285 research outputs found
: A Command-line Catalogue Cross-matching tool for modern astrophysical survey data
In the current data-driven science era, it is needed that data analysis
techniques has to quickly evolve to face with data whose dimensions has
increased up to the Petabyte scale. In particular, being modern astrophysics
based on multi-wavelength data organized into large catalogues, it is crucial
that the astronomical catalog cross-matching methods, strongly dependant from
the catalogues size, must ensure efficiency, reliability and scalability.
Furthermore, multi-band data are archived and reduced in different ways, so
that the resulting catalogues may differ each other in formats, resolution,
data structure, etc, thus requiring the highest generality of cross-matching
features. We present (Command-line Catalogue Cross-match), a
multi-platform application designed to efficiently cross-match massive
catalogues from modern surveys. Conceived as a stand-alone command-line process
or a module within generic data reduction/analysis pipeline, it provides the
maximum flexibility, in terms of portability, configuration, coordinates and
cross-matching types, ensuring high performance capabilities by using a
multi-core parallel processing paradigm and a sky partitioning algorithm.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, proceedings of the IAU-325 symposium on
Astroinformatics, Cambridge University pres
Temporal and Spatial Variations of Geodia cydonium (Jameson) (Porifera, Demospongiae) in the Mediterranean Confined Environments
Confined marine environments are particularly susceptible to climate change and anthropic pressures. Indeed, the long-term monitoring of benthic assemblages in these environments allows us to understand the direction of changes over time. The demosponge Geodia cydonium is a suitable study case, since it is widely represented in many Mediterranean environments, while being a long-living and important habitat-forming species. Here, we report the results of a descriptive study on temporal and spatial variations of this demosponge in three semi-enclosed environments along the Italian coast: Marsala Lagoon, Porto Cesareo Bay, and Mar Piccolo of Taranto. At Marsala and Porto Cesareo, the study compares the present data with those reported by the literature at the end of the 1990s. Caused by the modification of its preferential habitats, the data indicated the loss and a remarkable regression of this species at Porto Cesareo and Marsala, respectively. In addition, we hypothesized that the increase in severe weather phenomena in the small Bay of Porto Cesareo recorded during the last 20 years may have had a marked impact on water mass, thus affecting the sponge assemblages. At Taranto, despite a remarkable environmental degradation, G. cydonium has appeared stable and persistent in the last 45 years, thus representing one of the richest and most well-preserved populations in the Mediterranean Sea
Machine learning based data mining for Milky Way filamentary structures reconstruction
We present an innovative method called FilExSeC (Filaments Extraction,
Selection and Classification), a data mining tool developed to investigate the
possibility to refine and optimize the shape reconstruction of filamentary
structures detected with a consolidated method based on the flux derivative
analysis, through the column-density maps computed from Herschel infrared
Galactic Plane Survey (Hi-GAL) observations of the Galactic plane. The present
methodology is based on a feature extraction module followed by a machine
learning model (Random Forest) dedicated to select features and to classify the
pixels of the input images. From tests on both simulations and real
observations the method appears reliable and robust with respect to the
variability of shape and distribution of filaments. In the cases of highly
defined filament structures, the presented method is able to bridge the gaps
among the detected fragments, thus improving their shape reconstruction. From a
preliminary "a posteriori" analysis of derived filament physical parameters,
the method appears potentially able to add a sufficient contribution to
complete and refine the filament reconstruction.Comment: Proceeding of WIRN 2015 Conference, May 20-22, Vietri sul Mare,
Salerno, Italy. Published in Smart Innovation, Systems and Technology,
Springer, ISSN 2190-3018, 9 pages, 4 figure
Acetyl hexapeptide-3 in a cosmetic formulation acts on skin mechanical properties - clinical study
Acetil hexapeptÃdeo-3 tem sido utilizado como um ingrediente ativo em formulações tópicas antienvelhecimento para a melhoria da aparência cutânea. No entanto, poucos estudos avaliam seus efeitos na epiderme e derme, quando veiculado em formulações tópicas. Portanto, o objetivo desse estudo foi a determinação da eficácia clÃnica de acetil hexapeptÃdeo-3 utilizando técnicas de biofÃsica e de análise de imagem. Para tal, formulações contendo, ou não, acetil hexapeptÃdeo-3 foram aplicadas no antebraço volar e na face de voluntárias. As condições cutâneas foram avaliadas após duas e quatro semanas de aplicação diária das formulações, por meio da análise no conteúdo aquoso do estrato córneo e avaliação das propriedades mecânicas da pele, utilizando os equipamentos Corneometer(r) CM 825, CutometerSEM 575 e ReviscometerRV600. Todas as formulações avaliadas aumentaram o conteúdo aquoso do estrato córneo na face, o qual permaneceu constante até o fim do estudo. Por outro lado, somente as formulações contendo acetil hexapeptÃdeo-3 apresentaram efeito significativo nas propriedades mecânicas, por meio da diminuição da anisotropia da pele na face. Não foram observados efeitos significativos para os parâmetros de viscoelasticidade. Em conclusão, os efeitos de acetil hexapeptÃdeo-3 na pele caracteriza este peptÃdeo como um ingrediente ativo efetivo para a melhoria das condições cutâneas, quando utilizadas em formulações cosméticas.Acetyl hexapeptide-3 has been used in anti-aging topical formulations aimed at improving skin appearance. However, few basic studies address its effects on epidermis and dermis, when vehiculated in topical formulations. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of acetyl hexapeptide-3 using biophysical techniques. For this purpose, formulations with and without acetyl hexapeptide-3 were applied to the ventral forearm and the face area of forty female volunteers. Skin conditions were evaluated after 2 and 4-week long daily applications, by analyzing the stratum corneum water content and the skin mechanical properties, using three instruments, the Corneometer(r) CM 825, CutometerSEM 575 and ReviscometerRV600. All formulations tested increased the stratum corneum water content in the face region, which remained constant until the end of the study. In contrast, only formulations containing acetyl hexapeptide-3 exhibit a significant effect on mechanical properties, by decreasing the anisotropy of the face skin. No significant effects were observed in viscoelasticity parameters. In conclusion, the effects of acetyl hexapeptide-3 on the anisotropy of face skin characterize the compound as an effective ingredient for improving conditions of the cutaneous tissue, when used in anti-aging cosmetic formulations
