An android architecture for bio-inspired honest signalling in Human-Humanoid Interaction

This paper outlines an augmented robotic architecture to study the conditions of successful Human-Humanoid Interaction (HHI). The architecture is designed as a testable model generator for interaction centred on the ability to emit, display and detect honest signals. First we overview the biological theory in which the concept of honest signals has been put forward in order to assess its explanatory power. We reconstruct the application of the concept of honest signalling in accounting for interaction in strategic contexts and in laying bare the foundation for an automated social metrics. We describe the modules of the architecture, which is intended to implement the concept of honest signalling in connection with a refinement provided by delivering the sense of co-presence in a shared environment. Finally, an analysis of Honest Signals, in term of body postures, exhibited by participants during the preliminary experiment with the Geminoid Hi-1 is provided

Syngas production, clean-up and wastewater management in a demo-scale fixed-bed updraft biomass gasification unit

This paper presents the experimental development at demonstration scale of an integrated gasification system fed with wood chips. The unit is based on a fixed-bed, updraft and air-blown gasifier-with a nominal capacity of 5 MWth-equipped with a wet scrubber for syngas clean-up and an integrated chemical and physical wastewater management system. Gasification performance, syngas composition and temperature profile are presented for the optimal operating conditions and with reference to two kinds of biomass used as primary fuels, i.e., stone pine and eucalyptus from local forests (combined heat and power generation from this kind of fuel represents a good opportunity to exploit distributed generation systems that can be part of a new energy paradigm in the framework of the circular economy). The gasification unit is characterised by a high efficiency (about 79-80%) and an operation stability during each test. Particular attention has been paid to the optimisation of an integrated double stage wastewater management system-which includes an oil skimmer and an activated carbon adsorption filter-designed to minimise both liquid residues and water make-up. The possibility to recycle part of the separated oil and used activated carbon to the gasifier has been also evaluated

Evaluation of perioperative complications using a newly described staging system for placenta accreta spectrum

Introduction: The antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is in large part subjective and based on expert interpretation. The aim of this study was to externally evaluate a recently developed staging system based on specific and defined prenatal ultrasound (US) features in a cohort of women at risk of PAS undergoing specialist prenatal US, in particular relating to surgical morbidity at delivery. Materials and methods: Database study of cases with confirmed placenta previa. In all, the placenta was evaluated in a systematic fashion. PAS was subclassified in PAS0-PAS3 according to the loss of clear zone, placental lacunae, bladder wall interruption, uterovesical hypervascularity and increased vascularity in the parametrial region. Results: 43 cases were included, of whom 33 had major placenta previa. 31 cases were categorized as PAS0; 3, 4 and 5 cases as PAS1, PAS2 and PAS3, respectively. All women underwent caesarean section and hysterectomy was required in 10. The comparison of the perinatal outcomes among the PAS categories yielded greater operative time (50 (35–129) minutes for PAS0 vs 70 (48–120) for PAS1 vs 95 (60–150) for PAS2 vs 100 (87–180) for PAS3, p < 0.001) and estimated blood loss (800 (500–2500) mls for PAS0 vs 3500 (800–7500) for PAS1 vs 2850 (500–7500) for PAS2 vs 6000 (2500–11000) for PAS3, p < 0.001) for the highest PAS categories, which were also associated with a higher rate of hysterectomy (p < 0.001), blood transfusion (p = 0.002) and admission to ITU or HDU (p < 0.001) and longer postoperative admission of 3 (1–9) days for PAS0 vs 3 (2–12) for PAS1 vs 4.5 (3–6) for PAS2 vs 5 (3–22) for PAS3, p = 0.02. Conclusion: Perioperative complications are closely associated with PAS stage. This information is useful for counselling women and may be important in allocating staff and infrastructure resources at the time of delivery

7Li quasi-free scattering off the alpha-cluster in 9Be nucleus

Spectra of coincident charged particles from the reactions induced by a 52 MeV 7Li beam incident on a beryllium target were measured. Strong contributions of the 7Li quasi-free scattering off the alpha-cluster in 9Be nucleus were observed. This observation supports the conclusions from the study of complete fusion of weakly bound light nuclei at low energies that the "fragility" of the nuclei makes their fusion less probable.Comment: Short Note, 3 pages, 3 Postscript figures, latex with The European Physical Journal style, to be published in The European Physical Journal

The ALICE Silicon Pixel Detector Control system and online calibration tools

The ALICE Silicon Pixel Detector (SPD) contains nearly 107 hybrid pixel cells. The operation of the SPD requires online control and monitoring of some 2000 parameters and » 50000DACs. Information for each channel is stored in a configuration database. Timing and data management (» 6GB of raw data each calibration) are critical issues. An overview of the SPD electronics read out chain and of the detector control system is given with a detailed description of the front-end controls and the calibration strategy. The status of commissioning and a preliminary evaluation of detector performance are presented

Energy efficiency measures for buildings in Hebron city and their expected impacts in the distribution grid

