1,721,301 research outputs found
Non-overlapping RGB-D camera network calibration with monocular visual odometry
No full textThis paper describes a calibration method for RGB-D camera networks consisting of not only static overlapping, but also dynamic and non-overlapping cameras. The proposed method consists of two steps: online visual odometry-based calibration and depth image-based calibration refinement. It first estimates the transformations between overlapping cameras using fiducial tags, and bridges non-overlapping camera views through visual odometry that runs on a dynamic monocular camera. Parameters such as poses of the static cameras and tags, as well as dynamic camera trajectory, are estimated in the form of the pose graph-based online landmark SLAM. Then, depth-based ICP and floor constraints are added to the pose graph to compensate for the visual odometry error and refine the calibration result. The proposed method is validated through evaluation in simulated and real environments, and a person tracking experiment is conducted to demonstrate the data integration of static and dynamic cameras
Non-phospholipid vesicles as carriers for peptides and proteins: production, characterization and stability studies
No full textIn the present study, the preparation, characterization and activity of non-phospholipid vesicles (NPV) containing three aminoacid-based molecules were described. As model compounds trypsin, bovine basic pancreatic inhibitor and polylysine rich peptides derived from the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein B were employed. NPV were chosen as alternative to liposomes for the possible administration of aminoacid based molecules via mucous membrane (nasal or vaginal) routes. NPV containing the indicated model drugs have shown to be more stable in term of size with respect to liposomes encapsulating the same model drugs previously produced by our group [Cortesi, R. Argnani, R., Esposito, E., Dalpiaz, A. Scatturin, A., Bortolotti, F., Lufino, M., Guerrini, R., Incorvaia, C., Menegatti, E., Manservigi, R., 2006. Cationic liposomes as potential carriers for ocular administration of peptides with antiherpetic activity. Int. J. Pharm. 317, 90–100]. In addition our study
indicates that the produced NPV (i) are able to encapsulate the model drugs over 49%, (ii) are characterized by dimensions compatible with applications on the mucous membrane, (iii) remain stable in size for at least 3 months and (iv) can release the model drug (after a slight lag time)
in a controlled fashion as compared to that of the corresponding free solution
Un nuovo ruolo per il modello sociale europeo nel rapporto tra globalizzazione e tutela del lavoro
No full textIl contributo considera il difficile rapporto tra globalizzazione neo-liberista e diritto del lavoro, prendendo in rassegna gli ambivalenti effetti che il fenomeno ha recato: da una parte, la diffusione di standard minimi di trattamento in certe aree in via di sviluppo, dall'altra parte, una spinta verso la riduzione degli standard nei paesi europei più industrializzati, storicamente ad alta tutela del lavoro. Gli autori concludono proponendo una rivalutazione del modello sociale europeo come strumento per rafforzare gli standard di trattamento
Il progetto eCraft2Learn: Fabbricazione Digitale e Movimento dei Maker in ambito educativo
Full text linkSommario
eCraft2Learn è un progetto europeo H2020 di due anni nato per promuovere l’interesse degli studenti di 13-17 anni verso le materie STEAM attraverso l’uso di tecnologie a basso costo, componenti elettroniche DIY e stampanti 3D. L’obiettivo principale del progetto è la progettazione, la creazione e la validazione di un ecosistema che integri queste tecnologie al fine di supportare la costruzione di artefatti digitali all’interno di una cornice metodologica basata sulla prospettiva costruzionista e ispirata al movimento dei maker. L’articolo contiene una descrizione delle premesse iniziali, del modello pedagogico adottato e alcuni dettagli riguardanti l’architettura dell’ecosistema.
Abstract
eCraft2Learn is a two years long H2020 European project aimed at exploiting low-cost ICT, do-it-yourself electronics and 3D printing as an effective approach to promote the interest of 13-17 years old students in STEAM. The main objective of the project is the design, prototyping and validation of an ecosystem integrating the mentioned technologies to support the construction of artefacts in a constructionist perspective following the maker movement principles. The paper presents an overview of the initial design premises, of the adopted pedagogical model and of some architectural details
People-aware navigation: AI-driven approaches to enhance the robot's navigation capabilities
Full text linkTraditional navigation algorithms, optimizing the robot's movements towards a target position, are not appropriate to manage the robot's movements in uncontrolled environment populated by people. In this paper, we propose different AI-driven methodologies related to the challenging topic of people-aware navigation, a dynamic and multi-agents navigation task, that aim introducing the social conventions respected by people, both at the reactive level and via a learning process
Competitive inhibition of nitric oxide synthase by p-aminobenzamidine, a serine proteinase inhibitor
No full textCO2 impairs peroxynitrite-mediated inhibition of human caspase-3.
No full textPeroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a transient powerful oxidant produced in vivo as the reaction of nitrogen monoxide (.NO) with superoxide (O2.-). The peroxynitrite reactivity is modulated by carbon dioxide (CO2) which enhances the peroxynitrite-mediated nitration of aromatics and partially impairs the oxidation of thiols. Here, the effect of CO2 on the peroxynitrite-mediated inhibition of human caspase-3, the execution enzyme of the apoptotic cascade, is reported. Peroxynitrite inhibits the catalytic activity of human caspase-3 by oxidizing the Sgamma atom of the Cys catalytic residue. In the absence of CO2, 1.0 equivalent of peroxynitrite inactivates 1.0 equivalent of human caspase-3. In the presence of the physiological concentration of CO2 (=1.3x10(-3) M), 1.0 equivalent of peroxynitrite inactivates only 0.38 equivalents of human caspase-3. Peroxynitrite affects the kcat value of the human caspase-3 catalyzed hydrolysis of N-acetyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin, without altering Km. Both in the absence and presence of CO2, the reducing agent dithiothreitol does not prevent human caspase-3 inhibition by peroxynitrite and does not reverse the peroxynitrite-induced inactivation of human caspase-3. These results represent the first evidence for modulation of peroxynitrite-mediated inhibition of cysteine proteinase action by CO2, supporting the role of CO2 in fine tuning of cell processes (e.g., apoptosis)
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