Features and design intent in engineering sketches

We investigate the problem of determining design intent from engineering sketches: what did the designer have in mind when sketching a component? Specifically, we consider the unidirectional reverse mapping from form features, as determined from an input sketch, to design features, representing the design intent present in the designer’s mind. We introduce a list of com- mon engineering form features. For each, we list which geometrical cues may be helpful in identifying these features in design sketches, and we list the design features which such form features commonly imply. We show that a reductionist approach which decomposes a diagram into form features can be used to deduce the design intent of the object portrayed in a drawing. We supply experimental results in support of this idea

Photometric identification of blue horizontal branch stars

We investigate the performance of some common machine learning techniques in identifying BHB stars from photometric data. To train the machine learning algorithms, we use previously published spectroscopic identifications of BHB stars from SDSS data. We investigate the performance of three different techniques, namely k nearest neighbour classification, kernel density estimation and a support vector machine (SVM). We discuss the performance of the methods in terms of both completeness and contamination. We discuss the prospect of trading off these values, achieving lower contamination at the expense of lower completeness, by adjusting probability thresholds for the classification. We also discuss the role of prior probabilities in the classification performance, and we assess via simulations the reliability of the dataset used for training. Overall it seems that no-prior gives the best completeness, but adopting a prior lowers the contamination. We find that the SVM generally delivers the lowest contamination for a given level of completeness, and so is our method of choice. Finally, we classify a large sample of SDSS DR7 photometry using the SVM trained on the spectroscopic sample. We identify 27,074 probable BHB stars out of a sample of 294,652 stars. We derive photometric parallaxes and demonstrate that our results are reasonable by comparing to known distances for a selection of globular clusters. We attach our classifications, including probabilities, as an electronic table, so that they can be used either directly as a BHB star catalogue, or as priors to a spectroscopic or other classification method. We also provide our final models so that they can be directly applied to new data.Comment: To appear in A&A. 19 pages, 22 figures. Tables 7, A3 and A4 available electronically onlin

Are we training our novices towards quality 2D profiles for 3D models?

In the history-based, feature-based, parametric CAD approach, 2D profile sketches are the basis for 3D models. Fully-constraining profiles is mandatory to create robust profiles. At present, neither CAD applications nor Model Quality Testing Tools usually check whether 2D profiles contain redundant constraints. Besides, our experience shows that novices tend to introduce redundant constraints. We hypothesize that 2D profiles over-constrained with redundant relations are more difficult to edit than those that avoid redundancies. In the present work―and as a first step to demonstrate this hypothesis―an experiment was conducted. Students of the subject “Graphics engineering” were taught on the creation of constrained 2D profiles. Then, they were asked two questions. On the one hand, novices had to identify and reason whether a simple given profile was fully-constrained, over-constrained or under-constrained. On the other hand, they had to identify and point out the types of the constraints. The results showed that in spite that novices received a specific training, roughly half of them failed to say if the 2D profile sketch was fully-constrained and which type of constraints it contained. Furthermore, the results of the second question revealed that more than the half of students did not recognize perpendicularity as a geometric constraint. As future work, we will try to demonstrate whether a reinforced training through simple exercises and a quick and effective feedback, will allow novices to improve the identification and removal of redundant 2D constraints when drawing 2D profile sketches (thus helping to produce robust profiles)

Co-infections and superinfections complicating COVID-19 in cancer patients: A multicentre, international study

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Complicacions infeccioses; CàncerCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Complicaciones infecciosas; CáncerCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Infectious complications; CancerBackground We aimed to describe the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of co-infections and superinfections in onco-hematological patients with COVID-19. Methods International, multicentre cohort study of cancer patients with COVID-19. All patients were included in the analysis of co-infections at diagnosis, while only patients admitted at least 48 h were included in the analysis of superinfections. Results 684 patients were included (384 with solid tumors and 300 with hematological malignancies). Co-infections and superinfections were documented in 7.8% (54/684) and 19.1% (113/590) of patients, respectively. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent infectious complications, most often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Only seven patients developed opportunistic infections. Compared to patients without infectious complications, those with infections had worse outcomes, with high rates of acute respiratory distress syndrome, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and case-fatality rates. Neutropenia, ICU admission and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were independent risk factors for infections. Conclusions Infectious complications in cancer patients with COVID-19 were lower than expected, affecting mainly neutropenic patients with high levels of CRP and/or ICU admission. The rate of opportunistic infections was unexpectedly low. The use of empiric antimicrobials in cancer patients with COVID-19 needs to be optimized.This study was supported by the Spanish Plan Nacional de IDi 2013-2016, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, and the Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI grant: RD16/0016/0001). It was also co-financed by the European Development Regional Fund ‘A Way to Make Europe’, Operational Programme Smart Growth 2014-2020

First description of ornithopod dinosaur skeletal remains from the Villar del Arzobispo Formation (JurassicCretaceous transition): Cerrito del Olmo locality (Alpuente, Valencia, E Spain)

