The Human-Robot Interaction Operating System

In order for humans and robots to work effectively together, they need to be able to converse about abilities, goals and achievements. Thus, we are developing an interaction infrastructure called the "Human-Robot Interaction Operating System" (HRI/OS). The HRI/OS provides a structured software framework for building human-robot teams, supports a variety of user interfaces, enables humans and robots to engage in task-oriented dialogue, and facilitates integration of robots through an extensible API

Thermal stability, phase decomposition, and micro-fatigue properties of pulsed electrodeposited nanocrystalline Co-Cu

Nanocrystalline (nc) immiscible Co-Cu alloys system is a promising material where the decomposition of the super-saturated solid solution can be used to obtain nano-structured materials. In this research, homogenous and solid nc Co-Cu thick films were synthesized through the pulsed electrodeposition technique in complex sodium tartrate electrolyte. Annealing procedures were conducted to evaluate its thermal stability and induce phase decomposition of cobalt and copper, which can be utilized to enhance mechanical properties and thermal stability. Initial cyclic micro-bending experiments were also conducted to observe micro-fatigue properties and structural evolution during mechanical loading

Identification of disease-promoting stromal components by comparative proteomic and transcriptomic profiling of canine mammary tumors using laser-capture microdissected FFPE tissue

Cancer-associated stroma (CAS) profoundly influences progression of tumors including mammary carcinoma (mCA). Canine simple mCA represent relevant models of human mCA, notably also with respect to CAS. While transcriptomic changes in CAS of mCA are well described, it remains unclear to what extent these translate to the protein level. Therefore, we sought to gain insight into the proteomic changes in CAS and compare them with transcriptomic changes in the same tissue. To this end, we analyzed CAS and matched normal stroma using laser-capture microdissection (LCM) and LC-MS/MS in a cohort of 14 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) canine mCAs that we had previously characterized using LCM-RNAseq. Our results reveal clear differences in protein abundance between CAS and normal stroma, which are characterized by changes in the extracellular matrix, the cytoskeleton, and cytokines such as TNF. The proteomics- and RNAseq-based analyses of LCM-FFPE show a substantial degree of correlation, especially for the most deregulated targets and a comparable activation of pathways. Finally, we validate transcriptomic upregulation of LTBP2, IGFBP2, COL6A5, POSTN, FN1, COL4A1, COL12A1, PLOD2, COL4A2, and IGFBP7 in CAS on the protein level and demonstrate their adverse prognostic value for human breast cancer. Given the relevance of canine mCA as a model for the human disease, our analysis substantiates these targets as disease-promoting stromal components with implications for breast cancer in both species

Expression of SPAG7 and its regulatory microRNAs in seminal plasma and seminal plasma-derived extracellular vesicles of patients with subfertility

Seminal plasma contains a variety of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that deliver RNAs including microRNAs (miRNAs) molecules. However, the roles of these EVs along with their delivered RNAs and their interactions with male infertility are not clear. Sperm-associated antigen 7 (SPAG 7) is expressed in male germ cells and plays a crucial role in several biological functions associated with sperm production and maturation. In this study, we aimed to identify the post-transcriptional regulation of SPAG7 in seminal plasma (SF-Native) and seminal plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (SF-EVs) collected from 87 men undergoing infertility treatment. Among the multiple binding sites for miRNAs within its 3’UTR of SPAG7, we identifed the binding of four miRNAs (miR-15b-5p, miR195-5p, miR-424-5p, and miR-497-5p) to the 3’UTR of SPAG7 by the dual luciferase assays. Analyzing sperm, we found reduced mRNA expression levels of SPAG7 in SF-EVs and SF-Native samples from oligoasthenozoospermic men. By contrast, two miRNAs (miR-424-5p and miR-497-5p) form the SF-Native samples, and four miRNAs (miR-195-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, and miR-6838-5p) from the SF-EVs samples showed signifcantly higher expression levels in oligoasthenozoospermic men. The expression levels of miRNAs and SPAG7 were signifcantly correlated with basic semen parameters. These fndings contribute signifcantly to our understanding of regulatory pathways in male fertility by showing a direct link between upregulated miRNA, notably miR-424, and downregulated SPAG7 both in seminal plasma and in plasma-derived EVs likely contributing to oligoasthenozoospermia

