COMPARISON BETWEEN THE DOUBLE BUFFER METHOD AND THE EQUIVALENT RECTANGLE METHOD FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN LINEAR FEATURES

Currently, in Brazil, for the assessment of the Positional Accuracy of non-point features (lines and polygons), there is no standard norm of execution. This work aims to compare the results of two methodologies that allow determining the average value of the discrepancies between linear features. The first, Equivalent Rectangle Method, aims to determine the discrepancy by considering an equivalent rectangle for the polygon obtained from the two homologous lines. The second, Double Buffer Method applies a buffer on both lines and obtains the average discrepancy value based on the relation of the areas of the generated polygons. These methods were compared in two steps. Initially, an experiment was performed with features of known measurements, where the displacement of the homologous lines was controlled in azimuth and distance. In this step, it was verified that the shape of the feature and the direction of the displacement interfere in the results of both methods when compared to the traditional procedure of measurement of discrepancies by homologous points. In the second stage, we evaluated the vector data of the OpenStreetMap (class of roads), with reference to a more accurate vector dataset produced for the Mapping of the State of Bahia. As a result, for the 1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 scales, it was obtained, respectively, the PEC-PCD for the Equivalent Rectangle Method "C", "B", "A" and "A" and the PEC-PCD for the Double Buffer Method "R", "C", "B" and "A", where "R" means that it has not achieved the minimum PEC-PCD classification

AVALIAÇÃO DO SÍMBOLO DE ORIENTAÇÃO NA CARTOGRAFIA TÁTIL

A ausência de um padrão na elaboração de mapas táteis influencia nos elementos de composição cartográfica, que em alguns casos ou são excluídos ou representados com características relacionadas à visão normal. Assim, o estudo investiga a relação entre os tipos do elemento orientação do mapa tátil relacionado à mobilidade com segurança do deficiente visual, visando distinguir a eficácia no processo de deslocamento. Deste modo, foram realizados experimentos com o objetivo de analisar dois tipos específicos de símbolos de orientações táteis utilizados no Brasil: um da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) e outro do Instituto Benjamin Constant (IBC). A escolha das duas instituições se deu porque as outras formas de orientações utilizadas no país são derivações das mesmas. A atividade envolveu quatro indivíduos cegos congênitos, e a área para realização dos experimentos foi o Instituto Benjamin Constant (IBC), no Rio de Janeiro, onde foi realizado um deslocamento de cada indivíduo da sala de geografia para o mini auditório a partir de orientações diferentes. Os resultados indicam que a percepção tátil e o processo de cognição relacionado à construção do mapa mental dos usuários apresentam influência no entendimento e uso das representações analisadas, a partir da hierarquização entre os elementos que compõem o mapa, do tempo de deslocamento e de apreensão tátil do elemento em análise

A APLICAÇÃO DAS TECNOLOGIAS DE PROTOTIPAGEM RÁPIDA NA CONFECÇÃO DE MATRIZES TÁTEIS

No Brasil, as matrizes necessárias para a reprodução de mapas táteis ainda sãoproduzidas de modo artesanal e demorado. Este artigo apresenta uma proposta deconfeccionar matrizes táteis a partir de diferentes tecnologias de prototipagemrápida e determinar a sua viabilidade na automação do processo de fabricação dasmatrizes táteis. Primeiro foi realizada uma revisão na literatura sobre o assunto paraverificar, dentro dos processos de prototipagem existentes, quais podem serutilizados na confecção de matrizes táteis, principalmente quanto a capacidade damatéria-prima em resistir à pressão e altas temperaturas durante o processo deprodução dos mapas finais. Apesar destes requisitos operacionais constituírem umadesvantagem em termos de equipamento especializado, o principal ganho noemprego destes poderá ser obtido pela garantia de geração de matrizes idênticas eflexibilidade na escolha de padrões. Os primeiros protótipos foram produzidos empoliuretano, pó de gesso e Uriol, em dois processos: impressoras 3D e máquinasfresadoras. As matrizes foram feitas apenas com o uso da fresadora, compoliuretano e MDF como matéria-prima. Foram conduzidos testes de percepção tátilpelo revisor de Braille do Instituto Benjamin Constant, seguindo metodologiapadrão adotada pela instituição em todos os materiais produzidos

