1,900 research outputs found
The Strength of a Dream: A Daughter\u27s Portrait of a Northwest Children\u27s Author and Illustrator
No full textAuthor and multi-dimensional artist Skye Burn discusses the life and legacy of her mother, award-winning children\u27s book author and illustrator Doris Burn, and shares anecdotes of her family\u27s life on Waldron Island. Doris (Wernstedt) Burn authored and illustrated the 1965 classic Andrew Henry\u27s Meadow, and wrote or illustrated a range of other well-known children\u27s books. During the second half of the event, Sylvia Tag (Librarian and Curator of the Children’s Interdisciplinary Children’s Literature Collection) facilitates a conversation about Doris Burn’s work
Comparison and transfer testing of multiplex ligation detection methods for GM plants
No full textAbstract Background With the increasing number of GMOs on the global market the maintenance of European GMO regulations is becoming more complex. For the analysis of a single food or feed sample it is necessary to assess the sample for the presence of many GMO-targets simultaneously at a sensitive level. Several methods have been published regarding DNA-based multidetection. Multiplex ligation detection methods have been described that use the same basic approach: i) hybridisation and ligation of specific probes, ii) amplification of the ligated probes and iii) detection and identification of the amplified products. Despite they all have this same basis, the published ligation methods differ radically. The present study investigated with real-time PCR whether these different ligation methods have any influence on the performance of the probes. Sensitivity and the specificity of the padlock probes (PLPs) with the ligation protocol with the best performance were also tested and the selected method was initially validated in a laboratory exchange study. Results Of the ligation protocols tested in this study, the best results were obtained with the PPLMD I and PPLMD II protocols and no consistent differences between these two protocols were observed. Both protocols are based on padlock probe ligation combined with microarray detection. Twenty PLPs were tested for specificity and the best probes were subjected to further evaluation. Up to 13 targets were detected specifically and simultaneously. During the interlaboratory exchange study similar results were achieved by the two participating institutes (NIB, Slovenia, and RIKILT, the Netherlands). Conclusions From the comparison of ligation protocols it can be concluded that two protocols perform equally well on the basis of the selected set of PLPs. Using the most ideal parameters the multiplicity of one of the methods was tested and 13 targets were successfully and specifically detected. In the interlaboratory exchange study it was shown that the selected method meets the 0.1% sensitivity criterion. The present study thus shows that specific and sensitive multidetection of GMO targets is now feasible.</p
Multi-hop Backscatter Tag-to-Tag Networks
No full textWe characterize the performance of a backscatter tag-to-tag (T2T) multi-hop network. For this, we developed a discrete component-based backscatter T2T transceiver and a communication protocol suite. The protocol composed of a novel (i) flooding-based link control tailored towards backscatter transmission, and (ii) low-power listening MAC. The MAC design is based on the new insight that backscatter reception is more energy costly than transmission. Our experiments show that multi-hopping extends the coverage of backscatter networks by enabling longer backward T2T links (tag far from the exciter sending to the tag close to the exciter). Four hops, for example, extend the communication range by a factor of two. Furthermore, we show that dead spots in multi-hop T2T networks are far less significant than those in the single-hop T2T networks.Embedded System
Electronic markers for geological research: Tag Design
No full textIn this thesis, the implementation of a passive, chipless, frequency coded Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for bedload transport studies is proposed. The proposed tag will be deployed in the semi-arid Río Colorado river, Bolivia with the aim to develop quantitative sediment transport models that relate transport to grain size. The designed tag is an open-loop resonator with a fragment-loading structure, that has an op- timised configuration based on a Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm based on Decomposition combined with Enhanced Genetic Operators (MOEA/D-GO). The designed RFID tag can ideally reach a size of 4 by 4 millimetres with a maximum calculated reading range of 1.3 meters, and operates in the ultra wide band from 3 to 7 gigahertz. Numerous simulations on the tags were run to verify their properties. The tags proved to have a good directivity, quality factor and radio cross section on its resonant frequency. The tags could reach resonance frequencies as low as 2.9 gigahertz and quality factors as high as 130. The proof of concept on a Printed Circuit Board with an FR-4 substrate results in a tag of 6.4 by 3.4 millimetres. Unfortunately, these properties could not yet be verified by measuremenElectrical Engineering | Electronic Instrumentatio
The added value of SPECT/CT in complicated osteomyelitis
No full textENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The detection of bone infection can be very difficult especially in bone with altered
structure due to prior trauma or surgical procedures. Complicated osteomyelitis (COM) is becoming a
public health problem especially with the difficult choice between, high cost surgery and prolonged
courses of intravenous or oral antibiotic therapy, as well as the social and psychological effect of longterm
disease and disability of the patient. The correct localisation of especially bone infection is still a
challenge for the clinician. The single photon emission computed tomography/low dose computed
tomography (SPECT/CT), by fusing the functional information with the anatomical parts, is a wellestablished
tool used in many nuclear medicine studies. This improves the overall quality of the study
with more clear answers. The aim of the study was to determine the added value of SPECT/CT in the
management of complicated osteomyelitis (COM) in patients with endo-prosthesis, post traumatic
osteomyelitis with and without metal implants and diabetic foot.
