Development of a System for Measurement and Analysis of Tremor Using a Three-axis Accelerometer

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (06) ◽  
pp. 589-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Iizuka ◽  
A. Takeuchi ◽  
M. Shirataka ◽  
N. Ikeda ◽  
N. Mamorita
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Gravitational Acceleration ◽  
Mechanical Oscillations ◽  
Clinical Ward ◽  
Measurement And Analysis ◽  
Web Camera ◽  
Oscillation Generator ◽  
Good Agreement

Summary Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop a low-cost and compact system for analysis of tremor using a three-axis accelerometer (the Wii Remote (Nintendo)). To analyze tremor, we hypothesized that the influence of gravitational acceleration should be separated from that of movement. This hypothesis was tested experimentally and we also attempted to record and analyze tremor using our system in a clinical ward. Methods: A system for tremor measurement and analysis was developed using the three-axis accelerometer built into the Wii Remote. The frequency and amplitude of mechanical oscillation were calculated using methods for frequency analysis of the axis of largest variance and an estimation of tremor amplitude. Results: The system consists of a program for measurement and analysis of Wii Remote acceleration (Tremor Analyzer), a Wii Remote, a Bluetooth USB adapter and a Web camera. The Tremor Analyzer has a GUI (graphical user interface) that is divided into five segments. The sampling period of the analyzer is 30 msec. To confirm the hypothesis, mechanical oscillations were fed to the Wii Remote. The peak frequency of the power spectrum and the frequency of the oscillation generator were in good agreement, except at 1 Hz (0.01 G) and 2 Hz (0.02 G). With a change in the sum of squares of the three axes from 1.0 to 1.8 (G), the estimated and generated amplitude (0.3 cm) were in close agreement. Conclusions: This system using a Wii Remote is capable of analyzing frequency and estimated amplitude of tremor between 3 Hz and 15 Hz.

A LOW-COST RESISTIVIMETER FOR USE IN PRACTICAL LECTURES OF APPLIED GEOPHYSICS

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Sydney Dutra Folly ◽  
Aracy Sousa Senra
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistivity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Test Area ◽  
Vertical Electrical Sounding ◽  
Applied Geophysics ◽  
Resistivity Profile ◽  
Electrical Sounding ◽  
Good Agreement

ABSTRACT. We describe the construction and testing of a simple and efficient low-cost resistivimeter designed for use in practical classes in Applied Geophysics. The equipment was successfully tested in a vertical electrical sounding (VES) performed on sandy terrain within the campus of the Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Brazil. The VES results were in good agreement with the profiles obtained from two boreholes located approximately 500 m from the test area, clearly demonstrating the efficiency of the equipment and the adopted methodology.Keywords: vertical electrical sounding, electrical resistivity, resistivity profile. RESUMO. Neste artigo, descrevemos a construção e o teste de um resistivímetro de baixo custo, simples e eficiente, concebido para ser utilizado em aulas práticas de Geofísica Aplicada. O equipamento foi testado com a realização de uma sondagem elétrica vertical (SEV) em um terreno arenoso localizado no campus da Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Brasil. Os resultados obtidos nesta SEV apresentaram boa concordância com os perfis observados em dois poços de sondagem localizados a 500 m da área de teste, fato que comprovou a eficiência do equipamento e da metodologia adotada.Palavras-chave: sondagem elétrica vertical, resistividade elétrica, perfil de resistividade. 

scholarly journals Low-cost Solutions for Velocimetry in Rotating and Opaque Fluid Experiments using Ultrasonic Time of Flight

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Burmann ◽  
Jerome Noir ◽  
Stefan Beetschen ◽  
Andrew Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Flow Measurement ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
Gravitational Acceleration ◽  
Complex Flow ◽  
Ultrasonic Time ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Complex Flow Structure

