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This paper presents a machine vision system (MVS) for visual quality inspection of beans which is composed by a set of software and hardware. The software was built from proposed approaches for segmentation, classification, and defect detection, and the hardware consists of equipment developed with low-cost electromechanical materials. Experiments were conducted in two modes: offline and online. For offline experiments, aimed at evaluating the proposed approaches, we composed a database containing 270 images of samples of beans with different mixtures of skin colors and defects. In the online mode, the beans contained in a batch, for example, a bag of 1 kg, are spilled continuously on the conveyor belt for the MVS to perform the inspection, similar to what occurs in an automated industrial visual inspection process. In the offline experiments, our approaches for segmentation, classification, and defect detection achieved, respectively, the average success rates of 99.6%, 99.6%, and 90.0%. In addition, the results obtained in the online mode demonstrated the robustness and viability of the proposed MVS, since it is capable to analyze an image of 1280 × 720 pixels, spending only 1.5 s, with average successes rates of 98.5%, 97.8%, and 85.0%, respectively, to segment, classify, and detect defects in the grains contained in each analyzed image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents a multidisciplinary study on water management in the islands of Belém. It emphasizes by means of a thematic socio-environmental diagnosis riverside experiences in the use of rainwater harvesting projects. With the use of Geographic Information System (GIS), it presents the systematization of data and information considering various aspects related to the use of the natural water resource in six rainwater harvesting projects distributed in nine islands of the city of Belém. Approximately 3,000 inhabitants without basic sanitation services, highlights actions aligned, consciously or not, to the National Water Resources Policy and the objectives and guidelines proposed in the Municipal Master Plan of Belém. The final product of this research is the result of a dissertation Of the Environmental Nucleus of the Federal University of Pará (NUMA / UFPA), where they propose the use of an Atlas as a tool to assist environmental management, demonstrating how the use of GIS through the Atlas can Contribute to the management of natural resources in the various themes that involve the use of social technologies in The search for sustainability and local development regarding the use of water in Belém. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiomyopathies are a group of diseases that are associated with myocardial dysfunction and/or arrhythmia due to abnormalities of the myocardium. Echocardiography is the most commonly used method for functional evaluation and classification of cardiomyopathy since it is widely available. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently emerged as a well-validated diagnostic tool for the understanding and treatment of these conditions. Morphological and functional information can be achieved with a high level of accuracy and reproducibility. This article reviews the applications of MRI in relationship to echocardiography for the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic conditions of the heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess coronary arterial remodeling as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis using coronary wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an asymptomatic population-based cohort. Background: In early atherosclerosis, compensatory enlargement of both the outer wall of the vessel as well as the lumen, termed compensatory enlargement or positive remodeling, occurs before luminal narrowing. Methods: One hundred seventy-nine participants in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) trial were evaluated using black-blood coronary wall MRI. Coronary cross-sectional area (vessel size), lumen area, and mean wall thickness of the proximal coronary arteries were measured. Results: Men had a greater vessel size, lumen area, and mean wall thickness than women (38.3 ± 11.3 mm2 vs. 32.6 ± 9.4 mm2, 6.7 ± 3.2 mm2 vs. 5.3 ± 2.4 mm2, and 2.0 ± 0.3 mm vs. 1.9 ± 0.3 mm, respectively, p < 0.05). No significant coronary artery narrowing was present by magnetic resonance angiography. Overall, coronary vessel size increased 25.9 mm2 per millimeter increase in coronary wall thickness, whereas lumen area increased only slightly at 3.1 mm2 for every millimeter increase in wall thickness (difference in slopes, p < 0.0001). Adjusting for age and sex, participants with an Agatston score >0 were more likely to have wall thickness >2.0 mm (odds ratio: 2.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 3.84). Conclusions: Coronary wall MRI detected positive arterial remodeling in asymptomatic men and women with subclinical atherosclerosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of left ventricular (LV) involvement in individuals predisposed to developing arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C), and to investigate novel morphologic variants of ARVD/C.Background: The discovery of desmosomal mutations associated with ARVD/C has led researchers to hypothesize equal right ventricular (RV) and LV affliction in the disease process.Methods: Thirty-eight (age 30 +/- 17 years; 18 males) family members of 12 desmosomal mutation-carrying ARVD/C probands underwent genotyping and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The CMR investigators were blinded to clinical and genetic data.Results: Twenty-five individuals had mutations in PKP2, DSP, and/or DSG2 genes. RV abnormalities were associated with the presence of mutation(s) and with disease severity determined by criteria (minor = 1; major = 2) points for ARVD/C diagnosis. The only LV abnormality detected, the presence of intramyocardial fat, was present in 4 individuals. Each of these individuals was a mutation carrier, whereas 1 had no previously described ARVD/C-related abnormality. On detailed CMR, a focal "crinkling" of the RV outflow tract and subtricuspid regions ("accordion sign") was observed in 60% of the mutation carriers and none of the noncarriers (p < 0.001). The sign was present in 0%, 37%, 71%, and 75% of individuals who met 1, 2, 3, and 4+ criteria points, respectively (p < 0.01).Conclusions: Despite a possible LV involvement in ARVD/C, the overall LV structure and function are well preserved. Independent LV involvement is of rare occurrence. The accordion sign is a promising tool for early diagnosis of ARVD/C. Its diagnostic utility should be confirmed in larger cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of left ventricular (LV) involvement in individuals predisposed to developing arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C), and to investigate novel morphologic variants of ARVD/C. Background: The discovery of desmosomal mutations associated with ARVD/C has led researchers to hypothesize equal right ventricular (RV) and LV affliction in the disease process. Methods: Thirty-eight (age 30 ± 17 years; 18 males) family members of 12 desmosomal mutation-carrying ARVD/C probands underwent genotyping and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The CMR investigators were blinded to clinical and genetic data. Results: Twenty-five individuals had mutations in PKP2, DSP, and/or DSG2 genes. RV abnormalities were associated with the presence of mutation(s) and with disease severity determined by criteria (minor = 1; major = 2) points for ARVD/C diagnosis. The only LV abnormality detected, the presence of intramyocardial fat, was present in 4 individuals. Each of these individuals was a mutation carrier, whereas 1 had no previously described ARVD/C-related abnormality. On detailed CMR, a focal “crinkling” of the RV outflow tract and subtricuspid regions (“accordion sign”) was observed in 60% of the mutation carriers and none of the noncarriers (p < 0.001). The sign was present in 0%, 37%, 71%, and 75% of individuals who met 1, 2, 3, and 4+ criteria points, respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Despite a possible LV involvement in ARVD/C, the overall LV structure and function are well preserved. Independent LV involvement is of rare occurrence. The accordion sign is a promising tool for early diagnosis of ARVD/C. Its diagnostic utility should be confirmed in larger cohorts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]