Hierarchical stack filtering : a bitplane-based algorithm for massively parallel processors

With the development of novel parallel architectures for image processing, the implementation of well-known image operators needs to be reformulated to take advantage of the so-called massive parallelism. In this work, we propose a general algorithm that implements a large class of nonlinear filters, called stack filters, with a 2D-array processor. The proposed method consists of decomposing an image into bitplanes with the bitwise decomposition, and then process every bitplane hierarchically. The filtered image is reconstructed by simply stacking the filtered bitplanes according to their order of significance. Owing to its hierarchical structure, our algorithm allows us to trade-off between image quality and processing time, and to significantly reduce the computation time of low-entropy images. Also, experimental tests show that the processing time of our method is substantially lower than that of classical methods when using large structuring elements. All these features are of interest to a variety of real-time applications based on morphological operations such as video segmentation and video enhancement

On a Simple General Principle of Brain Organization

A possible framework to characterize nervous system dynamics and its organization in conscious and unconscious states is introduced, derived from a high level perspective on the coordinated activity of brain cell ensembles. Some questions are best addressable in a global framework and here we build on past observations about the structure of configurations of brain networks in conscious and unconscious states and about neurophysiological results. Aiming to bind some results together into some sort of coherence with a central theme, the scenario that emerges underscores the crucial importance of the creation and dissipation of energy gradients in brain cellular ensembles resulting in maximization of the configurations in the functional connectivity among those networks that favor conscious awareness and healthy conditions. These considerations are then applied to indicate approaches that can be used to improve neuropathological syndromes.Fil: Perez Velazquez, Jose L.. Ronnin Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Mateos, Diego Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Guevara Erra, Ramon. Laboratoire Psychologie de la Perception, Cnrs; Franci

Personalized Management of Fatigue in Individuals With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID Using a Smart Digital mHealth Solution: Protocol for a Participatory Design Approach

Fatigue; Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; Personalized self-managementFatiga; Encefalomielitis miálgica/síndrome de fatiga crónica; Autogestión personalizadaFatiga; Encefalomielitis miàlgica/síndrome de fatiga crònica; Autogestió personalitzadaBackground: Fatigue is the most common symptom in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID, impacting patients’ quality of life; however, there is currently a lack of evidence-based context-aware tools for fatigue self-management in these populations. Objective: This study aimed to (1) address fatigue in ME/CFS and long COVID through the development of digital mobile health solutions for self-management, (2) predict perceived fatigue severity using real-time data, and (3) assess the feasibility and potential benefits of personalized digital mobile health solutions. Methods: The MyFatigue project adopts a patient-centered approach within the participatory health informatics domain. Patient representatives will be actively involved in decision-making processes. This study combines inductive and deductive research approaches, using qualitative studies to generate new knowledge and quantitative methods to test hypotheses regarding the relationship between factors like physical activity, sleep behaviors, and perceived fatigue in ME/CFS and long COVID. Co-design methods will be used to develop a personalized digital solution for fatigue self-management based on the generated knowledge. Finally, a pilot study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptance, and potential benefits of the digital health solution. Results: The MyFatigue project opened to enrollment in November 2023. Initial results are expected to be published by the end of 2024. Conclusions: This study protocol holds the potential to expand understanding, create personalized self-management approaches, engage stakeholders, and ultimately improve the well-being of individuals with ME/CFS and long COVID.This study received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Knowledge Generation Project Grant PID-2021-125528OB-I00), and it was cofunded by the 2020 European Union’s Research and Innovation Funding Program

Evaluación del nivel de conocimiento sobre COVID-19 durante la pesquisa en la población de un consultorio

Introducción: la COVID-19 es una enfermedad causada por el nuevo coronavirus que se descubrió en la ciudad de Wuhan, provincia de Hubei, China, a finales de 2019. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de conocimiento sobre la COVID-19 durante la pesquisa activa. Material y Método: se realizó un estudio no observacional, cuasi experimental, antes-después sin grupo de control sobre el nivel de conocimiento acerca de la COVID-19, en la población perteneciente al consultorio 5 del Policlínico José Martí del Municipio Gibara, Holguín, Cuba. El universo estuvo constituido por 1333 y la muestra fueron 415 pacientes. Las variables en estudio fueron fuente de información para la adquisición de los conocimientos, información general sobre la COVID-19, síntomas clínicos de la COVID-19, diferencias con otras afecciones respiratorias frecuentes y medidas para la prevención de la COVID-19. Se emplearon estadígrafos descriptivos y para el análisis comparativo que contempla el estudio se aplicó, la prueba de chi cuadrado de McNemar. Resultados: de las fuentes de información la pesquisa fue la más referida por 143 pacientes. Después de aplicada la intervención, sobre información general de la COVID-19, las personas con conocimiento adecuado fueron el 95,4 %. La información sobre los síntomas clínicos y diferencias de la COVID-19 con otras afecciones respiratorias fueron adecuadas en el 80 % y 93,7 % de los pacientes respectivamente. Sobre las medidas preventivas, fueron adecuados en los 415 pacientes. Conclusiones: la estrategia educativa fue efectiva porque se logró un nivel de conocimiento alto en la mayoría de la población

