Methodology of image analysis for study of the vertisols moisture content

The main problem to study vertical drainage from the moisture distribution, on a vertisol profile, is searching for suitable methods using these procedures. Our aim was to design a digital image processing methodology and its analysis to characterize the moisture content distribution of a vertisol profile. In this research, twelve soil pits were excavated on a ba re Mazic Pellic Vertisols ix of them in May 13/2011 and the rest in May 19 /2011 after a moderate rainfall event. Digital RGB images were taken from each vertisol pit using a Kodak? camera selecting a size of 1600x945 pixels. Each soil image was processed to homogenized brightness and then a spatial filter with several window sizes was applied to select the optimum one. The RGB image obtained were divided in each matrix color selecting the best thresholds for each one, maximum and minimum, to be applied and get a digital binary pattern. This one was analyzed by estimating two fractal scaling exponents box counting dimension D BC) and interface fractal dimension (D) In addition, three pre-fractal scaling coefficients were determinate at maximum resolution: total number of boxes intercepting the foreground pattern (A), fractal lacunarity (?1) and Shannon entropy S1). For all the images processed the spatial filter 9x9 was the optimum based on entropy, cluster and histogram criteria. Thresholds for each color were selected based on bimodal histograms

Frequency of Toxoplasma gondii and Risk Factors Associated with the Infection in Stray Dogs and Cats of Panama

Stray animals such as dogs and cats have an important role in maintaining the transmission cycles and dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of T. gondii in stray dogs and cats in six different regions of Panama and determine risk factors associated with the dynamics of infection in each of the studied regions. Data were obtained using serological tests for the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The results of this study revealed an overall infection frequency of 23.73%. The infection frequencies found in dog and cat populations were 25.70% and 21.93% respectively, showing no statistically significant difference. Risk factor correlations suggested different infection dynamics depending on the region analyzed. The San Miguelito, North and West regions were more associated with positive cases in dogs with an age range greater than 13 months. Conversely, the Metro, Central and East regions were more associated with negative cases in cats with age ranging between 0 and 5 months. Infection of the parasite in stray animals can be influenced by intrinsic characteristics of each region, which can potentiate different risk factors associated with the different routes of transmission.Stray animals such as dogs and cats have an important role in maintaining the transmission cycles and dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of T. gondii in stray dogs and cats in six different regions of Panama and determine risk factors associated with the dynamics of infection in each of the studied regions. Data were obtained using serological tests for the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. The results of this study revealed an overall infection frequency of 23.73%. The infection frequencies found in dog and cat populations were 25.70% and 21.93% respectively, showing no statistically significant difference. Risk factor correlations suggested different infection dynamics depending on the region analyzed. The San Miguelito, North and West regions were more associated with positive cases in dogs with an age range greater than 13 months. Conversely, the Metro, Central and East regions were more associated with negative cases in cats with age ranging between 0 and 5 months. Infection of the parasite in stray animals can be influenced by intrinsic characteristics of each region, which can potentiate different risk factors associated with the different routes of transmission

Multifractal and Singularity Maps of soil surface moisture distribution derived from 2D image analysis

Soil moisture distribution usually presents extreme variation at multiple spatial scales. Image analysis could be a useful tool for investigating these spatial patterns of apparent soil moisture at multiple resolutions. The objectives of the present work were (i) to describe the local scaling of apparent soil moisture distribution and (ii) to define apparent soil moisture patterns from vertical planes of Vertisol pit images

Diabetes in Panama: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Management

ObjectivesTo draw evidence-based conclusions about the epidemiology, drivers, and management of diabetes in Panama based on a literature review and original analyses of large databases.MethodsA search about diabetes in Panama was conducted through PubMed. We used the final reports of 2 studies: the first Survey of Health and Life Quality, 2007, and the first Survey of Risk Factors Associated to Cardiovasular Diseases, 2010-2011, conducted in Panama and analyzed the databases. We reviewed the approach adopted by the Panamanian Social Security institution and the diabetes national guidelines published by the Panamanian Ministry of Health.FindingsThe prevalence of diabetes, as estimated in 1 database (ENSCAVI), was 5.4% (4.3% men; 6.0% women; OR = 1.41 [confidence interval 1.26-1.59]; 'P' ConclusionsDiabetes is a serious national public health threat in Panama. To address this problem in a public health modality, information from large databases was analyzed and presented to the Panamanian Ministry of Health to prompt constructive policy change to enhance diabetes prevention

Metodología del análisis de imágenes digitales para el estudio del contenido de humedad en vertisoles

