Semi-automatic Prototype Research Articles

Semi-automatic Prototype for the Control of the Processes of Pressing, Braiding and Cutting of Wires in the Manufacture of Flowerpot Hooks

This paper presents the design and construction of a semi-automatic prototype to control the processes of pressing, braiding and cutting of wire in the manufacture of flowerpot hooks at the Maquiladora Hermanos CAYFRA (Xochimilco, CDMX). The prototype was developed using 3D modeling and printing, electronics and programming in C language. The proposed prototype is mainly composed of three mechanical structures, an electronic circuit and a user interface to control the processes. The main objective of this work is to improve and reduce the manufacturing time of the wire hooks for flowerpots.

Niffler: Real-time Device-level Anomalies Detection in Smart Home

Device-level security has become a major concern in smart home systems. Detecting problems in smart home sytems strives to increase accuracy in near real time without hampering the regular tasks of the smart home. The current state of the art in detecting anomalies in smart home devices is mainly focused on the app level, which provides a basic level of security by assuming that the devices are functioning correctly. However, this approach is insufficient for ensuring the overall security of the system, as it overlooks the possibility of anomalies occurring at the lower layers such as the devices. In this article, we propose a novel notion, correlated graph , and with the aid of that, we develop our system to detect misbehaving devices without modifying the existing system. Our correlated graphs explicitly represent the contextual correlations among smart devices with little knowledge about the system. We further propose a linkage path model and a sensitivity ranking method to assist in detecting the abnormalities. We implement a semi-automatic prototype of our approach, evaluate it in real-world settings, and demonstrate its efficiency, which achieves an accuracy of around 90% in near real time.

Crohn's disease phenotype analysis with iodine density from dual-energy CT enterography.

To compare dual-source dual-energy CT enterography (dsDECTE) obtained iodine density (I) (mg/mL) and I normalized to the aorta (I%) with Crohn's disease (CD) phenotypes defined by the SAR-AGA small bowel CD consensus statement. Fifty CD patients (31 male, 19 female; mean [SD] age: 50.4 [15.2]years) who underwent dsDECTE were retrospectively identified. Two abdominal radiologists assigned CD phenotypes: no active inflammation (group-2), active inflammation without (group-3) or with luminal narrowing (group-4), stricture with active inflammation (group-5), stricture without active inflammation (group-1), and penetrating disease (group-6). Semiautomatic prototype software was used to determine the median I and I% of CD-affected small bowel mucosa for each patient. The means of the I and I% medians were compared among 4 groups ("1 + 2", "3 + 4", "5", "6") using one-way ANOVA (significance level 0.05 for each outcome) for each outcome individually followed by Tukey's range test for pairwise comparisons with adjusted p-values (overall alpha = 0.05). Mean [SD] I was 2.14 [1.07]mg/mL for groups 1 + 2 (n = 16), 3.54 [1.71]mg/mL for groups 3 + 4 (n = 15), 5.5 [3.27]mg/mL for group- "5" (n = 9), and 3.36 [1.43]mg/mL for group-"6" (n = 10) (ANOVA p = .001; group "1 + 2" versus "5" adj-p = .0005). Mean [SD] I% was 21.2 [6.13]% for groups 1 + 2, 39.47 [9.71]% for groups 3 + 4, 40.98 [11.76]% for group-5, and 35.01 [7.58]% for group-6 (ANOVA p < .0001; groups "1 + 2" versus "3 + 4" adj-p < .0001, group "1 + 2" versus "5" adj-p < .0001, and groups "1 + 2" versus "6" adj-p = .002). Iodine density obtained from dsDECTE significantly differed among CD phenotypes defined by SAR-AGA, with I (mg/mL) increasing with phenotype severity and decreasing for penetrating disease. I and I% can be used to phenotype CD.

Crohn's disease active inflammation assessment with iodine density from dual-energy CT enterography: comparison with endoscopy and conventional interpretation.

