scholarly journals A low-cost, open-source framework for tracking and behavioural analysis of animals in aquatic ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fritz A. Francisco ◽  
Paul Nührenberg ◽  
Alex L. Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The Body ◽  
Infrastructure Investment ◽  
Environmental Complexity ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Environmental Models ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractAlthough methods for tracking animals underwater exist, they frequently involve costly infrastructure investment, or capture and manipulation of animals to affix or implant tags. These practical concerns limit the taxonomic coverage of aquatic movement ecology studies and implementation in areas where high infrastructure investment is impossible. Here we present a method based on deep-learning and structure-from-motion, with which we can accurately determine the 3D location of animals, the structure of the environment in which they are moving. Further behavioural decomposition of the body position and contour of animals subsequently allow quantifying the behavioural states of each interacting animal. This approach can be used with minimal infrastructure and without confining animals to to a fixed area, or capturing and interfering with them in any way. With this approach, we are able to track single individuals (Conger Eel,Conger oceanus), small heterospecific groups (Mullus surmuletus, Diplodus sp.), and schools of animals (Tanganyikan cichlidsLamprologus callipterus) in freshwater and marine systems, and in habitats ranging in environmental complexity. Positional information was highly accurate, with errors as low as 1.67% of body length. Tracking data was embedded in 3D environmental models that could be used to examine collective decision making, obstacle avoidance, and visual connectivity of groups. By analyzing body contour and position, we were also able to use unsupervised classification to quantify the kinematic behavioural states of each animal. The proposed framework allows us to understand animal behaviour in aquatic systems at an unprecedented resolution and a fraction of the cost of established methodologies, with minimal domain expertise at the data acquisition or analysis phase required. Implementing this method, research can be conducted in a wide range of field contexts to collect laboratory standard data, vastly expanding both the taxonomic and environmental coverage of quantitative animal movement analysis with a low-cost, open-source solution.

scholarly journals Estudio piloto para la valoración del equilibrio en mujeres adultas con un elemento cinemático (Balance assessment in adult women with a cinematic element: a pilot study)

Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 90-93
Author(s):  
Raquel Leirós Rodríguez ◽  
Mª Elena Arce Fariña ◽  
José Luis García Soidán
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Spinous Process ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Wide Range

En este trabajo se valora el equilibrio a través de una amplia gama de condiciones de valoración cinemáticas para poder contrastarlos posteriormente con pruebas de equilibrio vigentes en la práctica clínica. Todo ello con el objetivo de conseguir una medida holística del equilibrio e identificar con mayor fiabilidad qué sistemas subyacentes están más presentes en cada una de las pruebas. Se valoraron un total de 30 mujeres con una media de edad de 63.07 años (DT = 6.06) con un instrumento de medición cinemático triaxial a la altura de la apófisis espinosa de L4 durante la realización de diferentes pruebas de equilibrio estático y dinámico. Los resultados mostraron que a medida que las tareas solicitadas aumentaban en complejidad, las variaciones de velocidad se hacían más amplias y complejas. A su vez, se encontraron correlaciones con la edad y el resultado obtenido previamente en la prueba Timed Up & Go, lo que confirma la correspondencia entre las variaciones de velocidad del tronco y el estado de los sistemas de control postural. Este instrumento se ha reafirmado como una herramienta de valoración única por su capacidad de reconocer y registrar el comportamiento natural del cuerpo en combinación con su bajo coste. Ambos aspectos lo hacen potencialmente útil en la práctica clínica de diferentes especialidades médicas. Ampliar la muestra del estudio así como cotejar los datos extraídos de las mediciones cinemáticas con otras variables fisiológicas y antropométricas, se sugieren como posibles mejoras en investigaciones futuras.Abstract. This paper assesses the balance through a wide range of kinematic conditions assessment for later compare them with existing balance tests in clinical practice. The goal was to achieve a holistic measure of balance and more reliably identify what underlying systems are present in each of the tests. A total of 30 women with a mean age of 63.07 years (SD = 6.06) were evaluated with a triaxial instrument at the height of the spinous process of L4 while performing different tests of static and dynamic balance kinematic measurement. The results showed that as the required tasks increased in complexity, speed variations became larger and more complex. In turn, correlations were found with age and the result obtained previously in the Timed Up & Go test, confirming the correspondence between the velocity variations of the trunk and the state of postural control systems. This instrument has been reaffirmed as a single assessment tool for its ability to recognize and record the natural behavior of the body in combination with low cost. Both aspects make it potentially useful in clinical practice in different medical specialties. Larger study sample and collate data from the kinematic measurements with other physiological and anthropometric variables are suggested as possible improvements in future research.

