THERMAL AND OPTICAL DATA FUSION SUPPORTING BUILT HERITAGE ANALYSES

Abstract. The recent developments of passive sensors techniques, that have been able to take advantage of the technological innovations related to sensors technical features, sensor calibration, the use of UAV systems (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), the integration of image matching techniques and SfM (Structure from Motion) algorithms, enable to exploit both thermal and optical data in multi-disciplinary projects. This synergy boost the application of Infrared Thermography (IRT) to new application domains, since the capability to provide thematic information of the analysed objects benefits from the typical advantages of data georeferencing and metric accuracy, being able to compare results investigating different phenomena.This paper presents a research activity in terrestrial and aerial (UAV) applications, aimed at generating photogrammetric products with certified and controlled geometric and thematic accuracy even when the acquisitions of thermal data were not initially designed for the photogrammetric process. The basic principle investigated and pursued is the processing of a photogrammetric block of images, including thermal IR and optical imagery, using the same reference system, which allows the use of co-registration algorithms. Such approach enabled the generation of radiance maps, orthoimagery and 3D models embedding the thermal information of the investigated surfaces, also known as texture mapping; these geospatial dataset are particularly useful in the context of the built Heritage documentation, characterised by complex analyses challenges that a perfect fit for investigations based on interdisciplinary approaches

Invariant classification of orthogonally separable Hamiltonian systems in Euclidean space

The problem of the invariant classification of the orthogonal coordinate webs defined in Euclidean space is solved within the framework of Felix Klein's Erlangen Program. The results are applied to the problem of integrability of the Calogero-Moser model

New tecnologies for mobile mapping

This paper deals with the development of a low cost UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) devoted to early impact phase in case of environmental disasters, based on geomatics techniques. "Pelican" is a low-cost UAV prototype equipped with a photogrammetric payload that will allows reconnaissance operations in remote areas and rapid mapping production. Different digital sensors installed in the payload allow to acquire high resolution frame images. Furthermore a GPS/INS unit will enable an automated navigation (except take-off and landing). The project is supported by ITHACA (Information Technology for Humanitarian Assistance, Cooperation and Action), an association founded by Politecnico di Torino and SiTI (Istituto Superiore sui Sistemi Territoriali per l'Innovazione) in cooperation with WFP (World Food Programme) and some private and public organisms, with the main goal to carry on operational and research activities in the field of geomatics for analysis, evaluation and mitigation of natural and manmade hazards. The main technical features of the UAV and the on-board payload are detailed described in the first part of the paper. Furthermore first results of stereopairs orientation, case studies and further developments are presented

EARLY IMPACT PROCEDURES FOR FLOOD EVENTSFEBRUARY 2007 MOZAMBIQUE FLOOD

Satellite images and GIS procedures are key elements for emergency management, especially in case of events hitting developing countries, more vulnerable to calamities and less prepared to face them. This article aims to show the procedure applied for the pro-duction of a cartography of flooded areas during the early impact phase; these activities are developed within ITHACA, centre of excellence, in charge of giving technological support to the WFP (World Food Programme), the biggest agency of the UN. The flood in Mozambique, occurred in January 2007, is illustrated as an example of events management

Economic aspects in the management of diabetes in Italy

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic- degenerative disease associated with a high risk of chronic complications and comorbidities. The aim of this study is to estimate the average annual cost incurred by the Italian National Health Service (NHS) for the treatment of DM stratified by patients’ comorbidities. Moreover, the model estimates the economic impact of implementing good clinical practice for the management of patients with DM. Methods: Data were extrapolated from administrative database of the Marche Region and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed from a clinical board in order to estimate patients with DM only, DM+1, DM+2, DM+3 and DM+4 comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy). Regional data were considered a good proxy for implementing a previously developed cost-of- illness (COI) model from Italian NHS perspective already published. A scenario analysis was considered to estimate the economic impact of good clinical practice implementation in the treatment of DM and its comorbidities in Italy. Results: The model estimated an average number of patients with DM per year in the Marche region of 85.909 (5.5% of population) from 2008 to 2011. The mean costs per patients with DM only, DM+1, DM+2, DM+3 and DM+4 comorbidities were €341, €1,335, €2,287, €5,231 and €7,085 respectively. From the Italian NHS perspective, the total economic burden of DM in Italy amounted to €8.1. billion/year (22% for drugs, 74% for hospitalization and 4% for visits). Scenario analysis demonstrates that the implementation of good clinical practice could save over €700 million per year. Conclusions: This model is the first study that considers real world data and COI model to estimate the economic burden of DM and its comorbidities from the Italian NHS perspective. Integrated management of the patients with DM could be a good driver for the reduction of the costs of this disease in Italy

