2022
Authors
Franco Goncalo, P; da Silva, DM; Leite, P; Alves Pimenta, S; Colaco, B; Ferreira, M; Goncalves, L; Filipe, V; McEvoy, F; Ginja, M;
Publication
ANIMALS
Abstract
Simple Summary Radiographic diagnosis is essential for the genetic control of canine hip dysplasia (HD). The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) scoring HD scheme is based on objective and qualitative radiographic criteria. Subjective interpretations can lead to errors in diagnosis and, consequently, to incorrect selective breeding, which in turn impacts the gene pool of dog breeds. The aim of this study was to use a computer method to calculate the Hip Congruency Index (HCI) to objectively estimate radiographic hip congruency for future application in the development of computer vision models capable of classifying canine HD. The HCI measures the percentage of acetabular coverage that is occupied by the femoral head. Normal hips are associated with an even, parallel joint surface that translates into reduced acetabular free space, which increases with hip subluxation and becomes maximal in hip dislocation. We found statistically significant differences in mean HCI values among all five FCI categories. These results demonstrate that the HCI reliably reflects the different degrees of congruency associated with HD. Therefore, it is expected that when used in conjunction with other HD evaluation parameters, such as Norberg angle and assessment of osteoarthritic signs, it can improve the diagnosis by making it more accurate and unequivocal. Accurate radiographic screening evaluation is essential in the genetic control of canine HD, however, the qualitative assessment of hip congruency introduces some subjectivity, leading to excessive variability in scoring. The main objective of this work was to validate a method-Hip Congruency Index (HCI)-capable of objectively measuring the relationship between the acetabulum and the femoral head and associating it with the level of congruency proposed by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), with the aim of incorporating it into a computer vision model that classifies HD autonomously. A total of 200 dogs (400 hips) were randomly selected for the study. All radiographs were scored in five categories by an experienced examiner according to FCI criteria. Two examiners performed HCI measurements on 25 hip radiographs to study intra- and inter-examiner reliability and agreement. Additionally, each examiner measured HCI on their half of the study sample (100 dogs), and the results were compared between FCI categories. The paired t-test and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed no evidence of a systematic bias, and there was excellent reliability between the measurements of the two examiners and examiners' sessions. Hips that were assigned an FCI grade of A (n = 120), B (n = 157), C (n = 68), D (n = 38) and E (n = 17) had a mean HCI of 0.739 +/- 0.044, 0.666 +/- 0.052, 0.605 +/- 0.055, 0.494 +/- 0.070 and 0.374 +/- 0.122, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.01). Therefore, these results show that HCI is a parameter capable of estimating hip congruency and has the potential to enrich conventional HD scoring criteria if incorporated into an artificial intelligence algorithm competent in diagnosing HD.
2022
Authors
Macedo, LH; Home Ortiz, JM; Vargas, R; Mantovani, JRS; Romero, R; Catalao, JPS;
Publication
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GRIDS & NETWORKS
Abstract
This paper presents a novel scenario-based stochastic mixed-integer second-order cone programming model to solve the problem of optimal reconfiguration of distribution systems with renewable energy sources considering short-circuit constraints. The proposed formulation minimizes technical losses by modifying the statuses of sectionalizing and tie switches, allowing the operation of distribution networks with radial and closed-loop topologies. Since the formation of loops could impact fault current levels, short-circuit constraints are considered in the problem formulation. Numerical experiments are carried out using an 84-node system and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed formulation to reduce technical losses notably when a closed-loop operation is allowed. Additionally, it is verified that short-circuit constraints prevent the adoption of network configurations with high short-circuit values.
