Supercomputing for Digitized 3D Models of Cultural Heritage

Three-dimensional digital data capture techniques such as laser scanning hold great promise for preserving and studying cultural heritage objects. However, the immense size of many scanned datasets and the computationally demanding nature of geometric processing algorithms can overwhelm traditional desktop computing environments. To overcome this bottleneck, we will investigate the application of high performance supercomputing resources for processing and analyzing scanned 3D models of cultural heritage. We will develop new algorithms and software to utilize supercomputers for humanities scholarship, including methods for converting raw scan point cloud data to finished 3D surface models, and for automated re-assembly of fragmented archaeological artifacts. We will begin to apply these techniques to large raw scan datasets that we have previously acquired, including notable artistic statuary, important archaeological artifacts, and historical architectural sites

Promoting anti-corruption, transparency and accountability to achieve Universal Health Coverage

Anti-corruption, transparency and accountability measures are often missing from efforts to promote universal health coverage. Yet, if unchecked, corruption represents a significant drain on domestic health resource and a major barrier to achieving universal health coverage and the sustainable development goals. The World Health Organization is promoting a coordinated public health approach to anti-corruption, transparency and accountability, working with global partners to create new internal control and assurance models, increase monitoring and evaluation; develop capacity for multiple stakeholders to address corruption; and strengthen normative guidance to integrate anti-corruption, transparency and accountability into WHO’s work on health systems strengthening. The articles in this special issue explore evidence on the impact of corruption on health, frameworks for interventions, human rights approaches to control corruption, corruption in human resources, tools for addressing pharmaceutical corruption, and digital solutions to improve transparency and accountability. New approaches to corruption and fraud risk assessment are also discussed. Moving forward, this issue represents a call for action to combat health system corruption through targeted research, informed strategies and tactics, and effective cross-sectoral interventions. This will allow all countries to seize the pledge of leaving no one behind in addressing inequalities and achieving health for all

Optimierung und Validierung eines ex-vivo Kultursystems für trabekulären Knochen

In dieser Arbeit wurde mit dem ZETOS System, einem neuen ex-vivo Kutursystem für trabekulären Knochen gearbeitet. Hauptziel der Arbeit war die Bestimmung der Flussrate in dem ZETOS System, bei der eine optimale physiologische Umgebung für das Wachstum explantierter Knochen gegeben ist. Bei den Untersuchungen stellte sich überraschenderweise heraus, dass die Knochen im experimentellen Ansatz nicht perfundiert werden, sondern der Stofftransport über Diffusion gesteuert wird. Dieser Befund wurde durch Einsatz eines axialen Flusssystems bei gleichem hydrostatischen Druck und durch Diffusionsversuche bestätigt. Das ZETOS System wirkt folglich eher als ein Zirkumfusionssystem als ein Perfusionssystem. Bei der Austestung der beiden Kulturmedien DMEM und BGJb zeigte sich über 26 Kulturtage hinweg, dass BGJb eine Aktivierung von Osteoblasten unabhängig von der angelegten mechanischen Belastung der Knochen induziert. Dies wird in einem Anstieg der relativen Osteoidfläche mit und ohne Belastung sichtbar. In DMEM tritt dagegen keine Veränderung in der relativen Osteoidfläche im Vergleich zum unkultivierten Knochen auf. Bei belasteten und unbelasteten Knochen sind in dem experimentellen Ansatz keine Steifigkeitsveränderungen messbar. Die Analyse der Schnittoberflächen legt den Verdacht nahe, dass eine optimale Kraftübertragung auf den Knochen zu dessen Stimulation nicht gewährleistet war und verbessert werden muss. An Hand der histologischen Beurteilung der Schnitte zeigten sich nach 26- tägiger Kulturdauer keine Anhaltspunkte für einen Vitalitätsverlust der Zellen in dem Kultursystem. Dennoch führten Doppelmarkierungen mit Fluorochromen nur in einer geringen Anzahl der Versuchsansätze zu einer erfolgreichen Messung derWachstumsgeschwindigkeit,die sich in diesen Fällen allerdings im Rahmen der physiologischen Grundwachstumsgeschwindigkeit bewegt. Um die Vitalität der Knochen eindeutig belegen zu können, wird der Einsatz von Verfahren zur Messung der Protein- und DNS-Synthese für zukünftige Optimierungsansätze empfohlen. Letztlich gelang es, zwei Makros zur pixelbasierten Bildanalyse zu erstellen, welche die histologische Auswertung der Schnitte zur Bestimmung der Mineral Aposition Rate (MAR) sowie der relativen Osteoidfläche (Os.Ar/B.Ar) automatisiert ermöglichen

