Studies on fish waste management practices in Aroor Seafood Industrial Belt, Kerala and conversion of seafood waste into a liquid plant growth supplement

This study was materialized to analyze the management issues regarding the seafood processing waste generated including its impact on the coastal community in one of the important seafood hubs of India Aroor Seafood Industrial Belt Alappuzha District Kerala The area has witnessed serious pollution issues related to seafood waste and seldom has any action been implemented by either the polluters or the preventers Further this study is also intended to suggest a low cost eco friendly method for utilizing the bulk quantity of seafood solid waste generated in the area for the promotion of organic farming The high nutritional value of seafood enables the subsequent offal to be considered as an excellent source for plant nutrition The liquid silage accepted worldwide as the cheapest and practical solution for rendering fish waste in bulk for production of livestock feed is adopted in this study to develop foliar fertilizer formulations from various seafood waste The effect of seafood foliar sprays is demonstrated by field studies on two plant varieties such as Okra and Amaranthus

Synthesis and Photoluminescence Properties of Novel Red Phosphors for White Light Emitting Diode Applications

Several series of Eu3+ based red emitting phosphor materials were synthesized using solid state reaction route and their properties were characterized. The present studies primarily investigated the photoluminescence properties of Eu3+ in a family of closely related host structure with a general formula Ln3MO7. The results presented in the previous chapters throws light to a basic understanding of the structure, phase formation and the photoluminescence properties of these compounds and their co-relations. The variation in the Eu3+ luminescence properties with different M cations was studied in Gd3-xMO7 (M = Nb, Sb, Ta) system.More ordering in the host lattice and more uniform distribution of Eu3+ ions resulting in the increased emission properties were observed in tantalate system.Influence of various lanthanide ion (Lu, Y, Gd, La) substitutions on the Eu3+ photoluminescence properties in Ln3MO7 host structures was also studied. The difference in emission profiles with different Ln ions demonstrated the influence of long range ordering, coordination of cations and ligand polarizability in the emission probabilities, intensity and quantum efficiency of these phosphor materials. Better luminescence of almost equally competing intensities from all the 4f transitions of Eu3+ was noticed for La3TaO7 system. Photoluminescence properties were further improved in La3TaO7 : Eu3+ phosphors by the incorporation of Ba2+ ions in La3+ site. New red phosphor materials Gd2-xGaTaO7 : xEu3+ exhibiting intense red emissions under UV excitation were prepared. Optimum doping level of Eu3+ in these different host lattices were experimentally determined. Some of the prepared samples exhibited higher emission intensities than the standard Y2O3 : Eu3+ red phosphors. In the present studies, Eu3+ acts as a structural probe determining the coordination and symmetry of the atoms in the host lattice. Results from the photoluminescence studies combined with the powder XRD and Raman spectroscopy investigations helped in the determination of the correct crystal structures and phase formation of the prepared compounds. Thus the controversy regarding the space groups of these compounds could be solved to a great extent. The variation in the space groups with different cation substitutions were discussed. There was only limited understanding regarding the various influential parameters of the photoluminescence properties of phosphor materials. From the given studies, the dependence of photoluminescence properties on the crystal structure and ordering of the host lattice, site symmetries, polarizability of the ions, distortions around the activator ion, uniformity in the activator distribution, concentration of the activator ion etc. were explained. Although the presented work does not directly evidence any application, the materials developed in the studies can be used for lighting applications together with other components for LED lighting. All the prepared samples were well excitable under near UV radiation. La3TaO7 : 0.15Eu3+ phosphor with high efficiency and intense orange red emissions can be used as a potential red component for the realization of white light with better color rendering properties. Gd2GaTaO7 : Eu3+, Bi2+ red phosphors give good color purity matching to NTSC standards of red. Some of these compounds exhibited higher emission intensities than the standard Y2O3 : Eu3+ red phosphors. However thermal stability and electrical output using these compounds should be studied further before applications. Based on the studies in the closely related Ln3MO7 structures, some ideas on selecting better host lattice for improved luminescence properties could be drawn. Analyzing the CTB position and the number of emission splits, a general understanding on the doping sites can be obtained. These results could be helpful for phosphor designs in other host systems also, for enhanced emission intensity and efficiency.