2022
Authors
Braun, J; Junior, AO; Berger, G; Pinto, VH; Soares, IN; Pereira, AI; Lima, J; Costa, P;
Publication
FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI
Abstract
Robotic competitions are an excellent way to promote innovative solutions for the current industries' challenges and entrepreneurial spirit, acquire technical and transversal skills through active teaching, and promote this area to the public. In other words, since robotics is a multidisciplinary field, its competitions address several knowledge topics, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) category, that are shared among the students and researchers, driving further technology and science. A new competition encompassed in the Portuguese Robotics Open was created according to the Industry 4.0 concept in the production chain. In this competition, RobotAtFactory 4.0, a shop floor, is used to mimic a fully automated industrial logistics warehouse and the challenges it brings. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) must be used to operate without supervision and perform the tasks that the warehouse requests. There are different types of boxes which dictate their partial and definitive destinations. In this reasoning, AMRs should identify each and transport them to their destinations. This paper describes an approach to the indoor localization system for the competition based on the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and ArUco markers. Different innovation methods for the obtained observations were tested and compared in the EKF. A real robot was designed and assembled to act as a test bed for the localization system's validation. Thus, the approach was validated in the real scenario using a factory floor with the official specifications provided by the competition organization.
2022
Authors
Riesenegger, L; Santos, MJ; Ostermeier, M; Martins, S; Amorim, P; Hübner, A;
Publication
SSRN Electronic Journal
Abstract
2022
Authors
Leal, A; Silvano, P; Amorim, E; Cantante, I; Jorge, FSA; Campos, R;
Publication
Proceedings of the 18th Joint ACL - ISO Workshop on Interoperable Semantic Annotation, ISA 2022 at LREC 2022 Workshop - Language Resources and Evaluation Conference
Abstract
Reasoning about spatial information is fundamental in natural language to fully understand relationships between entities and/or between events. However, the complexity underlying such reasoning makes it hard to represent formally spatial information. Despite the growing interest on this topic, and the development of some frameworks, many problems persist regarding, for instance, the coverage of a wide variety of linguistic constructions and of languages. In this paper, we present a proposal of integrating ISO-Space into a ISO-based multilayer annotation scheme, designed to annotate news in European Portuguese. This scheme already enables annotation at three levels, temporal, referential and thematic, by combining postulates from ISO 24617-1, 4 and 9. Since the corpus comprises news articles, and spatial information is relevant within this kind of texts, a more detailed account of space was required. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the process of integrating ISO-Space with the existing layers of our annotation scheme, assessing the compatibility of the aforementioned parts of ISO 24617, and the problems posed by the harmonization of the four layers and by some specifications of ISO-Space. © European Language Resources Association (ELRA).
2022
Authors
Felgueiras, F; Moura, Z; Fernandes, ED; Gabriel, MF;
Publication
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Abstract
Exposure to airborne microorganisms has been linked to the development of health detriments, particularly in children. Microbial pollution can constitute a relevant health concern indoors, where levels of airborne microorganisms may be specially increased. This work aimed to characterize the airborne bacterial levels, and fungal concentration and diversity to which twins are exposed in their bedrooms (n = 30) during the first year of life. Bacterial and fungal levels varied widely across the studied bedrooms, with 10% of the rooms presenting values exceeding the national limit for both indoor bacterial and fungal counts. Cladosporium was the predominant genera, but Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Trichoderma and Chrysonilia were also identified in the samples collected. In addition, two toxicogenic species, A. flavus and T. viride, were identified at counts that exceeded the established limit (12 CFU/m(3)) in 3 and 7% of the bedrooms surveyed, respectively. Based on indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios, outdoor air seemed to be the main contributor to the total load of fungi found indoors, while airborne bacteria appeared to be mainly linked to indoor sources. Higher indoor nitrogen dioxide levels were negatively correlated with indoor fungi concentrations, whereas particulate matter and volatile organic compounds concentrations were associated with an increase in fungal prevalence. In addition, rooms with small carpets or located near outdoor agriculture sources presented significantly greater total fungal concentrations. Multiple linear regression models showed that outdoor levels were the single significant predictor identified, explaining 38.6 and 53.6% of the Cladosporium sp. and total fungi counts, respectively. The results also suggest the existence of additional factors contributing to airborne biologicals load in infants' bedrooms that deserve further investigation. Findings stress the need for investigating the existence of declared interactive effects between chemical and biological air pollutants to accurately understand the health risk that the assessed levels can represent to infants.
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