Neuromorphic tactile sensor array based on fiber Bragg gratings to encode object qualities

Emulating the sense of touch is fundamental to endow robotic systems with perception abilities. This work presents an unprecedented mechanoreceptor-like neuromorphic tactile sensor implemented with fiber optic sensing technologies. A robotic gripper was sensorized using soft and flexible tactile sensors based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) transducers and a neuro-bio-inspired model to extract tactile features. The FBGs connected to the neuron model emulated biological mechanoreceptors in encoding tactile information by means of spikes. This conversion of inflowing tactile information into event-based spikes has an advantage of reduced bandwidth requirements to allow communication between sensing and computational subsystems of robots. The outputs of the sensor were converted into spiking on-off events by means of an architecture implemented in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and applied to robotic manipulation tasks to evaluate the effectiveness of such information encoding strategy. Different tasks were performed with the objective to grant fine manipulation abilities using the features extracted from the grasped objects (i.e., size and hardness). This is envisioned to be a futuristic sensor technology combining two promising technologies: optical and neuromorphic sensing

An Improved Strategy for Detection and Localization of Nodules in Liver Tissues by a 16 MHz Needle Ultrasonic Probe Mounted on a Robotic Platform

This study presents an improved strategy for the detection and localization of small size nodules (down to few mm) of agar in excised pork liver tissues via pulse-echo ultrasound measurements performed with a 16 MHz needle probe. This work contributes to the development of a new generation of medical instruments to support robotic surgery decision processes that need information about cancerous tissues in a short time (minutes). The developed ultrasonic probe is part of a scanning platform designed for the automation of surgery-associated histological analyses. It was coupled with a force sensor to control the indentation of tissue samples placed on a steel plate. For the detection of nodules, we took advantage of the property of nodules of altering not only the acoustical properties of tissues producing ultrasound attenuation, but also of developing patterns at their boundary that can modify the shape and the amplitude of the received echo signals from the steel plate supporting the tissues. Besides the Correlation Index Amplitude (CIA), which is linked to the overall amplitude changes of the ultrasonic signals, we introduced the Correlation Index Shape (CIS) linked to their shape changes. Furthermore, we applied AND-OR logical operators to these correlation indices. The results were found particularly helpful in the localization of the irregular masses of agar we inserted into some excised liver tissues, and in the individuation of the regions of major interest over which perform the vertical dissections of tissues in an automated analysis finalized to histopathology. We correctly identified up to 89% of inclusions, with an improvement of about 14% with respect to the result obtained (78%) from the analysis performed with the CIA parameter only

Prescribing pattern of antibiotics in pediatric department of a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Prescription is an order from doctor for medicine. Rational use of medicines requires that "patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community". Irrational use of medicines is a major problem worldwide. This leads to serious morbidity and mortality also leads to reduction in the quality of treatment due to antibiotic resistance. Evaluation of prescribing pattern will help in minimizing adverse drug reactions, resistance among children. Also help to know the attitude of the physicians towards prescribing. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prescription pattern of antibiotics in paediatric inpatients of Hassan institute of Medical Sciences.Methods: A prospective study, conducted among 110 patients below the age of 18 years and being treated with antibiotics were included in our study. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Out of 110 patients, female (58) and male (52) are enrolled in the study from inpatient paediatrics department, majority of patients belonged to age group of 0-5 years (74%), respiratory tract infections 29 (35%) , gastrointestinal infections 26 (22%) and central nervous system in 9 (11%). Out of 227 antimicrobial agent, about 83.48% were cephalosporins, followed by ciprofloxicin (33.94%), amoxicillin (32.11%), and amikacin (6.42%).Conclusions: Cephalosporins (ceftriaxone) were most commonly used antibiotic, which covers gram positive, gram negative and anaerobic organism

Neuromorphic tactile sensor array based on fiber Bragg gratings to encode object qualities

