Image segmentation for human motion analysis: methods and applications

Human motion analysis is closely connected with the development of computational techniques capable of automatically identify objects represented in image sequences, track and analyse its movement. Feature extraction is generally the first step in the study of human motion in image sequences which is strictly related to human motion modelling [1]. Next step is feature correspondence, where the problem of matching features between two consecutives image frames is addressed. Finally high level processing can be used in several applications of Computer Vision like, for instance, in the recognition of human movements, activities or poses. This work will focus in the study of image segmentation methods and applications for human motion analysis. Image segmentation methods related to human motion need to deal with several challenges such as: dynamic backgrounds, for instance when the camera is in motion; lighting conditions that can change along the image sequences; occlusion problems, when the subject does not remain inside the workspace; or image sequences with more than one subject in the workspace at the same time. It is not easy to develop methods which can deal with all thes

Methods to automatically build Point Distribution Models for objects like hand palms and faces represented in images

In this work we developed methods to automatically extract significant points of objects like hand palms and faces represented in images that can be used to build Point Distribution Models automatically. These models are further used to segment the modelled objects in new images, through the use of Active Shape Models or Active Appearance Models. These models showed to be efficient in the segmentation of objects, but had as drawback the fact that the labelling of the landmark points was usually manually made and consequently time consuming. Thus, in this paper we describe some methods capable to extract significant points of objects like hand palms and compare the segmentation results in new images

Chronic granulomatous disease as a risk factor for cutaneous lupus in childhood

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primaryimmunodeficiency disorder that affects the phagocyticcells of the innate immune system. It is characterizedby recurrent or persistent infections with granulomaformation. Lupus-like lesions have been reported incarriers of CGD and less frequently, in patients withCGD. Immunological study in these patients areusually negative. We describe the case of an 8-yearoldboy with CGD who developed chronic and acutecutaneous lupus erythematous with angular cheilitis,oral ulcers, Raynaud phenomenon, and positiveserologies for antinuclear, anticentromere, and anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Antiproliferative effects of the natural oxadiazine nocuolin A are associated with impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

Natural products are interesting sources for drug discovery. The natural product oxadiazine Nocuolin A (NocA) was previously isolated from the cyanobacterial strain Nodularia sp. LEGE 06071 and here we examined its cytotoxic effects against different strains of the colon cancer cell line HCT116 and the immortalized epithelial cell line hTERT RPE-1. NocA was cytotoxic against colon cancer cells and immortalized cells under conditions of exponential growth but was only weakly active against non-proliferating immortalized cells. NocA induced apoptosis by mechanism(s) resistant to overexpression of BCL family members. Interestingly, NocA affected viability and induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells grown as multicellular spheroids. Analysis of transcriptome profiles did not match signatures to any known compounds in CMap but indicated stress responses and induction of cell starvation. Evidence for autophagy was observed, and a decrease in various mitochondrial respiration parameter within 1h of treatment. These results are consistent with previous findings showing that nutritionally compromised cells in spheroids are sensitive to impairment of mitochondrial energy production due to limited metabolic plasticity. We conclude that the antiproliferative effects of NocA are associated with effects on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.This research was supported by the Structured Program of R&D&I INNOVMAR - Innovation and Sustainability in the Management and Exploitation of Marine Resources (reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000035, Research Line NOVELMAR), funded by the Northern Regional Operational Program (NORTE2020) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project was additionally supported the project CYANCAN - Uncovering the cyanobacterial chemical diversity: the search for novel anticancer compounds (reference PTDC/MEDQUI/30944/2017) co-financed by NORTE 2020, Portugal 2020, and the European Union through the ERDF, and by Foundation for Science and Technology through national funds. RU was supported by the FCT postdoc grant SFRH/BPD/112287/2015 and MS by the FCT PhD grant SFRH/BD/108314/2015

Estoque de raízes e serapilheira em diferentes sistemas de produção agropecuária na Amazônia Oriental.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o estoque de raízes e serapilheira de diferentes sistemas de produção no Nordeste Paraense. Foram avaliados três sistemas de produção: (1) derruba-e-queima com plantio de mandioca ; (2) plantio monoespecífico de paricá; (3) sistema silvopastoril com paricá e pastagem, que foram comparados com um fragmento de floresta secundária. O estoque de serapilheira no sistema silvipastoril foi significativamente maior do que nos plantios de paricá e mandioca, mas não diferiu significativamente do estoque na floresta secundária. O estoque de raízes (diâmetro < 2 mm) não diferiu entre a floresta secundária e o sistema silvipastoril, porém o estoque nestes sistemas foi significativamente maior que nos plantios de paricá e mandioca, que não diferiram entre si. Na classe 2-5 mm, o estoque de raízes na floresta secundária foi significativamente maior do que nos sistemas de produção. O sistema silvipastoril apresentou o maior potencial de restabelecer os estoques de serapilheira e raízes em relação à floresta secundária.PIBIC-2011

Substrato artesanal para produção de mudas de maxixe por olericultores familiares no Estado do Amazonas.

Objetivou-se estudar diferentes substratos para a produção de mudas do maxixe, utilizando materiais existentes nas propriedades de olericultores familiares, ou de fácil obtenção nas circunvizinhanças.Edição dos Resumos do 52º Congresso Brasileiro de Olericultura, Salvador, jul. 2012

Crescimento de leguminosas submetidas a diferentes níveis de adubação com fosfato de rocha.

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Assessoria técnica inovadora e participativa para transição agroecológica no nordeste paraense.

A união de princípios agroecológicos e pressupostos participativos constituem um elemento essencial para um novo conceito de assessoria técnica, por exemplo, as metodológicas inovadoras defendidas no Programa PROAMBIENTE, como o Plano de Uso (PU) e o Acordo Comunitário (AC). Para esse estudo foram feitas 80 entrevistas que foram analisadas por meio do software estatístico TABWIN. Conclui-se ocorreu uma contribuição significativa do PU e do AC na transição agroecologica. Também é apontada a dificuldade de executar algumas práticas que, em geral, são muito exigentes em mão-de-obra. Neste caso, muitos fazem uso de Estratégias Produtivas (EP), como a venda (38,75%) e a compra de mão-de-obra (32,5%), e de Estratégias Comunitárias (EC) ? mutirão (48,75%), troca de dias (40%), troca de dias por meio de mutirão (11,25%) que são primordiais a promover o espírito de união entre os agricultores e na participação das Estratégias de Implementação de base agroecológica, com destaque com 31,25% EI-B(Estratégia de implementação do tipo B)- preparo de área sem uso do fogo/roça + SAFs + roça queimada + SAFs com prática do feijão abafado + enriquecimento de capoeira com a introdução de abelhas + aumento do pousio + uso do aceiro + preservação das matas ciliares