This thesis outlines the methodology and experiments associated with the reshaping of human intention via based on the robot movements in Human-Robot Interactions (HRI). Although works on estimating human intentions are quite well known research areas in the literature, reshaping intentions through interactions is a new significant branching in the field of human-robot interaction. In this thesis, we analyze how previously estimated human intentions change based on his/her actions by cooperating with mobile robots in a real human-robot environment. Our approach uses the Observable Operator Models (OOMs) and Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) designed for the intelligent mobile robotic systems, which consists of two levels: the low-level tracks the human while the high-level guides the mobile robots into moves that aim to change intentions of individuals in the environment. In the low level, postures and locations of the human are monitored by applying image processing methods. The high level uses an algorithm which includes learned OOM models or HMM models to estimate human intention and decision making system to reshape the previously estimated human intention. Through this thesis, OOMs are started to be used at the human-robot interaction applications for first time. This two-level system is tested on video frames taken from a real human-robot environment. The results obtained using the proposed approaches are compared according to performance towards the degree of reshaping the detected intentions.

Darbe siekiama pateikti performuotą „Viči“ prekės ženklo vystymo strategijos pasiūlymą, pagal skirtingus kainų lygius. Teorinėje darbo dalyje remiantis moksline literatūra nagrinėjama prekės ženklo samprata ir funkcijos bei jo vertė, aiškinamasi nuosekli prekės ženklo vystymo schema ir jo komunikavo galimybės, apjungiant prekės ženklo architektūros modeliais ir jų pritaikomumu. Analitinėje baigiamojo darbo dalyje pristatoma pasirinktos „Vičiūnų“ įmonės veikla, jai priklausančio „Viči“ prekės ženklo, asortimento rinkoje, valdymo atvejis. Atliktas aprašomasis kokybinis (giluminis asmeninis interviu) ir aprašomasis kiekybinis (vartotojų apklausa) tyrimai. Pastebėta, kad didžiosios daugumos produktų žymėjimas, tuo pačiu „Viči“ prekės ženklu, nekuria produktų išskirtinumo, unikalumo, tad toks esamas strategijos pasirinkimas gali pradėti kenkti įmonės prestižui. Projektinėje darbo dalyje pateikiamas rekomenduotinas, moksline literatūra ir atliktais tyrimų rezultatais paremtas, „Viči“ prekės ženklo performavimo pasiūlymas bei galimos jo komunikavimo priemonės. Atlikto tyrimo rezultatai gali būti naudojami tolimesniems prekės ženklų strategijos ir jo architektūros tyrimams atlikti. Rekomenduotinas prekės ženklų performavimo pasiūlymas gali būti naudojamas „Vičiūnų“ įmonės vadovų, priimant sprendimus tolimesniam prekės ženklų vystymui, valdymui ar strateginiam perorganizavimui. / The thesis aims to provide a reshape proposal for “Viči” brand development strategy, according to the different price levels. The theoretical part of the work based on the scientific literature of the brand and the concept of function and its value, examines a consistent brand development scheme and the possibility of combining the brand architecture models and their applicability. The analytical part of the thesis presents selected “Vičiūnai” company activities ant the case of owned “Viči” brand range in market management. Performed descriptive qualitative (personal interviews) and descriptive quantitative (consumer survey) studies results are introduced. It is observed that the vast majority of product is marketed in the same “Viči” brand, because of this reason, brand don’t create exclusivity, uniqueness and it may begin to undermine the prestige of the company. In the project part, according to the theoretical framework and research results, the recommended are given. These recommendations are for “Viči” brand reshape proposal and its possible means of communication. The results of the survey can be used for further brand strategy and architecture research. Recommended brand reshape offer can be used by “Vičiūnai” managers in taking decisions for further brand development, management and strategic reorganization.

