Enhancement and Edge-Preserving Denoising: An OpenCL-Based Approach for Remote Sensing Imagery

Image enhancement and edge-preserving denoising are relevant steps before classification or other postprocessing techniques for remote sensing images. However, multisensor array systems are able to simultaneously capture several low-resolution images from the same area on different wavelengths, forming a high spatial/spectral resolution image and raising a series of new challenges. In this paper, an open computing language based parallel implementation approach is presented for near real-time enhancement based on Bayesian maximum entropy (BME), as well as an edge-preserving denoising algorithm for remote sensing imagery, which uses the local linear Stein’s unbiased risk estimate (LLSURE). BME was selected for its results on synthetic aperture radar image enhancement, whereas LLSURE has shown better noise removal properties than other commonly used methods. Within this context, image processing methods are algorithmically adapted via parallel computing techniques and efficiently implemented using CPUs and commodity graphics processing units (GPUs). Experimental results demonstrate the reduction of computational load of real-world image processing for near real-time GPU adapted implementation.ITESO, A.C

Achieving rotorcraft noise and emissions reduction for 'Clean Sky' - The measurement of success

This paper describes the work done and strong interaction between Cranfield University as member of the Technology Evaluator (TE) team , Green Rotorcraft (GRC) Integrated Technology Demonstrator (ITD) and Sustainable and Green Engine (SAGE) ITD of the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative (JTI). The aim of Clean Sky is to develop and integrate new and innovative technologies that will hel p meeting the emission and noise reduction targets set by the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) for aircraft of next generation. The GRC and SAGE ITDs are responsible for developing new helicopter airframe and engine t echnologies respectively, whilst the TE has the distinctive role of assessing the environmental impact of these technologies at single flight (mission), airport and Air Transport System levels (ATS). Cranfield University as a member of the TE is responsibl e for the mission trajectory definition and for conducting the environmental performance assessments . The assessments reported herein have been performed by using a GRC - developed multi - disciplinary simulation framework called PhoeniX (Platform Hosting Oper ational and Environmental Investigations for Rotorcraft) that comprises various computational modules. These modules include a rotorcraft performance code (EUROPA), an engine performance and emissions simulation tool (GSP) and a noise prediction code (HELE NA). PhoeniX can predict the performance of a helicopter along a prescribed 4D trajectory offering a complete helicopter mission analysis. In the context of the TE assessments reported herein, three helicopter classes are examined, namely a Twin Engine Lig ht (TEL) configuration, for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Police missions, and a Single Engine Light (SEL) configuration for Passenger/Transport missions, and a Twin Engine Heavy (TEH) configuration for Oil & Gas missions. The different technologies assessed reflect three simulation points which are the ‘Baseline’ Year 2000 technology, ‘Reference’ Y2020 technology, without Clean Sky benefits, and finally the ‘Conceptual’, reflecting Y2020 technology with Clean Sky benefits. The results of this study i llustrate the potential that incorporated technologies possess in terms of improving performance and gas emission metrics such as fuel burn, CO2, NOx as well as the noise footprint on the ground

Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in a Fila Brasileiro dog

Background: In human medicine, arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy was described as a primary disease of the heart characterized by fibroadipose replacement of the myocardium..Case Description: We report the case of a dog, with history of syncope and irregular cardiac rhythm. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and a 24-hour Holter monitoring showed, respectively, the presence of premature ventricular complexes with right bundle branch block morphology, an increase of the left ventricle end-diastolic diameter with preserved fractional shortening and ejection fraction, and a sinus arrhythmia as baseline rhythm with supraventricular tachycardia episodes and ventricular complexes with left bundle branch block morphology. After the death of the canine, a postmortem examination showed cardiomegaly. Fibroadipose replacement of the septum and both ventricles,with left ventricle myocardial fibrosis, suggestive of previous necrosis, was observed.Conclusion: These findings are suggestive of left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been described in veterinary medicine

An FPGA Kalman-MPPT implementation adapted in SST-based dual active bridge converters for DC microgrids systems

