Efficient VHDL models for various PLD architectures

VHDL is a flexible language for programming PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) but the way it is synthesized for different architectures varies. Since there are several types of PLDs and several synthesis tools, it is very important for the designer to know which VHDL model to use for a particular architecture in order to achieve maximum efficiency. The term efficiency refers to a good use of resources that result to a denser fit of the logic design into the PLD with a minimum implementation delay. The choice of the VHDL model also depends on the application and the expectations of the designer. Based on the information from several PLD architectures, this thesis points out the maximum efficiency models for each architecture in different aspects of VHDL programming and sequential logic applications. The architectures that the study is focused on, are the Altera MAX family and the Cypress MAX, Flash and CY7C33x families

High resolution digital 3D modelling of subsurface morphological structures of Koutouki Cave, Greece

Remote sensing techniques and laser scanning technology have given us the opportunity to study indoor environments, such as caves, with their complex and unique morphology. In the presented case study, we used a handheld laser scanner for acquiring points with projected coordinate information (X, Y, Z) covering the entire show cave of Koutouki; including its hidden passages and dark corners. The point cloud covers the floor, the walls, and the roof of the cave, as well as the stalactites, stalagmites and the connected columns that constitute the decoration of the cave. The absolute and exact placement of the point cloud within a geographic reference frame gives us the opportunity for three-dimensional measurements and detailed visualization of the subsurface structures. Using open - source software, we managed to make a quantification analysis of the terrain and generated morphological and geometric features of the speleothems. We identified 55 columns by using digital terrain analysis and processed them statistically in order to correlate them to the frame of the cave development. The parameters that derived are the contours, each column height, the speleothem geometry and volume, as well as the volume of the open space cavity. We argue that by the demonstrated methodology, it is possible to identify with high accuracy and detail: the geomorphological features of a cave, an estimate of the speleogenesis, and the ability to monitor the evolution of a karstic system.Key words: cave, laser scanner, 3D representation, speleothems, SLAM.  Visokoločljivostno digitalno 3D modeliranje podzemeljskih morfoloških struktur v jami Koutouki, Grčija Daljinsko zaznavne tehnologije in laserji nam omogočajo raziskovanje zaprtih prostorov, kot so jame z njihovo kompleksno in edinstveno morfologijo. Za pridobivanje različno dostopnih podatkov v turistični jami Koutouki smo v študiji uporabljali ročni laserski skener. Točkovni oblak pokriva tla, stene in strop jame ter stalaktite, stalagmite in stebre, ki prispevajo k okrasju jame. Natančna postavitev točkovnega oblaka v referenčnih geografskih okvirjih daje možnost tridimenzionalnih meritev in podrobne vizualizacije struktur v podzemlju. S podrobno analizo terena smo opredelili 55 stebrov in jih uvrstili v okvir razvoja jame. Pridobljeni so bili podatki o strukturiranosti, višini vsakega stebra, obliki in prostornini tamkajšnjih siginih tvorb ter prostornini prostega jamskega prostora. Z uporabljeno metodologijo je torej mogoče podrobno in z veliko natančnostjo opredeliti geomorfološke značilnosti jame, predvideti potek speleogeneze in spremljati razvoj kraškega sistema.Ključne besede: jama, laserski skener, 3D prikaz, sigine tvorbe, SLAM

Clinical validation of an algorithm for rapid and accurate automated segmentation of intracoronary optical coherence tomography images

Objectives: The analysis of intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) images is based on manual identification of the lumen contours and relevant structures. However, manual image segmentation is a cumbersome and time-consuming process, subject to significant intra- and inter-observer variability. This study aims to present and validate a fully-automated method for segmentation of intracoronary OCT images. Methods: We studied 20 coronary arteries (mean length = 39.7 ± 10.0 mm) from 20 patients who underwent a clinically-indicated cardiac catheterization. The OCT images (n = 1812) were segmented manually, as well as with a fully-automated approach. A semi-automated variation of the fully-automated algorithm was also applied. Using certain lumen size and lumen shape characteristics, the fully- and semi-automated segmentation algorithms were validated over manual segmentation, which was considered as the gold standard. Results: Linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated that both the fully-automated and semiautomated segmentation had a very high agreement with the manual segmentation, with the semi-automated approach being slightly more accurate than the fully-automated method. The fully-automated and semiautomated OCT segmentation reduced the analysis time by more than 97% and 86%, respectively, compared to manual segmentation. Conclusions: In the current work we validated a fully-automated OCT segmentation algorithm, as well as a semiautomated variation of it in an extensive “real-life” dataset of OCT images. The study showed that our algorithm can perform rapid and reliable segmentation of OCT images

Accurate and reproducible reconstruction of coronary arteries and endothelial shear stress calculation using 3D OCT: Comparative study to 3D IVUS and 3D QCA