AbstractMany common techniques for flow measurement, such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) or Ultrasonic Doppler Velocimetry (UDV), rely on the presence of reflectors in the fluid. These methods fail to operate when e.g centrifugal or gravitational acceleration leads to a rarefaction of scatterers in the fluid, as for instance in rapidly rotating experiments. In this article we present two low-cost implementations for flow measurement based on the transit time (or Time of Flight) of acoustic waves, that do not require the presence of scatterers in the fluid. We compare our two implementations against UDV in a well controlled experiment with a simple oscillating flow and show we can achieve measurements in the sub-centimeter per second velocity range with an accuracy of $\sim 5-10\%$ ∼ 5 − 10 % . We also perform measurements in a rotating experiment with a complex flow structure from which we extract the mean zonal flow, which is in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

scholarly journals An Alpine Malaise trap

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shasta Claire Henry ◽  
Peter B. McQuillan ◽  
James B. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Rough Terrain ◽  
Light Weight ◽  
Malaise Trap ◽  
Remote Locations ◽  
Insect Trap ◽  
Rapid Deployment ◽  
Alpine Environments ◽  
Malaise Traps

The Southernmost region of Australia, the island of Tasmania, is also the most mountainous, with large areas of rugged alpine environments. This entomological frontier offers a distinct suite of insects for study including many endemic taxa. However, harsh weather, remote locations and rough terrain represent an environment too extreme for many existing insect trap designs. We report here on the design and efficacy of a new Alpine Malaise Trap (AMT), which can be readily hybridised with several other common insect trapping techniques. Advantages of the design include its light weight and portability, low cost, robustness, rapid deployment and long autonomous sampling period. The AMT was field tested in the Tasmanian highlands (AUST) in 2017. A total of 16 orders were collected. As expected, samples are dominated by Diptera. However, the trap also collected a range of flightless taxa including endemic and apterous species, Apteropanorpatasmanica – closest relative of the boreal, snow scorpionflies (Boreidae). Combined and compared with other trap types the Alpine Malaise Traps captured less specimens but of a greater diversity than passive sticky traps, while drop traps captured less specimens but a greater diversity than AMT. The statistical potential of the catch is discussed.

scholarly journals Contact angle of water on iron ore fines: Measurement and analysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.B. Huang ◽  
X X.W. ◽  
J.J. Song ◽  
C.G. Bai ◽  
R.D. Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Angle ◽  
Iron Ore ◽  
Contact Angles ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Iron Ores ◽  
New Model ◽  
Pressure Method ◽  
Measurement And Analysis ◽  
Iron Ore Fines ◽  
Good Agreement

The relative contact angle (?RCA) for seven iron ore fines was measured by using Washburn Osmotic Pressure method under laboratory conditions. By choosing cyclohexane as the reference that can perfectly wet iron ore particles, the relative contact angles were measured and varied from 57? to 73?. With the volume % of goethite (?G) as the variable, a new model for relative contact angle was developed. The expected relative contact angle for pure goethite is about 56?, while that for goethite free samples is about 77?. Physical properties, such as surface morphology (SMI) and pore volume (Vpore) can influence the relative contact angle. The ?G can be expressed as a function of SMI and VPore. Thus, we inferred that the relative contact angle is a function of ?G for the iron ores used. The measured relative contact angles were found to be in good agreement (Radj 2 >0.97) with the calculated ones based on the research from Iveson, et al. (2004). Comparing with the model developed by Iveson et al.(2004), the new model for contact angle proposed in this paper is similar, but more detailed with two meaningful physical parameters. The modification of physicochemical properties on iron ores would be another topic in the further study on granulation.

scholarly journals Open Source Completely 3-D Printable Centrifuge

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salil S. Sule ◽  
Aliaksei L. Petsiuk ◽  
Joshua M. Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Medical Diagnostics ◽  
Resource Constrained ◽  
Fused Filament Fabrication ◽  
Web Camera ◽  
Relative Centrifugal Force ◽  
Recycled Plastics ◽  
Human Powered ◽  
Open Source Systems

