Photogrammetric 3D building reconstruction from thermal images

5This paper addresses the problem of 3D building reconstruction from thermal infrared (TIR) images. We show that a commercial Computer Vision software can be used to automatically orient sequences of TIR images taken from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and to generate 3D point clouds, without requiring any GNSS/INS data about position and attitude of the images nor camera calibration parameters. Moreover, we propose a procedure based on Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm to create a model that combines high resolution and geometric accuracy of RGB images with the thermal information deriving from TIR images. The process can be carried out entirely by the aforesaid software in a simple and efficient way.openopenMaset, Eleonora; Fusiello, Andrea; Crosilla, Fabio; Toldo, R.; Zorzetto, D.Maset, Eleonora; Fusiello, Andrea; Crosilla, Fabio; Toldo, R.; Zorzetto, D

INTEGRATION OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND PORTABLE MOBILE MAPPING TECHNOLOGY FOR 3D MODELING OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES: THE CASE STUDY OF THE BZIZA TEMPLE

Abstract. In this paper, we present a multi-sensor approach employed to obtain the 3D model of the Roman temple of Bziza (Lebanon) and its surroundings, a work carried out as part of the archaeological Northern Lebanon Project (NoLeP). The integration of photogrammetry and portable mobile mapping technology was tested to overcome the weaknesses of each individual surveying method, with the aim of producing a complete and realistic 3D reconstruction of the whole site, as well as capturing at high-resolution the architectural features of the main structure. Moreover, this case study serves to further investigate the accuracy that can be reached with mobile laser scanners, highlighting benefits and limitations of this rapid and efficient mapping technique also in the field of Cultural Heritage documentation

Basis for a Waste Management Public Communication Policy: Actual Situation Analysis and Implementation of Corrective Actions

Argentina will require new sites for the location of radioactive waste final disposal systems. It is currently mandatory to have social and political consensus to obtain the corresponding agreements. The experience obtained with the cancellation of the project ''Feasibility Study and Engineering Project--Repository for High Level Radioactive Waste'', reinforces even more the necessity to count with the acceptance of the public to carry out projects of this kind. The first phase of the former was developed in the 80's: geological, geophysical and hydrogeological studies were performed in a compact granitic rock located in Sierra del Medio, Chubut province. This project had to be called off in the early 90's due to strong social rejection. This decision was closely related to the poor attention given to social communication issues. The governmental decision-makers in charge underwent a lot of pressure from social groups claiming for the cancellation of the project due to the lack of information and the fear it triggered. Thus, the lesson learnt: ''social communication activities must be carefully undertaken in order to achieve the appropriate management of the radioactive waste produced in our country.'' The same as in other countries, the specific National Law demands the formulation of a Strategic Plan which will not only include the research into radioactive waste, but the design of a Social Communication Programme as well. The latter will be in charge of informing the population clearly and objectively about the latest scientific and technological advances in the issue. A tentative perception-attitude pattern of the Argentine society about the overall nuclear issue is outlined in this paper. It is meant to contribute to the understanding of the public's adverse reaction to this kind of project. A communication programme is also presented. Its objective is to install the waste management topic in the public's opinion with a positive real outlook

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID DRAINAGE DEVICES: EXPERIMENTAL CARACTERIZATION

Hydrocephalus is a pathophysiology due to the excess of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricles and it can be caused by congenital defects, brain abnormalities, tumors, inflammations, infections, intracranial hemorrhage and others. Hydrocephalus can be followed by significant rise of intraventricular pressure due to the excess of production of cerebrospinalfluid over the absorption, resulting in a weakening of intellectual functions, serious neurological damage (decreased movement, sensation and functions), critical physical disabilities and even death. A procedure for treatment involves the placement of a ventricular catheter into the cerebral ventricles to divert/drain the cerebrospinal fluid flow to a bag outside of the patient body – provisory treatment known as external ventricular drainage (EVD). Another option is the permanent treatment, internal ventricular drainage (IVD), promoting the cerebrospinal fluid drainage to other body cavity, being more commonly the abdominal cavity. In both cases, EVD and IVD, it is necessary to use of some type of neurological valve in order to control the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. In the present work is proposed an experimental procedure to test the hydrodynamic behavior of a complete drainage system, or parts of them, in order to verify its performance when subjected to pressure gradients found in the human body. Results show that the method is well adapted to quantify the pressure drop in neurological systems

S.11.1 Influence of digital ulcer healing on disability and daily activity limitations in SSc

