Feature extraction algorithms from MRI to evaluate quality parameters on meat products by using data mining

This thesis proposes a new methodology to determine the quality characteristics of meat products (Iberian loin and ham) in a non-destructive way. For that, new algorithms have been developed to analyze Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and data mining techniques have been applied on data obtained from the images.The general procedure consists of obtaining MRI of meat products, and applying different computer vision algorithms (texture and fractal approaches, mainly), which allow the extraction of sets of computational features. Figure 1 shows the design of the proposed procedure.To achieve this, different research have been done, based on:high-field and low-field MRI scannersdifferent acquisition sequences: Spin Echo (SE), Gradient Echo (GE) and Turbo 3D (T3D)different texture approaches: Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Gray Level Run Length Matrix (GLRLM) and Neighboring Gray Level Dependence Matrix (NGLDM)fractals algorithms: Classical Fractal Algorithm (CFA), Fractal Texture Algorithm (FTA) and One Point Fractal Texture Algorithm (OPFTA)FTA [1] and OPFTA [2] have been developed in this thesis. They allow analyzing MRI images, properly, noting OPFTA for its simplicity and lower computational cost. At the same time, the meat products, Iberian hams and loins, were also analyzed by means of physico-chemical and sensory techniques. Databases were constructed with all these data. Different data mining techniques have been applied on them: deductive (Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)) [3], classification (Decision Trees (DT) and Rules-based Systems (RBS)) [4], and prediction techniques [5-7]. Figure 2 shows the MRI images of fresh and dry-cured Iberian loins (Figure 2A and 2B) and fresh and dry-cured hams (Figure 2C and 2D).The accuracy of the analysis of the quality parameters of Iberian ham and loin is affected by the MRI acquisition sequence, the algorithm used to analyze them and the data mining technique applied. Considering the data mining techniques, MLR and DT are appropriate, respectively, to deduce physico-chemical parameters of hams, and to classify as a function of salt content in hams. Regarding to the predictive technique, MLR could be indicate it allows obtaining equations to determine the physico-chemical characteristics and sensory attributes of Iberian loins and hams with a high degree of reliability, and analyzing the quality of these meat products in a non-destructive, efficient, effective and accurate way

Petition for Redress or Telephonic Harassment? When Calling the Government Is a Crime

The telephone has enabled significant enhancements in communication. However, it has also brought with it abuses. One of these is telephonic harassment. The states and the federal government have passed laws that criminalize this inappropriate and psychologically harmful use of telephones. This Article assumes that these laws are constitutional when the caller harasses an ordinary citizen. But the First Amendment protects the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. So, what happens when the caller is both petitioning the government and intending to harass a government official? Does the First Amendment protect telephonic harassment of a public official? State and lower federal courts have responded in a variety of conflicting ways. This Article seeks to address deficiencies in those responses while recommending a refinement of the best approach to reconciling this legal conflict, the significant component test. When the test is applicable, courts should avoid examining the content of harassing calls to determine whether a matter of public concern is a significant component of the call. Instead, non-speech contextual factors should be considered

VLT/VIMOS integral field spectroscopy of luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies: 2D kinematic properties

We present and discuss the 2D kinematic properties of the ionized gas (Halpha) in a sample of 38 local (ultra) luminous infrared galaxies [(U)LIRGs] (31 LIRGs and 7 ULIRGs) observed with VIMOS at the VLT using integral field spectroscopy. This sample covers well the less studied LIRG luminosity range and includes isolated disks, interacting systems, and mergers. The majority of the galaxies have two main kinematically distinct components. One component (i.e., narrow or systemic) extends over the whole line-emitting region and is characterized by small to intermediate velocity dispersions (i.e., sigma from 30 to 160 km s^-1). It traces the overall velocity field. The second component (broad) has in general a larger velocity dispersion (up to 320 km s^-1), mainly found in the inner regions and generally blueshifted with respect to the systemic component. Most of the objects (76%) are dominated by rotation, more relevant in LIRGs than in ULIRGs. Isolated disks, interacting galaxies, and merging systems define a sequence of increasing mean velocity dispersion, and decreasing velocity field amplitude.The LIRGs classified as isolated disks have similar velocity amplitudes but larger mean velocity dispersions (44 vs. 24 km s^-1) than local spirals, implying a larger turbulence and thicker disks. Interacting systems and mergers have values closer to those of low velocity dispersion ellipticals/lenticular galaxies (E/SOs). The (U)LIRGs classified as mergers have kinematic properties similar to those shown by the Lyman break analogs (LBAs). The dynamical masses range from \sim 0.04 m* to 1.4 m* (i.e., m* = 1.4x10^{11} Msun), with ULIRGs (M{dyn} sim 0.5 +/- 0.2 m*) being more massive than LIRGs by, on average, a factor of about 2. The mass ratio of individual pre-coalescence galaxies is <2.5 for most of the systems, confirming that most (U)LIRG mergers involve sub-m* galaxies of similar mass.Comment: 66 pages, 5 figures plus 45 figures in App. A; accepted for publication in A&

