SAVERS: SAR ATR with Verification Support Based on Convolutional Neural Network

We propose a new convolutional neural network (CNN) which performs coarse and fine segmentation for end-to-end synthetic aperture radar (SAR) automatic target recognition (ATR) system. In recent years, many CNNs for SAR ATR using deep learning have been proposed, but most of them classify target classes from fixed size target chips extracted from SAR imagery. On the other hand, we proposed the CNN which outputs the score of the multiple target classes and a background class for each pixel from the SAR imagery of arbitrary size and multiple targets as fine segmentation. However, it was necessary for humans to judge the CNN segmentation result. In this report, we propose a CNN called SAR ATR with verification support (SAVERS), which performs region-wise (i.e. coarse) segmentation and pixel-wise segmentation. SAVERS discriminates between target and non-target, and classifies multiple target classes and non-target class by coarse segmentation. This report describes the evaluation results of SAVERS using the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) dataset.Comment: Technical Report, 6 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables, Copyright(C)2018 IEICE. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1801.0855

Variabilidad del índice de conicidad en la adolescencia: Análisis comparativos de poblaciones de Argentina, Venezuela y España

El objetivo del presente trabajo –que se enmarca en un proyecto común denominado “Condición nutricional y biodiversidad en las poblaciones humanas”- es determinar el modelo de distribución de grasa corporal existente durante las edades de la adolescencia, y si existen diferencias entre poblaciones española e iberoamericanas. La muestra está formada por 1452 jóvenes entre 12 y 17 años, argentinos (Catamarca y Jujuy), españoles (Comunidad de Madrid), y venezolanos (Caracas y Mérida). Se analizó la distribución de grasa corporal haciendo especial énfasis en el Índice de Conicidad (IC). Al analizar este índice respecto a edad se observa que cambia en mayor grado que otros indicadores de adiposidad. Cada serie presenta, además, su propio patrón de variación. Los resultados obtenidos se interpretan en función de parámetros geográficos y socioeconómicos en los que se desenvuelven las poblaciones analizadas.Simposio: Nutrición en la globalización.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentin

Indicadores de obesidad en jóvenes adolescentes: aplicación de las curvas ROC

Se aplica la metodología de las curvas ROC para establecer la sensibilidad y especificidad de distintos marcadores de adiposidad en diferentes grupos humanos con el objeto de conocer la validez diagnóstica de los mismos. La muestra se compone de 1775 jóvenes (839 varones y 936 mujeres) entre 12 y 17 años residentes en la Comunidad de Madrid (España) y las provincias de Catamarca y Jujuy (Argentina). Se calcularon distintos estimadores de composición corporal basados tanto en pliegues como en la relación de perímetros, además del IMC. Tomando como variable de referencia el porcentaje de grasa, se llevó a cabo un análisis matemático y gráfico denominado Receiving Operational Characteristics o curvas ROC. Los resultados de las comparaciones entre variables y series indican que el nivel de precisión de las distintas variables no es siempre similar, ni para todos los marcadores ni entre ambas poblaciones. De manera general, el IMC el índice de conicidad y el de cintura cadera resultan ser los mas predictivos en la estimación de la obesidad valorada como exceso de grasa corporal.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentina (AABRA

Continental Origin for Q Haplogroup Patrilineages in Argentina and Paraguay

Haplogroup Q originated in Eurasia around 30,000 years ago. It is present in Y-chromosomes from Asia and Europe at rather low frequencies. Since America is undoubtedly one of the continents where this haplogroup is highly represented, it has been defined as one of the founding haplogroups. Its M3 clade has been early described as the most frequent, with Pan-American representation. However, it was also possible to find several other haplogroup Q clades at low frequencies. Numerous mutations have been described for haplogroup Q, allowing the analysis of its variability and the assignment of its geographic origin. We have analyzed 442 samples belonging to haplogroup Q of unrelated men from Argentina and Paraguay, but this work is specifically referred to 27 Q (xM3) lineages. We tested 3 SNPs by APLP, 3 for RFLP, 15 SNPs by Sanger sequencing, and 17 STRs. Our approach allowed us to identify 5 sub-haplogroups. Q-M3 and Q-CTS2730/Z780 are undoubtedly autochthonous lineages and represent the most frequent sub-haplogroups. With significant representation in self-defined aboriginal populations, their autochthonous status has been previously described. The aim of present work is to identify the continental origin of the remaining Q lineages. Thus, we analyzed the STR haplotypes for the samples of our series and compared them with haplotypes described by other authors for the rest of the world. Even when haplogroup Qs have been extensively studied in America, some of them could have their origin in post Columbian human migration from Europe and Middle East

