ACE 16k based stand-alone system for real-time pre-processing tasks

This paper describes the design of a programmable stand-alone system for real time vision pre-processing tasks. The system's architecture has been implemented and tested using an ACE16k chip and a Xilinx xc4028xl FPGA. The ACE16k chip consists basically of an array of 128×128 identical mixed-signal processing units, locally interacting, which operate in accordance with single instruction multiple data (SIMD) computing architectures and has been designed for high speed image pre-processing tasks requiring moderate accuracy levels (7 bits). The input images are acquired using the optical input capabilities of the ACE16k chip, and after being processed according to a programmed algorithm, the images are represented at real time on a TFT screen. The system is designed to store and run different algorithms and to allow changes and improvements. Its main board includes a digital core, implemented on a Xilinx 4028 Series FPGA, which comprises a custom programmable Control Unit, a digital monochrome PAL video generator and an image memory selector. Video SRAM chips are included to store and access images processed by the ACE16k. Two daughter boards hold the program SRAM and a video DAC-mixer card is used to generate composite analog video signal.European Commission IST2001 – 38097Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIC2003 – 09817- C02 – 01Office of Naval Research (USA) N00014021088

ACE16K: The Third Generation of Mixed-Signal SIMD-CNN ACE Chips Toward VSoCs

Today, with 0.18-μm technologies mature and stable enough for mixed-signal design with a large variety of CMOS compatible optical sensors available and with 0.09-μm technologies knocking at the door of designers, we can face the design of integrated systems, instead of just integrated circuits. In fact, significant progress has been made in the last few years toward the realization of vision systems on chips (VSoCs). Such VSoCs are eventually targeted to integrate within a semiconductor substrate the functions of optical sensing, image processing in space and time, high-level processing, and the control of actuators. The consecutive generations of ACE chips define a roadmap toward flexible VSoCs. These chips consist of arrays of mixed-signal processing elements (PEs) which operate in accordance with single instruction multiple data (SIMD) computing architectures and exhibit the functional features of CNN Universal Machines. They have been conceived to cover the early stages of the visual processing path in a fully-parallel manner, and hence more efficiently than DSP-based systems. Across the different generations, different improvements and modifications have been made looking to converge with the newest discoveries of neurobiologists regarding the behavior of natural retinas. This paper presents considerations pertaining to the design of a member of the third generation of ACE chips, namely to the so-called ACE16k chip. This chip, designed in a 0.35-μm standard CMOS technology, contains about 3.75 million transistors and exhibits peak computing figures of 330 GOPS, 3.6 GOPS/mm2 and 82.5 GOPS/W. Each PE in the array contains a reconfigurable computing kernel capable of calculating linear convolutions on 3×3 neighborhoods in less than 1.5 μs, imagewise Boolean combinations in less than 200 ns, imagewise arithmetic operations in about 5 μs, and CNN-like temporal evolutions with a time constant of about 0.5 μs. Unfortunately, the many ideas underlying the design of this chip cannot be covered in a single paper; hence, this paper is focused on, first, placing the ACE16k in the ACE chip roadmap and, then, discussing the most significant modifications of ACE16K versus its predecessors in the family.LOCUST IST2001—38 097VISTA TIC2003—09 817 - C02—01Office of Naval Research N000 140 210 88

Design of double functionalized carbon nanotube for amphotericin B and genetic material delivery.

In the present work, single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were successively functionalized with phospholipid DSPE-PEG carboxylic acid, and then, with ethylenediamine (EDA), to obtain double functionalized single wall carbon nanotube (DFSWCNT). Then, DFSWCNT was applied as a carrier for delivering amphotericin B (Amb) and EGFP plasmid. FSWCNT’s concentration obtained via UV–visible analysis was 0.99 mg/mL. The TGA analysis results provided the lost weights of DSPE-PEG-COOH, EDA, Amb and SWCNT impurities. XPS results showed that carbon atoms’ percentage decreased during the functionalization processes from 97.2% (SWCNT) to 76.4% (FSWCNT) and 69.9% (DFSWNCT). Additionally, the oxygen atoms’ percentage increased from 2.3% (SWCNT) to 21% and 22.5% for FSWCNT and DFSWCNT, respectively. New bonds such as C–N and N–C=O appeared in the synthesized nanocarrier. The IG/ID ratio in Raman analysis decreased from 7.15 (SWCNT) to 4.08 (FSWCNT). The amount of Amb released to phosphate buffer saline medium was about 33% at pH = 5.5 and 75% at pH = 7.4 after 48 h. CCK8 results confirmed that the toxicity of functionalized SWCNT had decreased. In a 2:1 ratio of DFSWCNT/EGFP plasmid, the cell viability (87%) and live transfected cells (56%) were at their maximum values. The results indicate that carbon nanotubes have the potential to be applied as drug/gene delivery systems with outstanding properties such as high loading capacity and easy penetration to cell membrane.This work was supported by the Basque Country Government (IT907-16). Additional funding was provided by the CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), an initiative of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)

