Spatiotemporal graph queries on geographic databases under a conceptual abstraction scale

Visual queries assist non-expert users to extract information from spatial databases in an intuitive and natural approach, making Geographic information systems comprehensive and efficient for a wide range of applications. A common visual means of querying takes the form of drawings or graphs, under which many spatial ambiguity and translation errors rise. In this study, common query attributes extracted from user graphs such as spatial topology, size, cardinality, and proximity are regarded under a conceptual moderation scheme. Thus, the system/user may concentrate on various conceptual combinations of information. Furthermore, time is incorporated to support spatiotemporal queries for changing scenes and moving objects. Arbitrary, relative, and absolute scaling is possible according to the data-set and application at hand. The theoretic approach is implemented under a prototype user interface system, called ShapeController. Under this prototype, a user may extract scene-based relations in an automatically inferred fashion, or include single object-oriented relations when all possible relations seem redundant. Finally, a natural language description of the query is extracted upon which the user may select the desired query relations. Experimentation on a spatial database demonstrates the concepts of predefined draw objects, scaling relaxation, conceptual abstraction, and scene, object- and textual-oriented transitions that promote query expressiveness and restrain ambiguities.peer-reviewe

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH Ile(49)Ser) and Anti-Mullerian hormone type II receptor (AMHRII-482 A > G) as genetic markers in assisted reproduction technology

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the presence Antimullerian hormone (AMH) and Antimullerian hormone type II receptor (AMHRII) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) Ile(49)Ser and -482A > G respectively are related to the assisted reproduction outcome. A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in order to assess the distribution of AMH and AMHRII SNPs in two cohorts, one of healthy women (N = 100) and the control group and the IVF/ICSI group (N = 151) consisted of women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment for infertility. Furthermore, a prospective longitudinal observational study was performed on the latter group to assess possible associations of these SNPs with patients’ characteristics and controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and pregnancy outcome. Among non-carriers of the AMH (Ile(49)Ser) polymorphism, basal FSH levels were lower in those with more than two of previous IVF attempts and fertilization rate was statistically higher in those with peak serum E2 levels below 1500 pg/ml, whereas among non-carriers of the AMHRII (-482 A > G) polymorphism, number of follicles was higher in those with more than two previous IVF attempts and total dose of gonadotropins was lower in those with peak serum E2 levels above 1500 pg/ml. There was evidence that in specific subgroups of women undergoing IVF/ICSI, AMH and AMHRII SNPs may be related to patients’ characteristics and controlled ovarian stimulation and pregnancy outcome and thus may provide a means for the prediction of ovarian response in specific subgroups of women entering an IVF/ICSI program

Spatiotemporal graph queries on geographic databases under a conceptual abstraction scale

Summarization: Visual queries assist non-expert users to extract information from spatial databases in an intuitive and natural approach, making Geographic information systems comprehensive and efficient for a wide range of applications. A common visual means of querying takes the form of drawings or graphs, under which many spatial ambiguity and translation errors rise. In this study, common query attributes extracted from user graphs such as spatial topology, size, cardinality, and proximity are regarded under a conceptual moderation scheme. Thus, the system/user may concentrate on various conceptual combinations of information. Furthermore, time is incorporated to support spatiotemporal queries for changing scenes and moving objects. Arbitrary, relative, and absolute scaling is possible according to the data-set and application at hand. The theoretic approach is implemented under a prototype user interface system, called ShapeController. Under this prototype, a user may extract scene-based relations in an automatically inferred fashion, or include single object-oriented relations when all possible relations seem redundant. Finally, a natural language description of the query is extracted upon which the user may select the desired query relations. Experimentation on a spatial database demonstrates the concepts of predefined draw objects, scaling relaxation, conceptual abstraction, and scene, object- and textual-oriented transitions that promote query expressiveness and restrain ambiguities.Presented on: Geo-Spatial Information Scienc

Image based mineral liberation simulation incorporating experimental grinding models

Summarization: Breakage and liberation evolution of multigrain particles is a complex procedure upon which decision making can be based for the exploitation of minerals. Under this study, scanned image material samples are used to estimate mineral liberation. Image processing and computational simulations provide grain phase statistics, grade distributions and liberation attitude under varying sizes and distributions. Incorporating an experimentally based breakage model to the simulation, the time or energy of a grinding procedure is associated to liberation. Since image scanned samples lack the third dimension, an error estimation of approximating material volumes through two-dimensional measured areas is conducted. The findings verify the theoretical liberation models, while the proposed processes take into consideration the actual shapes and distributions of the particle grains as depicted from the image samples and thus establish a more reliable and realistic model.Presented on: Canadian Metallurgical Quarterl

Site selection and system sizing of desalination plants powered with renewable energy sources based on a web-GIS platform

