Topological MRI Prostate Segmentation Method

The main aim of this paper is to advance the state of the art in automated prostate segmentation using T2 weighted MR images, by introducing a hybrid topological MRI prostate segmentation method which is based on a set of pre-labeled MR atlas images. The proposed method has been experimentally tested on a set of 30 MRI T2 weighted images. For evaluation the automated segmentations of the proposed scheme have been compared with the manual segmentations, using an average Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC). Obtained quantitative results have shown a good approximation of the segmented prostate

Web-based platform for enhancing tourism development: An exploratory study

The aim of this research is to investigate possibilities for supporting tourism development by employing the Web as the leading source of information particularly important in times of increased number of competitors in tourism market. For this purpose, the paper argues the importance of creating personalized recommending system as a way out in meeting ever-changing tourists’ preferences towards different aspects of tourism. So, the research makes an attempt to justify the necessity of designing a web-based tourism portal in order to assist tourists in identification of their ideal holiday through a recommender. The results of this empirical evidence point that the proposed approach provide satisfactory performance since it reports on positive experience as well as accurate recommendations and guidelines. So, the development of such software module being organized as on-line social network (OSN) contributes generally in increasing the awareness for tourist destination, thus boosting tourism development. It assists all interested parties in planning their travel on more intelligent way by generating a personalized list of favorable and tailor-made items. Finally, the research strongly alarms relevant tourism-actors that the time has changed and that on-line experience has shifted from searching and consuming to creating, connecting and exchanging

Gesture Control of a Mobile Robot using Kinect Sensor

This paper describes a methodology for gesture control of a custom developed mobile robot, using body gestures and Microsoft Kinect sensor. The Microsoft Kinect sensor’s ability is to track joint positions has been used in order to develop software application gestures recognition and their mapping into control commands. The proposed methodology has been experimentally evaluated. The results of the experimental evaluation, presented in the paper, showed that the proposed methodology is accurate and reliable and it could be used for mobile robot control in practical applications

Attitude Determination of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle using Single Camera Vector Observations

Technological development in the fields of electrical and mechanical engineering as well as computer and communication sciences in the last decade, have dramatically increased the popularity and fields of application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Despite the technological advancements, there are still very important challenges related to the operation of UAVs. One of the main challenging task for UAVs is to accurately determine their attitude during the flight, using the onboard sensors. This paper presents a framework for attitude determination of an UAV from single camera vector observations in a known environment. The framework has been experimentally evaluated. The results from the conducted evaluation suggest that the proposed method is appropriate and that it can be used in the control proces

Hybrid project management as a new form of project management

Hybrid project management has gained significant popularity in recent years. Combining multiple project management methodologies, hybrid project management incorporates advantages from other, more-established methodologies. While the term hybrid refers to any new methodology created from combining two or more existing methodologies, in practice, the hybrid approach generally unites Agile methods with the more-traditional Waterfall model. Hybrid project management follows the structure from traditional project management and flexibility from agile project management. Combining both traditional and agile techniques resolve many situations during project development and can achieve success. This article explains the hybrid project management approach and its advantages over Waterfall and Agile methods

Using educational games for learning natural science

The intrinsic connection between play and technology is becoming increasingly significant in early years education. This is especially true for children who belongs to the Generation Alpha. Gen Alpha generation is greatly influenced by technology, and they seek personalized and interactive education delivered through technology. Game-based learning offers a new way of learning, which conforms to the habits and interests of Gen Alpha. This paper provides an overview of a custom developed educational game and its applicability in the teaching of natural science and also investigates the outcomes obtained through game-based learning, in primary school children

Dynamics and Aeroelasticity of Hover-Capable Flapping Wings: Experiments and Analysis

This dissertation addresses the aerodynamics of insect-based, bio-inspired, flapping wings in hover. An experimental apparatus, with a bio-inspired flapping mechanism, was used to measure the thrust generated for a number of wing designs. Bio-Inspired flapping-pitching mechanisms reported in literature, usually operate in oil or water at very low flapping frequencies (~0.17 Hz). In contrast, the mechanism used in this study operates in air, at relatively high frequencies (~12 Hz). All the wings tested showed a decrease in thrust at high frequencies. A novel mechanism with passive pitching of the wing, caused by aeroelastic forces, was also tested. Flow visualization images, which show the salient features of the airflow, were also acquired. At high flapping frequencies, the light-weight and highly flexible wings used in this study exhibited significant aeroelastic effects. For this reason, an aeroelastic analysis for hover-capable, bio-inspired flapping wings was developed. A finite element based structural analysis of the wing was used, alongwith an unsteady aerodynamic analysis based on indicial functions. The analysis was validated with experimental data available in literature, and also with experimental tests conducted on the bio-inspired flapping-pitching mechanism. Results for both elastic and rigid wing analyses were compared with the thrust measured on the bio-inspired flapping-pitching mechanism

Supporting elderly’s independent living with a mobile robot platform

With the increased aging population, and declined support from the families, societies will need new tools to ensure the well-being of the elderly. Many of them would prefer living at home, but they will need help and assistance from someone. Technological innovations in the field of robotic systems can be used to enable independent living, to prolong the life of the elderly in their familiar home environments, to maintain the social connections by reducing social isolation and to improve the quality of life in general. In this paper, we present the design and validation of a low-cost mobile robot system that can assist elderly and professional caregivers in everyday activities. The robot structure and its control objectives are described in detail. The developed assistive telepresence robot was tested in simulation and experimentally. On field experiments were conducted in real environment, with potential end users, which is a major advantage of this study. The results of the evaluation were very satisfactory and have shown that participants can operate the robot safely and efficiently. The participants were very satisfied with the performance and features of the robot

Virtual Laboratory as Progressive Web Application

In contemporary education, especially in natural and technical sciences courses, it is important for students to gain practical experience through the use of laboratory exercises. Although theory classes were conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions found it difficult to complete the laboratory experiments. With the increasing availability, sophistication and power of web-based tools and computer simulations, a growing number of virtual laboratories are developed and published. In this study we are proposing an architecture for a virtual laboratory designed and developed as a progressive web application (PWA). The concept of the PWA together with its advantages are also explained in this paper

Creating 3D objects using photogrammetry

Nowadays there is an increasing demand of creating accurate 3D models of various object. Visualization of these models allows the user to get the realistic impression of the object. 3D visualization has many applications in the areas of architecture, engineering, medicine, tourism, education etc. This paper presents the creation of 3D objects using photogrammetry technique. During our research, we have generated 3D model of various small objects. However, the focus was on generating 3D model of a human body, using Meshroom software. The lessons learned, during the data acquisition, as well as 3D reconstruction are presented in this study