Free-breathing whole-heart coronary MRA with 3D radial SSFP and self-navigated image reconstruction.

Respiratory motion is a major source of artifacts in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Free-breathing techniques with pencil-beam navigators efficiently suppress respiratory motion and minimize the need for patient cooperation. However, the correlation between the measured navigator position and the actual position of the heart may be adversely affected by hysteretic effects, navigator position, and temporal delays between the navigators and the image acquisition. In addition, irregular breathing patterns during navigator-gated scanning may result in low scan efficiency and prolonged scan time. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a self-navigated, free-breathing, whole-heart 3D coronary MRI technique that would overcome these shortcomings and improve the ease-of-use of coronary MRI. A signal synchronous with respiration was extracted directly from the echoes acquired for imaging, and the motion information was used for retrospective, rigid-body, through-plane motion correction. The images obtained from the self-navigated reconstruction were compared with the results from conventional, prospective, pencil-beam navigator tracking. Image quality was improved in phantom studies using self-navigation, while equivalent results were obtained with both techniques in preliminary in vivo studies.

Software for interpolation of vegetative growth of yerba mate plants in 3D

The objective of this work was to build mock-ups of complete yerba mate plants in several stages of development, using the InterpolMate software, and to compute photosynthesis on the interpolated structure. The mock-ups of yerba-mate were first built in the VPlants software for three growth stages. Male and female plants grown in two contrasting environments (monoculture and forest understory) were considered. To model the dynamic 3D architecture of yerba-mate plants during the biennial growth interval between two subsequent prunings, data sets of branch development collected in 38 dates were used. The estimated values obtained from the mock-ups, including leaf photosynthesis and sexual dimorphism, are very close to those observed in the field. However, this similarity was limited to reconstructions that included growth units from original data sets. The modeling of growth dynamics enables the estimation of photosynthesis for the entire yerba mate plant, which is not easily measurable in the field. The InterpolMate software is efficient for building yerba mate mock-ups.

Avaliação de fluxos de calor e evapotranspiração pelo modelo SEBAL com uso de dados do sensor ASTER

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da aplicação do modelo SEBAL em estimar os fluxos de energia em superfície e a evapotranspiração diária, numa extensa área de cultivo de arroz irrigado, no município de Paraíso do Sul, RS, tendo como parâmetros dados do sensor ASTER. As variáveis estudadas constituem importantes parâmetros do tempo e do clima em estudos agrometeorológicos e de racionalização no uso da água. As metodologias convencionais de estimativa desses parâmetros são pontuais e geralmente apresentam incertezas, que aumentam quando o interesse é o comportamento espacial desses parâmetros. Aplicou-se o algoritmo "Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land" (SEBAL), em uma imagem do sensor "Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer" (ASTER). As estimativas obtidas foram comparadas com medições em campo, realizadas por uma estação micrometeorológica localizada no interior da área de estudo. As estimativas mais precisas foram as de fluxo de calor sensível e de evapotranspiração diária, e a estimativa que apresentou maior erro foi a do fluxo de calor no solo. A metodologia empregada foi capaz de reproduzir os fluxos de energia em superfície de maneira satisfatória para estudos agrometeorológicos e de rendimento de culturas.

Effects of computing parameters and measurement locations on the estimation of 3D NPS in non-stationary MDCT images.

The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of computing parameters and the location of volumes of interest (VOI) on the calculation of 3D noise power spectrum (NPS) in order to determine an optimal set of computing parameters and propose a robust method for evaluating the noise properties of imaging systems. Noise stationarity in noise volumes acquired with a water phantom on a 128-MDCT and a 320-MDCT scanner were analyzed in the spatial domain in order to define locally stationary VOIs. The influence of the computing parameters in the 3D NPS measurement: the sampling distances bx,y,z and the VOI lengths Lx,y,z, the number of VOIs NVOI and the structured noise were investigated to minimize measurement errors. The effect of the VOI locations on the NPS was also investigated. Results showed that the noise (standard deviation) varies more in the r-direction (phantom radius) than z-direction plane. A 25 × 25 × 40 mm(3) VOI associated with DFOV = 200 mm (Lx,y,z = 64, bx,y = 0.391 mm with 512 × 512 matrix) and a first-order detrending method to reduce structured noise led to an accurate NPS estimation. NPS estimated from off centered small VOIs had a directional dependency contrary to NPS obtained from large VOIs located in the center of the volume or from small VOIs located on a concentric circle. This showed that the VOI size and location play a major role in the determination of NPS when images are not stationary. This study emphasizes the need for consistent measurement methods to assess and compare image quality in CT.