Centrifuges are commonly required devices in medical diagnostics facilities as well as scientific laboratories. Although there are commercial and open source centrifuges, costs of the former and required electricity to operate the latter, limit accessibility in resource-constrained settings. There is a need for low-cost, human-powered, verified and reliable lab-scale centrifuge. This study provides the designs for a low-cost 100% 3-D printed centrifuge, which can be fabricated on any low-cost RepRap-class fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused particle fabrication (FPF)-based 3-D printer. In addition, validation procedures are provided using a web camera and free and open source software. This paper provides the complete open source plans including instructions for fabrication and operation for a hand-powered centrifuge. This study successfully tested and validated the instrument, which can be operated anywhere in the world with no electricity inputs obtaining a radial velocity of over 1750rpm and over 50N of relative centrifugal force. Using commercial filament the instrument costs about US$25, which is less than half of all commercially available systems; however, the costs can be dropped further using recycled plastics on open source systems for over 99% savings. The results are discussed in the contexts of resource-constrained medical and scientific facilities.

A Low Cost Pupillometry Approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-61
Author(s):  
Sergios Petridis ◽  
Theodoros Giannakopoulos ◽  
Constantine D. Spyropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Population ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Pupil Center ◽  
Web Camera ◽  
The Face ◽  
Source Of Information

The need for low-cost health monitoring is increasing with the continuous increase of the elderly population. In this context, unobtrusive audiovisual monitoring methods can be of great importance. More particularly, the diameter of the pupil is a valuable source of information, since, apart from pathological cases, it can reveal the emotional state, the fatigue and the ageing. To allow for unobtrusive monitoring to gain acceptance, one should seek for efficient methods of monitoring using common low-cost hardware. This paper describes a method for monitoring pupil sizes using a common, low-cost web camera in real time. The proposed approach detects the face and the eyes area at first stage. Subsequently, optimal iris and sclera location and radius, modeled as ellipses, are found using efficient spatial filtering. As a final step, the pupil center and radius is estimated by optimal filtering within the area of the iris. Experimental results show both the efficiency and the effectiveness of our approach.

scholarly journals Application of Shore-Based Video and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones): Complementary Tools for Beach Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatus Bapentire Angnuureng ◽  
Philip-Neri Jayson-Quashigah ◽  
Rafael Almar ◽  
Thomas Christian Stieglitz ◽  
Edward Jamal Anthony ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Camera System ◽  
Camera Systems ◽  
Camera View ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
One Year ◽  
Video Camera System ◽  
Good Agreement

Video camera systems have been used over nearly three decades to monitor coastal dynamics. They facilitate a high-frequency analysis of spatiotemporal shoreline mobility. Video camera usage to measure beach intertidal profile evolution has not been standardized globally and the capacity to obtain accurate results requires authentication using various techniques. Applications are mostly site specific due to differences in installation. The present study examines the accuracy of intertidal topographic data derived from a video camera system compared to data acquired with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV, or drone) surveys of a reflective beach. Using one year of 15-min video data and one year of monthly UAV observations, the intertidal profile shows a good agreement. Underestimations of intertidal profile elevations by the camera-based method are possibly linked to the camera view angle, rectification and gaps in data. The resolution of the video-derived intertidal topographic profiles confirmed, however, the suitability of the method in providing beach mobility surveys matching those required for a quantitative analysis of nearshore changes. Beach slopes were found to vary between 0.1 and 0.7, with a steep slope in May to July 2018 and a gentle slope in December 2018. Large but short-scale beach variations occurred between August 2018 and October 2018 and corresponded to relatively high wave events. In one year, this dynamic beach lost 7 m. At this rate, and as also observed at other beaches nearby, important coastal facilities and infrastructure will be prone to erosion. The data suggest that a low-cost shore-based camera, particularly when used in a network along the coast, can produce profile data for effective coastal management in West Africa and elsewhere.

