Processing historical photographs and film footage with Photogrammetry and Artificial Intelligence for Cultural Heritage documentation and virtual reconstruction

The specific objective of this thesis is to offer an excursion through the metric potentialities of different data available in historical archives, by considering the essential role of photogrammetry. The aim is to explore how metric information about buildings which no longer exist or transformed over time could be extracted from old photographs and videos of different quality, for their 3D virtual reconstruction analysing the material stored in historical archives to support researchers and experts in historical research of Cultural Heritage.In order to process these data and to obtain metrically certified results, a modification of the algorithms of the standard photogrammetric pipeline was necessary. This purpose was achieved with the use of open-source Structure-from-Motion algorithms and the creation of a specific benchmark to compare the results.Besides the processing of historical photograph, photogrammetry is combined with Artificial Intelligence to improve ways to search for architectural heritage in video material and to reduce the effort of manually examining them by the operator in the archive in terms of efficiency and time

Photogrammetry and Deep Learning to improve Cultural Heritage records: extracting 3D metric information from historical images

L'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen

A MATCH-MOVING METHOD COMBINING AI AND SFM ALGORITHMS IN HISTORICAL FILM FOOTAGE

Searching for suitable material for photogrammetry is a key part in the documentation of Cultural Heritage. Photogrammetry can be used to produce a metrically certified 3D model. Material contained in historical film footage archives is especially useful for documentation when the heritage has been lost. In this research an innovative match-moving method is proposed that aims to exploit Artificial Intelligence and SfM algorithms to identify the frames extracted from a film footage in which the lost monument appears and that are suitable to be processed with photogrammetry for its 3D reconstruction. First of all the identification and tracking of the heritage in the videos was performed training an object detection Neural Network. Then the frames detected were automatically extracted with the coordinates of the bounding boxes that contain the monument. The camera motions were identified by selecting only the shots taken from multiple points of view of the same scene and analysing the evolution of the bounding boxes position over time. A further check of the material was necessary to select only sequences and to eliminate single frames and images from different historic periods. After this process, only the correct frames were automatically selected and processed with photogrammetry and the quality of the obtained 3D model was assessed. The method experimented in this research represents a powerful tool in the field of Cultural Heritage because it makes the selection of suitable material for photogrammetry automatic. Moreover it offers important insights that could be extended to other sectors

Integration of 3D modelling with photogrammetry applied on historical images for cultural heritage.

The recovery of past architecture through 3D modelling is an important challenge today to the preservation of heritage. Decisive support for the interpretation of architecture can certainly come from historical images and old photographs that fix a portion of space at a specific time, keeping it unchanged over the years. This acquisition is decisive for studying architectures of the past that can be reinterpreted and analysed. Photos, in fact, capture the advance of time and the life of a building at a precise historical moment, becoming essential documents for the study and knowledge of heritage. An additional advantage is when these old images can be processed through Structure for Motion procedures and, the results obtained, used as support for a 3D model of buildings that no longer exist. The work shows an interesting pipeline applied to the Caltanissetta Centrale Station and the possibility of “recovering”, even if virtually, a phase of its architectural evolution through the integration of photogrammetry from historical images and 3D modelling. The case study is an opportunity to analyse the procedure still under development, as well as to identify the main difficulties encountered in this process and possible future developments

Unesco VR

Presentazione fatta durante l'incontro del progetto 3DLab-Sicilia con gli Amministratori di alcuni dei Comuni attraversati dal cammino di S. Bernardo. L'agenda dell'incontro è disponibile in questa pagina

Ultralow loading electroless deposition of IrOx on nickel foam for efficient and stable water oxidation catalysis

Abstract Photocatalysis and electrolysis are crucial processes for the development of a sustainable, clean energy system, since they enable solar fuel production, such as hydrogen by water splitting, as well as CO2 reduction. In these processes efficient and robust catalysts for water oxidation are required and the reduction of employed amount of noble metals is crucial to reduce costs and increase the sustainability of the technology. To obtain extremely low iridium loading on nickel foam electrodes we have employed electroless deposition by spontaneous galvanic displacement as a simple, low cost, highly scalable technique. After deposition the Ir oxidation has been achieved by annealing in air at 250 °C. By varying the deposition parameters, an optimal condition has been achieved, with an overpotential for water oxidation of 360 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH solution. The Ni foam coverage with Ir oxide has also a positive impact on the electrode stability, strongly decreasing the degradation rate, compared to the case of bare Ni foam. The average amount of noble metal in the best performing electrode is only 35 μg cm−2 for a 1.6 mm thick Ni foam electrode. The proposed approach is highly promising for gas diffusion electrodes, and can be implemented in electrolytic cells, as well as in fuel cells

Morphological and Immunohistochemical Examination of Lymphoproliferative Lesions Caused by Marek's Disease Virus in Breeder Chickens