3D culture of postnatal retinal stem cells using self assembling polymers

PURPOSE We have previously shown that retinal stem cells (RSCs) can be isolated from the radial glia population of the newborn mouse retina (Angénieux et al., 2006). These RSCs have a great capacity to renew and to generate a large number of neurons including cells differentiated towards the photoreceptor lineage (Mehri-Soussi et al., 2006). However, recent published results from our lab revealed that such cells have a poor integration and survival rate after grafting. The uncontrolled environment of a retina seems to prevent good integration and survival after grafting in vivo. To bypass this problem, we are evaluating the possibility of generating in vitro a hemi-retinal tissue before transplantation. METHODS RSC were expanded and cells passaged <10 were seeded in a solution containing poly-ethylene-glycol (PEG) polymer based hydrogels crosslinked with peptides that are chosen to be substrates for matrix metalloproteinases. Various doses of cross linkers peptides allowing connections between PEG polymers were tested. Different growth factors were studied to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation. RESULTS Cells survived only in the presence of EGF and FGF-2 and generated colonies with a sphere shape. No cells migrated within the gel. To improve the migration and the repartition of the cells in the gels, the integrin ligand RGDSP was added into the gel. In the presence of FGF-2 and EGF, newly formed cell clusters appeared by cell proliferation within several days, but again no outspreading of cells was observed. No difference was even seen when the stiffness of the hydrogels or the concentration of the integrin ligand RGDSP were changed. However, our preliminary results show that RSCs still form spheres when laminin is entrapped in the gel, but they started to spread out having a neuronal morphology after around 2 weeks. The neuronal population was assessed by the presence of the neuronal marker b-tubulin-III. This differentiation was achieved after successive steps of stimulations including FGF-2 and EGF, and then only FGF-2. Glial cells were also present. Further characterizations are under process. CONCLUSIONS RSC can be grown in 3D. Preliminary results show that neuronal cell phenotype acquisition can be instructed by exogenous stimulations and factors linked to the gel. Further developments are necessary to form a homogenous tissue containing retinal cells.

Validação de modelo para predição do potencial produtivo de trigo com sensor óptico ativo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi validar um modelo baseado no índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI), para a predição da variabilidade espacial da biomassa acumulada na parte aérea e da produtividade de grãos de trigo. Foram realizadas leituras georreferenciadas de NDVI e biomassa, no final do afilhamento, e produtividade. O modelo proposto permitiu relacionar classes de variabilidade espacial do NDVI e da biomassa, com 81% de correspondência entre elas. Entretanto, a relação entre as classes de variabilidade espacial da produtividade e do NDVI foi menor, com 48% de correspondência.

Sensor óptico no auxílio à recomendação de adubação nitrogenada em cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de um sensor óptico ativo terrestre como auxiliar na recomendação da aplicação de nitrogênio em taxa variável, na cultura da cana-de-açúcar. Foram instalados experimentos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com uso de diferentes doses de N (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1). A resposta da cana-de-açúcar ao N foi avaliada por diferentes métodos - sensor óptico, clorofilômetro e teor foliar de N -, quando a altura média dos colmos atingiu 0,2, 0,4 e 0,6 m. Observou-se baixa correlação entre o teor foliar de N e a quantidade de clorofila nas folhas mensuradas por clorofilômetro. Portanto, essas características foram insuficientes para avaliar a eficiência do sensor óptico, uma vez que os valores mensurados se elevaram conforme o aumento da dose de N. A estratégia de recomendação com base na resposta da cultura, estimada pelo sensor óptico em faixa de cana-de-açúcar que recebeu a dose adequada de N, mostrou-se mais condizente com a produtividade obtida. O sensor óptico é ferramenta útil para auxiliar na recomendação de N para a cultura da cana-de-açúcar, ao se considerar a variabilidade espacial da sua demanda.

