Lattice Boltzmann Models with Mid-Range Interactions \ud \ud

An extension of the standard Shan-Chen model for non ideal-fluids, catering for mid-range, soft-core and hard-core repulsion, is investigated. It is shown that the inclusion of such mid-range interactions does not yield any visible enhancement of the density jump across the dense and light phases. Such an enhancement can however be obtained by tuning the exponents of the effective interaction. The results also indicate that the inclusion of soft-core repulsion can prevent the coalescence of neighborhood bubbles, thereby opening the possibility of tailoring the size of multi-droplet configurations, such as sprays and related phase-separating fluids. \ud \u

Smart Bulbs can be Hacked to Hack into your Household

The IoT is getting more and more pervasive. Even the simplest devices, such as a light bulb or an electrical plug, are made "smart" and controllable by our smartphone. This paper describes the findings obtained by applying the PETIoT kill chain to conduct a Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing session on a smart bulb, the Tapo L530E by Tp-Link, currently best seller on Amazon Italy. We found that four vulnerabilities affect the bulb, two of High severity and two of Medium severity according to the CVSS v3.1 scoring system. In short, authentication is not well accounted for and confidentiality is insufficiently achieved by the implemented cryptographic measures. In consequence, an attacker who is nearby the bulb can operate at will not just the bulb but all devices of the Tapo family that the user may have on her Tapo account. Moreover, the attacker can learn the victim's Wi-Fi password, thereby escalating his malicious potential considerably. The paper terminates with an outline of possible fixes

Reverting Immune Suppression to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy.

Tumors employ strategies to escape immune control. The principle aim of most cancer immunotherapies is to restore effective immune surveillance. Among the different processes regulating immune escape, tumor microenvironment-associated soluble factors, and/or cell surface-bound molecules are mostly responsible for dysfunctional activity of tumor-specific CD

Estudio climático para la caracterización de las condiciones de exposición a la humedad atmosférica en fachadas de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos

Uno de los muchos desafíos en la construcción de viviendas hoy en día es el diseño de las fachadas, las cuales están sometidas directamente a condiciones adversas producidas por fenómenos meteorológicos como el viento y la lluvia. La combinación de ambos fenómenos provoca el humedecimiento de las fachadas, generando de este modo numerosos síndromes en los edificios y molestias en sus usuarios. Para solventar los problemas ocasionados por la humedad, el Código de Edificación de la Vivienda de México, no contempla ni estipula las condiciones de diseño que las fachadas deben cumplir en concordancia con la solicitación a la humedad estimada sobre las mismas, siendo el cálculo de dicha solicitación, un factor clave para asegurar el correcto diseño y operatividad de los cerramientos exteriores. Este estudio pretende obtener una caracterización precisa del grado de impermeabilidad requerido en tres estados mexicanos, mediante la aplicación de métodos internacionalmente aceptados, tratando así de mejorar y complementar los documentos técnicos empleados en el citado Código de Edificación. Se procederá al análisis y registro de datos diarios de velocidad y dirección de viento así como de la intensidad de precipitación en numerosas estaciones meteorológicas de los estados de Aguascalientes, Durango y Zacatecas. Mediante la aplicación de distintos métodos de cálculo se identificará la exposición de las fachadas a la lluvia batiente, así como a la presión eólica simultánea que acompaña a dicha exposición. Como resultado, se generará un mapa de isolíneas, a través del programa Allplan 2016, que permitirá identificar gráficamente las zonas más expuestas a sufrir estos síndromes de la edificación. Además, se comparan los resultados obtenidos con los de otros países ya analizados

La tecnología lítica tallada del modo 3 del abrigo de Benzú (norte de Africa). Enmarque en su territorio inmediato

The rock-shelter of Benzú is located near the city of Ceuta in North Africa. The Benzú rock-shelter contains a sequence of 7 archaeological levels, which are associated with a clearly defined Mode 3 lithic technology. The similarities with other assemblages found in the south of the Iberian Peninsula are clear. We must also emphasise the exploitation of marine resources by these hunter-gatherer societies from the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene sequence. On the basis of this archaeological evidence and in the context of recent studies on North Africa, this work assesses the possible relationships and contacts between societies on both shores of the historical region of the Straits of Gibraltar.El Abrigo de Benzú está situado en la ciudad de Ceuta, en el norte de África. Cuenta con una secuencia de 7 estratos con tecnología muy definida de Modo 3-Paleolítico Medio. Las similitudes con los conjuntos del sur de la Península Ibérica son significativas. Destacamos también la explotación de recursos marinos por sociedades cazadoras-recolectoras desde el inicio de la secuencia en el Pleistoceno Medio. Con estas bases arqueológicas y el contexto de estudios recientes en la región norteafricana valoramos las posibles relaciones y contactos entre las sociedades de las dos orillas de la región geohistórica del Estrecho de Gibraltar

