Diego A. Fabila-Bustos’s research while affiliated with National Polytechnic Institute and other places

Among the main challenges that future generations will face is the scarcity of food and the lack of space for its cultivation. Hydroponics is an agricultural technique that is based on the independence of plants from the soil, since it uses only water as a means of transporting the substances and nutrients that crops need for their proper development, increasing efficiency and reducing the time in which crops are ready for harvest. In addition, the implementation of alternative lighting systems that allow the growth of plants without depending on solar illumination, being the use of LEDs one of the most popular and with the best results. This work describes the design process of a prototype hydroponic system with LED lighting control and measurement of parameters (temperature, pH, conductivity and dissolved oxygen) for various horticulture crops.

Background: The development and initial testing of an optomechatronic system for the reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) images to identify abnormalities in breast tissue and assist in the diagnosis of breast cancer is presented. Methods: This system combines 3D reconstruction technology with diffuse optical mammography (DOM) to offer a detecting tool that complements and assists medical diagnosis. DOM analyzes tissue properties with light, detecting density and composition variations. Integrating 3D reconstruction enables detailed visualization for precise tumor localization and sizing, offering more information than traditional methods. This technological combination enables more accurate, earlier diagnoses and helps plan effective treatments by understanding the patient’s anatomy and tumor location. Results: Using Chinese ink, it was possible to identify simulated abnormalities of 10, 15, and 20 mm in diameter in breast tissue phantoms from cosmetic surgery. Conclusions: Data can be processed using algorithms to generate three-dimensional images, providing a non-invasive and safe approach for detecting anomalies. Currently, the system is in a pilot testing phase using breast tissue phantoms, enabling the evaluation of its accuracy and functionality before application in clinical studies.

En este trabajo se investigó la adsorción y fotólisis del colorante verde de malaquita (VM) sobre una arcilla caolinítica de la región de Agua Blanca, Hidalgo. El estudio exploró el impacto de diversas variables del proceso, como la concentración de la arcilla, la concentración de VM, la radiación solar, la velocidad de agitación y la combinación de adsorción con luz UV. Los resultados mostraron que cada variable afecta de manera significativa la eficiencia de la degradación del colorante. Se llevaron a cabo experimentos con 100 mg de la arcilla los cuales fueron expuestos a 100 mL de soluciones de VM a diferentes concentraciones en un reactor de vidrio. Cabe mencionar que con la irradiación solar se alcanza una eficiencia del 42% en la remoción del VM, además de que existe una relación directa entre la velocidad de agitación y la eficiencia de remoción del colorante. La combinación de adsorción con la arcilla caolinítica y luz UV se identificó como un método más eficiente para la eliminación del VM en solución.

Este trabajo se presenta el análisis de un sistema de control crucero adaptable para vehículos robots. El sistema de control crucero adaptable propuesto ayuda a evitar choques por alcance en escenarios de poca visibilidad. La colisión se previene con el ajuste de velocidad, que está en función de la distancia del vehículo que se encuentre enfrente del vehículo robot. Se implementa con el uso de la visión artificial, el control adaptable, los sistemas embebidos, y el diseño asistido por computadora. Se analiza el funcionamiento del sistema propuesto mediante pruebas en terrenos a distintas inclinaciones, así como en escenarios controlados con visión favorable, y con visión deficiente. La visión deficiente es escenario clave para este trabajo, ya que, en caso de poca visibilidad en el ambiente, el sistema de visión artificial dejara de detectar vehículos. Entonces los sensores LiDAR y radar pasarán a medir distancia y velocidad del vehículo circulando al frente, y con estos datos, reducir o mantener la velocidad del vehículo.

The combination or mixture of methodologies offers so-called hybrid results, whose benefits can be focused on all areas of knowledge. In the present study, the creation of an Interactive Hybrid Maps Augmented Reality (AR) Application focused on teaching earth sciences was combined with edaphological, geographical, and cartographic information as a complement to online teaching due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19. Information was collected by studies carried out in the municipalities of Ixmiquilpan, Tasquillo, and Cardonal located at Mezquital Valley in Hidalgo, Mexico. The application was developed under evolutionary development models in combination with 2D maps, and Geographic Information Systems through the software Unity 3D graphics engine and AR Foundation SDK. In addition, laboratory results, information from historical databases, as well as field information, and pictures showing soil profiles of the study region were incorporated. The Interactive Hybrid Maps AR Application was installed and evaluated by Bachelor´s students of Biology with a specialty in soil sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico through a survey quiz that included items such as a learning tool, graphic 3D maps quality in augmented reality, easy handling, interaction and recommendable. Our results obtained a value of 0.90 Cronbach Alpha Coefficient indicating excellent reliability of the instrument. Moreover, an analysis of the last 10 years shows an incipient development of applications based on Augmented Reality for teaching earth sciences for university education. However, it is shown a wide development of AR applications in several fields since mathematics to museums.