3D crosshole ERT for aquifer characterization and monitoring of infiltrating river water

The hydrogeological properties and responses of a productive aquifer in northeastern Switzerland are investigated. For this purpose, 3D crosshole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is used to define the main lithological structures within the aquifer (through static inversion) and to monitor the water infiltration from an adjacent river. During precipitation events and subsequent river flooding, the river water resistivity increases. As a consequence, the electrical characteristics of the infiltrating water can be used as a natural tracer to delineate preferential flow paths and flow velocities. The focus is primarily on the experiment installation, data collection strategy, and the structural characterization of the site and a brief overview of the ERT monitoring results. The monitoring system comprises 18 boreholes each equipped with 10 electrodes straddling the entire thickness of the gravel aquifer. A multi-channel resistivity system programmed to cycle through various four-point electrode configurations of the 180 electrodes in a rolling sequence allows for the measurement of approximately 15,500 apparent resistivity values every 7 h on a continuous basis. The 3D static ERT inversion of data acquired under stable hydrological conditions provides a base model for future time-lapse inversion studies and the means to investigate the resolving capability of our acquisition scheme. In particular, it enables definition of the main lithological structures within the aquifer. The final ERT static model delineates a relatively high-resistivity, low-porosity, intermediate-depth layer throughout the investigated aquifer volume that is consistent with results from well logging and seismic and radar tomography models. The next step will be to define and implement an appropriate time-lapse ERT inversion scheme using the river water as a natural tracer. The main challenge will be to separate the superposed time-varying effects of water table height, temperature, and salinity variations associated with the infiltrating water.

Imagens multipolarizadas do sensor Palsar/Alos na discriminação das fases fenológicas da cana‑de‑açúcar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial das imagens multipolarizadas do sensor‑radar Palsar/Alos em diferenciar as fases fenológicas da cana‑de‑açúcar. Valores digitais de quatro imagens do sensor, dos meses de fevereiro, maio, agosto e outubro de 2008, com polarizações HH (emissão e recebimento de onda na polarização horizontal) e HV (emissão de onda na polarização horizontal e recebimento na vertical), foram convertidos para coeficientes de retroespalhamento (σ°), para a análise de dados de cana‑de‑açúcar, cultivadas em talhões na região nordeste do Estado de São Paulo. Foram selecionadas três variedades, em diferentes estágios fenológicos: RB85‑5156, seis talhões; RB86‑7515, dez talhões; e RB92‑5345, dez talhões. As diferenças entre as fases fenológicas foram avaliadas para cada uma das variedades e, também, entre as variedades. A utilização simultânea ou não dos dados do sensor Palsar/Alos, obtidos em duas polarizações, foi capaz de discriminar as diferentes fases de crescimento da cana‑de‑açúcar, com exceção da fase de crescimento dos colmos e a fase de maturação, em que não foi observada diferença significativa.

Séries temporais de NDVI do sensor SPOT Vegetation e algoritmo SAM aplicados ao mapeamento de cana‑de‑açúcar

