Integrating Olfaction in a Robotic Telepresence Loop

In this work we propose enhancing a typical robotic telepresence architecture by considering olfactory and wind flow information in addition to the common audio and video channels. The objective is to expand the range of applications where robotics telepresence can be applied, including those related to the detection of volatile chemical substances (e.g. land-mine detection, explosive deactivation, operations in noxious environments, etc.). Concretely, we analyze how the sense of smell can be integrated in the telepresence loop, covering the digitization of the gases and wind flow present in the remote environment, the transmission through the communication network, and their display at the user location. Experiments under different environmental conditions are presented to validate the proposed telepresence system when localizing a gas emission leak at the remote environment.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Evaluation of Using Semi-Autonomy Features in Mobile Robotic Telepresence Systems

Mobile robotic telepresence systems used for social interaction scenarios require that users steer robots in a remote environment. As a consequence, a heavy workload can be put on users if they are unfamiliar with using robotic telepresence units. One way to lessen this workload is to automate certain operations performed during a telepresence session in order to assist remote drivers in navigating the robot in new environments. Such operations include autonomous robot localization and navigation to certain points in the home and automatic docking of the robot to the charging station. In this paper we describe the implementation of such autonomous features along with user evaluation study. The evaluation scenario is focused on the first experience on using the system by novice users. Importantly, that the scenario taken in this study assumed that participants have as little as possible prior information about the system. Four different use-cases were identified from the user behaviour analysis.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Plan Nacional de Investigación, proyecto DPI2011-25483

La comprensión lectora y el rendimiento académico en las áreas de comunicación y matemáticas en estudiantes del tercer grado de primaria de la institución educativa Nº 2022 Los Olivos, año 2012

El propósito de este trabajo de investigación es establecer la Relación entre la Comprensión Lectora y el Rendimiento Académico en las áreas de comunicación y matemáticas de los estudiantes del tercer grado de primaria de la I.E.2022, Los Olivos, Lima, 2012. El método de investigación fue no experimental, descriptivo- diseño descriptivo correlacional. La muestra no fue necesaria estimar su tamaño porque se trabajo con toda la población de tipo censal, conformada por 78 estudiantes del tercer grado de primaria de ambos sexos de la I. E. 2022, Los Olivos, Lima, 2012. Se aplicó una prueba para recoger información sobre la comprensión lectora, y dos prueba para medir la variable rendimiento académico en las áreas de comunicación y matemáticas a los estudiantes con el objetivo de conocer los niveles de rendimiento y una encuesta para obtener información sobre la caracterización de la muestra. Llegándose a establecer que existe una relación positiva y significativa entre la comprensión lectora y el rendimiento académico en las áreas de comunicación y matemáticas, además se establece que existe una relación positiva y significativa entre la comprensión literal de la comprensión lectora y el rendimiento académico en las áreas de comunicación y matemáticas, una relación positiva y significativa entre la reorganización de la información de la comprensión lectora y el rendimiento académico, relación positiva y significativa entre la comprensión inferencial de la comprensión lectora y el rendimiento académico y finalmente existe una relación significativa entre la comprensión critica de la comprensión lectora y el rendimiento entre las áreas de comunicación y matemáticas

Modelling appearance and geometry from images

Acquisition of realistic and relightable 3D models of large outdoor structures, such as buildings, requires the modelling of detailed geometry and visual appearance. Recovering these material characteristics can be very time consuming and needs specially dedicated equipment. Alternatively, surface detail can be conveyed by textures recovered from images, whose appearance is only valid under the originally photographed viewing and lighting conditions. Methods to easily capture locally detailed geometry, such as cracks in stone walls, and visual appearance require control of lighting conditions, which are usually restricted to small portions of surfaces captured at close range.This thesis investigates the acquisition of high-quality models from images, using simple photographic equipment and modest user intervention. The main focus of this investigation is on approximating detailed local depth information and visual appearance, obtained using a new image-based approach, and combining this with gross-scale 3D geometry. This is achieved by capturing these surface characteristics in small accessible regions and transferring them to the complete façade. This approach yields high-quality models, imparting the illusion of measured reflectance. In this thesis, we first present two novel algorithms for surface detail and visual appearance transfer, where these material properties are captured for small exemplars, using an image-based technique. Second, we develop an interactive solution to solve the problems of performing the transfer over both a large change in scale and to the different materials contained in a complete façade. Aiming to completely automate this process, a novel algorithm to differentiate between materials in the façade and associate them with the correct exemplars is introduced with promising results. Third, we present a new method for texture reconstruction from multiple images that optimises texture quality, by choosing the best view for every point and minimising seams. Material properties are transferred from the exemplars to the texture map, approximating reflectance and meso-structure. The combination of these techniques results in a complete working system capable of producing realistic relightable models of full building façades, containing high-resolution geometry and plausible visual appearance.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Surfactant Protein C Deficiency in a Puerto Rican Adolescent With a Rare SFTPC Genetic Variant

Surfactant protein C (SP-C) is a hydrophobic lipoprotein necessary for lowering alveolar surface tension and lung defense mechanisms. Defects in its function due to genetic mutations in the SFTPC gene have been increasingly identified in patients presenting with childhood interstitial lung disease. SFTPC mutations are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with reduced penetration and variable expressivity, although de novo mutations have also been documented. In this article, we present the case of an oxygen-dependent 13-year-old male with interstitial lung disease and severe pulmonary hypertension. Genetic analysis and lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of SP-C deficiency with the rare heterozygous mutation IVS4+2. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of SP-C deficiency in the Puerto Rican population and the second worldwide with the IVS4+2 genetic mutation

Effect of Boriding on the Mechanical Properties of AISI 1045 Steel

Efecto en las propiedades mecánicas de un acero borurado 1045.Some mechanical properties of AISI 1045 borided steels were estimated in the present work. The boriding process was carried out by the powder pack method at 950°C with 8 h of treatment. The fatigue strength on borided notched specimens was evaluated with rotating bending tests (R=1) considering a stress concentration factor (Kt) of 2.53. Likewise, the presence of residual stresses in boride layers was established by the XRD technique. The Daimler-Benz Rockwell C test was used, also, to estimate the strength adhesion of the coated system. The results show a decrease in the fatigue strength of AISI borided steels due to the presence of high porosity in the layers. Finally, the Rockwell-C adhesion test showed no coating failure for the boride layer

Natural killer cells act as an extrinsic barrier for <i>in vivo</i> reprogramming

The ectopic expression of transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and Myc (OSKM) enables reprogramming of differentiated cells into pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Methods based on partial and reversible in vivo reprogramming are a promising strategy for tissue regeneration and rejuvenation. However, little is known about the barriers that impair reprogramming in an in vivo context. We report that natural killer (NK) cells significantly limit reprogramming, both in vitro and in vivo. Cells and tissues at the intermediate states of reprogramming upregulate the expression of NK activating ligands, such as MULT1 and ICAM1. NK cells recognize and kill partially reprogrammed cells in a degranulation-dependent manner. Importantly, in vivo partial reprogramming is strongly reduced by adoptive transfer of NK cells, whereas it is significantly improved by depletion of NK cells. Notably, in the absence of NK cells, the pancreatic organoids derived from OSKM-expressing mice are remarkably large, suggesting the generation of cells with progenitor properties. We conclude that NK cells pose an important barrier for in vivo reprogramming, and this concept may apply to other contexts of transient cellular plasticity