Computational assessment of stomach tumor volume from multi-slice computerized tomography images in presence of type 2 cancer [version 2; referees: 2 approved, 1 not approved]

Background: The multi–slice computerized tomography (MSCT) is a medical imaging modality that has been used to determine the size and location of the stomach cancer. Additionally, MSCT is considered the best modality for the staging of gastric cancer. One way to assess the type 2 cancer of stomach is by detecting the pathological structure with an image segmentation approach. The tumor segmentation of MSCT gastric cancer images enables the diagnosis of the disease condition, for a given patient, without using an invasive method as surgical intervention. Methods: This approach consists of three stages. The initial stage, an image enhancement, consists of a method for correcting non homogeneities present in the background of MSCT images. Then, a segmentation stage using a clustering method allows to obtain the adenocarcinoma morphology. In the third stage, the pathology region is reconstructed and then visualized with a three–dimensional (3–D) computer graphics procedure based on marching cubes algorithm. In order to validate the segmentations, the Dice score is used as a metric function useful for comparing the segmentations obtained using the proposed method with respect to ground truth volumes traced by a clinician. Results: A total of 8 datasets available for patients diagnosed, from the cancer data collection of the project, Cancer Genome Atlas Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGASTAD) is considered in this research. The volume of the type 2 stomach tumor is estimated from the 3–D shape computationally segmented from the each dataset. These 3–D shapes are computationally reconstructed and then used to assess the morphopathology macroscopic features of this cancer. Conclusions: The segmentations obtained are useful for assessing qualitatively and quantitatively the stomach type 2 cancer. In addition, this type of segmentation allows the development of computational models that allow the planning of virtual surgical processes related to type 2 cancer

Confiabilidad interpretativa sobre la construcción científica de premisas en la redacción problemática de los manuscritos

El propósito de este trabajo fue evaluar la confiabilidad interpretativa sobre la construcción científica de premisas en la redacción problemática de los manuscritos. Se analizaron 22 propuestas de manuscritos: 14 presentadas como trabajos en extenso durante la participación de congresos y ocho para su publicación en revistas indexadas desde agosto de 2018 hasta febrero de 2019. Se seleccionaron 10 docentes evaluadores para analizar la calidad introductoria de cada propuesta donde se midieron cinco estructuras metodológicas: análisis de contexto, antecedentes, vacío del conocimiento, objetivos y fundamentación estableciéndose un criterio de análisis según escala tipo Likert. Se comparó los resultados de las calificaciones mediante un ANOVA. La confiabilidad de los resultados indicados fue mediante alfa de Cronbach. El promedio otorgado por los docentes fue de 17,9 (total: 20) señalando que la evaluación sobre las propuestas fue muy aceptada (3,58; total cuatro puntos). No hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas (p = .6034) con relación a las evaluaciones docentes. Sin embargo, al realizar una estadística t para una muestra (grados de libertad: 9) se observó que, el valor p = 0 donde la H1 expresó que la confiabilidad interpretativa de docentes evaluadores sobre la construcción de premisas en los manuscritos científicos es de calidad no aceptada lo cual, mostró contradicción en lo interpretado por los docentes siendo corroborado mediante la confiabilidad hallada por el alfa de Cronbach (0,5: moderada). Se concluye que, se requiere aumentar la preparación metodológica en docentes evaluadores para mejorar su interpretación sobre la construcción de premisas en los manuscritos científicos

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

DRIS NORMS FOR THE RUBBER CLONE FX3864 IN THE EASTERN PLAINS OF COLOMBIA NORMAS DRIS PARA CAUCHO CLON FX3864 EN LOS LLANOS ORIENTALES DE COLOMBIA

SUMMARY The present study aimed to establish the preliminary diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) norms for the rubber tree clone FX3864 (Hevea brasiliensis) under the conditions of the Colombian Eastern Plains for the elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Fe, Cu, Zn and B. For this purpose, 77 foliar samples were taken from a 10-to 12-year-old commercial crop. The element ratios that contributed the greatest variance between high-and low-productivity populations were selected for conversion into norms. Of the 132 possible ratios, 66 were selected, with ratios including P/N, N/K and NXCa proving most important. The most limiting nutrients were K and N when deficient and Ca and S when in excess. Key words: Foliar analysis, mineral nutrition, diagnosis and recommendation, fertilization. RESUMEN El objetivo del presente trabajo fue obtener las normas preliminares de diagnóstico y recomendación integral DRIS para el cultivo de caucho clon FX3864 (Hevea brasiliensis) bajo condiciones de la altillanura colombiana para los elementos N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Fe, Cu, Zn y B, para ello se tomaron 77 muestras de tejido foliar de plantaciones comerciales con edades entre 10 y 12 años. Para la selección de las relaciones que se convirtieron en normas se utilizó el método de mayor relación entre varianzas entre la población de baja productividad sobre la de alta productividad. De las 132 relaciones posibles se seleccionaron 66, destacándose relaciones como P/N, N/K, NXCa. El nutriente más limitante es el K seguido del N por defecto y el Ca seguido del S por exceso. Palabras clave: Análisis foliar, nutrición mineral, diagnóstico y recomendación, fertilización

