Content and Style Aware Generation of Text-Line Images for Handwriting Recognition.

Handwritten Text Recognition has achieved an impressive performance in public benchmarks. However, due to the high inter- and intra-class variability between handwriting styles, such recognizers need to be trained using huge volumes of manually labeled training data. To alleviate this labor-consuming problem, synthetic data produced with TrueType fonts has been often used in the training loop to gain volume and augment the handwriting style variability. However, there is a significant style bias between synthetic and real data which hinders the improvement of recognition performance. To deal with such limitations, we propose a generative method for handwritten text-line images, which is conditioned on both visual appearance and textual content. Our method is able to produce long text-line samples with diverse handwriting styles. Once properly trained, our method can also be adapted to new target data by only accessing unlabeled text-line images to mimic handwritten styles and produce images with any textual content. Extensive experiments have been done on making use of the generated samples to boost Handwritten Text Recognition performance. Both qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the current state of the art.

Public sector accounting reform in Latin America and Epistemic Communities: an institutional approach / Reformas de la contabilidad del sector público en Latinoamérica y comunidades epistémicas: una perspectiva institucional / Reforma contábil do setor público na América Latina e comunidades epistêmicas: uma abordagem institucional

Abstract Latin American countries have undergone a growing interest in international accounting standards. Several countries are making progress in the adoption of international standards driven by different internal factors as well as external dynamics. The role of experts in the design of public policies associated with international standards has been studied by the epistemic community theory, which is the theoretical framework used in this study to address the influence of different international organizations on the adoption of IPSAS in Brazil and Colombia. This paper discusses the isomorphic institutional pressure exerted over the governments of these two countries in order to meet an international standard considered to be adequate. Meanwhile, the emerging trend towards the adoption of IPSAS in Latin America continues to grow, although some obstacles to achieving the goals defined in the reform arise.

Resumen Los países de América Latina han experimentado un creciente interés por las normas internacionales de contabilidad. Varios países están avanzando en la adopción de estándares internacionales, impulsados por diferentes factores internos y dinámicas externas. El papel de los expertos en la definición y recomendación de las políticas públicas asociadas con los estándares internacionales ha sido estudiado por la teoría de las comunidades epistémicas. El artículo retoma este marco teórico para abordar la influencia de diferentes organismos internacionales en la adopción de IPSAS en Brasil y Colombia. Discute la presión institucional isomórfica sobre los gobiernos de estos dos países para converger a un estándar internacional que es visto como adecuado. La tendencia emergente hacia la adopción de IPSAS en los países latinoamericanos crece, aunque existen importantes obstáculos para alcanzar las metas definidas en la reforma.

Resumo Os países da América Latina têm experimentado um crescente interesse pelas normas internacionais de contabilidade. Vários países estão avançando na adoção de padrões internacionais, impulsionados por diferentes fatores internos e dinâmicas externas. O papel dos especialistas na definição e recomendação de políticas públicas associadas a padrões internacionais tem sido estudado pela teoria de comunidades epistêmicas. O artigo retoma este arcabouço teórico para abordar a influência de diferentes organizações internacionais na adoção das IPSAS no Brasil e na Colômbia. Discute a pressão institucional isomórfica sobre os governos desses dois países para convergir para um padrão internacional considerado adequado. A tendência emergente para a adoção de IPSAS nos países da América Latina está crescendo, embora existam obstáculos significativos para alcançar as metas definidas na reforma.

Leucocyte Platelet Rich Fibrin with Autologous Gingival Fibroblasts in the Treatment of Adjacent Recession Defects / Fibrina Rica en Plaquetas Leucocitarias con Fibroblastos Gingivales Autólogos en el Tratamiento de Defectos de Recesión Adyacentes

