Method for 3D modelling based on structure from motion processing of sparse 2D images

A method based on Structure from Motion for processing a plurality of sparse images acquired by one or more acquisition devices to generate a sparse 3D points cloud and of a plurality of internal and external parameters of the acquisition devices includes the steps of collecting the images; extracting keypoints therefrom and generating keypoint descriptors; organizing the images in a proximity graph; pairwise image matching and generating keypoints connecting tracks according maximum proximity between keypoints; performing an autocalibration between image clusters to extract internal and external parameters of the acquisition devices, wherein calibration groups are defined that contain a plurality of image clusters and wherein a clustering algorithm iteratively merges the clusters in a model expressed in a common local reference system starting from clusters belonging to the same calibration group; and performing a Euclidean reconstruction of the object as a sparse 3D point cloud based on the extracted parameters

ENERGIA FOTOVOLTAICA COMO MATRIZ ENERGÉTICA SUSTENTÁVEL EM ORGANIZAÇÕES

The aim of this paper is investigate the evolution of the energetic photovoltaic matrix in the company NORD Eletric SA. This is justified by the importance of the sustainability and creation of clean energy making use of the emerging and innovative alternative in the regional area supporting the economic and environmental. The study used a qualitative and quantitative approach. The responsible for the company was interviewed and secondary data were researched. The techniques of analyze used were descriptive and content. The results show that it is possible and feasible the exploration of the photovoltaic energy strengthen and diversifying the energetic matrix characterized by local energy without transmission net. We realized that, from a management focused in new sustainable technologies it is possible to enlarge the Brazilian energetic matrix through alternative ways. Therefore, we conclude that the company looks for investment in technology applied to alternative energy to be competitive in business.O estudo tem como objetivo principal investigar a evolução da inserção da matriz energética fotovoltaica na empresa NORD Eletric S/A. Justifica-se pela relevância da temática sustentabilidade e geração de energias limpas, aproveitando uma alternativa emergente e inovadora a nível regional, atendendo os pilares econômico e ambiental. O estudo de caso utilizou uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa. Foi realizada uma entrevista estruturada de ordem não probabilística por acessibilidade com o responsável pela empresa NORD Eletric S/A e foram pesquisados dados secundários do setor. As técnicas de análise utilizadas foram descritiva e de conteúdo. Os resultados revelam que é possível e viável a exploração da energia fotovoltaica, fortalecendo e diversificando a matriz energética, caracterizada por uma energia com geração local sem redes de transmissão. No entanto, falta uma política que esclareça e incentive a busca por essa fonte. Percebe-se que a partir de uma gestão com visão focada em novas tecnologias sustentáveis, é possível ampliar a matriz energética brasileira via caminhos alternativos. Portanto, conclui-se que a empresa busca investimentos em tecnologia aplicada às energias alternativas, como estratégia competitiva dos negócios