Esponjas de los lechos de rodolitos del área marina protegida de la isla de Ustica (sur del mar Tirreno), con un inventario completo de la espongofauna de la isla
The sponge fauna colonizing rhodolith beds from Ustica Island marine protected area was studied. Moreover, an inventory of the sponge species present along the island’s coasts was carried out for the first time. Analysis of rhodoliths trapped in nets used by local fishermen at two sites and data obtained from underwater video images were used to identify 25 sponge taxa, 22 of them at species level. The classes Demospongiae and Homoscleromorpha were present with 24 and 1 species, respectively. Most of the specimens were small-sized and represented by thick crusts or short erect branches. Few specimens were insinuating or excavating. Furthermore, qualitative sampling was performed on Ustica’s coralligenous formations, photophilous hard substrates and in marine caves, and the results obtained were added to the literature data. The overall checklist of sponges from Ustica encompassed 97 taxa, 90 named at species level, subdivided into 6 taxa of Calcarea, 3 of Homoscleromorpha and 88 of Demospongiae. Eleven of the species were endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, mainly concentrated on rhodoliths and in marine caves. This research adds a fundamental element to the knowledge of invertebrates associated with rhodoliths, and updates the checklist of sponges colonizing Ustica’s waters, facilitating its future monitoring.En este trabajo se estudió la fauna de porÃferos que coloniza los fondos de rodolitos del área marina protegida de la isla de Ustica. Además, se creó por primera vez un catálogo de las especies de esponjas que se encuentran en el litoral de la isla. El análisis de los rodolitos enredados en las redes de pescadores locales en dos sitios y de los datos obtenidos de las imágenes de video submarino permitieron reconocer 25 taxones de porÃferos, 22 de los cuales se identificaron a nivel de espeÂcies. Las clases Demospongiae y Homoscleromorpha estuvieron presentes con 24 y 1 especies respectivamente. La mayorÃa de los especÃmenes eran de tamaño pequeño y representados por costras gruesas o ramas cortas y erectas. Pocos especÃmenes eran esponjas insinuantes o excavadoras. Además, se llevaron a cabo muestreos cualitativos en formaciones de coralÃgeno, en sustratos duros fotofilos y en cuevas marinas de la isla de Ustica, y se añadieron los resultados obtenidos a los datos de la literatura. El inventario total de las esponjas de Ustica incluye 97 taxones, 90 nombrados a nivel de especies, divididos en: 6 taxones de Calcarea, 3 de Homoscleromorpha, 88 de Demospongiae. Once de las especies son endémicas del mar MediterÂráneo, concentradas principalmente en fondos de rodolitos y dentro de cuevas marinas. Esta investigación añade un aspecto fundamental al conocimiento de la distribución de los porÃferos, en particular los asociados con los rodolitos, y actualiza la lista de esponjas que colonizan los fondos de Ustica, proporcionando herramientas para su monitoreo futuro
Command-line Cross-matching Tool for Modern Astrophysical Pipelines
The emerging need for efficient, reliable and scalable astronomical catalog cross-matching is becoming more pressing in the current data-driven science era, where the size of data has rapidly increased up to the Petabyte scale. C3 (Command-line Catalogue Cross-matching) is a multi-platform tool designed to efficiently cross-match massive catalogues from modern astronomical surveys, ensuring high-performance capabilities through the use of a multi-core parallel processing paradigm. The tool has been conceived to be executed as a stand-alone command-line process or integrated within any generic data reduction/analysis pipeline, providing the maximum flexibility to the end user, in terms of parameter configuration, coordinates and cross-matching types. In this work we present the architecture and the features of the tool. Moreover, since the modular design of the tool enables an easy customization to specific use cases and requirements, we present also an example of a customized C3 version designed and used in the FP7 project ViaLactea, dedicated to cross-correlate Hi-GAL clumps with multi-band compact sources...
A Command-line Cross-matching tool for modern astrophysical pipelines
The emerging need for efficient, reliable and scalable astronomical catalog cross-matching is becoming more pressing in the current data-driven science era, where the size of data has rapidly increased up to the Petabyte scale. C3 (Command-line Catalogue Cross-matching) is a multi-platform tool designed to efficiently cross-match massive catalogues from modern astronomical surveys, ensuring high-performance capabilities through the use of a multi-core parallel processing paradigm. The tool has been conceived to be executed as a stand-alone command-line process or integrated within any generic data reduction/analysis pipeline, providing the maximum flexibility to the end user, in terms of parameter configuration, coordinates and cross-matching types. In this work we present the architecture and the features of the tool. Moreover, since the modular design of the tool enables an easy customization to specific use cases and requirements, we present also an example of a customized C3 version designed and used in the FP7 project ViaLactea, dedicated to cross-correlate Hi-GAL clumps with multi-band compact sources...
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