Detección de características en imágenes basadas en el tensor de color

La correspondencia entre dos imágenes sigue siendo un de los aspectos más críticos de la visión por computador. Su resolución se emplea en numerosas tareas, entre las que destacan: Reconocimiento de objetos o escenas, resolver una estructura 3D entre múltiples imágenes, correspondencia estéreo, y seguimiento de objetos. El descriptor Sift ha demostrado ser el mejor detector de características invariantes en imágenes en escala de gris; sin embargo cuando la imagen tiene una pobre iluminación el detector de Sift presenta deficiencias en poder realizar el casamiento en las características detectadas, es decir, es poco robusto a los cambios bruscos de iluminación. Por otro lado la información del color puede ser utilizada para compensar, complementar o reemplazar a un descriptor de forma, dada la gran cantidad de información que se puede extraer del modelo de color. En este trabajo proponemos un descriptor de color basado en el Tensor de Color de Di Zenzo, el cual mejora el desempeño del Sift original, manteniendo las invariancias con respecto a traslaciones, rotaciones, cambios de iluminación, sombras y reflejos. En general el descriptor de color puede ser aplicado a una amplia variedad de imágenes, donde se detecten y realicen el match de estas características utilizando solo el criterio del color

Mesoporous niobium oxide for dehydration of D-xylose into furfural

Se ha demostrado que el óxido de niobio mesoporoso es un catalizador eficaz para la deshidratación de D-xilosa a furfural, alcanzando una conversión del 92% y un rendimiento de furfural 49,3% a 170º C y 90 minutos. La lixiviación de Nb, determinada por ICP-MS, era inferior al 0,5% en peso de la concentración de Nb inicial, confirmando de este modo la estabilidad del catalizador ácido sólido.El furfural posee un gran potencial como molécula plataforma de origen renovable para la síntesis de una alta variedad de compuestos químicos. Se obtiene mediante la deshidratación de pentosas, principalmente a partir de D-xilosa, proceso catalizado por ácidos minerales en fase homogénea. Por tanto, dentro de la química verde y la búsqueda de sostenibilidad de los procesos catalíticos, es necesaria su sustitución por catalizadores sólidos ácidos que sean tolerantes al agua, ya que es el disolvente más utilizado para esta reacción. El óxido de niobio posee propiedades ácidas y es insoluble en agua, pero su superficie específica es muy baja. Por lo tanto, resulta muy interesante la síntesis de un óxido de niobio mesoporoso para emplearlo como catalizador en esta reacción. En este trabajo, se ha sintetizado un Nb2O5 mesoporoso y se ha evaluado su comportamiento catalítico en la obtención de furfural a partir de D-xilosa.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (ENE2009-12743-C04-03 project)Junta de Andalucía (P09-FQM-5070).Ministry of Science and Innovation for the financial support under the Program Ramón y Cajal (RYC-2008-03387)

Estudio de prefactibilidad para la producción de cultivos aeropónicos en granjas verticales