Objective. We previously showed that DU significantly increased global and hand disability with a significant impact on activities of daily living (ADLs) and work disability. This study aims to evaluate the impact of digital ulcer (DU) healing on disability and daily activity limitations in SSc. Methods. From January 2008 and June 2009, we prospectively evaluated 189 SSc patients for DU history, disability, employment and occupational status during meetings of the French SSc Patient Association (n = 86, 45.5%) or during hospitalization (n = 103, 54.5%)1. Among the 60 patients with at least one active DU at baseline (M0), 40 patients were followed longitudinally over 6 (3) months. These patients were evaluated for DU history, global and hand disability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), daily activity limitation and employment status. Results. The median (IQR) age was 57.5 (43.5-68) years and the median (IQR) disease duration was 8.3 (3-16.5) years. Twenty-two (55%) patients had diffuse SSc and 34 (85%) were females. At baseline, a mean of 2.9 (2.8) DU per patient was reported. Thirty-three (82.5%) patients had ischaemic DU, 7 (17.5%) patients had >1 DU associated with calcinosis and 13 (32.5%) patients had mechanical DU. Thirteen (32.5%) patients had >4 DU at baseline. Among the 40 patients, 16 (40%) patients showed complete ulcer healing. In these patients with DU, the presence of calcinosis was associated with a lower probability of healing (P = 0.03). Comparison between healed and no-healed DU patients showed an improvement of hand disability provided by an improvement of the Cochin Hand Function score (P = 0.05)) and a trend towards HAQ domain dressing and grooming (P = 0.06) between M0 and M6 (3) visit in healed patients but not in no-healed patients. Concerning HRQoL, there were no difference for Mental and Physical component Scores of SF-36 but significant improvement of Bodily Pain score (P = 0.04) and Physical Role score (P = 0.05) between M0 and M6 (3) visit in patients with healed DU. The absence of healing was associated with significantly decreased work productivity (P = 0.05), whereas the performance in ADL was not significantly decreased (P = 0.15). Patients who were on sick-leave and who received some help for household tasks at the time of active DU were more likely to heal. Conclusion. For the first time, we provide prospective data with evidence that DU healing is associated with an improvement in hand function. Sick leave was associated with better healing of D

Tuning chelation by the surfactant-like peptide A6H using predetermined pH values

We examine the self-assembly of a peptide A6H comprising a hexa-alanine sequence A6 with a histidine (H) “head group”, which chelates Zn2+ cations. We study the self assembly of A6H and binding of Zn2+ ions in ZnCl2 solutions, under acidic and neutral conditions. A6H self-assembles into nanotapes held together by a β-sheet structure in acidic aqueous solutions. By dissolving A6H in acidic ZnCl2 solutions, the carbonyl oxygen atoms in A6H chelate the Zn2+ ions and allow for β-sheet formation at lower concentrations, consequently reducing the onset concentration for nanotape formation. A6H mixed with water or ZnCl2 solutions under neutral conditions produces short sheets or pseudocrystalline tapes, respectively. The imidazole ring of A6H chelates Zn2+ ions in neutral solutions. The internal structure of nanosheets and pseudocrystalline sheets in neutral solutions is similar to the internal structure of A6H nanotapes in acidic solutions. Our results show that it is possible to induce dramatic changes in the self-assembly and chelation sites of A6H by changing the pH of the solution. However, it is likely that the amphiphilic nature of A6H determines the internal structure of the self-assembled aggregates independent from changes in chelation

Tat-mediated delivery of human alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase in a cellular model of Primary Hyperoxaluria Type I

Defects in liver peroxisomal alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT), as a consequence of inherited mutations on the AGXT gene, lead to primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1), a rare metabolic disorder characterized by the formation of calcium oxalate stones at first in the urinary tract and then in the whole body. The curative treatments currently available for PH1 are pyridoxine therapy, effective in only 10\u201330 % of the patients, and liver transplantation, an invasive procedure with potentially serious complications. A valid therapeutic option for PH1 patients would be the development of an enzyme administration therapy. However, the exogenous administration of the missing AGT would require the crossing of the plasma membrane to deliver the protein to liver peroxisomes. In this study, we constructed, purified and characterized the fusion protein of AGT with the membrane-penetrating Tat peptide (Tat-AGT). Although Tat-AGT shows subtle active site conformational changes as compared with untagged AGT, it retains a significant transaminase activity. Western-blot analyses, enzymatic assays and immunofluorescence studies show that active Tat-AGT can be successfully delivered to a mammalian cellular model of PH1 consisting of chinese hamster ovary cells expressing glycolate oxidase (CHO-GO), whereas untagged AGT cannot. Moreover, the intracellular transduced Tat-AGT makes CHO-GO cells able to detoxify endogenously produced glyoxylate to an extent similar to that of CHO-GO cells stably expressing AGT. Altogether, these results show that the Tat peptide is capable of delivering a functional AGT to mammalian cells, thus paving the way for the possibility to use Tat-AGT as an enzyme replacement therapy to counteract PH1

SiC MOSFET vs SiC/Si Cascode short circuit robustness benchmark

Nowadays, MOSFET SiC semiconductors short circuit capability is a key issue. SiC/Si Cascodes are compound semiconductors that, in some aspects, show a similar MOSFET behaviour. No interlayer dielectric insulation suggests, in theory, Cascode JFETs as more robust devices. The purpose of this paper is to compare the drift and degradation of two commercial devices static parameters by exposing them to different levels of repetitive 1.5 μs short-circuit campaigns at 85% of its breakdown voltage. Short-circuit time has been set experimentally, and longer times result in catastrophic failure of MOSFET devices due to over self-heating. For this purpose, pre- and post-test short circuit characterizations are presented

Silicon Carbide and Magnetorresistive Technologies for Solid State Power Controllers

The aim of this paper is to make an introduction, review and preliminary investigation tasks of the application of Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductors and magnetoresistive (MR) current sensors for Solid State Power Controllers (SSPCs) and controlled switches, especially for high temperature environment and/or high voltage applications