scholarly journals Application of Multi-Material 3D Printing for Improved Functionality and Modularity of Open Source Low-Cost Prosthetics: A Case Study

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachin Bijadi ◽  
Erik de Bruijn ◽  
Erik Y. Tempelman ◽  
Jos Oberdorf
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Prosthetic Hand ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Manufacturing Method ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Modular Platform ◽  
Traditional Manufacturing

Low-cost 3D desktop printing, although still in its infancy, is rapidly maturing, with a wide range of applications. With its ease of production and affordability, it has led to development of a global maker culture, with the design and manufacture of artefacts by individuals as a collaborative & creative hobbyist practice. This has enabled mass customization of goods with the potential to disrupt conventional manufacturing, giving more people access to traditionally expensive products like prosthetics and medical devices [1], as is the case with e-NABLE, a global community providing open source prosthetics for people with upper limb deficiencies. However one of the major barriers to proliferation of 3D printing as a major manufacturing method is the limitation of compatible materials for use with the technology [2]. This places constraints on the design approach, as well as the complexity & functionality of artefacts that can be produced with 3D printing as compared to traditional manufacturing methods. As a result, devices like the e-NABLE Raptor Reloaded prosthetic hand, which is designed specifically to be produced via a single extruder FDM desktop 3D printer, have limited functionality as compared to conventional prosthetics, leading to low active use and prosthesis abandonment [3]. However, with the advent of multi-material desktop 3D printing, and increasing availability of a broader range of compatible materials (of varying characteristics) [2], there is scope for improving capabilities of low-cost prosthetics through the creation of more sophisticated multi-material functional integrated devices. This work documents the exploration of potential applications of multi-material 3D printing to improve production, capabilities and usability of low-cost open source prosthetics. Various material combinations were initially studied and functional enhancements for current 3D printed prosthetics were prototyped using key material combinations identified. Further, a user-centered design approach was utilized to develop a novel multi-material anthropomorphic prosthetic hand ‘ex_machina’ based on a modular platform architecture, to demonstrate the scope for reduced build complexity and improved dexterity & functional customization enabled by dual extrusion FDM desktop 3D printing. A full prototype was built & tested with a lead user, and results analyzed to determine scope for optimization.

scholarly journals FlyLimbTracker: an active contour based approach for leg segment tracking in unmarked, freely behaving Drosophila

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Uhlmann ◽  
Pavan Ramdya ◽  
Ricard Delgado-Gonzalo ◽  
Richard Benton ◽  
Michael Unser
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Active Contour ◽  
The Body ◽  
Software Implementation ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Freely Behaving ◽  
Leg Movements

AbstractUnderstanding the biological underpinnings of movement and action requires the development of tools for precise, quantitative, and high-throughput measurements of animal behavior. Drosophila melanogaster provides an ideal model for developing such tools: the fly has unparalleled genetic accessibility and depends on a relatively compact nervous system to generate sophisticated limbed behaviors including walking, reaching, grooming, courtship, and boxing. Here we describe a method that uses active contours to semi-automatically track body and leg segments from video image sequences of unmarked, freely behaving Drosophila. We show that this approach is robust to wide variations in video spatial and temporal resolution and that it can be used to measure leg segment motions during a variety of locomotor and grooming behaviors. FlyLimbTracker, the software implementation of this method, is open-source and our approach is generalizable. This opens up the possibility of tracking leg movements in other species by modifications of underlying active contour models.Author SummaryIn terrestrial animals, including humans, fundamental actions like locomotion and grooming emerge from the displacement of multiple limbs through space. Therefore, precise measurements of limb movements are critical for investigating and, ultimately, understanding the neural basis for behavior. The vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an attractive animal model for uncovering general principles about limb control since its genome and nervous system are easy to manipulate. However, existing methods for measuring leg movements in freely behaving Drosophila have significant drawbacks: they require complicated experimental setups and provide limited information about each leg. Here we report a new method - and provide its open-source software implementation, FlyLimbTracker - for tracking the body and leg segments of freely behaving flies using only computational image processing approaches. We illustrate the power of this method by tracking fly limbs during five distinct walking and grooming behaviors and from videos across a wide range of spatial and temporal resolutions. Our approach is generalizable, allowing researchers to use and customize our software for limb tracking in Drosophila and in other species.

