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Journal of Imaging May 2024This contribution is intended to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art concerning real-time 3D reconstruction methods... (Review)
Review
This contribution is intended to provide researchers with a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art concerning real-time 3D reconstruction methods suitable for medical endoscopy. Over the past decade, there have been various technological advancements in computational power and an increased research effort in many computer vision fields such as autonomous driving, robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Some of these advancements can also be adapted to the field of medical endoscopy while coping with challenges such as featureless surfaces, varying lighting conditions, and deformable structures. To provide a comprehensive overview, a logical division of monocular, binocular, trinocular, and multiocular methods is performed and also active and passive methods are distinguished. Within these categories, we consider both flexible and non-flexible endoscopes to cover the state-of-the-art as fully as possible. The relevant error metrics to compare the publications presented here are discussed, and the choice of when to choose a GPU rather than an FPGA for camera-based 3D reconstruction is debated. We elaborate on the good practice of using datasets and provide a direct comparison of the presented work. It is important to note that in addition to medical publications, publications evaluated on the KITTI and Middlebury datasets are also considered to include related methods that may be suited for medical 3D reconstruction.
PubMed: 38786574
DOI: 10.3390/jimaging10050120 -
IScience Jun 2024While cortical regions involved in processing binocular disparities have been studied extensively, little is known on how the human visual system adapts to changing...
While cortical regions involved in processing binocular disparities have been studied extensively, little is known on how the human visual system adapts to changing disparity magnitudes. In this paper, we investigate causal mechanisms of coarse and fine binocular disparity processing using fMRI with a clinically validated, custom anaglyph-based stimulus. We make use of Granger causality and graph measures to reveal the existence of distinct rich and diverse clubs across different disparity magnitudes. We demonstrate that Middle Temporal area (MT) plays a specialized role with overlapping rich and diverse characteristics. Next, we show that subtle interhemispheric differences exist across various brain regions, despite an overall right hemisphere dominance. Finally, we pass the graph measures through the decision tree and found that the diverse clubs outperform rich clubs in decoding disparity magnitudes. Our study sets the stage for conducting further investigations on binocular disparity processing, particularly in the context of neuro-ophthalmic disorders with binocular impairments.
PubMed: 38784010
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109831 -
PeerJ 2024Aniseikonia is a binocular vision disorder that has been associated with asthenopic symptoms. However, asthenopia has been evaluated with subjective tests that make...
BACKGROUND
Aniseikonia is a binocular vision disorder that has been associated with asthenopic symptoms. However, asthenopia has been evaluated with subjective tests that make difficult to determine the level of aniseikonia. This study aims to objectively evaluate the impact of induced aniseikonia at different levels on visual fatigue by measuring the orbicularis oculi muscle activity in the dominant and non-dominant eyes while performing a reading task.
METHODS
Twenty-four collegiate students (24.00 ± 3.86 years) participated in this study. Participants read a passage for 7 minutes under four degrees of aniseikonia (0%, 3%, 5% and 10%) at 50 cm. Orbicularis oculi muscle activity of the dominant and non-dominant eye was recorded by surface electromyography. In addition, visual discomfort was assessed after each task by completing a questionnaire.
RESULTS
Orbicularis oculi muscle activity increased under induced aniseikonia (, greater values for the 10% condition in comparison to 0%, and 3% conditions ( = 0.034 and = 0.023, respectively)). No statistically significant differences were observed in orbicularis oculi muscle activity for the time on task and between the dominant and non-dominant eyes. Additionally, higher levels of subjective visual discomfort were observed for lower degrees of induced aniseikonia.
CONCLUSION
Induced aniseikonia increases visual fatigue at high aniseikonia degrees as measured by the orbicularis oculi muscle activity, and at low degrees as measured with subjective questionnaires. These findings may be of relevance to better understand the visual symptomatology of aniseikonia.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Young Adult; Electromyography; Reading; Adult; Aniseikonia; Oculomotor Muscles; Asthenopia; Computers; Facial Muscles
PubMed: 38770099
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17293 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Most binocular vision models assume that the two eyes sum incompletely. However, some facilitatory cortical neurons fire for only one eye, but amplify their firing rates...
Most binocular vision models assume that the two eyes sum incompletely. However, some facilitatory cortical neurons fire for only one eye, but amplify their firing rates if both eyes are stimulated. These 'binocular gate' neurons closely resemble subthreshold multisensory neurons. Binocular amplification for binocular gate neurons follows a power law, with a compressive exponent. Unexpectedly, this rule also applies to facilitatory true binocular neurons; although driven by either eye, binocular neurons are well modeled as gated amplifiers of their strongest monocular response, if both eyes are stimulated. Psychophysical data follows the same power law as the neural data, with a similar exponent; binocular contrast sensitivity can be modeled as a gated amplification of the more sensitive eye. These results resemble gated amplification phenomena in multisensory integration, and other non-driving modulatory interactions that affect sensory processing. Models of incomplete summation seem unnecessary for V1 facilitatory neurons or contrast sensitivity. However, binocular combination of clearly visible monocular stimuli follows Schrödinger's nonlinear magnitude-weighted average. We find that putatively suppressive binocular neurons closely follow Schrödinger's equation. Similar suppressive multisensory neurons are well documented but seldom studied. Facilitatory binocular neurons and mildly suppressive binocular neurons are likely neural correlates of binocular sensitivity and binocular appearance respectively.