Methods: This was a prospective study, between February 2010 and February 2012. Patients with
suspected COM who fulfilled the selection and inclusion criteria were included. All had abnormal three
phase bone scan followed by infection imaging with 99mTc labelled white blood cells and 99mTc -colloid if
the99mTc labelled white blood cell study was abnormal. 67Ga citrate was used in vertebral involvement.
Planar and SPECT/CT images were reviewed for presence of abnormal uptake and for its localization in
bone and soft tissue. Scan results were defined as positive or negative. Both planar and SPECT/CT
images were compared regarding diagnosis and precise localization of infection. The final diagnosis was
obtained from surgical specimen or microbiological culture as well as clinical follow-up of all patients.
Results: There were 72 patients, 29 male and 43 female with mean age of 57 yrs [range 27-88].There
were 24 patients with prosthesis, 16 with hip prosthesis (PH=16), and 8 with knee prosthesis (PK=8).
There were 44 patients with post traumatic osteomyelitis, 26 with metal implants (TOM=26) and 18
without metal implants (TOWM= 18). Four patients had diabetic foot (DF= 4). Infection was diagnosed
in 19/72 patients on planar images and in 21/72 on SPECT/CT. Infection was diagnosed in 4 patients
with prosthesis, 16 patients with post traumatic injury and one diabetic foot patient. The four patients
with prosthesis, SPECT /CT added diagnostic value by excluding osteomyelitis in 3 patients and by
defining the exact extent and localizing soft tissue and bone infection (STI/OM) in one patient. In 16
patients with post traumatic OM on planar images, SPECT /CT added diagnostic value, by excluding OM in 4 patients and confirming only STI, better localisation of the uptake in bone
and soft tissue in 5 patients, of them 2 patient was negative on planar, and in 7 patients, confirmed and
defined the exact extent of
both OM and STI. One diabetic foot was positive for STI on the planar, the SPECT/CT added diagnostic
value by defining the extent of the infection.
In summary the added value of SPECT/CT was:
a. Overall infection:
1. Exclusion of osteomyelitis by confirming only soft tissue involvement: 7 patients (10%)
2. Better localization in bone and soft tissue: 6 patients (8%)
3. Better delineation of extent of infection: 9 patients (12%)
4. None: 50 patients (70%)
b. In positive cases only:
1. Exclusion of osteomyelitis by confirming only soft tissue involvement: 7 patients (33%)
2. Better localization in bone and soft tissue: 5 patients (24%)
3. Better delineation of extent of infection: 9 patients (43%)
4. None: 0 patients
The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for
infection, on planar was 90%, 100%, 100%, 97%, 97%, respectively and for SPECT/CT 100%, 100%,
100%, 100%, 100%. For OM on planar, the sensitivity, specificity , positive predictive value, negative
predictive value and accuracy was 100%, 89%, 53%, 100%, 90%, respectively and for SPECT/CT 100%,
100%, 100%, 100%, 100%.
Conclusion:
In complicated osteomyelitis, SPECT/CT is useful in localizing, defining the exact extent of infection
where the planar images are abnormal, with no added value if the planar images are negative. We
recommend in clinical practice the routine use of hybrid SPECT/CT imaging in complicated osteomyelitis
when planar images are abnormal.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Die opspoor van beeninfeksie is veral moeilik in been wat as gevolg van vorige trauma of
chirurgiese prosedures misvorm is. Gekompliseerde osteomiëlitis word ‘n gesondheidsprobleem veral
as gevolg van die moeilike keuse tussen hoë koste chirurgie en langdurige kursusse binneaarse of orale
antibiotika, asook die sosiale en sielkundige gevolge van langstaande siekte en die gestremdheid van die
pasiënt.
