Live Demonstration: On the distance estimation of moving targets with a Stereo-Vision AER system

Distance calculation is always one of the most important goals in a digital stereoscopic vision system. In an AER system this goal is very important too, but it cannot be calculated as accurately as we would like. This demonstration shows a first approximation in this field, using a disparity algorithm between both retinas. The system can make a distance approach about a moving object, more specifically, a qualitative estimation. Taking into account the stereo vision system features, the previous retina positioning and the very important Hold&Fire building block, we are able to make a correlation between the spike rate of the disparity and the distance.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-10639-C04-0

On the Designing of Spikes Band-Pass Filters for FPGA

In this paper we present two implementations of spike-based bandpass filters, which are able to reject out-of-band frequency components in the spike domain. First one is based on the use of previously designed spike-based low-pass filters. With this architecture the quality factor, Q, is lower than 0.5. The second implementation is inspired in the analog multi-feedback filters (MFB) topology, it provides a higher than 1 Q factor, and ideally tends to infinite. These filters have been written in VHLD, and synthesized for FPGA. Two spike-based band-pass filters presented take advantages of the spike rate coded representation to perform a massively parallel processing without complex hardware units, like floating point arithmetic units, or a large memory. These low requirements of hardware allow the integration of a high number of filters inside a FPGA, allowing to process several spike coded signals fully in parallel.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-10639-C04-0

Spikes Monitors for FPGAs, an Experimental Comparative Study

In this paper we present and analyze two VHDL components for monitoring internal activity of spikes fired by silicon neurons inside FPGAs. These spikes monitors encode each spike according to the Address-Event Representation, sending them through a time multiplexed digital bus as discrete events, using different strategies. In order to study and analyze their behavior we have designed an experimental scenario, where diverse AER systems have been used to stimulate the spikes monitors and collect the output AER events, for later analysis. We have applied a battery of tests on both monitors in order to measure diverse features such as maximum spike load and AER event loss due to collisions.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-10639-C04-02Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-0

Musical notes classification with Neuromorphic Auditory System using FPGA and a Convolutional Spiking Network

In this paper, we explore the capabilities of a sound classification system that combines both a novel FPGA cochlear model implementation and a bio-inspired technique based on a trained convolutional spiking network. The neuromorphic auditory system that is used in this work produces a form of representation that is analogous to the spike outputs of the biological cochlea. The auditory system has been developed using a set of spike-based processing building blocks in the frequency domain. They form a set of band pass filters in the spike-domain that splits the audio information in 128 frequency channels, 64 for each of two audio sources. Address Event Representation (AER) is used to communicate the auditory system with the convolutional spiking network. A layer of convolutional spiking network is developed and trained on a computer with the ability to detect two kinds of sound: artificial pure tones in the presence of white noise and electronic musical notes. After the training process, the presented system is able to distinguish the different sounds in real-time, even in the presence of white noise.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2012-37868-C04-0

Simulating Building Blocks for Spikes Signals Processing

In this paper we will explain in depth how we have used Simulink with the addition of Xilinx System Generation to design a simulation framework for testing and analyzing neuro-inspired elements for spikes rate coded signals processing. Those elements have been designed as building blocks, which represent spikes processing primitives, combining them we have designed more complex blocks, which behaves like analog frequency filter using digital circuits. This kind of computation performs a massively parallel processing without complex hardware units. Spikes processing building blocks have been written in VHDL to be implemented for FPGA. Xilinx System Generator allows co-simulating VHDL entities together with Simulink components, providing an easy interface for presented building block simulations and analysis.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2009-10639-C04-0

Hematotoxicity of magnetite nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol: in vitro and in vivo studies