[EN] The Villar del Arzobispo Formation (Tithonian-Berriasian) in Teruel and Valencia provinces (SE Iberian Range) has yielded abundant skeletal remains of dinosaurs, mainly of sauropods and stegosaurs. Three vertebrae collected in the locality of Cerrito del Olmo I (Alpuente, Valencia province), two of them previously referred to the stegosaurid Dacentrurus armatus, belong in fact to an ornithopod. The material consists of one cervical and two caudal centra that preserve the base of the neural arch fused to the centrum. These remains are here assigned to Ornithopoda indet. on the basis of the combination of several characters more frequent in ornithopods than in stegosaurs. This is the first description of ornithopod skeletal remains from the Villar del Arzobispo Formation.Investigación financiada por los proyectos CGL2007-64061/BTE (X.P.S, J.C.) y CGL2007/62469/BTE (J.I.R.-O.) del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, el grupo de investigación GIC 07/14-361 del Gobierno Vasco/EJ (X.P.S.) y el Protocolo de colaboración CN-04-226 entre la Consejería de Cultura y Turismo del Principado de Asturias y la Universidad de Oviedo (J.I.R-O). Nuestro agradecimiento a la Dra. Margarita Belinchón (MCNV) por su ayuda durante el estudio del material, y a la Dra. Gloria Cuenca-Bescós por la revisión del trabajo.Pereda-Suberbiola, X.; Ruiz-Omeñaca, JI.; Company Rodríguez, J. (2010). Primera descripción de restos esqueléticos de dinosaurio ornitópodo en la Formación. Villar del Arzobispo (tránsito Jurásico-Cretácico): yacimiento de Cerrito del Olmo (Alpuente, Valencia). Geogaceta. 47:13-16. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/150357S13164

Archosaurian teeth (Crocodyliformes, Theropoda) from the Late Jurassic of BuÒol (Valencia province, E Spain)

[EN] Five isolated archosaurian teeth from Valencia province (eastern Spain) are studied in this work. They have been found in the ¿Cantera CarcalÌnª site, an outcrop of the marine Higueruelas Formation (Tithonian) in the vicinity of BuÒol town. They represent the first direct evidence of tetrapods in this formation, in which, up to the moment, only dinosaur tracks had been found in a locality of the adjacent Teruel province. Four of the teeth pertain to crocodyliforms, three to indeterminate crocodyliforms and another to a teleosaurid identified as cf. Machimosaurus sp., a taxon already known in the Kimmeridgian of the Iberian Peninsula (Asturias and Portugal). The fifth tooth is assigned to a theropod dinosaur, probably an allosauroid.El equipo de investigación del MUJA está subvencionado por el Protocolo de colaboración CN-04-226 entre la Consejería de Cultura y Turismo del Principado de Asturias y la Universidad de Oviedo. Este trabajo es una contribución a los proyectos CGL2007-62469/BTE(J.I.R-O) y CGL2007-64061/BTE (X.P.S,J.C.) del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, y del grupo de investigación del Gobierno Vasco GIC07/14-361 (X.P.S.).Agradecemos a José Ignacio Canudo (Universidad de Zaragoza) y Francisco Ortega (UNED) la revisión crítica del manuscritoRuiz-Omeñaca, JI.; Pereda-Suberbiola, X.; Company Rodríguez, J.; Belinchón, M. (2010). Dientes de arcosaurios (Crocodyliformes, Theropoda) del Jurásico Superior de Buñol (Valencia). Geogaceta. 48:35-38. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/150323S35384

Quantifying galactic morphological transformations in the cluster environment

We study the effects of the cluster environment on galactic morphology by defining a dimensionless angular momentum parameter $\lambda_{d}$, to obtain a quantitative and objective measure of galaxy type. The use of this physical parameter allows us to take the study of morphological transformations in clusters beyond the measurements of merely qualitative parameters, e.g. S/E ratios, to a more physical footing. To this end, we employ an extensive Sloan Digital Sky Survey sample (Data Release 7), with galaxies associated with Abell galaxy clusters. The sample contains 121 relaxed Abell clusters and over 51,000 individual galaxies, which guarantees a thorough statistical coverage over a wide range of physical parameters. We find that the median $\lambda_{d}$ value tends to decrease as we approach the cluster center, with different dependences according to the mass of the galaxies and the hosting cluster; low and intermediate mass galaxies showing a strong dependence, while massive galaxies seems to show, at all radii, low $\lambda_{d}$ values. By analysing trends in $\lambda_{d}$ as functions of the nearest neighbour environment, clustercentric radius and velocity dispersion of clusters, we can identify clearly the leading physical processes at work. We find that in massive clusters ($\sigma>700$ km/s), the interaction with the cluster central region dominates, whilst in smaller clusters galaxy-galaxy interactions are chiefly responsible for driving galactic morphological transformations.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Pedigree analysis of 220 almond genotypes reveals two world mainstream breeding lines based on only three different cultivars

Loss of genetic variability is an increasing challenge in tree breeding programs due to the repeated use of a reduced number of founder genotypes. However, in almond, little is known about the genetic variability in current breeding stocks, although several cases of inbreeding depression have been reported. To gain insights into the genetic structure in modern breeding programs worldwide, marker-verified pedigree data of 220 almond cultivars and breeding selections were analyzed. Inbreeding coefficients, pairwise relatedness, and genetic contribution were calculated for these genotypes. The results reveal two mainstream breeding lines based on three cultivars: “Tuono”, “Cristomorto”, and “Nonpareil”. Descendants from “Tuono” or “Cristomorto” number 76 (sharing 34 descendants), while “Nonpareil” has 71 descendants. The mean inbreeding coefficient of the analyzed genotypes was 0.041, with 14 genotypes presenting a high inbreeding coefficient, over 0.250. Breeding programs from France, the USA, and Spain showed inbreeding coefficients of 0.075, 0.070, and 0.037, respectively. According to their genetic contribution, modern cultivars from Israel, France, the USA, Spain, and Australia trace back to a maximum of six main founding genotypes. Among the group of 65 genotypes carrying the Sf allele for self-compatibility, the mean relatedness coefficient was 0.125, with “Tuono” as the main founding genotype (24.7% of total genetic contribution). The results broaden our understanding about the tendencies followed in almond breeding over the last 50 years and will have a large impact into breeding decision-making process worldwide. Increasing current genetic variability is required in almond breeding programs to assure genetic gain and continuing breeding progress