International audiencePurpose The combination of desalination technology with renewable energy sources (RES) provides a sustainable approach for increasing potable water availability without imposing negative environmental effects. This paper aims to present the development of a platform, which is an internet-based tool integrating the design optimization of desalination systems with spatial modeling based on a geographic information system (GIS). Design/methodology/approach The proposed platform assists decision-makers to select the optimal location and configuration of both the energy- and water-related subsystems of desalination plants that are power-supplied by RES, such that the lifetime cost of the overall desalination plant is minimized. It enables to optimize the desalination plant site selection and sizing with various hybrid power supply (solar, wind, wave and electrical grid power systems) and desalination technologies combinations, while simultaneously exploiting spatial technologies in an internet-based GIS platform. Findings A pilot study for the optimal design of stand-alone and grid-connected desalination plants powered by RES is presented, which demonstrates the functionality and features of the proposed platform. It is also shown that a grid-connected desalination plant designed by the proposed software design tool exhibits significantly lower lifetime installation and maintenance costs compared to its stand-alone counterpart. Originality/value The proposed platform combines technological, scientific and industrial knowledge with information about societal/political conditions and geo-spatial technologies in a user-friendly graphical interface. Therefore, it provides a design tool enabling its users to secure water supply in a sustainable and economically viable manner

Cytotoxicity, Mutagenicity and Genotoxicity of Electronic Cigarettes Emission Aerosols Compared to Cigarette Smoke: the REPLICA project

In this work the REPLICA Team replicated part of the work published by Rudd and colleagues in 2020, which aims to establish the aerosol-induced cytotoxicity, mutagenesis and genotoxicity of a pod system e-cigarette aerosol compared to tobacco cigarette smoke. As in the original paper, we performed Neutral Red Test (NRU) for the evaluation of cytotoxicity, AMES test for the evaluation of mutagenesis and In Vitro Micronuclei (IVM) assay for the evaluation of genotoxicity on cells treated with cigarette smoke or e-cigarette aerosol. The results obtained showed high cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity induced by cigarette smoke, but slight or no cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic effects induced by the e-cigarette aerosol. The data obtained support those previously presented by Rudd and colleagues, although we have highlighted some methodological flaws of their work. Overall, we can affirm that the results obtained by Rudd and colleagues have been established and our data also confirm the idea that e-cigarette aerosol is much safer and less harmful than e-cigarette smoking, making it a useful device in smoking harm reductionThis investigator-initiated study was sponsored by ECLAT srl, a spin-off of the University of Catania, through a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World Inc., a US nonprofit 501(c)(3) private foundation with a mission to end smoking in this generation. The contents, selection, and presentation of facts, as well as any opinions expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the authors and under no circumstances shall be regarded as reflecting the positions of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, Inc. ECLAT srl. is a research-based company that delivers solutions to global health problems with special emphasis on harm minimization and technological innovation

The optimal location of the distribution point of the belt conveyor system in continuous surface mining operations

Summarization: Continuous surface mining projects are dynamic and quite complex. They are characterized by geological and spatial variability and several stochastic parameters that affect initial planning and final design. In strategic mine planning and operations management of such projects, the location of the distribution point of the belt conveyor system (BCDP) is of high importance as it directly influences mine development and the production schedule. In addition, the spatial location of the BCDP directly affects project cash flow including investment and operating costs and, as a result, the economic viability of the mining project. Therefore, the problem of the optimal location of BCDP could be defined as an economic optimization problem focusing on the material transportation cost. In this paper a model for the optimal location of BCDP in continuous surface mines is formulated based on the minimization of the transportation cost within the lifetime of the mine. A computer model was developed based on a methodological approach and was verified utilizing an actual lignite deposit which was simplified in terms of geometry and geology. Simulation results compare well with actual data available for the specific lignite mine.Presented on: Simulation Modelling Practice and Theor

Power transmission lines inspection using properly equipped Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Summarization: The inspection of power transmission lines is an important task that enhances the reliability of Electricity Distribution Network Operators. This task can be performed in a low-cost way using unmanned aircrafts. At the present study, we examine the effectiveness of using basic image processing methods on image data of the power lines acquired by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The specific UAV was assembled for the present work under the considerations that arise from the purpose of the inspection of power transmission lines. Two methodologies are proposed differing on the preprocessing required in order to detect the location of the lines on the video images. Both proposed methodologies were tested in real-world cases, with the image background in each case to be characterized of non-uniform texture, i.e., the natural terrain is rugged at some locations, wooded land at some other or it is road that appears at the same hue as the aerial power lines. We examined the case of a broken line where the methodologies result in successful detection of the power lines before and after the discontinuity of the power line. The proposed work offers a robust and low-cost way for the inspection of power transmission lines and so an effective way to detect the location where a cable fault has occurred.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: International Conference on Imaging Systems and Technique

Safe urban growth: An integrated ICT solution for unstandardized and distributed information handling

Summarization: In 2007, our planet became predominantly urban as for the first time, more than half of the world's population was living in cities. This tendency for urbanization is characterized by urban sprawl phenomena and excessive environmental pollution degrading citizens' living standards. Although intelligent and safe urban planning and management is a challenging task, latest ICT advances can offer promising solutions to the aforementioned problem by providing efficient and effective ways for handling large amounts of unstandardized and distributed information. In this paper we present an integrated, fully automatic ICT solution for acquiring, processing and representing heterogeneous, unstandardized and distributed information about underground gas pipeline networks, in order to provide a safe way for urban growth.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: International Workshop on Smart City and Ubiquitous Computing Application