A hierarchical strategy for real-time tracking on-board UAVs

In this paper, we present a real-time tracking strategy based on direct methods for tracking tasks on-board UAVs, that is able to overcome problems posed by the challenging conditions of the task: e.g. constant vibrations, fast 3D changes, and limited capacity on-board. The vast majority of approaches make use of feature-based methods to track objects. Nonetheless, in this paper we show that although some of these feature-based solutions are faster, direct methods can be more robust under fast 3D motions (fast changes in position), some changes in appearance, constant vibrations (without requiring any specific hardware or software for video stabilization), and situations where part of the object to track is out the field of view of the camera. The performance of the proposed strategy is evaluated with images from real-flight tests using different evaluation mechanisms (e.g. accurate position estimation using a Vicon sytem). Results show that our tracking strategy performs better than well known feature-based algorithms and well known configurations of direct methods, and that the recovered data is robust enough for vision-in-the-loop tasks

Leptin receptor expression during the progression of endometrial carcinoma is correlated with estrogen and progesterone receptors

Abstract Introduction: The hormone leptin, which is produced in the adipose tissue, may influence tumorigenesis directly via its receptor (Ob-R). Thus, a role for Ob-R in endometrial carcinogenesis has been proposed. However, most studies neither included samples of the entire histological progression of endometrial carcinoma nor examined Ob-R jointly with the estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively). Material and methods: To determine the fluctuations of Ob-R, ER, and PR during the histological progression of endometrial carcinoma, we assessed their expression via immunohistochemistry (IHC) in six histological types of endometrium (proliferative, secretory, nonatypical and atypical hyperplasia, and endometrioid and nonendometrioid endometrial carcinoma), in which we performed histopathological and digital scoring for the quantification of receptors. Results: We found that Ob-R expression was positively correlated with that of ER and PR (r = 1, p < 0.001; r = 0.943, p < 0.005, respectively), and there was a significant difference in Ob-R expression among proliferative normal endometrium, hyperplasias, and carcinomas, according to their relative digitally scored Ob-R expression (p < 0.001). In addition, we observed that Ob-R expression in the secretory endometrium was more similar to that of carcinomas than to its proliferative counterpart. Conclusions: These results indicate that Ob-R expression fluctuates during endometrial carcinogenesis in correlation with ER and PR, suggesting that Ob-R expression in vivo is highly dependent on estrogen and progesterone activities in the endometrium and on its ER and PR status, as suggested previously by in vitro studies. Key words: Ob-R, endometrial carcinoma, immunohistochemistr

Gene regulatory network underlying the immortalization of epithelial cells

Abstract Background: Tumorigenic transformationofhumanepithelialcellsinvitrohasbeendescribedexperimentallyas thepotentialresultofspontaneousimmortalization.Thisprocessischaracterizedbyaseriesofcell–statetransitions,in whichnormalepithelialcellsacquirefirstasenescentstatewhichislatersurpassedtoattainamesenchymalstem–like phenotypewithapotentiallytumorigenicbehavior.Inthispaperweaimtoprovideasystem–levelmechanistic explanationtotheemergenceofthesecelltypes,andtothetime–orderedtransitionpatternsthatarecommonto neoplasiasofepithelialorigin.Tothisend,wefirstintegratepublishedfunctionalandwell–curatedmoleculardataof thecomponentsandinteractionsthathavebeenfoundtobeinvolvedinsuchcellstatesandtransitionsintoa networkof41molecularcomponents.Wethenreducethisinitialnetworkbyremovingsimplemediators(i.e.,linear pathways),andformalizetheresultingregulatorycoreintologicalrulesthatgovernthedynamicsofeachofthe networkcomponentsasafunctionofthestatesofitsregulators. Results: ComputationaldynamicanalysisshowsthatourproposedGeneRegulatoryNetworkmodelrecoversexactly threeattractors,eachofthemdefinedbyaspecificgeneexpressionprofilethatcorrespondstotheepithelial, senescent,andmesenchymalstem–likecellularphenotypes,respectively.Weshowthatalthoughamesenchymal stem–likestatecanbeattainedevenunderunperturbedphysiologicalconditions,thelikelihoodofconvergingtothis stateisincreasedwhenpro–inflammatoryconditionsaresimulated,providingasystems–levelmechanistic explanationforthecarcinogenicroleofchronicinflammatoryconditionsobservedintheclinic.Wealsofoundthat theregulatorycoreyieldsanepigeneticlandscapethatrestrictstemporalpatternsofprogressionbetweenthesteady states,suchthatrecoveredpatternsresemblethetime–orderedtransitionsobservedduringthespontaneous immortalizationofepithelialcells,bothinvivoandinvitro. Conclusion: Ourstudystronglysuggeststhattheinvitrotumorigenictransformationofepithelialcells,which stronglycorrelateswiththepatternsobservedduringthepathologicalprogressionofepithelialcarcinogenesisinvivo, emergesfromunderlyingregulatorynetworksinvolvedinepithelialtrans–differentiationduringdevelopment. Keywords: Carcinomas,Generegulatorynetworks,Epigeneticlandscape,Booleanmodels,Phenotypicattractor