Relación de la cultura organizacional y el control. Aproximación a los conceptos

La gestión de las empresas requiere entender las dinámicas entre procesos administrativos y condiciones culturales para optimizar sus resultados en marco de un contexto que exige creación de ventajas sostenibles en el tiempo. De allí parte el propósito del presente ensayo, identificar elementos que vinculen el mecanismo de verificación y corrección con los valores y conductas de los integrantes de la organización. A partir de la revisión de los conceptos, tanto de control como de cultura se establece como enlace al aprendizaje colectivo e individual, en la fase de retroalimentación en los mecanismos de control y la transmisión de habito, costumbres, tradiciones entre algunos elementos culturales que forman las capacidades de pensar y transferir ideas las cuales forman soluciones frente a los problemas cotidianos.La gestión de las empresas requiere entender las dinámicas entre procesos administrativos y condiciones culturales para optimizar sus resultados en marco de un contexto que exige creación de ventajas sostenibles en el tiempo. De allí parte el propósito del presente ensayo, identificar elementos que vinculen el mecanismo de verificación y corrección con los valores y conductas de los integrantes de la organización. A partir de la revisión de los conceptos, tanto de control como de cultura se establece como enlace al aprendizaje colectivo e individual, en la fase de retroalimentación en los mecanismos de control y la transmisión de habito, costumbres, tradiciones entre algunos elementos culturales que forman las capacidades de pensar y transferir ideas las cuales forman soluciones frente a los problemas cotidianos

Un important jaciment de flora del Cretaci de la Conca del Maestrat

Es dóna notícia d’un nou jaciment amb restes de flora continental del Cretaci. Aquest és el primer jaciment amb flora del secundari de terres castellonenques, la flora té característiques plenament continentals destacant la presencia de falgueres i coniferes. An important flora deposit from Cretaceous Maestrat Basin We present here a new site with remains of Cretaceous continental flora. This is the first site with flora remains from the Secundary Castellón province, the flora has clear inland characteristics, with ferns and conifers as main remains

Feature extraction algorithms from MRI to evaluate quality parameters on meat products by using data mining

This thesis proposes a new methodology to determine the quality characteristics of meat products (Iberian loin and ham) in a non-destructive way. For that, new algorithms have been developed to analyze Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and data mining techniques have been applied on data obtained from the images.The general procedure consists of obtaining MRI of meat products, and applying different computer vision algorithms (texture and fractal approaches, mainly), which allow the extraction of sets of computational features. Figure 1 shows the design of the proposed procedure.To achieve this, different research have been done, based on:high-field and low-field MRI scannersdifferent acquisition sequences: Spin Echo (SE), Gradient Echo (GE) and Turbo 3D (T3D)different texture approaches: Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), Gray Level Run Length Matrix (GLRLM) and Neighboring Gray Level Dependence Matrix (NGLDM)fractals algorithms: Classical Fractal Algorithm (CFA), Fractal Texture Algorithm (FTA) and One Point Fractal Texture Algorithm (OPFTA)FTA [1] and OPFTA [2] have been developed in this thesis. They allow analyzing MRI images, properly, noting OPFTA for its simplicity and lower computational cost. At the same time, the meat products, Iberian hams and loins, were also analyzed by means of physico-chemical and sensory techniques. Databases were constructed with all these data. Different data mining techniques have been applied on them: deductive (Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)) [3], classification (Decision Trees (DT) and Rules-based Systems (RBS)) [4], and prediction techniques [5-7]. Figure 2 shows the MRI images of fresh and dry-cured Iberian loins (Figure 2A and 2B) and fresh and dry-cured hams (Figure 2C and 2D).The accuracy of the analysis of the quality parameters of Iberian ham and loin is affected by the MRI acquisition sequence, the algorithm used to analyze them and the data mining technique applied. Considering the data mining techniques, MLR and DT are appropriate, respectively, to deduce physico-chemical parameters of hams, and to classify as a function of salt content in hams. Regarding to the predictive technique, MLR could be indicate it allows obtaining equations to determine the physico-chemical characteristics and sensory attributes of Iberian loins and hams with a high degree of reliability, and analyzing the quality of these meat products in a non-destructive, efficient, effective and accurate way

