Ground Extraction from 3D Lidar Point Clouds

© 2018 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works Pomares, A., Martínez, J.L., Mandow, A., Martínez, M.A., Morán, M., Morales, J. Ground extraction from 3D lidar point clouds with the Classification Learner App (2018) 26th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation, Zadar, Croatia, June 2018, pp.400-405. DOI: PendingGround extraction from three-dimensional (3D) range data is a relevant problem for outdoor navigation of unmanned ground vehicles. Even if this problem has received attention with specific heuristics and segmentation approaches, identification of ground and non-ground points can benefit from state-of-the-art classification methods, such as those included in the Matlab Classification Learner App. This paper proposes a comparative study of the machine learning methods included in this tool in terms of training times as well as in their predictive performance. With this purpose, we have combined three suitable features for ground detection, which has been applied to an urban dataset with several labeled 3D point clouds. Most of the analyzed techniques achieve good classification results, but only a few offer low training and prediction times.This work was partially supported by the Spanish project DPI 2015- 65186-R. The publication has received support from Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Excelencia Andalucía Tech

On the shape of the mass-function of dense clumps in the Hi-GAL fields. II. Using Bayesian inference to study the clump mass function

Context. Stars form in dense, dusty clumps of molecular clouds, but little is known about their origin, their evolution and their detailed physical properties. In particular, the relationship between the mass distribution of these clumps (also known as the "clump mass function", or CMF) and the stellar initial mass function (IMF), is still poorly understood. Aims. In order to better understand how the CMF evolve toward the IMF, and to discern the "true" shape of the CMF, large samples of bona-fide pre- and proto-stellar clumps are required. Two such datasets obtained from the Herschel infrared GALactic Plane Survey (Hi-GAL) have been described in paper I. Robust statistical methods are needed in order to infer the parameters describing the models used to fit the CMF, and to compare the competing models themselves. Methods. In this paper we apply Bayesian inference to the analysis of the CMF of the two regions discussed in Paper I. First, we determine the Bayesian posterior probability distribution for each of the fitted parameters. Then, we carry out a quantitative comparison of the models used to fit the CMF. Results. We have compared the results from several methods implementing Bayesian inference, and we have also analyzed the impact of the choice of priors and the influence of various constraints on the statistical conclusions for the preferred values of the parameters. We find that both parameter estimation and model comparison depend on the choice of parameter priors. Conclusions. Our results confirm our earlier conclusion that the CMFs of the two Hi-GAL regions studied here have very similar shapes but different mass scales. Furthermore, the lognormal model appears to better describe the CMF measured in the two Hi-GAL regions studied here. However, this preliminary conclusion is dependent on the choice of parameters priors.Comment: Submitted for publication to A&A on November 12, 2013. This paper contains 11 pages and 7 figure

Probing the role of point mutations in the cyp51A gene from Aspergillus fumigatus in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Azole-resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus have been detected and the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance characterized. Point mutations in the cyp51A gene have been proved to be related to azole resistance in A. fumigatus clinical strains and with different resistance profiles depending on the amino acid change (G54E, G54V, G54R, G54W, M220V, M220K, M220T, M220I). The aim of this work was to express A. fumigatus cyp51A genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in order to better assess the contribution of each independent amino acid substitution to resistance. A tetracycline regulatable system allowing repression of the endogenous essential ERG11 gene was used. The expression of Aspergillus cyp51A alleles could efficiently restore the absence of ERG11 in S. cerevisiae. In general, S. cerevisiae clones expressing. A. fumigatus cyp51A alleles from azole-resistant isolates showed higher MICs to all azoles tested than those expressing alleles from susceptible isolates. The azole susceptibility profiles obtained in S. cerevisiae upon expression of specific cyp51A alleles recapitulated susceptibility profiles observed from their A. fumigatus origins. In conclusion this work supports the concept that characteristics of specific A. fumigatus cyp51A alleles could be investigated in the heterologous host S. cerevisia

Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) in a Spanish community sample of children and adolescents

There is a growing interest in designing instruments to assess obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children. The Obsessive- Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV) has showed to be a valid in the evaluation of OCD in clinical and nonclinical populations. The main goal in this study was to analyze factor structure and psychometric properties of the OCI-CV in a community Spanish sample. Method: Data were collected from 914 children/adolescents with a mean age of 13.01 (SD = 1.96; Males = 51.3%). Exploratory factor analysis was carried out in order to study the internal structure of the OCI-CV Spanish version. Further, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity of the total score and the factors obtained were examined. Finally, age and gender differences were also explored. Results: Exploratory factor analysis yielded a similar structure to the original OCI-CV with the following six factors: Washing/Checking, Obsession, Ordering, Doubting, Neutralizing, and Hoarding. The internal consistency was strong for the total score, but moderate for the subscales. The Spanish version of the OCI-CV showed evidences of test-retest reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion: The Spanish version of the OCI-CV is an instrument with adequate psychometric properties to assess obsessions and compulsions in Spanish children/adolescents.Psicologí