Práticas sustentáveis e eco-inovações adotadas por empresas industriais

This study aimed to analyze the level of adoption of sustainable and eco-innovations implemented in the processes of industrial enterprises practices. The study was conducted in 300 industrial enterprises located in southern Brazil. It consists of a survey questionnaire that made use scalar itemizado measurement. Assigned a numerical score from 1 to 7, ranging from never to always Adopts Adopts, for each of the indicators evaluated. The questionnaire was made by the theoretical foundation of studies in the literature on eco-innovation and sustainable practices. Thus, the descriptive analysis was to evaluate the frequency distribution of responses if they obtained the measures of central tendency and dispersion for scalar variables and frequency distribution for categorical variables. Data analysis was performed based on the frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation and variance. They were also calculated kurtosis and skewness to understand the nature of the data distribution. The results show that the surveyed companies have increased investment in social and marketing area, in the perception of the subjects. Were evaluated types of eco-innovation that obtained the highest average and lower standard deviations. As need for improvements are innovation in products as the lowest mean and higher variance, followed by the organizational dimension. Therefore, the main contribution of this study is to understand the eco-innovation adoption stage in industrial companies, which allowed the development of an action agenda to contribute to the consolidation of these practices in Brazilian companies, since the understanding of the respondents, they they are fundamental in improving the quality, image and management industries.Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o nível de adoção das práticas sustentáveis e eco-inovações implantadas nos processos de empresas industriais. O estudo foi desenvolvido em 300 empresas industriais localizadas no sul do Brasil. Consiste em uma survey que fez uso de questionário escalar de mensuração itemizado. Atribuiu-se um escore numérico que vai de 1 a 7, variando de Nunca Adota a Sempre Adota, para cada um dos indicadores avaliados. A elaboração do questionário foi constituído por meio da fundamentação teórica dos estudos realizados na pesquisa bibliográfica sobre eco-inovações e práticas sustentáveis. Assim, a análise descritiva buscou avaliar a distribuição de frequência das respostas, se estas obtiveram as medidas de tendência central e de dispersão para as variáveis escalares e distribuição de frequência para as variáveis categóricas. A análise dos dados foi realizada com base na distribuição de frequência, média, desvio padrão e variância. Também foram calculados curtose e assimetria para compreender a natureza da distribuição dos dados. Os resultados evidenciam que as empresas pesquisadas possuem maiores investimentos na área social e marketing, na percepção dos sujeitos pesquisados. Foram os tipos de eco-inovação avaliados que obtiveram as maiores médias e menores desvios padrões. Como necessidade de melhorias encontram-se a inovação em produtos como sendo a média mais baixa e com maior variância, seguido da dimensão organizacional. Portanto, a principal contribuição desse estudo consiste em conhecer o estágio de adoção de eco-inovações em empresas industriais, o que permitiu a elaboração de uma agenda de ações para contribuir na consolidação dessas práticas nas empresas brasileiras, já que no entendimento dos pesquisados, elas são fundamentais na melhoria da qualidade, da imagem e da gestão das indústrias

DESIGN DO MÉTODO DE PESQUISA EM ECONOMIA CIRCULAR: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DE LITERATURA

O objetivo deste artigo é realizar uma revisão sistemática dos métodos de pesquisa que são identificados na produção do conhecimento sobre práticas de economia circular, considerando a literatura indexada nas bases de dados da Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Sage, Wiley Online Library, Emerald e Proquest. Os resultados indicam a predominância de estudos teóricos e estudos de caso como principais métodos utilizados para pesquisas sobre práticas de economia circular, demonstrando a tentativa latente de consolidação do tema enquanto locus de pesquisa. O emprego de revisões teóricas e de estudos de caso são comuns em temas pouco consolidados e emergentes. Sugere-se que haja maior atenção por parte dos pesquisadores em relação aos procedimentos adotados e a sua descrição de forma apropriada nos relatos, ação necessária para que os estudos possam ser replicados ou comparados com demais achados. A fragilidade de método pode ser suprida pela utilização de métodos mais consolidados, como estudos de caso qualitativos, para os casos que o comportem, ou diversas alternativas de métodos quantitativos

Photosynthetic antenna size in higher plants is controlled by the plastoquinone redox state at the post-transcriptional rather than transcriptional level.

We analyze the effect of the plastoquinone redox state on the regulation of the light-harvesting antenna size at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. This was approached by studying transcription and accumulation of light-harvesting complexes in wild type versus the barley mutant viridis zb63, which is depleted in photosystem I and where plastoquinone is constitutively reduced. We show that the mRNA level of genes encoding antenna proteins is almost unaffected in the mutant; this stability of messenger level is not a peculiarity of antenna-encoding genes, but it extends to all photosynthesis-related genes. In contrast, analysis of protein accumulation by two-dimensional PAGE shows that the mutant undergoes strong reduction of its antenna size, with individual gene products having different levels of accumulation. We conclude that the plastoquinone redox state plays an important role in the long term regulation of chloroplast protein expression. However, its modulation is active at the post-transcriptional rather than transcriptional level

A Cationic Contrast Agent in X-ray Imaging of Articular Cartilage: Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Diffusion and Attenuation Properties