Quantifying the thickness of each color material in multilayer transparent specimen based on transmission image

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (21-22) ◽  
pp. 2522-2532
Author(s):  
Lijun Chen ◽  
Hua Shen ◽  
Fumei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Optical Depth ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Estimating Equation ◽  
Color Film ◽  
Transparent Films ◽  
Transmission Image ◽  
Multilayer Specimen ◽  
Predicted Values ◽  
Physical Thickness ◽  
Good Agreement

Combing the color transmission image and the Beer–Lambert law shows a great application prospect in quantifying each material in multilayer specimen. Here, a novel, low-cost, and efficient optical algorithm is proposed to predict the thickness of each color material in a multilayer specimen from the color transmission image based on the Beer–Lambert Law. In this work, a normal scanner is employed to achieve the color transmission image of the monochrome transparent films. RGB values represent the transmitted intensity. A linear relationship between the optical depth and physical thickness is observed under different monochromatic lights. It is supposed that for a multilayer transparent film which consisted of different monochrome transparent films, the optical depth is related to the physical thickness of each monochrome transparent component. Therefore, an estimating equation is proposed to predict the thickness of each color material in the multilayer specimen. According to the result, the standard deviation of predicted thickness and practical thickness of each color film in the multilayer specimen is 0.93%. Fairly good agreement and high accuracy are obtained between the practical and predicted values, and the validity of this method is confirmed.

scholarly journals Color Measurement and Analysis of Fruit with a Battery-Less NFC Sensor

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Lazaro ◽  
Marti Boada ◽  
Ramon Villarino ◽  
David Girbau
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Color Space ◽  
Cloud Service ◽  
Color Measurement ◽  
Classification Algorithms ◽  
Measurement And Analysis ◽  
Hue Angle ◽  
Color Data ◽  
The Magnetic Field

This paper presents a color-based classification system for grading the ripeness of fruit using a battery-less Near Field Communication (NFC) tag. The tag consists of a color sensor connected to a low-power microcontroller that is connected to an NFC chip. The tag is powered by the energy harvested from the magnetic field generated by a commercial smartphone used as a reader. The raw RGB color data measured by the colorimeter is converted to HSV (hue, saturation, value) color space. The hue angle and saturation are used as features for classification. Different classification algorithms are compared for classifying the ripeness of different fruits in order to show the robustness of the system. The low cost of NFC chips means that tags with sensing capability can be manufactured economically. In addition, nowadays, most commercial smartphones have NFC capability and thus a specific reader is not necessary. The measurement of different samples obtained on different days is used to train the classification algorithms. The results of training the classifiers have been saved to the cloud. A mobile application has been developed for the prediction based on a table-based method, where the boundary decision is downloaded from a cloud service for each product. High accuracy, between 80 and 93%, is obtained depending on the kind of fruit and the algorithm used.

scholarly journals Non-contact smartphone-based fundus imaging compared to conventional fundus imaging: a low-cost alternative for retinopathy of prematurity screening and documentation

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian W. M. Wintergerst ◽  
Michael Petrak ◽  
Jeany Q. Li ◽  
Petra P. Larsen ◽  
Moritz Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Fundus Examination ◽  
Fundus Imaging ◽  
Examination Time ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Rop Screening ◽  
Good Agreement

AbstractRetinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a frequent cause of treatable childhood blindness. The current dependency of telemedicine-based ROP screening on cost-intensive equipment does not meet the needs in economically disadvantaged regions. Smartphone-based fundus imaging (SBFI) allows for affordable and mobile fundus examination and, therefore, could facilitate cost-effective telemedicine-based ROP screening in low-resources settings. We compared non-contact SBFI and conventional contact fundus imaging (CFI) in terms of feasibility for ROP screening and documentation. Twenty-six eyes were imaged with both SBFI and CFI. Field-of-view was smaller (ratio of diameters, 1:2.5), level of detail was equal, and examination time was longer for SBFI as compared to CFI (109.0 ± 57.8 vs. 75.9 ± 36.3 seconds, p < 0.01). Good agreement with clinical evaluation by indirect funduscopy was achieved for assessment of plus disease and ROP stage for both SBFI (squared Cohen’s kappa, 0.88 and 0.81, respectively) and CFI (0.86 and 0.93). Likewise, sensitivity/specificity for detection of plus disease and ROP was high for both SBFI (90%/100% and 88%/93%, respectively) and CFI (80%/100% and 100%/96%). SBFI is a non-contact and low-cost alternative to CFI for ROP screening and documentation that has the potential to considerably improve ROP care in middle- and low-resources settings.

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