Perspective for Aquaponic Systems: (Omic) Technologies for Microbial Community Analysis

Aquaponics is the combined production of aquaculture and hydroponics, connected by a water recirculation system. In this productive system, the microbial community is responsible for carrying out the nutrient dynamics between the components. The nutrimental transformations mainly consist in the transformation of chemical species from toxic compounds into available nutrients. In this particular field, the microbial research, the "Omic" technologies will allow a broader scope of studies about a current microbial profile inside aquaponics community, even in those species that currently are unculturable. This approach can also be useful to understand complex interactions of living components in the system. Until now, the analog studies were made to set up the microbial characterization on recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). However, microbial community composition of aquaponics is still unknown. "Omic" technologies like metagenomic can help to reveal taxonomic diversity. The perspectives are also to begin the first attempts to sketch the functional diversity inside aquaponic systems and its ecological relationships. The knowledge of the emergent properties inside the microbial community, as well as the understanding of the biosynthesis pathways, can derive in future biotechnological applications. Thus, the aim of this review is to show potential applications of current "Omic" tools to characterize the microbial community in aquaponic systems

Zoonosis, cambio climático y sociedad

La sociedad contemporánea se enfrenta a uno de los retos más grandes de la historia humana, el calentamiento global, mismo que acarrea enormes consecuencias, tales como los disturbios climáticos, así como los patrones de las enfermedades de origen animal transmisibles al hombre. Precisamente ante este escenario las instituciones educativas de nivel superior deben dar cumplimiento a su responsabilidad y ser las generadoras de alternativas de solución mediante el trabajo especializado de investigación; y para ello, la pesquisa científica es la mejor de las alternativas a nuestro alcance para comprender y encarar estos desafíos.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México y Ediciones y Gráficos Eón, S.A. de C.V

Educación ambiental y sociedad. Saberes locales para el desarrollo y la sustentabilidad

EL LIBRO PERMITE REFLEXIONAR SOBRE LA IMPORTANCIA DE FOMENTAL LA EDUCACIÓN AMBIENTAL PARA RESOLVER LA PROBLEMÁTICA AMBIENTALEL LIBRO PRESENTA DIFERENTES TRABAJOS QUE ESTUDIAN EL TEMA D ELA SUSTENTABILIDAD, ENFATIZANDO LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA EDUCACIÓN AMBIENTAL Y LA TRANSDISCIPLINANINGUN

Benefits Of Maternal Choline Supplementation In A Mouse Model Of Down Syndrome: Elucidation Of Underlying Neural Mechanisms

BENEFITS OF MATERNAL CHOLINE SUPPLEMENTATION IN A MOUSE MODEL OF DOWN SYNDROME: ELUCADATION OF UNDERLYING NEURAL MECHANISMS Ramon Velazquez Jr., Ph. D. Cornell University Down syndrome (DS) is the most common known cause of intellectual disability (ID), affecting 1 in 800-1000 births. This disorder is caused by triplication of human chromosome 21(HSA21) due to nondisjunction during meiosis. In addition to ID, individuals with DS exhibit dementia by the third or fourth decade of life, due to the early onset of neuropathological changes typical of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although there are currently no effective treatments for either the ID or dementia seen in this disorder, it is hoped that the recent development of murine models of this disease will aid in elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms and testing potential therapies. The Ts65Dn mouse model of DS survives to adulthood and exhibits key features of this disorder, notably impairments in learning, attention, and memory, as well as deficient ontogenetic neurogenesis and degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in the medial septum (MS). The overarching goal of the present thesis was to use this mouse model to study the role of cholinergic atrophy in the age-related cognitive decline seen in DS (Chapter 3), and to test the effectiveness of one promising therapy for DS (Chapter 1 and 2): maternal choline supplementation (MCS). Our studies revealed that Ts65Dn mice exhibit attentional dysfunction as early as 3 months of age, which becomes more pronounced with aging. Moreover, assessment of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalias of meynert/substantia innominata revealed a reduced density of these neurons in both young and old trisomic mice (relative to 2N), but no age-related changes in the count, density or size of these neurons was observed with aging as is commonly believed. Our subsequent studies using MCS revealed that the Ts65Dn offspring of dams supplemented with additional choline during pregnancy and lactation exhibited improvements in spatial cognition, relative to Ts65Dn offspring of dams on the control diet. In addition, MCS significantly increased adult neurogenesis of the trisomic offspring and offered protection to BFCNs in the MS. These results provide exciting new evidence that MCS may represent a safe and effective treatment approach for expectant mothers carrying a DS fetus, as well as a possible means of BFCN neuroprotection during aging for the population at large

Análisis de Riesgos en una Acería y Prevención de la Siniestralidad

El objetivo de la presente tesis consiste en identificar y analizar las distintas condiciones de riesgo y fallas presentes en el proceso productivo de una acería, con el fin de elaborar un plan de reducción de siniestralidad y así mejorar la calidad de vida de los operarios conforme a que su trabajo diario sea libre de accidentes