Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A versatile and modular capacitive tactile proximity sensor

In this work we discuss the design and realization of a novel capacitive tactile proximity sensor (CTPS) with applications in robotics and consumer-electronics. The current concept is an advancement with respect to a previous design developed at our lab. Experience in the development of applications based on the old sensor, such as manipulation and safe HRI, helped determining the requirements. The new sensor is capable of operating in a self- and mutual-capacitive proximity mode and in a mutual-capacitive tactile mode. The issue of having a trade-off between spatial resolution and sensing range in proximity mode due to the capacitive measurement principle is addressed. A circuit is designed to dynamically select or join electrodes involved in the proximity measurements, a technique which at the same time allows the implementation of the spatial resolution in the tactile mode. Also, all signal processing is done on board of the prototype sensor module, thus complete modularity is achieved.
PC HYPR flow: A technique for rapid imaging of contrast dynamics

To improve spatial and temporal resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in three‐dimensional (3D) radial contrast‐enhanced (CE) time‐resolved MR angiography by means of a novel hybrid phase contrast (PC) and CE MRA acquisition and HYPR reconstruction (PC HYPR Flow).
An efficient and user-friendly method for the synthesis of hexagonal-phase NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanocrystals with controllable shape and upconversion fluorescence

Hexagonal-phase NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanocrystals are the best IR-to-visible upconverting materials to date, but user-friendly methods for making pure hexagonal-phase NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanocrystals with upconversion fluorescence are still lacking. Most of the methods reported so far require excess fluoride reactants in a high-temperature reaction which are very unfriendly to users and raise safety concerns. In this work, an efficient and user-friendly method was developed for the synthesis of uniform hexagonal-phase NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanocrystals with upconversion fluorescence, by forming small solid-state crystal nuclei and further growth and ripening of the nuclei. NaYF4:Yb, Er/Tm nanoplates, nanospheres and nanoellipses were also selectively produced by varying the concentration of the surfactant. All the nanocrystals showed strong upconversion fluorescence, and fluorescence from the nanoplates was observed even when the laser power density was reduced to about 50 mW cm−2. These nanocrystals have great potential for use in biology and medicine as fluorescent labels or imaging probes.
On the convergence enhancment of the wavelet transform based LMS

The wavelet transform least mean squares algorithm (WTLMS) has been recently proposed as an alternative to the simple and transform based (DCT) LMS algorithms, because of its faster convergence. In this paper, we first show the influence of the regularity of the wavelet low-pass filter on the convergence behavior of the normalized WTLMS algorithm (NWTLMS). Then, we show that the subband decomposition of the input signal along a regular subband tree, which splits the signal frequency band uniformly, gives better results, i.e., a faster convergence rate than the dyadic subband tree, which splits the signal frequency band dyadically. Finally, we show that perfect reconstruction quadrature mirror filters (PR-QMFs), which are less regular, can lead to as good results while the multiplier-free PR-QMFs offer, furthermore, a very reduced computational complexity, and hence can be used as an alternative to the wavelet filters for accelerating the convergence rate of the NWTLMS algorithm.
Optical properties of metal nanoparticles embedded in amorphous silicon analysed using discrete dipole approximation

Localized surface plasmons (LSP) can be excited in metal nanoparticles (NP) by UV, visible or NIR light and are described as coherent oscillation of conduction electrons. Taking advantage of the tunable optical properties of NPs, we propose the realization of a plasmonic structure, based on the LSP interaction of NP with an embedding matrix of amorphous silicon. This study is directed to define the characteristics of NP and substrate necessary to the development of a LSP proteomics sensor that, once provided immobilized antibodies on its surface, will screen the concentration of selected antigens through the determination of LSPR spectra and peaks of light absorption. Metals of interest for NP composition are: Aluminium and Gold. Recent advances in nanoparticle production techniques allow almost full control over shapes and size, permitting full control over their optical and plasmonic properties and, above all, over their responsive spectra. Analytical solution is only possible for simple NP geometries, therefore our analysis, is realized recurring to computer simulation using the Discrete Dipole Approximation method (DDA). In this work we use the free software DDSCAT to study the optical properties of metal nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous silicon matrix, as a function of size, shape, aspect-ratio and metal type. Experimental measurements realized with arrays of metal nanoparticles are compared with the simulations.
Inflammatory and Hemodynamic Changes in the Cerebral Microcirculation of Aged Rats after Global Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion

