INAF-Padova-TN-3DPD-SUM

The Team at the Observatory of Padova (INAF) developed a stereo 3d reconstruction pipeline for the planetary images, by taking advantage of its know-how from the design, realization and calibration of the stereo camera STC on board the BepiColombo mission. The stereo cameras STC and CaSSIS are different in terms of optical design and stereo strategy, but they both apply the push-frame acquisition mode. In this context, an ad-hoc DTM generation software, called 3DPD, has been developed.This document describes the nowadays procedures for the internal use of the 3DPD software and the associated MATLAB tools finalized to: - update of the CaSSIS images and spice kernels - Read CaSSIS images data and projection matrices assembly - generate the stereo pair mosaic projects - generate the 3D models (DTMs) - update the OAPD Archive (https://cassis.oapd.inaf.it/archive/) All these procedures can be performed only by OAPD Workstations. Changes in the procedures will be documented in the next issues of this report

In-lab characterization of HYPSOS, a novel stereo hyperspectral observing system: first results

HYPSOS (HYPerspectral Stereo Observing System, patented) is a novel remote sensing instrument able to extract the spectral information from the two channels of a pushbroom stereo camera; thus it simultaneously provides 4D information, spatial and spectral, of the observed features. HYPSOS has been designed to be a compact instrument, compatible with small satellite applications, to be suitable both for planetary exploration as well for terrestrial environmental monitoring. An instrument with such global capabilities, both in terms of scientific return and needed resources, is optimal for fully characterizing the observed surface of investigation. HYPSOS optical design couples a pair of folding mirrors to a modified three mirror anastigmat telescope for collecting the light beams from the optical paths of the two stereo channels; then, on the telescope focal plane, there is the entrance slit of an imaging spectrograph, which selects and disperses the light from the two stereo channels on a bidimensional detector. With this optical design, the two stereo channels share the large majority of the optical elements: this allowed to realize a very compact instrument, which needs much less resources than an equivalent system composed by a stereo camera and a spectrometer. To check HYPSOS actual performance, we realized an instrument prototype to be operated in a laboratory environment. The laboratory setup is representative of a possible flight configuration: the light diffused by a surface target is collimated on the HYPSOS channel entrance apertures, and the target is moved with respect to the instrument to reproduce the in- flight pushbroom acquisition mode. Here we describe HYPSOS and the ground support equipment used to characterize the instrument, and show the preliminary results of the instrument alignment activities

MORFEO enters final design phase

MORFEO (Multi-conjugate adaptive Optics Relay For ELT Observations, formerly MAORY), the MCAO system for the ELT, will provide diffraction-limited optical quality to the large field camera MICADO. MORFEO has officially passed the Preliminary Design Review and it is entering the final design phase. We present the current status of the project, with a focus on the adaptive optics system aspects and expected milestones during the next project phase

3D Printed Affordable Nose Model: a Reliable Start in Endoscopic Training For Young Neurosurgeons

Background: Training neurosurgical skills is one of the most important tasks of a residency program. Techniques' complexity and pathology rarity define a long learning curve for mastering different surgical skills for which simulation on anatomical samples is extremely important. For this purpose, cadaver laboratory training is the most reliable tool. However, since access to cadaveric specimens is limited, due to costs and availability, surgical skills could be developed using inanimate models. This work aimed to develop a printable 3D model of the nasal cavity and sellar floor using an open-source downloadable file, to give residents the opportunity to improve their endoscopic surgical skills in a low-risk atmosphere with little cost. Methods: The 3D model was realized taking as a sample a real-case CT scan imaging from which the sellar floor was removed. A quail egg was placed underneath the printed model covering the sellar floor opening. Under endoscopic visualization, the "sellar floor" was drilled by each participant with the goal of sparing the egg's inner membrane. Once the task was achieved, surgeons were asked to participate in a satisfaction survey. Results: Total cost for printing was 6,31€. The satisfaction survey showed technical improvement (90%), increased confidence (80%), bringing learned skills in the O.R. (70%), leading to a 100% agreement in introducing this project into residency programs. Conclusion: Training on affordable anatomical models represents a useful tool in technical skills improvement. We believe this model could help residents bring their technical capabilities to more sophisticated levels

Synthesis and antiproliferative properties of N3/8-disubstituted3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane analogues of 3,8-bis[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridin-4-yl]methyl-piperazine

A series of novel N(3/8)-disubstituted-3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes in order to improve the in vitro activity of the prototype 3,8-bis[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)pyridyl-4-yl)methylpiperazine (1) were synthesized and evaluated by assays of growth inhibition against several tumor cell lines. Compounds 2a,b,f and m demonstrated not only growth-inhibitory activities against leukemia cancer cells, but also fairly good activities against the growth of certain solid tumors. Among them, 2a is the most potent one with IC(50) values in the low micromolar range. Moreover, compound 2a has been selected for in vitro testing on MCF-7 cell to evaluate the mode of action of this lead compound