To compare terminal ileum (TI) mucosal iodine density obtained at dual-energy CT enterography (DECTE) with conventional CT interpretation and endoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Twenty-three CD patients (14 men; mean[SD] age:48.1[16.7] years) with endoscopy within 30days of DECTE were retrospectively identified. An inflammatory bowel disease gastroenterologist reviewed endoscopic images. Two radiologists qualitatively assessed the presence of active TI inflammation. Mean iodine density normalized to the aorta (I%), mean absolute iodine density (I), and iodine density standard deviation (ISD) from the distal 2cm ileum (TI) mucosa obtained using semiautomatic prototype software were compared with endoscopic assessment using Mann Whitney tests. The optimal threshold I% and I were determined from receiver operating curves (ROC). Sensitivity and specificity of conventional interpretation and determined iodine thresholds were compared using McNemar's test. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using kappa. A p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Twelve (52.1%) patients had endoscopic active inflammation. I% was 37.9[13.3]% for patients with and 21.7[7.5]% for patients without endoscopic active inflammation (p = 0.001). The optimal ROC threshold 24.6% had 100% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity (AUC = 0.909, 95% CI 0.777-1). I was 2.44[0.73]mg/mL for patients with and 1.77[1.00]mg/mL for patients without active endoscopic inflammation (p =0.0455). The optimal ROC threshold 1.78mg/mL I had 91.7% sensitivity and 63.6% specificity (AUC = 0.75, 95% CI 0.532-0.968). ISD was similar for patients with and without endoscopic active inflammation (0.82[0.33]mg/mL and 0.77[0.28]mg/mL, respectively, p = 0.37). Conventional interpretation sensitivity and specificity (R1/R2) were 83.3%/91.7% and 72.7%/54.5%, respectively (all p > 0.05) with moderate inter-reader agreement (Κ = 0.542[95% CI 0.0202-0.088]). Mean normalized iodine density is highly sensitive and specific for endoscopic active inflammation. DECTE could be considered as a surrogate to endoscopy in CD patients. Despite trends towards improved sensitivity and specificity compared with conventional interpretation, future larger studies are needed.

Automated Valuation Methods through the Cost Approach in a BIM and GIS Integration Framework for Smart City Appraisals

The principle behind sustainable city movements is represented by the idea of “good living”, which is the possibility of having solutions and services that allow citizens to live in an easy, simple, and enjoyable way. Policies for urban quality play a central role in the slow cities manifesto, often suggesting the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ITC) in the development of interactive services for citizens. Among these, an interesting possibility is to offer citizens digital real estate consultancy services through the implementation of automated evaluation methods. An automated appraisal action—which is already complex in itself owing to the need to collect data in a consistent, standardized, but also differentiated way so as to require the adoption of real estate due diligence—collides on the operational level with the concrete difficulty of acquiring necessary data, much more so since the reference market is dark, atypical, and viscous. These operational difficulties are deepened by the epistemological nature of the appraisal discipline itself, which bases its methodology on the forecast postulate, recalling the need to objectify as much as possible the evaluation from the perspective of an intersubjective sharing argument. These circumstances have led, on the one hand, to the definition of internationally accepted uniform evaluation rules (IVS, 2017) and, on the other, to the testing of automated valuation methods aimed at returning computer-based appraisals (AVM). Starting from the awareness that real estate valuation refers essentially to information and georeferences, this paper aims to demonstrate how real estate appraisal analysis can be further improved through information technology (IT), directing real estate valuation towards objectivity in compliance with international valuation standards. Particularly, the paper intends to show the potential of combining geographic information systems (GISs) and building information models (BIMs) in automated valuation methods through the depreciated reproduction cost. The paper also proposes a BIM-GIS semi-automatic prototype based on the depreciated reconstruction cost through an experimentation in Rende (Italy).

