A selectional auto-encoder approach for document image binarization

Binarization plays a key role in the automatic information retrieval from document images. This process is usually performed in the first stages of document analysis systems, and serves as a basis for subsequent steps. Hence it has to be robust in order to allow the full analysis workflow to be successful. Several methods for document image binarization have been proposed so far, most of which are based on hand-crafted image processing strategies. Recently, Convolutional Neural Networks have shown an amazing performance in many disparate duties related to computer vision. In this paper we discuss the use of convolutional auto-encoders devoted to learning an end-to-end map from an input image to its selectional output, in which activations indicate the likelihood of pixels to be either foreground or background. Once trained, documents can therefore be binarized by parsing them through the model and applying a global threshold. This approach has proven to outperform existing binarization strategies in a number of document types.This work was partially supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades through Juan de la Cierva - Formación grant (Ref. FJCI-2016-27873), and the Universidad de Alicante through grant GRE-16-04

Windows .NET Network Distributed Basic Local Alignment Search Toolkit (W.ND-BLAST)

BACKGROUND: BLAST is one of the most common and useful tools for Genetic Research. This paper describes a software application we have termed Windows .NET Distributed Basic Local Alignment Search Toolkit (W.ND-BLAST), which enhances the BLAST utility by improving usability, fault recovery, and scalability in a Windows desktop environment. Our goal was to develop an easy to use, fault tolerant, high-throughput BLAST solution that incorporates a comprehensive BLAST result viewer with curation and annotation functionality. RESULTS: W.ND-BLAST is a comprehensive Windows-based software toolkit that targets researchers, including those with minimal computer skills, and provides the ability increase the performance of BLAST by distributing BLAST queries to any number of Windows based machines across local area networks (LAN). W.ND-BLAST provides intuitive Graphic User Interfaces (GUI) for BLAST database creation, BLAST execution, BLAST output evaluation and BLAST result exportation. This software also provides several layers of fault tolerance and fault recovery to prevent loss of data if nodes or master machines fail. This paper lays out the functionality of W.ND-BLAST. W.ND-BLAST displays close to 100% performance efficiency when distributing tasks to 12 remote computers of the same performance class. A high throughput BLAST job which took 662.68 minutes (11 hours) on one average machine was completed in 44.97 minutes when distributed to 17 nodes, which included lower performance class machines. Finally, there is a comprehensive high-throughput BLAST Output Viewer (BOV) and Annotation Engine components, which provides comprehensive exportation of BLAST hits to text files, annotated fasta files, tables, or association files. CONCLUSION: W.ND-BLAST provides an interactive tool that allows scientists to easily utilizing their available computing resources for high throughput and comprehensive sequence analyses. The install package for W.ND-BLAST is freely downloadable from . With registration the software is free, installation, networking, and usage instructions are provided as well as a support forum

The ratio of pattern speeds in double-barred galaxies

We have obtained two-dimensional velocity fields in the ionized gas of a set of 8 double-barred galaxies, at high spatial and spectral resolution, using their H$\alpha$ emission fields measured with a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer. Using the technique by which phase reversals in the non-circular motion indicate a radius of corotation, taking advantage of the high angular and velocity resolution we have obtained the corotation radii and the pattern speeds of both the major bar and the small central bar in each of the galaxies; there are few such measurements in the literature. Our results show that the inner bar rotates more rapidly than the outer bar by a factor between 3.3 and 3.6.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl

Historias del bienestar. Desde la historia de las emociones a las políticas de la experiencia

The aim of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, we intend to produce a short review on the history of the emotions in Spain and Latin America. On the other hand, we will argue in favor of a methodological approach, focused on the history of subjective experiences and, specifically in this case, on the cultural history of wellbeing. We will conclude that the cooperative project developed by our group of Madrid and a Valencian team of doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists specialized in the study and treatment of fibromyalgia is a good example of how cooperative endeavor between the Humanities and the Health Sciences in the XXI century.El propósito de este texto es doble. Por un lado, haremos un pequeño recorrido, inevitablemente incompleto, por lo que ha sido la historia de las emociones en España y Latinoamérica. En segundo lugar, argumentaremos a favor de una orientación metodológica centrada en la historia de las experiencias subjetivas y, más en particular en este caso, en la historia cultural del bienestar. Defendemos, por último, que el proyecto de cooperación entre nuestro grupo de Madrid y un equipo de médicos, psicólogos y psiquiatras de Valencia en torno a la enfermedad de la fibromialgia, constituye un buen ejemplo de relación cooperativa entre las humanidades y las ciencias de la salud en el siglo XXI

La adaptación cinematográfica de Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal: el equilibrio entre filtrar y mostrar

In 2001 Chris Columbus adapted Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Joanne Kathleen Rowling's opera prima to make it the first film in the Harry Potter saga. Our article provides an analysis of some of the decisions made by Columbus regarding the original novel to make his film, especially focused on how the plot and the Wizarding World were treated. To do so, the film is in first place put into context and the concept of adaptation is reviewed, so that later it can be explained why it is important that Columbus chose to filter some elements and show others, something that is exemplified by two scenes from the film.En 2001 Chris Columbus adaptó Harry Potter y la piedra filosofal, la opera prima de Joanne Kathleen Rowling para convertirla en la primera película de la saga Harry Potter. Nuestro artículo ofrece un análisis de algunas de las decisiones que se tomaron respecto de la novela para hacer la película, en específico de cómo se trabajó con la trama y con el mundo mágico. Para ello se pone primero en contexto la película y se revisa el concepto de adaptación, de manera que después puede explicarse por qué es importante que Columbus escogiera filtrar unos elementos y mostrar otros, algo que se ejemplifica mediante dos escenas del filme

Omalizumab and other biologics in drug desensitization

Purpose of review; Omalizumab has been proposed for controlling adverse reactions during drug desensitization. Our aim is to know the current evidence involving the use of omalizumab in drug-allergy desensitization. Recent findings; Drug-allergy desensitization is not risk free, but it is a useful procedure and has been applied for drug hypersensitivity reactions with mast cells degranulation through IgE and non-IgE mechanisms. Since 2007, omalizumab has been considered as a potential strategy to prevent adverse reactions. Our review found few case reports and only one randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study, using different omalizumab regimens prior to drug desensitization. This scarce evidence is insufficient to predict the effectiveness of omalizumab in rapid drug desensitization procedures, but it may be useful in future studies of omalizumab or related next-generation antibodies. Summary; Omalizumab or other IgE-targeting biologics, either a fixed dose of 300mg omalizumab or a dose-related total IgE level and body mass weight may be an option for patients with IgE-mediated or mast cell drug reactions in troublesome desensitization