Detecting, counting and sizing bluefin tuna schools using medium range sonars of baitboats in the Bay of Biscay.

139 p.This study presents a methodology for the automated analysis of commercial medium-range sonar signals for detecting, counting and sizing bluefin tuna (Tunnus thynnus) schools at the Bay of Biscay. Data can be recorded from commercial fishing campaigns and scientific acoustic systematic sampling surveys in the Bay of Biscay. Image processing techniques are used to analyze sonar screenshots and generate supervised database composed by morphometric characteristics. Data mining techniques are used to test different classification algorithms over the database. The tuna presence/absence classification capacity through sonar imagery is demonstrated by resulting statistical indices. For counting and sizing, a novel methodology is presented, which gathers data from different sources: ¿Tuna¿ and ¿No-Tuna¿ labels (originated from the morphometric classification model) and operational data related to the live baitboat (extracted by an optical character recognition application). These data and scientific observations onboard are used to develop a methodology to estimate the number and size of bluefin tuna schools. Results validation is done by contrasting the number of estimated schools with the number of observed ones. Final number and size of schools represents a first milestone towards the first fisheries independent abundance estimation evaluations. Thus, factors that introduce bias in the inter-annual abundance indices calculation, such as food availability, feeding behavior and stomach repletion are avoided and the methodology can be applied in two ways: replacing the currently used captures per unit effort (CPUE) index by a detection per unit effort (DPUE) index based on acoustic bluefin tuna school detection or performing systematically sampled acoustic surveys to monitor the presence of this species at the BoB year after year

Detecting, counting and sizing bluefin tuna schools using medium range sonars of baitboats in the Bay of Biscay.

139 p.This study presents a methodology for the automated analysis of commercial medium-range sonar signals for detecting, counting and sizing bluefin tuna (Tunnus thynnus) schools at the Bay of Biscay. Data can be recorded from commercial fishing campaigns and scientific acoustic systematic sampling surveys in the Bay of Biscay. Image processing techniques are used to analyze sonar screenshots and generate supervised database composed by morphometric characteristics. Data mining techniques are used to test different classification algorithms over the database. The tuna presence/absence classification capacity through sonar imagery is demonstrated by resulting statistical indices. For counting and sizing, a novel methodology is presented, which gathers data from different sources: ¿Tuna¿ and ¿No-Tuna¿ labels (originated from the morphometric classification model) and operational data related to the live baitboat (extracted by an optical character recognition application). These data and scientific observations onboard are used to develop a methodology to estimate the number and size of bluefin tuna schools. Results validation is done by contrasting the number of estimated schools with the number of observed ones. Final number and size of schools represents a first milestone towards the first fisheries independent abundance estimation evaluations. Thus, factors that introduce bias in the inter-annual abundance indices calculation, such as food availability, feeding behavior and stomach repletion are avoided and the methodology can be applied in two ways: replacing the currently used captures per unit effort (CPUE) index by a detection per unit effort (DPUE) index based on acoustic bluefin tuna school detection or performing systematically sampled acoustic surveys to monitor the presence of this species at the BoB year after year

Detección automática de presencia/ausencia de atún en imágenes obtenidas mediante sonar de largo alcance a bordo de buques pesqueros y aplicación de Optical Character Recognition (OCR) para la extracción de parámetros

En esta tesis de máster se presenta una metodología para el análisis automatizado de las señales del sonar de largo alcance y una aplicación basada en la técnica de reconocimiento óptico de Optical Character Recognition, caracteres (OCR). La primera contribución consiste en el análisis de imágenes de sonar mediante técnicas de procesamiento de imágenes. En este proceso, para cada imagen de sonar se extraen y se analizan las regiones medibles, obteniendo para cada región un conjunto de características. Con la ayuda de los expertos, cada región es identi cada en una clase (atún o no-atún). De este modo, mediante el aprendizaje supervisado se genera la base de datos y, a su vez, se obtiene un modelo de clasi cación. La segunda contribución es una aplicación OCR que reconoce y extrae de las capturas de pantalla de imágenes de sonar, los caracteres alfanuméricos correspondientes a los parámetros de situación (velocidad, rumbo, localización GPS) y la confi guración de sonar (ganancias, inclinación, ancho del haz). El objetivo de este proceso es el de maximizar la e ficiencia en la detección de atún en el Golfo de Vizcaya y dar el primer paso hacia el desarrollo de un índice de abundancia de esta especie, el cual esté basado en el procesamiento automático de las imágenes de sonar grabadas a bordo de la ota pesquera durante su actividad pesquera rutinaria