Simple Summary The poultry industry is the most intensive and fastest growing among all livestock production systems, and, in the last decades, it has expanded exponentially due to an increasing demand for meat and eggs. Marek’s disease is a highly contagious and rapidly progressive lymphoproliferative disease. It is one of the most dangerous diseases of those affecting the sector because it causes important economic losses. Although widely controlled by vaccination programs, sometimes chickens are not totally protected, and the presence of virulent field strains can allow outbreaks. This case describes the occurrence of Marek’s disease observed in a breeder chicken flock that reported an increase in mortality rate (+0.4–0.6%) after the 32nd week. Histological analysis has highlighted severe lesions on visceral organs of chickens caused by Marek’s disease, especially in the intestinal tract of a hen that had a tumor mass in the distal part of the cloaca. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the disease-associated tumor. The aim of this study was to underline the importance of vaccine administration related to the maintenance of proper biosecurity practice, especially in the first week of the raising cycle. In addition, monitoring for disease even after vaccination is crucial to minimize economic loss. Abstract Marek’s disease is widely controlled by vaccination programs; however, chickens are not totally protected, especially immediately after the vaccination when a strong challenge could interfere with the effectiveness of vaccination in the absence of proper biosecurity practice. This case report describes the occurrence of Marek’s disease (MD) observed in a breeder chicken flock reared southeast of Sicily. MD outbreak occurred from 32 to 47 weeks with an increase in weekly mortality rate (+0.4–0.6%). Overall, mortality rate related to Marek’s disease was about 6% at the end of the cycle. Carcasses of chickens found during the occurrence of disease underwent necropsy, and tissues were collected to confirm the infection. Gizzard, cecal tonsil, intestine, spleen and tumor mass were collected and analyzed from a carcass of one hen, 32 weeks old and apparently asymptomatic. Multiplex real-time PCR performed on spleen tissues detected the presence of MD virus pathogenic strain. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the rest of the samples confirmed the neoplastic disease. Moreover, the immunophenotype of the tumor cells was identified as CD3 positive by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The vaccinated flock had become rapidly infected with the MD virus, which proves that the challenge of the MD virus was too strong in the rearing house at the beginning of the cycle, causing the outbreak

RenalGuard system in high-risk patients for contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

Background High urine flow rate (UFR) has been suggested as a target for effective prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). The RenalGuard therapy (saline infusion plus furosemide controlled by the RenalGuard system) facilitates the achievement of this target. Methods Four hundred consecutive patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤30 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 and/or a high predicted risk (according to the Mehran score ≥11 and/or the Gurm score >7%) treated by the RenalGuard therapy were analyzed. The primary end points were (1) the relationship between CI-AKI and UFR during preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural phases of the RenalGuard therapy and (2) the rate of acute pulmonary edema and impairment in electrolytes balance. Results Urine flow rate was significantly lower in the patients with CI-AKI in the preprocedural phase (208 ± 117 vs 283 ± 160 mL/h, P P = .009). The best threshold for CI-AKI prevention was a mean intraprocedural phase UFR ≥450 mL/h (area under curve 0.62, P = .009, sensitivity 80%, specificity 46%). Performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (hazard ratio [HR] 4.13, 95% CI 1.81-9.10, P P = .012), and total furosemide dose >0.32 mg/kg (HR 5.03, 95% CI 2.33-10.87, P Conclusions RenalGuard therapy is safe and effective in reaching high UFR. Mean intraprocedural UFR ≥450 mL/h should be the target for optimal CI-AKI prevention

Absence of Caspase 8 and High Expression of PED Protect Primitive Neural Cells from Cell Death

The mechanisms that control neural stem and progenitor cell survival are unknown. In several pathological conditions, death receptor (DR) ligands and inflammatory cytokines exert a deleterious effect on neurons, whereas primitive neural cells migrate and survive in the site of lesion. Here, we show that even in the presence of inflammatory cytokines, DRs are unable to generate death signals in primitive neural cells. Neural stem and progenitor cells did not express caspase 8, the presence of which is required for initiating the caspase cascade. However, exogenous or cytokine-mediated expression of caspase 8 was not sufficient to restore their DR sensitivity. Searching for molecules potentially able to block DR death-inducing signaling complex (DISC), we found that primitive neural cells expressed high levels of the death effector domain-containing protein PED (also known as PEA-15). PED localized in the DISC and prevented caspase 8 recruitment and activation. Moreover, lentiviral-mediated delivery of PED antisense DNA resulted in dramatic down-regulation of the endogenous gene expression and sensitization of primitive neural cells to apoptosis mediated by inflammatory cytokines and DRs. Thus, absence of caspase 8 and high expression of PED constitute two levels of protection from apoptosis induced by DRs and inflammatory cytokines in neural stem and progenitor cells

A Pipeline for the Implementation of Immersive Experience in Cultural Heritage Sites in Sicily

Modern digital technologies allow potentially to explore Cultural Heritage sites in immersive virtual environments. This is surely an advantage for the users that can better experiment and understand a specific site, also before a real visit. This specific approach has gained increasing attention during the extreme conditions of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. In this work, we present the processes that lead to the implementation of an immersive app for different kinds of low and highcost devices, which have been attained in the context of the 3DLab-Sicilia project. 3DLab-Sicilia’s main objective is to sponsor the creation, development, and validation of a sustainable infrastructure that interconnects three main Sicilian centers specialized in augmented and virtual reality. The project gives great importance to the cultural heritage, as well as to the tourism related areas. Despite the presentation of the case study of the Santa Maria La Vetere church, the process of the final app implementation guided by the general pipeline here presented is general and can be applied to other cultural heritage sites