Background The accurate(quantitative)analysis of 3D face deformation is a problem of increasing interest in many applications.In particular,defining a 3D model of the face deformation into a 2D target image to capture...Background The accurate(quantitative)analysis of 3D face deformation is a problem of increasing interest in many applications.In particular,defining a 3D model of the face deformation into a 2D target image to capture local and asymmetric deformations remains a challenge in existing literature.A measure of such local deformations may be a relevant index for monitoring the rehabilitation exercises of patients suffering from Par-kinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease or those recovering from a stroke.Methods In this paper,a complete framework that allows the construction of a 3D morphable shape model(3DMM)of the face is presented for fitting to a target RGB image.The model has the specific characteristic of being based on localized components of deformation.The fitting transformation is performed from 3D to 2D and guided by the correspondence between landmarks detected in the target image and those manually annotated on the average 3DMM.The fitting also has the distinction of being performed in two steps to disentangle face deformations related to the identity of the target subject from those induced by facial actions.Results The method was experimentally validated using the MICC-3D dataset,which includes 11 subjects.Each subject was imaged in one neutral pose and while performing 18 facial actions that deform the face in localized and asymmetric ways.For each acquisition,3DMM was fit to an RGB frame whereby,from the apex facial action and the neutral frame,the extent of the deformation was computed.The results indicate that the proposed approach can accurately capture face deformation,even localized and asymmetric deformations.Conclusion The proposed framework demonstrated that it is possible to measure deformations of a reconstructed 3D face model to monitor facial actions performed in response to a set of targets.Interestingly,these results were obtained using only RGB targets,without the need for 3D scans captured with costly devices.This paves the way for the use of the proposed tool in remote medical rehabilitation monitoring.展开更多
Background Macrophytes may modify benthic biodiversity and biogeochemistry via radial oxygen loss from roots.This condition contrasts sediments anoxia,allows roots respiration,and facilitates aerobic microbial communi...Background Macrophytes may modify benthic biodiversity and biogeochemistry via radial oxygen loss from roots.This condition contrasts sediments anoxia,allows roots respiration,and facilitates aerobic microbial communities and processes in the rhizosphere.Simultaneously,the rhizosphere can stimulate anaerobic microorganisms and processes via exudates or by favoring the build-up of electron acceptors as nitrate.As eutrophication often results in organic enrichment in sediments and large internal nutrients recycling,an interesting research question is to investigate whether plants maintain the capacity to stimulate aerobic or anaerobic microbial communities and processes also under elevated organic pollution.Methods A manipulative experiment was carried out under laboratory-controlled conditions.Microcosms containing bare sediments and sediments transplanted with the macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis L.were created.The effect of the plant was investigated on sediments with moderate(8%)and elevated(21%)organic matter content,after an acclimatization period of 30 days.Chemical and physical parameters,microbial community composition and the potential rates of nitrification,denitrification and nitrate ammonification were measured at two different depths(0–1 and 1–5 cm)after the acclimatization period to evaluate the role of roots.Results Vallisneria spiralis grew and assimilated pore water nutrients at the two organic matter levels and vegetated sediments had always nutrient-depleted porewaters as compared to bare sediments.Nitrifying microbes had a lower relative abundance and diversity compared to denitrifying bacteria.However,regardless of the organic content,in vegetated sediments nitrifiers were detected in deeper horizons as compared to bare sediments,where nitrification was confined near the surface.In contrast,potential denitrification rates were not affected by the presence of roots,but probably regulated by the presence of nitrate and by root-dependent nitrification.Potential nitrate ammonification rates were always much lower(<3%)than potential denitrification rates.Conclusions Vallisneria spiralis affects N-related microbial diversity and biogeochemistry at moderate and elevated organic matter content,smoothing bottom water–pore water chemical gradients and stimulating nitrification and nitrogen loss via denitrification.These results suggest the possibility to deploy V.spiralis as a nature-based solution to counteract eutrophication in freshwater systems impacted by high loads of organic matter,for example,downstream of wastewater treatment plants.展开更多