Effects of aging on inflammation and blood flow in the brain are unclear. Young (three to six months) and aged (19–22 months) male Brown Norway Fisher rats were used to compare (i) leukocyte function in nonischemic conditions and (ii) leukocyte function and hemodynamic changes after ischemia‐reperfusion (I‐R). In nonischemic studies, polymorphonuclear (PMN) CD11b expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured with flow cytometry and PMN chemotaxis was measured with a Boyden chamber (+/‐fMLP). In I‐R studies, ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion and hypotension (20 minutes). During early reperfusion (30 minutes), leukocyte adhesion and rolling and blood‐shear rates were measured using fluorescence microscopy. During late reperfusion (48 hours), mortality, neurological function, and leukocyte infiltration were measured. Stimulated PMN chemotaxis was increased in nonischemic aged rats (p < 0.05). In early reperfusion, there was a significant increase in leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the cerebral microcirculation and a significant decrease in shear rate in aged rats, compared to the young (p < 0.05). During late reperfusion, neurologic function was worse in aged vs. young rats (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that increased intravascular PMN adhesion and vascular dysfunction may contribute to poor neurologic outcome after cerebral I‐R in the aged brain.
A two-fold enhancement of ultrasound vessel images using a non-local based restoration and morphological filtering

In addition to structural morphology, tissue’s vascular network may provide valuable complementary information on the altered lesions and the tumor angiogenesis. Although ultrafast Doppler ultrasound (UDF) imaging enables ultrasound to image microvessels with high sensitivity, these images still suffer from artifacts. In this study, we addressed small vessel visualization and associated noise problem in ultrasound high framerate plane wave in-vivo imaging. We developed a combination of nonlocal means and morphological filtering on the UDF clutter removed data in order to obtain enhanced vessel images and improved outlining. We tested our algorithm on a flow phantom and in vivo data of the breast masses. The results show that the proposed method added an incremental gain of about 16 dB in terms of signal to noise ratio and has potential to facilitate ultrasound small vessel imaging quantification.
MHC class II‐assortative mate choice in European badgers (Meles meles)

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a crucial role in the immune system, and in some species, it is a target by which individuals choose mates to optimize the fitness of their offspring, potentially mediated by olfactory cues. Under the genetic compatibility hypothesis, individuals are predicted to choose mates with compatible MHC alleles, to increase the fitness of their offspring. Studies of MHC‐based mate choice in wild mammals are under‐represented currently, and few investigate more than one class of MHC genes. We investigated mate choice based on the compatibility of MHC class I and II genes in a wild population of European badgers (Meles meles). We also investigated mate choice based on microsatellite‐derived pairwise relatedness, to attempt to distinguish MHC‐specific effects from genomewide effects. We found MHC‐assortative mating, based on MHC class II, but not class I genes. Parent pairs had smaller MHC class II DRB amino acid distances and smaller functional distances than expected from random pairings. When we separated the analyses into within‐group and neighbouring‐group parent pairs, only neighbouring‐group pairs showed MHC‐assortative mating, due to similarity at MHC class II loci. Our randomizations showed no evidence of genomewide‐based inbreeding, based on 35 microsatellite loci; MHC class II similarity was therefore the apparent target of mate choice. We propose that MHC‐assortative mate choice may be a local adaptation to endemic pathogens, and this assortative mate choice may have contributed to the low MHC genetic diversity in this population.
Serotonin Modulates Fast-Spiking Interneuron and Synchronous Activity in Prefrontal Cortex through 5