Desde finales del siglo pasado, el procesamiento y análisis de imágenes digitales, se ha convertido en una poderosa herramienta para la investigación de las propiedades del suelo a múltiples resoluciones, sin embargo todavía no existen los mejores resultados en cuanto a estos trabajos. El principal problema para investigar el drenaje vertical a partir de la distribución de humedad en un perfil de vertisol es la búsqueda de métodos factibles que usen este procedimiento. El objetivo general es implementar una metodología para el procesamiento y análisis de imágenes digitales, que permita caracterizar la distribución del contenido de humedad de un perfil de vertisol. Para el estudio, doce calicatas fueron excavadas en un Mazic Pellic Vertisol, seis de ellas en mayo 13/2011 y el resto en mayo 19/2011 después de moderados eventos de lluvia. Las imágenes RGB de los perfiles fueron tomadas con una cámara Kodak™; con tamaños seleccionados de 1600 x 945 píxeles cada una fue procesada para homogeneizar el brillo y se aplicaron filtros suavizadores de diferentes tamaños de ventana, hasta obtener el óptimo. Cada imagen se dividió en sus matrices componentes, seleccionando los umbrales de cada una para ser aplicado y obtener el patrón digital binario. Este último fue analizado a través de la estimación de dos exponentes fractales: dimensión de conteo de cajas (DBC) y dimensión fractal de interfase húmedo seco (Di). Además, fueron determinados tres coeficientes prefractales a la máxima resolución: número total de cajas interceptados en el plano del patrón (A), la lagunaridad fractal (λ1) y la entropía de Shannon (S1). Para todas las imágenes obtenidas, basado en la entropía, los análisis de clúster y de histogramas, el filtro espacial de 9x9 resultó ser el de tamaño de ventana óptimo. Los umbrales fueron seleccionados a partir del carácter bimodal de los histogramas. Los patrones binarios obtenidos mostraron áreas húmedas (blancas) y secas (negras) que permitieron su análisis. Todos los parámetros obtenidos mostraron diferencias significativas entre ambos conjuntos de patrones espaciales. Mientras los exponentes fractales aportan información sobre las características de llenado del patrón de humedad, los coeficientes prefractales representan propiedades del suelo investigado. La lagunaridad fractal fue el mejor discriminador entre los patrones de humedad aparente del suelo. ABSTRACT From last century, digital image processing and analysis was converted in a powerful tool to investigate soil properties at multiple resolutions, however, the best final procedure in these works not yet exist. The main problem to study vertical drainage from the moisture distribution, on a vertisol profile, is searching for suitable methods using these procedures. Our aim was to design a digital image processing methodology and its analysis to characterize the moisture content distribution of a vertisol profile. In this research, twelve soil pits were excavated on a bare Mazic Pellic Vertisol, six of them in May 13/2011 and the rest in May 19/2011 after a moderate rainfall event. Digital RGB images were taken from each vertisol pit using a Kodak™ camera selecting a size of 1600x945 pixels. Each soil image was processed to homogenized brightness and then a spatial filter with several window sizes was applied to select the optimum one. The RGB image obtained were divided in each matrix color selecting the best thresholds for each one, maximum and minimum, to be applied and get a digital binary pattern. This one was analyzed by estimating two fractal scaling exponents: box counting dimension (DB

Relationship of the environmental index and the occurrence of deaths from chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adults over 65 years of age in Panama city, 2003-2014

Existe escasa investigación sobre las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) y el medio ambiente en Panamá. Evaluar la relación entre las variables climáticas y de contaminación y las muertes por ENT seleccionadas (enfermedad respiratoria crónica, enfermedad cardiovascular y diabetes) en adultos de 65 años o más residentes en la Ciudad de Panamá entre 2003 y 2014. De diferentes fuentes recolectamos series mensuales de: 1) muerte por ENT seleccionadas (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo), 2) contaminantes atmosféricos PM10 y NO2, (del SIA -UP-) y cambio de temperatura del mar (de NOAA), y 3) variables climáticas (de Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica SA). Se construyó un Índice Ambiental (EI) utilizando la técnica de análisis factorial de componentes principales, derivado de análisis previos de cointegración y estacionalidad estable de todas las variables de estudio mediante descomposición estacional utilizando el Método Aditivo de X-12 ARIMA. Se encontró relación entre la mortalidad por las enfermedades estudiadas y las variaciones en la condición ambiental por pruebas de cointegración y la estacionalidad estable para las IE (p<0,01), demostrando proestacionalidad conjunta con las ENT. Las cargas factoriales que componen EI fueron temperatura máxima: 0,23215; humedad relativa: -0,52616; lluvia: -0.19430, velocidad del viento: 0.21889; y PM10: 0,10570. Durante junio y julio se presentó la mayor mortalidad por enfermedad respiratoria crónica y enfermedad cardiovascular, respectivamente. La mayor mortalidad por diabetes ocurrió en septiembre y octubre. Reportamos una evolución procíclica de acuerdo a la severidad de El Niño y La Niña con EI. La IE y su relación mensual con las muertes causadas por ENT seleccionadas podría ser una herramienta de alerta temprana que permita medidas de mitigación o adaptación para la población de 65 años y más. Si bien la relación entre las variaciones ambientales por el clima y la contaminación ha sido demostrada de manera estadística, con la mortalidad en las variables de estudio, es importante profundizar en las interacciones subyacentes entre el clima y la contaminación

RELATIONSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX AND THE OCCURRENCE OF DEATHS FROM CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES IN ADULTS OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE IN PANAMA CITY, 2003-2014

There is scarce research regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the environment in Panama. Assessing the relationship between climate and pollution variables and deaths from selected NCDs (chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes) in adults aged 65 years or more living in Panama City between 2003 and 2014. From different sources we collected monthly series of: 1) death by selected NCDs (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo), 2) air pollutants PM10 and NO2, (from the SIA -UP-) and sea temperatures change (from NOAA), and 3) climate variables (from Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A).&nbsp; An Environmental Index (EI) was constructed using the principal component factor analysis technique, derived from previous cointegration and stable seasonality analyses of all study variables using seasonal decomposition using the Additive Method of X-12 ARIMA. A relationship between mortality from the diseases studied and variations in environmental condition by cointegration tests and the stable seasonality for the EI was found (p&lt;0.01), demonstrating joint pro-seasonality with the NCDs.&nbsp; The factorial loads comprising EI were maximum temperature: 0.23215; relative humidity: -0.52616; rainfall: -0.19430, wind speed: 0.21889; and PM10: 0.10570. During June and July occurred the highest mortality for chronic respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease, respectively. Diabetes highest mortality happened in September and October.&nbsp; We report a procyclical evolution according to El Niño and La Niña severity with EI. EI and its monthly relationship to deaths caused by selected ENTs might be an early warning tool that allows mitigation or adaptation measures for the population aged 65 and over. Although the relationship between environmental variations due to climate and pollution has been demonstrated in a statistical way, with mortality in the study variables, it is important deepening the underlying interactions between climate and pollution.Existe escasa investigación sobre las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT) y el medio ambiente en Panamá. Evaluar la relación entre las variables climáticas y de contaminación y las muertes por ENT seleccionadas (enfermedad respiratoria crónica, enfermedad cardiovascular y diabetes) en adultos de 65 años o más residentes en la Ciudad de Panamá entre 2003 y 2014. De diferentes fuentes recolectamos series mensuales de: 1) muerte por ENT seleccionadas (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo), 2) contaminantes atmosféricos PM10 y NO2, (del SIA -UP-) y cambio de temperatura del mar (de NOAA), y 3) variables climáticas (de Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica SA). Se construyó un Índice Ambiental (EI) utilizando la técnica de análisis factorial de componentes principales, derivado de análisis previos de cointegración y estacionalidad estable de todas las variables de estudio mediante descomposición estacional utilizando el Método Aditivo de X-12 ARIMA. Se encontró relación entre la mortalidad por las enfermedades estudiadas y las variaciones en la condición ambiental por pruebas de cointegración y la estacionalidad estable para las IE (p&lt;0,01), demostrando proestacionalidad conjunta con las ENT. Las cargas factoriales que componen EI fueron temperatura máxima: 0,23215; humedad relativa: -0,52616; lluvia: -0.19430, velocidad del viento: 0.21889; y PM10: 0,10570. Durante junio y julio se presentó la mayor mortalidad por enfermedad respiratoria crónica y enfermedad cardiovascular, respectivamente. La mayor mortalidad por diabetes ocurrió en septiembre y octubre. Reportamos una evolución procíclica de acuerdo a la severidad de El Niño y La Niña con EI. La IE y su relación mensual con las muertes causadas por ENT seleccionadas podría ser una herramienta de alerta temprana que permita medidas de mitigación o adaptación para la población de 65 años y más. Si bien la relación entre las variaciones ambientales por el clima y la contaminación ha sido demostrada de manera estadística, con la mortalidad en las variables de estudio, es importante profundizar en las interacciones subyacentes entre el clima y la contaminación

Software de simulação para as oscilações eletromagnéticas (Original)

