Logarithmical hopping encoding: a low computational complexity algorithm for image compression

LHE (logarithmical hopping encoding) is a computationally efficient image compression algorithm that exploits the Weber–Fechner law to encode the error between colour component predictions and the actual value of such components. More concretely, for each pixel, luminance and chrominance predictions are calculated as a function of the surrounding pixels and then the error between the predictions and the actual values are logarithmically quantised. The main advantage of LHE is that although it is capable of achieving a low-bit rate encoding with high quality results in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and image quality metrics with full-reference (FSIM) and non-reference (blind/referenceless image spatial quality evaluator), its time complexity is O( n) and its memory complexity is O(1). Furthermore, an enhanced version of the algorithm is proposed, where the output codes provided by the logarithmical quantiser are used in a pre-processing stage to estimate the perceptual relevance of the image blocks. This allows the algorithm to downsample the blocks with low perceptual relevance, thus improving the compression rate. The performance of LHE is especially remarkable when the bit per pixel rate is low, showing much better quality, in terms of PSNR and FSIM, than JPEG and slightly lower quality than JPEG-2000 but being more computationally efficient

Dopamine interaction with a polyamine cryptand of 1H-pyrazole in the absence and in the presence of Cu(II) ions. Crystal structure of [Cu2(H21L](ClO4)3·2H2O

The crystal structure of the binuclear Cu2+ complex [Cu2(H21L)](ClO4)3·2H2O of the cryptand L = 1,4,7,8,11,14,17,20,21,24,29,32,33,36-tetradecaazapentacyclo[12.12.12.1^(6,9).1^(19,22),1,^31,34]hentetraconta-6,9(41),19(40), 21,31,34(39)-hexaene is presented; evidence for the formation in solution of binary L–dopamine and ternary Cu2+–L– dopamine complexes is presented.Escarti Alemany, Francisco, [email protected] ; Garcia-España Monsonis, Enrique, [email protected] ; Latorre Saborit, Julio, [email protected]

Desarrollo de un dispositivo multicanal para la resección avanzada de tumores rectales mediante endoscopia flexible y cirugía endoscópica transanal UNI-VEC®

[ES] El Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) ha desarrollado, junto con el Servicio Gallego de Salud (Sergas) y la empresa VECMEDICAL SPAIN S.L., un innovador dispositivo multicanal para la realización de endoscopia flexible o rígida intrarrectal y extirpación asistida por instrumentos rígidos de lesiones rectales no susceptibles de ser tratadas mediante las técnicas convencionales de endoscopia flexible. Se partió de una idea conceptual definida por el grupo clínico, liderado por el Dr. José Noguera, y se llevaron a cabo conjuntamente todas las etapas de desarrollo. Desde el diseño conceptual, análisis de riesgos, pruebas in vitro de funcionalidad, rediseño, experimentación animal, diseño para fabricación, hasta finalizar con la generación de la documentación necesaria para el marcado CE y estudio clínico en humanos.Al Sergas por promover y financiar la investigación. El plan de innovación sanitaria Código 100 se ejecuta en el marco de un convenio de colaboración entre el Sergas y el Ministerio de Economía, lndustria y Competitividad (MEIC), financiado en un 80% por Fondos FEDER 2014-2020 del Programa Operativo de Crecimiento lnteligente (POCINT).Noguera Aguilar, JF.; Gómez Herrero, JA.; Navarro Garcia, FJ.; Peris Serra, JL.; Atienza Vicente, CM.; Solera Navarro, MJ. (2021). Desarrollo de un dispositivo multicanal para la resección avanzada de tumores rectales mediante endoscopia flexible y cirugía endoscópica transanal UNI-VEC®. Revista de Biomecánica (Online). (68):1-5. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/187381156

Runalytics, 3D gait analysis system

[EN] Nowadays running is one of the most popular sports, which has fostered the development of its technology, both in the materials used and in their selection. Footwear is the basic component for the practice of running, as well as the most important one due to its ability to adapt to each runner through the proper choice. Such was the case that nowadays there is a lack of substance in the methods used for counseling. Runalytics is created with the idea of analyzing in detail the biomechanical characteristics each runner, based on an exhaustive research study to facilitate the choice of footwear that best suits the needs of each runner.[ES] Actualmente el running es uno de los deportes más practicados, lo que ha fomentado el desarrollo de su tecnología, tanto en los materiales utilizados como en su elección. El calzado es el componente básico para la práctica de la carrera, siendo además el más importante por su capacidad de adaptación a cada corredor mediante una correcta elección del mismo. Tanto es así que actualmente se plantea una falta de métodos precisos y robustos para el asesoramiento en la selección del mejor calzado de running para un usuario específico. Runalytics nace con la idea de analizar al detalle las características biomecánicas de cada corredor a partir de criterios validados en un exhaustivo estudio de investigación con la finalidad de facilitar la elección del calzado que mejor se adapte a las necesidades de cada deportista.Medina Ripoll, E.; Parrilla Bernabé, E.; Romero Olucha, E.; Montero Vilela, J.; Parra Gonzalez, F.; Gonzalez Garcia, JC.; Gil Mora, S.... (2013). Runalytics, sistema de análisis 3D de la pisada. Revista de biomecánica. 60:21-24. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/38696S21246

