3D Segmentation Method for Natural Environments based on a Geometric-Featured Voxel Map

This work proposes a new segmentation algorithm for three-dimensional dense point clouds and has been specially designed for natural environments where the ground is unstructured and may include big slopes, non-flat areas and isolated areas. This technique is based on a Geometric-Featured Voxel map (GFV) where the scene is discretized in constant size cubes or voxels which are classified in flat surface, linear or tubular structures and scattered or undefined shapes, usually corresponding to vegetation. Since this is not a point-based technique the computational cost is significantly reduced, hence it may be compatible with Real-Time applications. The ground is extracted in order to obtain more accurate results in the posterior segmentation process. The scene is split into objects and a second segmentation in regions inside each object is performed based on the voxel’s geometric class. The work here evaluates the proposed algorithm in various versions and several voxel sizes and compares the results with other methods from the literature. For the segmentation evaluation the algorithms are tested on several differently challenging hand-labeled data sets using two metrics, one of which is novel.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Regionalization and connectivity in the Gulf of Cádiz and Alborán Sea implication for marine spatial planning and coastal management

This work proposes a regionalization of marine waters south of the Iberian Peninsula based on empirical orthogonal functions and GIS analysis. The regions identified are consistent and correspond to hydrological mesoscale and macroscale structures well characterized from physical and biological viewpoints. Although it is difficult to determine the boundaries of a fluid continuously moving, the procedure used recognizes the most frequent patterns and can be used to reference geographically the most likely position of the limit among the regions. Once established the regions, the connectivity among them is addressed by means of geostrophic currents derived from altimetry data. The main geostrophic circulation pattern depict an elevate connectivity in the area that might facilitate the conservation and recovering of species, but also imply a higher vulnerability to negative externalities and highlight the need of models, marine spatial planning, and coastal management approaches that includes the pelagic ecosystem and connectivity of the seas. Furthermore, the results confirm that the cooperation between public authorities at different levels (local, regional, state) as well as among riparian countries is essential for marine spatial planning and prevention of potential risk derived from upcoming marine activities in the framework of the 2020 agenda and Blue Growth strategy.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Collective Awareness for Abnormality Detection in Connected Autonomous Vehicles

The advancements in connected and autonomous vehicles in these times demand the availability of tools providing the agents with the capability to be aware and predict their own states and context dynamics. This article presents a novel approach to develop an initial level of collective awareness (CA) in a network of intelligent agents. A specific collective self-awareness functionality is considered, namely, agent-centered detection of abnormal situations present in the environment around any agent in the network. Moreover, the agent should be capable of analyzing how such abnormalities can influence the future actions of each agent . Data-driven dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) models learned from time series of sensory data recorded during the realization of tasks (agent network experiences) are here used for abnormality detection and prediction. A set of DBNs, each related to an agent , is used to allow the agents in the network to reach synchronously aware possible abnormalities occurring when available models are used on a new instance of the task for which DBNs have been learned. A growing neural gas (GNG) algorithm is used to learn the node variables and conditional probabilities linking nodes in the DBN models; a Markov jump particle filter (MJPF) is employed for state estimation and abnormality detection in each agent using learned DBNs as filter parameters. Performance metrics are discussed to asses the algorithm’s reliability and accuracy. The impact is also evaluated by the communication channel used by the network to share the data sensed in a distributed way by each agent of the network. The IEEE 802.11p protocol standard has been considered for communication among agents. Performances of the DBN-based abnormality detection models under different channel and source conditions are discussed. The effects of distances among agents and of the delays and packet losses are analyzed in different scenario categories (urban, suburban, and rural). Real data se..

An assessment of potential applications with pulsed electric field in wines

Pulsed electric fields (PEF) is a non-thermal processing technology that uses instantaneous, pulses of high voltage for a short period in the range of milliseconds to microseconds; the application of high intensity electric field on toasted wood chips leads to a quick diffusion of extractable molecules. Currently most PEF studies, in the field of oenology, have been focusing on the application of PEF as a pretreatment of grape musts by examining the microbial inactivation and the enhancement of polyphenol extraction. In this study a post-treatment of wine is introduced as method to enhance the wood flavor in the wine with a green noninvasive technology. Major phenolic aldehydes that have been identified as the characteristic compounds of oak volatile compounds were selected as markers and were analyzed instrumentally to compare the influence of PEF processing to non-treated samples. PEF treated samples brought about higher concentrations of the examined oak compounds in the samples treated with PEF, which may explain the advantages of its application. The modulation of the intensity of the electric field and the period of pulses influenced the concentrations of the volatile phenols that were leached out. Differences found between the assayed treatments indicate that PEF application could be a potential practice for a rapid extraction of volatile compounds from oak

