Trade Off Analysis of Pulse Compression for a Satellite Radar Altimeter

The Trade off Analyses of Pulse Compression for satellite radar altimeters conclude that when 10 cm accuracy in altitude measurement is sought, pulse compression results in increased instrument life and greater power efficiency. When accuracy requirements exceed two meters, it is no longer required

Extracting low-dimensional control variables for movement primitives

Movement primitives (MPs) provide a powerful framework for data driven movement generation that has been successfully applied for learning from demonstrations and robot reinforcement learning. In robotics we often want to solve a multitude of different, but related tasks. As the parameters of the primitives are typically high dimensional, a common practice for the generalization of movement primitives to new tasks is to adapt only a small set of control variables, also called meta parameters, of the primitive. Yet, for most MP representations, the encoding of these control variables is pre-coded in the representation and can not be adapted to the considered tasks. In this paper, we want to learn the encoding of task-specific control variables also from data instead of relying on fixed meta-parameter representations. We use hierarchical Bayesian models (HBMs) to estimate a low dimensional latent variable model for probabilistic movement primitives (ProMPs), which is a recent movement primitive representation. We show on two real robot datasets that ProMPs based on HBMs outperform standard ProMPs in terms of generalization and learning from a small amount of data and also allows for an intuitive analysis of the movement. We also extend our HBM by a mixture model, such that we can model different movement types in the same dataset

What Matters Most to Patients and Rheumatologists? A Discrete Choice Experiment in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: To determine patient and rheumatologist preferences for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment attributes in Spain and to evaluate their attitude towards shared decision-making (SDM). Methods: Observational, descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study based on a discrete choice experiment (DCE). To identify the attributes and their levels, a literature review and two focus groups (patients [P] = 5; rheumatologists [R] = 4) were undertaken. Seven attributes with 2–4 levels were presented in eight scenarios. Attribute utility and relative importance (RI) were assessed using a conditional logit model. Patient preferences for SDM were assessed using an ad hoc questionnaire. Results: Ninety rheumatologists [52.2% women; mean years of experience 18.1 (SD: 9.0); seeing an average of 24.4 RA patients/week (SD: 15.3)] and 137 RA patients [mean age: 47.5 years (SD: 10.7); 84.0% women; mean time since diagnosis of RA: 14.2 years (SD: 11.8) and time in treatment: 13.2 years (SD: 11.2), mean HAQ score 1.2 (SD: 0.7)] participated in the study. In terms of RI, rheumatologists and RA patients viewed: time with optimal QoL: R: 23.41%/P: 35.05%; substantial symptom improvement: R: 13.15%/P: 3.62%; time to onset of treatment action: R: 16.24%/P: 13.56%; severe adverse events: R: 10.89%/P: 11.20%; mild adverse events: R: 4.16%/P: 0.91%; mode of administration: R: 25.23%/P: 25.00%; and added cost: R: 6.93%/P: 10.66%. Nearly 73% of RA patients were involved in treatment decision-making to a greater or lesser extent; however, 27.4% did not participate at all. Conclusion: Both for rheumatologists and patients, the top three decision-making drivers are time with optimal quality, treatment mode of administration and time to onset of action, although in different ranking order. Patients were willing to be more involved in the treatment decision-making process

Improving Situational Awareness for First Responders via Mobile Computing

This project looks to improve first responder incident command, and an appropriately managed flow of situational awareness using mobile computing techniques. The prototype system combines wireless communication, real-time location determination, digital imaging, and three-dimensional graphics. Responder locations are tracked in an outdoor environment via GPS and uploaded to a central server via GPRS or an 802. II network. Responders can also wireless share digital images and text reports, both with other responders and with the incident commander. A pre-built three dimensional graphics model of the emergency scene is used to visualize responder and report locations. Responders have a choice of information end points, ranging from programmable cellular phones to tablet computers. The system also employs location-aware computing to make responders aware of particular hazards as they approach them. The prototype was developed in conjunction with the NASA Ames Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team and has undergone field testing during responder exercises at NASA Ames