Factores predictivos de evolución en osteosíntesis con placa bloqueada de fracturas de húmero proximal en 3 y 4 fragmentos.

[ES] Valorar la utilidad de los factores predictivos de evolución en osteosíntesis con placa bloqueada de fracturas de húmero proximal en 3 y 4 fragmentos que se encuentran disponibles en la literatur

Composite material with enhanced ultraviolet performance stability for photovoltaic modules

The present work aims encapsulating photovoltaic cells in glass reinforced epoxy composite by vacuum resin infusion, incorporating additives directed to enhance the performance stability of the manufactured photovoltaic modules under ultraviolet (UV) exposure. UV absorber (UVA) and hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) additives were incorporated in the resin system in different content. Photovoltaic performance and stability under UV radiation exposure were studied through external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectra, chromatic coordinates and short-circuit current values. Decrease in current values and increase in yellowness were observed in the presence of UVA and HALS. However, an enhanced performance stability was observed when additives are incorporated, improving the stability when increasing the additive amount. The most stable module, with cells embedded in 2% additive containing composite, showed a 2.7% short-circuit current loss after UV aging exposure.This work was supported by the Basque Government Elkartek 2018Programme (Grant Agreement KK-2018/00040). The authors thank toBASF company for supplying UVA and HALS components

Phospholipase C Zeta in Human Spermatozoa: A Systematic Review on Current Development and Clinical Application

During fertilization, the fusion of the spermatozoa with the oocytes causes the release of calcium from the oocyte endoplasmatic reticulum. This, in turn, triggers a series of calcium ion (Ca2+) oscillations, a process known as oocyte activation. The sperm-specific factor responsible for oocyte activation is phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ). Men undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with their spermatozoa lacking PLCζ are incapable of generating Ca2+ oscillation, leading to fertilization failure. The immunofluorescence assay is the most used technique to assess the expression and localization of PLCζ and to diagnose patients with reduced/absent ability to activate the oocytes. In these patients, the use of assisted oocyte activation (AOA) technique can help to yield successful ICSI results and shorten the time of pregnancy. However, the production of a stable PLCζ recombinant protein represents a new powerful therapeutic approach to treating individuals with this condition. We aim to conduct a systematic review focusing on the expression, level, and localization of PLCζ, discussing the novel genetic mutation associated with its impairment. In addition, we highlight the benefits of AOA, looking at new and less invasive methods to diagnose and treat cases with PLCζ dysfunction.This research was funded by the Cátedra Human Fertility (A-GE-Cátedra Human Fertility 35.90.6Q..00.01) and Departamento de Biotecnología of the Universidad de Alicante (VIGROB-186)

Immunofluorescence and High-Resolution Microscopy Reveal New Insights in Human Globozoospermia

Globozoospermia is a rare and severe type of teratozoospermia characterized by the presence of round-headed, acrosomeless spermatozoa with cytoskeleton defects. Current data support a negative relationship between globozoospermia and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes, revealing the need to perform exhaustive studies on this type of sperm disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate different structural, functional and molecular sperm biomarkers in total globozoospermia with proper embryo development after ICSI. The combination of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allowed us to identify and correlate eight morphological patterns with both types of microscopy. Additionally, results reported a high percentage of coiled forms, with cytoplasmic retentions around the head and midpiece. By fluorescent microscopy, we detected that most of the sperm showed tubulin in the terminal piece of the flagellum and less than 1% displayed tyrosine phosphorylation in the flagellum. Moreover, we did not detect chaperone Heat shock-related 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2) in 85% of the cells. Overall, these findings provide new insights into globozoospermia, which could have potential implications in improving sperm selection methods for assisted reproductive techniques.This research was funded by the Human Fertility Professorship and Departamento de Biotecnología of the Universidad de Alicante (VIGROB-186)