Relaxin-3 projection on serotonergic centers in the rat brain

Treball Final de Màster Universitari en Investigació en Cervell i Conducta (Pla de 2021). SBT024. Curs: 2021/2022The modulation of cognitive and emotional systems depends on ascending subcortical connections on telencephalic structures including projections arising from catecholaminergic, serotoninergic and peptidergic centers. Relaxin-3 (RLN3) is a neuropeptide that is mainly produced in the nucleus incertus (NI) of the pontine tegmentum. Although the raphe nuclei, the major centers containing serotonin (5HT) neurons, receive fibers arising from the NI, the interactions of RLN3 with the 5HT system have only been studied in postnatal development. We hypothesize that the 5HT system interacts with the relaxinergic system. We aim to understand the anatomical substrate of RLN3 projection on the raphe nuclei in rats. For this purpose, quadruple immunofluorescence has been performed to analyze the anatomical relationships of RLN3, vesicular glutamate transporter (vGlut2), vesicular GABA transporter (vGAT) and 5HT. In this study, we have quantified the number of possible RLN3 contacts on 5HT-positive structures and the number of these contacts associated with GABAergic and glutamatergic projections. Preliminary results point to the effective occurrence of a high proportion of RLN3 fibers containing vGlut2 markers and contacting with 5HT-positive cells, a smaller proportion being associated with vGAT. Moreover, the majority of 5HT neurons are also vGluT2-positive. Preliminary data indicate, therefore, a relevant role of the RLN3 system in the functionality of 5HT systems.La modulació dels sistemes cognitius i emocionals depenen de les connexions subcorticals ascendents a les estructures telencefàliques, incloses les projeccions que sorgeixen dels centres catecolaminèrgics, serotoninèrgics i peptidèrgics. La relaxina-3 (RLN3) és un neuropèptid que es produeix principalment al nucli incertus (NI) del tegment pontí. Tot i que els nuclis del rafe, els principals centres que contenen neurones de serotonina (5HT), reben fibres procedents del NI, les interaccions de la RLN3 amb el sistema 5HT només s'han estudiat en el desenvolupament postnatal. La nostra hipòtesi és que el sistema 5HT interactua amb el sistema relaxinèrgic. El nostre objectiu és comprendre el substrat anatòmic de la projecció de RLN3 sobre els nuclis del rafe en rates. Per això, s'ha realitzat una immunofluorescència quàdruple per analitzar les relacions anatòmiques de RLN3, del transportador vesicular de glutamat (vGlut2), del transportador vesicular de GABA (vGAT) i de 5HT. En aquest estudi hem quantificat el nombre de possibles contactes de RLN3 en estructures positives a la 5HT i el nombre d'aquests contactes associats a projeccions GABAèrgiques i glutamatèrgiques. Els resultats preliminars apunten a l'ocurrència efectiva d'una alta proporció de fibres RLN3 que contenen marcadors vGlut2 i que contacten amb cèl·lules 5HT-positives, i una proporció menor és associada a vGAT. A més, la majoria de les neurones 5HT són també vGluT2-positives. Les dades preliminars indiquen, per tant, un paper rellevant del sistema RLN3 a la funcionalitat dels sistemes 5HT.La modulación de los sistemas cognitivos y emocionales depende de las conexiones subcorticales ascendentes en las estructuras telencefálicas, incluidas las proyecciones que surgen de los centros catecolaminérgicos, serotoninérgicos y peptidérgicos. La relaxina-3 (RLN3) es un neuropéptido que se produce principalmente en el núcleo incertus (NI) del tegmento pontino. Aunque los núcleos del rafe, los principales centros que contienen neuronas de serotonina (5HT), reciben fibras procedentes del NI, las interacciones de la RLN3 con el sistema 5HT sólo se han estudiado en el desarrollo postnatal. Nuestra hipótesis es que el sistema 5HT interactúa con el sistema relaxinérgico. Nuestro objetivo es comprender el sustrato anatómico de la proyección de RLN3 sobre los núcleos del rafe en ratas. Para ello, se ha realizado una inmunofluorescencia cuádruple para analizar las relaciones anatómicas de RLN3, del transportador vesicular de glutamato (vGlut2), del transportador vesicular de GABA (vGAT) y de 5HT. En este estudio, hemos cuantificado el número de posibles contactos de RLN3 en estructuras positivas a la 5HT y el número de estos contactos asociados a proyecciones GABAérgicas y glutamatérgicas. Los resultados preliminares apuntan a la ocurrencia efectiva de una alta proporción de fibras RLN3 que contienen marcadores vGlut2 y que contactan con células 5HT-positivas, estando una proporción menor asociada a vGAT. Además, la mayoría de las neuronas 5HT son también vGluT2-positivas. Los datos preliminares indican, por tanto, un papel relevante del sistema RLN3 en la funcionalidad de los sistemas 5HT

