architecture. It seems that the mismatch with the needs and current problems of society, forgetting the values of Iranian culture and the lack of basic and applied research, has led architectural education in Iran to a developing trend towards the West lifestyles, norms and Culture. One of the main intention to western education model in architecture is that the modern learning and formal education of architecture in Iran born by the importing of French model (Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and French Royal Academy), German model (Poly technical education, engineering learning and training Schools), English model (practical and experimental learning) and American model (combinational learning). Architectural education in Iran starting by applying French model; and after Islamic Republic revolution in 1979, if some schools and agents attempt to defining local model (Iranian and Islamic pattern) in architectural education but their models cannot developed through different architectural schools. In the last decades development of Anglo- American architectural education models impress all parties in it.  Even though there are many researches concentrate on architectural education in contemporary Iran, but almost none of them focus on Zeitgeist. Interdisciplinary and its synchronicity with global approaches and the needs of society and social context, to recover and making efficient models are the aim of this study  in both, which is suitable for Iran’s situation and Context. This study emphasizes the impact of the architectural education process in relation to the zeitgeist- which is derived from Hegelian literature and philosophy- and explaining its triple components which is dialectic, critical thinking, and updating in education. Finally, the educational programs evaluation has been done by testing these components. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional and applied research. The research methodology was based on qualitative method and content analysis. In research process, the contents of the curriculum of the nine top universities -which is selected in valid ranking and geographical and continental distribution- in the world were analyzed by focusing on Zeitgeist’s concept. Statistical descriptive analysis is the approach to findings and its conclusion. Findings: This study showed that Delft University in two fields of history and theory courses with thirty five percent  and in the field of technology with approximately thirty two percent, and the Massachusetts University with approximately  fifty two percent share in the design department are leading. In interdisciplinary courses, California universities are distinguished from others by about thirty five of the courses. Interestingly, Iran's curriculum has not achieved a significant share in the competition among the world's universities. Conclusion: This research showed that current problems, historical and cultural transcendence is equal to Zeitgeist, which is derived from our society. Although there are a variety of educational models and applied in specific and appropriate educating cases, in all of them some features have a key role to approach the Zeitgeist including changeability, program and design electivity, flexibility in learning curriculum, critical thinking, problem redefining in teaching approaches, and situations simulation.   ===================================================================================== COPYRIGHTS  ©2020 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, as long as the original authors and source are cited. No permission is required from the authors or the publishers.  ====================================================================================

Effect of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) education on knowledge, attitude and behavior related to prevention and control of diabetes

Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effect of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) method and routine lecture on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of participants in the prevention of diabetes. Results: The results showed that one month after the intervention and the implementation of the educational program, the mean scores of the two groups in terms of knowledge, attitude, and behavior increased significantly. © 2019 The Author(s)

Towards disappearing user interfaces for ubiquitous computing: human enhancement from sixth sense to super senses

The enhancement of human senses electronically is possible when pervasive computers interact unnoticeably with humans in Ubiquitous Computing. The design of computer user interfaces towards “disappearing” forces the interaction with humans using a content rather than a menu driven approach, thus the emerging requirement for huge number of non-technical users interfacing intuitively with billions of computers in the Internet of Things is met. Learning to use particular applications in Ubiquitous Computing is either too slow or sometimes impossible so the design of user interfaces must be naturally enough to facilitate intuitive human behaviours. Although humans from different racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds own the same physiological sensory system, the perception to the same stimuli outside the human bodies can be different. A novel taxonomy for Disappearing User Interfaces (DUIs) to stimulate human senses and to capture human responses is proposed. Furthermore, applications of DUIs are reviewed. DUIs with sensor and data fusion to simulate the Sixth Sense is explored. Enhancement of human senses through DUIs and Context Awareness is discussed as the groundwork enabling smarter wearable devices for interfacing with human emotional memories