Application of high Power ultrasounds during red wine vinification

[EN] Wine colour is one of the main organoleptic characteristics influencing its quality. It is of special interest in red vinifications due to the economic resources that wineries have to invest for the extraction of the phenolic compounds responsible for wine colour, compounds that are mainly located inside the skin cell vacuoles, where the volatile compounds are also found. The transfer of phenolic compounds from grapes to must during vinification is closely related to the type of grapes and the winemaking technique. During traditional winemaking, grapes are crushed and skin macerated for several days, with pumps overs to facilitate the colour extraction. To increase this extraction, some chemical (maceration enzymes) or physical technologies (thermovinification, cryomaceration, flash-expansion) can be applied. In this work, a new methodology has been tested. This methodology consists in the application of high-power ultrasounds to crushed grapes to increase the extraction of phenolic compounds. Crushed grapes were treated with this non-thermal technology and vinified, with 3, 6 and 8days of skin maceration time, and the results were compared with a control vinification, where crushed grapes were not subjected to any treatment and were skin macerated during 8days. The wine chromatic characteristics (determined spectrophotometrically) and the individual phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and tannins, determined by HPLC) were followed during the maceration period, at the end of alcoholic fermentation and after two months in bottle. Also, the wine volatile compounds were determined by GC-MS. The wines made with ultrasound-treated grapes showed differences with the control wine, especially regarding total phenol content and tannin content. The wines elaborated with sonicated grapes and with only three days of skin maceration time presented similar concentration of anthocyanins and twice the concentration of tannins than control wines elaborated with 8days of skin maceration.This work was funded by the SME Instrument of the Horizon 2020 program from the European Commission.Baustista-Ortin A.B.; Jimenez-Martinez M.D; Jurado, R.; Iniesta, JA.; Terrades-Rocafull, LS.; Andrés Grau, AM.; Gomez-Plaza, E. (2017). Application of high Power ultrasounds during red wine vinification. International Journal of Food Science & Technology. 52(6):1314-1323. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.13411S13141323526De Andrade Neves, N., de Araújo Pantoja, L., & dos Santos, A. S. (2013). Thermovinification of grapes from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir varieties using immobilized yeasts. European Food Research and Technology, 238(1), 79-84. doi:10.1007/s00217-013-2062-2Bautista-Ortín, A. B., Cano-Lechuga, M., Ruiz-García, Y., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2014). Interactions between grape skin cell wall material and commercial enological tannins. Practical implications. Food Chemistry, 152, 558-565. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.12.009Bautista-Ortín, A. B., Martínez-Hernández, A., Ruiz-García, Y., Gil-Muñoz, R., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2016). Anthocyanins influence tannin–cell wall interactions. Food Chemistry, 206, 239-248. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.03.045Bautista-Ortín, A. B., Fernández-Fernández, J. I., López-Roca, J. M., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2004). Wine-making of High Coloured Wines: Extended Pomace Contact and Run-off of Juice Prior to Fermentation. Food Science and Technology International, 10(5), 287-295. doi:10.1177/1082013204047565Bautista-Ortin, A. B., Martinez-Cutillas, A., Ros-Garcia, J. M., Lopez-Roca, J. M., & Gomez-Plaza, E. (2005). Improving colour extraction and stability in red wines: the use of maceration enzymes and enological tannins. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 40(8), 867-878. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2005.01014.xBindon, K. A., Smith, P. A., Holt, H., & Kennedy, J. A. (2010). Interaction between Grape-Derived Proanthocyanidins and Cell Wall Material. 2. Implications for Vinification. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(19), 10736-10746. doi:10.1021/jf1022274Busse-Valverde, N., Gómez-Plaza, E., López-Roca, J. M., Gil-Muñoz, R., Fernández-Fernández, J. I., & Bautista-Ortín, A. B. (2010). Effect of Different Enological Practices on Skin and Seed Proanthocyanidins in Three Varietal Wines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(21), 11333-11339. doi:10.1021/jf102265cBusse-Valverde, N., Gómez-Plaza, E., López-Roca, J. M., Gil-Muñoz, R., & Bautista-Ortín, A. B. (2011). The Extraction of Anthocyanins and Proanthocyanidins from Grapes to Wine during Fermentative Maceration Is Affected by the Enological Technique. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(10), 5450-5455. doi:10.1021/jf2002188Cano-López, M., Pardo-Mínguez, F., Schmauch, G., Saucier, C., Teissedre, P.-L., López-Roca, J. M., & Gómez-Plaza, E. (2008). Effect of Micro-oxygenation on Color and Anthocyanin-Related Compounds of Wines with Different Phenolic Contents. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(14), 5932-5941. doi:10.1021/jf8006147Carrera, C., Ruiz-Rodríguez, A., Palma, M., & Barroso, C. G. (2012). Ultrasound assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from grapes. Analytica Chimica Acta, 732, 100-104. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2011.11.032Castro-López, L. del R., Gómez-Plaza, E., Ortega-Regules, A., Lozada, D., & Bautista-Ortín, A. B. (2016). Role of cell wall deconstructing enzymes in the proanthocyanidin–cell wall adsorption–desorption phenomena. Food Chemistry, 196, 526-532. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.09.080Da Porto, C., Porretto, E., & Decorti, D. (2013). Comparison of ultrasound-assisted extraction with conventional extraction methods of oil and polyphenols from grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seeds. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 20(4), 1076-1080. doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2012.12.002Demirdöven, A., & Baysal, T. (2008). The Use of Ultrasound and Combined Technologies in Food Preservation. Food Reviews International, 25(1), 1-11. doi:10.1080/87559120802306157El Darra, N., Grimi, N., Maroun, R. G., Louka, N., & Vorobiev, E. (2012). Pulsed electric field, ultrasound, and thermal pretreatments for better phenolic extraction during red fermentation. European Food Research and Technology, 236(1), 47-56. doi:10.1007/s00217-012-1858-9Gagné, S., Saucier, C., & Gény, L. (2006). Composition and Cellular Localization of Tannins in Cabernet Sauvignon Skins during Growth. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(25), 9465-9471. doi:10.1021/jf061946gGeffroy, O., Lopez, R., Serrano, E., Dufourcq, T., Gracia-Moreno, E., Cacho, J., & Ferreira, V. (2015). Changes in analytical and volatile compositions of red wines induced by pre-fermentation heat treatment of grapes. Food Chemistry, 187, 243-253. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.04.105Ghafoor, K. (2009). Optimization of Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidants from Grape Peel through Response Surface Methodology. Journal of the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 52(3), 295-300. doi:10.3839/jksabc.2009.052Gómez-Plaza, E., Mestre-Ortuño, L., Ruiz-García, Y., Fernández-Fernández, J. I., & López-Roca, J. M. (2012). Effect of Benzothiadiazole and Methyl Jasmonate on the Volatile Compound Composition of Vitis vinifera L. Monastrell Grapes and Wines. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 63(3), 394-401. doi:10.5344/ajev.2012.12011Knorr, D., Zenker, M., Heinz, V., & Lee, D.-U. (2004). Applications and potential of ultrasonics in food processing. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 15(5), 261-266. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2003.12.001Labarbe, B., Cheynier, V., Brossaud, F., Souquet, J.-M., & Moutounet, M. (1999). Quantitative Fractionation of Grape Proanthocyanidins According to Their Degree of Polymerization. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 47(7), 2719-2723. doi:10.1021/jf990029qMorel-Salmi, C., Souquet, J.-M., Bes, M., & Cheynier, V. (2006). Effect of Flash Release Treatment on Phenolic Extraction and Wine Composition. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(12), 4270-4276. doi:10.1021/jf053153kPetropulos, V. I., Bogeva, E., Stafilov, T., Stefova, M., Siegmund, B., Pabi, N., & Lankmayr, E. (2014). Study of the influence of maceration time and oenological practices on the aroma profile of Vranec wines. Food Chemistry, 165, 506-514. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.144Rapp, A. (1988). Wine Aroma Substances from Gas Chromatographic Analysis. 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Food Chemistry, 130(3), 626-631. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.07.091Souquet, J.-M., Cheynier, V., Brossaud, F., & Moutounet, M. (1996). Polymeric proanthocyanidins from grape skins. Phytochemistry, 43(2), 509-512. doi:10.1016/0031-9422(96)00301-9Tao, Y., Zhang, Z., & Sun, D.-W. (2014). Kinetic modeling of ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from grape marc: Influence of acoustic energy density and temperature. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 21(4), 1461-1469. doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2014.01.029Tiwari, B. K., Patras, A., Brunton, N., Cullen, P. J., & O’Donnell, C. P. (2010). Effect of ultrasound processing on anthocyanins and color of red grape juice. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 17(3), 598-604. doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2009.10.009Zhang, Q.-A., Shen, Y., Fan, X., Martín, J. F. G., Wang, X., & Song, Y. (2015). Free radical generation induced by ultrasound in red wine and model wine: An EPR spin-trapping study. 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The Role of Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria in the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Other Related Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Human Clinical Trials

