169 research outputs found
Continuous perception for deformable objects understanding
We present a robot vision approach to deformable object classification, with direct application to autonomous service robots. Our approach is based on the assumption that continuous perception provides robots with greater visual competence for deformable objects interpretation and classification. Our approach thus classifies the category of clothing items by continuously perceiving the dynamic interactions of the garmentâs material and shape as it is being picked up. Our proposed solution consists of extracting continuously visual features of a RGB-D video sequence and fusing features by means of the Locality Constrained Group Sparse Representation (LGSR) algorithm. To evaluate the performance of our approach, we created a fully annotated database featuring 150 garment videos in random configurations. Experiments demonstrate that by continuously observing an object deform, our approach achieves a classification score of 66.7%, outperforming state-of-the-art approaches by a ⌠27.3% increase
Iron as a tracer in galaxy clusters and groups
Available X-ray data are collected and organized concerning the iron and gas
content of galaxy clusters and groups, together with the optical luminosity,
mass and iron abundance of cluster galaxies. Several astrophysical inferences
are then drawn, including the evidence for rich clusters having evolved without
much baryon exchange with their surrondings, and having experienced very
similar star formation histories. Groups are much gas-poor compared to
clusters, and appear instead to have shed a major fraction of their original
cosmic share of baryons, which indicates that galaxy clusters cannot have
formed by assembling groups similar to the present day ones. It is argued that
this favors low- universes, in which the growth of rich clusters is
virtually complete at high redshifts. It is also argued that elemental
abundance ratios in clusters are nearly solar, which is consistent with a
similar proportion of supernovae of Type Ia and Type II having enriched both
the solar neghborhood as well clusters as a whole. Much of the iron in clusters
appears to reside in the intracluster medium rather than inside galaxies. It
appears that the baryon to star conversion in clusters has been nearly as
efficient as currently adopted for the universe as a whole. Yet the metallicity
of the clusters is times higher than the global metallicity adopted
for the nearby universe. It is concluded that the intergalactic medium should
have a metallicity solar if stellar nucleosynthesis has proceeded in
stars within field galaxies with the same efficiency as in stars within
clusters of galaxies.Comment: AASTex Latex, 29 pages, 6 figure
Structural basis of a redox-dependent conformational switch that regulates the stress kinase p38α
Many functional aspects of the protein kinase p38α have been illustrated by more than three hundred structures determined in the presence of reducing agents. These structures correspond to free forms and complexes with activators, substrates, and inhibitors. Here we report the conformation of an oxidized state with an intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys119 and Cys162 that is conserved in vertebrates. The structure of the oxidized state does not affect the conformation of the catalytic site, but alters the docking groove by partially unwinding and displacing the short αD helix due to the movement of Cys119 towards Cys162. The transition between oxidized and reduced conformations provides a mechanism for fine-tuning p38α activity as a function of redox conditions, beyond its activation loop phosphorylation. Moreover, the conformational equilibrium between these redox forms reveals an unexplored cleft for p38α inhibitor design that we describe in detail.© 2023. The Author(s)
Continuous production of xylooligosaccharides in a packed bed reactor with immobilizedâstabilized biocatalysts of xylanase from Aspergillus versicolor
Propuesta estratĂ©gica de mejora en la implementaciĂłn de los estĂĄndares mĂnimos del Sistema de la Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (SG-SST) en la Empresa CONSTRUMAS para el año 2020.