TOLERÂNCIA PARA COORDENADAS BARICÊNTRICAS NA INTERPOLAÇÃO DE ATRIBUTOS GEORREFERENCIADOS

To apply the linear model to interpolate attributes for 2D points, theattributes of three points ware weighted with their respective barycentriccoordinates. However, the finite arithmetic effects at the computation returnsbarycentric coordinates contaminated with numerical residuals that, despitetheir irrelevant dimensions that face the representable objects, it may influencethe system to make decisions involving values comparisons. In order to fixthis problem, tolerance limits were established around the theorical value, andthe processed values are attuned. This paper analyzes the influence fromattributes interpolation numerical precision over a computational environment.The limits for residuals produced by computational barycentric coordinatescalculus were defined. Those limits were chosen so that data imprecision didnot exceed it original cartographical documents precision limits, according tothe Padrão de Exatidão Cartográfica (PEC), under the most rigidclassification. The residuals found in tests were quite smaller than theprecision assured by the cartographic document used. This way, theestablished limits were reliable references to solve the purposed problem.A aplicação do modelo linear para interpolação de atributos de pontossobre o domínio bidimensional se processa ponderando dos valores dosatributos de três pontos em função das respectivas coordenadas baricêntricas.Entretanto, o emprego de aritmética finita nos cálculos realizados emambiente computacional implica em coordenadas baricêntricas eivadas deresíduos que, mesmo com dimensões irrelevantes face os objetosrepresentados, interferem na tomada de decisões pelo sistema quando hácomparação direta de valores. Como solução, opta-se pela definição de umavizinhança ao redor do valor esperado na qual pode estar o valor processado.Ao longo deste trabalho é analisada a influência da precisão numérica emambientes computacionais na interpolação de atributos, visando a estabelecerlimites de tolerância para os resíduos surgidos no cálculo das coordenadasbaricêntricas. Tais limites são calculados com base nos parâmetrosestabelecidos no Padrão de Exatidão Cartográfica (Decreto nº 89.817 de 20 dejunho de 1984), conforme a classificação mais rigorosa. Nos testes realizados,os resíduos observados foram muito menores que a precisão do documento cartográfico empregado. Desta forma, tais limites são referências confiáveispara contornar o problema apresentado

Treatment with 17 beta-estradiol protects donor heart against brain death effects in female rat

The viability of donor organs is reduced by hemodynamic and immunologic alterations caused by brain death (BD). Female rats show higher heart inflammation associated with the reduction in female sex hormones after BD. This study investigated the effect of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) on BD-induced cardiac damage in female rats. Groups of female Wistar rats were assigned: Sham-operation (Sham), brain death (BD), treatment with E2 (50 mu g/ml, 2 ml/h) 3 h after BD (E2-T3), or immediately after BD confirmation (E2-T0). White blood cell (WBC) count was analyzed; cytokines and troponin-I were quantified. Heart histopathological changes and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, endothelin-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, BCL-2, and caspase-3 were evaluated. Cardiac function was continuously assessed for 6 h by left ventricular pressure-volume loop analysis. E2 decreased the BD-induced median serum concentration of troponin-I (BD:864.2 vs. E2-T0:401.4;P = 0.009), increased BCL-2 (BD:0.086 vs. E2-T0:0.158; P = 0.0278) and eNOS median expression in the cardiac tissue (BD:0.001 vs. E2-T0:0.03 and E2-T3:0.0175; P <0.0001), and decreased caspase-3 (BD:0.025 vs. E2-T0:0.006 and E2-T3:0.019; P = 0.006), WBC counts, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage. 17 beta-estradiol treatment was effective in reducing cardiac tissue damage in brain-dead female rats owing to its ability to reduce leukocyte infiltration and prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis

17β-Estradiol Treatment Protects Lungs Against Brain Death Effects in Female Rat Donor