Topics: Vision, Binocular; Models, Neurological; Animals; Neurons; Humans; Contrast Sensitivity; Photic Stimulation; Visual Cortex
PubMed: 38760410
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60926-6 -
Frontiers in Epidemiology 2024Vision impairment (VI) may further exacerbate older adults' vulnerability to experiencing food insecurity and may be a unique and important target for policies...
INTRODUCTION
Vision impairment (VI) may further exacerbate older adults' vulnerability to experiencing food insecurity and may be a unique and important target for policies addressing access to nutritional food. The purpose of this study is to determine the association of VI in older adults with food insecurity.
METHODS
This is a cross-sectional analysis of round 11 (2021) of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally representative survey of U.S. Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older. Participants include 2,815 older adults with complete data on at least one objective measure of vision (distance, near or contrast sensitivity) and food insecurity. Food insecurity was assessed using a previously developed indicator of food insecurity in NHATS. VI was defined as binocular visual acuity (VA) worse than 0.3 logMAR (Snellen equivalent 20/40) at distance or its near equivalent, or contrast sensitivity (CS) worse than 1.55 logUnits. Continuous VI measures included distance and near VA (per 0.1 logMAR), and CS (per 0.1 logCS).
RESULTS
Participants were majority White (82%) and female (55%), and 3% had food insecurity. Older adults with any VI had a greater prevalence of food insecurity than adults without VI (5.0% vs. 2.0%, < 0.05). In fully adjusted regression analyses, individuals with any VI experienced double the odds of food insecurity than individuals without VI (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2-3.6). Distance VI (measured continuously) was associated with 1.2 times the odds of food insecurity (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.3, per 0.1 logMAR). All other vision measures trended towards higher odds of food insecurity, though not statistically significant.
DISCUSSION
Older adults with VI experience higher rates of food insecurity than their peers. Interventions to improve food security should be targeted towards addressing the specific barriers faced by visually impaired older adults.
PubMed: 38751732
DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2024.1353083 -
Acta Otorhinolaryngologica Italica :... May 2024To evaluate the efficacy of transoral laser exoscopic surgery (TOLES) in a unicentric series of patients affected by benign and malignant glottic and supraglottic... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transoral laser exoscopic surgery (TOLES) in a unicentric series of patients affected by benign and malignant glottic and supraglottic lesions, and compare outcomes with those of transoral laser microsurgery (TOLMS).
METHODS
To demonstrate the non-inferiority of TOLES in terms of operative time, margin status and complication rates, we compared outcomes of 93 patients treated by TOLES between July 2021 and July 2023 with those of a match-paired group of 107 historical patients treated by TOLMS. To perform a multiparametric ergonomic evaluation of TOLES TOLMS, we used observational methods for biomechanical overload risk assessment and wearable technologies comparing 15 procedures with TOLES a paired match of 13 surgeries performed with TOLMS by the same surgeon.
RESULTS
No significant differences were found in terms of surgical duration, positive margins, or complications between TOLES and TOLMS. Ergonomics assessment by inertial measurement units and electromyographic surface electrodes demonstrated a reduced biomechanical overload with TOLES compared to TOLMS.
CONCLUSIONS
The many advantages of TOLES, such as its superior didactic value, better digital control of light even through small-bored laryngoscopes, improved binocular vision, and increase in surgical performance by 3 or 4-hand techniques, are difficult to be quantified. In contrast, its non-inferiority in terms of oncological results and better ergonomics compared to TOLMS are demonstrated herein.
Topics: Humans; Microsurgery; Laser Therapy; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Mouth; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Treatment Outcome; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery; Ergonomics; Adult; Larynx
PubMed: 38745511
DOI: 10.14639/0392-100X-suppl.1-44-2024-N2850 -
Scientific Reports May 2024The recommended bearing capacity of medium weathering mudstone foundation is less than the capacity of the rock structure to withstand loads in Southwest China. A...
The recommended bearing capacity of medium weathering mudstone foundation is less than the capacity of the rock structure to withstand loads in Southwest China. A comprehensive failure characterization of medium weathering mudstone in Chengdu has been performed including bearing plate test (BPT), binocular vision measurement (BVM) test, uniaxial compressive strength test, trial trench test of shallow rock surface and 3D imaging in this paper. Failure behavior of rock has been modeled with 3D imaging algorithm that utilizes Zhang's calibration method in BVM system combination with trial trench test of shallow rock surface. The bearing capacity of medium weathering mudstone foundation were extracted from uniaxial experiments and BPT-BVM test by fitting relevant material properties to the data. The results revealed that: Bearing capacity of medium weathering mudstone of layered isotropic in Chengdu is undervalued. Specifically, the characteristic load carrying value is in the range 1500-2500 kP, that is 50% higher than in the local standard system. Failure process is different from Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion, presenting a wave peak transfer phenomenon of the increment displacement into the distance. Thus, it can be reduced to that of punching failures for thin bedded structures of Moudstone foundations. Compressive strength of soft rock proves to be main factor limiting the bearing capacity, a clear correlation between the uniaxial compressive strength reduction coefficient and the bearing capacity has been used to establish, leading to the proposal of a load bearing capacity prediction model.