Evaluación de métodos de escarificación en germinación, crecimiento y producción biomasa de Bauhinia tarapotensis Benth

La Bauhinia tarapotensis Benth (Fabaceae), es un arbusto nativo del Ecuador, donde se le llama comúnmente "Pata de Vaca", localizada principalmente a orillas de afluentes hidrográficos. El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la incidencia de métodos de escarificación en la germinación, crecimiento y producción biomasa de la especie. Las semillas fueron colectadas a orillas de la quebrada La Yuca - vereda Santo Domingo, del Municipio de Florencia. El experimento fue realizado en la sede centro y principal de la Universidad de la Amazonia. Se evaluaron los siguientes tratamientos pregerminativos: Testigo (T1), imbibición en agua a temperatura ambiente durante 24 horas (T2), H SO al 5% (T3) - H SO al 20% (T4) durante dos minutos y agua caliente durante cinco segundos (T5). 2 4 2 4 Las principales variables determinadas fueron: Numero de semillas germinadas (NSG), porcentaje de germinación (%G), índice de velocidad de germinación (IVG), crecimiento, producción y distribución de biomasa. Transcurridos quince días se presentaron diferencias significativas (

RESTful Web Service USAge for Online Exit-survey at Syiah Kuala University as Data Verification Method

Many applications are developed and deployed in Syiah Kuala University main server. These applications and information system are built as tools to help the University\u27 daily activities. Most of these applications have its own database. As a result, data is inconsistent, and the worst is redundant data cannot be avoided. The idea behind of this research is to build one centralized data that can be used as baseline to other applications. Since the main data of Syiah Kuala University are located behind the proxy which is no internet direct access allowed to the data. The proposed method to answer this problem is touse web service as a gateway for data transfer. This technique keeps the database from direct external access but the data itself can be seen without knowing where the real data is. This method has been used for Online Exit-Survey to proof that the system can verify the students\u27 data. Some student cannot be identified because their data were empty, the other because the data in centralized database server were only prepared for undergraduate students, so that the post graduate and professional students cannot be verified. For undergraduate students this online exit-survey works fine without error on verification phas

Análisis del nicho climático de Coryphantha durangensis (Runge ex Schum.) Britton y Rose, 1923 e identificación de zonas potenciales para su conservación ante el cambio climático

Coryphantha durangensis it is an endemic cactus that lives in Mexico, in the center of the Chihuahuan desert, and is considered as Special Protection by the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 One of the greatest threats to this species is climate change and habitat loss. In the present study, the climatic niche of C. durangensis was evaluated and the habitat availability of this species was modeled using the MaxEnt algorithm under current climate conditions and future. The results show a reduction in the geographical areas that present climatically suitable conditions for the presence of this species for the year 2050 and 2070, however, four sites were identified that could be proposed as conservation areas for this and other species that cohabit in these zones.Coryphantha durangensis es una cactácea endémica que habita en México, en el centro del desierto Chihuahuense, y está considerada en la categoría de Protección Especial por la NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. Una de las mayores amenazas para esta especie es el cambio climático y pérdida de idoneidad climática para su presencia, en el presente estudio se evaluó el nicho climático de C. durangensis y se modeló la disponibilidad climática de esta especie mediante el algoritmo MaxEnt bajo condiciones del clima actual y futuro. Los resultados muestran una reducción en las zonas geográficas que presentan condiciones climáticamente adecuadas para la presencia de esta especie para el año 2050 y 2070. Sin embargo, se identificaron cuatro sitios que podrían ser propuestos como áreas de conservación para ésta y otras especies que cohabitan en estas zonas