The design of digital hardware controllers for the integration of renewable energy sources in DC microgrids is a research topic of interest. In this paper, a Kalman filter-based maximum power point tracking algorithm is implemented in an FPGA and adapted in a dual active bridge (DAB) converter topology for DC microgrids. This approach uses the Hardware/Software (HW/SW) co-design paradigm in combination with a pipelined piecewise polynomial approximation design of the Kalman-maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm instead of traditional lookup table (LUT)-based methods. Experimental results reveal a good integration of the Kalman-MPPT design with the DAB-based converter, particularly during irradiation and temperature variations due to changes in weather conditions, as well as a good balanced hardware design in complexity and area-time performance compared to other state-of-art FPGA designs

Una hipótesis sobre el incremento del precio del limón en México, 2022

In the first quarter of 2022, the price of lemons reached retail prices never before recorded in the Mexican economy. Despite the fact that Mexico is the second largest producer of lemons internationally, a kilogram was sold for up to $120 Mexican pesos (approximately 6.00 US dollars) in popular markets and supermarkets. This situation caused anger in Mexican households because lemons, in addition to being part of the basic food basket, are the basis of many daily dishes and are commonly used to treat and cure various ailments and diseases. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to propose a hypothesis about the increase in the price of lemons in Mexico based on a mismatch between supply and demand. For this purpose, national statistics on production, consumption, and exports were reviewed to delimit this market mismatch. It is concluded that the preference of large producers to place their product in foreign markets that pay in dollars, as well as an unexpected boom in the consumption of lemons and their pharmaceutical derivatives to prevent and cure COVID-19 in the United States, are responsible for the market mismatch.En el primer trimestre de 2022 el precio del limón alcanzó precios al menudeo jamás antes registrados en la economía mexicana. Pese a que México es el segundo productor de limón a nivel internacional, el kilogramo se llegó a vender hasta en$120 pesos mexicanos (aprox. 6 dólares americanos) en mercados populares y supermercados. Esta situación provocó encono en los hogares mexicanos pues el limón, más allá de formar parte de la canasta básica, es base de múltiples platillos cotidianos y es común su uso para tratamiento y cura de distintos males y enfermedades. Por lo anterior es que este trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer una hipótesis sobre el incremento del precio del limón en México basada en un desajuste de la oferta y la demanda. Para ello se revisaron estadísticas nacionales de producción, consumo y exportaciones para delimitar dicho desajuste de mercado. Se concluye que la preferencia de los grandes productores por colocar su producto en mercados extranjeros que pagan en dólares, así como un inesperado auge de consumo de limón y derivados farmacéuticos de este para prevenir y curar el COVID-19 en Estados Unidos, son los responsables del desajuste de mercado. En el primer trimestre de 2022 el precio del limón alcanzó precios al menudeo jamás antes registrados en la economía mexicana. Pese a que México es el segundo productor de limón a nivel internacional, el kilogramo se llegó a vender hasta en $120 pesos mexicanos (aprox. 6 dólares americanos) en mercados populares y supermercados. Esta situación provocó encono en los hogares mexicanos pues el limón, más allá de formar parte de la canasta básica, es base de múltiples platillos cotidianos y es común su uso para tratamiento y cura de distintos males y enfermedades. Por lo anterior es que este trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer una hipótesis sobre el incremento del precio del limón en México basada en un desajuste de la oferta y la demanda. Para ello se revisaron estadísticas nacionales de producción, consumo y exportaciones para delimitar dicho desajuste de mercado. Se concluye que la preferencia de los grandes productores por colocar su producto en mercados extranjeros que pagan en dólares, así como un inesperado auge de consumo de limón y derivados farmacéuticos de este para prevenir y curar el COVID-19 en Estados Unidos, son los responsables del desajuste de mercado

