A face recognition system for assistive robots

Assistive robots collaborating with people demand strong Human-Robot interaction capabilities. In this way, recognizing the person the robot has to interact with is paramount to provide a personalized service and reach a satisfactory end-user experience. To this end, face recognition: a non-intrusive, automatic mechanism of identification using biometric identifiers from an user's face, has gained relevance in the recent years, as the advances in machine learning and the creation of huge public datasets have considerably improved the state-of-the-art performance. In this work we study different open-source implementations of the typical components of state-of-the-art face recognition pipelines, including face detection, feature extraction and classification, and propose a recognition system integrating the most suitable methods for their utilization in assistant robots. Concretely, for face detection we have considered MTCNN, OpenCV's DNN, and OpenPose, while for feature extraction we have analyzed InsightFace and Facenet. We have made public an implementation of the proposed recognition framework, ready to be used by any robot running the Robot Operating System (ROS). The methods in the spotlight have been compared in terms of accuracy and performance in common benchmark datasets, namely FDDB and LFW, to aid the choice of the final system implementation, which has been tested in a real robotic platform.This work is supported by the Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech, the research projects WISER ([DPI2017-84827-R]),funded by the Spanish Government, and financed by European RegionalDevelopment’s funds (FEDER), and MoveCare ([ICT-26-2016b-GA-732158]), funded by the European H2020 program, and by a postdoc contract from the I-PPIT-UMA program financed by the University of Málaga

Complexation of DNA with Thermoresponsive Charged Microgels: Role of Swelling State and Electrostatics

This research was funded by projects RTI2018-101309-B-C21 and PID2020-631-116615RA-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by "ERDF A way of making Europe" and by project PY20_00138, funded by Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades (PAIDI2020).Micro- and nanogels are being increasingly used to encapsulate bioactive compounds. Their soft structure allows large loading capacity while their stimuli responsiveness makes them extremely versatile. In this work, the complexation of DNA with thermoresponsive microgels is presented. To this end, PEGylated charged microgels based on poly-N-isopropylacrylamide have been synthesized, allowing one to explore the electrostatics of the complexation. Cationic microgels complexate spontaneously by electrostatic attraction to oppositely charged DNA as demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility of the complexes. Then, Langmuir monolayers reveal an increased interaction of DNA with swollen microgels (20 degrees C). Anionic microgels require the presence of multivalent cations (Ca2+) to promote the complexation, overcoming the electrostatic repulsion with negatively charged DNA. Then again, Langmuir monolayers evidence their complexation at the surface. However, the presence of Ca2+ seems to induce profound changes in the interaction and surface conformation of anionic microgels. These alterations are further explored by measuring adsorbed films with the pendant drop technique. Conformational changes induced by Ca2+ on the structure of the microgel can ultimately affect the complexation with DNA and should be considered in the design. The combination of microstructural and surface properties for microgels offers a new perspective into complexation of DNA with soft particles with biomedical applications.MCIN/AEI RTI2018-101309-B-C21 PID2020-631-116615RA-I00Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades PY20_0013

Hybrid molecular-inorganic materials: Heterometallic [Ni4Tb] complex grafted on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

A heterometallic Ni4Tb field-induced SMM has been grafted onto the surface of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The magnetic coupling within the Ni4Tb and between the Ni4Tb and iron oxide nanoparticle has been studied by element specific XMCD measurements. The coupling between Ni and Tb is ferromagnetic and the complex remains intact when grafted onto the iron oxide nanoparticles

Key aspects in the analysis and design of Hyperloop(TM) infrastructure under static, dynamic and thermal loads

[EN] Hyperloop is an avant-garde idea for high-speed transportation of passengers and freight in a \emph{pod} or capsule-like vehicle travelling through an hermetically sealed tube with reduced internal pressure. Its maximum envisaged speed is around \SI{1200}{\kmh}, which would be directly comparable to airplane travel and much faster than road and railway transportation. Because the unconventional, ad-hoc civil infrastructure required for Hyperloop is still under a conceptual design phase, one of the most important steps to undertake at this stage is to develop analytical models and tools to simulate the mechanical behaviour, so that any potential issue can be anticipated. This article is a novel comprehensive study of the relevant phenomena that influence the design of Hyperloop infrastructure from the structural engineering viewpoint. The aim is to obtain, for the first time, representative values of the main internal forces and stresses leading to a preliminary design of the vacuum tube and, simultaneously, to provide relevant insight into the main phenomena involved. Depending on the longitudinal restrictions implemented at the piers, two basic configurations based on steel tubes are proposed. The strength and stability of the tube have been analysed thoroughly by taking into account the self and dead weight, internal low pressure, wind, thermal and traversing vehicle dynamic effects. Fatigue has also been assessed at potential critical locations. The relevance of each external action has been suitably highlighted, with particular emphasis on the predominant thermal and buckling effects. Estimates of the required tube thickness are provided, and resonance phenomena at some particular speeds are pointed out. Since the Hyperloop concept comprises both vehicle design and structure standardization that strongly relate to each other, their definition must be advanced in parallel. This work represents a starting point for future detailed studies, as the HL technology evolves through subsequent stages when relevant details of vehicle design will be available.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Generalitat Valenciana, through grant AICO/2019/025 for the project "Analisis Dinamico aplicado al Diseno de Viaductos para Hyperloop: Vibraciones de Flexion, Torsion y Limites Normativos", within research funding program AICO2019: Subvenciones para grupos de investigacion consolidables.Museros Romero, P.; Lazaro, C.; Pinazo, B.; Monleón Cremades, S. (2021). Key aspects in the analysis and design of Hyperloop(TM) infrastructure under static, dynamic and thermal loads. Engineering Structures. 239:1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112177S12023