El presente proyecto se realizó con la finalidad de comprobar la hipótesis sobre la viabilidad comercial, técnica, financiera y social de la instalación de una planta para la producción de cultivos en granjas verticales. El crecimiento de la población, tendencia a la alimentación saludable y la escasez de tierras agrícolas se presentan como factores que justifican la evaluación de este proyecto. En el capítulo 2 la cartera de productos se determinó a partir de una encuesta, seleccionando las hortalizas que mayormente consume el público objetivo (hogares del NSE A, B y C1 de Lima Metropolitana). Como propuesta de valor se propuso priorizar el sabor, nutrición, inocuidad y el cuidado del medio ambiente usando la estrategia genérica de diferenciación. Se obtuvo una demanda de proyecto de 460,001 kg. de hortalizas al término del periodo del proyecto y los precios se definieron en base a la estrategia de paridad competitiva. La ubicación del proyecto resultó en la zona Lima Sur en el distrito de Lurín, entre los principales factores evaluados fueron los meteorológicos, horas de luz solar y precio de terrenos. El capítulo 4 detalla el factor limitante de producción, que concluye en el tamaño-mercado. En el capítulo 5 se desarrolla el diagrama de procesos de proyectos generalizado para las hortalizas seleccionadas. Se halló el cuello de botella, en el área de cosecha conduciendo a una capacidad de planta de 113UE/año. Al término del capítulo se muestra la distribución de planta resultando en un área total de 2837.63m2. Finalmente se desarrolla el presupuesto del proyecto, concluyendo en un retorno económico en 2 años y 8 meses de operación del proyecto.This project was carried out in order to test the hypothesis about the commercial, technical, financial and social viability of the installation of a plant for the production of crops in vertical farms. Population growth, a trend towards healthy eating and the scarcity of agricultural land are presented as factors that justify the evaluation of this project. Chapter 2 and the product portfolio, based on a survey, the vegetables that the target audience consumes the most (households of NSE A, B and C1 of Metropolitan Lima) are selected. As a value proposition, it was proposed to prioritize taste, nutrition, safety and care for the environment using the generic differentiation strategy. A project demand of 460,001 Kg of vegetables was obtained at the end of the project period and the prices were defined based on the competitive parity strategy. The location of the project was in the Lima Sur area in the Lurin district, among the main factors evaluated were meteorological, hours of sunlight and land prices. Chapter 4 details the limiting factor of production, which concludes in the size-market. Chapter 5 develops the generalized project process diagram for the selected vegetables. The bottleneck was found in the harvest area leading to a plant capacity of 113UE / year. At the end of the chapter, the plant distribution is shown, resulting in a total area of 2837.63m2. Finally, the project budget is developed, concluding in an economic return in 2 years and 8 months of project operation

Supplementation of arachidonic acid rich oil in European sea bass juveniles (Dicentrarchus labrax) diets: Effects on growth performance, tissue fatty acid profile and lipid metabolism

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) levels (from 1 up to 6 % of total fatty acids) on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles growth performance, tissue fatty acid profile, liver morphology as well as long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis, triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis and lipid transport. A diet with total fish oil (FO) replacement and defatted fish meal (FM) containing a 0.1 g ARA g-1 diet was added to the experimental design as a negative control diet. Dietary ARA inclusion levels below 0.2 g ARA g-1 diet significantly worsened growth even only 30 days after the start of the feeding trial, whereas dietary ARA had no effect on fish survival. Liver, muscle and whole body fatty acid profile mainly reflected dietary contents and ARA content increased accordingly with ARA dietary levels. Tissue eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels were positively correlated among them. Hepatic lipid vacuolization increased with reduced dietary ARA levels. Expressions of fatty acyl desaturase 2 and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme genes were up-regulated in fish fed the negative control diet compared to the rest of the dietary treatments denoting the influence of ARA on lipid metabolism. Results obtained highlight the need to include adequate n-6 levels and not only n-3 LC-PUFA levels in European sea bass diets. Keywords: Dicentrarchus labrax, arachidonic acid, growth performance, tissue fatty acid profile, lipid metabolis

Physiological pathways involved in nutritional muscle dystrophy and healing in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae

The potential muscle regeneration after nutritional dystrophy caused by high dietary DHA contents in fish and the physiological pathways involved are still unknown. To better understand this process, an experiment was conducted for 3 weeks in 14 day-old European sea bass larvae using different DHA ratios (1 or 5%). After this period, part of the larvae fed 5% DHA diet was switched to 1% DHA diet ("wash-out") for another 2 weeks. Larvae fed 5% DHA diet showed altered oxidative status as indicated by the highest TBARS values, antioxidant enzymes (AOE) expression and incidence of muscular lesions. Accordingly, "washed-out" larvae showed lower dry weight and α-TOH content. IGF-I gene expression was elevated in 5% DHA larvae at 35 dph, suggesting increased muscle mitogenesis that was corroborated by the increase in myosin heavy chain expression. It can be concluded that high dietary DHA contents alter the oxidative status and cause muscular lesions in European sea bass larvae, with morphological and molecular aspects of mammalians muscular degenerative disease

Validity of the PARADISE24 questionnaire in people with substance use disorders : A measure to assess psychosocial difficulties