Fracturas de tibia, tratamiento con CIMB no fresados

A descriptive study was realized on different types of cases that analyze inherent aspects of 92 closed and openedshaft fractures of tibia type I and II of Gustillo. These 125 fractures were treated in the orthopedic and traumatologyservice in the Clinica El Prado in Santa Marta D.T.C.H between December 2005 and December 2007. From these 125cases, 33 cases were excluded of this study which needed different approaches, as well as orthopedic or surgicalmanagement with external fixation or tutors. We used the AO classification in which the type of injury correspondnumber 42.In this study a high level of transit accidents is found; the most common one being the motorcycle. 86 of 92 patientswere evaluated; this means 93.5% and several complications in 4.6% of the cases such as post operative infectionand distortion in the proximal and distal level for different causes. These causes were corrected after short periodof time with different procedures.Se realizó un estudio descriptivo tipo serie de casos en el cual se analizan diversos aspectos inherentes al tratamiento quirúrgico de 92 fracturas de tibia diafisiarias cerradas y abiertas tipo I y II de Gustillo, tratadas con Clavos Intramedulares Bloqueados No Fresados (CIMBNF) de las 125 atendidas servicio de ortopedia y traumatología de la Clínica El Prado de la Ciudad de Santa Marta D.T.C.H., entre diciembre del 2005 y diciembre del 2007. Se excluyeron de este estudio 33 casos en los cuales por diversas causas se realizó otro tipo de tratamiento fuera ortopédico o quirúrgico mediante colocación de fijadores externos. Utilizamos la clasificación del AO en la cual a este tipo de lesiones corresponde el número 42. Encontramos una alta incidencia en accidentes de transito como factor productor de este tipo de lesión y dentro de ellos la motocicleta como vehículo mas frecuente. Fueron evaluados 86 de los 92 pacientes que corresponde al 93.5% y dentro de ellos se presentaron complicaciones mayores en el 4.6%, cabe mencionar Infecciones post operatorias y deformidades a nivel proximal y distal por diversas causas, las cuales fueron corregidas con procedimientos ulteriores. (Duazary 2008; 1: 4 - 8

Fracturas de clavícula. Tratamiento quirúrgico con clavos intramedulares flexibles

A descriptive type study was made in twelve clavicle fractures treated in a surgical method through flexibleintra medullar nails.All of the cases were treated by the authors, in a private hospital called El Prado in the city of Santa Marta,through a close reduction with a radiological control. The results were excellent and good in all cases. Afterfour weeks clinical consolidation was seen so they would get back to work around the sixth week. Everysingle patient were highly satisfied with the treatmentAs a conclusion the applied treatment is a therapeutic option to take into account when displaced fractures,external, medium or internal third, giving success with out any kind of trouble that the traditional treatmentused to present. Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo en una serie de casos en el cual se presentan los resultados de 12 fracturas de clavícula tratadas en forma quirúrgica mediante clavos intramedulares flexibles. Todos los pacientes fueron tratados por los autores en la Clínica El Prado del D.T.C.H. de la Ciudad de Santa Marta mediante reducción cerrada bajo control radioscópico. Presentando resultados excelentes y buenos en todos los casos. Así mismo, se evidenció consolidación clínica a las cuatro semanas con reintegro a la vida laboral alrededor de las seis semanas. Todos los pacientes mostraron alto grado de satisfacción con el resultado obtenido. Se concluye que el tratamiento empleado es una alternativa terapéutica a tener en cuenta en aquellas fracturas desplazadas, sean estas del tercio externo, medio o interno que permite consolidación sin las complicaciones que con alguna frecuencia se presentan con el tratamiento conservador. (Duazary 2006; 2:115-120

Reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento cruzado anteriorcon injerto autólogo del tendón patelar

