Segmentation of small anatomic structures in noisy magnetic resonance (MR) images is inherently challenging because the edge information is contained in the same high-frequency image component as the noise. The authors overcame this obstacle in the analysis of the sural nerve in the ankle by processing images to reduce noise and extracting edges with an edge detection algorithm less sensitive to noise. Anatomic accuracy of the segmentation was confirmed by a neuroradiologist. A nerve hydration coefficient was determined from the signal intensity of the nerve in these segmented images. These semiautomated measurements of hydration agreed closely with those obtained with a previously described manual method (n = 44, P = .76). Each image in the study was analyzed identically, with no modification of the computer algorithm parameters. The data suggest that this robust method may be useful in a multicenter evaluation of diabetes treatment protocols.

The intent is to share 28 years of experience of the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC, www.istec.org). The original idea of ISTEC was to use Science and Technology (S&T) as the common language and catalyst for social, cultural, political, and economic development. We envisioned then the use of S&T language for practical Peace Engineering international efforts. ISTEC is also about sharing (information, technology, services) by forming alliances among academia, industry, government agencies, and multilateral organizations. The success of ISTEC is based in Trust, that is: transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, professionalism, competitiveness, competence, knowledge, culture of quality and accountability. ISTEC is action oriented. We intend to share the problems we encountered and identified, the initiatives developed to tackle those problems, our successes and failures, our experience from managing the organization to project development and execution of the different initiatives. Lastly, we want to establish a dialogue under Peace Engineering to address the current and future Global Challenges. Therefore, the specific challenge is for IFEES-GEDC leadership and its membership to create a Peace Engineering Initiative under which concrete efforts can be identified, developed, funded and executed.

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