scholarly journals Availability of insects as feed for meadow bird chicks assessed across years by batched image analysis of sticky traps

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Kaffa ◽  
Rutger Vos
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Reproduction Rate ◽  
Sticky Traps ◽  
Meadow Birds ◽  
Insect Populations ◽  
The Difference

ABSTRACTAs of 1990, there are 27 bird species that have been assigned as meadow birds by the Dutch equivalent of the Farmland Bird Indicator (FBI). These birds have one common characteristic that classifies them as meadow birds: they prefer to breed in meadows. Since 1960, the overall number of meadow birds has been declining rapidly and recently only five species have shown increases. However, not only meadow birds have been declining, this same rate of decline is also seen in many vertebrate, insect, and plant species throughout Europe. Increasing agriculture and urbanisation are considered to be the main causes of these alarming declines and agri-environment schemes show insufficient effect. Not only decreased reproduction rate of meadow birds, but also decreased survival rate of meadow bird chicks may play an important role in the dropping meadow bird numbers. Most of the meadow birds eat insects and it is therefore hypothesized that their food supply is too low. The Louis Bolk Insitute and ANV Water, Land & Dijken have been setting sticky traps in several meadows and counting the number of trapped insects on each sticky trap to assess if the food supply of meadow birds is sufficient. However, counting the insects is very time consuming, unappealing, and error prone. Therefore, a system that uses image analysis to automatically count the insects was improved and deployed as a web application and command line application. This system analyses photographs of sticky traps and counts the insects found on the sticky traps that were set in May 2018. These results were compared to the number of counted insects on the sticky traps that were set in May 2017, tested if the difference was significant and if there was a correlation between the usage of certain management packages. The accuracy of the automated system was also tested by determining if automatically counted results were not significantly different from hand counted results. The results showed that the accuracy of the system was improved but was still unable to provide very reliable results, most likely due to the usage of low-quality photographs from 2017. The number of counted insects from the sticky traps that were set in 2017 was significantly lower as compared to 2018 and no actual correlation could be found between the number of insects and management packages. It is possible for insect populations to have grown this much, however, the difference in insect numbers could have been caused by the difference in temperature when placing the sticky traps, or the sticky traps being less sticky. It is also very likely that the number of insects on the traps in 2017 is lower due to the poor quality of the photographs, so fewer insects could be detected. If the insect populations have grown as significantly as is indicated from the results then it can be stated that the food supply of meadow birds is more sufficient as compared to 2017 and it would be probable that an increase in meadow birds has occurred or will occur in the near future. Further research should be conducted using high quality standardized photographs and carried out for multiple years to gain plentiful reliable data.

scholarly journals A Web Service for Assessing Insect Abundances for Meadow Birds by Image Analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Michels ◽  
Rutger Vos
Keyword(s):  
Computer Vision ◽  
Image Analysis ◽  
Web Service ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Agricultural Intensification ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sticky Traps ◽  
Meadow Birds ◽  
Automate Counting ◽  
Yearly Data

AbstractMeadow birds are a group of species native to the Netherlands characterized by breeding in meadows that has been in decline over the last several decades, despite widespread conservation efforts. Agricultural intensification is thought to be one of the main causes of this decline, but no yearly data exists on the surrounding ecology of these birds. Recent efforts have tried to assess the food supply of meadow birds by setting sticky traps and counting the number of insects caught on them. However, this approach cannot be applied on a large scale since counting the insects is very labour intensive and unappealing to the volunteers that contribute to this research. To get a better assessment of the food supply at a larger scale, we present a system to automate counting of insects on sticky traps. The system is intended to process uploaded images and metadata using computer vision techniques to determine the number of insects found in photographs taken from the sticky traps.

A Review on Automatic Bill of Material Generation and Visual Inspection on PCBs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukhil Azhagan M. S ◽  
Dhwani Mehta ◽  
Hangwei Lu ◽  
Sudarshan Agrawal ◽  
Mark Tehranipoor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Imaging Modalities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Bill Of Materials ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Index Terms ◽  
Image Analysis Techniques

Abstract Globalization and complexity of the PCB supply chain has made hardware assurance a challenging task. An automated system to extract the Bill of Materials (BoM) can save time and resources during the authentication process, however, there are numerous imaging modalities and image analysis techniques that can be used to create such a system. In this paper we review different imaging modalities and their pros and cons for automatic PCB inspection. In addition, image analysis techniques commonly used for such images are reviewed in a systematic way to provide a direction for future research in this area. Index Terms—Component Detection, PCB, Authentication, Image Analysis, Machine Learning

scholarly journals Can clearcuts increase bird species richness in managed forests?

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 189-193
Author(s):  
M. Żmihorski
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Managed Forest ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Transect Counts ◽  
The Difference

Clearcuts are one of the results of forest management. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of clearcuts on bird communities in a managed forest in Western Poland. I applied the method of point transect counts. 20 points were located near clearcuts (less than 100 m from the nearest clearcut) and 25 points in the forest interior. In total, 36 bird species were recorded. On average, I found 9.20 bird species at points located near clearcuts and 6.72 species at points situated in the forest interior, and the difference was significant. The cumulative number of bird species for a given number of sampling points in the vicinity of clearcuts was higher than in the forest interior. The obtained results indicate that in managed, even-aged forests the generation of clearcuts can lead to an increase in local bird species richness.

