984 research outputs found
Background modeling by shifted tilings of stacked denoising autoencoders
The effective processing of visual data without interruption is currently of supreme importance. For that purpose, the analysis system must adapt to events that may affect the data quality and maintain its performance level over time. A methodology for background modeling and foreground detection, whose main characteristic is its robustness against stationary noise, is presented in the paper. The system is based on a stacked denoising autoencoder which extracts a set of significant features for each patch of several shifted tilings of the video frame. A probabilistic model for each patch is learned. The distinct patches which include a particular pixel are considered for that pixel classification. The experiments show that classical methods existing in the literature experience drastic performance drops when noise is present in the video sequences, whereas the proposed one seems to be slightly affected. This fact corroborates the idea of robustness of our proposal, in addition to its usefulness for the processing and analysis of continuous data during uninterrupted periods of time.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech
The molecular environment of the pillar-like features in the HII region G46.5-0.2
At the interface of HII regions and molecular gas peculiar structures appear,
some of them with pillar-like shapes. Understanding their origin is important
for characterizing triggered star formation and the impact of massive stars on
the interstellar medium. In order to study the molecular environment and the
influence of the radiation on two pillar-like features related to the HII
region G46.5-0.2, we performed molecular line observations with the Atacama
Submillimeter Telescope Experiment, and spectroscopic optical observations with
the Isaac Newton Telescope. From the optical observations we identified the
star that is exciting the HII region as a spectral type O4-6. The molecular
data allowed us to study the structure of the pillars and a HCO+ cloud lying
between them. In this HCO+ cloud, which have not any well defined 12CO
counterpart, we found direct evidence of star formation: two molecular outflows
and two associated near-IR nebulosities. The outflows axis orientation is
perpendicular to the direction of the radiation flow from the HII region.
Several Class I sources are also embedded in this HCO+ cloud, showing that it
is usual that the YSOs form large associations occupying a cavity bounded by
pillars. On the other hand, it was confirmed that the RDI process is not
occurring in one of the pillar tips.Comment: Accepted in MNRAS (2017 June 13
Background modeling for video sequences by stacked denoising autoencoders
Nowadays, the analysis and extraction of relevant information in visual data flows is of paramount importance. These images sequences can last for hours, which implies that the model must adapt to all kinds of circumstances so that the performance of the system does not decay over time. In this paper we propose a methodology for background modeling and foreground detection, whose main characteristic is its robustness against stationary noise. Thus, stacked denoising autoencoders are applied to generate a set of robust characteristics for each region or patch of the image, which will be the input of a probabilistic model to determine if that region is background or foreground. The evaluation of a set of heterogeneous sequences results in that, although our proposal is similar to the classical methods existing in the literature, the inclusion of noise in these sequences causes drastic performance drops in the competing methods, while in our case the performance stays or falls slightly.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech
Spatial distribution of Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) in an exploited holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest.
Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a carpophagous insect which affects the quality andviability of the fruits of beech, oak and chestnut trees. The majority of the works on this species in holm oak woodsdealt with assessing its damages. No investigations have yet been performed on the spatial distribution of this pest,although this element is one of the key features to take in account in order to develop proper integrated managementprograms. The present study, performed during a four years period in an exploited holm oak forest area in SouthernSpain, investigated the spatial distribution of C. fagiglandana integrating classic methods based on dispersion ratesand distribution fitting together with the elaboration of population density maps based on GIS. Our results showedthat the infestation rate progressively decreased from 0.339 in 2001 to 0.102 in 2004. Density maps for C. fagiglandanaalso show an heterogeneous and aggregated distribution of this insect and a spatio-temporal stability in this area. It isconcluded that during the four years of the study inter-specific competition with the weevil Curculio elephas was thefactor that most affected the spatial distribution of C. fagiglandana in the experimental plot
Treatment patterns for metastatic colorectal cancer in Spain
Abstract Purpose The primary aim of this retrospective study was to describe the treatment patterns according to the type of treatment received by patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in Spain. Methods This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study performed by 33 sites throughout Spain that included consecutive patients aged 18 years or older who had received or were receiving treatment for mCRC. Results At the time of inclusion, of the 873 evaluable patients, 507 (58%) had received two lines, 235 (27%) had received three lines, 106 (12%) had received four lines, and the remaining patients had received up to ten lines. The most frequent chemotherapy schemes were the FOLFOX or CAPOX regimens (66%) for frst-line treatment, FOLFOX, CAPOX or FOLFIRI (70%) for second-line treatment, and FOLFOX, FOLFIRI or other fuoropyrimidine-based regimens for third- and fourth-line (over 60%) treatment. Sixty percent of patients received targeted therapy as part of their frst-line treatment, and this proportion increased up to approximately 70% of patients as part of the second-line of treatment. A relevant proportion of patients were treated with unknown KRAS, and especially the BRAF, mutation statuses. Conclusions This study reveals inconsistencies regarding adherence to the recommendations of the ESMO guidelines for the management of mCRC in Spain. Improved adherence to the standard practice described in such guidelines for the determination of RAS and BRAF mutation statuses and the use of targeted therapies in frst-line treatment should be considered to guarantee that patients can beneft from the best therapeutic approaches available. Keywords Colorectal cancer · Metastatic · Treatment patterns · KRAS/BRAF mutation status · Clinical practice guidelin
Casimir Force for Absorbing Media in an Open Quantum System Framework: Scalar Model
In this article we compute the Casimir force between two finite-width mirrors
at finite temperature, working in a simplified model in 1+1 dimensions. The
mirrors, considered as dissipative media, are modeled by a continuous set of
harmonic oscillators which in turn are coupled to an external environment at
thermal equilibrium. The calculation of the Casimir force is performed in the
framework of the theory of quantum open systems. It is shown that the Casimir
interaction has two different contributions: the usual radiation pressure from
vacuum, which is obtained for ideal mirrors without dissipation or losses, and
a Langevin force associated with the noise induced by the interaction between
dielectric atoms in the slabs and the thermal bath. Both contributions to the
Casimir force are needed in order to reproduce the analogous of Lifshitz
formula in 1+1 dimensions. We also discuss the relation between the
electromagnetic properties of the mirrors and the spectral density of the
environmentComment: Minor changes, version to appear in Phys. Rev.