Alterations of the serotonergic system in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are implicated in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Although abnormal synchronous activity is observed in the PFC of these patients, little is known about the role of serotonin (5-HT) in cortical synchrony. We found that 5-HT, released by electrical stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in anesthetized rats, regulates the frequency and the amplitude of slow ( (cid:1) 2 Hz) waves in the PFC via 5-HT 2A receptors (5-HT 2A Rs). 5-HT also modulates prefrontal gamma (30–80 Hz) rhythms through both 5-HT 1A Rs and 5-HT 2A Rs, but not 5-HT 2C Rs, inducing an overall decrease in the amplitude of gamma oscillations. Because fast-spiking interneurons (FSi) are involved in the generation of gamma waves, we examined serotonergic modulation of FSi activity in vivo . Most FSi are inhibited by serotonin through 5-HT 1A Rs, while a minority is activated by 5-HT 2A Rs,andnot5-HT 2C Rs. Insitu hybridizationhistochemistryconfirmedthatdistinctpopulationsofFSiinthePFCexpress5-HT 1A Rs and 5-HT 2A Rs, and that the number of FSi expressing 5-HT 2C Rs is negligible. We conclude that 5-HT exerts a potent control on slow and gamma oscillations in the PFC. On the one hand, it shapes the frequency and amplitude of slow waves through 5-HT 2A Rs. On the other hand, it finely tunes the amplitude of gamma oscillations through 5-HT 2A R- and 5-HT 1A R-expressing FSi, although it primarily down-regulatesgammawavesviathelatterpopulation.Theseresultsmayprovideinsightintoimpairedserotonergiccontrolofnetworkactivityinpsychiatricillnessessuchasschizophreniaanddepression.
SHORTEST PATHS FOR THE REEDS-SHEPP CAR: A WORKED OUT EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF GEOMETRIC TECHNIQUES IN NONLINEAR OPTIMAL CONTROL. 1

We illustrate the use of the techniques of modern geometric optimal control theory by studying the shortest paths for a model of a car that can move forwards and backwards. This problem was discussed in recent work by Reeds and Shepp who showed, by special methods, (a) that shortest path motion could always be achieved by means of trajectories of a special kind, namely, concatenations of at most five pieces, each of which is either a straight line or a circle, and (b) that these concatenations can be classified into 48 three-parameter families. We show how these results fit in a much more general framework, and can be discovered and proved by applying in a systematic way the techniques of Optimal Control Theory. It turns out that the “classical” optimal control tools developed in the 1960’s, such as the Pontryagin Maximum Principle and theorems on the existence of optimal trajectories, are helpful to go part of the way and get some information on the shortest paths, but do not suffice to get the full result. On the other hand, when these classical techniques are combined with the use of a more recently developed body of theory, namely, geometric methods based on the Lie algebraic analysis of trajectories, then one can recover the full power of the Reeds-Shepp results, and in fact slightly improve upon them by lowering their 48 to a 46.
Big Data Bioinformatics

Recent technological advances allow for high throughput profiling of biological systems in a cost‐efficient manner. The low cost of data generation is leading us to the “big data” era. The availability of big data provides unprecedented opportunities but also raises new challenges for data mining and analysis. In this review, we introduce key concepts in the analysis of big data, including both “machine learning” algorithms as well as “unsupervised” and “supervised” examples of each. We note packages for the R programming language that are available to perform machine learning analyses. In addition to programming based solutions, we review webservers that allow users with limited or no programming background to perform these analyses on large data compendia. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1896–1900, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibitors of Protein Translocation Across the ER Membrane

Protein translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) constitutes the first step of protein secretion. ER protein import is essential in all eukaryotic cells and is particularly critical in fast‐growing tumour cells. Thus, the process can serve as target both for potential cancer drugs and for bacterial virulence factors. Inhibitors of protein transport across the ER membrane range from broad‐spectrum to highly substrate‐specific and can interfere with virtually any stage of this multistep process, and even with transport of endocytosed antigens into the cytosol for cross‐presentation.
A 4.4 pJ/Access 80 MHz, 128 kbit Variability Resilient SRAM With Multi-Sized Sense Amplifier Redundancy