Background: Geometrically-correct 3D OCT is a new imaging modality with the potential to investigate the association of local hemodynamic microenvironment with OCT-derived high-risk features. We aimed to describe the methodology of 3D OCT and investigate the accuracy, inter- and intra-observer agreement of 3D OCT in reconstructing coronary arteries and calculating ESS, using 3D IVUS and 3D QCA as references. Methods-Results: 35 coronary artery segments derived from 30 patients were reconstructed in 3D space using 3D OCT. 3D OCT was validated against 3D IVUS and 3D QCA. The agreement in artery reconstruction among 3D OCT, 3D IVUS and 3D QCA was assessed in 3-mm-long subsegments using lumen morphometry and ESS parameters. The inter- and intra-observer agreement of 3D OCT, 3D IVUS and 3D QCA were assessed in a representative sample of 61 subsegments (n ¼ 5 arteries). The data processing times for each reconstruction methodology were also calculated. There was a very high agreement between 3D OCT vs. 3D IVUS and 3D OCT vs. 3D QCA in terms of total reconstructed artery length and volume, as well as in terms of segmental morphometric and ESS metrics with mean differences close to zero and narrow limits of agreement (BlandeAltman analysis). 3D OCT exhibited excellent inter- and intra-observer agreement. The analysis time with 3D OCT was significantly lower compared to 3D IVUS. Conclusions: Geometrically-correct 3D OCT is a feasible, accurate and reproducible 3D reconstruction technique that can perform reliable ESS calculations in coronary arteries

Use of winery and animal waste as a biofertilizer to achieve climate neutrality in non-irrigated viticulture

Peer reviewedPostprin

Use of Winery and Animal Waste as Fertilizers to Achieve Climate Neutrality in Non-Irrigated Viticulture

There is a growing interest globally in reducing the environmental impacts of farming by reusing agricultural waste and reducing agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this work, the potential of Mediterranean viticulture for GHG emissions mitigation and Carbon (C) storage in biomass and soil is examined. In a field experiment, synthetic fertilizer use was reduced by 50 and 100% after applying a winery waste-based biofertilizer, and the C balance was determined at the vineyard level. The Vineyard Carbon Tool (VCT) for GHG emissions estimation in vineyards was developed by tailoring to vineyards the widely used Cool Farm Tool (CFT). Our results show that existing conventional viticulture could be easily transformed into zero-emissions by reducing nitrogen (N) fertilizers, lowering tillage frequency, using less fuel, and maintaining field margin vegetation at the farm level. Use of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) showed that farm input reductions lead to a vineyard lifetime C storage equal to 25,124 kg CO2-eq ha−1 or 837 kg CO2-eq ha−1 year−1. This approach could be used for the design of eco-schemes related to C farming under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Near-Surface Geophysical Characterization of Lithologies in Corfu and Lefkada Towns (Ionian Islands, Greece)

Lefkada and Corfu old towns are located in the western part of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. Their proximity to the Hellenic subduction zone (HSZ) is the reason for their intense seismicity. The main goal of this study was the estimation of the geotechnical characteristics of the subsurface, with the contribution of applied geophysical techniques. Therefore, seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) were applied. A total of thirty-three (33) seismic and geoelectrical profiles were performed in both towns in order to evaluate the geotechnical characteristics of the subsurface formations. Additionally, subsurface resistivity distributions were investigated with the application of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Some important elastic moduli were calculated through the combination of estimated seismic wave velocities and laboratory density measurements. The horizontal distribution of seismic velocities and mechanical properties (σ, E, K, G) of Corfu town was illustrated in maps, for the depth of 5 m. The geophysical interpretation also revealed that Lefkada’s subsurface consists of only one compact geological formation, with little or no variation of its geophysical-geotechnical characteristics. Beyond that, the ground type classifications for the two towns were determined according to the European Committee for Standardization Eurocode 8, based on VS30 values

2‑Pyrrolyloximes in High-Nuclearity Transition-Metal Cluster Chemistry: Fe₁₀ and Fe₁₂

The employment of 2-pyrrolyloximes in high-nuclearity transition-metal cluster chemistry has provided access to unprecedented decanuclear and dodecanuclear Fe^III cagelike clusters bearing the anion of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde oxime (praoH₂), the simplest member of this new family of ligands; the identity of the products depends on the nature of the counteranion present in the starting materials

2‑Pyrrolyloximes in High-Nuclearity Transition-Metal Cluster Chemistry: Fe₁₀ and Fe₁₂

The employment of 2-pyrrolyloximes in high-nuclearity transition-metal cluster chemistry has provided access to unprecedented decanuclear and dodecanuclear Fe^III cagelike clusters bearing the anion of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde oxime (praoH₂), the simplest member of this new family of ligands; the identity of the products depends on the nature of the counteranion present in the starting materials