Performance of Small-Fruited Pumpkin Cultivars in Maine

A small-fruited (2-4 lb) or “pie” type pumpkin variety trial was established in the spring of 2009 at Highmoor Farm in Monmouth, ME. Three replications of seven varieties were direct-seeded on 18 June through black plastic mulch. Plots were 18 feet long with three feet between plants and six feet between rows. All fertilizer was applied according to soil test recommendations and incorporated prior to mulch application and seeding. Fruit were harvested on 18 September. Top performing varieties in terms of yield per plot included ‘Chucky’, ‘Small Sugar’, and ‘Field Trip’. ‘Fall Splendor’ produced the largest fruit in the trial, followed by ‘Winter Luxury’ and ‘Mystic Plus’. ‘Field Trip’ and ‘Fall Splendor’ had the highest stem quality in the trial and ‘Field Trip’, ‘Mystic Plus’ and ‘Fall Splendor’ were rated highest for exterior color and ribbing. The results of this trial suggest that ‘Field Trip’, ‘Mystic Plus’ and ‘Fall Splendor’ offer very high quality fruit with acceptable yields for pie-type pumpkins, while ‘Chucky’ offers acceptable fruit quality and very high yields.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/extension_ag/1000/thumbnail.jp

Biomechanics and energetics of walking in powered ankle exoskeletons using myoelectric control versus mechanically intrinsic control

Abstract Background Controllers for assistive robotic devices can be divided into two main categories: controllers using neural signals and controllers using mechanically intrinsic signals. Both approaches are prevalent in research devices, but a direct comparison between the two could provide insight into their relative advantages and disadvantages. We studied subjects walking with robotic ankle exoskeletons using two different control modes: dynamic gain proportional myoelectric control based on soleus muscle activity (neural signal), and timing-based mechanically intrinsic control based on gait events (mechanically intrinsic signal). We hypothesized that subjects would have different measures of metabolic work rate between the two controllers as we predicted subjects would use each controller in a unique manner due to one being dependent on muscle recruitment and the other not. Methods The two controllers had the same average actuation signal as we used the control signals from walking with the myoelectric controller to shape the mechanically intrinsic control signal. The difference being the myoelectric controller allowed step-to-step variation in the actuation signals controlled by the user’s soleus muscle recruitment while the timing-based controller had the same actuation signal with each step regardless of muscle recruitment. Results We observed no statistically significant difference in metabolic work rate between the two controllers. Subjects walked with 11% less soleus activity during mid and late stance and significantly less peak soleus recruitment when using the timing-based controller than when using the myoelectric controller. While walking with the myoelectric controller, subjects walked with significantly higher average positive and negative total ankle power compared to walking with the timing-based controller. Conclusions We interpret the reduced ankle power and muscle activity with the timing-based controller relative to the myoelectric controller to result from greater slacking effects. Subjects were able to be less engaged on a muscle level when using a controller driven by mechanically intrinsic signals than when using a controller driven by neural signals, but this had no affect on their metabolic work rate. These results suggest that the type of controller (neural vs. mechanical) is likely to affect how individuals use robotic exoskeletons for therapeutic rehabilitation or human performance augmentation.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143850/1/12984_2018_Article_379.pd