CaSSIS-based stereo products for Mars after three years in orbit

The Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on board the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), operating in push-frame mode, provides multiband images at four different wavelengths thanks to a Filter Strip Assembly with a panchromatic filter and three broadband filters within the visible and near infrared range. The camera acquires stereo pairs fundamental for the initialization of the photogrammetric process to perform three-dimensional reconstruction of the Martian surface at the best resolution of 4.6 m per pixel for regions up to ~400 km2 in one imaging sequence. The 3D points derived from the stereo processing are used to generate Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) with height accuracy on the order of one image pixel on ground allowing high-resolution morphometric studies and in general improving the understanding of the geology and geomorphology of the surface of Mars. This work provides a review of the CaSSIS stereo products supported by a description of the applied methods and examines some specific approaches directed to science analysis. Furthermore, our development of methods is herein focused on the proof of concept and the performance of our dedicated pipeline. The DTM generation procedure has been implemented in a stereo photogrammetric pipeline by the team of the National Institute for Astrophysics-Astronomical Observatory of Padova (INAF-OAPd). The workflow is based on area-based image matching integrated in a multi-resolution approach where the quality of the image matching largely determines the quality of the output DTM. For this reason, the influence of the parameters involved in the matching process (i.e. number of tie-points, template sizes and shape models in matching) has been studied. CaSSIS stereo products have been generated for approximately 0.1% of the surface of Mars and 16.3% of the total stereo images acquired so far. In this work, some scientifically interesting targets have been considered in the investigation to provide an overview of the quality of the stereo results. The experimental studies related to stereo analysis frequently led to comparison tests since they represent the best approach for contributing to the methodological consolidation of the photogrammetric data processing. The quality assessment based on comparison with reference terrain data is very promising also in considering areas with different surface type and morphologies

Elaboration of the Italian portion of the global soil organic carbon map (GSOCMAP)

The Global Soil Organic Carbon map (GSOCmap) published by the Food and Agriculture Organization constitutes a baseline estimation of soil organic carbon stock (CS, ton ha–1) from 0 to 30 cm, on a grid at 30 arc-seconds resolution (approximately 1 x 1 km). It has been produced for the Italian territory by the Italian Soil Partnership (ISP): a national hub of institutions dealing with soils, either academic/research institutions, and regional soil services (RSS). The RSS are the main soil data owners in Italy and play a central role in the elaboration of policies for soil management. The RSS adhering to the ISP are: Calabria, Campania, Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Piemonte, Puglia, Sicilia, Toscana, and Veneto. A national soil database is maintained by the Consiglio per la Ricerca e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria (CREA). The RSS contributed with soil data, with mean density of 1 point per 50 square kilometres, selecting data analysed for soil organic carbon content (SOC, dag kg-1), which were representative and well distributed for the following environmental covariates: land use, geomorphology, and climate. The data were selected inbetween 1990 al 2013. This was necessary in order to exclude the effect of the new soil protection policies of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. For the RSS not included in the ISP, the data were selected from the national soil database. 6748 point data were finally selected. SOC values obtained with the Springer and Klee and flash combustion elemental analyser methods were retained for elaborations, because the 2 methods, were found to give statistically equivalent results. SOC values obtained with Walkey and Black method were, instead, corrected with an empirical factor of 1.3. 2292 of the 6748 point data had also measured bulk density (BD, Mg m–3). Pedotransfer functions were calibrated to estimate BD were measured BD were missing, with the following as auxiliary variables: land use, soil regions, texture, and SOC. The carbon stock (CS, ton ha–1) was calculated by multiplying: 0.3 (m) * SOC (dag kg-1) * fine earth fraction (1 - skeletal content expressed as daL m–3) * BD (Mg m–3). CS of the first 30 cm depth was calculated as depth-weighted average. A spatial statistics method was used for the CS interpolation. The following auxiliary variables were used: soil regions, soil subregions, Corine land cover 2006, lithology, soils affected by natural constrains (gleyic, histic, vertic, coarse, shallow, arenic, sodic, and acid), sand content, silt content, 30-m aster-DEM, distance from coast, distance from relieves, soil aridity index, annual mean precipitations, mean annual air temperature, soil inorganic carbon, and soil depth. For the soil region of Po valley, the land units at 1:250,000 scale were also used. The interpolation method was a general linear regression for the soil regions of Po valley, and a radial basis function for the remaining Italian territory. The 6748 point data were divided, by spatial random sampling, into 10 subsets. Ten interpolations were produced, each time leaving out 1/10 of the dataset. Average (fig. 1), standard deviation and confidence intervals of these 10 interpolations were calculated. Mean Absolute Errors (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Errors (RMSE) were respectively 25.5 and 36.4 Mg/ha. A.85 Italy Map source: Country submission Point data Number of samples: 6748 Sampling period: 1990-2013 SOC analysis method: SOC values obtained with the Springer and Klee and ’flash combustion elemental analyser’ methods were retained for elaborations. Uncorrected values obtained by the Walkey and Black method were corrected with an empirical linear equation, based on previous studies and as recommended by the Italian official methods. BD analysis method: Undisturbed sampling, core method and pit method Mapping method Mapping method details: Neural Networks and GLM, according to soil region Validation statistics: Mean Error (ME) of the prediction is 1.688 Mg/ha, MAE 25.57 Mg/ha, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) is 36.24 Mg/ha