O período compreendido da emergência, desenvolvimento folicular até a formação de um folículo dominante, requer um grande remodelamento tecidual. A ação de enzimas que promovem a lise do colágeno como as metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs) são fundamentais para o desenrolar deste processo. É sugerido que a produção destas enzimas seja desencadeada pelo aumento na concentração de LH circulante, que atua sobre o epitélio superficial ovariano (ESO). O objetivo deste estudo foi aprofundar o conhecimento da expressão do RNAm das MMP-1 e MMP-2, durante o desenvolvimento folicular em éguas. A técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (real-time PCR) foi utilizada, para relacionar à expressão do RNAm do receptor de hormônio luteinizante (RLH) e a imunolocalização deste RLH nas células que compõe o ESO da região da fossa de ovulação. Foram selecionadas diferentes porções de ovários de éguas cíclicas. As éguas foram distribuídas em dois grupos. Grupo 1: animais onde os folículos foram < 28mm de diâmetro (crescimento); Grupo 2: animais com folículos foram ≥28mm de diâmetro (dominância folicular). Os resultados mostraram que o RNAm para as MMP-1, MMP-2 e RLH, está presente no ovário equino durante todo o período de desenvolvimento folicular e nas diferentes porções do ovário analisadas. No Grupo 2, a MMP-1 e o RLH apresentaram uma concentração significativamente maior (p<0,05), de RNAm no ovário com folículo dominante do que no ovário contra-lateral. No Grupo 2, quando analisadas somente as diferentes porções do ovário com folículo dominante, evidenciou-se que a MMP-1, MMP-2 e RLH tiveram uma concentração maior (p<0,05), na região do estroma ovariano do que na região da fossa de ovulação. As éguas do Grupo 2, apresentaram uma concentração significativamente menor (p<0,05) do que as éguas do grupo 1 na quantidade de RNAm para RLH. Através da imunohistoquímica observou-se que as células da ESO na região da fossa de ovulação expressaram o RLH com diferença nas intensidades médias. As éguas com folículos dominantes tiveram maior intensidade média quando comparadas as éguas sem folículos dominantes (p<0,05). Os resultados sugerem que a MMP-1 e MMP-2 têm uma atividade importante em todo o processo de remodelamento tecidual, que ocorre durante o desenvolvimento folicular e que RLH presente no ovário e no ESO podem ter um papel fundamental para o mecanismo de sinalização para a produção das MMPs, visto que os ovários que apresentaram maiores concentrações de RLH tiveram maior expressão genica das MMPs. / The period extending from the follicular emergence and development to the formation of a dominant follicle requires a remarkable tissue reshaping. The action of enzymes that promote collagen lysis, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), is fundamental to this process. It has been suggested that the production of those enzymes is triggered by an increased concentration of circling LH, which acts on the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The aim of this study was to deepen knowledge about the action of mRNA of MMP-1 and MMP-2 along the follicular development in mares by using the technique of real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) to relate the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) mRNA expression and the immunolocalization of LHR in the cells that compose OSE in the region of the ovulation fossa. Were selected different portions of ovaries of 12 cyclic mares. The mares were distribuited into two groups. Group 1 was composed of animals whose follicles were up to 28 millimiter wide (growth); Group 2 consisted of animals whose follicles were wider than 28 millimeters (follicular dominance).The results showed that mRNA for MMP-1, MMP-2 and LHR was present in the equine ovary during the whole period of follicular development and in the different portions of ovaries analyzed. Within Group 2, MMP-1 and LHR evidenced a significantly higher concentration of mRNA (p<0.05) in the ovary with dominant follicle than in the contralateral ovary. In Group 2, in which only the different portions of the ovary with dominant follicle were analyzed, MMP-1, MMP-2 and LHR showed a higher concentration (p<0.05) in the region of ovarian stroma than in the ovulation fossa. Mares from Group 2 presented a significantly lower concentration (p<0.05) than mare from Group 1 in terms of mRNA for LHR. Through immunohistochemistry, it was observed that OSE cells in the region of the ovulation fossa expressed LHR with different mean intensity. Mares with dominant follicles (Group 2) evidenced higher mean intensity in comparison to mares without dominant follicles (Group 1). The results have suggested that MMP-1 and MMP-2 participate in the whole tissue reshaping process, and LHR present in OSE may play a central role in the signaling mechanism for MMP production, as the ovaries presenting higher LHR concentrations had higher MMP gene expression.