We are present a descriptive transversal study with 36 patients, who were operative treatment with arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament with patellar-ligament graft, between January 2004 – January 2006.Of 36 patients included in this studied were operated 25 patients with interference screw fixation in femoral and tibial, in order to, 11 patients were treated with absorbable femoral pins and interference screw in tibia. The variables considerated were morbidity, sport practice again, associated lesions, complications and satisfaction level. In all patients the Lisholm scale was aplicated. The results were expressed in porcental relation and were similarly with other studies. Se presenta un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, en el cual treinta y seis pacientes fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente para reconstrucción artroscópica de ligamento cruzado anterior con auto injerto de tendón patelar en el periodo comprendido de enero del 2004 y enero del 2006. De los treinta y seis pacientes que hicieron parte del presente estudio, en 25 pacientes se practicó la fijación con tornillos de interferencia femoral y tibial, y en los 11 restantes en el componente femoral clavijas reabsorvibles y en el componente tibial tornillo de interferencia. Las variables consideradas fueron rango de movilidad, reintegro a la vida deportiva, presencia de lesiones asociadas, complicaciones y nivel de satisfacción. En todos los pacientes fue aplicada la escala de Lisholm. Los resultados obtenidos se expresan en términos de relación porcentual y son comparables con los reportados en otros estudios. (Duazary 2008; 82-89

USO DE LA INFORMACIÓN DE UNA RED DE ESTACIONES METEOROLÓGICAS AUTOMATIZADAS EN SONORA

Uno de los problemas más comunes en la toma de decisiones de los diversos ámbitos de la agricultura mexicana es la escasa información meteorológica de apoyo para tomar una acción, por lo que las medidas son más bien correctivas que preventivas. En el año 2007 inició operaciones el Sistema de Alerta Fitosanitaria del Estado de Sonora (www.siafeson.org.mx), como un instrumento para evaluar el impacto de las principales plagas y enfermedades de los cultivos de Sonora, predecir su comportamiento y generar mapas de riesgo que sirvan de apoyo en el manejo de estos organismos dañinos, además de la implementación de modelos fenológicos de cultivos y plagas, como herramienta de apoyo para la toma de decisiones de los productores agrícolas de Sonora. Se utilizó información de las estaciones meteorológicas automatizadas que conforman la red del estado de Sonora (www.agroson.org.mx). Dentro de los modelos implementados destacan el pronóstico para aplicaciones de control químico para el gusano barrenador de la nuez en la Costa de Hermosillo, así como los mapas de condiciones favorables para aparición de las royas lineal y de la hoja en trigo en el sur de Sonora, que están siendo de gran utilidad para la correcta programación de fungicidas en el control de estas enfermedades

Novel use of all-trans-retinoic acid in a model of lipopolysaccharide-immunosuppression to decrease the generation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells by reducing the proliferation of cd34+ precursor cells

All-trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA) is a derivative of vitamin A with anti-proliferative properties. Endotoxin shock and subsequent immunosuppression (IS) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates myelopoiesis with expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Since we have previously shown that ATRA reverses the IS state by decreasing functional MDSC, our aim was to investigate if ATRA was able to modulate MDSC generation by regulating myelopoiesis in murine hematopoietic organs. We found that ATRA administration in vivo and in vitro decreased the number of CD34+ precursor cells that were increased in IS mice. When we studied the cellular mechanisms involved, we did not find any differences in apoptosis of CD34+ precursors or in the differentiation of these cells to their mature counterparts. Surprisingly, ATRA decreased precursor proliferation, in vitro and in vivo, as assessed by a reduction in the size and number of colony forming units (CFU) generated from CD34+ cells and by a decreased incorporation of H-thymidine. Moreover, ATRA administration to IS mice decreased the number of MDSC in the spleen, with a restoration of T lymphocyte proliferation and a restitution of the histological architecture. Our results indicate, for the first time, a new use of ATRA to abolish LPS-induced myelopoiesis, affecting the proliferation of precursor cells, and in consequence, decreasing MDSC generation, having a direct impact on the improvement of immune competence. Administration of ATRA could overcome the immunosuppressive state generated by sepsis that often leads to opportunistic life-threatening infections. Therefore, ATRA could be considered a complementary treatment to enhance immune responsesFil: Martire Greco, Daiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Rodrigues, Nahuel Emiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Castillo Montañez, Luis Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Vecchione, María Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: de Campos Nebel, Ildefonso Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Córdoba Moreno, Marlina Olyissa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Meiss, Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Vermeulen, Elba Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Landoni, Verónica Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Gabriela Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Medicina Experimental. Academia Nacional de Medicina de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Experimental; Argentin