El presente trabajo tiene como finalidad dar a conocer la importancia de la Gerencia del Talento Humano e integrar los diferentes conceptos y temåticas relacionados para la elaboración de estrategias en donde se permita potenciar las organizaciones a través del desarrollo y retención del talento humano que las componen acordes con las necesidades de la organización y que contribuyen a la consecución de los objetivos organizacionalesThe purpose of this work is to publicize the importance of the Management of Human Talent and integrate the different concepts and related themes for the elaboration of strategies in which organizations are allowed to enhance through the development and retention of human talent that compose them according to the needs of the organization and that contribute to the achievement of organizational objective
Quality and Safety Aspects of Infant Nutrition
Quality and safety aspects of infant nutrition are of key importance for child health, but oftentimes they do not get much attention by health care professionals whose interest tends to focus on functional benefits of early nutrition. Unbalanced diets and harmful food components induce particularly high risks for untoward effects in infants because of their rapid growth, high nutrient needs, and their typical dependence on only one or few foods during the first months of life. The concepts, standards and practices that relate to infant food quality and safety were discussed at a scientific workshop organized by the Child Health Foundation and the Early Nutrition Academy jointly with the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and a summary is provided here. The participants reviewed past and current issues on quality and safety, the role of different stakeholders, and recommendations to avert future issues. It was concluded that a high level of quality and safety is currently achieved, but this is no reason for complacency. The food industry carries the primary responsibility for the safety and suitability of their products, including the quality of composition, raw materials and production processes. Introduction of new or modified products should be preceded by a thorough science based review of suitability and safety by an independent authority. Food safety events should be managed on an international basis. Global collaboration of food producers, food-safety authorities, paediatricians and scientists is needed to efficiently exchange information and to best protect public health. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base
Technology-assisted learning: A longitudinal field study of knowledge category, learning effectiveness and satisfaction in language learning
A field experiment compares the effectiveness and satisfaction associated with technology-assisted learning with that of face-to-face learning. The empirical evidence suggests that technology-assisted learning effectiveness depends on the target knowledge category. Building on Kolb\u27s experiential learning model, we show that technology-assisted learning improves students\u27 acquisition of knowledge that demands abstract conceptualization and reflective observation but adversely affects their ability to obtain knowledge that requires concrete experience. Technology-assisted learning better supports vocabulary learning than face-to-face learning but is comparatively less effective in developing listening comprehension skills. In addition, according to empirical tests, perceived ease of learning and learning community support significantly predict both perceived learning effectiveness and learning satisfaction. Overall, the results support our hypotheses and research model and suggest instructors should consider the target knowledge when considering technology-assisted learning options or designing a Web-based course. In addition, a supportive learning community can make technology-assisted learning easier for students and increase their learning satisfaction. © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Functional Analysis of the Phycomyces carRA Gene Encoding the Enzymes Phytoene Synthase and Lycopene Cyclase
Phycomyces carRA gene encodes a protein with two domains. Domain R is characterized by red carR mutants that accumulate lycopene. Domain A is characterized by white carA mutants that do not accumulate significant amounts of carotenoids. The carRA-encoded protein was identified as the lycopene cyclase and phytoene synthase enzyme by sequence homology with other proteins. However, no direct data showing the function of this protein have been reported so far. Different Mucor circinelloides mutants altered at the phytoene synthase, the lycopene cyclase or both activities were transformed with the Phycomyces carRA gene. Fully transcribed carRA mRNA molecules were detected by Northern assays in the transformants and the correct processing of the carRA messenger was verified by RT-PCR. These results showed that Phycomyces carRA gene was correctly expressed in Mucor. Carotenoids analysis in these transformants showed the presence of Ă-carotene, absent in the untransformed strains, providing functional evidence that the Phycomyces carRA gene complements the M. circinelloides mutations. Co-transformation of the carRA cDNA in E. coli with different combinations of the carotenoid structural genes from Erwinia uredovora was also performed. Newly formed carotenoids were accumulated showing that the Phycomyces CarRA protein does contain lycopene cyclase and phytoene synthase activities. The heterologous expression of the carRA gene and the functional complementation of the mentioned activities are not very efficient in E. coli. However, the simultaneous presence of both carRA and carB gene products from Phycomyces increases the efficiency of these enzymes, presumably due to an interaction mechanism
The Fourteenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: First Spectroscopic Data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey and from the second phase of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment
The fourth generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) has been in
operation since July 2014. This paper describes the second data release from
this phase, and the fourteenth from SDSS overall (making this, Data Release
Fourteen or DR14). This release makes public data taken by SDSS-IV in its first
two years of operation (July 2014-2016). Like all previous SDSS releases, DR14
is cumulative, including the most recent reductions and calibrations of all
data taken by SDSS since the first phase began operations in 2000. New in DR14
is the first public release of data from the extended Baryon Oscillation
Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS); the first data from the second phase of the
Apache Point Observatory (APO) Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE-2),
including stellar parameter estimates from an innovative data driven machine
learning algorithm known as "The Cannon"; and almost twice as many data cubes
from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA) survey as were in the previous
release (N = 2812 in total). This paper describes the location and format of
the publicly available data from SDSS-IV surveys. We provide references to the
important technical papers describing how these data have been taken (both
targeting and observation details) and processed for scientific use. The SDSS
website (www.sdss.org) has been updated for this release, and provides links to
data downloads, as well as tutorials and examples of data use. SDSS-IV is
planning to continue to collect astronomical data until 2020, and will be
followed by SDSS-V.Comment: SDSS-IV collaboration alphabetical author data release paper. DR14
happened on 31st July 2017. 19 pages, 5 figures. Accepted by ApJS on 28th Nov
2017 (this is the "post-print" and "post-proofs" version; minor corrections
only from v1, and most of errors found in proofs corrected
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