O período compreendido da emergência, desenvolvimento folicular até a formação de um folículo dominante, requer um grande remodelamento tecidual. A ação de enzimas que promovem a lise do colágeno como as metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs) são fundamentais para o desenrolar deste processo. É sugerido que a produção destas enzimas seja desencadeada pelo aumento na concentração de LH circulante, que atua sobre o epitélio superficial ovariano (ESO). O objetivo deste estudo foi aprofundar o conhecimento da expressão do RNAm das MMP-1 e MMP-2, durante o desenvolvimento folicular em éguas. A técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (real-time PCR) foi utilizada, para relacionar à expressão do RNAm do receptor de hormônio luteinizante (RLH) e a imunolocalização deste RLH nas células que compõe o ESO da região da fossa de ovulação. Foram selecionadas diferentes porções de ovários de éguas cíclicas. As éguas foram distribuídas em dois grupos. Grupo 1: animais onde os folículos foram < 28mm de diâmetro (crescimento); Grupo 2: animais com folículos foram ≥28mm de diâmetro (dominância folicular). Os resultados mostraram que o RNAm para as MMP-1, MMP-2 e RLH, está presente no ovário equino durante todo o período de desenvolvimento folicular e nas diferentes porções do ovário analisadas. No Grupo 2, a MMP-1 e o RLH apresentaram uma concentração significativamente maior (p<0,05), de RNAm no ovário com folículo dominante do que no ovário contra-lateral. No Grupo 2, quando analisadas somente as diferentes porções do ovário com folículo dominante, evidenciou-se que a MMP-1, MMP-2 e RLH tiveram uma concentração maior (p<0,05), na região do estroma ovariano do que na região da fossa de ovulação. As éguas do Grupo 2, apresentaram uma concentração significativamente menor (p<0,05) do que as éguas do grupo 1 na quantidade de RNAm para RLH. Através da imunohistoquímica observou-se que as células da ESO na região da fossa de ovulação expressaram o RLH com diferença nas intensidades médias. As éguas com folículos dominantes tiveram maior intensidade média quando comparadas as éguas sem folículos dominantes (p<0,05). Os resultados sugerem que a MMP-1 e MMP-2 têm uma atividade importante em todo o processo de remodelamento tecidual, que ocorre durante o desenvolvimento folicular e que RLH presente no ovário e no ESO podem ter um papel fundamental para o mecanismo de sinalização para a produção das MMPs, visto que os ovários que apresentaram maiores concentrações de RLH tiveram maior expressão genica das MMPs. / The period extending from the follicular emergence and development to the formation of a dominant follicle requires a remarkable tissue reshaping. The action of enzymes that promote collagen lysis, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), is fundamental to this process. It has been suggested that the production of those enzymes is triggered by an increased concentration of circling LH, which acts on the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The aim of this study was to deepen knowledge about the action of mRNA of MMP-1 and MMP-2 along the follicular development in mares by using the technique of real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) to relate the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) mRNA expression and the immunolocalization of LHR in the cells that compose OSE in the region of the ovulation fossa. Were selected different portions of ovaries of 12 cyclic mares. The mares were distribuited into two groups. Group 1 was composed of animals whose follicles were up to 28 millimiter wide (growth); Group 2 consisted of animals whose follicles were wider than 28 millimeters (follicular dominance).The results showed that mRNA for MMP-1, MMP-2 and LHR was present in the equine ovary during the whole period of follicular development and in the different portions of ovaries analyzed. Within Group 2, MMP-1 and LHR evidenced a significantly higher concentration of mRNA (p<0.05) in the ovary with dominant follicle than in the contralateral ovary. In Group 2, in which only the different portions of the ovary with dominant follicle were analyzed, MMP-1, MMP-2 and LHR showed a higher concentration (p<0.05) in the region of ovarian stroma than in the ovulation fossa. Mares from Group 2 presented a significantly lower concentration (p<0.05) than mare from Group 1 in terms of mRNA for LHR. Through immunohistochemistry, it was observed that OSE cells in the region of the ovulation fossa expressed LHR with different mean intensity. Mares with dominant follicles (Group 2) evidenced higher mean intensity in comparison to mares without dominant follicles (Group 1). The results have suggested that MMP-1 and MMP-2 participate in the whole tissue reshaping process, and LHR present in OSE may play a central role in the signaling mechanism for MMP production, as the ovaries presenting higher LHR concentrations had higher MMP gene expression.