PubMed: 38745014
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61838-1 -
PeerJ 2024To track improvement in diplopia symptoms with strabismus-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire across a treatment consisting of prism correction...
BACKGROUND
To track improvement in diplopia symptoms with strabismus-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire across a treatment consisting of prism correction followed by vision therapy/orthoptics when prism treatment alone has not succeeded.
METHODS
Forty-eight participants with diplopia and a mean age of 62.45 were asked to complete an Adult Strabismus-20 (AS-20) questionnaire and a Diplopia Questionnaire (DQ) before and after prism correction. Inclusion criteria were diplopia reported on the DQ as "sometimes", "often" or "always" at reading or straight-ahead distance. The prism correction was classified as successful if the participant reported "never" or "rarely" on the DQ for reading and straight-ahead distance; and unsuccessful if the perceived diplopia worsened or remained the same. For all participants, mean initial AS-20 scores were compared with mean post-prism correction scores, taking into account AS-20 subscales (reading and general functions, and self-perception and interaction). Participants in the failed prism treatment subgroup subsequently underwent a programme of vision therapy wearing their prism correction, the results of which were again determined by participants' responses on the AS-20 questionnaire, completed before and after the vision therapy.
RESULTS
Five of the 48 participants dropped out of the study. Prism correction was classified as successful in 22 of 43 participants (51%), and unsuccessful in 21 (49%). Those participants for whom the prism correction was classified as a success showed a statistically significant improvement ( = 0.01) in both reading and general functions. In the failed treatment subgroup, no significant change in AS-20 score was recorded for any of the domains ( = 0.1). After treatment with vision therapy/orthoptics, however, 13 of the 20 participants in the unsuccessful prism correction subgroup (one of them dropped out the study) achieved binocular vision and statistically significant improvement in reading and general functions ( = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Although effective prism correction of diplopia is correlated with enhanced HRQOL, prism correction alone is frequently not sufficient to achieve this objective. In these cases, vision therapy/orthoptics treatment as a coadjutant to prism correction is shown to improve HRQOL.
Topics: Humans; Diplopia; Quality of Life; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Eyeglasses; Treatment Outcome; Adult; Orthoptics; Strabismus; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38737743
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17315 -
The British and Irish Orthoptic Journal 2024To evaluate the impact of smartphone gaming on the vergence system of the eye.
AIMS
To evaluate the impact of smartphone gaming on the vergence system of the eye.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
A 5-month (from March 2023 to August 2023) comparative and experimental research was conducted.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighty-two participants with a mean age of 21.98 ± 2.26 years were present in the study. Prior to assessing accommodation and vergence system characteristics, participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination. The participants were asked to play a shooting game on a smartphone for 30 minutes at a 40 cm distance. Measurements of the vergence parameters were taken before and after the activity and afterwards were compared.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Non-parametric tests were used to compare pre- and post-task measurements. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the variables: Negative fusional vergence (NFV), Positive fusional vergence (PFV), Near point of convergence (NPC), and Vergence Facility (VF), with the alpha error set at 5%.
RESULTS
The mean age of the participants was 21.98 ± 2.26 years. Post-task, the vergence parameters: NPC (p < 0.001), NFV for near distance (p < 0.001), PFV for near distance (p < 0.001), and VF (p < 0.001) showed significant decrease in vergence parameters.
CONCLUSIONS
The study shows smartphone gaming for 30 minutes affects the vergence system, leading to binocular vision anomalies in young individuals.
PubMed: 38736732
DOI: 10.22599/bioj.335 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024In order to enhance crop harvesting efficiency, an automatic-driving tracked grain vehicle system was designed. Based on the harvester chassis, we designed the...
In order to enhance crop harvesting efficiency, an automatic-driving tracked grain vehicle system was designed. Based on the harvester chassis, we designed the mechanical structure of a tracked grain vehicle with a loading capacity of 4.5 m and a grain unloading hydraulic system. Using the BODAS hydraulic controller, we implemented the design of an electronic control system that combines the manual and automatic operation of the chassis walking mechanism and grain unloading mechanism. We utilized a hybrid A* algorithm to plan the traveling path of the tracked grain vehicle, and the path-tracking controller of the tracked grain vehicle was designed by combining fuzzy control and pure pursuit algorithms. Leveraging binocular vision technology and semantic segmentation technology, we designed an automatic grain unloading control system with functions of grain tank recognition and grain unloading regulation control. Finally, we conducted experiments on automatic grain unloading control and automatic navigation control in the field. The results showed that both the precision of the path-tracking control and the automatic unloading system meet the requirements for practical unoccupied operations of the tracked grain vehicle.
PubMed: 38732820
DOI: 10.3390/s24092715