Reforestation model with native plants of the Jaraba swamp through the IEP

La sequía en época de verano ocasionada por la acción directa del sol sobre las costas a causa de la perdida de vegetación en las mismas, es una realidad que afecta a las poblaciones ribereñas en la actualidad. Los programas de reforestación son herramientas útiles en la mejora de la calidad de vida de las diferentes partes del mundo afectadas por esta realidad. Este estudio tuvo como propósito diseñar un modelo de reforestación con plantas nativas de la ciénaga de Jaraba mediante la Investigación como Estrategia Pedagógica (IEP). La metodología se orientó bajo el enfoque cualitativo, utilizando el tipo de investigación acción, desde un diseño descriptivo, exploratorio. Para la recolección de datos se utilizaron técnicas como; análisis documental a partir de la implementación de un software que analiza las características de los arbustos y semillas propicias para la reforestación. La población estuvo conformada por cincuenta (50) estudiantes de la IED Antonio Bruges Carmona sede ERM de Jaraba del Municipio de Santa Ana Magdalena. Dando como resultados la creación de un vivero natural con diferentes especies de plantas seleccionadas para este modelo ecológico. Llegando a la conclusión que existe la necesidad de fortalecer la cultura ambiental por parte de los habitantes y visitantes en las orillas de la ciénaga, donde se vierte toda clase de desechos que difícilmente alcanzarán un nivel de degradación.The drought in summer time caused by the direct action of the sun on the coasts because of the loss of vegetation in them, is a reality that affects the riverside populations at present. Reforestation programs are useful tools in improving the quality of life in different parts of the world affected by this reality. The purpose of this study was to design a reforestation model with native plants of the Jaraba swamp through Research as a Pedagogic Strategy (IEP). The methodology was oriented under the qualitative approach, using the type of action research, from a descriptive, exploratory design. For the collection of data, techniques such as; documentary analysis based on the implementation of software that analyzes the characteristics of shrubs and seeds that are conducive to reforestation. The population was conformed by fifty (50) students of the IED Antonio Bruges Carmona ERM headquarters of Jaraba of the Municipality of Santa Ana Magdalena, giving as results the creation of a natural nursery with different species of plants selected for this ecological model. Reaching the conclusion that there is a need to strengthen the environmental culture on the part of the inhabitants and visitors on the banks of the swamp, where all kinds of waste that will hardly reach a level of degradation are poured

Neuroimaging and serum biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuroplasticity in Parkinson’s disease patients treated by intermittent theta-burst stimulation over the bilateral primary motor area: a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover trial study

Background and objectivesIntermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) is a patterned form of excitatory transcranial magnetic stimulation that has yielded encouraging results as an adjunctive therapeutic option to alleviate the emergence of clinical deficits in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Although it has been demonstrated that iTBS influences dopamine-dependent corticostriatal plasticity, little research has examined the neurobiological mechanisms underlying iTBS-induced clinical enhancement. Here, our primary goal is to verify whether iTBS bilaterally delivered over the primary motor cortex (M1) is effective as an add-on treatment at reducing scores for both motor functional impairment and nonmotor symptoms in PD. We hypothesize that these clinical improvements following bilateral M1-iTBS could be driven by endogenous dopamine release, which may rebalance cortical excitability and restore compensatory striatal volume changes, resulting in increased striato-cortico-cerebellar functional connectivity and positively impacting neuroglia and neuroplasticity.MethodsA total of 24 PD patients will be assessed in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover study involving the application of iTBS over the bilateral M1 (M1 iTBS). Patients on medication will be randomly assigned to receive real iTBS or control (sham) stimulation and will undergo 5 consecutive sessions (5 days) of iTBS over the bilateral M1 separated by a 3-month washout period. Motor evaluation will be performed at different follow-up visits along with a comprehensive neurocognitive assessment; evaluation of M1 excitability; combined structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state electroencephalography and functional MRI; and serum biomarker quantification of neuroaxonal damage, astrocytic reactivity, and neural plasticity prior to and after iTBS.DiscussionThe findings of this study will help to clarify the efficiency of M1 iTBS for the treatment of PD and further provide specific neurobiological insights into improvements in motor and nonmotor symptoms in these patients. This novel project aims to yield more detailed structural and functional brain evaluations than previous studies while using a noninvasive approach, with the potential to identify prognostic neuroprotective biomarkers and elucidate the structural and functional mechanisms of M1 iTBS-induced plasticity in the cortico-basal ganglia circuitry. Our approach may significantly optimize neuromodulation paradigms to ensure state-of-the-art and scalable rehabilitative treatment to alleviate motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD

Desafíos en ciencia, tecnología e innovación en tiempo de Coronavirus Covid-19

El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en determinar el impacto de actividad física en la percepción de bienestar y salud en adolescentes, durante el periodo de confinamiento condicionado por la pandemia COVID-19. Se realizó un estudio observacional-longitudinal. N = 50 participantes (28 mujeres, 22 hombres; edad X = 15.12), quienes llevaron a cabo un programa de actividad física diseñado para espacios pequeños, además de realizar un pre y post-test. Los resultados muestran que hubo una mejora en la percepción de bienestar y salud después del periodo de actividad física (p=.05). Se concluye que, en la población de estudio, el programa de actividad física en espacios pequeños fue efectivo en la mejora de la percepción del bienestar y la salud