The Role of Sperm Proteins IZUMO1 and TMEM95 in Mammalian Fertilization: A Systematic Review

Gamete membrane fusion is a critical cellular event in sexual reproduction. In addition, the generation of knockout models has provided a powerful tool for testing the functional relevance of proteins thought to be involved in mammalian fertilization, suggesting IZUMO1 and TMEM95 (transmembrane protein 95) as essential proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the process remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the current knowledge about IZUMO1 and TMEM95 during mammalian fertilization. Hence, three distinct databases were consulted—PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science—using single keywords. As a result, a total of 429 articles were identified. Based on both inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final number of articles included in this study was 103. The results showed that IZUMO1 is mostly studied in rodents whereas TMEM95 is studied primarily in bovines. Despite the research, the topological localization of IZUMO1 remains controversial. IZUMO1 may be involved in organizing or stabilizing a multiprotein complex essential for the membrane fusion in which TMEM95 could act as a fusogen due to its possible interaction with IZUMO1. Overall, the expression of these two proteins is not sufficient for sperm–oocyte fusion; therefore, other molecules must be involved in the membrane fusion process.This research was funded by the Human Fertility Professorship and Departamento de Biotecnología of the Universidad de Alicante (VIGROB-186)

Long-Term Freezing Temperatures Frequency Change Effect on Wind Energy Gain (Eurasia and North America, 1950 & 2019)

The persistent freezing conditions in cold regions are the cause of ice accretion on mechanical and instrumental elements of wind turbines. Consequently, remarkable Annual Energy Production (AEP) losses are prone to occur in those wind farms. Following global expansion of wind energy, these areas have had increased study interest in recent years. The goal of these studies is an improved characterisation of the site for the installation of turbines, which could prevent unexpected high AEP losses due to ice accretion on them. In this context, this paper provides an estimation of the freezing temperatures frequency (FTF) at 100 m over latitudes and evaluates the changes during the last 70 years. To that end, hourly surface temperature data (2 m above surface) from the ERA5 reanalysis is used in the [50∘ N, 75∘ N] latitudinal belt for the period 1950–2019. The obtained results show an average reduction of FTF hours of 72.5 h/decade for all the domain, reaching a maximum decrease of 621 h/decade on the southeast coast of Greenland and a 60% annual reduction at a specific location in Scandinavia. In terms of AEP a maximum gain of more than 26% would be projected, as categorised by the the International Energy Agency.This paper is part of the project PID2020-116153RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033, and also received funding from the University of Basque Country (UPV/EHU project GIU20/008)

Customised design and manufacture of protective face masks combining a practitioner-friendly modelling approach and low-cost devices for digitising and additive manufacturing

This project analyses the viability of an efficient modelling approach using a semi-automatic algorithm within a Computer Aided Design (CAD) application in combination with low-cost digitising devices and low-cost Additive Manufacturing (AM) printers when designing and manufacturing patient-specific face masks. The aims of the study were to enable clinical practitioners to utilise the advantages of three-dimensional (3D) scanning, CAD and AM without having to be trained to use design/engineering software. Face features were captured using two 3D devices. The resulting meshes were compared via the Hausdorff Distance method. A semi-automatic modelling procedure was developed with ‘Rhinoceros’ and ‘Grasshopper’ to model the face mask and customise several features. With that procedure, volunteers modelled a face mask in less than 30 minutes in their first attempt. The resulting virtual mask was manufactured with two AM printers. An initial economic study indicated that the presented approach offers a feasible alternative to the current practices