Background: Brain death (BD) affects the viability of lungs for transplantation. A correlation exists between high lung inflammation after BD and the decrease in female sex hormones, especially estradiol. Therefore, we investigated the effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment on the lungs of female brain dead rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: BD (submitted to BD for 6 h), sham (false-operated), E2-T0 (treated with E2 immediately after BD; 50 μg/ml, 2 ml/h), and E2-T3 (treated with E2 after 3 h of BD; 50 μg/ml, 2 ml/h). Lung edema, hemorrhage, and leukocyte infiltration were analyzed. Adhesion molecules were evaluated and analysis of NO synthase gene and protein expression was performed using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Release of chemokines and matrix degradation in the lungs were analyzed. Results: BD increased leukocyte infiltration, as shown by intravital microscopy (P=0.017), bronchoalveolar lavage cell count (P=0.016), the release of inflammatory mediators (P=0.02), and expression of adhesion molecules. BD also increased microvascular permeability and the expression and activity of MMP-9 in the lungs. E2 treatment reduced leukocyte infiltration, especially in the E2-T3 group, release of inflammatory mediators, adhesion molecules, and MMP activity in the lungs. Conclusions: E2 treatment was successful in controlling the lung inflammatory response in females submitted to BD. Our results suggest that E2 directly decreases the release of chemokines, restraining cell traffic into the lungs. Thus, E2 has a therapeutic potential, and its role in improving donor lung quality should be explored further

Sex differences in the coagulation process and microvascular perfusion induced by brain death in rats

Brain death (BD) leads to a systemic inflammation associated with the activation of coagulation, which could be related to decreased microcirculatory perfusion. Evidence shows that females exhibit higher platelet aggregability than males. Thus, we investigated sex differences in platelets, coagulation and microcirculatory compromise after BD. BD was induced in male and female (proestrus) Wistar rats. After 3 h, we evaluated: (i) intravital microscopy to evaluate mesenteric perfusion and leucocyte infiltration; (ii) platelet aggregation assay; (iii) rotational thromboelastometry; and (iv) SerumNOx-. Female rats maintained the mesenteric perfusion, whereas male reduced percentage of perfused vessels. Male BD presented higher platelet aggregation than the controls. In contrast, female BD had lower platelet aggregation than the control. Thromboelastometry indicated a reduction in clot firmness with increased clotting time in the female group compared with the male group. SerumNOx-level in female BD was higher than that in the male BD and female control. There is sex dimorphism in platelet function and clotting process, which are altered in different ways by BD. Thus, it is possible to connect the reduction in microcirculatory perfusion in males to intravascular microthrombi formation and the maintenance of perfusion in females to a higher inflammatory response and NO synthesis

Long-term lung inflammation is reduced by estradiol treatment in brain dead female rats

OBJECTIVES: Lung transplantation is limited by the systemic repercussions of brain death (BD). Studies have shown the potential protective role of 17 beta-estradiol on the lungs. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of estradiol on the long-lasting lung inflammatory state to understand a possible therapeutic application in lung donors with BD. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were separated into 3 groups: BD, subjected to brain death (6h); E2-T0, treated with 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/mL, 2 mL/h) immediately after brain death; and E2-T3, treated with 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/ml, 2 ml/h) after 3h of BD. Complement system activity and macrophage presence were analyzed. TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-10, and IL-6 gene expression (RT-PCR) and levels in 24h lung culture medium were quantified. Finally, analysis of caspase-3 gene and protein expression in the lung was performed. RESULTS: Estradiol reduced complement C3 protein and gene expression. The presence of lung macrophages was not modified by estradiol, but the release of inflammatory mediators was reduced and TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta gene expression were reduced in the E2-T3 group. In addition, caspase-3 protein expression was reduced by estradiol in the same group. CONCLUSIONS: Brain death-induced lung inflammation in females is modulated by estradiol treatment. Study data suggest that estradiol can control the inflammatory response by modulating the release of mediators after brain death in the long term. These results strengthen the idea of estradiol as a therapy for donor lungs and improving transplant outcomes

Protective role of 17 beta-estradiol treatment in renal injury on female rats submitted to brain death

Background: Clinical and experimental data highlight the consequences of brain death on the quality of organs and demonstrate the importance of donor state to the results of transplantation. Female rats show higher cardio-pulmonary injury linked to decreased concentrations of female sex hormones after brain-dead (BD). This study evaluated the effect of 17 beta-estradiol on brain death induced renal injury in female rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomically allocated into 4 groups: false-operation (Sham), BD, treatment with 17 beta-estradiol (50 mu g/mL, 2 mL/h) 3 h after brain death (E2-T3), or immediately after brain death confirmation (E2-T0). Creatinine, urea, cytokines, and complement system components were quantified. Renal injury markers, such as KIM-1, Caspase-3, BCL-2 and MMP2/9 were evaluated. Results: Brain death leads to increased kidney KIM-1 expression and longer 17 beta-estradiol treatment resulted in downregulation (