A non-parametric segmentation methodology for oral videocapillaroscopic images

We aim to describe a new non-parametric methodology to support the clinician during the diagnostic process of oral videocapillaroscopy to evaluate peripheral microcirculation. Our methodology, mainly based on wavelet analysis and mathematical morphology to preprocess the images, segments them by minimizing the within-class luminosity variance of both capillaries and background. Experiments were carried out on a set of real microphotographs to validate this approach versus handmade segmentations provided by physicians. By using a leave-one-patient-out approach, we pointed out that our methodology is robust, according to precision–recall criteria (average precision and recall are equal to 0.924 and 0.923, respectively) and it acts as a physician in terms of the Jaccard index (mean and standard deviation equal to 0.858 and 0.064, respectively).     

Kernel methods in system identification,machine learning and function estimation: A survey

Most of the currently used techniques for linear system identification are based on classical estimation paradigms coming from mathematical statistics. In particular, maximum likelihood and prediction error methods represent the mainstream approaches to identification of linear dynamic systems, with a long history of theoretical and algorithmic contributions. Parallel to this, in the machine learning community alternative techniques have been developed. Until recently, there has been little contact between these two worlds. The first aim of this survey is to make accessible to the control community the key mathematical tools and concepts as well as the computational aspects underpinning these learning techniques. In particular, we focus on kernel-based regularization and its connections with reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces and Bayesian estimation of Gaussian processes. The second aim is to demonstrate that learning techniques tailored to the specific features of dynamic systems may outperform conventional parametric approaches for identification of stable linear systems.     

Synthesis and characterization of lanthanum bonded agar-carbomer hydrogel:a promising tool for biomedical research

Agar-Carbomer(branched poly(acrylic acid)) hydrogel,an injectable bio-resorbable scaffold with a controlled nanostructure specifically designed for neural cell housing,was developed together with a new protocol for building three dimensional biohybrid cell/hydrogel systems.In order to overcome classic structural analysis inconveniences due to the high water amount,which affects instruments results and reliability,agar-Carbomer hydrogels were synthesized by microwave-assisted block copolymerization together with La3+ salts.Propylene glycol,glycerol and buffered saline solution were used as cross-linking agents and solvent,respectively.Biomaterial properties were not affected by the presence of lanthanum,and were checked via swelling and rheological analysis.Moreover,the presence of La3+ within the polymeric network was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis,environmental scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy.The results showed that the rare earth presented uniform distribution in the hydrogel network due to the formation of chemical bonds after polymerization without being modified its luminescence emission spectrum that allowed hydrogel detection.These results made the obtained host-guest system a useful tool for analytical research studies concerning regenerative medical applications that could also be potentially taken up with in vivo experiments.     

Space and time basis function design for the method of moments in time‐domain analysis of wire and planar structures

In this article, an algorithm able to deal at the same time with wire frame and surface patch models for the method of moments in time domain is presented. After a unified theory combining both models, attention is focused on stability dependence issues on the time basis function chosen and on other algorithm parameters. An accurate analysis of time interpolation functions and of their time filtering properties is provided. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011.     

Dietary citrus pulp improves protein stability in lamb meat stored under aerobic conditions

The antioxidant effects of dried citrus pulp on proteins in lamb meat, when used as a replacement of concentrate in the feed, was studied using meat from 26 male Comisana lambs. The lambs of age 90 days had been grouped randomly to receive one of the three dietary treatments: (1) commercial concentrate with 60% barley (Control, n = 8), (2) concentrate with 35% barley and 24% citrus pulp (Cp24, n = 9), or (3) concentrate with 23% barley and 35% citrus pulp (Cp35, n = 9). Slices from the longissimus thoracis et lomborum muscle were packed aerobically and stored for up to 6 days at 4°C in the dark. The citrus pulp groups, Cp24 and Cp35, significantly decreased protein radicals and carbonyls, and preserved more thiols within six days of storage compared to the Control group. The citrus pulp groups significantly slowed down the rate of protein oxidation, indicating that dietary citrus pulp reduced oxidative changes in meat proteins.     

A general framework for modeling long-term behavior of earth and concrete dams

Many problems are linked with the long-term behavior of both earthdams and concrete dams. They range from hydraulic fracturing to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and to repair work in concrete dams, from seismic behavior to secondary consolidation in earthdams. A common framework for the simulation of such systems is shown, based on the mechanics of multiphase porous media. The general model is particularized to specific situations and several examples are shown.     

A new software architecture for developing and testing algorithms for space exploration missions

In recent years, planet exploration has received an increasing interest due to the possibility of exploiting planet resources and assuring a human–robotic colonized presence on suitable planetary surfaces. These goals can be reached through the development of smart robots, which are able to work on their own and without requiring a constant human supervision but, at the same time, assuring a great level of safety and reliability. To this aim, the development of effective architectures, concerning both software and hardware issues, could represent a great improvement toward this ambitious objective. This paper presents a novel modular architecture called Test Bench for Robotics and Autonomy (TBRA), the main objective of which is to create a test bench for rover autonomy missions where different implementations of a particular subsystem can be easily tested, while keeping the rest of the system unchanged. Thus, it allows the developers to be able to compare the results of tests and understand which version works better. Such architecture has been built on top of the Workframe, a generic middleware for real-time robotics. This two-layered approach allows the final user to deal only with the TBRA interface, which is designed to be extremely simple to use and takes care of most real-time programming problems, while allowing flexibility in the development, maintenance and future extension of the TBRA itself.