Enhanced Reality Visualization in a Surgical Environment

Enhanced reality visualization is the process of enhancing an image by adding to it information which is not present in the original image. A wide variety of information can be added to an image ranging from hidden lines or surfaces to textual or iconic data about a particular part of the image. Enhanced reality visualization is particularly well suited to neurosurgery. By rendering brain structures which are not visible, at the correct location in an image of a patient's head, the surgeon is essentially provided with X-ray vision. He can visualize the spatial relationship between brain structures before he performs a craniotomy and during the surgery he can see what's under the next layer before he cuts through. Given a video image of the patient and a three dimensional model of the patient's brain the problem enhanced reality visualization faces is to render the model from the correct viewpoint and overlay it on the original image. The relationship between the coordinate frames of the patient, the patient's internal anatomy scans and the image plane of the camera observing the patient must be established. This problem is closely related to the camera calibration problem. This report presents a new approach to finding this relationship and develops a system for performing enhanced reality visualization in a surgical environment. Immediately prior to surgery a few circular fiducials are placed near the surgical site. An initial registration of video and internal data is performed using a laser scanner. Following this, our method is fully automatic, runs in nearly real-time, is accurate to within a pixel, allows both patient and camera motion, automatically corrects for changes to the internal camera parameters (focal length, focus, aperture, etc.) and requires only a single image.

Image-Based View Synthesis

We present a new method for rendering novel images of flexible 3D objects from a small number of example images in correspondence. The strength of the method is the ability to synthesize images whose viewing position is significantly far away from the viewing cone of the example images ("view extrapolation"), yet without ever modeling the 3D structure of the scene. The method relies on synthesizing a chain of "trilinear tensors" that governs the warping function from the example images to the novel image, together with a multi-dimensional interpolation function that synthesizes the non-rigid motions of the viewed object from the virtual camera position. We show that two closely spaced example images alone are sufficient in practice to synthesize a significant viewing cone, thus demonstrating the ability of representing an object by a relatively small number of model images --- for the purpose of cheap and fast viewers that can run on standard hardware.

Using self organizing maps on compositional data

Self-organizing maps (Kohonen 1997) is a type of artificial neural network developed to explore patterns in high-dimensional multivariate data. The conventional version of the algorithm involves the use of Euclidean metric in the process of adaptation of the model vectors, thus rendering in theory a whole methodology incompatible with non-Euclidean geometries. In this contribution we explore the two main aspects of the problem: 1. Whether the conventional approach using Euclidean metric can shed valid results with compositional data. 2. If a modification of the conventional approach replacing vectorial sum and scalar multiplication by the canonical operators in the simplex (i.e. perturbation and powering) can converge to an adequate solution. Preliminary tests showed that both methodologies can be used on compositional data. However, the modified version of the algorithm performs poorer than the conventional version, in particular, when the data is pathological. Moreover, the conventional ap- proach converges faster to a solution, when data is \well-behaved". Key words: Self Organizing Map; Artificial Neural networks; Compositional data

Plan de Empresa Virtual Gnosis

El presente Business Plan se ha diseñado con el ánimo de crear la empresa Virtual Gnosis. Dicha empresa operará en el sector de la informática y la industria de software, dentro de la prestación de Servicios de TI. La empresa se centrará en la gestión de la información y el conocimiento del talento humano de las organizaciones, a través de la creación de AVAI (Ambientes Virtuales de Aprendizaje Inmersivo). El mercado objetivo son las instituciones educativas y los conglomerados de PYMES. A continuación se exponen con detalle los aspectos de operaciones, marketing, financieros y administrativos de la empresa propuesta.

First Attempt with Maya

3d modeling and rendering is one of the thinks I really like. Talking about 3D Studio Max or Cinema 4D it was very easy to understand and I just get used to it, wile Maya is absolutely different. So I starting to learn it by myself and it seems to be very interesting. Here is the first render. It is an old silver Russian ruble.

Impacto de la prestación de servicios de salud bajo el modelo de red en el municipio de Sogamoso