Optically Selected Compact Stellar Regions and Tidal Dwarf Galaxies in (Ultra)-Luminous Infrared Galaxies

This thesis work is devoted to the analysis of compact star forming regions (knots) in a representative sample of 32 (U)LIRGs. The project is based mainly on optical high angular resolution images taken with the ACS and WFPC2 cameras on board the HST telescope, data from a high spatial resolution simulation of a major galaxy encounter, and with the combination of optical integral field spectroscopy (IFS) taken with the INTEGRAL (WHT) and VIMOS (VLT) instruments. A few thousand knots -a factor of more than one order of magnitude higher than in previous studies- are identified and their photometric properties are characterized as a function of the infrared luminosity of the system and of the interaction phase. These properties are compared with those of compact objects identified in simulations of galaxy encounters. Finally, and with the additional use of IFS data, we search for suitable candidates to tidal dwarf galaxies, setting up constraints on the formation of these objects for the (U)LIRG class. Knots in (U)LIRGs are likely to contain sub-strucutre. Evidence is found that in ULIRGs they are intrinsically more luminous than in less luminous interacting systems due to size-of-sample effects. Furthermore, their sizes and masses are similar to stellar complexes or clumps detected in galaxies at z > 1, unlike local stellar complexes. The star formation in (U)LIRGs is charaterized by a luminosity function with a slope consistent with \alpha = 2, independent of the luminosity of the system. However, it may flatten slightly due to, as simulations suggest, higher knot formation rates at early phases of the interaction. Candidates to tidal dwarf galaxies are identified in the sample. With a production rate of 0.1 candidates per (U)LIRG system, only a few fraction (< 10%) of the general dwarf satellite population could be of tidal origin

Analytic Framework for Students' Use of Mathematics in Upper-Division Physics

Many students in upper-division physics courses struggle with the mathematically sophisticated tools and techniques that are required for advanced physics content. We have developed an analytical framework to assist instructors and researchers in characterizing students' difficulties with specific mathematical tools when solving the long and complex problems that are characteristic of upper-division. In this paper, we present this framework, including its motivation and development. We also describe an application of the framework to investigations of student difficulties with direct integration in electricity and magnetism (i.e., Coulomb's Law) and approximation methods in classical mechanics (i.e., Taylor series). These investigations provide examples of the types of difficulties encountered by advanced physics students, as well as the utility of the framework for both researchers and instructors.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, in Phys. Rev. - PE

Depression, self-esteem disorders and emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the elderly population of Mexico City and the metropolitan area of the valley of Mexico (a preliminary study)

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has spread over the world and caused concern and panic in the elderly, which can promote the development of mental illness. The main aim of this study was to identify depression and self-esteem disorders in the elderly population of Mexico City and the metropolitan area of the valley of Mexico in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A non-experimental, observational, cross-sectional, correlational and descriptive study was conducted via means of a survey distributed and applied via telephone and online using Google Forms among the elderly via snowball sampling. Data was analysed in Microsoft Excel and bivariate analysis was performed using Chi squared test with a statistical significance of p≤0.05. Results: The sample was conformed by 175 participants, 115 were female and 60 were male. 4.35% of women and 1.67% of men showed depression and 16.52% of women and 10% of men had mild symptoms of depression while 6.69% of women and 1.67% of men showed symptoms indicative of low self-esteem and 14.78% of women and 10% of men showed normal self-esteem. Women recorded higher levels of depression (p ≤ 0.01) and men recorded lower levels of self-esteem (p≤0.01). Participants with diabetes showed lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of depression in comparison to people without diabetes (p≤0.05). Conclusions: It is suggested in making use of the technologies that have emerged to do telemedicine and to keep in touch with patients. This is a preliminary study; future research should be done on a larger sample