A New Fast Motion Estimation and Mode Decision algorithm for H.264 Depth Maps encoding in Free Viewpoint TV

In this paper, we consider a scenario where 3D scenes are modeled through a View+Depth representation. This representation is to be used at the rendering side to generate synthetic views for free viewpoint video. The encoding of both type of data (view and depth) is carried out using two H.264/AVC encoders. In this scenario we address the reduction of the encoding complexity of depth data. Firstly, an analysis of the Mode Decision and Motion Estimation processes has been conducted for both view and depth sequences, in order to capture the correlation between them. Taking advantage of this correlation, we propose a fast mode decision and motion estimation algorithm for the depth encoding. Results show that the proposed algorithm reduces the computational burden with a negligible loss in terms of quality of the rendered synthetic views. Quality measurements have been conducted using the Video Quality Metric

Novel spatial domain integral equation formulation for the analysis of rectangular waveguide steps close to arbitrarily shaped dielectric and/or conducting posts

[EN] In this paper, a novel integral equation formulation expressed in the spatial domain is proposed for the analysis of rectangular waveguide step discontinuities. The important novelty of the proposed formulation is that which allows to easily take into account the electrical influence of a given number of arbitrarily shaped conducting and dielectric posts placed close to the waveguide discontinuity. For the sake of simplicity, and without loss of generality, the presented integral equation has been particularized and solved for inductive rectangular waveguide geometry. In this case, the integral equation mixed-potentials kernel is written in terms of parallel plate Green¿s functions with an additional ground plane located on the waveguide step. Therefore, the unknowns of the problem are reduced to an equivalent magnetic surface current on the step aperture and equivalent magnetic and electric surface currents on the dielectric and conducting posts close to the discontinuity. The numerical solution of the final integral equation is efficiently computed after the application of acceleration techniques for the slowly convergent series representing the Green¿s functions of the problem. The numerical method has been validated through several simulation examples of practical microwave devices, including compact size band-pass cavity filters and coupled dielectric resonators filters. The results have been compared to those provided by commercial full-wave electromagnetic simulation software packages, showing in all cases a very good agreement, and with substantially enhanced numerical efficiencies.This research work has been financially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad in the frame of the projects "Demostradores Tecnologicos de Filtros y Multiplexores con Respuestas Selectivas y Sintonizables en Nuevas Guias Compactas para Aplicaciones Espaciales (COMPASSES)" with Ref. TEC2016-75934-C4-1-R, and "Analisis y Diseno de Nuevos Componentes en Microondas y Milimetricas para Comunicaciones por Satelite (MILISAT)" with Ref. TEC2016-75934-C4-4-R. As an additional financial source we thank the regional agency Fundacion Seneca from Region de Murcia under the research project "Desarrollo de Antenas y Componentes Pasivos de Microondas para Sistemas Avanzados de Comunicaciones" with Ref. 19494/PI/14 and Ref. 20147/EE/17, and the PhD scholarship granted by the Spanish national Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte with Ref. FPU15/02883. All results of this paper can be reproduced by using the data and information contained in the drawings and in the captions of the figures included in the paper.Quesada Pereira, FD.; Gomez Molina, C.; Alvarez Melcon, A.; Boria Esbert, VE.; Guglielmi, M. (2018). Novel spatial domain integral equation formulation for the analysis of rectangular waveguide steps close to arbitrarily shaped dielectric and/or conducting posts. Radio Science. 53(4):406-419. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017RS006429S406419534Arcioni , P. Bressan , M. Conciauro , G. Perregrini , L. 1997 Generalized Y-matrix of arbitrary H-plane waveguide junctions by the BI-RME method IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest 211 214 DenverCapolino, F., Wilton, D. R., & Johnson, W. A. (2005). Efficient computation of the 2-D Green’s function for 1-D periodic structures using the Ewald method. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 53(9), 2977-2984. doi:10.1109/tap.2005.854556Catina, V., Arndt, F., & Brandt, J. (2005). Hybrid surface integral-equation/mode-matching method for the analysis of dielectric loaded waveguide filters of arbitrary shape. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 53(11), 3562-3567. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2005.857343Fructos, A. L., Boix, R. R., Mesa, F., & Medina, F. (2008). An Efficient Approach for the Computation of 2-D Green’s Functions With 1-D and 2-D Periodicities in Homogeneous Media. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 56(12), 3733-3742. doi:10.1109/tap.2008.2007281Guglielmi, M., & Newport, C. (1990). Rigorous, multimode equivalent network representation of inductive discontinuities. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 38(11), 1651-1659. doi:10.1109/22.60012Hu, Y. L., Li, J., Ding, D. Z., & Chen, R. S. (2016). Analysis of Transient EM Scattering From Penetrable Objects by Time Domain Nonconformal VIE. IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, 64(1), 360-365. doi:10.1109/tap.2015.2501437Kalantari, M., & Paran, K. (2017). Analysing Metamaterial Layer by Simpler Approach Based on Mode Matching Technique. IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, 11(5), 607-616. doi:10.1049/iet-map.2016.0687Mrvić, M., Potrebić, M., & Tošić, D. (2016). CompactEplane waveguide filter with multiple stopbands. Radio Science, 51(12), 1895-1904. doi:10.1002/2016rs006169Pérez-Soler, F. J., Quesada-Pereira, F. D., Cañete Rebenaque, D., Pascual-García, J., & Alvarez-Melcon, A. (2007). Efficient integral equation formulation for inductive waveguide components with posts touching the waveguide walls. Radio Science, 42(6). doi:10.1029/2006rs003591POGGIO, A. J., & MILLER, E. K. (1973). Integral Equation Solutions of Three-dimensional Scattering Problems. Computer Techniques for Electromagnetics, 159-264. doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-016888-3.50008-8Quesada Pereira , F. Boria , V. E. Gimeno , B. Cañete Rebenaque , D. Pascual Garcia , J. Alvarez Melcon , A. 2006 Investigation of multipaction phenomena in inductively coupled passive waveguide components for space applications IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium Digest 246 249 San Francisco, CAPereira, F. D. Q., Esbert, V. E. B., Garcia, J. P., Ana Vidal Pantaleoni, Melcon, A. A., Tornero, J. L. G., & Gimeno, B. (2007). Efficient Analysis of Arbitrarily Shaped Inductive Obstacles in Rectangular Waveguides Using a Surface Integral-Equation Formulation. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 55(4), 715-721. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2007.893673Quesada Pereira, F. D., Vera Castejón, P., Álvarez Melcón, A., Gimeno, B., & Boria Esbert, V. E. (2011). An efficient integral equation technique for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide circuits. Radio Science, 46(2), n/a-n/a. doi:10.1029/2010rs004458Stumpf, M., & Leone, M. (2009). Efficient 2-D Integral Equation Approach for the Analysis of Power Bus Structures With Arbitrary Shape. IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, 51(1), 38-45. doi:10.1109/temc.2008.2009223Wei, X.-C., Li, E.-P., Liu, E.-X., & Cui, X. (2008). Efficient Modeling of Rerouted Return Currents in Multilayered Power-Ground Planes by Using Integral Equation. IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, 50(3), 740-743. doi:10.1109/temc.2008.924392Huapeng Zhao, En-Xiao Liu, Jun Hu, & Er-Ping Li. (2014). Fast Contour Integral Equation Method for Wideband Power Integrity Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology, 4(8), 1317-1324. doi:10.1109/tcpmt.2014.232724

Analysis of Finite Microstrip Structures Using an Efficient Implementation of the Integral Equation Technique

An efficient numerical implementation of the Integral Equation technique (IE) has been developed for the analysis of the electrical characteristics of finite microstrip structures. The technique formulates a volume version of the IE for the finite dielectric objects, and a standard surface IE technique for the metallic areas. The system of integral equations formu- lated are solved with special numerical techniques described in this paper. The input impedances of several microstrip antennas have been computed, showing good agreement with respect mea- surements. The technique has shown to be accurate even for complex geometries containing several stacked dielectric layers. The radiation patterns of the structures have also been com- puted, and measured results from real manufactured hardware confirm that backside radiation and secondary lobes are accurately predicted by the theoretical model. The paper also discuss a suitable excitation model for finite size ground planes, and investigates the possibilities for an independent meshing of the metallic areas and the dielectric objects inside a given geom- etry. The practical value of the approach derived is that microstrip circuits can be designed minimizing the volume and size of the dielectric substrates.This work has been supported bythe Spanish National Project ESP2001-4546-PE, and RegionalSeneca Project PB/4/FS/02

