Low-Power Tracking Image Sensor Based on Biological Models of Attention

This paper presents implementation of a low-power tracking CMOS image sensor based on biological models of attention. The presented imager allows tracking of up to N salient targets in the field of view. Employing "smart" image sensor architecture, where all image processing is implemented on the sensor focal plane, the proposed imager allows reduction of the amount of data transmitted from the sensor array to external processing units and thus provides real time operation. The imager operation and architecture are based on the models taken from biological systems, where data sensed by many millions of receptors should be transmitted and processed in real time. The imager architecture is optimized to achieve low-power dissipation both in acquisition and tracking modes of operation. The tracking concept is presented, the system architecture is shown and the circuits description is discussed

Forming low-cost, high quality carbon tows for automotive application.

Carbon fiber reinforced composites are widely used in many industries due to their high performance. Its application in the aerospace industry has increased significantly, however, in mass produced automobile sector it is still limited. The current production of carbon fiber tow is slow and capital intensive. Thus, carbon manufactures produce higher tow counts to increase production rate to reduce its cost. In order to offset the higher cost of carbon fiber composite, an innovative and unique approach has been developed. The higher tow count carbon spools are split into smaller tow counts. Due to the delicate nature of carbon fiber, it is important to control the filamentation during that process. Different splitting process line strategies have been developed in this research work for understanding the process limitations and challenges involved. The process was made feasible for production by developing a fully automated process line with a laser feedback system. The system splits a 12K spool into two 6K tows. The quality of the 6K split tows has been determined statistically by recording real time data from the laser during the splitting process. It was demonstrated that the proposed process effectively controls filamentation and produces consistent tow quality.Company research funding by Bentley Motors Limite

Evaluating the possible applications of social robots in the manufacturing industry: A guide in what aspects to consider in implementation of cognitive agents

The increasing use of automation in organisations and production systems generates a need for further research and development of strategies for complimentary technology as well as models for such applications and implementations to better interact the human with automated systems (Fereidunian, Lucas & Lesani et al 2007). Social robots are primarily used in interaction-heavy fields of application in comparison to industrial robots, and the benefits or possible ramification of a broader use not yet fully investigated (Scheutz 2012). Additionally, while service robots are becoming an increasingly large portion of the robotics market there is a notable lack of frameworks and methods for how to actually use and prioritise technology and its features for human-centred use. Looking to existing and future needs requires a subsequent outline for organisations to use as insight into what aspects of service robots, intelligent automation or virtual agents they could utilise (Belanche Casaló, Flavián & Schepers 2019). To evaluate the possible implementation of social robots in the technical industry there is need to investigate what concepts would be viable at all and which could have a beneficial effect in a production system or organisation. The foundation for this is previous research in fields relevant to social robots such as levels of automation, game-based learning and Human- Robot Interaction (HRI). The framework for implementation investigates possibilities offered by HRI, concepts of knowledge management and implementation of innovation. Implementing social robotics is a major undertaking in the industry today and has mainly reached other fields such as the educational system, healthcare and customer service. It is therefore important to try and map the most important factors for a theoretical framework in a technical industry using what has been established so far and what can be improved and added to make it a viable alternative to existing solutions in a production environment. By looking at in what way companies are already using this technology and its benefits and need for improvement, we can assess what function and features are important in various aspects of use. In summary, we try and navigate what features of a social robot can play a role in selected areas of the technical industry and production line. The features of a social robots investigated are based on a Furhat robot, consisting of a conversational AI (Conversational User Interface – CUI), adaptable facial features and speaker voice as well as a camera for gaze following behaviour. We categorize the manufacturing industry into common roles of a production line and evaluate possible concepts through those. The framework for eventual concepts is made up of research of previous implementations as well as management of innovation

Synthetic Triterpenoids Can Protect Against Toxicity Without Reducing the Efficacy of Treatment with Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Experimental Lung Cancer