Indicadores de obesidad en jóvenes adolescentes: aplicación de las curvas ROC

Se aplica la metodología de las curvas ROC para establecer la sensibilidad y especificidad de distintos marcadores de adiposidad en diferentes grupos humanos con el objeto de conocer la validez diagnóstica de los mismos. La muestra se compone de 1775 jóvenes (839 varones y 936 mujeres) entre 12 y 17 años residentes en la Comunidad de Madrid (España) y las provincias de Catamarca y Jujuy (Argentina). Se calcularon distintos estimadores de composición corporal basados tanto en pliegues como en la relación de perímetros, además del IMC. Tomando como variable de referencia el porcentaje de grasa, se llevó a cabo un análisis matemático y gráfico denominado Receiving Operational Characteristics o curvas ROC. Los resultados de las comparaciones entre variables y series indican que el nivel de precisión de las distintas variables no es siempre similar, ni para todos los marcadores ni entre ambas poblaciones. De manera general, el IMC el índice de conicidad y el de cintura cadera resultan ser los mas predictivos en la estimación de la obesidad valorada como exceso de grasa corporal.Asociación de Antropología Biológica de la República Argentina (AABRA

Subscapular and triceps skinfolds reference values of Hispanic American children and adolescents and their comparison with the reference of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Introduction: the assessment of the skinfold thickness is an objective measure of adiposity. Therefore, it is a useful tool for nutritional diagnosis and prevention of metabolic risk associated with excess fat in chilhood and adolescence. Objective: to provide percentiles of subscapular and triceps skinfolds for Hispanic American schoolchildren and compare them with those published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from United States, that it have been commonly used as a reference in most of these countries. Methods: subscapular and triceps skinfolds were measured in 9.973 schoolchildren 4-19 aged from Spain, Argentina, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico with Holtain caliper with 0.2 mm accuracy. Percentiles were obtained with the LMS statistical method and were presented in tables divided in stages of 6 months and in curves graphics. The difference between Hispanic American and CDC mean values were provided for P3, P50 and P97 in mm and also were graphically represented. Results: skinfolds measurements obviously increased with age in both sexes but, in boys, this increase is much more marked in highest percentiles between 8 and 13 years; this maximum is reached earlier than what occurs in CDC reference. In both sexes, all percentiles analized in Hispanic American schoolchildren were higher than the CDC reference except P97 up to 10 or 13 years that was notably smaller. Conclusions: the skinfolds percentiles of Hispanic American children and adolescents differ from CDC that are usually used as reference. The values of subscapular and triceps skinfolds provided in this study, could be applied to populations of a similar ethnic background, especially in comparative studies of body composition

A research agenda for seed-trait functional ecology

Trait-based approaches have improved our understanding of plant evolution, community assembly and ecosystem functioning. A major challenge for the upcoming decades is to understand the functions and evolution of early life-history traits, across levels of organization and ecological strategies. Although a variety of seed traits are critical for dispersal, persistence, germination timing and seedling establishment, only seed mass has been considered systematically. Here we suggest broadening the range of morphological, physiological and biochemical seed traits to add new understanding on plant niches, population dynamics and community assembly. The diversity of seed traits and functions provides an important challenge that will require international collaboration in three areas of research. First, we present a conceptual framework for a seed ecological spectrum that builds upon current understanding of plant niches. We then lay the foundation for a seed-trait functional network, the establishment of which will underpin and facilitate trait-based inferences. Finally, we anticipate novel insights and challenges associated with incorporating diverse seed traits into predictive evolutionary ecology, community ecology and applied ecology. If the community invests in standardized seed-trait collection and the implementation of rigorous databases, major strides can be made at this exciting frontier of functional ecology

Geographic Patterns of Genome Admixture in Latin American Mestizos

The large and diverse population of Latin America is potentially a powerful resource for elucidating the genetic basis of complex traits through admixture mapping. However, no genome-wide characterization of admixture across Latin America has yet been attempted. Here, we report an analysis of admixture in thirteen Mestizo populations (i.e. in regions of mainly European and Native settlement) from seven countries in Latin America based on data for 678 autosomal and 29 X-chromosome microsatellites. We found extensive variation in Native American and European ancestry (and generally low levels of African ancestry) among populations and individuals, and evidence that admixture across Latin America has often involved predominantly European men and both Native and African women. An admixture analysis allowing for Native American population subdivision revealed a differentiation of the Native American ancestry amongst Mestizos. This observation is consistent with the genetic structure of pre-Columbian populations and with admixture having involved Natives from the area where the Mestizo examined are located. Our findings agree with available information on the demographic history of Latin America and have a number of implications for the design of association studies in population from the region