An efficient integral equation technique for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide circuits

In this contribution a new and efficient integral equation formulation is presented for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide devices. The technique benefits from the symmetry of the structure in order to reduce the dimensions of the problem from three to two dimensions. For the first time, this technique formulates the waveguide capacitive discontinuity problem as a 2-D scattering problem with oblique incidence, combined with an efficient calculation of the parallel plate Green's functions. The numerical method allows the efficient evaluation of the electromagnetic fields inside the analyzed structures. Results for different practical capacitive waveguide devices are successfully compared with commercial software tools for validation of the proposed theory. Finally, a novel low-pass filter implementation based on circular conducting posts has been proposed. The field contour lines in the critical gaps of the new structure are curved due to the use of rounded posts. This could result in improved power handling capabilities with respect to standard corrugated low-pass filters. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.This work has been developed with financial support from SENECA project reference 08833/PI/08, and CICYT project reference TEC2007-67630-C03.Quesada Pereira, FD.; Vera Castejon, P.; Alvarez Melcon, A.; Gimeno Martinez, B.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2011). An efficient integral equation technique for the analysis of arbitrarily shaped capacitive waveguide circuits. Radio Science. 46:1-11. doi:10.1029/2010RS004458S1114

Virgin Olive Oil and Health: Summary of the III International Conference on Virgin Olive Oil and Health Consensus Report, JAEN (Spain) 2018

The Mediterranean diet is considered as the foremost dietary regimen and its adoption is associated with the prevention of degenerative diseases and an extended longevity. The preeminent features of the Mediterranean diet have been agreed upon and the consumption of olive oil stands out as the most peculiar one. Indeed, the use of olive oil as the nearly exclusive dietary fat is what mostly characterizes the Mediterranean area. Plenty of epidemiological studies have correlated that the consumption of olive oil was associated with better overall health. Indeed, extra virgin olive oil contains (poly)phenolic compounds that are being actively investigated for their purported biological and pharma-nutritional properties. On 18 and 19 May 2018, several experts convened in Jaen (Spain) to discuss the most recent research on the benefits of olive oil and its components. We reported a summary of that meeting (reviewing several topics related to olive oil, not limited to health) and concluded that substantial evidence is accruing to support the widespread opinion that extra virgin olive oil should, indeed, be the fat of choice when it comes to human health and sustainable agronomy.Diputación de Jaé

Changes in leaf functional traits with leaf age: when do leaves decrease their photosynthetic capacity in Amazonian trees?

Most leaf functional trait studies in the Amazon basin do not consider ontogenetic variations (leaf age), which may influence ecosystem productivity throughout the year. When leaf age is taken into account, it is generally considered discontinuous, and leaves are classified into age categories based on qualitative observations. Here, we quantified age-dependent changes in leaf functional traits such as the maximum carboxylation rate of ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) (Vcmax), stomatal control (Cgs%), leaf dry mass per area and leaf macronutrient concentrations for nine naturally growing Amazon tropical trees with variable phenological strategies. Leaf ages were assessed by monthly censuses of branch-level leaf demography; we also performed leaf trait measurements accounting for leaf chronological age based on days elapsed since the first inclusion in the leaf demography, not predetermined age classes. At the tree community scale, a nonlinear relationship between Vcmax and leaf age existed: young, developing leaves showed the lowest mean photosynthetic capacity, increasing to a maximum at 45 days and then decreasing gradually with age in both continuous and categorical age group analyses. Maturation times among species and phenological habits differed substantially, from 8 ± 30 to 238 ± 30 days, and the rate of decline of Vcmax varied from −0.003 to −0.065 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 day−1. Stomatal control increased significantly in young leaves but remained constant after peaking. Mass-based phosphorus and potassium concentrations displayed negative relationships with leaf age, whereas nitrogen did not vary temporally. Differences in life strategies, leaf nutrient concentrations and phenological types, not the leaf age effect alone, may thus be important factors for understanding observed photosynthesis seasonality in Amazonian forests. Furthermore, assigning leaf age categories in diverse tree communities may not be the recommended method for studying carbon uptake seasonality in the Amazon, since the relationship between Vcmax and leaf age could not be confirmed for all trees