O período compreendido da emergência, desenvolvimento folicular até a formação de um folículo dominante, requer um grande remodelamento tecidual. A ação de enzimas que promovem a lise do colágeno como as metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs) são fundamentais para o desenrolar deste processo. É sugerido que a produção destas enzimas seja desencadeada pelo aumento na concentração de LH circulante, que atua sobre o epitélio superficial ovariano (ESO). O objetivo deste estudo foi aprofundar o conhecimento da expressão do RNAm das MMP-1 e MMP-2, durante o desenvolvimento folicular em éguas. A técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (real-time PCR) foi utilizada, para relacionar à expressão do RNAm do receptor de hormônio luteinizante (RLH) e a imunolocalização deste RLH nas células que compõe o ESO da região da fossa de ovulação. Foram selecionadas diferentes porções de ovários de éguas cíclicas. As éguas foram distribuídas em dois grupos. Grupo 1: animais onde os folículos foram < 28mm de diâmetro (crescimento); Grupo 2: animais com folículos foram ≥28mm de diâmetro (dominância folicular). Os resultados mostraram que o RNAm para as MMP-1, MMP-2 e RLH, está presente no ovário equino durante todo o período de desenvolvimento folicular e nas diferentes porções do ovário analisadas. No Grupo 2, a MMP-1 e o RLH apresentaram uma concentração significativamente maior (p<0,05), de RNAm no ovário com folículo dominante do que no ovário contra-lateral. No Grupo 2, quando analisadas somente as diferentes porções do ovário com folículo dominante, evidenciou-se que a MMP-1, MMP-2 e RLH tiveram uma concentração maior (p<0,05), na região do estroma ovariano do que na região da fossa de ovulação. As éguas do Grupo 2, apresentaram uma concentração significativamente menor (p<0,05) do que as éguas do grupo 1 na quantidade de RNAm para RLH. Através da imunohistoquímica observou-se que as células da ESO na região da fossa de ovulação expressaram o RLH com diferença nas intensidades médias. As éguas com folículos dominantes tiveram maior intensidade média quando comparadas as éguas sem folículos dominantes (p<0,05). Os resultados sugerem que a MMP-1 e MMP-2 têm uma atividade importante em todo o processo de remodelamento tecidual, que ocorre durante o desenvolvimento folicular e que RLH presente no ovário e no ESO podem ter um papel fundamental para o mecanismo de sinalização para a produção das MMPs, visto que os ovários que apresentaram maiores concentrações de RLH tiveram maior expressão genica das MMPs. / The period extending from the follicular emergence and development to the formation of a dominant follicle requires a remarkable tissue reshaping. The action of enzymes that promote collagen lysis, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), is fundamental to this process. It has been suggested that the production of those enzymes is triggered by an increased concentration of circling LH, which acts on the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The aim of this study was to deepen knowledge about the action of mRNA of MMP-1 and MMP-2 along the follicular development in mares by using the technique of real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) to relate the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) mRNA expression and the immunolocalization of LHR in the cells that compose OSE in the region of the ovulation fossa. Were selected different portions of ovaries of 12 cyclic mares. The mares were distribuited into two groups. Group 1 was composed of animals whose follicles were up to 28 millimiter wide (growth); Group 2 consisted of animals whose follicles were wider than 28 millimeters (follicular dominance).The results showed that mRNA for MMP-1, MMP-2 and LHR was present in the equine ovary during the whole period of follicular development and in the different portions of ovaries analyzed. Within Group 2, MMP-1 and LHR evidenced a significantly higher concentration of mRNA (p<0.05) in the ovary with dominant follicle than in the contralateral ovary. In Group 2, in which only the different portions of the ovary with dominant follicle were analyzed, MMP-1, MMP-2 and LHR showed a higher concentration (p<0.05) in the region of ovarian stroma than in the ovulation fossa. Mares from Group 2 presented a significantly lower concentration (p<0.05) than mare from Group 1 in terms of mRNA for LHR. Through immunohistochemistry, it was observed that OSE cells in the region of the ovulation fossa expressed LHR with different mean intensity. Mares with dominant follicles (Group 2) evidenced higher mean intensity in comparison to mares without dominant follicles (Group 1). The results have suggested that MMP-1 and MMP-2 participate in the whole tissue reshaping process, and LHR present in OSE may play a central role in the signaling mechanism for MMP production, as the ovaries presenting higher LHR concentrations had higher MMP gene expression.