Analytical and clinical evaluation of DiaSorin Liaison® Calprotectin fecal assay adapted for serum samples

Background Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein that can be measured in serum, plasma, and feces. Increased serum and plasma calprotectin concentrations have been found in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders. An analytical and clinical evaluation of the DiaSorin Liaison (R) fecal Calprotectin assay using LIAISON (R) XL was performed. Methods The protocol included an analytical and clinical evaluation in which imprecision, the linearity of dilution, differences between serum and plasma samples and method comparison with CalproLab (TM) ELISA kit were assessed. Serum calprotectin concentrations in active (n = 26) and remission (n = 23) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were compared. Results The intra-day and inter-day analytical imprecision CVs ranged from 2.9% to 4.0% and 2.7% to 10.4%, respectively. Correlation between measured and expected values was high (R > 0.99), indicating good linearity. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that serum and plasma matched samples presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) being the highest concentrations of calprotectin observed in serum samples. Deming regression equation was as follows: Diasorin calprotectin (mu g/ml) = -0.32 (95% CI: -0.65 - -0.05) +1.58 (95% CI: 1.42-1.79).* Calprolab calprotectin (mu g/ml). Significantly higher serum calprotectin levels were found in RA patients with active disease when compared to patients with low disease activity or in clinical remission (mean +/- SD) [(3.35 mu g/ml +/- 1.55) vs. (1.63 mu g/ml +/- 0.52), p < 0.001] and these levels correlated well with all disease activity indices. Conclusions The DiaSorin Liaison (R) fecal Calprotectin assay adapted for serum samples showed adequate technical performances and the clinical performances were similar to other assays

Microsporidia-nematode associations in methane seeps reveal basal fungal parasitism in the deep sea

The deep sea is Earth’s largest habitat but little is known about the nature of deep-sea parasitism. In contrast to a few characterized cases of bacterial and protistan parasites, the existence and biological significance of deep-sea parasitic fungi is yet to be understood. Here we report the discovery of a fungus-related parasitic microsporidium, Nematocenator marisprofundi n. gen. n. sp. that infects benthic nematodes at Pacific Ocean methane seeps on the Pacific Ocean floor. This infection is species-specific and has been temporally and spatially stable over two years of sampling, indicating an ecologically consistent host-parasite interaction. A high distribution of spores in the reproductive tracts of infected males and females and their absence from host nematodes’ intestines suggests a sexual transmission strategy in contrast to the fecal-oral transmission of most microsporidia. N. marisprofundi targets the host’s body wall muscles causing cell lysis, and in severe infection even muscle filament degradation. Phylogenetic analyses placed N. marisprofundi in a novel and basal clade not closely related to any described microsporidia clade, suggesting either that microsporidia-nematode parasitism occurred early in microsporidia evolution or that host specialization occurred late in an ancient deep-sea microsporidian lineage. Our findings reveal that methane seeps support complex ecosystems involving interkingdom interactions between bacteria, nematodes, and parasitic fungi and that microsporidia parasitism exists also in the deep sea biosphere

SSRL Emergency Response Shore Tool

The SSRL Emergency Response Shore Tool (wherein SSRL signifies Smart Systems Research Laboratory ) is a computer program within a system of communication and mobile-computing software and hardware being developed to increase the situational awareness of first responders at building collapses. This program is intended for use mainly in planning and constructing shores to stabilize partially collapsed structures. The program consists of client and server components, runs in the Windows operating system on commercial off-the-shelf portable computers, and can utilize such additional hardware as digital cameras and Global Positioning System devices. A first responder can enter directly, into a portable computer running this program, the dimensions of a required shore. The shore dimensions, plus an optional digital photograph of the shore site, can then be uploaded via a wireless network to a server. Once on the server, the shore report is time-stamped and made available on similarly equipped portable computers carried by other first responders, including shore wood cutters and an incident commander. The staff in a command center can use the shore reports and photographs to monitor progress and to consult with structural engineers to assess whether a building is in imminent danger of further collapse

Dinámica de innovaciones en la producción de jitomate (Solanum lycopersicum) bajo invernadero en Puebla, México