ABSTRACT: Periodontium can submit changes that lead to loss of integrity, such as periodontal disease, immune disorders or traumatic brushing. One of the most common consequences resulting from these events is the apical migration of gingival marginal tissue. Among biomaterials used for periodontal tissue regeneration, fibrin matrices have received significant attention to correct gingival recessions. Five oral mucosa biopsies were extracted, fibroblasts were in vitro cultured and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Three 10 mL glass sterile tubes were filled with patient blood and centrifuged immediately; clots were extracted and compressed to obtain L-PRF membranes. Autologous oral mucosa fibroblasts were added to the membranes and surgical procedures were performed in five patients. L-PRF fibrin network pore size was too small to allow human fibroblasts penetration but they were firmly attached to membrane surface. Gingival fibroblasts from fresh cell culture and recently thawed were used to attach on the L-PRF membranes. It was possible to establish a protocol for blood collection, centrifugation, fibrin clot compression, fibroblast adhesion to the membrane surface and patient application in a relatively short time (1 hour-1 hour and 30 minutes). Two patients expressed pain symptoms and the other ones presented light swelling without pain. In the first week, adjacent tissue showed few inflammation signs. Research efforts are being conducted to develop more conservative surgical techniques and new biomaterials that can promote cellular proliferation. Because of its properties, L-PRF membranes represent a tempting alternative. A combined technique to treat adjacent recession defects with L-PRF membranes and autologous oral mucosa fibroblasts in a coronal displaced flap did not show initial advantage compared with a gold standard surgery that includes an autologous soft tissue graft. Nevertheless, it could be an alternative for clinical application as a new functional cell biomaterial. More clinical evidence is needed.

RESUMEN: El periodonto puede presentar cambios que conducen a la pérdida de integridad, como la enfermedad periodontal, los trastornos inmunes o el cepillado traumático. Una de las consecuencias más comunes que resultan de estos eventos es la migración apical del tejido marginal gingival. Entre los biomateriales utilizados para la regeneración del tejido periodontal, las matrices de fibrina han recibido una atención significativa para corregir las recesiones gingivales. Se extrajeron cinco biopsias de mucosa oral, los fibroblastos se cultivaron in vitro y se congelaron en nitrógeno líquido. Tres tubos de vidrio estériles de 10 ml se llenaron con sangre del paciente y se centrifugaron inmediatamente. Los coágulos fueron extraídos y comprimidos para obtener membranas de L-PRF. Se agregaron fibroblastos autólogos de mucosa oral a las membranas y se realizaron procedimientos quirúrgicos en cinco pacientes. El tamaño de poro de la red de fibrina L-PRF era demasiado pequeño para permitir la penetración de los fibroblastos humanos, pero estaban firmemente unidos a la superficie de la membrana. Se usaron fibroblastos gingivales de cultivos de células frescas y recientemente descongelados para unirlos a las membranas L-PRF. Fue posible establecer un protocolo para la extracción de sangre, centrifugación, compresión de coágulos de fibrina, adhesión de fibroblastos a la superficie de la membrana y aplicación al paciente en un tiempo relativamente corto (1 hora, 1 hora y 30 minutos). Dos pacientes expresaron síntomas de dolor y los otros presentaron hinchazón leve sin dolor. En la primera semana, el tejido adyacente mostró pocos signos de inflamación. Se están realizando esfuerzos de investigación para desarrollar técnicas quirúrgicas más conservadoras y nuevos biomateriales que puedan promover la proliferación celular. Debido a sus propiedades, las membranas L-PRF representan una alternativa tentadora. Una técnica combinada para tratar los defectos de recesión adyacentes con membranas de L-PRF y fibroblastos de mucosa oral autóloga en un colgajo coronal desplazado no mostró una ventaja inicial en comparación con una cirugía estándar que incluye un injerto de tejido blando autólogo. Sin embargo, podría ser una alternativa para la aplicación clínica como un nuevo biomaterial de células funcionales. Se necesita más evidencia clínica.

