An Energy-Based Approach for the Multi-Rate Control of a Manipulator on an Actuated Base

In this paper we address the problem of controlling a robotic system mounted on an actuated floating base for space applications. In particular, we investigate the stability issues due to the low rate of the base control unit. We propose a passivity-based stabilizing controller based on the time domain passivity approach. The controller uses a variable damper regulated by a designed energy observer. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated on a base-manipulator multibody simulation

Identifying seasonal distribution patterns of fin whales across the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula region using a novel approach combining habitat suitability models and ensemble learning methods

Following their near extirpation by industrial whaling of the 20th century, the population status of Southern Hemisphere fin whales (SHFW) remains unknown. Systematic surveys estimating fin whale abundance in the Southern Ocean are not yet available. Records of fin whale sightings have been collected by a variety of organisations over the past few decades, incorporating both opportunistic data and dedicated survey data. Together, these isolated data sets represent a potentially valuable source of information on the seasonality, distribution and abundance of SHFW. We compiled records across 40 years from the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea from multiple sources and used a novel approach combining ensemble learning and a maximum entropy model to estimate abundance and distribution of SHFW in this region. Our results show a seasonal distribution pattern with pronounced centres of distribution from January-March along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Our new approach allowed us to estimate abundance of SHFW for discrete areas from a mixed data set of mainly opportunistic presence only data

Identifying seasonal distribution patterns of fin whales across the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula region using a novel approach combining habitat suitability models and ensemble learning methods

Following their near extirpation by industrial whaling of the 20th century, the population status of Southern Hemisphere fin whales (SHFW) remains unknown. Systematic surveys estimating fin whale abundance in the Southern Ocean are not yet available. Records of fin whale sightings have been collected by a variety of organisations over the past few decades, incorporating both opportunistic data and dedicated survey data. Together, these isolated data sets represent a potentially valuable source of information on the seasonality, distribution and abundance of SHFW. We compiled records across 40 years from the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea from multiple sources and used a novel approach combining ensemble learning and a maximum entropy model to estimate abundance and distribution of SHFW in this region. Our results show a seasonal distribution pattern with pronounced centres of distribution from January-March along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Our new approach allowed us to estimate abundance of SHFW for discrete areas from a mixed data set of mainly opportunistic presence only data.publishedVersio

Synoviocyte-targeted therapy synergizes with TNF inhibition in arthritis reversal

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are joint-lining cells that promote rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathology. Current disease-modifying antirheumatic agents (DMARDs) operate through systemic immunosuppression. FLS-targeted approaches could potentially be combined with DMARDs to improve control of RA without increasing immunosuppression. Here, we assessed the potential of immunoglobulin-like domains 1 and 2 (Ig1&2), a decoy protein that activates the receptor tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPRS) on FLS, for RA therapy. We report that PTPRS expression is enriched in synovial lining RA FLS and that Ig1&2 reduces migration of RA but not osteoarthritis FLS. Administration of an Fc-fusion Ig1&2 attenuated arthritis in mice without affecting innate or adaptive immunity. Furthermore, PTPRS was down-regulated in FLS by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) via a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–mediated pathway, and TNF inhibition enhanced PTPRS expression in arthritic joints. Combination of ineffective doses of TNF inhibitor and Fc-Ig1&2 reversed arthritis in mice, providing an example of synergy between FLS-targeted and immunosuppressive DMARD therapies.publishedVersio

Identifying seasonal distribution patterns of fin whales across the Scotia Sea and the Antarctic Peninsula region using a novel approach combining habitat suitability models and ensemble learning methods

Following their near extirpation by industrial whaling of the 20th century, the population status of Southern Hemisphere fin whales (SHFW) remains unknown. Systematic surveys estimating fin whale abundance in the Southern Ocean are not yet available. Records of fin whale sightings have been collected by a variety of organisations over the past few decades, incorporating both opportunistic data and dedicated survey data. Together, these isolated data sets represent a potentially valuable source of information on the seasonality, distribution and abundance of SHFW. We compiled records across 40 years from the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea from multiple sources and used a novel approach combining ensemble learning and a maximum entropy model to estimate abundance and distribution of SHFW in this region. Our results show a seasonal distribution pattern with pronounced centres of distribution from January-March along the West Antarctic Peninsula. Our new approach allowed us to estimate abundance of SHFW for discrete areas from a mixed data set of mainly opportunistic presence only data

Role of Syk in Tyrosine Phosphorylation Changes Associated with Redox Signaling in T Cells

Obiettivi: Le Specie Reattive dell\u2019Ossigeno (ROS) sono importanti elementi del processo infiammatorio e sono coinvolti nel signaling cellulare. Questo progetto si propone di valutare se lo stress redox mediato dall\u2019ossidazione dei gruppi tiolici delle cisteine ha effetti sui Linfociti T, suscitando in essi cambiamenti fosforilativi in Tirosina e risposte cellulari specifiche. Risultati: I nostri dati mostrano che i linfociti T rispondono all\u2019ossidazione dei gruppi sulfidrilici con un caratteristico pattern fosforilativo in Tirosina. Il rilascio di citochine TNF, IFN-\u3b3 e IL2 da parte dei T Linfociti risulta condizionato dall\u2019ossidazione cos\uec come l'espressione di diversi recettori (CD69, CD62L, CD25, HLA-DR, CD45RA e CD45RO) \ue8 influenzata in modo specifico. Esperimenti con inibitori di Syk hanno mostrato che questa chinasi \ue8 coinvolta nei fenomeni fosforilativi citati. Importanza: anche se la letteratura ha gi\ue0 descritto un'associazione tra eventi ossidativi e la modulazione dell'immunit\ue0 innata, il ruolo del redox signaling nell\u2019immunit\ue0 adattativa mediata dai linfociti T non \ue8 ancora ben compreso. Questo lavoro descrive la presenza di una connessione tra l\u2019ossidazione dei residui di cisteina e le fosforilazioni in Tirosina che generano una serie di risposte funzionali. Conclusioni: i nostri esperimenti mettono in luce una relazione tra ossidazione dei gruppi sulfidrilici delle cisteine e fosforilazioni in Tirosina nei Linfociti T e un nuovo ruolo degli inibitori di Syk nell'esercitare la loro attivit\ue0 anti-infiammatoria attraverso l'inibizione di una risposta attivata dai ROS.Aims: reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are important elements of the inflammatory process and are involved in cell signaling events. This work aims at assessing if redox stress can be sensed by T cells through protein thiol oxidation, eliciting tyrosine phosphorylation changes and specific cellular responses. Results: our data show that T cells respond to \u2013SH groups oxidation with a distinctive tyrosine phosphorylation response. The release of T cell cytokines TNF, IFN\u3b3 and IL2 is affected by the oxidation. The expression of different receptors (CD69, CD62L, CD25, HLA-DR, CD45RA and CD45RO) is also affected in a specific way. Experiments with Syk inhibitors showed a major involvement of Syk. Importance: although previous reports have described an association between oxidative events and the modulation of innate immunity, the role of redox signaling in T cell mediated adaptive immunity is not well understood. This work shows the presence of a crosstalk between oxidation of cysteine residues and tyrosine phosphorylation changes, resulting in a series of functional events in T cells. Conclusions: our experiments demonstrate a link between cysteine oxidation and tyrosine phosphorylation changes in T cells and a novel role of Syk inhibitors in exerting their anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of a response initiated by ROS