A Review of Sensor Technologies for Perception in Automated Driving

After more than 20 years of research, ADAS are common in modern vehicles available in the market. Automated Driving systems, still in research phase and limited in their capabilities, are starting early commercial tests in public roads. These systems rely on the information provided by on-board sensors, which allow to describe the state of the vehicle, its environment and other actors. Selection and arrangement of sensors represent a key factor in the design of the system. This survey reviews existing, novel and upcoming sensor technologies, applied to common perception tasks for ADAS and Automated Driving. They are put in context making a historical review of the most relevant demonstrations on Automated Driving, focused on their sensing setup. Finally, the article presents a snapshot of the future challenges for sensing technologies and perception, finishing with an overview of the commercial initiatives and manufacturers alliances that will show future market trends in sensors technologies for Automated Vehicles.This work has been partly supported by ECSEL Project ENABLE- S3 (with grant agreement number 692455-2), by the Spanish Government through CICYT projects (TRA2015- 63708-R and TRA2016-78886-C3-1-R)

Source camera attribution via PRNU emphasis: Towards a generalized multiplicative model

The photoresponse non-uniformity (PRNU) is a camera-specific pattern, which acts as unique fingerprint of any imaging sensor and thus is widely adopted to solve multimedia forensics problems such as device identification or forgery detection. Customarily, the theoretical analysis of this fingerprint relies on a multiplicative model for the denoising residuals. This setup assumes that the nonlinear mapping from scene irradiance to preprocessed luminance, that is, the composition of the Camera Response Function (CRF) with the digital preprocessing pipeline, is a gamma correction. However, this assumption seldom holds in practice. In this paper, we improve the multiplicative model by including the influence of this nonlinear mapping, termed PRNU emphasis, on the denoising residuals. On the theoretical side, we conduct first an exploratory analysis to show that the response of typical cameras deviates from a gamma correction. We also propose a regularized least squares estimator to measure this effect. On the practical side, we argue that the PRNU emphasis is especially beneficial for a source camera attribution problem with cropped images. We back our argument with an extensive empirical evaluation using different denoisers and both compressed and uncompressed images. This new model will pave the way to future PRNU estimators and detectors.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2019-105717RB-C21Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2021/47Universidade de Vigo/CISU

An Overview of STS-132 MRM1 Cargo Element Thermal Model Development and Analyses

STS-132 was launched in May 2010 and delivered the Russian Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1) cargo element to the International Space Station as part of the ULF-4 assembly flight. The cargo element consisted of the module outfitted with externally mounted Multi-purpose Laboratory Module (MLM) Airlock, MLM radiator, Portable Work Platform (PWP), and a European Robotic Arm (ERA) spare elbow. Prior to every Shuttle flight, hardware developers are required to determine compatibility of their hardware to thermal environments experienced during the Shuttle mission and once the element is integrated with the ISS. Thermal models are provided to the Shuttle program to determine the impact of the payload on the Orbiter hardware, as well as the ISS program to determine impacts on other ISS payloads in the Orbiter. Historically the Russian International Partner (IP) develops models in formats not compatible with software used by Space Shuttle or ISS programs. This prompted NASA and Lockheed Martin to develop a unique set of thermal models for the MRM1 cargo element. Subsequent ULF-4 mission analyses performed with the models assessed the launch to activation response, identified operational criteria documented in flight rules, and ensured compliance with the mission timeline and no hazards to the crew, orbiter, or ISS. This presentation provides an overview of the work performed, depicts unique approaches in model development, discusses lessons learned, and issue resolution approaches. Though development and analysis efforts spanned over four years and presented various integration challenges it provided an example of successful collaboration with our International Partners

Crystallization of PNIPAM-hydrogel nanospheres inferred by static light scattering

In this paper we present a kinetic study on crystallization of a colloidal dispersion formed by thermosensitive Poly-N- Isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) nanospheres. The liquid-crystal transition is induced by decreasing the temperature of the dispersion and the crystallization process is monitored by measuring the evolution of the static structure factor of the dispersion by means of light scattering techniques. The measured static structure factor confirms the formation of a mesoscopic crystal array at the final equilibrium state, which is preceded by two stages: nucleation and crystal growth

Gout. Imaging of gout: findings and utility

Imaging is a helpful tool for clinicians to evaluate diseases that induce chronic joint inflammation. Chronic gout is associated with changes in joint structures that may be evaluated with diverse imaging techniques. Plain radiographs show typical changes only in advanced chronic gout. Computed tomography may best evaluate bone changes, whereas magnetic resonance imaging is suitable to evaluate soft tissues, synovial membrane thickness, and inflammatory changes. Ultrasonography is a tool that may be used in the clinical setting, allowing evaluation of cartilage, soft tissues, urate crystal deposition, and synovial membrane inflammation. Also ultrasound-guided puncture may be useful for obtaining samples for crystal observation. Any of these techniques deserve some consideration for feasibility and implementation both in clinical practice and as outcome measures for clinical trials. In clinical practice they may be considered mainly for evaluating the presence and extent of crystal deposition, and structural changes that may impair function or functional outcomes, and also to monitor the response to urate-lowering therapy

The spider fauna from Uruguay River islands : understanding its role in a biological corridor

