Guiding the Eye: A Non-photorealistic Solution for Controlling Viewer Interest

In film and still photography, depth of field control is often employed to control viewer interest in an image. This technique is also used in computer animation, but, in a medium where artists have near infinite control, must we rely on replicating photorealism? This research is a viable, non-photorealistic solution to the problem of directing viewer interest. Vision is directed by reducing superfluous visual information from parts of the image, which do not directly affect the depictive meaning of that image. This concept is applied to images and animations rendered from three-dimensional, computergenerated scenes, where detail is defined as visual information pertaining to the surface properties of a given object. A system is developed to demonstrate this concept. The system uses distance from a user-defined origin as the main mechanism to modulate detail. This solution is implemented within a modeling and shading environment to serve as a non-photorealistic, functional alternative for depth of field. This approach is conceptually based on a model of human vision, specifically, the relationship between foveal and peripheral vision, and is artistically driven by various works in the disciplines of painting and illustration, that through the careful manipulation of detail, control interest and understanding within the image. The resulting images and animations produced by this system provide viable evidence that detail modulation can be used to control effectively viewer interest in an image eliminating the need to use photographic techniques like depth of field

Examining experiences concerning goals pursued and smart dimensions to develop in cities on their path to become smart. The case of Costa Rican cities

The rapid growth of the population in cities has given rise to major urban challenges. This has led city governments to use technical solutions based on ICT, arising the concept of smart city (SC). However, the strategy followed to become smart is still very diffuse. This paper seeks to analyze the opinion of the ICT managers of local governments in their initial stage of cities to become smart. To achieve this aim, we have conducted empirical research in Costa Rican cities, which are initiating the SC process, but emphasizing the technological implementation strategy they are using. Concretely, this paper analyzes variables such as the number of ICT projects, dimensions, goals, impacts and expected timeframes as well as their association. Findings provide technological strategies that can be used and thus facilitate the implementation process of cities to become smart as well as the achievement of results

Smart Irrigation System for Smart Farming

New technologies such as the Internet of Things allows capturing information from multiple devices like sensors, buildings, and homes. This information is stored in the Cloud and can be used in order to improve a service or take decisions based on it. Internet of Things supports a Smart City vision, enhance the quality of public services and the life of its habitants. Smart Farming plays an important role and represents an essential component in Smart Cities. Moreover, the need of decreasing the waste of water has opened new research directions in finding solutions that help in saving water. In this paper, it has been proposed a solution for the intelligent irrigation of any type of crop, taking into account new technologies such as Internet of Things in order to improve irrigation systems. In order to show the feasibility of this proposed, an application of this solution has been presented

Growth performance of Bísaro pigs in hoop barn and confinement housing systems

The goal of this study was to compare the growth performance of growing/finishing pigs housed in a hoop barn system and in traditional confinement. A total of twenty Bísaro breed pigs, with 98.6±5.71 days of age, and 25.4±4.87 kg of BW were used (beginning of experiment). The pigs were equally distributed in two groups: Gr1 - hoop barn (3.0 m2/pig) with outdoor access (200 m2/pig); and Gr2 - traditional confinement with straw bedding (1.8 m2/pig). Both groups were fed with the same diet. During the next 98 days’ period (growing phase) and until pigs reached approximately 80 kg LW, the animals were fed with a concentrate diet. In the finishing phase consisting of a final 70 days period until slaughter, the animals reached between 110-120 kg LW and were fed with concentrate and cornflour. The feed intake per group was registered daily and growth performances were collected every two weeks. During the growing phase no differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the average daily gain (ADG) between Gr1 (0.546±0.10 kg/day) and Gr2 (0.563±0.05 kg/day). However, a higher variability was observed in hoop barn group (CV of 18.1% vs. 8.8% in confinement). Similar results were observed during the finishing phase with ADG of 0.535±0.09 kg for Gr1 and 0.505±0.07 kg for Gr2 (P > 0.05). In both growing and finishing phases, the feed conversion rates (FCR) were 3.11 on the Gr1 versus 3.12 kg/kg on the Gr2, and 3.44 in Gr1 versus 3.53 in Gr2, respectively. Despite the different housing systems, ADG and FCR per period were identical in both systems. To the consumer’s point of view, the positive aspects of the hoop barn system, such as the use of uncultivated land, product image and pig welfare, are sustainably attractive and therefore could be further reflected in the market.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 634476 (Project acronym: TREASURE). The content of this paper reflects only the author‘s view and the European Union Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Novel and Extendable Genotyping System For Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Based On Whole-Genome Sequence analysis

BACKGROUND: Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory infections, especially in infants and young children. Previous RSV sequencing studies have primarily focused on partial sequencing of G gene (200-300 nucleotides) for genotype characterization or diagnostics. However, the genotype assignment with G gene has not recapitulated the phylogenetic signal of other genes, and there is no consensus on RSV genotype definition. METHODS: We conducted maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis with 10 RSV individual genes and whole-genome sequence (WGS) that are published in GenBank. RSV genotypes were determined by using phylogenetic analysis and pair-wise node distances. RESULTS: In this study, we first statistically examined the phylogenetic incongruence, rate variation for each RSV gene sequence and WGS. We then proposed a new RSV genotyping system based on a comparative analysis of WGS and the temporal distribution of strains. We also provide an RSV classification tool to perform RSV genotype assignment and a publicly accessible up-to-date instance of Nextstrain where the phylogenetic relationship of all genotypes can be explored. CONCLUSIONS: This revised RSV genotyping system will provide important information for disease surveillance, epidemiology, and vaccine development

Nitric oxide metabolites as biomarkers for influenza-like acute respiratory infections presenting to the emergency room