The aim of this study was the preliminary assessment of a new cationic contrast agent, the CA4+, via the analysis of spatial distribution in cartilage of ex vivo bovine samples, at micrometer and millimeter scale. Osteochondral plugs (n = 18) extracted from bovine stifle joints (n = 2) were immersed in CA4+ solution up to 26 h. Planar images were acquired at different time points, using a microCT apparatus. The CA4+ distribution in cartilage and saturation time were evaluated. Tibial plates from bovine stifle joints (n = 3) were imaged with CT, before and after 24 h-CA4+ bath immersion, at different concentrations. Afterward, potential CA4+ washout from cartilage was investigated. From microCT acquisitions, the CA4+ distribution differentiated into three distinct layers inside the cartilage, reflecting the spatial distribution of proteoglycans. After 24 h of diffusion, the iodine concentration reached in cartilage was approximately seven times that of the CA4+ bath. The resulting saturation time was 1.9 ± 0.9 h and 2.6 ± 2.9 h for femoral and tibial samples, respectively. Analysis of clinical CT acquisitions confirmed overall contrast enhancement of cartilage after 24 h immersion, observed for each CA4+ concentration. Distinct contrast enhancement was reached in different cartilage regions, depending on tissue's local features. Incomplete but remarkable washout of cartilage was observed. CA4+ significantly improved cartilage visualization and its qualitative analysis

Estudo da frequência dos antígenos eritrocitários caninos 1, 1.1 e 7 e risco de transfusão incompatível em cães de diferentes raças e mestiços da região metropolitana da cidade de São Paulo-SP, Brasil

This study aims to investigate the frequency of blood groups identified as Dog Erythrocyte Antigens (DEA) 1, 1.1 and 7 dogs in the metropolitan region of São Paulo-SP, Brazil, and calculate the risk of administering incompatible blood in both first and second transfusion. For both, 300 unrelated dogs were equally divided into six groups according to the breeds: German Shepherd (GS), Rottweiler (R) Poodle (P), Cocker Spaniel (CS); defined several races (DSR), mongrel dogs (M). We evaluated the relationship between the frequency of AEC and racial groups. The overall frequency of DEA 1 in population was 71% (DEA 1.1 – 53.35%) and there were variations according to the breeds: GS- 32% (DEA 1.1 – 20%), R –98% (1.1 – 80%) P – 76% (1.1 – 54%), CS-84% (1.1 – 50%), DSR- 62% (1.1 – 56%) and M –- 74% (1.1 – 60%). The overall frequency of BCE 7 was 39.33%, and there were no significant differences between the breeds. The risk of a dog negative DEA receiving 1 positive blood was 0.6 to 66.6% in the first transfusion and 0.21 to 65.3% from the same animal dog receiving incompatible blood transfusion in a second. The risk of the DEA 7 was 23.86% in the first transfusion and 9.4% in a second transfusion. This study concluded that there was variation in the frequency of DEA 1 and 1.1, but not on the DEA 7 between races. This variation in the percentage of positive animals to DEA 1 was reflected in the large variation in the risk of use of incompatible blood. Therefore, knowing the frequency of the DEA in the population has a direct impact on handling dogs between donors and recipients, but the joint use of testing blood typing and cross-reactivity reduces the possibility of incompatible blood transfusion.O presente trabalho objetivou estudar a frequência dos grupos sanguíneos identificados como antígenos eritrocitários caninos (AEC) 1, 1.1 e 7 em cães da região metropolitana da cidade de São Paulo-SP, Brasil, e calcular o risco de administração de sangue incompatível tanto em uma primeira quanto em uma segunda transfusão. Para tanto, 300 cães não aparentados foram divididos igualmente em seis grupos de acordo com as raças: Pastor Alemão (PA); Rottweiler (R); Poodle (P); Cocker Spaniel Inglês (CS); raças definidas diversas (RDD) e mestiços (M). Avaliou-se a relação entre a frequência dos AEC e os grupos raciais. A frequência geral de AEC 1 na população foi de 71% (AEC 1.1 – 53,35%) e houve variações de acordo com as raças: PA- 32% (AEC 1.1 – 20%), R- 98% (1.1 – 80%), P- 76% (1.1 – 54%), CS- 84% (1.1 – 50%), RDD- 62% (1.1 – 56%) e M- 74% (1.1 – 60%). A frequência geral de AEC 7 foi de 39,33% e não houve diferenças significativas entre as raças. O risco de um cão negativo para o AEC 1 receber sangue positivo foi de 0,6 a 66,6% em uma primeira transfusão e de 0,21 a 65,3% do mesmo cão receber sangue incompatível em uma segunda transfusão. O risco quanto ao AEC 7 foi de 23,86% na primeira transfusão e 9,4% numa segunda transfusão. Este estudo concluiu que houve variação na frequência de AEC1 e AEC 1.1, mas não quanto ao AEC 7 entre raças. Esta variação na porcentagem de animais positivos quanto ao AEC 1 se refletiu na grande variação no risco de uso de sangue incompatível. Portanto, conhecer a frequência dos AEC na população tem impacto direto no manejo entre cães doadores e receptores, mas a utilização conjunta de teste de tipagem sanguínea e reação cruzada reduz a possibilidade de transfusão de sangue incompatível