Synthetic oleanane triterpenoids are multifunctional drugs being developed for the prevention and treatment of a variety of chronic diseases driven by inflammation and oxidative stress. Low nanomolar concentrations of triterpenoids inhibit the induction of inflammatory cytokines, and these drugs are potent activators of the Nrf2 cytoprotective pathway. In contrast, low micromolar concentrations of triterpenoids increased the production of ROS and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in malignant MCF10 CA1a breast cancer cells. Because cancer cells respond differently to ROS than normal cells, it should be possible to exploit these differences therapeutically. In an experimental model of lung cancer, the triterpenoids activated the Nrf2 pathway, as seen by induction of the cytoprotective enzyme NQO1, and reduced the toxicity of carboplatin and paclitaxel. The induction of the Nrf2 pathway in the lung did not suppress the efficacy of treatment with carboplatin and paclitaxel, as the average tumor burden in the group treated with the combination of CDDO-Me and carboplatin/paclitaxel decreased by 90% (P \u3c 0.05 vs. the controls and both single treatment groups). Understanding the dose response of triterpenoids and related drugs will help provide the proper context for optimizing their potential clinical utility

A translational synthetic biology platform for rapid access to gram-scale quantities of novel drug-like molecules

Plants are an excellent source of drug leads. However availability is limited by access to source species, low abundance and recalcitrance to chemical synthesis. Although plant genomics is yielding a wealth of genes for natural product biosynthesis, the translation of this genetic information into small molecules for evaluation as drug leads represents a major bottleneck. For example, the yeast platform for artemisinic acid production is estimated to have taken >150 person years to develop. Here we demonstrate the power of plant transient transfection technology for rapid, scalable biosynthesis and isolation of triterpenes, one of the largest and most structurally diverse families of plant natural products. Using pathway engineering and improved agro-infiltration methodology we are able to generate gram-scale quantities of purified triterpene in just a few weeks. In contrast to heterologous expression in microbes, this system does not depend on re-engineering of the host. We next exploit agro-infection for quick and easy combinatorial biosynthesis without the need for generation of multi-gene constructs, so affording an easy entrée to suites of molecules, some new-to-nature, that are recalcitrant to chemical synthesis. We use this platform to purify a suite of bespoke triterpene analogs and demonstrate differences in anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory activity in bioassays, providing proof of concept of this system for accessing and evaluating medicinally important bioactives. Together with new genome mining algorithms for plant pathway discovery and advances in plant synthetic biology, this advance provides new routes to synthesize and access previously inaccessible natural products and analogs and has the potential to reinvigorate drug discovery pipelines

TINGKAT KESEJAHTERAAN KELUARGA PETANI PADI SAWAH DAN JAGUNG DI DESA MATANI, KECAMATAN TUMPAAN, KABUPATEN MINAHASA SELATAN

This study aims to compare the level of welfare of farmers who seek in the field of wetland rice and corn farmers in the Village Matani Tumpaan District in South Minahasa. The study lasted from July to September 2017. The data used are primary data collected throught interviews with farmers by purposive sampling taken 15 corn farmers and 15 rice field farmers.The study on farmers’ welfare level is seen from the form of economic and non economic variables enjoyed by respondents based on the criteria of BKKBN covering 5 stages of family welfare indicators. Secondary data is obtained throught documents and research results and library, data and information in village, sub-district and district offices. The result of this research concludes that rice farmers are more prosperous than corn farmers in Matani Village. Tumpaan Subdistrict of South Minahasa Regency. Wet land paddy farmers are included in the stages of the Prosperous Family II (KS II) and Prosperous Family III (KS III) while corn farmers are included in the stage of the Prosperous Family I (KS I)

Avkastning og risiko for Private Equity fond : måleproblemer, empiri og simulering

Jeg skal i denne utredningen gjøre en analyse av prestasjonsmåling for investeringer i Private Equity (PE) fond, samt ta for meg en rekke empiriske studier rundt samme tema. Målemetodene som brukes, data og resultater som fremstilles i PE bransjen er unøyaktige, noe som kan medføre at investorer får for høye forventninger til risikojustert avkastning fra PE fond versus andre aktiva. Kun ved helhetlig forståelse av valgt målemetode kan man tolke prestasjonsberegninger fra PE fond og bransjen generelt på en fornuftig måte. I tillegg vil jeg ved hjelp av Monte Carlo simulering verdsette de ulike rettighetene til investorer og partnere i et PE (buyout) fond. Formålet er å få et estimat på forventede verdier av de ulike rettighetene i fondet, og en bedre innsikt i hvordan de fordeles

Especies de aves focales : una alternativa para la conservación de la Reserva Forestal Protectora El Malmo

ilustraciones, tablas, figuras.Spa: El trabajo presenta un estudio del reconocimiento de especies focales como medio de planteamiento de reflexiones educativas guiadas hacia la conservación de la Reserva Forestal Protectora en El Malmo.Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 114-126.PregradoLicenciado en Ciencias Naturales y Educación Ambienta