Stairs detection with odometry-aided traversal from a wearable RGB-D camera

Stairs are one of the most common structures present in human-made scenarios, but also one of the most dangerous for those with vision problems. In this work we propose a complete method to detect, locate and parametrise stairs with a wearable RGB-D camera. Our algorithm uses the depth data to determine if the horizontal planes in the scene are valid steps of a staircase judging their dimensions and relative positions. As a result we obtain a scaled model of the staircase with the spatial location and orientation with respect to the subject. The visual odometry is also estimated to continuously recover the current position and orientation of the user while moving. This enhances the system giving the ability to come back to previously detected features and providing location awareness of the user during the climb. Simultaneously, the detection of the staircase during the traversal is used to correct the drift of the visual odometry. A comparison of results of the stair detection with other state-of-the-art algorithms was performed using public dataset. Additional experiments have also been carried out, recording our own natural scenes with a chest-mounted RGB-D camera in indoor scenarios. The algorithm is robust enough to work in real-time and even under partial occlusions of the stair

Confirmation of involvement of new variants at CDKN2A/B in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia susceptibility in the Spanish population

The locus CDKN2A/B (9p21.3), which comprises the tumor suppressors genes CDKN2A and CDKN2B and the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) known as ANRIL (or CDKN2B-AS), was associated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) susceptibility in several genome wide association studies (GWAS). However, the variants associated in the diverse studies were different. Recently, new and independent SNPs deregulating the locus function were also identified in association with ALL risk. This diversity in the results may be explained because different variants in each population could alter CDKN2A/B locus function through diverse mechanisms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the annotated risk variants in the CDKN2A/B locus affect the susceptibility of B cell precursor ALL (B-ALL) in our Spanish population and explore if other SNPs altering additional regulatory mechanisms could be also involved. We analyzed the four SNPs proposed by GWAs and two additional SNPs in miRNA binding sites in 217 pediatric patients with B-ALL and 330 healthy controls. The SNPs rs2811712, rs3731249, rs3217992 and rs2811709 were associated with B-ALL susceptibility in our Spanish population. ALL subtypes analyses showed that rs2811712 was associated with B-hyperdiploid ALL. These results provide evidence for the influence of genetic variants at CDKN2A/B locus with the risk of developing B-ALL

pi- and rho-mesons, and their diquark partners, from a contact interaction

We present a unified Dyson-Schwinger equation treatment of static and electromagnetic properties of pseudoscalar and vector mesons, and scalar and axial-vector diquark correlations, based upon a vector-vector contact-interaction. A basic motivation for this study is the need to document a comparison between the electromagnetic form factors of mesons and those diquarks which play a material role in nucleon structure. This is an important step toward a unified description of meson and baryon form factors based on a single interaction. A notable result, therefore, is the large degree of similarity between related meson and diquark form factors. The simplicity of the interaction enables computation of the form factors at arbitrarily-large spacelike-Q^2, which enables us to expose a zero in the rho-meson electric form factor at z_Q^\rho ~ Sqrt[6] m_\rho. Notably, r_\rho*z_Q^\rho ~ r_D*z_Q^D, where r_\rho, r_D are, respectively, the electric radii of the rho-meson and deuteron.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, 2 table

Involvement of SNPs in miR-3117 and miR-3689d2 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children. Numerous studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could play a role in this disease. Nowadays, more than 2500 miRNAs have been described, that regulate more than 50% of genes, including those involved in B-cell maturation, differentiation and proliferation. Genetic variants in miRNAs can alter their own levels or function, affecting their target gene expression, and then, may affect ALL risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the role of miRNA genetic variants in B-ALL susceptibility. We analyzed all variants in pre-miRNAs (MAF > 1%) in two independent cohorts from Spain and Slovenia and inferred their functional effect by in silico analysis. SNPs rs12402181 in miR-3117 and rs62571442 in miR-3689d2 were associated with ALL risk in both cohorts, possibly through their effect on MAPK signalling pathway. These SNPs could be novel markers for ALL susceptibility

Outpatient minor oral surgery in patients with hemophilia : a case series of 23 patients