Multimodality Imaging in the Evaluation of Cardiovascular Manifestations of Malignancy

Up to one third of the population will die as a direct result of cancer. Accurate and timely diagnosis of disease often requires multiple different approaches including the use of modern imaging techniques. Prompt recognition of adverse consequences of some anti-cancer therapies also requires a knowledge of the optimum imaging strategy for the problem at hand. The purpose of this article is to review not only some of the commoner cardiovascular manifestations of malignancy but also to discuss the strengths, weaknesses and appropriate use of cardiovascular imaging modalities

SISTEMA DE GESTIÓN DE LA INFORMACIÓN MÉDICA DEL PACIENTE PARA LOS MÓDULOS DE BARRIO ADENTRO EN EL MUNICIPIO TUCUPITA

La Misión Barrio Adentro presenta una serie de inconvenientes en el manejo desus documentos como: historias clínicas, estadísticas de pacientes, récipesmédicos y traslado de pacientes. Para mantener la comunicación entre lospacientes y médicos se requiere información actualizada e historiasmédicas que contengan las veces que el paciente ha utilizado este servicio yqué diagnóstico viene presentando, al igual que el médico tratante y enviante.Se requieren las estadísticas de cuántos habitantes utilizan el módulo, con quéfrecuencia, enfermedades presentadas por comunidad. A través del diagnósticorealizado, se pudo comprobar que existen insuficiencias en la gestión de lainformación utilizada en la prestación de servicios médicos públicos de lospacientes. Por tal motivo se presenta como objetivo de esta investigacióndesarrollar un Sistema de Gestión de la Información médica utilizando bases dedatos y lenguajes de alto nivel que permita mejorar la prestación de los serviciosmédicos públicos. Se emplea la metodología XP en el proceso de desarrollo,PHP como lenguaje de programación y el gestor de base de datos MySQL. En laconsulta a expertos se pudo corroborar que el sistema propuesto contribuye aperfeccionar el control del proceso de asistencia médica pública

Optical and interface properties of direct InP/Si heterojunction formed by corrugated epitaxial lateral overgrowth

Producción CientíficaWe fabricate and study direct InP/Si heterojunction by corrugated epitaxial lateral overgrowth (CELOG). The crystalline quality and depth-dependent charge carrier dynamics of InP/Si heterojunction are assessed by characterizing the cross-section of grown layer by low-temperature cathodoluminescence, time-resolved photoluminescence and transmission electron microscopy. Compared to the defective seed InP layer on Si, higher intensity band edge emission in cathodoluminescence spectra and enhanced carrier lifetime of InP are observed above the CELOG InP/Si interface despite large lattice mismatch, which are attributed to the reduced threading dislocation density realized by the CELOG method.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Proyect ENE2014-56069-C4-4-R)Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. Project VA081U16)Swedish Energy Agency and SOLAR-ERA.NET (program 40176-1),Swedish Research Council through Linné Excellence Center ADOP

Amicable pairs and aliquot cycles for elliptic curves

An amicable pair for an elliptic curve E/Q is a pair of primes (p,q) of good reduction for E satisfying #E(F_p) = q and #E(F_q) = p. In this paper we study elliptic amicable pairs and analogously defined longer elliptic aliquot cycles. We show that there exist elliptic curves with arbitrarily long aliqout cycles, but that CM elliptic curves (with j not 0) have no aliqout cycles of length greater than two. We give conjectural formulas for the frequency of amicable pairs. For CM curves, the derivation of precise conjectural formulas involves a detailed analysis of the values of the Grossencharacter evaluated at a prime ideal P in End(E) having the property that #E(F_P) is prime. This is especially intricate for the family of curves with j = 0.Comment: 53 page

Observation of light driven band structure via multi-band high harmonic spectroscopy

Intense light-matter interactions have revolutionized our ability to probe and manipulate quantum systems at sub-femtosecond time scales, opening routes to all-optical control of electronic currents in solids at petahertz rates. Such control typically requires electric field amplitudes $\sim V/\AA$, when the voltage drop across a lattice site becomes comparable to the characteristic band gap energies. In this regime, intense light-matter interaction induces significant modifications of electronic and optical properties, dramatically modifying the crystal band structure. Yet, identifying and characterizing such modifications remains an outstanding problem. As the oscillating electric field changes within the driving field's cycle, does the band-structure follow, and how can it be defined? Here we address this fundamental question, proposing all-optical spectroscopy to probe laser-induced closing of the band-gap between adjacent conduction bands. Our work reveals the link between nonlinear light matter interactions in strongly driven crystals and the sub-cycle modifications in their effective band structure