Exploring Double Field Theory

We present a flux formulation of Double Field Theory, in which geometric and non-geometric fluxes are dynamical and field-dependent. Gauge consistency imposes a set of quadratic constraints on the dynamical fluxes, which can be solved by truly double configurations. The constraints are related to generalized Bianchi Identities for (non-)geometric fluxes in the double space, sourced by (exotic) branes. Following previous constructions, we then obtain generalized connections, torsion and curvatures compatible with the consistency conditions. The strong constraint-violating terms needed to make contact with gauged supergravities containing duality orbits of non-geometric fluxes, systematically arise in this formulation.Comment: To appear in JHE

FuSSI-Net: Fusion of Spatio-temporal Skeletons for Intention Prediction Network

Pedestrian intention recognition is very important to develop robust and safe autonomous driving (AD) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functionalities for urban driving. In this work, we develop an end-to-end pedestrian intention framework that performs well on day- and night- time scenarios. Our framework relies on objection detection bounding boxes combined with skeletal features of human pose. We study early, late, and combined (early and late) fusion mechanisms to exploit the skeletal features and reduce false positives as well to improve the intention prediction performance. The early fusion mechanism results in AP of 0.89 and precision/recall of 0.79/0.89 for pedestrian intention classification. Furthermore, we propose three new metrics to properly evaluate the pedestrian intention systems. Under these new evaluation metrics for the intention prediction, the proposed end-to-end network offers accurate pedestrian intention up to half a second ahead of the actual risky maneuver.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures, 5 tables, IEEE Asilomar SS

Magnetic Field Generated by the Loops Used in Traffic Control Systems

[EN] In this paper, a detailed study about the value, in any point of space P(x, y, z), of the magnetic field generated by a rectangular loop that carries a current I has been made. The analysis focuses on the study of rectangular magnetic loops that are used as sensors in traffic control systems. The inductance of magnetic loops is calculated numerically in three different ways, and the optimal way of performing the numerical summation is derived, which takes into account the magnetic field singularity on the conductor itself. The calculations also take into account the distance between the different turns in the loop. Later, the results are compared with the most commonly used empirical methods for inductance calculation. This paper shows the great similarity between empirical and numerically calculated results and concludes with the experimental verification and validation of the obtained theoretical results. Thus, both the system to evaluate the results and the proposed numerical methods for inductance calculation can be used in other loops geometries. This methodology can also be used for the mutual inductance calculation that appears between a buried loop and any kind of vehicle geometry, whose oscillation frequency variation determines the magnetic signature. The mutual inductance calculation can be used to determine the signal level that can be exchanged between the loops on the pavement and those on the vehicle, which in turn can be used as a short-range communication system between vehicles and infrastructures, with applications such as vehicles classification, speed measurements, or communication between vehicles.This work was supported in part by the Ministry of Education of Spain and in part the company ETRA I+D S.A.Mocholí Salcedo, A.; Arroyo-Núñez, JH.; Milian-Sanchez, VM.; Palomo-Anaya, MJ.; Arroyo-Nunez, A. (2017). Magnetic Field Generated by the Loops Used in Traffic Control Systems. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. 18(8):2126-2136. https://doi.org/10.1109/TITS.2016.2632972S2126213618

Thin polymerized C60 coatings deposited in electrostatic field via electron-beam dispersion of fullerite

The aim of the present study is to clarify the charge composition of fullerite C60 electron-beam dispersion (EBD) products and investigate the influence of fullerene ions and electrons on the structure of the deposited coatings by applying an additional electrostatic field to the substrates. It was found that C60 EBD products contain positive fullerene ions and electrons. By using Raman and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, laser desorption/ionization mass-spectrometry and atomic force microscopy, it was shown that the assistance of the electrons additionally accelerated up to 300 eV results in the formation of a mixture of dumb-bell- and peanut-shaped C60 polymers. The assistance of the positive fullerene ions additionally accelerated up to 300 eV leads to the formation of highly cross-linked random 3D networks of covalently bonded fullerene molecules.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure

Robotic repair of vesicovaginal fistulae with the transperitoneal-transvaginal approach: A case series