A method for measuring the residence time distribution of particles in a fluidized bed based on digital image analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiamin Li ◽  
Xiaoping Chen ◽  
Jiliang Ma ◽  
Cai Liang
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Fluidized Bed ◽  
Residence Time ◽  
Digital Image ◽  
Time Distribution ◽  
Residence Time Distribution ◽  
Digital Image Analysis ◽  
Color Space ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Accuracy And Repeatability

AbstractTraditional methods for measuring the residence time distribution (RTD) of particles in a fluidized bed are complex and time-consuming. To this regard, the present work proposes a new measurement method with remarkable efficiency based on digital image analysis. The dyed tracers are recognized in the images of the samples due to the difference of colors from bed materials. The HSV and the well-known RGB color space were employed to distinguish the tracers. By enhancing the Saturation and the Value in HSV and adjusting the gray range of images, the recognition error is effectively reduced. Then the pixels representing the tracers are distinguished, based on which the concentration of the tracers and RTD are measured. The efficiency, accuracy and repeatability of the method were validated by RTD measurements experiments. The method is also fit for distinguishing the target particles from multi-component systems consisting of particles of different colors.

scholarly journals Design and Testing of an Experimental Steam-Induced Burn Model in Rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vlad Porumb ◽  
Alexandru Florentin Trandabăț ◽  
Cristina Terinte ◽  
Irina Draga Căruntu ◽  
Elena Porumb-Andrese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Automated System ◽  
Level Of Automation ◽  
Exposure Temperature ◽  
Degree Burn ◽  
Computer Controlled ◽  
The Difference ◽  
High Level ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Experimental Burns ◽  
Second Degree

Background. Most of the current models for experimental burns pose difficulties in ensuring consistency and standardization.Aim of Study. We aimed to develop an automated, reproducible technique for experimental burns using steam-based heat transfer.Methods. The system developed for steam exposure was based on a novel, integrated, computer-controlled design. Three groups of rats were exposed to steam for 1, 3, and 7 seconds. The lesions were evaluated after 20 minutes, 48 hours, and 72 hours after burn induction.Results. One-second steam application produced a superficial second-degree burn; three-second application induced deep second-degree burn; and seven-second application led to a third-degree burn.Conclusion. The high level of automation of our integrated, computer-controlled system makes the difference between our system and other models, by ensuring the control of the duration of exposure, temperature, and pressure and eliminating as many potential human generated errors as possible. The automated system can accurately reproduce specific types of burns, according to histological assessment. This model could generate the reproducible data needed in the study of burn pathology and in order to assess new treatments.

scholarly journals YeastSpotter: accurate and parameter-free web segmentation for microscopy images of yeast cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (21) ◽  
pp. 4525-4527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex X Lu ◽  
Taraneh Zarin ◽  
Ian S Hsu ◽  
Alan M Moses
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Supplementary Data ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Microscopy Images

Abstract Summary We introduce YeastSpotter, a web application for the segmentation of yeast microscopy images into single cells. YeastSpotter is user-friendly and generalizable, reducing the computational expertise required for this critical preprocessing step in many image analysis pipelines. Availability and implementation YeastSpotter is available at http://yeastspotter.csb.utoronto.ca/. Code is available at https://github.com/alexxijielu/yeast_segmentation. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

scholarly journals Influence of Graphene Oxide on Interfacial Transition Zone of Mortar

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hongfang Sun ◽  
Zhili Ren ◽  
Li Ling ◽  
Shazim Ali Memon ◽  
Jie Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Image Analysis ◽  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Prediction Model ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Cement Mortar ◽  
Interfacial Transition Zone ◽  
Backscattered Electron ◽  
The Difference

In this paper, the influence of graphene oxide (GO) on the microstructure of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in cement mortar was investigated through image analysis (IA) of backscattered electron (BSE) micrographs. The results showed that the incorporation of GO significantly reduced the thickness of ITZ. The porosity in ITZ and bulk paste decreased due to the introduction of GO; meanwhile, the compressive strength of the mortar samples was improved. The addition of GO also narrowed the gap between the porosity of ITZ and bulk paste, and therefore, the entire microstructure of mortar became more homogenous. Based on the above results, the model to predict the compressive strength of mortar was modified for better precision. The improved prediction model indicated that the difference between the compressive strength of ITZ and bulk paste was reduced upon the refinement of ITZ by GO.

scholarly journals Nanoparticle Number Concentration in the Air in Relation to the Time of the Year and Time of the Day

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 523
Author(s):  
Jáchym Brzezina ◽  
Klaudia Köbölová ◽  
Vladimír Adamec
Keyword(s):  
Web Application ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Suspended Particle ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Suspended Particles ◽  
Number Concentration ◽  
Size Fractions ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Individual

