Maximum Search Using P Systems

Several algorithms of maximum search are investigated and eval- uated in different types of P systems, namely using priorities, multiple nested membranes and linked transport. The proposed solutions are expected to find application in a wide range of problems. In particular, the authors are currently working on modeling an algorithm for DNA sequence alignment using P systems

A Self-Reconfigurable Framework for Context Awareness

Urban environments are increasingly pervaded by ICT devices. Soon, citizens and technologies could collaboratively constitute large-scale socio-technical organisms supporting both individual and collective awareness. This paper illustrates a modern awareness framework designed to deal with the complexity of this scenario. The framework is able to collect and classify data streams in a modular way by supporting service oriented, reconfigurable components. Furthermore, we evaluate an innovative meta-classifcation scheme based on state-automata for (i) improving energy efficiency, (ii) improving classification accuracy and (iii) improving software engineering of aware systems, without affecting the overall performance

Role of dispersion in pulse emission from a sliding-frequency fiber laser

6openopenRomagnoli, M.; Wabnitz, Stefan; Franco, P.; Midrio, M.; Bossalini, L.; Fontana, F.M., Romagnoli; Wabnitz, Stefan; P., Franco; M., Midrio; L., Bossalini; F., Fontan

The dGLI Cloth Coordinates: A Topological Representation for Semantic Classification of Cloth States

Robotic manipulation of cloth is a highly complex task because of its infinite-dimensional shape-state space that makes cloth state estimation very difficult. In this paper we introduce the dGLI Cloth Coordinates, a low-dimensional representation of the state of a rectangular piece of cloth that allows to efficiently distinguish key topological changes in a folding sequence, opening the door to efficient learning methods for cloth manipulation planning and control. Our representation is based on a directional derivative of the Gauss Linking Integral and allows us to represent both planar and spatial configurations in a consistent unified way. The proposed dGLI Cloth Coordinates are shown to be more accurate in the classification of cloth states and significantly more sensitive to changes in grasping affordances than other classic shape distance methods. Finally, we apply our representation to real images of a cloth, showing we can identify the different states using a simple distance-based classifier.Comment: 24 pages, 34 references, 6 figures, 1 tabl

A representation of cloth states based on a derivative of the Gauss linking integral

Robotic manipulation of cloth is a complex task because of the infinite-dimensional shape-state space of textiles, which makes their state estimation very difficult. In this paper we introduce the dGLI Cloth Coordinates, a finite low-dimensional representation of cloth states that allows us to efficiently distinguish a large variety of different folded states, opening the door to efficient learning methods for cloth manipulation planning and control. Our representation is based on a directional derivative of the Gauss Linking Integral and allows us to represent spatial as well as planar folded configurations in a consistent and unified way. The proposed dGLI Cloth Coordinates are shown to be more accurate in the representation of cloth states and significantly more sensitive to changes in grasping affordances than other classic shape distance methods. Finally, we apply our representation to real images of a cloth, showing that with it we can identify the different states using a distance-based classifier.This work was developed under the project CLOTHILDE which has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the EU-Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 741930). M. Alberich-Carramiñana is also with the Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics (BGSMath) and the Institut de Matemàtiques de la UPC-BarcelonaTech (IMTech), and she and J. Amorós are partially supported by the Spanish State Research Agency AEI/10.13039/501100011033 grant PID2019-103849GB-I00 and by the AGAUR project 2021 SGR 00603 Geometry of Manifolds and Applications, GEOMVAP. J. Borràs is supported by the Spanish State Research Agency MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033 grant PID2020-118649RB-I00 (CHLOE-GRAPH project).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Stability data of extemporaneous suspensions of hydroxychloroquine sulphate in oral liquid bases after tablet manipulation

Hydroxychloroquine is a well-known anti-malarial and anti-rheumatic drug that has garnered recently unprecedented attention as potential therapeutic agent against virus infections. Hydroxychloroquine sulphate is authorized in the EU as film-coated tablets (i.e. Plaquenil®), which cannot be administered to non-cooperative patients, such as those in intensive care units or, more in general, unable to swallow solid dosage forms. Therefore, the hospital pharmacist must manipulate the solid dosage form for the preparation of suspension, even if it can strongly affect the product quality. In this scenario, it is crucial to offer useful information and advice to assist hospital pharmacists in their activity. The data presented in this article suggest that extemporaneous suspensions of hydroxychloroquine sulphate in oral liquid bases after tablet manipulation are stable for at least 30 days

Geochemical characterization of the hydrous pyrolysis products from a recent cyanobacteria-dominated microbial mat

Hydrous pyrolysis experiments were performed on a recent microbial mat sample from Lagoa Vermelha, Brazil, to determine whether crude oil can be generated and expelled during artificial maturation of the Organic Matter (OM). The experiments were conducted at 280ºC, 330ºC and 350ºC during 20h. Two types of liquid pyrolysis products, assigned as free oil and bitumen, were isolated and analyzed. Free oil represents free organic phase released by hydrous pyrolysis, whereas bitumen was obtained by extraction from the solid pyrolysis residue with dichloromethane. Changes in the OM maturity were determined using Rock-Eval parameters and biomarker maturity ratios of original sample and pyrolysis products. Biomarker compositions of original sample extract and liquid pyrolysates were used for determination of dominant bacterial source. The yields of free oil and bitumen showed that a microbial mat OM has a high liquid hydrocarbons generation potential. Rock-Eval maturity parameters, biopolymer and biomarker compositions indicate a significant increase of the OM maturity during hydrous pyrolysis. At 280ºC the release of free, adsorbed and occluded compounds was observed; however, without a cracking of the OM. At 330ºC the generation of bitumen and free oil is mostly related to the OM cracking. The highest yield of free oil was recorded at this temperature. Distribution of biomarkers in the extract of original sample and liquid pyrolysates confirms cyanobacteria-dominated microbial mats, whereas the identification of long chain n-alkane series, with max