Die korrekte lokalisering van veral beeninfeksie is steeds ‘n uitdaging vir die geneesheer. Enkel foton
emissie rekenaartomografie / lae dosis rekenaartomografie (SPECT/CT), die kombinasie van funksionele
en anatomiese inligting, is ‘n goed gevestigde metode in baie kerngeneeskunde ondersoeke. Dit
verbeter die algemene kwaliteit van die studie met ‘n meer spesifieke antwoord. Die doel van hierdie
studie was om die bykomende waarde van SPECT/CT in die hantering van gekompliseerde osteomiëlitis
in pasiënte met endo-protese, post traumatise osteomiëlitis met en sonder metaal prosteses asook
diabetiese voet te bepaal.
Metode: ‘n Prospektiewe studie is tussen Februarie 2010 en Februarie 2012 gedoen. Pasiënte met
vermoedelik gekompliseerde osteomiëlitis wat aan die keuse en insluitingskriteria voldoen het, is
ingesluit. Almal het abnormale drie-fase beenflikkergramme gehad, gevolg deur infeksiebeelding met
99mTc gemerkte witselle en 99mTc kolloïed indien die 99mTc gemerkte witselstudie abnormaal was.
67Ga sitraat is gebruik wanneer daar werwelaantasting teenwoordig was. Die planare en SPECT/CT
beelde is vergelyk ten opsigte van diagnose en presiese lokalisering van die infeksie. Die finale diagnose
is met behulp van chirurgiese monsters en mikrobiologiese kweking asook die kliniese opvolg van alle
pasiënte bepaal.
Resultate: Die studie het 72 pasiënte, 29 mans en 43 vroue, met gemiddelde ouderdom van 57 jaar [27
– 88 ingesluit]. Daar was 24 pasiënte met prosteses, waarvan 16 met heupprosteses (PH= 16) en 8 met
knieprosteses (PK= 8). Van die 44 pasiënte met post traumatiese osteomiëlitis, het 26 metaal prosteses
(TOM= 26) en 18 geen metaalprosteses gehad nie (TOWM= 18). Vier pasiënte het diabetiese voet gehad
(DF= 4). By 19/72 van die pasiënte is infeksie op die planare beelde gediagnoseer en in 21/72 op die
SPECT/CT beelde. Die bykomende twee gevalle was 1 met TOM en 1 met TOWM.
Infeksie is by 4 pasiënte met prosteses, 16 pasiënte met post traumatiese besering en 1 met diabetiese
voet gediagnoseer. In die vier pasiënte met prosteses, het SPECT/CT ‘n diagnostiese bydrae gelewer om
osteomiëlitis by 3 van die pasiënte uit te skakel en die presiese omvang en lokalisering van sagte weefsel en beeninfeksie (STI/OM) in een pasiënt te bepaal. In 16 pasiënte met
post traumatise osteomiëlitis op die planare beelde, was SPECT/CT van diagnostiese waarde, waar
osteomiëlitis in 4 pasiënte uitgesluit is, en slegs STI bevestig is. Beter lokalisering van die opname in
been en sagte weefsel was in 5 pasiënte moontlik, van wie 2 op die planare beelde negatief was, en in 7
pasiënte bevestig en die presiese omvang met beide OM en STI gedefinieer is. Een diabetiese voet was
positief vir STI op die planare beelde, maar die SPECT/CT het diagnostiese waarde verbeter deur die
omvang van die infeksie beter te toon.
Ter opsomming, was die waarde van die SPECT/CT:
1. Uitsluiting van osteomiëlitis deur slegs van sagte weefsel aantasting te bevestig:
7 pasiënte 10%
2. Beter lokalisering in been en sagte weefsel: 5 pasiënte 7%
3. Beter definisie van omvang van infeksie: 9 pasiënte 12%
4. Geen bykomende waarde: 51 pasiënte 71%
Die algehele sensitiwiteit, spesifisiteit, positiewe voorspellingswaarde, negatiewe voorspellingswaarde
en akkuraatheid vir die opspoor van infeksie vir die planare beelde was 90%, 100%, 100%, 97%, 97%,
onderskeidelik en vir die SPECT/CT 100%, 100%, 100%, 100% en 100%. Vir osteomiëlitis was
sensitiwiteit, spesifisiteit, positiewe voorspellingswaarde, negatiewe voorspellingswaarde en
akkuraatheid van planare beelde 100%, 89%, 53%, 100%, 90%, onderskeidelik en die van SPECT/CT
100%, 100%, 100%, 100% , 100%.