El presente estudio es de tipo analítico, cohorte retrospectiva, tiene como objeto estudiar un modelo de prestación de servicios de salud bajo el concepto de red integrada, conformada por las clínicas privadas de segundo y tercer nivel de complejidad del municipio de Sogamoso (Boyacá). Se analizó el período comprendido entre los años 2012 a 2014, donde se puede evidenciar la implementación y puesta en marcha del modelo. En el mes de agosto del año 2012, la estrategia de asociatividad la adelantaron las tres instituciones de manera libre y autónoma, utilizando como guía la metodología propuesta por la Cepal en el año 2010; las diferencias entre esta metodología y el modelo utilizado se deben a las particularidades de las clínicas y del contexto en el que se desarrolló. Este modelo de atención surgió de la necesidad de prestar los servicios de salud ofertados por las clínicas, acorde con su capacidad instalada, al total de la población de la Nueva EPS en Sogamoso, que en ese momento coyuntural no se estaba cumpliendo en el municipio, y ninguna de las instituciones tenía la infraestructura individual para atender a toda su población. El resultado de la asociación de las tres clínicas se logró gracias a un grado de confianza previo entre los directivos de las instituciones y posterior a varias reuniones, en las que se tomó la determinación de trabajar con el modelo de Unión Temporal, ya que no son una persona jurídica diferente a las que la conforman Se demuestra el impacto de este modelo asociativo de cada una de las organizaciones que la componen evaluando cuatro ámbitos como la capacidad de aprendizaje, capacidad de gestión estratégica, economía de escala y poder de negociación y externalidades. Para la recolección de la información se utilizaron las bases de datos de las instituciones hospitalarias con la información de los indicadores de oportunidad, así como el incremento de la facturación y del recaudo antes y después de la formación de la Unión Temporal; adicionalmente se realizaron encuestas a los directores de las clínicas como fuente de información para desarrollo de nuevos productos, reducción de costos, ampliación de la oferta hospitalaria, establecimientos de alianza, puesta en marcha de servicios comunes y apertura de nuevos mercados. Sumado a lo anterior, se realizó una encuesta adicional a los usuarios del nuevo producto desarrollado. Como resultado de este estudio se encuentra beneficio en todos los ámbitos evaluados para las instituciones que interactúan bajo este modelo y se espera que obtengan los mismos beneficios que los demás actores participantes en él, como las EAPB, los cuales no hacen parte del presente estudio. En Colombia no se observa la existencia de un modelo similar en sistema de salud, a pesar del leve intento de la Ley 1438 del 2011 por iniciar la conformación de redes; por esta razón se puede decir que este estudio marca un derrotero para que las organizaciones de salud tengan un modelo de articulación ante la falta de desarrollos de esquemas de red y por tratarse de un modelo con ausencia de reglamentación.

A Monte Carlo method for accelerating the computation of animated radiosity sequences

Realistic rendering animation is known to be an expensive processing task when physically-based global illumination methods are used in order to improve illumination details. This paper presents an acceleration technique to compute animations in radiosity environments. The technique is based on an interpolated approach that exploits temporal coherence in radiosity. A fast global Monte Carlo pre-processing step is introduced to the whole computation of the animated sequence to select important frames. These are fully computed and used as a base for the interpolation of all the sequence. The approach is completely view-independent. Once the illumination is computed, it can be visualized by any animated camera. Results present significant high speed-ups showing that the technique could be an interesting alternative to deterministic methods for computing non-interactive radiosity animations for moderately complex scenarios

gvSIG Mini y Phone Cache

gvSIG Mini es una aplicación open-source de usuario final cliente móvil de Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales IDEs con licencia GNU/ GPL, diseñada para teléfonos móviles Java y Android que permite la visualización y navegación sobre cartografía digital estructurada en tiles procedente de servicios web OGC como WMS(-C) y de servicios como OpenStreetMap (OSM), Yahoo Maps, Maps Bing, así como el almacenamiento en caché para reducir al mínimo el ancho de banda. gvSIG Mini puede acceder a servicios geoespaciales como NameFinder, para la búsqueda de puntos de interés y YOURS (Yet Another OpenStreetMap Routing Service) para el cálculo de rutas y la renderización de la información vectorial el lado del cliente. Por otra parte, gvSIG Mini también ofrece servicio de localización GPS. La versión de gvSIG Mini para Android, posee algunas características adicionales como son el soporte de localización Android o el uso del lacelerómetro para centrado. Esta versión también hace uso de servicios como son la predicción del tiempo o TweetMe que permite compartir una localización utilizando el popular servicio social Twitter. gvSIG Mini es una aplicación que puede ser descargada y usada libremente, convirtiéndose en una plataforma para el desarrollo de nuevas soluciones y aplicaciones en el campo de Location Based Services (LBS). gvSIG Mini ha sido desarrollado por Prodevelop, S.L. No es un proyecto oficial de gvSIG, pero se une a la familia a través del catálogo de extensiones no oficiales de gvSIG. Phone Cache es una extensión que funciona sobre gvSIG 1.1.2 que permite generar una caché, para poder utilizar gvSIG Mini para Java en modo desconectado

Benchmarking de implementaciones WMS-C de software libre

La propuesta WMS Cached (WMS-C) surge ante la necesidad de disponer de una solución más escalable al actual servicio web de mapas (WMS). Mediante la limitación de los parámetros de las peticiones a un conjunto discreto de valores, el servidor de mapas puede servir imágenes pregeneradas (teselas) a gran velocidad. En este documento se recogen las medidas de rendimiento realizadas sobre las implementaciones WMS-C: Tilecache, GeoWebcache y WMSCWrapper, todas ellas basadas en software libre. Los resultados de los benchmarks reflejan que, con todas las peticiones cacheadas y bajo las mismas condiciones, la caché WMSCWrapper ofrece un mejor rendimiento que las otras implementaciones. La difusión de estos resultados será de utilidad para ayudar a diversas entidades en la elección de una de estas soluciones libres en función de su objetivo de optimización