An ultra low energy, 128 kbit 6T SRAM in 90 nm LP CMOS with energy consumption of 4.4 pJ/access, operating at 80 MHz for the wireless sensor applications is developed. The variability resilient and low power techniques developed include innovation in the local architecture with the use of local read/write assist circuitry. The energy-efficient hierarchical bit-lines structure includes low swing global bit-lines and VDD/2 pre-charged short local bit-lines. The innovative Multi-Sized SA redundancy (MS-SA-R) calibration technique for the global read sense amplifiers of the SRAM not only adds to the variability resilience but also yields maximum energy reduction compared with existing calibration techniques.
Activated SRC protein tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in late-stage human ovarian cancers.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine if the Src tyrosine kinase is overexpressed and activated in late-stage human ovarian cancers. METHODS Western analysis and immune complex kinase assays were performed on a panel of human ovarian cancer cell lines and normal ovarian epithelial cell cultures, and immunohistochemical analysis for Src and activated Src were performed on a panel of late-stage human ovarian tumors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Src is overexpressed and activated in a majority of late-stage ovarian tumors as well as in a panel of cultured malignant human ovarian epithelium grown in vitro, but not in normal ovarian epithelium (NOE) or immortalized NOE. Src overexpression was found to be frequently, but not always, associated with HER-2/neu overexpression, but no statistical association between Src and Her-2/neu overexpression could be demonstrated.
Novel focus region detection method for multifocus image fusion using quaternion wavelet

For local smooth regions in multifocus images, it is difficult to judge whether they are in focus or not, whether using human eyes or special focus measures. We propose to classify the images into smooth and nonsmooth regions based on structural similarity index. Quaternion wavelet transform (QWT), as a novel tool of image analysis, has some superior properties compared to discrete wavelet transform, such as nearly shift-invariant wavelet coefficients and phase-based texture representation. We use the local variance of the QWT phases to detect the focus position for the pixels belonging to the nonsmooth image regions. Thus, binary images of the left-focus, right-focus, and smooth region, e.g., there are two different focuses, are obtained. Then, the connected components labeling algorithm is exploited to label the two binary images containing the focus position information, and the regions with focus measure errors are transferred between the two binary images. The fusion result is finally acquired through three weighted binary images combined with the original multifocus images. Furthermore, we conduct several experiments to verify the feasibility of the proposed fusion method. The performance is demonstrated to be superior to current methods.
Canopy — Fast Sampling with Cover Trees

• Decompose {1, . n} into sets L,H with i ∈ L if πi < n−1 and i ∈ H otherwise. • For each i ∈ L pick some j ∈ H . – Append the triple (i, j, πi) to an array A – Set residual π′ j := πj + πi − n−1 – If π′ j > n−1 return π′ j to H , otherwise to L. Preprocessing takes O(n) computation and memory since we remove one element at a time from L. • To sample from the array pick u ∼ U(0, 1) uniformly at random. • Choose the tuple (i, j, πi) at position bunc. • If u− n−1bunc < πi return i, else return j. This step costs O(1) operations and it follows by construction that i is returned with probability πi. Now we need a data structure that will allow us to sample many objects in bulk without the need to inspect each item individually. Cover trees satisfy this requirement.
Autogenous self-healing of fibre cements