Hemophilia is an inherited coagulation disorder characterized by deficiency of the coagulation factor VIII or IX. When the management of hemostasis is inadequate, these patients are at high risk of experiencing intra and postoperative bleedings after tooth extractions. Coagulation factor replacement therapy allows performing most surgical procedures safely, although the factor levels and length of treatment have not been clearly determined. In this study, we present our experience in a retrospective series of 112 ambulatory tooth extractions under local anesthesia in 23 patients with hemophilia using a coagulation factor replacement therapy in combination with tranexamic acid. The results obtained with this protocol were satisfactory and only one episode of mild postoperative bleeding occurred after seven days in a patient who did not have good treatment compliance

Optical variabilities in Be/X-ray binary system:GRO J2058+42

We present an analysis of long-term optical monitoring observations and optical spectroscopic observations of the counterpart to CXOU J205847.5+414637 (high mass X-ray binary system). We search for a variability in the light curve of Be star. We used differential magnitudes in the time series analysis. The variability search in the optical light curve was made by using different algorithms. The reduction and analysis of spectra were done by using MIDAS and its suitable packages. We have performed a frequency search which gave us the value 2.404 1/day. This value is attributed to the non-radial pulsation of Be star. H alpha emission line profiles always show double-peaked emissions with a mean equivalent width of 2.31 \pm 0.19 \AA ~and a peak separation of 516 \pm 45 km/s. This suggests that Be star disk is still present. CXOU J205847.5+414637 is in X-ray quiescent state.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figures. To appear at Astronomy and Astrophysic

The Importance of Lactose in the Human Diet:Outcomes of a Mexican Consensus Meeting

Lactose is a unique component of breast milk, many infant formulas and dairy products, and is widely used in pharmaceutical products. In spite of that, its role in human nutrition or lactose intolerance is generally not well-understood. For that reason, a 2-day-long lactose consensus meeting with health care professionals was organized in Mexico to come to a set of statements for which consensus could be gathered. Topics ranging from lactase expression to potential health benefits of lactose were introduced by experts, and that was followed by a discussion on concept statements. Interestingly, lactose does not seem to induce a neurological reward response when consumed. Although lactose digestion is optimal, it supplies galactose for liver glycogen synthesis. In infants, it cannot be ignored that lactose-derived galactose is needed for the synthesis of glycosylated macromolecules. At least beyond infancy, the low glycemic index of lactose might be metabolically beneficial. When lactase expression decreases, lactose maldigestion may lead to lactose intolerance symptoms. In infancy, the temporary replacing of lactose by other carbohydrates is only justified in case of severe intolerance symptoms. In those who show an (epi)genetic decrease or absence of lactase expression, a certain amount (for adults mostly up to 12 g per portion) of lactose can still be consumed. In these cases, lactose shows beneficial intestinal-microbiota-shaping effects. Avoiding lactose-containing products may imply a lower intake of other important nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin B-12 from dairy products, as well as an increased intake of less beneficial carbohydrates

Pelvic floor dysfunction in Mexican women

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a term used to describe a variety of disorders that involve moderate to severe impairment of the pelvic floor muscles. Throughout their lives, up to 46% of women will present at least one form of PFD and may even have a combination of this pathology. These afflictions have a profound influence on women’s general well-being and quality of life, as well as being an immense economic burden for global health systems. Methods: This was a populational study which used surveys made in Google Forms of different questionnaires validated in Spanish [Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), Female Sexual Function Index (IFSF), CPPQ Questionnaire for chronic pelvic pain, Wexner anal incontinence scale and quality of life] which were taken by women with access to social networks and who agreed to carry out an anonymous survey. Results: Seven hundred and twenty-one participants were evaluated, a total of 61.4% (443) responded positively to involuntary loss of urine, 35% had presented discomfort during sexual activity or lack of sexual interest, 14% had genital pain and 16% reported involuntary loss of feces or gas. Of all the patients that answered any of these questioners positively, only 33% had sought medical attention in the past. Conclusions: We concluded that in our population PFD is underdiagnosed. Our populations prevalence of urinary incontinence and pelvic pain is within the internationally described margins; anal incontinence is above international reports, and our population presented a lower prevalence of sexual dysfunction. With this new information we must impulse awareness to guide various preventive behaviors