Comparación clínica entre el tratamiento ortodóncico facilitado por corticotomía y ortodoncia convencional (estudio piloto) / Clinical comparison of orthodontic treatment facilitated by corticotomy and conventional orthodontics (pilot study)

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar clínicamente la velocidad del movimiento ortodóncico y cambios en los parámetros periodontales en pacientes con ortodoncia convencional y ortodoncia facilitada con corticotomía para el tratamiento de apiñamiento dental anterior. Un total de 10 pacientes participaron en el estudio de la siguiente forma: 5 pacientes grupo ortodoncia y corticotomía (EXP) y 5 pacientes grupo ortodoncia (CONT). Se realizó examen clínico completo que incluyó análisis radiográfico, periodontal y modelos de estudio. Las mediciones sobre los cambios periodontal, tabla ósea bucal, movimiento lineal y angular fueron medidos al inicio, 30, 90 y 210 días posterior a los procedimientos. Las diferencias entre los grupos fueron establecidas con la prueba t-Student para muestras pareadas y no pareadas dependiendo del caso. Los dientes sometidos a ortodoncia y corticotomía mostraron una mayor velocidad del movimiento en comparación con el grupo control durante los primero 30 días de examinación (P<0,05). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los parámetros clínicos periodontales y grosor de la tabla ósea bucal entre los grupos. En conclusión, la corticotomía acelera el movimiento ortodóncico durante los primero 30 días postquirúrgicos con lo cual se puede reducir el tiempo de tratamiento en pacientes con apiñamiento severo. Adicionalmente, los parámetros clínicos periodontales y el volumen de la tabla ósea bucal de los dientes sometidos a corticotomía se mantienen estables después del procedimiento.

The aim of this study was to compare clinically speed orthodontic movement and changes in periodontal parameters in patients with conventional orthodontics and orthodontics with corticotomy for the treatment of anterior dental crowding. A total of 10 patients participated in the study: 5 patients in the orthodontics and corticotomy group (EXP) and 5 in the orthodontics patient group (CONT). Complete clinical examination included radiographic, periodontal and study models analysis was carried out. Measurements on periodontal changes, buccal bone plate, linear and angular movement were measured at baseline at 30, 90 and 210 days after the procedures. Differences between groups were established with the t-Student for paired and unpaired samples depending on the case. Teeth undergoing orthodontic corticotomy showed greater speed of movement compared to the control group during the first 30 days examination (P <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in periodontal clinical parameters and thickness of the buccal bone plate between the groups. In conclusion, accelerated corticotomy orthodontic movement during the first 30 days postoperative, can reduce the treatment period in patients with severe crowding. Additionally, clinical periodontal parameters and volume of the buccal bone plate teeth undergoing corticotomy remained stable after the procedure.

Frequency of the ETV6-RUNX1, BCR-ABL1, TCF3-PBX1, and MLL-AFF1 fusion genes in Guatemalan pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and their ethnic associations.

Fusion genes involved in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occur mostly due to genetic and environmental factors, and only a limited number of studies have reported any ethnic influence. This study assesses whether an ethnic influence has an effect on the frequency of any of the four fusion genes: BCR-ABL1, ETV6-RUNX1, TCF3-PBX1, and MLL-AFF1 found in ALL. To study this ethnic influence, mononuclear cells were obtained from bone marrow samples from 143 patients with ALL. We performed RNA extraction and reverse transcription, then assessed the quality of the cDNA by amplifying the ABL1 control gene, and finally evaluated the presence of the four transcripts by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. We found 10 patients who had the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene (7%); 3 patients (2%) were TCF3-PBX1 positive; and 6 patients (4.5%) were ETV6-RUNX1 positive. The incidence of this last fusion gene is quite low when compared to the values reported in most countries. The low incidence of the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene found in Guatemala matches the incidence rates that have been reported in Spain and Indian Romani. Since it is known that an ethnic resemblance exists among these three populations, as shown by ancestral marker studies, the ALL data suggests an ethnic influence on the occurrence and frequency of this particular fusion gene.

El Alto desde El Alto II: Ciudad en emergencia

Presentación. Prefacio. Introducción. El Alto II, las fuentes. Una propuesta para comprender a El Alto. El Alto perfiles de sus principales problemas. El Alto: Sus rostros y su identidad. El telon de fondo. La población de El Alto en cifras. Balance estadistico (1988-1992)