Gevolgtrekking: SPECT/CT is nuttig in die lokalisering en definiëring van die presiese omvang van die
infeksie in gekompliseerde osteomiëlitis in gevalle waar die planare beelde abnormaal is, met geen
bykomende waarde wanneer planare beelde negatief is nie. Ons beveel SPECT/CT beelding as roetine in
kliniese praktyk aan wanneer planare beelde in gekompliseerde osteomiëlitis abnormaal is
On the Privacy of Two Tag Ownership Transfer Protocols for RFIDs
No full textIn this paper, the privacy of two recent RFID tag ownership transfer protocols are investigated against the tag owners as adversaries. The first protocol called ROTIV is a scheme which provides a privacy-preserving ownership transfer by using an HMACbased authentication with public key encryption. However, our passive attack on this protocol shows that any legitimate owner which has been the owner of a specific tag is able to trace it either in the past or in the future. Tracing the tag is also possible via an active attack for any adversary who is able to tamper the tag and extract its information. The second protocol called, Chen et al.’s protocol, is an ownership transfer protocol for passive RFID tags which conforms EPC Class1 Generation2 standard. Our attack on this protocol shows that the previous owners of a particular tag are able to trace it in future. Furthermore, they are able even to obtain the tag’s secret information at any time in the future which makes them capable of impersonating the tag
Towards tagging and categorization for micro-blogs
No full textPaper presented at the 21st National Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science (AICS 2010), Galway, Ireland, 30 August - 1 September, 2010Abstract. Micro-blogging services are becoming very popular among users who want to share local or global news, their knowledge or their opinions on the real-time web. Lately, users are also using these services to search for information, and some services include tag or category information
to better facilitate search. However, these tags are typically free-form in nature with users permitted to adopt their own conventions without restriction, which can make the set of tags noisy and sparse. A
solution to this problem is to recommend tags (or categories) to users. Our work represents an initial study in the recommendation of categories for short-form messages in order to provide for better search and message filtering. In particular, we describe how such real-time web data can be used as a source of indexing and retrieval information for category recommendation. An evaluation performed on two different micro-blogging datasets indicates that promising performance is achieved by our approach.Science Foundation IrelandConference detailshttp://aics.nuigalway.ie/Not yet published in "Proceedings of the 21st Irish Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science (AICS 2010)" to be (most probably) published by Springer. On publication, 12 months embargo. Condition: provide a link to the published article on Springer’s website, accompanied by the text “The final publication is available at springerlink.com”. Author version can remain as is (no set text)- AV 7/10/2010. ke SB. 11/10/201
Series SRR Loaded UHF RFID Tag
No full textAbstractAn RFID tag based on a series loaded split ring resonator (SRR) to operate in the European UHF RFID band of 865-867MHz is reported. A chip of impedance 27-j212Ω is connected at the terminals of the antenna and the read range measurements of the RFID tag are performed in the UHF RFID band. The proposed UHF tag exhibits appreciably good read range over a wide azimuth and elevation angular ranges
Tag-based Recommender System
No full textOrganizers of STRP Art and Technology Festival want to enhance the festival experience of visitors whilst also learning more about these visitors. The proposed solution is a tag-based recommender system, where the feedback received from visitors will allow STRP to learn more about how visitors perceive art pieces and in turn provide visitors with recommendations of other art pieces to view, at the festival. During the course of this thesis, we first explore how we can learn about the preferences of visitors using the tags they contribute, paired with a rating for the art piece. We do this by investigating a semantic mapping tool, Relco from TU Eindhoven, which enables us to map tags to concepts from a vocabulary, with the help of a lexical ontology such as WordNet. We experiment with the stemming of tags before using them in string matching algorithms. Further, we investigate how influential the vocabulary is onto which we map tags, when using Relco. Finally, we evaluate recommendation algorithms. We explore collaborative, content-based and hybrid forms of recommendations. We conclude that, in this context, content-based recommendation algorithms perform the most accurately and consistently. We also conclude that the semantic extension in a tag-based recommendation algorithm enables us to accurately profile a visitor and art piece with a finite number of concepts.Information ArchitectureSoftware Technology, Web Information SystemsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Storage tag
No full textA storage tag given to Japanese evacuees from the Wartime Civil Control Administration.The War Relocation Authority (WRA), together with the Wartime Civil Control Administration (WCCA), the Civil Affairs Division (CAD) and the Office of the Commanding General (OFG) of the Western Defense Command (WDC) operated together to segregate and house some 110,000 men women and children from 1942 to 1945. The collection contains documents and photographs relating to the establishment and administrative workings of the (WDC), the (WRA) and the (WCCA) for the year 1942
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