Amplifying the Effects of Contrast Agents on Magnetic Resonance Images Using a Deep Learning Method Trained on Synthetic Data

OBJECTIVES: Artificial intelligence (AI) methods can be applied to enhance contrast in diagnostic images beyond that attainable with the standard doses of contrast agents (CAs) normally used in the clinic, thus potentially increasing diagnostic power and sensitivity. Deep learning-based AI relies on training data sets, which should be sufficiently large and diverse to effectively adjust network parameters, avoid biases, and enable generalization of the outcome. However, large sets of diagnostic images acquired at doses of CA outside the standard-of-care are not commonly available. Here, we propose a method to generate synthetic data sets to train an "AI agent" designed to amplify the effects of CAs in magnetic resonance (MR) images. The method was fine-tuned and validated in a preclinical study in a murine model of brain glioma, and extended to a large, retrospective clinical human data set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A physical model was applied to simulate different levels of MR contrast from a gadolinium-based CA. The simulated data were used to train a neural network that predicts image contrast at higher doses. A preclinical MR study at multiple CA doses in a rat model of glioma was performed to tune model parameters and to assess fidelity of the virtual contrast images against ground-truth MR and histological data. Two different scanners (3 T and 7 T, respectively) were used to assess the effects of field strength. The approach was then applied to a retrospective clinical study comprising 1990 examinations in patients affected by a variety of brain diseases, including glioma, multiple sclerosis, and metastatic cancer. Images were evaluated in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio and lesion-to-brain ratio, and qualitative scores. RESULTS: In the preclinical study, virtual double-dose images showed high degrees of similarity to experimental double-dose images for both peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index (29.49 dB and 0.914 dB at 7 T, respectively, and 31.32 dB and 0.942 dB at 3 T) and significant improvement over standard contrast dose (ie, 0.1 mmol Gd/kg) images at both field strengths. In the clinical study, contrast-to-noise ratio and lesion-to-brain ratio increased by an average 155% and 34% in virtual contrast images compared with standard-dose images. Blind scoring of AI-enhanced images by 2 neuroradiologists showed significantly better sensitivity to small brain lesions compared with standard-dose images (4.46/5 vs 3.51/5). CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic data generated by a physical model of contrast enhancement provided effective training for a deep learning model for contrast amplification. Contrast above that attainable at standard doses of gadolinium-based CA can be generated through this approach, with significant advantages in the detection of small low-enhancing brain lesions.</p

Quantitative comparison between amyloid deposition detected by (99m)Tc-Diphosphonate imaging and myocardial deformation evaluated by strain echocardiography in transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis.

Methods and results 28 patients with transthyretin mutation and a group of 14 controls underwent echocardiography to quantify left ventricular (LV) dimensions and function, and global (G) longitudinal (L), radial (R) and circumferential (C) strain (S). 99mTc-3, 3-diphosphono-1, 2-propanodicarboxylic-acid-scintigraphy (99mTc-DPD) was used to quantify cardiac amyloidosis (CA). 99mTc-DPD revealed accumulation in 14 of 28 patients (CA-group) and no accumulation (no CA-group) in 14 patients. Cardiac accumulation was mild-moderate in 5 (Mild-Moderate CA-group) and severe in 9 patients (Severe CA-group). Severe CA-group showed higher values of LV septal thickness (LVST), posterior wall thickness and E/E' ratio than the no CA-group and the control group (adj. p<0.05). Ejection fraction was similar among groups (p=0.65). GLS was lower (p=<0.001) in severe CA-group (-12.2 ± 4.5) respect to no CA-group (-19.3 ± 3.0) and to the control group (-20.9 ± 2.5). On the contrary, GCS and GRS were lower (p=<0.05) in mild-moderate CA-group (-10.8 ± 4.1 and 9.5 ± 5.7, respectively) respect to the severe CA-group (-18.9 ± 5.1 and 23.9 ± 6.3 respectively), no CA-group (-19.2 ± 4.1 and 28.4 ± 10.2 respectively) and the control group (-23.9 ± 4.4 and 29.9 ± 8.7 respectively). A correlation was found between the scintigraphic heart retention (HR) index and LVST (r=0.72; p<0.001) and E/E' (r=0.46; p=0.03). An inverse tendency was observed between HR and GLS (r=−0.40; p=0.06)

Middle Paleolithic Mode 3 lithic technology in the rock shelter Benzú (North Africa) and its inmediate enviromental relationships

Artículo sobre la tecnología de Modo 3 en Benzú y su relación con el ecosistema adyacente

La ocupación prehistórica e histórica del complejo "Cueva Enrique" (Ceuta). Síntesis de las actuaciones arqueológicas.

Artículo de síntesis sobre las actuaciones en Cueva Enrique