Stratigraphy of Palaeocene phosphate pelagic stromatolites (Prebetic Zone, SE Spain)

The hemipelagic domain of the ancient southern continental margin of Iberia is home to a strongly condensed pelagic succession (6–15 cm thick) characterized by the presence of phosphate stromatolites. This succession, probably generated in the slope of the continental margin, records a period of some 9 Ma, corresponding to the latest Maastrichtian to Late Thanetian interval. A microstratigraphical analysis allows for characterizing and biostratigraphically dating six successive developmental stages in the succession, which outline the main environmental evolution of the depositional setting. The Wrst of them determined the generation of a submarine hardground during the latest Maastrichtian to earliest Danian interval. The other Wve are represented by Wve successive microstratigraphical, unconformity-bounded, genetic units, respectively Early– Middle Danian, Late Danian–Early Selandian, intra-Selandian, Late Selandian–Early Thanetian, and Middle–?Late Thanetian in age. The three oldest units are characterized by the accretion of phosphate stromatolites, favoured by very low rates of pelagic sedimentation and by a microbially mediated extra input of phosphate. The two youngest units are dominated by carbonate deposition, which has always taken place at very low rates. Condensed sedimentation was abruptly interrupted at the end of the Palaeocene (?latest Thanetian), when the condensed succession and its hosting substrate were gravitationally slumped and redeposited at the base of the slope in the form of a megadebris Xow that can be now observed in Sierra de Aixorta (Alicante, SE Spain). The Aixorta pelagic phosphatic stromatolites are among the youngest ever described, and their existence suggests that the oceanographic conditions necessary for their development prevailed during most of the Palaeocene, but disappeared during the Late Selandian, never to return

Evaluación simultánea de volúmenes y movimiento sinérgico del ventrículo izquierdo a partir de angiogramas de rayos X utilizando un marco computacional unificado

X-rays angiograms of the left ventricle as the main cavity of the human heart are acquired at the catheterization rooms routinely in order to evaluate the cardiac dynamic function. The global measurement of volumes, ejection fraction and synergistic motion associated with the ventricular cavity are considered in the assessment of such function. A precise left ventricle silhouette on the angiograms is necessary to calculate the function descriptors. A segmentation method is required to obtain the projected cavity shapeLos angiogramas de rayos X del ventrículo izquierdo como la cavidad principal del corazón humano se adquieren en las salas de cateterismo de forma rutinaria para evaluar la función dinámica cardíaca. La medición global de los volúmenes, la fracción de eyección y el movimiento sinérgico asociados con la cavidad ventricular se consideran en la evaluación de dicha función. Es necesaria una silueta precisa del ventrículo izquierdo en los angiogramas para calcular los descriptores de funciones. Se requiere un método de segmentación para obtener la forma de la cavidad proyectada

Simultaneous evaluation of volumes and synergistic motion of the left ventricle from X-ray angiograms using a unified computational framework

X-rays angiograms of the left ventricleas the main cavity of the human heartare acquired at the catheterizationrooms routinely in order to evaluate the cardiac dynamicfunction. The global measurement of volumes, ejectionfraction and synergistic motion associated with the ventricularcavity are considered in the assessment of suchfunction. A precise left ventricle silhouette on the angiogramsis necessary to calculate the function descriptors. Asegmentation method is required to obtain the projectedcavity shap

Una función de puntuación como medida de calidad para la evaluación de técnicas de mejora de la imagen cardíaca

A score function useful as a quantitative measure of the performance of the medical image enhancement techniques is reported in this paper. The measure proposed is based on merging of full–reference and blind–reference image enhancement measures. The score function is the average of the weighted sum of the image enhancement measures normalized between zero and one. The novel measure is validated considering as a hypothesis that values maximizing score function have that maximize the values of the metrics (Dice coefficient) used to evaluate certain previously reported cardiac image segmentation approach. The values of score function and Dice score reached the maximum value for the same cardiac volumes segmented.En este artículo se presenta una función de puntuación útil como medida cuantitativa del rendimiento de técnicas de mejora de imágenes médicas. La métrica propuesta se basa en la fusión de medidas de mejora de imagen de referencia completa y referencia ciega. La función de puntuación es el promedio de la suma ponderada de las medidas de mejora de imagen normalizadas entre cero y uno. La nueva medida se valida considerando la hipótesis de que los valores que maximizan la función de puntuación tienen como máximo los valores de las métricas (coeficiente de Dice) utilizados para evaluar cierto enfoque de segmentación de imágenes cardíacas reportado previamente. Los valores de la función de puntuación y el coeficiente de Dice alcanzaron el valor máximo para los mismos volúmenes cardíacos segmentados