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that mainly affects women. Several diagnosis techniques based on optical instrumentation and image analysis have been developed, and these are commonly used in conjunction with conventional diagnostic devices such as mammographs, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging of the breast. The cost of using these instruments is increasing, and developing countries, whose deaths indices due to breast cancer are high, cannot access conventional diagnostic methods and have even less access to newer techniques. Other studies, based on the analysis of images acquired by traditional methods, require high resolutions and knowledge of the origin of the captures in order to avoid errors. For this reason, the design of a low-cost diffuse optical mammography system for biomedical image processing in breast cancer diagnosis is presented. The system combines the acquisition of breast tissue photographs, diffuse optical reflectance (as a biophotonics technique), and the processing of digital images for the study and diagnosis of breast cancer. The system was developed in the form of a medical examination table with a 638 nm red-light source, using light-emitted diode technology (LED) and a low-cost web camera for the acquisition of breast tissue images. The system is automatic, and its control, through a graphical user interface (GUI), saves costs and allows for the subsequent analysis of images using a digital image-processing algorithm. The results obtained allow for the possibility of planning in vivo measurements. In addition, the acquisition of images every 30° around the breast tissue could be used in future research in order to perform a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and an analysis of the captures through deep learning techniques. These could be combined with virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environments to predict the position of tumors, increase the likelihood of a correct medical diagnosis, and develop a training system for specialists. Furthermore, the system allows for the possibility to develop analysis of optical characterization for new phantom studies in breast cancer diagnosis through bioimaging techniques.

Norcantharidin (NCTD) is the demethylated analog of cantharidin, with allegedly reduced toxicity. However, there is still limited information regarding its posology and potential risk in its use in cancer treatment. Healthy BDF1 mice were intraperitoneally administered with norcantharidin (0, 3, 6, 12, and 25 mg/kg) every 24 h for 6 days. Survivor mice were euthanized, and the brain, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and liver were procured for enzymatic and histopathological analysis in the liver and kidney. DL50 were 8.86 mg/kg for females and 11.77 mg/kg for males. The treatments with 3.0 mg/kg and 6.0 mg/kg significantly modified the phosphorylase, alanine transaminase, and γ-glutamyl transferase activities; however, an organ-specific response was detected. A significant dose-dependent decrease was observed in the kidney for ROS, while the liver had the opposite effect. Histopathological analysis revealed a significant elevation in hepatocytes’ nuclei average size and total area (3 mg/kg), as well as centrilobular vein and adjacent sinusoidal capillaries showed a significant difference. The portal triad presented a significant difference in veins and capillarity count in 6 mg/kg. Renal samples showed cortex convoluted tubules’ average size significantly augmented in both doses’ groups, and tubule count was found augmented in 6 mg/kg. These physiological effects of NCTD can be exploited as treatment strategies if able to operate in an established posology and proper testing.

This paper shows the development of different scenarios in augmented reality (AR) using several programming tools, these applications were focused on visualization of 3D Bohr atomic models of the chemical elements from periodic table, organic and inorganic chemical molecules. The development tools were a) Unity3D in conjunction with the EasyAR SDK, b) HTML 5, CSS and the Google ARCore software development kit, c) Spark AR Studio and d) Adobe Aero with Glitch and HTML 5. The different scenarios created and described in this work were designed and developed to improve the learning of topics in an area of chemistry that requires three-dimensional models. The developments allowed 3D visualization and the interaction with the models to achieve several views of them, since the representations of these models are traditionally projected in books in two dimensions, making their understanding and interpretation in a not easy form.

A Virtual Reality application was developed to be used as an immersive virtual learning strategy for Oculus Rift S Virtual Reality glasses and through Leap Motion Controller™ infrared sensors, focused on students of the Automotive Systems Engineering academic program, as a practical teaching-learning tool in the context of Education 4.0 and the pandemic caused by COVID-19 that has kept schools closed since March 2020. The technological pillars of Industry 4.0 were used to profile students so that they can meet the demands of their professional performance at the industrial level. Virtual Reality (VR) plays a very important role for the production-engineering sector in areas such as design and autonomous cars, as well as in training and driving courses. The VR application provides the student with a more immersive and interactive experience, supported by 3D models of both the main parts that make up the four-stroke combustion engine and the mechanical workshop scenario; it allows the student to manipulate the main parts of the four-stroke combustion engine through the Oculus Rift S controls and the Leap Motion Controller™ infrared sensors, and relate them to the operation of the engine, through the animation of its operation and the additional information shown for each part that makes it up in the application.