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammation of the small intestine and colon caused by a dysregulated immune response to host intestinal microbiota in genetically susceptible subjects. A number of fermented dairy products contain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria, some of which have been characterized as probiotics that can modify the gut microbiota and may be beneficial for the treatment and the prevention of IBD. The objective of this review was to carry out a systematic search of LAB and bifidobacteria probiotics and IBD, using the PubMed and Scopus databases, defined by a specific equation using MeSH terms and limited to human clinical trials. The use of probiotics and/or synbiotics has positive effects in the treatment and maintenance of UC, whereas in CD clear effectiveness has only been shown for synbiotics. Furthermore, in other associated IBD pathologies, such as pouchitis and cholangitis, LAB and bifidobacteria probiotics can provide a benefit through the improvement of clinical symptoms. However, more studies are needed to understand their mechanisms of action and in this way to understand the effect of probiotics prior to their use as coadjuvants in the therapy and prevention of IBD conditions

Targeting nf-κb by the cell-permeable nemo-binding domain peptide improves albuminuria and renal lesions in an experimental model of type 2 diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a multifactorial disease characterized by hyperglycemia and close interaction of hemodynamic, metabolic and inflammatory factors. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a principal matchmaker linking hyperglycemia and inflammation. The present work investigates the cell-permeable peptide containing the inhibitor of kappa B kinase γ (IKKγ)/NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO)-binding domain (NBD) as therapeutic option to modulate inflammation in a preclinical model of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with DN. Black and tan, brachyuric obese/obese mice were randomized into 4 interventions groups: Active NBD peptide (10 and 6 µg/g body weight); Inactive mutant peptide (10 µg/g); and vehicle control. In vivo/ex vivo fluorescence imaging revealed efficient delivery of NBD peptide, systemic biodistribution and selective renal metabolization. In vivo administration of active NBD peptide improved albuminuria (>40% reduction on average) and kidney damage, decreased podocyte loss and basement membrane thickness, and modulated the expression of proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers. In vitro, NBD blocked IKK-mediated NF-κB induction and target gene expression in mesangial cells exposed to diabetic-like milieu. These results constitute the first nephroprotective effect of NBD peptide in a T2D mouse model that recapitulates the kidney lesions observed in DN patients. Targeting IKK-dependent NF-κB activation could be a therapeutic strategy to combat kidney inflammation in DN.This work was supported by grants from: Fondecyt Project No 1160465 to S.M. and PhD CONICYT Grant No 21150768 to L.O-R.; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO/FEDER; SAF2015-63696-R to C.G-G.), Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN/FEDER; RTI2018-098788-B-1I00 to C.G-G.) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS/FEDER; PI17/01495 and DTS-2017/00203 to J.E.

A Research Platform for Autonomous Vehicles Technologies Research in the Insurance Sector

This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Transportation SystemsThis work presents a novel platform for autonomous vehicle technologies research for the insurance sector. The platform has been collaboratively developed by the insurance company MAPFRE-CESVIMAP, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and INSIA of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The high-level architecture and several autonomous vehicle technologies developed using the framework of this collaboration are introduced and described in this work. Computer vision technologies for environment perception, V2X communication capabilities, enhanced localization, human–machine interaction and self awareness are among the technologies which have been developed and tested. Some use cases that validate the technologies presented in the platform are also presented; these use cases include public demonstrations, tests of the technologies and international competitions for self-driving technologies.Research was supported by the Spanish Government through the CICYT projects (TRA2016-78886-C3-1-R and RTI2018-096036-B-C21) and the Comunidad de Madrid through SEGVAUTO-4.0-CM (P2018/EMT-4362) and PEAVAUTO-CM-UC3M

El Barrio Como Espacio De Tramitación De Diferencias Y Malestares En El Diario Vivir.

El presente trabajo está construido a partir de un proyecto de investigación marco denominado “Contextos y Entramados comunitarios: implicancias subjetivas y formas de hacer en común en territorios de la pobreza”. Los objetivos que nos propusimos son comprender procesos y estados de los entramados comunitarios en comunidades atravesadas por situación de pobreza; y analizar las condiciones de un “hacer en común”, en un contexto complejo y de cambio. El estudio es de tipo descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo, orientado por el interés en conocer los sentidos otorgados por sujetes de las comunidades en relación a su condición de vida actual. La población foco son las comunidades en situación de pobreza, pertenecientes a la Ciudad de Córdoba. Teniendo en cuenta que la construcción del instrumento se piensa a partir de un posicionamiento crítico respecto a la lectura de género(s). A partir de esta indagación y análisis, sumado a otras investigaciones de años anteriores, encontramos una situación de malestar generalizado. Este malestar ancla, se potencia y demora su transformación en diferencias propias de la lógica de las relaciones: matrices culturales, ideológicas, económicas y políticas que hacen a posiciones distintas en el modo de hacer, de estar y de ver. Esto nos invita a interrogarnos sobre la coexistencia de múltiples desigualdades en estos espacios/barrios