Evaluation of Edge AI Co-Processing Methods for Space Applications

The recent years spread of SmallSats offers several new services and opens to the implementation of new technologies to improve the existent ones. However, the communication link to Earth in order to process data often is a bottleneck, due to the amount of collected data and the limited bandwidth. A way to face this challenge is edge computing, which supposedly discards useless data and fasten up the transmission, and therefore the research has moved towards the study of COTS architectures to be used in space, often organized in co-processing setups. This thesis considers AI as application use case and two devices in a controller-accelerator configuration. It proposes to investigate the performances of co-processing methods such as simple parallel, horizontal partitioning and vertical partitioning, for a set of different tasks and taking advantage of different pre-trained models. The actual experiments regard only simple parallel and horizontal partitioning mode, and they compare latency and accuracy results with single processing runs on both devices. Evaluating the results task-by-task, image classification has the best performance improvement taking advantage of horizontal partitioning, with a clear accuracy improvement, as well as semantic segmentation, which shows almost stable accuracy and potentially higher throughput with smaller models input sizes. On the other hand, object detection shows a drop in performances, especially accuracy, which could maybe be improved with more specifically developed models for the chosen hardware. The project clearly shows how co-processing methods are worth of being investigated and can improve system outcomes for some of the analyzed tasks, making future work about it interesting

Generation of potent neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against cytomegalovirus infection from immune B cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated as a result of the immune response are likely to be the most effective therapeutic antibodies, particularly in the case of infectious diseases against which the immune response is protective.</p> <p>Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an ubiquitous opportunistic virus that is the most serious pathogenic agent in transplant patients. The available therapeutic armamentarium (e.g. HCMV hyperimmune globulins or antivirals) is associated with severe side effects and the emergence of drug-resistant strains; therefore, neutralizing human mAb may be a decisive alternative in the prevention of primary and re-activated HCMV infections in these patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to generate neutralizing mAb against HCMV from the immunological repertoire of immune donors. To this aim, we designed an efficient technology relying on two discrete and sequential steps: first, human B-lymphocytes are stimulated with TLR9-agonists and IL-2; second, after both additives are removed, the cells are infected with EBV. Using this strategy we obtained 29 clones secreting IgG neutralizing the HCMV infectivity; four among these were further characterized. All of the mAbs neutralize the infection in different combinations of HCMV strains and target cells, with a potency ~20 fold higher than that of the HCMV hyperimmune globulins, currently used in transplant recipients. Recombinant human monoclonal IgG1 suitable as a prophylactic or therapeutic tool in clinical applications has been generated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The technology described has proven to be more reproducible, efficient and rapid than previously reported techniques, and can be adopted at low overall costs by any cell biology laboratory for the development of fully human mAbs for immunotherapeutic uses.</p

Cardiac magnetic resonance predictors of left ventricular remodelling following acute ST elevation myocardial infarction: The VavirimS study

Left ventricular (LV) remodelling (REM) ensuing after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), has typically been studied by echocardiography, which has limitations, or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in early phase that may overestimate infarct size (IS) due to tissue edema and stunning. This prospective, multicenter study investigated LV-REM performing CMR in the subacute phase, and 6&nbsp;months after STEMI

The role of immune suppression in COVID-19 hospitalization: clinical and epidemiological trends over three years of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic

Specific immune suppression types have been associated with a greater risk of severe COVID-19 disease and death. We analyzed data from patients &gt;17 years that were hospitalized for COVID-19 at the “Fondazione IRCCS Ca′ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico” in Milan (Lombardy, Northern Italy). The study included 1727 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (1,131 males, median age of 65 years) hospitalized between February 2020 and November 2022. Of these, 321 (18.6%, CI: 16.8–20.4%) had at least one condition defining immune suppression. Immune suppressed subjects were more likely to have other co-morbidities (80.4% vs. 69.8%, p &lt; 0.001) and be vaccinated (37% vs. 12.7%, p &lt; 0.001). We evaluated the contribution of immune suppression to hospitalization during the various stages of the epidemic and investigated whether immune suppression contributed to severe outcomes and death, also considering the vaccination status of the patients. The proportion of immune suppressed patients among all hospitalizations (initially stable at &lt;20%) started to increase around December 2021, and remained high (30–50%). This change coincided with an increase in the proportions of older patients and patients with co-morbidities and with a decrease in the proportion of patients with severe outcomes. Vaccinated patients showed a lower proportion of severe outcomes; among non-vaccinated patients, severe outcomes were more common in immune suppressed individuals. Immune suppression was a significant predictor of severe outcomes, after adjusting for age, sex, co-morbidities, period of hospitalization, and vaccination status (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.23–2.19), while vaccination was a protective factor (OR: 0.31; 95% IC: 0.20–0.47). However, after November 2021, differences in disease outcomes between vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups (for both immune suppressed and immune competent subjects) disappeared. Since December 2021, the spread of the less virulent Omicron variant and an overall higher level of induced and/or natural immunity likely contributed to the observed shift in hospitalized patient characteristics. Nonetheless, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, likely in combination with naturally acquired immunity, effectively reduced severe outcomes in both immune competent (73.9% vs. 48.2%, p &lt; 0.001) and immune suppressed (66.4% vs. 35.2%, p &lt; 0.001) patients, confirming previous observations about the value of the vaccine in preventing serious disease

