Analysis of Vilanova Artigas' unbuilt designs in Sao Paulo

The aim of this article is to examine unbuilt residential projects designed by Vilanova Artigas. The formal and spatial conception of these projects is investigated through physical models. The object of this research project consists of the unbuilt residential projects designed by Vilanova Artigas in Sao Paulo that are available in FAUUSP's digital Library. The results indicate that physical models contribute to a better interpretation of unbuilt architectural design, both from the conceptual and aesthetic and from the functional and technical point of view. The original contribution lies in the object, i.e. the unbuilt projects, in the method, using physical models for analysis, and in the objective, viz. to establish a relationship between Artigas' built works and his unbuilt residential projects in order to better understand the design's spatial conception and its architectural approach.

Classificação híbrida: pixel a pixel e baseada em objetos para o monitoramento da condição da superfície dos pavimentos rodoviários

Monitorar a condição de uso de toda a extensão das rodovias brasileiras é tarefa dispendiosa e demorada. Este trabalho trata de novas técnicas que permitem o levantamento da condição da superfície dos pavimentos rodoviários de forma ágil utilizando imagens hiperespectrais de sensor digital aeroembarcado. Nos últimos anos, um número crescente de imagens de alta resolução espacial tem surgido no mercado mundial com o aparecimento dos novos satélites e sensores aeroembarcados de sensoriamento remoto. Propõe-se uma metodologia para identificação dos pavimentos asfálticos e classificação das principais ocorrências dos defeitos na superfície do pavimento. A primeira etapa da metodologia é a identificação da superfície asfáltica na imagem, utilizando uma classificação híbrida baseada inicialmente em pixel e depois refinada por objetos. A segunda etapa da metodologia é a identificação e classificação das ocorrências dos principais defeitos nos pavimentos flexíveis que são observáveis nas imagens de alta resolução espacial. Esta última etapa faz uso intensivo das novas técnicas de classificação de imagens baseadas em objetos. O resultado final é a geração de índices da condição da superfície do pavimento a partir das imagens que possam ser comparados com os indicadores vigentes da condição da superfície do pavimento já normatizados pelos órgãos competentes no país.

Video Quality Assessments on Digital TV and Video Streaming Services Using Objective Metrics

There is a wide range of telecommunications services that transmit voice, video and data through complex transmission networks and in some cases, the service has not an acceptable quality level for the end user. In this sense the study of methods for assessing video quality and voice have a very important role. This paper presents a classification scheme, based on different criteria, of the methods and metrics that are being studied in recent years. This paper presents how the video quality is affected by degradation in the transmission channel in two kinds of services: Digital TV (ISDB-TB) due the fading in the air interface and video streaming service on an IP network due packet loss. For Digital TV tests was set up a scenario where the digital TV transmitter is connected to an RF channel emulator, where are inserted different fading models and at the end, the videos are saved in a mobile device. The tests of streaming video were performed in an isolated scenario of IP network, which are scheduled several network conditions, resulting in different qualities of video reception. The video quality assessment is performed using objective assessment methods: PSNR, SSIM and VQM. The results show how the losses in the transmission channel affects the quality of end-user experience on both services studied.

Optimization of x-ray spectra in digital mammography through Monte Carlo simulations

In this work, a Monte Carlo code was used to investigate the performance of different x-ray spectra in digital mammography, through a figure of merit (FOM), defined as FOM = CNR2/(D) over bar (g), with CNR being the contrast-to-noise ratio in image and (D) over bar (g) being the average glandular dose. The FOM was studied for breasts with different thicknesses t (2 cm <= t <= 8 cm) and glandular contents (25%, 50% and 75% glandularity). The anode/filter combinations evaluated were those traditionally employed in mammography (Mo/Mo, Mo/Rh, Rh/Rh), and a W anode combined with Al or K-edge filters (Zr, Mo, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, Sn), for tube potentials between 22 and 34 kVp. Results show that the W anode combined with K-edge filters provides higher values of FOM for all breast thicknesses investigated. Nevertheless, the most suitable filter and tube potential depend on the breast thickness, and for t >= 6 cm, they also depend on breast glandularity. Particularly for thick and dense breasts, a W anode combined with K-edge filters can greatly improve the digital technique, with the values of FOM up to 200% greater than that obtained with the anode/filter combinations and tube potentials traditionally employed in mammography. For breasts with t < 4 cm, a general good performance was obtained with the W anode combined with 60 mu m of the Mo filter at 24-25 kVp, while 60 mu m of the Pd filter provided a general good performance at 24-26 kVp for t = 4 cm, and at 28-30 and 29-31 kVp for t = 6 and 8 cm, respectively.