The use of technological innovations in greenhouse vegetable growing translates into high yields to the producers. This study analyzes the innovation adoption index (InAI) in tomato production units (TPUs) under greenhouses in the municipalities of Aquixtla, Tetela de Ocampo, Tecamachalco and Tochtepec, state of Puebla and its relationship with the crop’s yield, in addition to understanding the stakeholders implicit in the dissemination of innovations through a social networks analysis. Interviews (103) were applied to producers in the second semester of 2017, using a structured questionnaire. A global InAI of 36% was obtained, highlighting the components of health and nutrition that showed an InAI of 57%. The social networks analysis showed that learning about innovations is done primarily between producers despite not having a formal organization. Private technical assistance is responsible for technology transfer in the TPUs, which is why it is important for decision makers and particularly for producers, by generating formal communication channels that allow exchanging experiences and fostering learning as a whole, with the aim of increasing the InAI and consequently improving the yield of TPUs in the state.El uso de innovaciones tecnológicas en el cultivo de hortalizas bajo invernadero se traduce en altos rendimientos para los productores. Esta investigación, analiza el índice de adopción de innovaciones (InAI) en las unidades de producción de jitomate (UPJ) bajo invernadero en los municipios de Aquixtla, Tetela de Ocampo, Tecamachalco y Tochtepec, estado de Puebla y su relación con el rendimiento del cultivo, además de conocer los actores implícitos en la difusión de innovaciones mediante un análisis de redes sociales. Se aplicaron 103 entrevistas a productores en el segundo semestre de 2017, utilizando un cuestionario estructurado. Se obtuvo un InAI global de 36%, destacando los componentes sanidad y nutrición que registraron un InAI de 57%. El análisis de redes sociales mostró que el aprendizaje de innovaciones se realiza principalmente entre productores a pesar de no contar con una organización formal. La asesoría técnica privada es la responsable de la transferencia de tecnologías en las UPJ. El InAI tiene una correlación positiva (p&lt;0.05) con el rendimiento de las UPJ, por lo que es de importancia para los tomadores de decisiones y en particular para los productores, el generar canales formales de comunicación que permitan intercambiar experiencias fomentando el aprendizaje en conjunto, con la finalidad de aumentar el InAI y en consecuencia mejorar el rendimiento de las UPJ en el estado

Plasma calprotectin as a biomarker of ultrasound synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving IL-6 antagonists or JAK inhibitors

To analyse the accuracy of plasma calprotectin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving monoclonal antibodies against IL-6 receptors (anti-rIL-6) or JAK inhibitors (JAKis) in detecting ultrasound (US) synovitis and compare it with acute phase reactants [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and ESR].An observational cross-sectional study of RA patients receiving anti-rIL-6 (tocilizumab or sarilumab) or JAKi, (baricitinib or tofacitinib) was made. Plasma calprotectin for the diagnosis of US synovitis [synovial hypertrophy grade (SH)???2 plus power Doppler signal (PD)???1] was analysed using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs). The performance of ESR and hs-CRP was also studied. The three ROC curves were compared to determine which had the highest discriminatory power. Associations between plasma calprotectin and US scores were made using correlation analysis.Sixty-three RA patients were included. Mean plasma calprotectin levels were significantly higher in patients with US synovitis than in those without (0.89?±?0.85 vs 0.30?±?0.12 ?g/ml; p?=?0.0003). A moderate correlation between calprotectin and all US scores (HS score Rho?=?0.479; PD score Rho?=?0.492; and global score Rho?=?0.495) was found. The discriminatory capacity of plasma calprotectin showed an AUC of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.687-0.904). The AUC of hs-CRP and ESR was 0.721 and 0.564, respectively. hs-CRP serum levels showed a low positive correlation with the three US scores (Rho?<?0.40). After analysis according to the drugs administered, the correlation disappeared in patients receiving anti-rIL-6.Plasma calprotectin may be a sensitive biomarker of synovial inflammation in RA patients treated with anti-rIL-6 or JAKi.© The Author(s), 2022