Time-Dependent Fluid-Structure Interaction

The problem of determining the manner in which an incoming acoustic wave is scattered by an elastic body immersed in a fluid is one of central importance in detecting and identifying submerged objects. The problem is generally referred to as a fluid-structure interaction and is mathematically formulated as a time-dependent transmission problem. In this paper, we consider a typical fluid-structure interaction problem by using a coupling procedure which reduces the problem to a nonlocal initial-boundary problem in the elastic body with a system of integral equations on the interface between the domains occupied by the elastic body and the fluid. We analyze this nonlocal problem by the Lubich approach via the Laplace transform, an essential feature of which is that it works directly on data in the time domain rather than in the transformed domain. Our results may serve as a mathematical foundation for treating time-dependent fluid-structure interaction problems by convolution quadrature coupling of FEM and BEM

Educational expansion and income distribution. A Micro-Simulation for Ceará

Does more education really mean less poverty and less inequality? How much less? What are the transmission mechanisms? This paper presents the results of a micro-simulation exercise for the Brazilian State of Ceará, which suggests that broad-based policies aimed at increasing educational attainment would have substantial impacts on poverty reduction, but muted effects on inequality. These results are highly dependent on assumptions about the behaviour of returns to education, both for the distribution of earnings and for the distribution of household income per capita. A large share of the poverty reducing effect of more education operates through greater incentives for labour force participation among the poor, and through reductions in fertility. Both of these effects function largely through decisions made by poor women.education, poverty, inequality

Automated pick-up of suturing needles for robotic surgical assistance

Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is a treatment for prostate cancer that involves complete or nerve sparing removal prostate tissue that contains cancer. After removal the bladder neck is successively sutured directly with the urethra. The procedure is called urethrovesical anastomosis and is one of the most dexterity demanding tasks during RALP. Two suturing instruments and a pair of needles are used in combination to perform a running stitch during urethrovesical anastomosis. While robotic instruments provide enhanced dexterity to perform the anastomosis, it is still highly challenging and difficult to learn. In this paper, we presents a vision-guided needle grasping method for automatically grasping the needle that has been inserted into the patient prior to anastomosis. We aim to automatically grasp the suturing needle in a position that avoids hand-offs and immediately enables the start of suturing. The full grasping process can be broken down into: a needle detection algorithm; an approach phase where the surgical tool moves closer to the needle based on visual feedback; and a grasping phase through path planning based on observed surgical practice. Our experimental results show examples of successful autonomous grasping that has the potential to simplify and decrease the operational time in RALP by assisting a small component of urethrovesical anastomosis

Genomic analysis of eight native plasmids of the phytopathogen Pseudomonas syringae

Comunicación a conferenciaThe pPT23A family of plasmids (PFPs) appears to be indigenous to the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and these plasmids are widely distributed and widely transferred among pathovars of P. syringae and related species. PFPs are sources of accessory genes for their hosts that can include genes important for virulence and epiphytic colonization of plant leaf surfaces. Further understanding of the evolution of the pPT23A plasmid family and the role of these plasmids in P. syringae biology and pathogenesis, requires the determination and analysis of additional complete, closed plasmid genome sequences. Therefore, our main objective was to obtain complete genome sequences from PFPs from three different P. syringae pathovars and perform a comparative genomic analysis. In this work plasmid DNA isolation, purification by CsCl-EtBr gradients, and sequencing using 454 platform, were used to obtain the complete sequence of P. syringae plasmids. Different bioinformatic tools were used to analyze the plasmid synteny, to identify virulence genes (i.e. type 3 effectors) and to unravel the evolutionary history of PFPs. Our sequence analysis revealed that PFPs from P. syringae encode suites of accessory genes that are selected at different levels (universal, interpathovar and intrapathovar). The conservation of type IVSS encoding conjugation functions also contributes to the distribution of these plasmids within P. syringae populations. Thus, this study contributes to unravel the genetic basis of the role of PFPs in different P. syringae lifestyles.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Is vaping a low-risk substitute for cigarettes or an emerging epidemic?

In deciding how to regulate vaping and its advertising, policymakers face a conundrum due to the competing priorities of attracting long-term smokers to less harmful products and of preventing children and young people from taking up vaping. George Gaskell and Francisco Lupianez-Villanueva look at research findings that seek to determine the broader impact of vaping in the future

Digital Complex Correlator for a C-band Polarimetry survey

The international Galactic Emission Mapping project aims to map and characterize the polarization field of the Milky Way. In Portugal it will cartograph the C-band sky polarized emission of the Northern Hemisphere and provide templates for map calibration and foreground control of microwave space probes like ESA Planck Surveyor mission. The receiver system is equipped with a novel receiver with a full digital back-end using an Altera Field Programmable Gate Array, having a very favorable cost/performance relation. This new digital backend comprises a base-band complex cross-correlator outputting the four Stokes parameters of the incoming polarized radiation. In this document we describe the design and implementation of the complex correlator using COTS components and a processing FPGA, detailing the method applied in the several algorithm stages and suitable for large sky area surveys.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures; submitted to Experimental Astronomy, Springe

Comparative genomic analysis of native pseudomonas syringae plasmids belonging to the ppt23 a family reveals their role in p. Syringae epiphytic and pathogenic lifestyles

Backgrounds The pPT23A family of plasmids (PFPs) appears to be indigenous to the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and these plasmids are widely distributed and widely transferred among pathovars of P. syringae and related species. PFPs are sources of accessory genes for their hosts that can include genes important for virulence and epiphytic colonization of plant leaf surfaces. Objectives Further understanding of the evolution of the pPT23A plasmid family and the role of these plasmids in P. syringae biology and pathogenesis, requires the determination and analysis of additional complete, closed plasmid genome sequences. Therefore, our main objective was to obtain complete genome sequences of PFPs from three different P. syringae pathovars and perform a comprehensive comparative genomic analysis. Methods In this work plasmid DNA isolation, purification by CsCl-EtBr gradients, and sequencing using 454 platform, were carried out to obtain the complete sequence of P. syringae plasmids. Different bioinformatic tools were used to analyze the plasmid synteny, to identify virulence genes (i.e. type 3 effectors) and to unravel the evolutionary history of PFPs. Conclusions Our sequence analysis revealed that PFPs from P. syringae encode suites of accessory genes that are selected at different levels (universal, interpathovar and intrapathovar). The conservation of type IVSS encoding conjugation functions also contributes to the distribution of these plasmids within P. syringae populations. Thus, this study contributes to unravel the genetic bases of the role of PFPs in different P. syringae lifestyles. This work was supported by grants Proyecto de Excelencia, Junta de Andalucía (P07-AGR-02471; P12-AGR-1473) and by Michigan State University AgBioResearch.This work was supported by grants Proyecto de Excelencia, Junta de Andalucía (P07-AGR-02471; P12-AGR-1473) and by Michigan State University AgBioResearch; Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Smart Conversational Agents for Reminiscence

In this paper we describe the requirements and early system design for a smart conversational agent that can assist older adults in the reminiscence process. The practice of reminiscence has well documented benefits for the mental, social and emotional well-being of older adults. However, the technology support, valuable in many different ways, is still limited in terms of need of co-located human presence, data collection capabilities, and ability to support sustained engagement, thus missing key opportunities to improve care practices, facilitate social interactions, and bring the reminiscence practice closer to those with less opportunities to engage in co-located sessions with a (trained) companion. We discuss conversational agents and cognitive services as the platform for building the next generation of reminiscence applications, and introduce the concept application of a smart reminiscence agent