Análise das distorções em leituras angulares de imagens fotográficas

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A biofotogrametria é uma técnica difundida na área da saúde e, apesar dos cuidados metodológicos, há distorções nas leituras angulares das imagens fotográficas. OBJETIVO: Mensurar o erro das medidas angulares em imagens fotográficas com diferentes resoluções digitais em um objeto com ângulos pré-demarcados. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se uma esfera de borracha com 52 cm de circunferência. O objeto foi previamente demarcado com ângulos de 10º, 30º, 60º e 90º, e os registros fotográficos foram realizados com o eixo focal da câmera a três metros de distância e perpendicular ao objeto, sem utilização de zoom óptico e com resolução de 3, 5 e 10 Megapixels (Mp). Todos os registros fotográficos foram armazenados, e os valores angulares foram analisados por um experimentador previamente treinado, utilizando o programa ImageJ. As aferições das medidas foram realizadas duas vezes, com intervalo de 15 dias entre elas. Posteriormente, foram calculados os valores de acurácia, erro relativo e em graus, precisão e Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse (ICC). RESULTADOS: Quando analisado o ângulo de 10º, a média da acurácia das medidas foi maior para os registros com resolução de 3 Mp em relação às resoluções de 5 e 10 Mp. O ICC foi considerado excelente para as três resoluções de imagem analisadas e, em relação aos ângulos analisados nos registros fotográficos, pôde-se verificar maior acurácia, menor erro relativo e em graus e maior precisão para o ângulo de 90º, independentemente da resolução da imagem. CONCLUSÃO: Os registros fotográficos realizados com a resolução de 3 Mp proporcionaram medidas de maiores valores de acurácia e precisão e menores valores de erro, sugerindo ser a resolução mais adequada para gerar imagem de ângulos de 10º e 30º.

In vivo accuracy of conventional and digital radiographic methods in confirming root canal working length determination by Root ZX

Objectives: To compare, in vivo, the accuracy of conventional and digital radiographic methods in determining root canal working length. Material and Methods: Twenty-five maxillary incisor or canine teeth from 22 patients were used in this study. Considering the preoperative radiographs as the baseline, a 25 K file was inserted into the root canal to the point where the Root ZX electronic apex locator indicated the APEX measurement in the screen. From this measurement, 1 mm was subtracted for positioning the file. The radiographic measurements were made using a digital sensor (Digora 1.51) or conventional type-E films, size 2, following the paralleling technique, to determine the distance of the file tip and the radiographic apex. Results: The Student "t" test indicated mean distances of 1.11 mm to conventional and 1.20 mm for the digital method and indicated a significant statistical difference (p<0.05). Conclusions: The conventional radiographic method was found to be superior to the digital one in determining the working length of the root canal.

Assessment of using digital manipulation tools for diagnosing mandibular radiolucent lesions

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyse the use of digital tools for image enhancement of mandibular radiolucent lesions and the effects of this manipulation on the percentage of correct radiographic diagnoses. Methods: 24 panoramic radiographs exhibiting radiolucent lesions were selected, digitized and evaluated by non-experts (undergraduate and newly graduated practitioners) and by professional experts in oral diagnosis. The percentages of correct and incorrect diagnoses, according to the use of brightness/contrast, sharpness, inversion, highlight and zoom tools, were compared. All dental professionals made their evaluations without (T-1) and with (T-2) a list of radiographic diagnostic parameters. Results: Digital tools were used with low frequency mainly in T-2. The most preferred tool was sharpness (45.2%). In the expert group, the percentage of correct diagnoses did not change when any of the digital tools were used. For the non-expert group, there was an increase in the frequency of correct diagnoses when brightness/contrast was used in T-2 (p = 0.008) and when brightness/contrast and sharpness were not used in T-1 (p = 0.027). The use or non-use of brightness/contrast, zoom and sharpness showed moderate agreement in the group of experts [kappa agreement coefficient (kappa) = 0.514, 0.425 and 0.335, respectively]. For the non-expert group there was slight agreement for all the tools used (kappa <= 0.237). Conclusions: Consulting the list of radiographic parameters before image manipulation reduced the frequency of tool use in both groups of examiners. Consulting the radiographic parameters with the use of some digital tools was important for improving correct diagnosis only in the group of non-expert examiners. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2012) 41, 203-210. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/78567773

Effects of Perspective on the Amplification of Object Sizes that Intercept the Horizon Line

We investigated the effects of texture gradient and the position of test stimulus in relation to the horizon on the perception of relative sizes. By using the staircase method, 50 participants adjusted the size of a bar presented above, below or on the horizon as it could be perceived in the same size of a bar presented in the lower visual field. Stimuli were presented during 100ms on five background conditions. Perspective gradient contributed more to the overestimation of relative sizes than compression gradient. The sizes of the objects which intercepted the horizon line were overestimated. Visual system was very effective in extracting information from perspective depth cues, making it even during very brief exposure.