Objectives: Psychosocial difficulties (PSDs) are common in people with substance use disorders (SUDs). The PARADISE24 has been shown to be an adequate tool for measuring PSDs in inpatients with SUDs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PARADISE24 in a sample of patients with SUDs. Methods: 2637 participants with SUDs completed the PARADISE24 questionnaire during their treatment. The latent structure of the PARADISE24 questionnaire was analyzed in the outpatient sample by means of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA). Metric invariance was then assessed in relation to the inpatient sample using multiple group CFA. Finally, evidences of known-groups validity were checked to test the ability of the questionnaire to differentiate between socio-demographic and clinical groups. Results: The one-factor model presented an adequate fit in both the EFA (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.07) and the CFA (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.07) solutions. The reliability of the scale was found to be high (alpha = 0.93). Strict metric invariance between inpatients and outpatients was achieved (RMSEA = 0.063; TLI = 0.983; CFI = 0.981). The PARADISE24 was able to discriminate between the inpatients and outpatients at both latent (d = 0.98) and observed levels (d = 0.86). Conclusions: The PARADISE24 is a unidimensional tool that is reliable for assessing and comparing PSDs in both outpatients and inpatients with SUDs. Further research is required for evaluating the ability of the PARADISE24 to quantify longitudinal changes in PSDs.Peer reviewe

Cobertura radicular mediante la utilización de un injerto subepitelial de tejido conectivo combinado con un colgajo pediculado avanzado coronalmente

Las recesiones gingivales son un hallazgo clínico muy frecuente que ocasionan problemas estéticos, hipersensibilidad dentaria y dificultad para llevar a cabo una correcta higiene oral en los pacientes. Uno de los objetivos de la terapia periodontal es corregir quirúrgicamente las recesiones; se han descrito una variedad de enfoques quirúrgicos como métodos efectivos para cubrir las superficies radiculares expuestas, siendo el injerto libre de tejido conectivo una de las técnicas que hoy en día ofrece un buen porcentaje de éxito y predecibilidad.Se presenta el caso de un paciente con retracción del margen gingival en el maxilar superior derecho; se describe el procedimiento quirúrgico usando una técnica bilaminar empleando un injerto subepitelial de tejido conectivo bajo un colgajo de espesor parcial posicionado coronalmente, y se obtienen buenos resultados estéticos y cobertura radicular. Palabras clave: Recesión gingival, cubrimiento radicular, injerto de tejido conectivo, colgajo de avance coronal.AbstractGingival recession is a very often clinic complaint which frecuently cause esthetic prob­­lems, hypersensibility and inadecuate oral hygiene to patients. One of the objetives of periodontal therapy is to correct gingival recession, for their treatment some techniques of mucogingival surgery have been designed, being the connective tissue graft, so far, one that offers good percentage of success as weIl as great predictibility. This clinical report describes a patient with gingival recession on the maxillar right side. A radicular covering using a bilaminar technique with a subepithelial connective tissue graft combined with a coronally advanced flap is used in order to solve the case providing good aesthetic results and root coverage. Key words: Gingival recession, root coverage, connective tissue graft, coronally advanced flap

Effects of thermal stress on the expression of glucocorticoid receptor complex linked genes in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis): Acute and adaptive stress responses

The present study examined the short and mid-term effects of a rise in temperature from 18 ºC to 24 ºC on the expression of genes related to the stress response regulation in juveniles of Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis. The animals were exposed to a temperature increase of 6 °C, after 1 month of acclimation at 18 ºC. After this process, samples of different tissues were collected from a total of 96 fish at four sampling points: 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days and 1 week. The transcript levels of a set of genes involved in the stress response such as glucocorticoid receptors 1 and 2, corticotrophin-releasing factor, corticotrophin-releasing factor binding proteins, proopiomelanocortin A and B, and cellular stress defense (heat shock protein 70, 90AA and 90AB) were quantified at these sampling points. Additionally, blood samples were also taken to measure the circulating plasma cortisol concentration.  Thermal stress induced by increasing temperature prompted an elevation of plasma cortisol levels in juvenile Senegalese sole after 1 h as a short-term response, and a consecutive increase after one week, as a mid-term response.. Senegalese sole seemed to respond positively in terms of adaptive mechanisms, with a rapid over-expression of grs and hsps in liver and brain, significantly higher after one hour post stress, denoting the fast and acute response of those tissues to a rapid change on temperature. The ratio hsp90/gr also increased 24 h after thermal shock, ratio proposed to be an adaptive mechanism to prevent proteosomal degradation of GR. As a mid-term response, the elevation of brain crfbp gene expression one week after thermal shock could be an adaptive mechanism of negative feedback on HPI axis Taken together, these data suggested an initial up-regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor complex linked genes in response to a temperature increase in Senegalese sole, with heat shock protein 90 potentially being a regulatory factor for the glucocorticoid receptor in the presence of cortisol