scholarly journals Design and Control of a Open-Source, Low Cost, 3D Printed Dynamic Quadruped Robot

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 3762
Author(s):  
Joonyoung Kim ◽  
Taewoong Kang ◽  
Dongwoon Song ◽  
Seung-Joon Yi
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Quadruped Robot ◽  
Machining Process ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Depth Sensor ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Structural Parts

In this paper, we present a new open source dynamic quadruped robot, PADWQ (pronounced pa-dook), which features 12 torque controlled quasi direct drive joints with high control bandwidth, as well as onboard depth sensor and GPU-equipped computer that allows for a highly dynamic locomotion over uncertain terrains. In contrast to other dynamic quadruped robots based on custom actuator and machined metal structural parts, the PADWQ is entirely built from off the shelf components and standard 3D printed plastic structural parts, which allows for a rapid distribution and duplication without the need for advanced machining process. To make sure that the plastic structural parts can withstand the stress of dynamic locomotion, we performed finite element analysis (FEA) on leg structural parts as well as a continuous walking test using the physical robot, both of which the robot has passed successfully. We hope this work to help a wide range of researchers and engineers that need an affordable, highly capable and easily customizable quadruped robot.

scholarly journals Low-Cost Open-Source Device to Measure Maximal Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Aymerich ◽  
Miguel Rodríguez-Lázaro ◽  
Gorka Solana ◽  
Ramon Farré ◽  
Jorge Otero
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Technical Information ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Measuring Device ◽  
Wide Range

The measurement of maximal inspiratory (MIP) and maximal expiratory (MEP) pressures is a widely used technique to non-invasively evaluate respiratory muscle strength in clinical practice. The commercial devices that perform this test range from whole body plethysmographs to portable spirometers, both expensive and include a wide range of other respiratory tests. Given that a portable, low-cost, and specific option for MIP and MEP measuring device is not currently available in the market. A high-performance and easy-to-build prototype has been developed and the detailed technical information to easily reproduce it is freely released. A novel device is based on an Arduino microcontroller with a digital display, an integrated pressure transducer, and three-dimensional (3D) printed enclosure (total retail cost €80). The validation of the device was performed by comparison with a laboratory reference setting, and results showed accuracy within ±1%. As the device design is available according to the open-source hardware approach, measuring MIP/MEP can greatly facilitate easily available point-of-care devices for the monitoring of patients and, most important, for making this lung function measurement tool affordable to users in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Robotic Arm Assisted Laser Surgery with LiFi Based Patient Monitoring System

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 150-153
Keyword(s):  
Robotic Surgery ◽  
Monitoring System ◽  
Patient Monitoring ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Base Station ◽  
The Body ◽  
Alert Message ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Future ◽  
Patient Monitoring System

With the advances in electronics and control software, robotic arms are now capable of quick and accurate movement under a wide range of conditions. Robotic surgery has become the most important field of general surgery. This rapid progress is quantitative and qualitative .The common procedures performed in Robotic Field and the future advancements are being discussed in this paper. Along with the existing system of Robotic surgery the advanced instruments and the future possibilities are being discussed. This project will help to solve the existing problems in robotic surgery even in other additional fields. Now a days the limitations of WiFi has reduced the usage in medical field especially. Therefore a LiFi based system will enable to overcome the limitations of Wi-Fi. A continuous monitoring of the vital parameters of the body like temperature, pulse rate and glucose level is also required. Regular interval of time measuring the intensive parameter of the patient’s health with a low cost micro controller and intelligent LiFi based advanced patient monitoring system is developed and if any abnormal condition occurs, it directly sends a message to the doctor’s base station machine via Li-If that particular word no’s particular parameter is out of the range. Doctor can do the fast assessment of the patient’s health without wasting the time with the help of an alert message.