Aims: Nitric oxide (NO) is increased in the respiratory tract in pulmonary infections. The aim was to determine whether nasal wash NO metabolites could serve as biomarkers of viral pathogen and disease severity in children with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting to the emergency department (ED) during the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic. Methods: Children ≤18 years old presenting to the ED with ILI were eligible. Nasal wash specimens were tested for NO metabolites, nitrate and nitrite, by HPLC and for respiratory viruses by real-time PCR. Results: Eighty-nine patients with ILI were prospectively enrolled during Oct-Dec, 2009. In the entire cohort, nasal wash nitrite was low to undetectable (interquartile range [IQR], 0 - 2 μM), while median nitrate was 3.4 μM (IQR 0-8.6). Rhinovirus (23%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (20%), novel H1N1 (19%), and adenovirus (11%) were the most common viruses found. Children with RSV subtype B-associated ILI had higher nitrate compared to all other viruses combined (P=0.002). Conclusion: Concentration of NO-derived nitrate in nasal secretions in children in the ED is suggestive of viral pathogen causative for ILI, and thus might be of clinical utility. Predictive potential of this putative biomarker for ILI needs further evaluation in sicker patients in a prospective manner

Protection and mechanism of action of a novel human respiratory syncytial virus vaccine candidate based on the extracellular domain of small hydrophobic protein

Infections with human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) occur globally in all age groups and can have devastating consequences in young infants. We demonstrate that a vaccine based on the extracellular domain (SHe) of the small hydrophobic (SH) protein of HRSV, reduced viral replication in challenged laboratory mice and in cotton rats. We show that this suppression of viral replication can be transferred by serum and depends on a functional IgG receptor compartment with a major contribution of FcRI and FcRIII. Using a conditional cell depletion method, we provide evidence that alveolar macrophages are involved in the protection by SHe-specific antibodies. HRSV-infected cells abundantly express SH on the cell surface and are likely the prime target of the humoral immune response elicited by SHe-based vaccination. Finally, natural infection of humans and experimental infection of mice or cotton rats does not induce a strong immune response against HRSV SHe. Using SHe as a vaccine antigen induces immune protection against HRSV by a mechanism that differs from the natural immune response and from other HRSV vaccination strategies explored to date. Hence, HRSV vaccine candidates that aim at inducing protective neutralizing antibodies or T-cell responses could be complemented with a SHe-based antigen to further improve immune protection

La casa del Marxucal d'Oliva: Projecte de restauració

L’article tracta sobre un projecte de restauració de la casa del Marxucal, construcció rural situada en el terme municipal d’Oliva. En ell es descriuen aspectes com la situació geogràfica i el context històric de la casa, s’hi fa un alçament planimètric de l’estat actual i una descripció detallada dels materials, de les tècniques constructives utilitzades i dels danys estructurals. A més, s’hi fa un recorregut per les diferents teories de la restauració d’alguns dels autors més destacats en aquest camp. També s’hi descriuen els criteris de projecte a seguir i s’hi fa una reconstrucció d’elements, una planimetria de projecte i de detalls constructius i una simulació d’alguns resultats de la intervenció. El projecte fou realitzat col·lectivament, durant el curs 2010-2011, per a l’assignatura de cinquè curs “Restauració Arquitectònica”, impartida per la professora Camila Mileto, del departament de Composició Arquitectònica de la Universitat Politècnica de Valènci

Antigenic Site-Specific Competitive Antibody Responses to the Fusion Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Were Associated With Viral Clearance in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Adults

Background: Recent studies of human sera showed that the majority of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) neutralizing antibodies are directed against pre-fusion conformation of the fusion (F) protein of RSV and revealed the importance of pre-fusion antigenic site Ø specific antibodies. However, detailed analysis of multiple antigenic site-specific competitive antibody responses to RSV F protein and their contribution to virus clearance in humans are lacking.Methods: We prospectively enrolled a cohort of RSV infected hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) adults (n = 40). Serum samples were collected at enrollment (acute, n = 40) and 14 to 60 days post-enrollment (convalescent, n = 40). Antigenic site-specific F protein antibodies were measured against pre-fusion site Ø, post-fusion site I, and sites II and IV present in both the pre-fusion and post-fusion F protein conformations utilizing four different competitive antibody assays developed with biotinylated monoclonal antibodies (mAb) D25, 131-2A, palivizumab, and 101F, respectively. The lower limit of detection were 7.8 and 1.0 μg/mL for the competitive antibody assays that measured site Ø specific response, as well as sites I, II, and IV specific responses, respectively. Neutralizing antibody titers to RSV A and B subgroups was determined by microneutralization assays.Results: The overall findings in RSV infected HCT adults revealed: (1) a significant increase in antigenic site-specific competitive antibodies in convalescent sera except for site Ø competitive antibody (p < 0.01); (2) comparable concentrations in the acute and convalescent serum samples of antigenic site-specific competitive antibodies between RSV/A and RSV/B infected HCT adults (p > 0.05); (3) significantly increased concentrations of the antigenic site-specific competitive antibodies in HCT adults who had genomic RSV detected in the upper respiratory tract for <14 days compared to those for ≥14 days (p < 0.01); and (4) statistically significant correlation between the antigenic site-specific competitive antibody concentrations and neutralizing antibody titers against RSV/A and RSV/B (r ranged from 0.33 to 0.83 for acute sera, and 0.50–0.88 for convalescent sera; p < 0.05).Conclusions: In RSV infected HCT adults, antigenic site-specific antibody responses were induced against multiple antigenic sites found in both the pre-fusion and post-fusion F conformations, and were associated with a more rapid viral clearance and neutralizing antibody activity. However, the association is not necessarily the cause and the consequence