No / Orthokeratology (ortho-k) is the process of deliberately reshaping the anterior cornea by utilising specialty contact lenses to temporarily and reversibly reduce refractive error after lens removal. Modern ortho-k utilises reverse geometry lens designs, made with highly oxygen permeable rigid materials, worn overnight to reshape the anterior cornea and provide temporary correction of refractive error. More recently, ortho-k has been extensively used to slow the progression of myopia in children. This report reviews the practice of ortho-k, including its history, mechanisms of refractive and ocular changes, current use in the correction of myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, and presbyopia, and standard of care. Suitable candidates for ortho-k are described, along with the fitting process, factors impacting success, and the potential options for using newer lens designs. Ocular changes associated with ortho-k, such as alterations in corneal thickness, development of microcysts, pigmented arcs, and fibrillary lines are reviewed. The safety of ortho-k is extensively reviewed, along with an overview of non-compliant behaviours and appropriate disinfection regimens. Finally, the role of ortho-k in myopia management for children is discussed in terms of efficacy, safety, and potential mechanisms of myopia control, including the impact of factors such as initial fitting age, baseline refractive error, the role of peripheral defocus, higher order aberrations, pupil size, and treatment zone size. / The CLEAR initiative was facilitated by the BCLA, with financial support by way of Educational Grants for collaboration, publication and dissemination provided by Alcon and CooperVision.

The prevalence of wireless networks and the convenience of mobile cameras enable many new video applications other than security and entertainment. From behavioral diagnosis to wellness monitoring, cameras are increasing used for observations in various educational and medical settings. Videos collected for such applications are considered protected health information under privacy laws in many countries. Visual privacy protection techniques, such as blurring or object removal, can be used to mitigate privacy concern, but they also obliterate important visual cues of affect and social behaviors that are crucial for the target applications. In this dissertation, we propose to balance the privacy protection and the utility of the data by preserving the privacy-insensitive information, such as pose and expression, which is useful in many applications involving visual understanding. The Intellectual Merits of the dissertation include a novel framework for visual privacy protection by manipulating facial image and body shape of individuals, which: (1) is able to conceal the identity of individuals; (2) provide a way to preserve the utility of the data, such as expression and pose information; (3) balance the utility of the data and capacity of the privacy protection. The Broader Impacts of the dissertation focus on the significance of privacy protection on visual data, and the inadequacy of current privacy enhancing technologies in preserving affect and behavioral attributes of the visual content, which are highly useful for behavior observation in educational and medical settings. This work in this dissertation represents one of the first attempts in achieving both goals simultaneously.

No description available.

Simulated mirror displays have a promising prospect in applications, due to its capability for virtual visualization. In most existing mirror displays, cameras are placed on top of the displays and unable to capture the person in front of the display at the highest possible resolution. The lack of a direct frontal capture of the subject's face and the geometric error introduced by image warping techniques make realistic mirror image rendering a challenging problem. The objective of this thesis is to explore the use of a robotic camera in tracking the face of the subject in front of the display to obtain a high-quality image capture. Our system uses a Bislide system to control a camera for face capture, while using a separate color-depth camera for accurate face tracking. We construct an optical device in which a one-way mirror is used so that the robotic camera behind can capture the subject while the rendered images can be displayed by reflecting off the mirror from an overhead projector. A key challenge of the proposed system is the reduction of light due to the one-way mirror. The optimal 2D Wiener filter is selected to enhance the low contrast images captured by the camera.

No description available.