scholarly journals High-resolution animal tracking with integration of environmental information in aquatic systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fritz A Francisco ◽  
Paul Nührenberg ◽  
Alex Jordan
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Movement Ecology ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Aquatic Systems ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Tracking Errors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Individual Tracking

AbstractAcquiring high resolution quantitative behavioural data underwater often involves installation of costly infrastructure, or capture and manipulation animals. Aquatic movement ecology can therefore be limited in scope of taxonomic and ecological coverage. Here we present a novel deep-learning based, multi-individual tracking approach, which incorporates Structure-from-Motion in order to determine the 3D location, body position and the visual environment of every recorded individual. The application is based on low-cost cameras and does not require the animals to be confined or handled in any way. Using this approach, single individuals, small heterospecific groups and schools of fish were tracked in freshwater and marine environments of varying complexity. Further, we established accuracy measures, resulting in positional tracking errors as low as 1.09 ± 0.47 cm (RSME) in underwater areas up to 500 m2. This cost-effective and open-source framework allows the analysis of animal behaviour in aquatic systems at an unprecedented resolution. Implementing this versatile approach, quantitative behavioural analysis can employed in a wide range of natural contexts, vastly expanding our potential for examining non-model systems and species.

scholarly journals An underground, wireless, open-source, low-cost system for monitoring oxygen, temperature, and soil moisture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elad Levintal ◽  
Yonatan Ganot ◽  
Gail Taylor ◽  
Peter Freer-Smith ◽  
Kosana Suvocarev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wireless Sensor Networks ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Sensor Networks ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wireless Sensor ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Engineering Knowledge ◽  
Cost System ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. The use of wireless sensor networks in the measurement of soil parameters represents one of the least invasive methods available to date. Wireless sensors pose the least disturbance to soil structure and having fewer aboveground cables reduce the risk of undesired equipment damage and potential data loss. However, implementing wireless sensor networks in field studies usually requires advanced and costly engineering knowledge. This study presents a new underground, wireless, open-source, low-cost system for monitoring soil oxygen, temperature, and soil moisture. The process of system design, assembly, programming, deployment, and power management is presented. The system can be left underground for several years without the need for changing the battery. Emphasis was given on modularity so that it can be easily duplicated or changed if needed, and deployed without previous engineering knowledge. Data from this type of system have a wide range of applications, including precision agriculture and high-resolution modelling.

Determination of the drag coefficient of trawls by the hydraulic-mathematical method

Fisheries ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-98
Author(s):  
Nikolay Gaydenok
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Method ◽  
Water Resistance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Floating Bodies ◽  
Body Contour ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Conservation Of Energy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Special Case

The paper considers the features of determining the determination of the force and coefficient of water resistance to the movement of trawls and other floating bodies by the hydraulic-mathematical method by inverting the body contour based on the law of conservation of energy in the form of a solution in the special case of the Dido problem and the multi-criteria problem of the cal-culus of variations or optimal control in the general case. The proposed algo-rithm makes it possible to clearly take into account a wide range of hydro-mechanical phenomena that determine this important indicator, which is neces-sary for the development of an optimal trawling strategy.

scholarly journals Open Electronics for Medical Devices: State-of-Art and Unique Advantages

Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pandey ◽  
Vora
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Electronic Components ◽  
Open Hardware ◽  
Open Platform ◽  
Medical Software ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Electronic Hardware

A wide range of medical devices have significant electronic components. Compared to open-source medical software, open (and open-source) electronic hardware has been less published in peer-reviewed literature. In this review, we explore the developments, significance, and advantages of using open platform electronic hardware for medical devices. Open hardware electronics platforms offer not just shorter development times, reduced costs, and customization; they also offer a key potential advantage which current commercial medical devices lack—seamless data sharing for machine learning and artificial intelligence. We explore how various electronic platforms such as microcontrollers, single board computers, field programmable gate arrays, development boards, and integrated circuits have been used by researchers to design medical devices. Researchers interested in designing low cost, customizable, and innovative medical devices can find references to various easily available electronic components as well as design methodologies to integrate those components for a successful design.

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