Emulating the sense of touch is fundamental to endow robotic systems with perception abilities. This work presents an unprecedented mechanoreceptor-like neuromorphic tactile sensor implemented with fiber optic sensing technologies. A robotic gripper was sensorized using soft and flexible tactile sensors based on Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) transducers and a neuro-bio-inspired model to extract tactile features. The FBGs connected to the neuron model emulated biological mechanoreceptors in encoding tactile information by means of spikes. This conversion of inflowing tactile information into event-based spikes has an advantage of reduced bandwidth requirements to allow communication between sensing and computational subsystems of robots. The outputs of the sensor were converted into spiking on-off events by means of an architecture implemented in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and applied to robotic manipulation tasks to evaluate the effectiveness of such information encoding strategy. Different tasks were performed with the objective to grant fine manipulation abilities using the features extracted from the grasped objects (i.e., size and hardness). This is envisioned to be a futuristic sensor technology combining two promising technologies: optical and neuromorphic sensing

Haptic Glove and Platform with Gestural Control For Neuromorphic Tactile Sensory Feedback In Medical Telepresence

Advancements in the study of the human sense of touch are fueling the field of haptics. This is paving the way for augmenting sensory perception during object palpation in tele-surgery and reproducing the sensed information through tactile feedback. Here, we present a novel tele-palpation apparatus that enables the user to detect nodules with various distinct stiffness buried in an ad-hoc polymeric phantom. The contact force measured by the platform was encoded using a neuromorphic model and reproduced on the index fingertip of a remote user through a haptic glove embedding a piezoelectric disk. We assessed the effectiveness of this feedback in allowing nodule identification under two experimental conditions of real-time telepresence: In Line of Sight (ILS), where the platform was placed in the visible range of a user; and the more demanding Not In Line of Sight (NILS), with the platform and the user being 50 km apart. We found that the entailed percentage of identification was higher for stiffer inclusions with respect to the softer ones (average of 74% within the duration of the task), in both telepresence conditions evaluated. These promising results call for further exploration of tactile augmentation technology for telepresence in medical interventions

Enhanced Cardiac Regenerative Ability of Stem Cells After Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Role of Human CD34+ Cells Deficient in MicroRNA-377

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNA (miR) dysregulation in the myocardium has been implicated in cardiac remodeling after injury or stress.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the role of miR in human CD34+ cell (hCD34+) dysfunction in vivo after transplantation into the myocardium under ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) conditions.MethodsIn response to inflammatory stimuli, the miR array profile of endothelial progenitor cells was analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction–based miR microarray. miR-377 expression was assessed in myocardial tissue from human patients with heart failure (HF). We investigated the effect of miR-377 inhibition on an hCD34+ cell angiogenic proteome profile in vitro and on cardiac repair and function after I-R injury in immunodeficient mice.ResultsThe miR array data from endothelial progenitor cells in response to inflammatory stimuli indicated changes in numerous miR, with a robust decrease in the levels of miR-377. Human cardiac biopsies from patients with HF showed significant increases in miR-377 expression compared with nonfailing control hearts. The proteome profile of hCD34+ cells transfected with miR-377 mimics showed significant decrease in the levels of proangiogenic proteins versus nonspecific control–transfected cells. We also validated that serine/threonine kinase 35 is a target of miR-377 using a dual luciferase reporter assay. In a mouse model of myocardial I-R, intramyocardial transplantation of miR-377 silenced hCD34+ cells in immunodeficient mice, promoting neovascularization (at 28 days, post–I-R) and lower interstitial fibrosis, leading to improved left ventricular function.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that HF increased miR-377 expression in the myocardium, which is detrimental to stem cell function, and transplantation of miR-377 knockdown hCD34+ cells into ischemic myocardium promoted their angiogenic ability, attenuating left ventricular remodeling and cardiac fibrosis

Small Engine, Big Power: MicroRNAs as Regulators of Cardiac Diseases and Regeneration

Cardiac diseases are the predominant cause of human mortality in the United States and around the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to modulate a wide range of biological functions under various pathophysiological conditions. miRNAs alter target expression by post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Numerous studies have implicated specific miRNAs in cardiovascular development, pathology, regeneration and repair. These observations suggest that miRNAs are potential therapeutic targets to prevent or treat cardiovascular diseases. This review focuses on the emerging role of miRNAs in cardiac development, pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, cardiac regeneration and stem cell-mediated cardiac repair. We also discuss the novel diagnostic and therapeutic potential of these miRNAs and their targets in patients with cardiac diseases