Virgin olive oil and health: summary of the III international conference on virgin olive oil and health consensus report, JAEN (Spain) 2018

The Mediterranean diet is considered as the foremost dietary regimen and its adoption is associated with the prevention of degenerative diseases and an extended longevity. The preeminent features of the Mediterranean diet have been agreed upon and the consumption of olive oil stands out as the most peculiar one. Indeed, the use of olive oil as the nearly exclusive dietary fat is what mostly characterizes the Mediterranean area. Plenty of epidemiological studies have correlated that the consumption of olive oil was associated with better overall health. Indeed, extra virgin olive oil contains (poly)phenolic compounds that are being actively investigated for their purported biological and pharma-nutritional properties. On 18 and 19 May 2018, several experts convened in Jaen (Spain) to discuss the most recent research on the benefits of olive oil and its components. We reported a summary of that meeting (reviewing several topics related to olive oil, not limited to health) and concluded that substantial evidence is accruing to support the widespread opinion that extra virgin olive oil should, indeed, be the fat of choice when it comes to human health and sustainable agronomy

Fungal diversity associated to the olive moth, prays oleae Bernard : a survey for potential entomopathogenic fungi

Olive production is one of the main agricultural activities in Portugal. In the region of Trás-os-Montes this crop has been considerably affected by Prays oleae. In order to evaluate the diversity of fungi on P. oleae population of Trás-os-Montes olive orchards, larvae and pupae of the three annual generations (phyllophagous, antophagous and carpophagous) were collected and evaluated for fungal growth on their surface. From the 3828 larvae and pupae, a high percentage of individuals exhibited growth of a fungal agent (40.6%), particularly those from the phyllophagous generation. From all the moth generations, a total of 43 species from 24 genera were identified, but the diversity and abundance of fungal species differed between the three generations. Higher diversity was found in the carpophagous generation, followed by the antophagous and phyllophagous generations. The presence of fungi displaying entomopathogenic features was highest in the phyllophagous larvae and pupae, being B. bassiana the most abundant taxa. The first report of B. bassiana presence on P. oleae could open new strategies for the biocontrol of this major pest in olive groves, since the use of an already adapted species increases the guarantee of success of a biocontrol approach. The identification of antagonistic fungi able to control agents that cause major olive diseases, such as Verticillium dahliae, will benefit future biological control approaches for limiting this increasingly spreading pathogen.This work was supported by Science and Technology Foundation (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia – FCT) project PTDC/AGR-AAM/102600/2008 “Entomopathogenic fungi associated to olive pests: isolation, characterization and selection for biological control”. The first author is grateful to the Science and Technology Foundation for the PhD grant SFRH/BD/44265/2008

The spliceosome U2 snRNP factors promote genome stability through distinct mechanisms; transcription of repair factors and R-loop processing

Recent whole-exome sequencing of malignancies have detected recurrent somatic mutations in U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex (snRNP) components of the spliceosome. These factors have also been identified as novel players in the DNA-damage response (DDR) in several genome-wide screens and proteomic analysis. Although accumulating evidence implies that the spliceosome has an important role in genome stability and is an emerging hallmark of cancer, its precise role in DNA repair still remains elusive. Here we identify two distinct mechanisms of how spliceosome U2 snRNP factors contribute to genome stability. We show that the spliceosome maintains protein levels of essential repair factors, thus contributing to homologous recombination repair. In addition, real-time laser microirradiation analysis identified rapid recruitment of the U2 snRNP factor SNRPA1 to DNA-damage sites. Functional analysis of SNRPA1 revealed a more immediate and direct role in preventing R-loop-induced DNA damage. Our present study implies a complex interrelation between transcription, mRNA splicing and the DDR. Cells require rapid spatio-temporal coordination of these chromatin transactions to cope with various forms of genotoxic stress