Evaluation of a high-EPA oil from transgenic Camelina sativa in feeds for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): Effects on tissue fatty acid composition, histology and gene expression

Currently, one alternative for dietary fish oil (FO) in aquafeeds is vegetable oils (VO) that are devoid of omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). Entirely new sources of n-3 LC-PUFA such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids through de novo production are a potential solution to fill the gap between supply and demand of these important nutrients. Camelina sativa was metabolically engineered to produce a seed oil (ECO) with N20% EPA and its potential to substitute for FO in Atlantic salmon feeds was tested. Fish were fed with one of the three experimental diets containing FO, wild-type camelina oil (WCO) or ECO as the sole lipid sources for 7 weeks. Inclusion of ECO did not affect any of the performance parameters studied and enhanced apparent digestibility of individual n-6 and n-3 PUFA compared to dietaryWCO. High levels of EPA were maintained in brain, liver and intestine (pyloric caeca), and levels of DPA and DHA were increased in liver and intestine of fish fed ECO compared to fish fed WCO likely due to increased LC-PUFA biosynthesis based on up-regulation of the genes. Fish fed ECO showed slight lipid accumulation within hepatocytes similar to that with WCO, although not significantly different to fish fed FO. The regulation of a small number of genes could be attributed to the specific effect of ECO (311 features) with metabolismbeing the most affected category. The EPA oil from transgenic Camelina (ECO) could be used as a substitute for FO, however it is a hybrid oil containing both FO (EPA) and VO (18:2n-6) fatty acid signatures that resulted in similarly mixed metabolic and physiological responses

Dietary combination of vitamin E, C and K affects growth, antioxidant activity, and the incidence of systemic granulomatosis in meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

Systemic granulomatosis is a growing disease with a high morbidity, which affects to the majority of farmed meagre (Argyrosomus regius). The impossibility of isolating any infectious agents has hypothesized a nutritional origin of the disease. In order to try to elucidate the nutritional origin of granulomas, juvenile meagre were fed for 15 weeks with six diets containing different levels of vitamin E and C and with or without addition of vitamin K: Diet 0 (basal premix, no K, 150 mg kg‐−1 E, 20 mg kg‐−1 C), K (added 23 mg kg‐−1 K), EC (300 mg kg‐−1 E, 70 mg kg‐−1 C), KEC (23 mg kg‐−1 K, 300 mg kg‐−1 E, 70 mg kg‐−1 C), EECC (450 mg kg‐−1 E, 230 mg kg‐−1 C) and KEECC (23 mg kg‐−1 K, 450 mg kg‐−1 E, 230 mg kg‐−1 C). The diet EC significantly increased meagre growth in terms of final weight and length. Fish fed the highest levels of vitamin E and C presented lower percentage of granulomas in liver and heart than fish fed diet 0. The scored severity of granulomatosis in liver and kidney (main affected organs) tended to be lower with dietary increase of vitamin E, C and addition of vitamin K (from 1.83 diet 0 to 1.3 diet KEECC and from 0.91 diet 0 to 0.39 diet KEECC). In liver, the diet KEECC significantly increased catalase expression compared with diet 0. In kidney tnfα expression was significantly up-regulated in fish fed diet EECC and KEECC. In heart, low vitamin E and C levels (300 and 70 mg kg‐−1, respectively) significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase expression and high addition increased the expression of tnfα and cox-2 (0 or 23 mg kg‐−1 K, 450 mg kg‐−1 E and 230 mg kg‐−1 C, diet EECC and KEECC). The results show that combination of high dietary content of vitamin K and antioxidant vitamins E and C (23, 450 and 230 mg kg‐−1, respectively) influenced in the incidence of the granulomatosis, which suggests that this pathology could be mediated by nutritional factors