Validation of photogrammetry techniques performed on two lead ingots assigned to Linares Historical Heritage

The present study aims to validate photogrammetry technique to reproduce geometrical volumes of objects from cultural heritage preservation sector. In this case, the objects are two ingots from “La Tortilla de Linares” foundry, which were found in the English Channel. For this purpose, two 3D dimensional measurements, photogrammetry and 3D scanning, have been carried out, using 3D scanning technique as reference. For obtaining photogrammetric data, a semi-automatic prototype developed by CETEMET, has been used. The results obtained with this technique are promising. This, along the advantages of the system make it a great alternative in 3D measurements in this type of pieces.

Reproducibility of manual and semi-automated late enhancement quantification in patients with Fabry disease

Late enhancement (LE) imaging is increasingly used for diagnosis of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, the mostly patchy appearance of LE in this context may reduce the reproducibility of LE measurement. To report intra- and inter-observer variabilities of LE measurements in Fabry disease using manual and semi-automated quantification. Twenty MRI data-sets of male patients aged 44 ± 7 years were analyzed twice (interval 12 months) by one observer and additionally once by a second observer. Left ventricular (LV) parameters were determined using cine MRI. Gradient-echo LE images were analyzed by manual planimetry and by a semi-automatic prototype software. Variabilities were determined by Bland-Altman analyses and additionally intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values were calculated to survey intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. The amount of LE was 5.2 ± 5.1 mL or 2.8 ± 2.6 % of LV mass (observer 2). LE was detected predominantly intramurally in a patchy pattern. All patients had LE restricted to the basal infero-lateral parts of the LV. The extent of LE correlated to LV mass (207 ± 70 g, P < 0.05, r = 0.6). The intra- and inter-observer variabilities were -0.6 to 1.0 mL and -0.7 to 1.6 mL, respectively (95% confidence intervals). ICC values were 0.981-0.999. The semi-automatic software allowed quantification of LE areas in all patients. The comparison of LE amount determined by semi-automatic software versus manual planimetry yielded an intra-observer variability ranging from -1.9 to 2.3 mL. Semi-automatic planimetry of patchy LE in patients with Fabry disease is feasible. The determined intra- and inter-observer variabilities for manual and semi-automatic planimetry were in the range of 20-40% of LE amount with high ICC values.

Production cell for laser joining of microsystems with modular “Pick and Join” tools

The ongoing trend in the Microtechnology field reflects a further increase of the product miniaturization and in the same time shortened lifetime cycles. These aspects are the basis for the development of new packaging and interconnection concepts with increased efficiency and reliability. The state-of-the-art to control and monitor crucial process steps includes the use of human operators generating this way high personnel costs. Combining flexible mounting and joining tools with progressive process monitoring strategies new production facilities can be established. Following this concept a semi-automatic prototype production cell for packaging and interconnection of optical and electro-optical microsystems has been developed. In order to prove the performances of the prototype production cell the mounting and assembly of cuboid shape components, consisting of optical transparent or semi-conducting materials, has been defined as demonstrative application. The joined cuboids have the contact surface precisely delimited in functional and joining area. The particularities of the joining area (small dimensions and limited access) and the well-known advantages of the laser material processing make the laser beam soldering the most suitable joining process for this application.

Combination of digital mammography with semi-automated 3D breast ultrasound.

This paper describes work aimed at combining 3D ultrasound with full-field digital mammography via a semi-automatic prototype ultrasound scanning mechanism attached to the digital mammography system gantry. Initial efforts to obtain high x-ray and ultrasound image quality through a compression paddle are proving successful. Registration between the x-ray mammogram and ultrasound image volumes is quite promising when the breast is stably compressed. This prototype system takes advantage of many synergies between the co-registered digital mammography and pulse-echo ultrasound image data used for breast cancer detection and diagnosis. In addition, innovative combinations of advanced US and X-ray applications are being implemented and tested along with the basic modes. The basic and advanced applications are those that should provide relatively independent information about the breast tissues. Advanced applications include x-ray tomosynthesis, for 3D delineation of mammographic structures, and non-linear elasticity and 3D color flow imaging by ultrasound, for mechanical and physiological information unavailable from conventional, non-contrast x-ray and ultrasound imaging.