Therapeutic Opportunities and Delivery Strategies for Brain Revascularization in Stroke, Neurodegeneration, and Aging

[EN] Central nervous system (CNS) diseases, especially acute ischemic events and neurodegenerative disorders, constitute a public health problem with no effective treatments to allow a persistent solution. Failed therapies targeting neuronal recovery have revealed the multifactorial and intricate pathophysiology underlying such CNS disorders as ischemic stroke, Alzheimers disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, vascular Parkisonism, vascular dementia, and aging, in which cerebral microvasculature impairment seems to play a key role. In fact, a reduction in vessel density and cerebral blood flow occurs in these scenarios, contributing to neuronal dysfunction and leading to loss of cognitive function. In this review, we provide an overview of healthy brain microvasculature structure and function in health and the effect of the aforementioned cerebral CNS diseases. We discuss the emerging new therapeutic opportunities, and their delivery approaches, aimed at recovering brain vascularization in this context. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The lack of effective treatments, mainly focused on neuron recovery, has prompted the search of other therapies to treat cerebral central nervous system diseases. The disruption and degeneration of cerebral microvasculature has been evidenced in neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and aging, constituting a potential target for restoring vascularization, neuronal functioning, and cognitive capacities by the development of therapeutic pro-angiogenic strategies.This work was supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) [Grant ESPDOC19/47] (postdoctoral fellowship to I.V.B.); and the Basque Country Government (Consolidated Groups) [Grant IT907-16]

An instrumental puzzle: the modular integration of AOLI

The Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager, AOLI, is an instrument developed to deliver the highest spatial resolution ever obtained in the visible, 20 mas, from ground-based telescopes. In AOLI a new philosophy of instrumental prototyping has been applied, based on the modularization of the subsystems. This modular concept offers maximum flexibility regarding the instrument, telescope or the addition of future developments.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, Proc. SPIE 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 99082Z (August 9, 2016

How Far Are Non-Viral Vectors to Come of Age and Reach Clinical Translation in Gene Therapy?

Efficient delivery of genetic material into cells is a critical process to translate gene therapy into clinical practice. In this sense, the increased knowledge acquired during past years in the molecular biology and nanotechnology fields has contributed to the development of different kinds of non-viral vector systems as a promising alternative to virus-based gene delivery counterparts. Consequently, the development of non-viral vectors has gained attention, and nowadays, gene delivery mediated by these systems is considered as the cornerstone of modern gene therapy due to relevant advantages such as low toxicity, poor immunogenicity and high packing capacity. However, despite these relevant advantages, non-viral vectors have been poorly translated into clinical success. This review addresses some critical issues that need to be considered for clinical practice application of non-viral vectors in mainstream medicine, such as efficiency, biocompatibility, long-lasting effect, route of administration, design of experimental condition or commercialization process. In addition, potential strategies for overcoming main hurdles are also addressed. Overall, this review aims to raise awareness among the scientific community and help researchers gain knowledge in the design of safe and efficient non-viral gene delivery systems for clinical applications to progress in the gene therapy field.This work was supported by the Basque Country Government (Department of Education, University and Research, Consolidated Groups IT907-16) and by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Grant PID2019-106199RB-C21). I.V.B. and M.S.R. thank the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) for the granted postdoctoral fellowship (ESPDOC19/47) and the granted pre-doctoral fellowship (PIF17/79), respectively. Additional funding was provided by the CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), an initiative of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII)

Induction of oestrus with progesterone, chorionic gonadotropin and antero-hipofisary extract in postpartum anoestrus dairy cows