Accepted Manuscript.-- et al.Hematotoxicity of magnetite nanoparticles coated with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) has been evaluated by determining their safety in vitro and in vivo in a rat model up to 30 days after administration of a single dose. The in vitro analysis consists of global plasma coagulation (PT, aPTT, and fibrinogen) and platelet aggregation tests while the hematotoxicity studies in vivo include a complete blood count and the possible genotoxic effect analysis in the bone marrow hematopoietic function. Prolonged aPTT values indicate a higher anticoagulant effect for NP-DMSA compared with PEG-coated nanoparticles as a consequence of the higher surface charge of the former. The in vivo tests showed that these bioferrofluids do not cause genotoxic effects, affect erythropoiesis or increase the number of immature erythrocytes in the bone marrow at the analyzed dose. However, nanoparticle administration showed a significant effect on the leukocyte counts in animals treated with DMSA coated nanoparticles 24 h after injection. This response is not observed in animals treated with PEG modified nanoparticles which justifies the use of this polymer in biomasking strategies.L.M.A.A. acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation FPI research grants. Technical support from the University Hospital Lozano Blesa, Zaragoza, Spain and from María Angeles Gracia, Ana Isabel Martínez de Ternero, Maria Rosa Borrell Sanz. AR holds a predoctoral fellowship from a CSIC-CITMA collaborative project (B01CU2009; ICMM, 2011–2014) and a short-term fellowship from CNPq (DTI-2; 383934/2013-3). This work was partially supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MAT2011-23641 and MAT2011-25991).Peer Reviewe

Aprendizaje basado en proyectos: implementación de interfaces gráficas para microcontroladores ARM

Este artículo presenta la metodología empleada para dotar a nuestros alumnos, alumnos de la asignatura Diseño con Microcontroladores en el contexto del Máster de Ingeniería de Computadores y Redes de la Universidad de Sevilla, de la capacidad de diseñar y desarrollar sistemas empotrados integrados con interfaz gráfica. En la actualidad se ha extendido el uso de microcontroladores ARM de 32 bits, existiendo diversas familias y arquitecturas, además se han popularizado las pantallas basadas en la tecnología OLED. Debido a esta popularidad, resulta muy interesante la combinación de ambos dispositivos para la formación de la integración de sistemas empotrados con interfaz gráfica, ya que así se puede proporcionar una interactuación entre este tipo de sistemas y los usuarios. Este módulo didáctico ha sido bien acogido por el alumnado, ya que el manejo de los displays OLED les resulta muy atractivo y se plantean las técnicas de programación necesarias para la implementación de interfaces gráficas más complejas.SUMMARY -- This paper presents the methodology used to provide our students, students of the Design with Microcontrollers subject in the studies of Master of Computer Engineering and Networks at the University of Seville, with the capacity to design and to develop embedded systems with graphical interface. Today, the use of 32-bit ARM microcontrollers has been expanded, giving rise to the evolution of different families and architectures and the popularity of displays based on OLED technology. Because of this popularity, is very interesting the combination of both devices, as this can provide an interaction between these systems and users. This educational module has been well received by students, because the management of OLED displays is very attractive for them, and this module raises the programming techniques necessary for implementing complex graphical interfaces

Proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los fundamentos de programación mediante metodología ABP aplicando las herramientas ofrecidas por una plataforma de enseñanza virtual en cada fase del proceso

En este artículo se presenta la metodología empleada en la formación de los alumnos del Grado en Ingeniería Química Industrial, en la asignatura de Informática. Durante el desarrollo de dicho curso, estructurado en créditos teóricos y prácticos, se instruye a los alumnos en la metodología de la programación, formando a los alumnos en el pensamiento estructurado y lógico, que utilizarán para la implementación de algoritmos. Siguiendo la metodología ABP, se plantean problemas complejos semanalmente y mediante el empleo de la plataforma de enseñanza virtual Blackboard se sigue la evolución de los alumnos en estos problemas planteados y el aprovechamiento de las sesiones prácticas. En este artículo se presenta el proceso de enseñanzaaprendizaje desarrollado y se analizan las diferentes herramientas ofrecidas por dicha plataforma y cuáles nos han aportado mayores beneficios que problemas.SUMMARY -- This paper presents the methodology used in the teaching of students in the degree in Chemistry Engineering, in the subject of Information Technology. Along the development of the course, divided into theoretical and practical activities, students are instructed in the methodology of programming, training students in structured and logical thinking, which used to implement algorithms. By using the ABP methodology, complex problems are proposed weekly by using the Blackboard learning management system and the students evolution is followed and monitored. This paper exposes the teaching-learning process used and presents different tools offered by this platform, and how provides more benefits than problems.Peer Reviewe

La carne de caza es segura

El riesgo toxicológico por plomo derivado del consumo de carnes de caza es tolerable, recomendándose potenciar el consumo de este tipo de carnes por la población general