Correlation between carotid bifurcation calcium burden on non-enhanced CT and percentage stenosis, as confirmed by digital subtraction angiography

Objectives: Previous evidence supports a direct relationship between the calcium burden (volume) on post-contrast CT with the percent internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis at the carotid bifurcation. We sought to further investigate this relationship by comparing non-enhanced CT (NECT) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Methods: 50 patients (aged 41-82 years) were retrospectively identified who had undergone cervical NECT and DSA. A 64-multidetector array CT (MDCT) scanner was utilised and the images reviewed using preset window widths/levels (30/300) optimised to calcium, with the volumes measured via three-dimensional reconstructive software. Stenosis measurements were performed on DSA and luminal diameter stenoses >40% were considered "significant". Volume thresholds of 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12 cm(3) were utilised and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was calculated to correlate the calcium volume with percent stenosis. Results: Of 100 carotid bifurcations, 88 were available and of these 7 were significantly stenotic. The NECT calcium volume moderately correlated with percent stenosis on DSA r=0.53 (p<0.01). A moderate-strong correlation was found between the square root of calcium volume on NECT with percent stenosis on DSA (r=0.60, p<0.01). Via a receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.06 cm(3) was determined to be the best threshold (sensitivity 100%, specificity 90.1%, negative predictive value 100% and positive predictive value 46.7%) for detecting significant stenoses. Conclusion: This preliminary investigation confirms a correlation between carotid bifurcation calcium volume and percent ICA stenosis and is promising for the optimal threshold for stenosis detection. Future studies could utilise calcium volumes to create a "score" that could predict high grade stenosis.

Digital magnetic heterostructures based on GaN using GGA-1/2 approach

We present ab-initio calculations of seven digital magnetic heterostructures, GaN delta-doped with V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu, forming two-dimensional systems. Only GaN delta-doped with V or Cr present a ferromagnetic ground state with high Curie temperatures. For both, to better describe the electronic properties, we used the GGA-1/2 approach. The ground state of GaN/Cr resulted in a two dimensional half-metal, with 100% spin polarization. For GaN/V, we obtained an insulating state: integer magnetic moment of 2.0 mu(B), a minority spin gap of 3.0 eV close to the gap of GaN, but a majority spin gap of 0.34 eV. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4751285]

The growth of glioblastoma orthotopic xenografts in nude mice is directly correlated with impaired object recognition memory

Cognitive dysfunction is found in patients with brain tumors and there is a need to determine whether it can be replicated in an experimental model. In the present study, the object recognition (OR) paradigm was used to investigate cognitive performance in nude mice, which represent one of the most important animal models available to study human tumors in vivo. Mice with orthotopic xenografts of the human U87MG glioblastoma cell line were trained at 9, 14, and 18days (D9, D14, and D18, respectively) after implantation of 5×10(5) cells. At D9, the mice showed normal behavior when tested 90min or 24h after training and compared to control nude mice. Animals at D14 were still able to discriminate between familiar and novel objects, but exhibited a lower performance than animals at D9. Total impairment in the OR memory was observed when animals were evaluated on D18. These alterations were detected earlier than any other clinical symptoms, which were observed only 22-24days after tumor implantation. There was a significant correlation between the discrimination index (d2) and time after tumor implantation as well as between d2 and tumor volume. These data indicate that the OR task is a robust test to identify early behavior alterations caused by glioblastoma in nude mice. In addition, these results suggest that OR task can be a reliable tool to test the efficacy of new therapies against these tumors.

Epigrafía digital: tecnología 3D de bajo coste para la digitalización de inscripciones y su acceso desde ordenadores y dispositivos móviles

[ES] Se analizan las posibilidades del Image based modeling (IBM), como técnica de escaneado 3D de bajo coste para la modelización de inscripciones romanas, a partir del trabajo realizado en el Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid sobre una amplia tipología de soportes epigráficos (piedra, bronce, arcilla), con resultados óptimos para la catalogación, estudio y difusión de este tipo de documentación histórica. Los resultados obtenidos permiten obtener inscripciones romanas en 3D que se pueden incorporar a los proyectos de epigrafía digital en curso, permitiendo su acceso a través de ordenadores y dispositivos móviles, sin coste añadido para los investigadores.

Pattern-based segmentation of digital documents: model and implementation

This thesis proposes a new document model, according to which any document can be segmented in some independent components and transformed in a pattern-based projection, that only uses a very small set of objects and composition rules. The point is that such a normalized document expresses the same fundamental information of the original one, in a simple, clear and unambiguous way. The central part of my work consists of discussing that model, investigating how a digital document can be segmented, and how a segmented version can be used to implement advanced tools of conversion. I present seven patterns which are versatile enough to capture the most relevant documents’ structures, and whose minimality and rigour make that implementation possible. The abstract model is then instantiated into an actual markup language, called IML. IML is a general and extensible language, which basically adopts an XHTML syntax, able to capture a posteriori the only content of a digital document. It is compared with other languages and proposals, in order to clarify its role and objectives. Finally, I present some systems built upon these ideas. These applications are evaluated in terms of users’ advantages, workflow improvements and impact over the overall quality of the output. In particular, they cover heterogeneous content management processes: from web editing to collaboration (IsaWiki and WikiFactory), from e-learning (IsaLearning) to professional printing (IsaPress).