Biological corridors are connections which link habitats in a regional scale, allowing the gene flow between populations. The Uruguay River comprises riverside and insular riparian forests along subtropical to temperate zones passing through different biogeographic provinces. The aim of this study was to characterise the spider fauna from the Uruguay River islands highlighting their connection role for the spider community of riparian forest. Spiders were studied from surveys in a fluvial island of the southern course of the river with nine campaigns being carried out from September 2007 to September 2009. Three complementary collecting methods were used: G-Vac, night hand collecting and pitfall traps. A total of 58 samples were taken in each campaign. A total of 33 families, 145 species/morphospecies and 8 guilds were registered. Theridiidae and space web weavers showed the highest abundance and species richness. Web weavers were predominant in the spider community evidencing the importance of the forest vegetation heterogeneity in spider diversity. Fifteen species have been recorded for the first time for Uruguay. Additional data of previous surveys in the northern islands of the river were analysed and compared. Several species confirm the role of the Uruguay River as a biological corridor from the upper to lower course of the river. The riparian forests from the islands constitute a southernmost intromission of Paranaense biota between Chaco and Pampa regions along the river. The results obtained are an important input for the conservation of these areas. Knowing the biodiversity, as well as its dynamics and the flow of biota that exists in these environments, would allow planning the management from a regional point of view

Araneae, Deinopidae, Deinopis amica Schiapelli and Gerschman, 1957 : first record for Uruguay and distribution map

This is the first record for the species Deinopis amica and for the family Deinopidae in Uruguay. The present study expands the known distribution of the species to the lower Uruguay River. Data on natural history of the species is provided

A Randomized, Open-Label, Two-Way Crossover, Single-Dose Bioequivalence Study of Temozolomide 200 mg/m2 (Dralitem® vs. Temodal® Capsules) in Patients with Primary Tumors of the Central Nervous System Under Fasting Conditions

Background: Temozolomide is an antineoplastic agent of proven efficacy against high-grade gliomas. Purpose: The objective of this crossover, single-dose, bioequivalence study was to compare the rate and extent of absorption of oral temozolomide after administration of the study product (Dralitem®, Monte Verde Sociedad Anónima) and the reference product (Temodal®, originator product manufactured by Schering Plough Laboratories) in patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors under fasting conditions. Methods: Sixteen male and female subjects with primary CNS tumors (excluding CNS lymphoma) were recruited, and were administered temozolomide 200 mg/m2 (Dralitem®) on days 1, 2 and 5 of a 5-day treatment. On days 3 and 4, subjects received the same dose of the test product (Dralitem®), or the reference product (Temodal®) on alternate days. The single dose of 200 mg/m2 was reached with three different temozolomide capsule strengths: 20, 100 and 250 mg. On days 3 and 4, blood samples were obtained for pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluation after drug administration. Results: Bioequivalence assessment was made for the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio of log-transformed means (μT/μR) of the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC from time zero to the final quantifiable sample [AUCt] and AUC from time zero to infinity [AUC∞]) and maximum concentration (Cmax) of both the test (Dralitem®) and reference (Temodal®) products. The point estimate and 90% CI of the ratios of Cmax, AUCt and AUC∞ values were 94.37 (82.69–107.69), 100.99 (97.81–104.28) and 101.53 (98.60–104.54), respectively. The ratio met the predefined bioequivalence criteria (i.e. 90% CI between 80.00 and 125.00) for Cmax and AUC. The most commonly reported adverse events (AE) on this study were vomiting, abdominal pain, asthenia and weakness. One subject experienced expressive aphasia, possibly unrelated to the study drug and with no significant sequelae upon recovery. No serious AEs or unexpected AEs were reported. Conclusions: Temozolomide Dralitem® capsules, 20, 100 and 250 mg, were bioequivalent to Temodal® capsules under fasting conditions in patients with CNS primary tumors, supporting that they are therapeutic equivalents. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02343081.Fil: Muggeri, Alejandro. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Vago, Miguel. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; Argentina. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Sebastian Ezequiel. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; Argentina. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; ArgentinaFil: Rubio, Marcelo. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; Argentina. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; ArgentinaFil: González, Cecilia. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; Argentina. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; ArgentinaFil: Magariños, Cristian. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; Argentina. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; ArgentinaFil: Rosenberg, Mónica. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; Argentina. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; ArgentinaFil: Costa, Fernando. Laboratorios Raffo S.A; Argentina. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Secretaría de Investigación. Centro de Altos Estudios En Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud - Sede Buenos Aires.; ArgentinaFil: Perez Lloret, Santiago. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; Argentin

Insights into the speleogenesis of Ejulve cave (Iberian Range, NE Spain): quaternary hydrothermal karstification?

We provide first insights into the speleogenesis of Ejulve cave (Teruel province, Iberian Range, NE Spain) by studying cave morphologies and cave deposits, combined with regional geomorphological and hydrothermal observations. Three main hydrogeomorphic evolutionary stages can be distinguised to explain the origin and evolution of the Ejulve endokarstic system. Cave pattern and cave solutional features (calcite vein fillings, tubes with rising ceiling cupolas, pendants and cusps, spongework and micro-corrosion features) suggest that the cave generated in a phreatic environment by ascending water. Cave morphologies and regional hydrothermal springs in this region suggest, but not prove, the involvement of thermal waters and related convection and condensation-corrosion mechanisms in the origin of the cave. Subsequently, the cave underwent a change to epigenic conditions driven by denudation, as a result of regional uplift. Once the karstic system was exhumated, carbonate speleothems formed in a vadose environment. Mineralogical, petrographic, isotopic and chronological (U-series dating) analyses of carbonate speleothems (i.e. stalagmites, flowstones, botryoids, spars, acicular crystals and farmed carbonate) are provided. Calcite, high-Mg calcite and aragonite are the most common minerals, whereas columnar, dendritic, micrite, mosaics and fans are the main fabrics. Mean delta O-18 values of - 7.3 parts per thousand and delta C-13 values of - 9.1 parts per thousand indicate carbonate precipitation from meteoric waters without a hydrothermal origin. Carbonate deposits formed at least since 650 ka BP. Our study suggests that hydrothermal fluid flow may explain, although the evidences are not fully conclusive, the speleogenesis of this cave