I.S.Mu.L.T. Achilles Tendon Ruptures Guidelines

This work provides easily accessible guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of Achilles tendon ruptures. These guidelines could be considered as recommendations for good clinical practice developed through a process of systematic review of the literature and expert opinion, to improve the quality of care for the individual patient and rationalize the use of resources. This work is divided into two sessions: 1) questions about hot topics; 2) answers to the questions following Evidence Based Medicine principles. Despite the frequency of the pathology andthe high level of satisfaction achieved in treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures, a global consensus is lacking. In fact, there is not a uniform treatment and rehabilitation protocol used for Achilles tendon ruptures

Covid-19 seroprevalence among healthcare workers of a large covid-19 hospital in rome reveals strengths and limits of two different serological tests

Healthcare workers are at the forefront against COVID-19, worldwide. Since Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli (FPG) IRCCS was enlisted as a COVID-19 hospital, the healthcare workers deployed to COVID-19 wards were separated from those with limited/no exposure, whereas the administrative staff were designated to work from home. Between 4 June and 3 July 2020, an investigation was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies among the employees of the FPG using point-of-care (POC) and venous blood tests. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were determined with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on nasal/oropharyngeal swabs as the diagnostic gold standard. The participants enrolled amounted to 4777. Seroprevalence was 3.66% using the POC test and 1.19% using the venous blood test, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). The POC test sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 63.64% (95% confidence interval (CI): 62.20% to 65.04%) and 96.64% (95% CI: 96.05% to 97.13%), while those of the venous blood test were, respectively, 78.79% (95% CI: 77.58% to 79.94%) and 99.36% (95% CI: 99.07% to 99.55%). Among the low-risk populations, the POC test’s predictive values were 58.33% (positive) and 98.23% (negative), whereas those of the venous blood test were 92.86% (positive) and 98.53% (negative). According to our study, these serological tests cannot be a valid alternative to diagnose COVID-19 infection in progress

Effect of Lockdowns on Hospital Staff in a COVID Center: A Retrospective Observational Study

At the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, individual and social measures were strengthened through restrictive non-pharmaceutical interventions, labelled with the term "lockdown". In Italy, there were two lockdowns (9 March 2020-3 May 2020 and 3 November 2020-27 March 2021). As part of preventive measures, healthcare workers and the administrative staff population of Policlinico A. Gemelli underwent nasopharyngeal swab tests from 1 March 2020 to 9 February 2022, a long time interval that includes the two aforementioned lockdowns. The population included 8958 people from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020; 8981 people from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021; and 8981 people from 1 January 2022 to 9 February 2022. We then analysed pseudo-anonymized data, using a retrospective observational approach to evaluate the impact of the lockdown on the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections within the population. Given the 14 day contagious period, the swab positivity rate (SPR) among the staff decreased significantly at the end of the first lockdown, every day prior to 18 May 2020, by 0.093 (p < 0.0001, CI = (-0.138--0.047)). After the fourteenth day post the end of the first lockdown (18 May 2020), the SPR increased daily at a rate of 0.024 (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = (0.013-0.034)). In addition, the SPR appeared to increase significantly every day prior to 17 November 2020 by 0.024 (p < 0.0001, CI = (0.013-0.034)). After the fourteenth day post the start of the second lockdown (17 November 2020), the SPR decreased daily at a rate of 0.039 (p < 0.0001, 95% CI = (-0.050--0.027)). These data demonstrate that, in our Institution, the lockdowns helped to both protect healthcare workers and maintain adequate standards of care for COVID and non-COVID patients for the duration of the state of emergency in Italy