Efficient cubic spline interpolation implemented with FIR filters

Classical Cubic spline interpolation needs to solve a set of equations of high dimension. In this work we show how to compute the interpolant using a FIR digital filter, with a reduced number of operations per interpolated point and high accuracy. Additionally, the computation can be made on real time as the signal samples are acquired. Following this approach, we show how to obtain easily the derivatives of the interpolant in a similar way, and also signal approximations to reduce the oscillations that appear when using high order splines. These techniques are very well suited to compute continuous representations of image contours on closed shapes and to find its curvature and singularities.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Ciencia de datos como herramienta de soporte en la gestión pública de calidad del agua

El agua es un recurso vital y como tal requiere una adecuada gestión de su calidad para la subsistencia de la población en todas sus dimensiones. En la provincia de Misiones, existen varias organizaciones que intervienen de alguna manera en la gestión de la calidad del agua, aunque se encuentran limitados respecto de la generación de información adecuada para la gestión, pese a esfuerzos individuales de algunas de estas organizaciones. La gestión de calidad del agua es un proceso que requiere datos. Estos datos son generados a un alto costo, ya que cada estudio implica un traslado al lugar donde se realizan las muestras, gastos en recursos humanos, y gastos en el análisis de las propiedades del agua para determinar su calidad, entre otros. En esta línea de investigación se aborda la aplicación de procesos de ciencia de datos que podrían contribuir en la generación de información dirigida a la gestión de calidad del agua. A través de un análisis descriptivo se determinaron parámetros asociados a la calidad del agua, destacándose la temperatura, turbidez, conductividad, pH, P-ortoFosfatos, solidos disueltos totales, oxígeno disuelto, sólidos suspendidos totales y coliformes fecales. Asimismo, se evidencia la necesidad de ampliar el desarrollo de conjuntos de datos que integren variables relevantes para la gestión de la calidad del agua.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

Enhanced antitumoral activity of TLR7 agonists via activation of human endogenous retroviruses by HDAC inhibitors

In this work, we are reporting that “Shock and Kill”, a therapeutic approach designed to eliminate latent HIV from cell reservoirs, is extrapolatable to cancer therapy. This is based on the observation that malignant cells express a spectrum of human endogenous retroviral elements (HERVs) which can be transcriptionally boosted by HDAC inhibitors. The endoretroviral gene HERV-V2 codes for an envelope protein, which resembles syncytins. It is significantly overexpressed upon exposure to HDAC inhibitors and can be effectively targeted by simultaneous application of TLR7/8 agonists, triggering intrinsic apoptosis. We demonstrated that this synergistic cytotoxic effect was accompanied by the functional disruption of the TLR7/8-NFκB, Akt/PKB, and Ras-MEK-ERK signalling pathways. CRISPR/Cas9 ablation of TLR7 and HERV-V1/V2 curtailed apoptosis significantly, proving the pivotal role of these elements in driving cell death. The effectiveness of this new approach was confirmed in ovarian tumour xenograft studies, revealing a promising avenue for future cancer therapies

Microbiological characteristics of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus spp. in Bahia, Brazil: molecular types and antifungal susceptibilities

To determine the profiles of susceptibility to antifungal and the genotypes of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus in Bahia, Brazil, 62 isolates were collected from cases of meningitis in the period from 2006 to 2010. Their susceptibilities to fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine were determined by the broth microdilution technique described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and genotyping of the URA5 gene was accomplished by restriction fragment length polymorphism. C. neoformans accounted for 79% of the identified yeast and C. gattii represented the remaining 21%. Evaluation of the genotypes determined that 100% of the C. gattii isolates belong to the VGII genotype, and 98% of the C. neoformans isolates belong to the VNI genotype. Determination of susceptibility revealed isolates resistant to fluconazole (4.8%), 5-flucytosine (1.6%) and amphotericin B (3.2%); the stratification of sensitivity results for each species showed significant differences in susceptibility to azoles. This study is the first to describe the susceptibility profiles of molecular and clinical isolates of Cryptococcus in Bahia, Brazil. The high percentage of C. gattii isolates belonging to the VGII genotype and its lower susceptibility to antifungal agents highlight the importance of knowing which species are involved in cryptococcal infections in northeastern Brazil

FP.34 Clinical outcome study of dysferlinopathy: correlation between MRI fat fraction in lower limbs and clinical outcome assessments over a 3-year period

The Jain Foundation COS of dysferlinopathy is an international study in genetically confirmed dysferlinopathy patients, with the aim to identify relevant outcome measures to facilitate trial readiness. Due to its wide range of clinical phenotypes and rates of disease progression, an objective marker to quantify disease progression would be ideal. We assessed the application of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a prognostic tool for these patients. Our aim is to establish whether there is a correlation between fat fraction (FF) in thigh and/or lower leg muscles and clinical outcome assessments (COA) when comparing baseline (BL) values and changes from BL to year 1 (Y1) and to year 3 (Y3). We selected 84 patients from COS1 who had a Dixon MRI of the lower limbs (LL) and at least one of the following COA: time to rise from floor (RFF), time to climb / descend 4 steps (4SC/4SD), time up and go (TUG), time to walk 10m (10MWT), 6 min walk test (6MWT) and North Star Assessment for limb girdle type muscular dystrophy (NSAD) score. Spearman correlation (rs) was performed using SPSS statistics, p value 0.05. We found a significant correlation at BL between LL FF values and all COA, with the highest rs between thigh FF and NSAD (-.675) and 6MWT (-.665). We didn't find any correlations between changes in FF between BL and Y1 and changes in COA during that same period, but we did observe a significant correlation with changes in TUG (.445) and 4SC (.41) between BL and Y3. We observed a significant correlation between changes in thigh FF between BL and Y3 and changes in TUG (.706), RFF (.607), 4SC (.545) and NSAD[HR1] (-.374). No correlations were found when analysing changes in lower legs FF and COA. Our results show that changes in FF of the thigh muscles over one year could predict functional changes at a later stage, in a three-year period, suggesting that MRI could be used to identify dysferlinopathy patients at risk of more severe disease progression in routine clinical care