文摘Background The accurate(quantitative)analysis of 3D face deformation is a problem of increasing interest in many applications.In particular,defining a 3D model of the face deformation into a 2D target image to capture local and asymmetric deformations remains a challenge in existing literature.A measure of such local deformations may be a relevant index for monitoring the rehabilitation exercises of patients suffering from Par-kinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease or those recovering from a stroke.Methods In this paper,a complete framework that allows the construction of a 3D morphable shape model(3DMM)of the face is presented for fitting to a target RGB image.The model has the specific characteristic of being based on localized components of deformation.The fitting transformation is performed from 3D to 2D and guided by the correspondence between landmarks detected in the target image and those manually annotated on the average 3DMM.The fitting also has the distinction of being performed in two steps to disentangle face deformations related to the identity of the target subject from those induced by facial actions.Results The method was experimentally validated using the MICC-3D dataset,which includes 11 subjects.Each subject was imaged in one neutral pose and while performing 18 facial actions that deform the face in localized and asymmetric ways.For each acquisition,3DMM was fit to an RGB frame whereby,from the apex facial action and the neutral frame,the extent of the deformation was computed.The results indicate that the proposed approach can accurately capture face deformation,even localized and asymmetric deformations.Conclusion The proposed framework demonstrated that it is possible to measure deformations of a reconstructed 3D face model to monitor facial actions performed in response to a set of targets.Interestingly,these results were obtained using only RGB targets,without the need for 3D scans captured with costly devices.This paves the way for the use of the proposed tool in remote medical rehabilitation monitoring.
基金financially been supported by the Program“FIL-Quota Incentivante”of University of Parmaco-sponsored by Fondazione Cariparma
文摘Background Macrophytes may modify benthic biodiversity and biogeochemistry via radial oxygen loss from roots.This condition contrasts sediments anoxia,allows roots respiration,and facilitates aerobic microbial communities and processes in the rhizosphere.Simultaneously,the rhizosphere can stimulate anaerobic microorganisms and processes via exudates or by favoring the build-up of electron acceptors as nitrate.As eutrophication often results in organic enrichment in sediments and large internal nutrients recycling,an interesting research question is to investigate whether plants maintain the capacity to stimulate aerobic or anaerobic microbial communities and processes also under elevated organic pollution.Methods A manipulative experiment was carried out under laboratory-controlled conditions.Microcosms containing bare sediments and sediments transplanted with the macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis L.were created.The effect of the plant was investigated on sediments with moderate(8%)and elevated(21%)organic matter content,after an acclimatization period of 30 days.Chemical and physical parameters,microbial community composition and the potential rates of nitrification,denitrification and nitrate ammonification were measured at two different depths(0–1 and 1–5 cm)after the acclimatization period to evaluate the role of roots.Results Vallisneria spiralis grew and assimilated pore water nutrients at the two organic matter levels and vegetated sediments had always nutrient-depleted porewaters as compared to bare sediments.Nitrifying microbes had a lower relative abundance and diversity compared to denitrifying bacteria.However,regardless of the organic content,in vegetated sediments nitrifiers were detected in deeper horizons as compared to bare sediments,where nitrification was confined near the surface.In contrast,potential denitrification rates were not affected by the presence of roots,but probably regulated by the presence of nitrate and by root-dependent nitrification.Potential nitrate ammonification rates were always much lower(<3%)than potential denitrification rates.Conclusions Vallisneria spiralis affects N-related microbial diversity and biogeochemistry at moderate and elevated organic matter content,smoothing bottom water–pore water chemical gradients and stimulating nitrification and nitrogen loss via denitrification.These results suggest the possibility to deploy V.spiralis as a nature-based solution to counteract eutrophication in freshwater systems impacted by high loads of organic matter,for example,downstream of wastewater treatment plants.