El objetivo del presente estudio fue inducir la ciclicidad de vacas lecheras en anestro posparto tras la aplicación de dos extractos gonadotróficos (gonadotrofina coriónica equina eCG y extracto de pituitaria anterior equina HAP). Se trabajó con 7 planteles, ubicados en la región sur de Chile, en los cuales se seleccionaron 89 vacas en anestro con más 60 días de paridas. Las vacas seleccionadas fueron distribuidas aleatoriamente en 3 grupos; dos recibieron un dispositivo intravaginal con 1,38 g de progesterona por 7 días, uno de ellos recibió además 2 dosis de 50 mg de HAP al 7º y 8º días, y el otro grupo recibió 400 UI de eCG al 7º día. El tercer grupo fue el control sin tratamiento. La presentación de celos fue mayor (p<0,05) en los grupos que recibieron los tratamientos gonadotróficos, comparados con el grupo control. Se logró reducir significativamente el lapso tratamiento primer servicio en vacas tratadas con HAP (11,8 días) y eCG (13 días) respecto del control (34,2 días). Los porcentajes de ovulación en vacas tratadas con HAP (48,4%) y eCG (56,7%) superaron con significación estadística (p<0,05) a los controles (14,3%). Al finalizar el lapso tratamiento-concepción, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos tratados con HAP (16,7 días), eCG (20,8 días) y controles (31,7 días). La preñez total a los 25 días de concluido los tratamientos fue de 35,5%, 30% y 10,7% para los grupos HAP, eCG y control respectivamente. Los tratamientos gonadotróficos se revelan como herramientas útiles en el manejo reproductivo del anestro posparto en vacas lecheras.The aim of the present study was to induce oestrus in postpartum anoestrus dairy cows after the application of two hormonal treatments. With this purpose a group of 89 dairy cows in anoestrus, with 60 or more days from calving, were selected in the south region of Chile. The animals were randomly allocated in three groups. Groups 1 and 2 received an intravaginal device with 1.38 g of progesterone for 7 days. Group 1 received two doses of 50 mg of horse anterior pituitary extract (HAP) on days 7 and 8, and group 2 received 400 UI of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on day 7. Group 3 was left as control, without treatment. Oestrus induction was evaluated by two times daily detection and was statistically higher (p<0.05) in cows that received gonadotrophic treatments (groups 1 and 2) compared to control cows. The treatments significantly reduced the interval treatment to first service in cows that receive HAP (11.8 days) and eCG (13 days), compared to control cows (34.2 days). The percentage of ovulated cows was greater in the groups receiving HAP (48.4%) and eCG (56.7%) compared to controls (14.3%). The pregnancy rate was significantly improved (p<0.05) within 25 days in cows treated with HAP (35.5%) over the control group (10.7%). The gonadotrophic treatments may be useful tools for the reproductive management of postpartum anestrus in dairy cows.Fil: kizur, A.. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Garrido, María José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Konrad, José Luis. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Producción Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Crudeli, Gustavo Angel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Departamento de Producción Animal; ArgentinaFil: Gatica García, R.. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chil

Current Insights into 3D Bioprinting: An Advanced Approach for Eye Tissue Regeneration

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a game changer technology that holds great promise for a wide variety of biomedical applications, including ophthalmology. Through this emerging technique, specific eye tissues can be custom-fabricated in a flexible and automated way, incorporating different cell types and biomaterials in precise anatomical 3D geometries. However, and despite the great progress and possibilities generated in recent years, there are still challenges to overcome that jeopardize its clinical application in regular practice. The main goal of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of the current status and implementation of 3D bioprinting technology in the ophthalmology field in order to manufacture relevant tissues such as cornea, retina and conjunctiva. Special attention is paid to the description of the most commonly employed bioprinting methods, and the most relevant eye tissue engineering studies performed by 3D bioprinting technology at preclinical level. In addition, other relevant issues related to use of 3D bioprinting for ocular drug delivery, as well as both ethical and regulatory aspects, are analyzed. Through this review, we aim to raise awareness among the research community and report recent advances and future directions in order to apply this advanced therapy in the eye tissue regeneration field.This research was fundedby the Basque Country Government (Department of Education, University and Research, Consolidated Groups IT907-16 and grant number PRE_2020_2_0143), and forms part of the Nanogrow project RTC-2017-6696-1. Additional funding was provided by the CIBER of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), and initiative of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), post-doctoral grant number ESPDOC19/47). The APC was funded by the Basque Country Government (Department of Education, University and Research, Consolidated Groups IT907-16)

Laboratory and telescope demonstration of the TP3-WFS for the adaptive optics segment of AOLI

AOLI (Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager) is a state-of-art instrument that combines adaptive optics (AO) and lucky imaging (LI) with the objective of obtaining diffraction limited images in visible wavelength at mid- and big-size ground-based telescopes. The key innovation of AOLI is the development and use of the new TP3-WFS (Two Pupil Plane PositionsWavefront Sensor). The TP3-WFS, working in visible band, represents an advance over classical wavefront sensors such as the Shack-Hartmann WFS (SH-WFS) because it can theoretically use fainter natural reference stars, which would ultimately provide better sky coverages to AO instruments using this newer sensor. This paper describes the software, algorithms and procedures that enabled AOLI to become the first astronomical instrument performing real-time adaptive optics corrections in a telescope with this new type of WFS, including the first control-related results at the William Herschel Telescope (WHT)This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy under the projects AYA2011-29024, ESP2014-56869-C2-2-P, ESP2015-69020-C2-2-R and DPI2015-66458-C2-2-R, by project 15345/PI/10 from the Fundación Séneca, by the Spanish Ministry of Education under the grant FPU12/05573, by project ST/K002368/1 from the Science and Technology Facilities Council and by ERDF funds from the European Commission. The results presented in this paper are based on observations made with the William Herschel Telescope operated on the island of La Palma by the Isaac Newton Group in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. Special thanks go to Lara Monteagudo and Marcos Pellejero for their timely contributions