Gene Editing in Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Over the last years, an important development has allowed the scientific community to address a precise and accurate modification of the genome. The first probe of concept appeared with the design and use of engineered zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), which was expanded later on with the discovery and engineering of meganucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and finally democratized and made easily available to the whole scientific community with the discovery of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 nuclease combination technology. The availability of these tools has allowed a precise gene editing, such as knockout of a specific gene or the correction of a defective gene by means of homologous recombination (HR), taking advantage of the endogenous cell repair machinery. This process was already known and used but was inefficient—efficiency that has been increased more than 100-fold with the addition of the mentioned specific nucleases to the process. Apart from the proper design of the nucleases to recognize and cut the selected site in the cell genome, two main goals need to be adequately addressed to optimize its function: the delivery of the tools into the desired cells and the selection of those where the gene editing process has occurred correctly. Both steps can be easily solved when the source of cells is extensive or can be expanded and manipulated in vitro extensively, such as immortalized cell lines or pluripotent stem cells (embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells). However, both steps are critical in the case of primary cells, such as the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs are a rare cell population present in the bone marrow (BM) of higher mammals, and it is the responsible for the maintenance and replenishment of all hematopoietic cells for the lifespan of the animals by means of two fundamental properties: self-renewal and multipotency. HSC population is then the ideal target for the correction of hematopoietic genetic diseases and also for the knockout of the responsible genes to in vitro and in vivo model those hematopoietic diseases. This rare population cannot be expanded and its in vitro manipulation and culture negatively affects their fundamental properties of self-renewal and multipotency. These factors challenge the application of gene editing to HSCs. Important efforts are now ongoing trying to optimize the protocols of gene delivery and selection for HSCs. This chapter will review and discuss how researchers are trying to solve them, all attempts that are ongoing and the potential application of the technology to the patients affected with hematopoietic genetic diseases

Desarrollo de un novedoso equipo para el diagnóstico temprano del Alzheimer

[ES] La enfermedad del Alzheimer afecta a 14 millones de personas en el mundo y su detección temprana resulta vital para ayudar a la efectividad de los nuevos tratamientos. La empresa valenciana Oncovision, con la colaboración de I3M y el Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV), ha desarrollado un novedoso equipo de diagnóstico por imagen basado en la tecnología PET que permitirá la detección de la enfermedad en etapas muy tempranas y con una gran precisión.A la Comisión Europea. Este proyecto ha recibido financiación del programa de investigación e innovación Horizonte 2020 de la Unión Europea a través del contrato Nº 711323. A Oncovision y el I3M por contar con el IBV para la redacción de la propuesta de Instrumento para PYMES tanto en la Fase 1 como en la Fase 2. A MIPESA que se ha encargado de la fabricación y ensamblaje de las piezas mecánicas del equipo, en un sistema tan complejo.Gómez Herrero, JA.; Navarro Garcia, FJ.; Atienza Vicente, CM.; Peris Serra, JL.; Solera Navarro, MJ.; Catret Mascarell, J.; Benlloch Babiera, JM. (2018). Desarrollo de un novedoso equipo para el diagnóstico temprano del Alzheimer. Revista de Biomecánica (Online). 65. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/147638S6

Mindfulness skills and experiential avoidance as therapeutic mechanisms for treatment-resistant depression through mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and lifestyle modification

Background/objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent physical distancing has made it difficult to provide care for those with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). As a secondary analysis of a clinical trial, the aim of this study was to explore potential mechanisms through which three online-delivered approaches, added to treatment as usual, improve depressive symptoms in TRD patients. Methods: The three approaches included (a) Minimal Lifestyle Intervention (MLI), (b) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and (c) Lifestyle Modification Program (LMP). Sixty-six participants with TRD completed assessments pre-post intervention (mindfulness skills [FFMQ]; self-compassion [SCS]; and experiential avoidance [AAQ-II]) and pre-intervention to follow-up (depressive symptoms [BDI-II]). Data were analyzed using within-subjects regression models to test mediation. Results: Mindfulness skills mediated the effect of MBCT on depressive symptoms (ab = −4.69, 95% CI = −12.93 to−0.32), whereas the lack of experiential avoidance mediated the effect of LMP on depressive symptoms (ab = −3.22, 95% CI = −7.03 to−0.14). Conclusion: Strengthening mindfulness skills and decreasing experiential avoidance may promote recovery in patients with TRD, MBCT, and LMP have demonstrated that they may help increase mindfulness skills and decrease experiential avoidance, respectively. Future work will need to unpick the components of these interventions to help isolate active ingredients and increase optimization