In the teaching of Physics for students of Engineering, presents a great difficulty with the learning of the contents Electromagnetics Oscillations for an LC and RLC circuit. As far as we know, there is only one Spanish-language simulation, available on the Internet, made in the Java language (Java applets), which has many limitations because it only shows the free electromagnetic oscillations not damped and some measurements of currents and voltage, we need to do something in this direction. Therefore, it is a research problem: How to solve the situation of lack of simulations for the explanation of the contents of Electromagnetic Oscillations of the Physical Discipline of the Engineering courses, at the Higher Polytechnic Institute of Huambo, Angola? The general objective is to implement oscillating electrical circuit simulation software using programming in Adobe Flash CS6 for the development of the theme Electromagnetic Oscillations of Physics III for Engineering courses in the Higher Polytechnic Institute of Huambo. For the development of the software an XP methodology was applied using Adobe Flash as a informatics tool. The fundamental result of this work is the software that allows to see the oscillations of load and current in an LC and RLC circuit and to develop two laboratory practices on these same circuits, which complements the formation of concepts in Physics. This software will solve the limitations of the one that is implemented in the Java language.No ensino da Física para os estudantes de Engenharia, se apresenta uma grande dificuldade com a aprendizagem dos conteúdos de Oscilações Electromagnéticas para um circuito LC e RLC. Até onde se conhece, só existe uma simulação em idioma espanhol, disponível em Internet, feita na linguagem Java (applets de Java), que tem muitas limitações pois só mostram as oscilações electromagnéticas livres não amortecidas e algumas medições de correntes e tensão, faltando muito por fazer nesta direcção. Por tanto é problema de investigação: Como resolver a situação de carência de simulações para a explicação dos conteúdos de Oscilações Electromagnéticas da Disciplina Física dos cursos de Engenharia, no Instituto Superior Politécnico de Huambo, Angola? O objectivo geral é implementar um software de simulação de circuitos eléctricos oscilantes usando programação em Adobe Flash CS6 para o desenvolvimento do tema Oscilações Electromagnéticas de Física III dos cursos de Engenharia do Instituto Superior Politécnico de Huambo. Para o desenvolvimento do software foi aplicada uma metodologia XP usando como ferramenta o Adobe Flash. O resultado fundamental deste trabalho é o software que permite ver as oscilações de carga e corrente num circuito LC e RLC e além desenvolver duas práticas de laboratório sobre estes mesmos circuitos, o que complementa a formação de conceitos na Física. Este software vai resolver as limitações daquele que está implementado na linguagem Java

Spatial-Temporal Distribution of Hantavirus Rodent-Borne Infection by Oligoryzomys fulvescens in the Agua Buena Region--Panama.

BACKGROUND:Hotspot detection and characterization has played an increasing role in understanding the maintenance and transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Identifying the specific environmental factors (or their correlates) that influence reservoir host abundance help increase understanding of how pathogens are maintained in natural systems and are crucial to identifying disease risk. However, most recent studies are performed at macro-scale and describe broad temporal patterns of population abundances. Few have been conducted at a microscale over short time periods that better capture the dynamical patterns of key populations. These finer resolution studies may better define the likelihood of local pathogen persistence. This study characterizes the landscape distribution and spatio-temporal dynamics of Oligoryzomys fulvescens (O. fulvescens), an important mammalian reservoir in Central America. METHODS:Information collected in a longitudinal study of rodent populations in the community of Agua Buena in Tonosí, Panama, between April 2006 and December 2009 was analyzed using non-spatial analyses (box plots) and explicit spatial statistical tests (correlograms, SADIE and LISA). A 90 node grid was built (raster format) to design a base map. The area between the nodes was 0.09 km(2) and the total study area was 6.43 km(2) (2.39 x 2.69 km). The temporal assessment dataset was divided into four periods for each year studied: the dry season, rainy season, and two months-long transitions between seasons (the months of April and December). RESULTS:There were heterogeneous patterns in the population densities and degrees of dispersion of O. fulvescens that varied across seasons and among years. The species typically was locally absent during the late transitional months of the season, and re-established locally in subsequent years. These populations re-occurred in the same area during the first three years but subsequently re-established further south in the final year of the study. Spatial autocorrelation analyses indicated local populations encompassed approximately 300-600 m. The borders between suitable and unsuitable habitats were sharply demarcated over short distances. CONCLUSION:Oligoryzomys fulvescens showed a well-defined spatial pattern that evolved over time, and led to a pattern of changing aggregation. Thus, hot spots of abundance showed a general shifting pattern that helps explain the intermittent risk from pathogens transmitted by this species. This variation was associated with seasonality, as well as anthropogenic pressures that occurred with agricultural activities. These factors help define the characteristics of the occurrence, timing, intensity and duration of synanthropic populations affected by human populations and, consequently, possible exposure that local human populations experience