The paper analyzes suspended particles number concentrations of 61 size fractions (184 nm to 17,165 nm) in the air at a traffic location. The average course of the individual fractions was analyzed at various intervals – daily, weekly, monthly and annually, in the period between 2017 and 2019. The data was then used to calculate the arithmetic mean for all the fractions (MS Excel, R) and then using a proprietary web application, heatmaps were constructed. The obtained results showed significant differences in both the annual and daily variation of number concentrations between the individual fractions differing in particle size. In the case of the annual variation, one can see a greater variability of smaller particles, which is most likely due to the source of the actual suspended particles. Meteorological and dispersion conditions are found as important factors for suspended particle concentrations. These can lead to significant differences from year to year. However, a comparison between 2018 and 2019 showed that even though the average absolute number concentrations can differ between years, the actual relative number concentrations, i.e., the ratios between the individual fractions remain very similar. In conclusion it can be said that the difference between the number concentration variation of the size fractions depends on both the actual pollution sources (especially in the long-term, i.e., the annual variation) and the actual size of the particles, which plays a role especially in the short-term (daily, weekly variation).

Paper-Based Assay for Quantification of HbS in Blood of Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1371-1371
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Z. Piety ◽  
Xiaoxi Yang ◽  
Bogdan R. Dinu ◽  
Alex George ◽  
Sergey S. Shevkoplyas
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Transfusion Therapy ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Blood Disorder ◽  
Peripheral Ring ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common inherited blood disorder caused by sickle hemoglobin (HbS) which, unlike normal adult hemoglobin (HbA), becomes insoluble and polymerizes under hypoxic conditions. Patients with SCD experience chronic hemolytic anemia, episodic pain crises and abnormal blood flow to critical organs that cumulatively result in significant illness and shortened lifespans for many. The severity of SCD varies significantly between patients, but for individuals the rate of adverse events is strongly correlated with intraerythrocytic concentration of HbS (%HbS). High per test costs and long turnaround times make conventional laboratory methods (e.g. Hb electrophoresis, HPLC, IEF) impractical for quantifying %HbS in real-time (e.g. during transfusion therapy). The objective of this study was to demonstrate that %HbS in blood could be quantified using our recently developed rapid, low-cost paper-based SCD assay [1]. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from SCD and sickle cell trait (SCT) patients at the Texas Children’s Hematology Center (Houston, TX). To perform the SCD assay a 20μL droplet of blood mixed with Hb solubility buffer (1:10 by volume) was dropped on chromatography paper. The resulting blood stain was digitized with a flatbed scanner (Canon USA Inc, Melville, NY) and analyzed using a custom image analysis code (The MathWorks Inc, Natick, MA). Conventional Hb electrophoresis was performed with the semi-automated Sebia Hydrasys 2 Scan system (Sebia Inc, Norcross, GA). Results: The difference in transport of Hb through the paper produced a blood stain with two parts: the area of the initial drop where polymerized HbS is retained (center spot) and the area where soluble Hb is wicked laterally (peripheral ring). The relative color intensity of the center spot and peripheral ring is related to the blood sample %HbS (Fig. 1). The image analysis code automatically isolates and calculates the ratio of the average color intensities of each area (S-index). A series of reconstituted blood samples with artificially adjusted %HbS from 0 to 60% was used to calibrate the assay so that %HbS could be estimated based on blood stain color intensities (Fig. 2a). The values of %HbS estimated for patient samples using our paper-based SCD assay and actual values measured using conventional Hb electrophoresis were highly correlated with R2 = 0.898 (Fig. 2b). The estimated and actual %HbS values also showed strong agreement with the standard deviation of the difference between the two measurements = 5.5 %HbS (Fig. 2c). The majority of the differences between actual and estimated %HbS (96.67%) are within 2 standard deviations of the mean of the differences. The assay could be performed in under 35 minutes and multiple assays could be performed and analyzed in parallel. The cost of consumable materials and reagents for the paper-based SCD assay is less than $0.03. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using our recently developed paper-based assay to quantify %HbS in blood samples in real-time. The ability to rapidly, inexpensively measure %HbS will be particularly useful for monitoring the effectiveness of chronic transfusion or hydroxyurea therapy for long-term control of HbS content in blood of SCD patients. The ability to measure %HbS in real-time could also potentially facilitate more aggressive prophylactic therapy to intervene rapidly and significantly reduce the rate of life-threatening complications in SCD patients, including stroke. Figure 1: Figure 1:. Figure 2: Figure 2:. Acknowledgments: This work was supported in part by a 2012 NIH Director's Transformative Research Award (NHLBI R01HL117329, PI: SSS). References: [1] Yang X, et al. Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 1464-1467. Disclosures Piety: Tulane University: PCT/US2012/064856 Patents & Royalties. Yang:Tulane University: PCT/US2012/064856 Patents & Royalties. Shevkoplyas:Tulane University: PCT/US2012/064856 Patents & Royalties; Halcyon Biomedical Incorporated: Equity Ownership.

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