Proteomic profiling of canine fibrosarcoma and adjacent peritumoral tissue

Fibrosarcoma (FSA) are rare soft tissue tumors that display aggressive local behavior and invasive growth leading to high rates of tumor recurrence. While the low incidence in humans hampers detailed understanding of the disease, FSA are frequent in dogs and present potential models for the human condition. However, a lack of in-depth molecular characterization of FSA and unaffected peritumoral tissue (PTT) in both species impedes the translational potential of dogs. To address this shortcoming, we characterized canine FSA and matched skeletal muscle, adipose and connective tissue using laser-capture microdissection (LCM) and LC-MS/MS in 30 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens. Principal component analysis of 3’530 different proteins detected across all samples clearly separates the four tissues, with several targets strongly differentiating tumor from all three PTTs. 25 proteins were exclusively found in tumor tissue in ≥80% of cases. Among these, CD68 (a macrophage marker), Optineurin (OPTN), Nuclear receptor coactivator 5 (NCOA5), RAP1GDS1 (Rap1 GTPase-GDP dissociation stimulator 1) and Stromal cell derived factor 2 like 1 (SDF2L1) were present in ≥90% of FSA. Protein expression across all FSA was highly homogeneous and characterized by MYC and TP53 signaling, hyperactive EIF2 and immune-related changes as well as strongly decreased oxidative phosphorylation and oxidative lipid metabolism. Finally, we demonstrate significant molecular homology between canine FSA and human soft-tissue sarcomas, emphasizing the relevance of studying canine FSA as a model for human FSA. In conclusion, we provide the first detailed overview of proteomic changes in FSA and surrounding PTT with relevance for the human disease

Síndrome de Down: trajetórias do seu diagnóstico para os pais

Objetivo: identificar as reações e os sentimentos de pais de crianças com SD e a participação do enfermeiro perante o diagnóstico da síndrome. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado na Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais (APAE) de um município do Vale do Rio Pardo/RS. Os dados foram coletados em março de 2018 utilizando um questionário com questões semiestruturadas respondido por cinco pais de crianças com Síndrome de Down que frequentavam o grupo de Estimulação Precoce da APAE. Utilizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo como método de tratamento dos dados. Resultados: os casais receberam a notícia após o nascimento e junto de seus parceiros, sendo o médico o responsável pela informação. Identificou-se que o enfermeiro possui importância fundamental na realização das orientações sobre a saúde da criança e os cuidados necessários para os diferentes ciclos vitais. Conclusão: considera-se que o diagnóstico de SD ainda possui vários entraves na realidade dos pais entrevistados, principalmente em relação ao preconceito e falta de orientações em saúde. Faz-se necessário a realização de intervenções efetivas do enfermeiro para enfatizar o quanto a Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem (SAE) pode auxiliar no cuidado com a criança e a família

A COSTURA DO INVISÍVEL: COLEÇÃO E DESFILE DE JUM NAKAO

A temática deste artigo versa sobre a coleção e sua apresentação no desfile A Costura do Invisível, do estilista Jum Nakao, no contexto da moda. O objetivo é entender o processo criativo até a busca do sentido do banal, do efêmero, na vida cotidiana, em que Nakao introduz o papel como material de transição. A reflexão bakhtiniana leva a perceber que a coleção e o desfile, enquanto diálogo, criou trilhas de sentidos, culminando estrategicamente em um desfecho impactante no público, para um refletir sobre o efêmero. O artigo tem como problemática a estratégia usada na coleção e no desfile, articulada para causar impacto na plateia.Palavras-chave: Moda. Desfile. Narrativa. A Costura do Invisível. Jum Nakao. ABSTRACTThe theme of this article is about the collection and its presentation in the fashion show The Sewing of the Invisible, by the stylist Jum Nakao, in the context of fashion. The objective is to understand the creative process until the search for the meaning of the ephemeral, in daily life, in which Nakao introduces the paper as material of transition. The bakhtinian reflection leads us to realize that the collection and the show, as a dialogue, created trails of meaning, culminating strategically in an impactful end in the public, for a reflection on the ephemeral. The article has as problematic the strategy used in the collection and fashion show, articulated to cause impact in the audience.Keywords: Fashion. Fashion Show. Narrative. The Sewing of the Invisible. Jum Nakao

A Preliminary Study of Peer-to-Peer Human-Robot Interaction

The Peer-to-Peer Human-Robot Interaction (P2P-HRI) project is developing techniques to improve task coordination and collaboration between human and robot partners. Our work is motivated by the need to develop effective human-robot teams for space mission operations. A central element of our approach is creating dialogue and interaction tools that enable humans and robots to flexibly support one another. In order to understand how this approach can influence task performance, we recently conducted a series of tests simulating a lunar construction task with a human-robot team. In this paper, we describe the tests performed, discuss our initial results, and analyze the effect of intervention on task performance