Effects of Physical Exercise on Endothelial Function and DNA Methylation

Essential hypertension is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. Epidemiological studies have shown that physical training can reduce blood pressure (BP), both in hypertensive and healthy individuals. Increasing evidence is emerging that DNA methylation is involved in alteration of the phenotype and of vascular function in response to environmental stimuli. We evaluated repetitive element and gene-specific DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes of 68 volunteers, taken before (T0) and after (T1) a three-month intervention protocol of continuative aerobic physical exercise. DNA methylation was assessed by bisulfite-PCR and pyrosequencing. Comparing T0 and T1 measurements, we found an increase in oxygen consumption at peak of exercise (VO2peak) and a decrease in diastolic BP at rest. Exercise increased the levels of ALU and Long Interspersed Nuclear Element 1 (LINE-1) repetitive elements methylation, and of Endothelin-1 (EDN1), Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS2), and Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF) gene-specific methylation. VO2peak was positively associated with methylation of ALU, EDN1, NOS2, and TNF; systolic BP at rest was inversely associated with LINE-1, EDN1, and NOS2 methylation; diastolic BP was inversely associated with EDN1 and NOS2 methylation. Our findings suggest a possible role of DNA methylation for lowering systemic BP induced by the continuative aerobic physical training program

Investigation of squaramide catalysts in the aldol reaction en route to funapide

Funapide is a 3,3’‐spirocyclic oxindole with promising analgesic activity. A reported pilot‐plant scale synthesis of this chiral compound involves an asymmetric aldol reaction, catalyzed by a common bifunctional thiourea structure. In this work, we show that the swapping of the thiourea unit of the catalyst for a tailored squaramide group provides an equally active, but rewardingly more selective, catalyst for this aldol reaction (from 70.5 to 85 % ee). The reaction was studied first on a model oxindole compound. Then, the set of optimal conditions was applied to the target funapide intermediate. The applicability of these conditions seems limited to oxindoles bearing the 3‐substituent of funapide. Exemplifying the characteristics of target‐focused methodological development, this study highlights how a wide‐range screening of catalysts and reaction conditions can provide non‐negligible improvements in an industrially viable asymmetric transformation.The authors acknowledge financial support from the University of Bologna (RFO program), MIUR (FFABR 2017), F.I.S. (Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (projects CTQ2017‐88091‐P (AEI/FEDER, UE) and PID2020‐117455GB‐I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and Gobierno de Aragón‐Fondo Social Europeo (Research Groups E07_20R). I. G. S. thanks the Obra Social de Ibercaja‐CAI for a mobility aid. Open Access Funding provided by Universita di Bologna within the CRUI‐CARE Agreement.Peer reviewe

The “Woggle” Technique for Venous Access Site Management: An Old Technique for a New Need

Background: Several closure devices are routinely used for percutaneous arterial access, while a relatively low number is available for the management of large bore venous accesses. The Woggle technique is a modification of the purse-string suture which was introduced several years ago in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: A population of 45 patients who underwent transvenous femoral structural heart interventions was retrospectively evaluated. The Woggle technique consists of a purge string suture with a collar to maintain the tension as stable over time and a suture lock to tighten the suture. Results: Sheaths magnitude ranged from 8 French (F) to 14 F. A rapid post-procedural hemostasis was achieved in the whole population, and in 95% of cases, definite hemostasis was obtained after the first single release; the mean time of release was 302 ± 83 min. Although no relevant bleedings were reported, a significant reduction in hemoglobin levels was found in the whole population. This decrement was statistically significant only in the group with sheaths higher than 12 F. A single mild local hematoma was recorded in the group in which smaller sheaths were used. Seventy-two percent of patients were pre-treated with a dual antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions: The Woggle technique has shown to be a simple, effective, and safe approach for the management of large bore venous in percutaneous structural heart interventions

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 correlate with HIV-1 encephalitis and local viral replication

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the CC-chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 could play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV infection of the central nervous system. This hypothesis was suggested by previous observations, including our finding of elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of this chemokine in patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) encephalitis. DESIGN AND METHODS CSF levels of MCP-1 were determined in 37 HIV-infected patients with neurological symptoms, and were compared with both the presence and severity of HIV-1 encephalitis at post-mortem examination and CSF HIV RNA levels. MCP-1 production by monocyte-derived macrophages was tested after in vitro infection of these cells by HIV. RESULTS CSF MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with (median, 4.99 ng/ml) than in those without (median, 1.72 ng/ml) HIV encephalitis. Elevated CSF MCP-1 concentrations were also found in patients with CMV encephalitis and with concomitant HIV and CMV encephalitis (median, 3.14 and 4.23 ng/ml, respectively). HIV encephalitis was strongly associated with high CSF MCP-1 levels (P = 0.002), which were also correlated to high HIV-1 RNA levels in the CSF (P = 0.007), but not to plasma viraemia. In vitro, productive HIV-1 infection of monocyte-derived macrophages upregulated the secretion of MCP-1. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these in vivo and in vitro findings support a model whereby HIV encephalitis is sustained by virus replication in microglial cells, a process amplified by recruitment of mononuclear cells via HIV-induced MCP-1