Psicología Jurídica en España: Delimitación Conceptual, Campos de Investigación e Intervención y Propuesta Formativa dentro de la Enseñanza Oficial / Legal Psychology in Spain: Conceptual Boundary, Fields of Investigation and Intervention and Formative Proposal of Official Education

La Psicología Jurídica como especialidad profesional del psicólogo ha tenido un desarrollo exponencial desde finales de los años ochenta hasta la actualidad, considerándose un campo consolidado dentro de la Psicología Aplicada. Inexplicablemente, sin embargo, esta madurez de la Psicología Jurídica no se ha visto reflejada con su incursión en los nuevos itinerarios curriculares elaborados a partir del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior. En el presente trabajo se maneja como hipótesis explicativa de esta situación la dificultad de vertebrar este campo disciplinar debido a los diversos ámbitos de interés investigador y de intervención. Se pretende, por tanto, generar debate entre académicos y profesionales de la Psicología Jurídica con el fin de buscar el consenso que impulse un firme afianzamiento no sólo de perfiles profesionales específicos dentro del ámbito de la Psicología Jurídica sino de ésta como disciplina dentro de la Psicología. Se propone así, un concepto único para definir el campo, distintas áreas en las que agrupar la investigación y prácticas profesionales, a la vez que se sugiere un proyecto de Master Oficial en Psicología Jurídica como punto de partida para el debate. El reconocimiento académico de la Psicología Jurídica además de garantizar la proyección futura de la disciplina tanto en su vertiente aplicada como de investigación permitirá seguir ofreciendo a la sociedad en general y al mundo de la ley en particular una actuación profesional de calidad y adaptada a los retos futuros. [ABSTRACT]Legal Psychology as psychologist´s professional specialty has had an exponential development since the end of the Eighties until the present time, considering itself a consolidated field within Applied Psychology. Inexplicably, nevertheless, this maturity of Legal Psychology has not been reflected with its incursion in the new curricular itineraries elaborated from the European Space of Superior Education. This paper handles, as an explanatory hypothesis of this situation, the difficulty of integrating this disciplinary field due to the diverse scopes of investigative interest and intervention. It is intended, therefore, to generate debate between academics and professionals of Legal Psychology in altars to the search of the consensus that impels a firm reinforcement not only of specific professional profiles within the scope of Legal Psychology but also as a discipline within Psychology. A unique concept to define the field, different areas in which to group the professional investigation and practices, are being proposed, as well as it is being suggested a project of Official Masters in Legal Psychology as departure point for the debate. The academic recognition of Legal Psychology, along with guaranteeing the future projection of this discipline in its applied and investigative areas, will allow to continue offering a professional and qualified performance adapted to future challenges, to the mainly society and specifically the world of the law

Assessment of cyst content using mean gray value for discriminating endometrioma from other unilocular cysts in premenopausal women

Objective To assess whether the analysis of cyst content using mean gray value (MGV) can discriminate ovarian endometriomas from other unilocular ovarian cysts in premenopausal women. Methods Stored three-dimensional (3D) volumes from 54 unilocular ovarian cysts diagnosed in 50 premenopausal women (mean age, 37 (range, 22–50) years) were analyzed to calculate the MGV from cyst content. Cysts with solid components or septations were excluded. MGV was calculated in all cases with the Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysisTM technique. The Bmode presumptive diagnosis based on the examiner’s subjective impression was also recorded. Results Sixteen of the cysts resolved spontaneously and were given a final clinical diagnosis of hemorrhagic functional cyst, while 38 cysts were removed surgically (diagnosed histologically as seven simple cysts, three hemorrhagic cysts, 20 endometriomas, five mucinous cysts and three paraovarian cysts). B-mode diagnoses were as follows: seven simple cysts, 18 hemorrhagic cysts, 24 endometriomas, three mucinous cysts and two paraovarian cysts. MGV was significantly higher in ovarian endometrioma when compared with all other kinds of cyst. The receiver–operating characteristics curve showed that using an MGV cut-off ≥15.560 had a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 76.5% for diagnosing ovarian endometrioma (area under the curve, 0.831; 95% CI, 0.718–0.944). These figures were similar to those for B-mode diagnosis (sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 82%) (McNemar test, P = 1.000). Combining B-mode and MGV gave a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 91%. Conclusion Cyst content MGV is higher in ovarian endometrioma than it is in other unilocular ovarian cysts. The diagnostic performance of MGV is similar to that of the examiner’s subjective impression. The combination of both criteria achieves the highest specificit

Diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonography for detecting parametrial involvement in women with deep endometriosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for detecting parametrial deep endometriosis, using laparoscopy as the reference standard. Methods: A search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science for studies evaluating TVS for detecting parametrial involvement in women with suspected deep endometriosis, as compared with laparoscopy, from January 2000 to December 2020. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios for TVS in the detection of parametrial deep endometriosis were calculated, and the post-test probability of parametrial deep endometriosis following a positive or negative test was determined. Results: The search identified 134 citations. Four studies, comprising 560 patients, were included in the analysis. The mean prevalence of parametrial deep endometriosis at surgery was 18%. Overall, the pooled estimated sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios of TVS in the detection of parametrial deep endometriosis were 31% (95% CI, 10–64%), 98% (95% CI, 95–99%), 18.5 (95% CI, 8.8–38.9) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.46–1.06), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 26 (95% CI, 10–68). Heterogeneity was high. Visualization of a lesion suspected to be parametrial deep endometriosis on TVS increased significantly the post-test probability of parametrial deep endometriosis. Conclusion: TVS has high specificity but low sensitivity for the detection of parametrial deep endometriosis. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Incidence of zygomycosis in transplant recipients

AbstractRecently, a remarkable increase in the incidence of zygomycosis has been reported from institutions in the USA and Europe. The use of voriconazole for the treatment of aspergillosis and, less frequently, the use of echinocandins as empirical treatment for invasive fungal infections are thought to be responsible for the increase. In addition, an increased incidence of this infection has been observed in transplant recipients, including both haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) patients. There are no global surveys on the prevalence or incidence of zygomycosis, but data from individual institutions and countries show that zygomycosis is an emerging infection. The increased incidence of zygomycosis most probably reflects a greater frequency of predisposing factors, such as higher numbers of patients undergoing HSCT and immunosuppressive chemotherapy. In addition, the emergence of rare pathogens as a result of the rise in the use of antifungal therapy against common species can be postulated. Further, the availability of antifungal agents with activity profiles that are more specific for selected fungi increases the necessity of identifying pathogenic fungi; the frequency of Zygomycetes infections may have been underestimated until now because therapeutic decisions did not depend on the precise identification of pathogenic fungi

Tele-enfermería en pacientes crónicos: revisión sistemática

Para proporcionar un cuidado individualizado e integral a los pacientes que conviven con un proceso crónico se aboga en la actualidad por el uso de nuevas tecnologías, como la tele-enfermería. El objetivo es identificar las principales características de la teleenfermería, así como las barreras y facilitadores para su implantación. Revisión sistemática de las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cinhal, Psycinfo, Cuiden, Dialnet y Scielo entre 2008 y 2019. Los 34 artículos seleccionados identificaron el soporte virtual, el seguimiento telefónico y los dispositivos electrónicos como principales características de la tele-enfermería, el perfil del paciente (no joven, con nivel socioeconómico y educativo bajo) y la resistencia de los profesionales de enfermería fueron las barreras identificadas, mientras que la nueva era tecnológica se identificó como un facilitador para su implementación. Proporcionar una mayor formación entre los profesionales de enfermería para dar a conocer las principales características de la tele-enfermería es fundamental para su aceptación e integración y, consecuentemente, su implantación en la práctica clínica diaria.At present there is a strong case for using new technologies, such as tele-nursing, to provide individualised and integral care to patients who live with a chronic process. The aim is to identify the main characteristics of tele-nursing and the factors that facilitate and hinder its implantation. Systematic review of the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Cinhal, Psycinfo, Cuiden, Dialnet and Scielo during the 2008-2019 period. The 34 articles selected identified virtual support, telephone monitoring and electronic devices as the main characteristics of tele-nursing; the patient’s profile (not young, with a low socio-economic and educational level) and the resistance of the nursing professionals were the barriers identified; while the new technological age was identified as a factor facilitating its implementation. The provision of greater training for nursing professionals to make them aware of the main characteristics of tele-nursing is essential for its acceptance and integration and consequent implantation in daily clinical practice