Caixa de sonos

Esta dissertação aborda questões relativas aos conceitos de narrativa e de narrativa processual no contexto da experiência lúdica em espaços de configuração. Para este efeito, sugere-se um sistema, a caixa de sonos, que visa a implementação prática de uma narrativa visual processual enquanto terreno de experiência lúdica em meios tecnológicos. Este sistema procura tirar partido de diferentes media para proporcionar, de forma acessível, novos palcos e rituais performativos, através de narrativas visuais processuais customizáveis e partilháveis. Em concreto, a caixa de sonos, propõe um sistema jogável que possibilita, através da monitorização do comportamento do jogador ao longo da noite, compor interactivamente um retrato simbólico da noite do mesmo. O processo de composição é partilhado a partir de uma projecção direccionada para o tecto por cima da cama do jogador, quando este se encontra acordado; sendo possível que a interacção ocorra de forma activa ou passiva, dependendo do estado de vigia do jogador. Todas as experiências simbólicas, bem como a totalidade das linguagens gráficas (base de dados das composições processuais), são personalizáveis e passíveis de serem partilhadas através de uma plataforma comunitária na rede digital.

Biblioteca 2.0 : produção e organização do conhecimento na Internet

O objectivo principal deste trabalho de investigação é na análise do aproveitamento das potencialidades da tecnologia da Web 2.0 pelos profissionais de informação na gestão do conhecimento nas bibliotecas, especialmente nas universitárias, onde a utilização destas tecnologias se revela de extrema importância. Para enquadrar o estudo no âmbito da aplicação das tecnologias da Web 2.0 ao serviço da biblioteca foi analisado, em primeiro lugar, o impacto que o desenvolvimento tecnológico teve na sociedade e a globalização do saber originado pelo software social. Para complementar o estudo e verificar a gestão de uma das redes sociais, o Blogue, foi usado o método qualitativo, através da aplicação de uma grelha de avaliação da qualidade dos Blogues desenvolvida por Luísa Alvim. Os resultados obtidos da análise dos Blogues foram submetidos à observação dos princípios da Web 2.0, defendidos por Maness. Concluiu-se que as potencialidades do Blogue não são completamente exploradas pelos profissionais de informação, nem mesmo nas bibliotecas universitárias. Este estudo pretende fazer a análise da situação, mas também ser um ponto de partida para que os responsáveis das bibliotecas, especialmente das bibliotecas universitárias, repensem o conceito e mais-valia da Web 2.0, de forma a que o Blogue seja gerido estrategicamente em benefício do utilizador, profissionais de informação e do próprio serviço da biblioteca.

Fagoterapia como alternativa ao uso dos antibióticos convencionais

Nas últimas décadas, a investigação de antibióticos com novos mecanismos de acção, tem vindo a ser motivada pela contínua emergência de estirpes bacterianas multirresistentes. No entanto, nos últimos anos esse desenvolvimento tem vindo a abrandar, o que representa um grave problema de saúde pública. Antes da era dos antibióticos a fagoterapia representava a terapêutica de primeira linha no tratamento de infecções bacterianas. Como a ausência de recursos impossibilitava a compreensão dos mecanismos de acção moleculares do fago, a fagoterapia era apenas sustentada pelo conhecimento empírico. A ausência de conhecimento associada ao início da era dos antibióticos foram condições suficientes para que a terapêutica fágica fosse posta de parte, à excepção de alguns países da Europa do Leste. De acordo com a literatura disponibilizada por estes países, vários têm sido os casos de sucesso no tratamento de infecções bacterianas, incluindo infecções causadas por estirpes multirresistentes aos antibióticos convencionais. No entanto, contrariamente aos ensaios clínicos, a maioria destes estudos omite informação crítica que impossibilita a interpretação dos respectivos resultados. Actualmente, as novas ferramentas oferecidas pelos avanços biotecnológicos possibilitam não só a compreensão do mecanismo de infecção bacteriana como também permitem compreender melhor a interacção entre os bacteriófagos e o organismo humano. Como tal, no futuro, a fagoterapia pode ser considerada uma alternativa efectiva para solucionar os casos críticos de multirresistência bacteriana aos antibióticos convencionais.

Hierarchical modeling of entangled polymers

We demonstrate that it is possible to link multi-chain molecular dynamics simulations with the tube model using a single chain slip-links model as a bridge. This hierarchical approach allows significant speed up of simulations, permitting us to span the time scales relevant for a comparison with the tube theory. Fitting the mean-square displacement of individual monomers in molecular dynamics simulations with the slip-spring model, we show that it is possible to predict the stress relaxation. Then, we analyze the stress relaxation from slip-spring simulations in the framework of the tube theory. In the absence of constraint release, we establish that the relaxation modulus can be decomposed as the sum of contributions from fast and longitudinal Rouse modes, and tube survival. Finally, we discuss some open questions regarding possible future directions that could be profitable in rendering the tube model quantitative, even for mildly entangled polymers