Association between preoperative levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hospital-acquired infections after hepatobiliary surgery: A prospective study in a third-level hospital
Introduction
Evidence implicates vitamin D deficiency in poorer outcomes and increased susceptibility to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). This study examined the association between serum vitamin D levels and HAIs in a population of hepatobiliary surgery patients.
Methods
Participants in this prospective analytical observational study were patients who underwent hepatobiliary surgery in a tertiary hospital in Aragon, Spain, between February 2018 and March 2019. Vitamin D concentrations were measured at admission and all nosocomial infections during hospitalization and after discharge were recorded.
Results
The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of the study population (n = 301) was 38.56 nmol/L, which corresponds to vitamin D deficiency. Higher vitamin D concentrations were associated with a decreased likelihood of developing a HAI in general (p = 0.014), and in particularly surgical site infection (p = 0.026). The risk of HAI decreased by 34% with each 26.2-nmol/L increase in serum vitamin D levels.
Conclusions
Vitamin D levels may constitute a modifiable risk factor for postoperative nosocomial infections in hepatobiliary surgery patients
Quantum Size Effects in the Magnetic Susceptibility of a Metallic Nanoparticle
We theoretically study quantum size effects in the magnetic response of a
spherical metallic nanoparticle (e.g. gold). Using the Jellium model in
spherical coordinates, we compute the induced magnetic moment and the magnetic
susceptibility for a nanoparticle in the presence of a static external magnetic
field. Below a critical magnetic field the magnetic response is diamagnetic,
whereas above such field the magnetization is characterized by sharp, step-like
increases of several tenths of Bohr magnetons, associated with the Zeeman
crossing of energy levels above and below the Fermi sea. We quantify the
robustness of these regimes against thermal excitations and finite linewidth of
the electronic levels. Finally, we propose two methods for experimental
detection of the quantum size effects based on the coupling to superconducting
quantum interference devices.Comment: 5+6 pages, 3+3 figure
Oncologist’s knowledge and implementation of guidelines for breakthrough cancer pain in Spain: CONOCE study
[Purpose]: Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) has been shown to be a prevalent and poor prognostic factor for oncologic patients, which remain under diagnosed and undertreated. In 2012, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) published a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the treatment of cancer pain which specifically addressed the management of BTcP.[Methods]: Fundación ECO designed a qualitative study using an Internet-based survey to investigate the attitudes toward, compliance with, and use of SEOM Guideline.[Results]: A total of 83 oncologists with a mean experience of 13 years responded. Overall, 82% were aware of different guidelines to manage BTcP. Notably, attitudes toward guidelines were highly positive and there was nearly unanimous agreement that CPG provided the best scientific evidence available (99%), on the minimum information to be gathered for the medical history (100%), on the need for a specific treatment for BTcP (100%), and fentanyl as the first-choice drug (99%). Interestingly, there were discrepancies between what oncologists agreed with and what they do in clinical practice. In fact, 87.6% declare full compliance with SEOM guideline, although adherence to registration of BTcP data in medical records ranged from 30.1 to 91.6% (mean 64.5%); therapeutic management compliance was higher ranging from 75.9 to 91.6%. Main barriers identified were time pressure together with vague statements and limited dissemination of the guidelines.[Conclusion]: Despite oncologist’s clinical practice is increasingly guided by GPC, it suffers from limited compliance, at least in part due to suboptimal statements. Improved dissemination and education are needed to enhance guideline implementation.This study was funded by Kyowa Kirin Farmacéutica S. L.U. through Fundación ECO
Incorporating BEAMing technology as a liquid biopsy into clinical practice for the management of colorectal cancer patients : an expert taskforce review
The importance of mutation identification for advanced colorectal cancer treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents is well established. However, due to delays in turnaround time, low-quality tissue samples, and/or lack of standardization of testing methods a significant proportion of patients are being treated without the information that Kirsten rat sarcoma and neuroblastoma rat sarcoma (RAS) testing can provide. The detection of mutated circulating tumor DNA by BEAMing technology addresses this gap in care and allows these patients to receive international guideline-recommended expanded RAS testing with rapid turnaround times. Furthermore, the overall concordance between OncoBEAM RAS colorectal cancer testing and standard of care tissue testing is very high (93.3%). This article presents an overview of the clinical utility and potential applications of this minimally invasive method, such as early detection of emergent resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. If appropriately implemented, BEAMing technology holds considerable promise to enhance the quality of patient care and improve clinical outcomes
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