JOURNAL OF ARTHROPOD-BORNE DISEASES

Background: Linear dermatitis is endemic in Iran where most cases occur in the Caspian Sea coast and Fars province. The disease is caused by beetles of the genus Paederus which are active from early spring to beginning of autumn although its incidence rises from May to August. The classic taxonomy of Paederus spp. is based on the male genitalia that is very complex and needs expertise. In this study, we report a DNA-based method to discriminate Paederus fuscipes and Paederus littoralis (= syn: P. lenkoranus, P. ilsae). Methods: Type specimens were collected from north and south of Iran. Molecular typing of the species was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified fragments of mtDNA-COI. Results: Sequence analyses of the data obtained in this study showed significant DNA polymorphisms. There were 89 substitutions between COI sequences of the two species. The mtDNA-COI fragment comprises several useful species-specific restriction sites comprising HaeIII that could result in distinctively different species-specific PCR-RFLP profiles. The HaeIII enzyme cuts the 872 bp PCR amplicon of P. littoralis into 737 and 100 bp and two small nonvisible bands whereas it does not cut P. fuscipes amplicon into fragments. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that molecular typing is useful method and allows one to differentiate between two species and is recommended for discrimination of other Paederus species, which morphologically are indistinguishable or very difficult to be distinguished

Effectiveness of Ultrasound and Ultraviolet Irradiation onDegradation of Carbaryl from Aqueous Solutions

"n "nBackground: Carbaryl (1-naphthyl-N-methyl carbamate) is a chemical in the carbamate family used chiefly as an insecticide. It is a cholinesterase inhibitor and is toxic to humans and classified as a likely human carcinogen. In the present study, the degradation of the carbaryl pesticide was investigated in the laboratory synthetic samples of tap water, in the effect of sonolysis and photolysis processes. "n "nMethods: This study was conducted during 2006-7 in Chemistry and Biochemistry of Pesticides Laboratory in Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in Iran. The carbaryl (80%) was used for preparing samples. First concentration of all samples were 4 mg/l. Sonochemical examinations in ultrasound reactor was done in two 35, 130 Hz, and 100 w, and three time. Photolysis examinations has done in the effect of 400 w lamp and moderate pressure and 6 time, then the amount of pesticide in the samples has been measured by the High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method. "n "nResults: The highest degradation in photolysis process after 1 hour in the 35 KHz was 35%, and in the 130 KHz was 63%. Degradation of carbaryl at 130 KHz is higher than 35 KHz at the same time. Carbaryl elimination was increased by arise frequency and exposure time. After 8 min in photolysis, 100% omitting has been showed. "n "nConclusion: Degradation of carbaryl in high frequency ultrasound wavelength was more than low frequency. Degradation of carbaryl in water, combination of high frequency ultrasound wave length and UV irradiation was considerably more effective than ultrasound or ultraviolet irradiation alone

Epidemiology of Head Lice Infestation in Primary SchoolPupils, in Khajeh City, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Background: Pediculus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae) or head louse is an obligate ectoparasite transmitted mainly through physical contact. This study was conducted to survey the prevalence of head lice infestation rate and some risk factors in Primary School pupils, in Khajeh City East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Methods: We selected 20 primary schools of Khajeh City during 2008 and 2009. Totally 500 pupils including 200 boys and 300 girls from all grade 1-5 were selected by multistage, systematic random sampling in rural areas of Khajeh City and were examined for lice. In addition, a standard questionnaire recorded information about demographic features of each pupil. Results were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The total prevalence of head lice infestation in this study was 4.8%. and the prevalence rate was significantly higher in girls (6.66%) than in boys (2%). Epidemiological factors such as: sex, school grade, family size, parent's education, type of house, hair washing (per week), number of using comb per day, were evaluated and results showed significant difference in head lice infestation and sex, school grade ,family size ,father education ,and type of house (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Pediculosis is a public health problem in many parts of the world, and due to the higher prevalence of pediculosis in crowded families, family by lower levels of father's education and socioeconomic status in our study and rural area, it is necessary to give health education for families to prevent of pediculosis in this area