Mendelian breeding units <i>versus</i> standard sampling strategies: mitochondrial DNA variation in southwest Sardinia

We report a sampling strategy based on Mendelian Breeding Units (MBUs), representing an interbreeding group of individuals sharing a common gene pool. The identification of MBUs is crucial for case-control experimental design in association studies. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possible existence of bias in terms of genetic variability and haplogroup frequencies in the MBU sample, due to severe sample selection. In order to reach this goal, the MBU sampling strategy was compared to a standard selection of individuals according to their surname and place of birth. We analysed mitochondrial DNA variation (first hypervariable segment and coding region) in unrelated healthy subjects from two different areas of Sardinia: the area around the town of Cabras and the western Campidano area. No statistically significant differences were observed when the two sampling methods were compared, indicating that the stringent sample selection needed to establish a MBU does not alter original genetic variability and haplogroup distribution. Therefore, the MBU sampling strategy can be considered a useful tool in association studies of complex traits

Invariant classification of the rotationally symmetric R-separable webs for the Laplace equation in Euclidean space

An invariant characterization of the rotationally symmetric R-separable webs for the Laplace equation in Euclidean space is given in terms of invariants and covariants of a real binary quartic canonically associated to the characteristic conformal Killing tensor which defines the webs.Comment: 25 pages, recently submitted to the Journal of Mathematical Physic

DIGITAL REPLICAS OF BRITISH MUSEUM ARTEFACTS

The digitisation of museum exhibits has played an essential role in geomatics research for generating digital replicas, as it offers the chance to address rather challenging issues. The use of different sensors, ranging from active to passive, and also structured light scanners or hybrid solutions, the various destinations and purposes of the final results combined with the extreme variety of possible objects have made it a field of investigation highly inquired in the literature.The present study aims to analyse and discuss a digitalisation workflow applied to four Sumerian civilisation masterpieces preserved in the British Museum. The dense and accurate 3D point clouds derived from a specimen of Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machines in collaboration with Faro technologies have twofold roles: ground truth and geometric reference of the final digital replicas. Digital photogrammetry is employed to enrich the models with the relevant radiometric component. The significant contribution results, exploiting co-registration strategies, offer careful guidance of a photogrammetric protocol created in a highly controlled environment combined with skilful expedients and devices. The proposed approach enables the acquisition of high-quality and radiometrically balanced images and improves the possibility of automating the masking procedure before the photogrammetric processing.</p

Fermented soy-derived bioactive peptides selected by a molecular docking approach show antioxidant properties involving the keap1/nrf2 pathway

Bioactive peptides are a group of molecules with health beneficial properties, deriving from food matrices. They are protein fragments consisting of 2–20 amino acids that can be released by microbial fermentation, food processing and gastrointestinal digestion. Once hydrolyzed from their native proteins, they can have different functions including antioxidant activity, which is important for cell protection by oxidant agents. In this work, fermented soy products were digested in vitro in order to improve the release of bioactive peptides. These were extracted, purified and analyzed in vitro and in a cellular model to assess their antioxidant activity. Peptide sequences were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis and a molecular docking approach was used to predict their ability to interact with Keap1, one of the key proteins of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, the major system involved in redox regulation. Peptides showing a high score of interaction were selected and tested for their antioxidant properties in a cellular environment using the Caco-2 cell line and examined for their capability to defend cells against oxidative stress. Our results indicate that several of the selected peptides were indeed able to activate the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway with the consequent overexpression of antioxidant and phase II enzymes