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o mapeamento de área de cana‑de‑açúcar por meio de série temporal, de seis anos de dados do índice de vegetação por diferença normalizada (NDVI), oriundos do sensor Vegetation, a bordo do satélite "système pour l'observation de la Terre" (SPOT). Três classes de cobertura do solo (cana‑de‑açúcar, pasto e floresta), do Estado de São Paulo, foram selecionadas como assinaturas espectro‑temporais de referência, que serviram como membros extremos ("endmembers") para classificação com o algoritmo "spectral angle mapper" (SAM). A partir desta classificação, o mapeamento da área de cana‑de‑açúcar foi realizado com uso de limiares na imagem-regra do SAM, gerados a partir dos valores dos espectros de referência. Os resultados mostram que o algoritmo SAM pode ser aplicado a séries de dados multitemporais de resolução moderada, o que permite eficiente mapeamento de alvo agrícola em escala mesorregional. Dados oficiais de áreas de cana‑de‑açúcar, para as microrregiões paulistas, apresentam boa correlação (r² = 0,8) com os dados obtidos pelo método avaliado. A aplicação do algoritmo SAM mostrou ser útil em análises temporais. As séries temporais de NDVI do sensor SPOT Vegetation podem ser utilizadas para mapeamento da área de cana‑de‑açúcar em baixa resolução.

Restitución 3D de la topografía de la antigua ciudad de Tarraco en un entorno SIG: propuestas metodológicas y primeros resultados

Durante los últimos años el Institut Català d’Arquelogia Clàssica, el Museu d’Història de Tarragona, contando con la colaboración de la Generalitat de Catalunya, han desarrallado el proyecto Planimetría Arqueológica de Tárraco, destinado a la elaboración de una planta arqueológica global en la cual se recogieran intervenciones y noticias referentes a los hallazgos arqueológicos existentes. Este trabajo fue publicado utilizando como plataforma de trabajo un SIG construido para tal fin (Macias et al. 2007). Sin embargo, un problema de difícil solución arqueológica venía dado por las transformaciones urbanísticas de la ciudad, sufridas en su mayor parte a lo largo de los siglos XIX y XX. Éstas habían provocado la pérdida irremediable de gran parte de la elevación que acogiera la ciudad romana, cambiando substancialmente su aspecto original. Ante esta situación y como proyecto paralelo a la realización de la Planimetría Arqueológica de Tarragona se plantearon formas de cubrir este vacío. Se presenta en esta comunicación una propuesta metodológica para la reconstrucción de los grandes «vacíos topográficos » originados por la evolución urbanística de Tarragona mediante la obtención e integración en un SIG de diversos tipos de información documental. En estas zonas rebajadas no resulta posible la obtención de información estratigráfica y arqueológica, por lo que es imprescindible la definición de vías metodológicas alternativas basadas en la extrapolación de datos extraídos de la cartografía histórica, panorámicas del XVI o fotografías tomadas en los siglos XIX y XX. Esta técnica permite aplicar los resultados obtenidos en los nuevos análisis interpretativos, complementando así la interpretación arqueológica de la topografía urbana de la ciudad romana. A partir de esta información, y aplicando funciones y técnicas de interpolación propias de un GIS, se propone aquí un modelo de relieve de la ciudad de Tarraco.

Measurement with an automated oscillometric wrist device with position sensor leads to lower values than measurements obtained with an automated oscillometric arm device from the same manufacturer in elderly persons.

OBJECTIVE: Home blood pressure (BP) monitoring is recommended by several clinical guidelines and has been shown to be feasible in elderly persons. Wrist manometers have recently been proposed for such home BP measurement, but their accuracy has not been previously assessed in elderly patients. METHODS: Forty-eight participants (33 women and 15 men, mean age 81.3±8.0 years) had their BP measured with a wrist device with position sensor and an arm device in random order in a sitting position. RESULTS: Average BP measurements were consistently lower with the wrist than arm device for systolic BP (120.1±2.2 vs. 130.5±2.2 mmHg, P<0.001, means±SD) and diastolic BP (66.0±1.3 vs. 69.7±1.3 mmHg, P<0.001). Moreover, a 10 mmHg or greater difference between the arm and wrist device was observed in 54.2 and 18.8% of systolic and diastolic measures, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared with the arm device, the wrist device with position sensor systematically underestimated systolic as well as diastolic BP. The magnitude of the difference is clinically significant and questions the use of the wrist device to monitor BP in elderly persons. This study points to the need to validate BP measuring devices in all age groups, including in elderly persons.