Software Reference Architecture for CubeSats – A Direct Approach

Ever since the first CubeSat mission was launched, the concept and complexity of CubeSat missions has evolved at a pace that current operational system/doctrine cannot match. In an increasingly dynamic space economy, where small businesses have become the norm, innovative solutions that abstract away complexity and increase autonomy are fundamental to reduce operational costs. It is within this frame that the current study is presented. To address the need for a standardized software architecture of NewSpace companies, we first assess the European small satellite market needs through a survey with key players in the space sector. From this survey, we derive the high-level requirements, functionalities, and interfaces of a software architecture for CubeSats, the preferred platform due to its lower cost when compared with traditional platforms. Finally, we report the implementation results of a set of these components and show how they reflect design drivers

Use of Miltefosine in a Patient With Mucosal Leishmaniasis and HIV-coinfection: A Challenge in Long-Term Management

The management of mucosal leishmaniasis in immunocompromised patients is not standardized and limited data are available on the use of miltefosine for treatment and secondary prophylaxis. We describe a case of mucosal leishmaniasis in an HIV-coinfected patient treated with miltefosine due to a severe allergic reaction to liposomal amphotericin B

Workspace Analysis of a 4 Cable-Driven Spatial Parallel Robot

International audienceThis paper presents the static equilibrium workspace of an under-constrained cable-driven robot with four cables taking into account the forces and the moments due to the forces acting on the moving platform. The problem is formulated as a non-linear optimization problem with maintaining static equilibrium as the objective function. The simulations are done using MATLAB. The maximum force on the cables and tilting angle of the platform are used to define the feasible static equilibrium workspace and the results obtained are used to finalize the design of the collaborative cable-driven robot to be installed in existing production lines for the agile handling of parts in a manufacturing industry

Predicting respiratory failure in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 by admission sex-specific biomarkers

Background: Several biomarkers have been identified to predict the outcome of COVID-19 severity, but few data are available regarding sex differences in their predictive role. Aim of this study was to identify sex-specific biomarkers of severity and progression of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19. Methods: Plasma levels of sex hormones (testosterone and 17β-estradiol), sex-hormone dependent circulating molecules (ACE2 and Angiotensin1-7) and other known biomarkers for COVID-19 severity were measured in male and female COVID-19 patients at admission to hospital. The association of plasma biomarker levels with ARDS severity at admission and with the occurrence of respiratory deterioration during hospitalization was analysed in aggregated and sex disaggregated form. Results: Our data show that some biomarkers could be predictive both for males and female patients and others only for one sex. Angiotensin1-7 plasma levels and neutrophil count predicted the outcome of ARDS only in females, whereas testosterone plasma levels and lymphocytes counts only in males. Conclusions: Sex is a biological variable affecting the choice of the correct biomarker that might predict worsening of COVID-19 to severe respiratory failure. The definition of sex specific biomarkers can be useful to alert patients to be safely discharged versus those who need respiratory monitoring

Synergy between vitamin D and sex hormones in respiratory functionality of patients affected by COVID-19

The outcome of COVID-19 appears to be influenced by vitamin D status of population. Although epidemiological data indicate that COVID-19 produces more severe symptoms and higher mortality in elderly in comparison to young patients and in men in comparison to women to date sex and age differences in vitamin D status in infected patients have not been evaluated yet. In this study we evaluated the levels of circulating 25(OH)D in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 divided accordingly to their sex and age. We also correlated 25(OH)D levels with patient’s respiratory status (i.e., PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and with sex hormones plasma levels to analyze the potential relationship of these parameters. We found no significant differences in plasma levels of 25(OH)D between pre- and post-menopausal female patients and age matched male patients. Interestingly, the 25(OH)D plasma levels positively correlated to PaO2/FiO2 ratio only in young patients, regardless of their sex. We also found a significantly positive correlation between 17β-estradiol and 25(OH)D in elderly women and between testosterone and 25(OH)D in elderly men, supporting the role of sex hormones in maintaining 25(OH)D levels. In conclusion, we suggest that a synergy between vitamin D and sex hormones could contribute to the age-related outcome of COVID-19

Discrete Reconfigurations of Cable-Driven Parallel Robots

Les Robots Parallèles à Câbles (RPCs) sont des robots parallèles dont les jambes se composent de câbles. Les applications industrielles potentielles des RPCs sont nombreuses telles que le grenaillage et la peinture de structures massives et de grandes dimensions.La première partie de ce manuscrit est dédié à la modélisation des RPCs. Deux modèles élasto-statiques ont été introduits dans ce manuscrit, pour décrire le petit déplacement de la plate-forme mobile en raison de la nature non-rigide des câbles. Le modèle élasto-statique basé sur des câbles pesants a été exprimé en faisant la différence entre la matrice de raideur active et la matrice de raideur passive du RPC.La deuxième partie de ce manuscrit traite de l’analyse d’espaces de travail de RPCs vis-à-vis de leurs performances statiques et dynamiques. Deux nouveaux espaces de travail ont été définis : (i) l'Espace des Vitesses Générables (EVG);(ii) l’Espace de Travail Dynamique Amélioré (ETDA). La troisième partie de ce manuscrit décrit une stratégie de conception générique de RPCs et des Robots Parallèles à Câbles Reconfigurables (RPCRs). Les reconfigurations sont limitées uniquement aux points de sortie des câbles. Dans ce manuscrit, les points de sortie des câbles peuvent être placés dans une large mais limité ensemble de positions. La stratégie proposée envisage la possibilité de déplacer les points de sortie des câbles du RPCR sur une grille prédéfinie d'emplacements.La quatrième partie de ce manuscrit présente un algorithme pour calculer une stratégie de reconfiguration optimale pour les RPCRs. Cette stratégie peut être utilisée lorsque l'environnement de travail de RPCRs est extrêmement encombré et qu’il n'est pas possible de prévoir le nombre de configurations nécessaires pour compléter la tâche.L'efficacité de l'algorithme a été analysée en étudiant les reconfigurations d’un robot parallèle à câbles planaire et d’un robot parallèle à câbles spatial en lien avec des applications industrielles.Cable-Driven Parallel Robots (CDPRs) are parallel robots whose legs consist of cables. CDPRs may be used successfully in several industrial applications such as sandblasting and painting of large and heavy structures.The first part of this manuscript is dedicated to the modelling of CDPRs. Two elasto-static models have been introduced in this manuscript, in order to describe the small displacement of the moving platform due to the non-rigid nature of the cables. These models can be used for the modal analysis of the CDPRs, as well. The elasto-static model based on linear cables has been computed including the effect of the pulleys orienting the cables into the CDPR workspace.The second part of this manuscript deals with the investigation of the workspace of CDPRs, in terms of their moving platform static and dynamic equilibria, and in terms of their moving platform kinematic constraints. Two novel workspaces have been defined: (i) the Twist Feasible Workspace (TFW); (ii) the Improved Dynamic Feasible Workspace (IDFW). The third part of this manuscript describes a generic design strategy for CDPRs and a novel design strategy for Reconfigurable Cable-Driven Parallel Robots (RCDPRs). In this manuscript, reconfigurations are limited to the thedisplacement of the cable exit points, assuming the cables exit points can be installed on a large but finite set of locations.The fourth part of this manuscript introduces an algorithm to compute an optimal reconfiguration strategy for RCDPRs. This strategy can be used when the working environment of the RCDPR is extremely cluttered and when it is not possible to predict how many configurations are necessary to complete the task. The effectiveness of the algorithm hasbeen analysed by means of a planar and a spatial casestudies reproducing some industrial tasks