The University of Bath has developed innovative fibre cement capable of achieving flexural strengths in excess of 30 MPa. These fibre cements are manufactured by a bespoke method at a low water/cement ratio (less than 0.2). Consequently after hardening there is a considerable quantity of unhydrated cement (a quaternary blend of Portland cement-fly ash-silica fume and limestone) left in the paste. As a result of this it has been considered that after cracking these fibre cements will have significant potential for autogenous healing primarily as a consequence of the hydration of this unhydrated cement and associated pozzolanic reactions. This paper reports on research carried out to test this hypothesis. A number of fibre cements were cast and then cracked after 28 days of curing. The fibre cements were then subject to a number of healing regimes. It was shown that substantial post-crack healing did occur in fibre cements; conventional fibre cements cast at a higher w/c ratio (0.5) were shown not to heal. The precise mechanism of healing was, however, less clear and appears to be due to the leaching of calcium hydroxide and its subsequent carbonation rather than delayed hydration. Reasons for this are discussed in the paper.
Liver fatty acid binding protein (L‐Fabp) modulates murine stellate cell activation and diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is crucial to the development of fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Quiescent HSCs contain lipid droplets (LDs), whose depletion upon activation induces a fibrogenic gene program. Here we show that liver fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐Fabp), an abundant cytosolic protein that modulates fatty acid (FA) metabolism in enterocytes and hepatocytes, also modulates HSC FA utilization and in turn regulates the fibrogenic program. L‐Fabp expression decreased 10‐fold following HSC activation, concomitant with depletion of LDs. Primary HSCs isolated from L‐FABP−/− mice contain fewer LDs than wild‐type (WT) HSCs, and exhibit up‐regulated expression of genes involved in HSC activation. Adenoviral L‐Fabp transduction inhibited activation of passaged WT HSCs and increased both the expression of prolipogenic genes and also augmented intracellular lipid accumulation, including triglyceride and FA, predominantly palmitate. Freshly isolated HSCs from L‐FABP−/− mice correspondingly exhibited decreased palmitate in the free FA pool. To investigate whether L‐FABP deletion promotes HSC activation in vivo, we fed L‐FABP−/− and WT mice a high‐fat diet supplemented with trans‐fatty acids and fructose (TFF). TFF‐fed L‐FABP−/− mice exhibited reduced hepatic steatosis along with decreased LD abundance and size compared to WT mice. In addition, TFF‐fed L‐FABP−/− mice exhibited decreased hepatic fibrosis, with reduced expression of fibrogenic genes, compared to WT mice. Conclusion: L‐FABP deletion attenuates both diet‐induced hepatic steatosis and fibrogenesis, despite the observation that L‐Fabp paradoxically promotes FA and LD accumulation and inhibits HSC activation in vitro. These findings highlight the importance of cell‐specific modulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in promoting fibrogenesis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. (Hepatology 2013)
Compact and low-noise quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensor for sub-ppm ethylene detection in atmosphere

We report on the development of a gas sensor system based on quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) for the detection of trace levels of ethylene using a quantum cascade laser operating at ~ 10.3 μm. To realize a compact sensor architecture, a dedicated acoustic detection module was designed and implemented. The module includes a QEPAS spectrophone, composed of a quartz tuning fork, a micro-resonator tube and a low-noise pre-amplifier chip for the signal readout. The volume of the ADM is ~30 cm3. A minimum detection limit of 30 part-per-billion in concentration was obtained with a data acquisition time of 10 s.
A Spectral Analysis of Subspace Enchanced Preconditioners

It is well-known that the convergence of Krylov subspace methods to solve linear system depends on the spectrum of the coefficient matrix, moreover, it is widely accepted that for both symmetric and unsymmetric systems Krylov subspace methods will converge fast if the spectrum of the coefficient matrix is clustered. In this paper we investigate the spectrum of the system preconditioned by the deflation, coarse correction and adapted deflation preconditioners. Our analysis shows that the spectrum of the preconditioned system is highly impacted by the angle between the coarse space for the construction of the three preconditioners and the subspace spanned by the eigenvectors associated with the small eigenvalues of the coefficient matrix. Furthermore, we prove that the accuracy of the inverse of projection matrix also impacts the spectrum of the preconditioned system. Numerical experiments emphasized the theoretical analysis.