Theenergye ffi ciencyinbuildingscouldrepresentoneofthemainopportunity,withinawidestrategicscenario,toachieveenergy independenceofPalestine.Infact,thereductionofbuildingenergydemandduetotheimplementationofenergye ffi ciency measuresleadstoaconsequentdecreaseoftheenergyprovisionneeds.Forthisreasonananalysisofthepotentialreduction oftheenergyconsumptioninbuildingneedtobeperformedandapossibleestimationofcostsshouldbeidentifiedfordefining aenergystrategicplanofPalestine.Thispaperintendstohighlightthepotentialoftheenergye ffi ciencymeasuresindi ff erent buildingtypologiesofHebroncityinPalestineandtheirimpactintheelectricaldistributiongrid.Thee ff ectivenessofthedi ff erent measuresareestimatedbymeansofsoftwaresimulationsandtheiroptimalcombinationisalsoidentifiedinordertomaximize thereductionofenergydemands.Finally,thevariationofpowerlossesinthedistributiongridduetotheretrofitactionanda preliminaryestimationofpossibleeconomice ff ortfortheimplementationoftheproposedactionsarealsoexpose

SMaRT: A Science-based Tiered Framework for Common Ravens

Large-scale increases and expansion of common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations are occurring across much of North America, leading to increased negative consequences for livestock and agriculture, human health and safety, and sensitive species conservation. We describe a science-based adaptive management framework that incorporates recent quantitative analyses and mapping products for addressing areas with elevated raven numbers and minimizing potential adverse impacts to sensitive species, agricultural damage, and human safety. The framework comprises 5 steps: (1) desktop analysis; (2) field assessments; (3) comparison of raven density estimates to an ecological threshold (in terms of either density or density plus distance to nearest active or previous nest); (4) prescribing management options using a 3-tiered process (i.e., habitat improvements, subsidy reductions, and direct actions using StallPOPd.V4 software); and (5) post-management monitoring. The framework is integrated within the Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT), a web-based application outfitted with a user-friendly interface that guides managers through each step to develop a fully customized adaptive plan for raven management. In the SMaRT interface, users can: (1) interact with pre-loaded maps of raven occurrence and density and define their own areas of interest within the Great Basin to delineate proposed survey or treatment sites; (2) enter site-level density estimates from distance sampling methods or perform estimation of raven densities using the rapid assessment protocol that we provide; (3) compare site-level density estimates to an identified ecological threshold; and (4) produce a list of potential management options for their consideration. The SMaRT supports decision-making by operationalizing scientific products for raven management and facilitates realization of diverse management goals including sensitive species conservation, protection of livestock and agriculture, safeguarding human health, and addressing raven overabundance and expansion. We illustrate the use of the framework through SMaRT using an example of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) conservation efforts within the Great Basin, USA

The Pervasive Effects of ER Stress on a Typical Endocrine Cell: Dedifferentiation, Mesenchymal Shift and Antioxidant Response in the Thyrocyte

none13noThe endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response are triggered following an imbalance between protein load and protein folding. Until recently, two possible outcomes of the unfolded protein response have been considered: life or death. We sought to substantiate a third alternative, dedifferentiation, mesenchymal shift, and activation of the antioxidant response by using typical endocrine cells, i.e. thyroid cells. The thyroid is a unique system both of endoplasmic reticulum stress (a single protein, thyroglobulin represents the majority of proteins synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum by the thyrocyte) and of polarized epithelium (the single layer of thyrocytes delimiting the follicle). Following endoplasmic reticulum stress, in thyroid cells the folding of thyroglobulin was disrupted. The mRNAs of unfolded protein response were induced or spliced (X-box binding protein-1). Differentiation was inhibited: mRNA levels of thyroid specific genes, and of thyroid transcription factors were dramatically downregulated, at least in part, transcriptionally. The dedifferentiating response was accompanied by an upregulation of mRNAs of antioxidant genes. Moreover, cadherin-1, and the thyroid (and kidney)-specific cadherin-16 mRNAs were downregulated, vimentin, and SNAI1 mRNAs were upregulated. In addition, loss of cortical actin and stress fibers formation were observed. Together, these data indicate that ER stress in thyroid cells induces dedifferentiation, loss of epithelial organization, shift towards a mesenchymal phenotype, and activation of the antioxidant response, highlighting, at the same time, a new and wide strategy to achieve survival following ER stress, and, as a sort of the other side of the coin, a possible new molecular mechanism of decline/loss of function leading to a deficit of thyroid hormones formation.openUlianich L.; Mirra P.; Garbi C.; Cali G.; Conza D.; Treglia A.S.; Miraglia A.; Punzi D.; Miele C.; Raciti G.A.; Beguinot F.; Consiglio E.; Di Jeso B.Ulianich, L.; Mirra, P.; Garbi, C.; Cali, G.; Conza, D.; Treglia, A. S.; Miraglia, A.; Punzi, D.; Miele, C.; Raciti, G. A.; Beguinot, F.; Consiglio, E.; Di Jeso, B

The ALICE silicon pixel detector read-out electronics

The ALICE silicon pixel detector (SPD) constitutes the two innermost layers of the ALICE inner tracker system. The SPD contains 10 million pixels segmented in 120 detector modules (half staves), which are connected to the offdetector electronics with bidirectional optical links. Raw data from the on-detector electronics are sent to 20 FPGA-based processor cards (Routers) each carrying three 2-channel linkreceiver daughter-cards. The routers process the data and send them to the ALICE DAQ system via the ALICE detector data link (DDL). The SPD control, configuration and data monitoring is performed via the VME interface of the routers. This paper describes the detector readout and control via the off-detector electronics