Fully personalised glasses

[EN] Buying personalised glasses is closer to be a reality thanks to the results of the MADE4U project. The innovative system for design and manufacture of glasses is pioneer at the global level. IBV has contributed with the development of new equipment for the opticians, a system for measuring the client and a co-design environment. The measuring system consists on a scanner that registers the anthropometric measurements of the face to achieve a personalised design of the frame. This scanner is easy to use; the measures are taken in just a few seconds with little room for error. As glasses are 100% adapted user geometry, this system includes a virtual fitting room where the customer can co-design the new glasses according to their preferences (colour, shape, style, decorations...) and simulate how glasses suits. Once the opticians make the order, thanks to design and rapid manufacturing technologies developed by the partners of this project, clients get a pair glasses personalised according to his preferences, maximizing comfort and quality of vision.[ES] Comprar gafas personalizadas está Gafas totalmente personalizadas más cerca de ser una realidad gracias a los resultados del proyecto MADE4U. El Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) junto con INDO y otros socios europeos ha desarrollado, dentro de este proyecto, un innovador sistema para el diseño y fabricación de gafas pionero a nivel mundial. El IBV ha contribuido con el desarrollo del nuevo equipamiento para las tiendas de óptica que contempla un sistema de medición del cliente y un entorno de codiseño de las gafas. El sistema de medición se compone de un escáner que registra las medidas antropométricas de la cara para lograr un diseño personalizado de la montura. Este escáner es de fácil uso, ya que las medidas se toman en apenas unos segundos. Al tratarse de unas gafas con una geometría 100% adaptada al usuario, este sistema incluye un probador virtual donde el cliente puede codiseñar las gafas según sus preferencias (color, forma, estilo, decoraciones¿) y simular cómo le quedarían. Una vez la óptica realiza el pedido, gracias a las tecnologías de diseño y fabricación rápida desarrolladas por los socios de este proyecto, el cliente podrá disponer de unas gafas personalizadas según sus preferencias que maximizan su confort y calidad de visión.A la Comisión Europea por su contribución a este proyecto colaborativo que ha sido cofinanciado a través del VII Programa Marco (FP7- NMP-2007-SME-1. Grant agreement number: 212002).Mateo Martínez, B.; Sellés Vizcaya, J.; Fos Ros, F.; Navarro Garcia, FJ.; Moro Pérez, D.; Parrilla Bernabé, E.; Atienza Vicente, CM.... (2013). Gafas totalmente personalizadas. Revista de biomecánica. 59:55-58. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/38675S55585

Estimation of the real population and its impact on the utilisation of healthcare services in Mediterranean resort regions: an ecological study

BACKGROUND: The demographic structure has a significant influence on the use of healthcare services, as does the size of the population denominators. Very few studies have been published on methods for estimating the real population such as tourist resorts. The lack of information about these problems means there is a corresponding lack of information about the behaviour of populational denominators (the floating population or tourist load) and the effect of this on the use of healthcare services. The objectives of the study were: a) To determine the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) ratio, per person per day, among populations of known size; b) to estimate, by means of this ratio, the real population in an area where tourist numbers are very significant; and c) to determine the impact on the utilisation of hospital emergency healthcare services of the registered population, in comparison to the non-resident population, in two areas where tourist numbers are very significant. METHODS: An ecological study design was employed. We analysed the Healthcare Districts of the Costa del Sol and the island of Menorca. Both are Spanish territories in the Mediterranean region. RESULTS: In the two areas analysed, the correlation coefficient between the MSW ratio and admissions to hospital emergency departments exceeded 0.9, with p < 0.001. On the basis of MSW generation ratios, obtained for a control zone and also measured in neighbouring countries, we estimated the real population. For the summer months, when tourist activity is greatest and demand for emergency healthcare at hospitals is highest, this value was found to be double that of the registered population. CONCLUSION: The MSW indicator, which is both ecological and indirect, can be used to estimate the real population in areas where population levels vary significantly during the year. This parameter is of interest in planning and dimensioning the provision of healthcare services