ABSTRACT ARTICLE INFO ______________________________________________________________ ______________________ Objective: To describe a novel technique of repairing the VVF using the transperitoneal-transvaginal approach. Materials and Methods: From June 2011 to October 2013, four patients with symptoms of urine leakage in the vagina underwent robotic repair of VVF with the transperitoneal-transvaginal approach. Cystoscopy revealed the fistula opening on the bladder. A ureteral stent was placed through the fistulous tract. After trocar placement, the omental flap was prepared and mobilized robotically. The vagina was identified and incised. The fistulous tract was excised. Cystorrhaphy was performed in two layers in an interrupted fashion. The vaginal opening was closed with running stitches. The omentum was interposed and anchored between the bladder and vagina. Finally, the ureteral catheters were removed in case they have been placed, and an 18 Fr urethral catheter was removed on the 14th postoperative day. Results: The mean age was 46 years (range: 41 to 52 years). The mean fistula diameter was 1.5 cm (range 0.3 to 2 cm). The mean operative time was 117.5 min (range: 100 to 150 min). The estimated blood loss was 100 mL (range: 50 to 150 mL). The mean hospital stay was 1.75 days (range: 1 to 3 days). The mean Foley catheter duration was 15.75 days (range: 10 to 25 days). There was no evidence of recurrence in any of the cases. Conclusions: The robot-assisted laparoscopic transperitoneal transvaginal approach for VVF is a feasible procedure when the fistula tract is identified by first intentionally opening the vagina, thereby minimizing the bladder incision and with low morbidity

Identification of Altered Evoked and Non-Evoked Responses in a Heterologous Mouse Model of Endometriosis-Associated Pain

The aim of this study was to develop and refine a heterologous mouse model of endometriosis-associated pain in which non-evoked responses, more relevant to the patient experience, were evaluated. Immunodeficient female mice (N = 24) were each implanted with four endometriotic human lesions (N = 12) or control tissue fat (N = 12) on the abdominal wall using tissue glue. Evoked pain responses were measured biweekly using von Frey filaments. Non-evoked responses were recorded weekly for 8 weeks using a home cage analysis (HCA). Endpoints were distance traveled, social proximity, time spent in the center vs. outer areas of the cage, drinking, and climbing. Significant differences between groups for von Frey response, climbing, and drinking were detected on days 14, 21, and 35 post implanting surgery, respectively, and sustained for the duration of the experiment. In conclusion, a heterologous mouse model of endometriosis-associated evoked a non-evoked pain was developed to improve the relevance of preclinical models to patient experience as a platform for drug testing

Evidências cientificas sobre o uso de Cromonas (Cromoglicatos) no tratamento da Asma / Scientific evidence on the use of Chromones (Cromoglycates) in the treatment of Asthma

As drogas, cromolina sódica e nedocromil, são comumente agrupadas como cromonas, também chamadas de cromoglicatos. As cromonas são listadas como terapias alternativas de controle inicial para asma leve em diretrizes nacionais e internacionais, embora os glicocorticóides inalatórios sejam os agentes preferidos. A baixa incidência de efeitos colaterais em comparação com os glicocorticóides inalatórios é a principal razão pela qual alguns pacientes preferem os cromonas aos glicocorticóides inalatórios. O cromoglicato e o nedocromil inalados agem prevenindo as respostas asmáticas precoces e tardias aos alérgenos e irritantes inalados, como exercícios físicos e ar frio. Esses agentes podem ser administrados profilaticamente 10 a 15 minutos antes da exposição a um desencadeador de asma conhecido, eles não têm propriedades broncodilatadoras agudas, ao contrário dos beta-agonistas de curta duração.  As cromonas também podem ser administradas regularmente como terapia de controle anti-inflamatório na asma persistente leve. As cromonas, embora menos eficazes que os glicocorticóides inalados, são virtualmente desprovidas de efeitos colaterais sistêmicos, eles podem ser agentes controladores alternativos ou aditivos desejáveis em crianças pequenas ou pacientes que não toleram ou não desejam tomar glicocorticóides inalatórios.