A multi-objective approach for the motion planning of redundant manipulators

Kinematic redundancy occurs when a manipulator possesses more degrees of freedom than those required to execute a given task. Several kinematic techniques for redundant manipulators control the gripper through the pseudo-inverse of the Jacobian, but lead to a kind of chaotic inner motion with unpredictable arm configurations. Such algorithms are not easy to adapt to optimization schemes and, moreover, often there are multiple optimization objectives that can conflict between them. Unlike single optimization, where one attempts to find the best solution, in multi-objective optimization there is no single solution that is optimum with respect to all indices. Therefore, trajectory planning of redundant robots remains an important area of research and more efficient optimization algorithms are needed. This paper presents a new technique to solve the inverse kinematics of redundant manipulators, using a multi-objective genetic algorithm. This scheme combines the closed-loop pseudo-inverse method with a multi-objective genetic algorithm to control the joint positions. Simulations for manipulators with three or four rotational joints, considering the optimization of two objectives in a workspace without and with obstacles are developed. The results reveal that it is possible to choose several solutions from the Pareto optimal front according to the importance of each individual objective.     

Adenovirus-Mediated Inducible Expression of a PD-L1 Blocking Antibody in Combination with Macrophage Depletion Improves Survival in a Mouse Model of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in a growing number of malignancies. However, overcoming primary or secondary resistances is difficult due to pharmacokinetics issues and side effects associated with high systemic exposure. Local or regional expression of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using gene therapy vectors can alleviate this problem. In this work, we describe a high-capacity adenoviral vector (HCA-EFZP-aPDL1) equipped with a mifepristone-inducible system for the controlled expression of an anti-programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blocking antibody. The vector was tested in an immune-competent mouse model of colorectal cancer based on implantation of MC38 cells. A single local administration of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1 in subcutaneous lesions led to a significant reduction in tumor growth with minimal release of the antibody in the circulation. When the vector was tested in a more stringent setting (rapidly progressing peritoneal carcinomatosis), the antitumor effect was marginal even in combination with other immune-stimulatory agents such as polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (pI:C), blocking mAbs for T cell immunoglobulin, mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM-3) or agonistic mAbs for 4-1BB (CD137). In contrast, macrophage depletion by clodronate liposomes enhanced the efficacy of HCA-EFZP-aPDL1. These results highlight the importance of addressing macrophage-associated immunoregulatory mechanisms to overcome resistance to ICIs in the context of colorectal cancer.     

Learning control in spatial coordinates for the path-following of autonomous vehicles

We prove the existence of a P-type (proportional-type) space-learning control, which, on the basis of a kinematic third order nonlinear model of an autonomous nonholonomic vehicle and by a proper choice of the proportional control gain, guarantees asymptotic tracking of planar curves whose uncertain curvature is L$L$-periodic in the curvilinear abscissa. The behavior of a human driver, who repetitively learns the correct action from the past experience in the space, is mathematically reproduced. A stability analysis is presented while simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented approach.     

Occurrence patterns of alien freshwater turtles in a large urban pond ‘Archipelago’ (Rome,Italy): Suggesting hypotheses on root causes

The patterns of the occurrence and distribution of alien freshwater turtle species in an urban pond archipelago (Rome, Italy) were analysed, with the aim of exploring the role of a set of factors (type of ponds, landscape context, size area, distance from the nearest road) with a generalized linear model approach. A total of 311 ponds subdivided in three types (fountains, small basins, lakes) embedded in different landscape contexts (public parks, private parks, urban areas) at differing distances from the nearest road were sampled. Six non‐native freshwater turtle species in 31 sites were recorded (9.97%). Lakes exhibited the highest occurrence rates of alien freshwater turtles, compared to small basins and fountains. Freshwater turtle species in urbanized areas were only observed in parks (both public and private). In both the public and private parks, the lakes exhibited the highest percentage of occupied sites, with fountains being the lowest. A direct and significant relationship was observed between pond size and species richness. The distance from the nearest road did not appear to affect species richness. A first interpretation of the data from this study facilitated the postulation of two a posteriori hypotheses that should be tested, as follows: (i) the causal process of turtle release is random, and the rate of extinction (and recapture) is higher in smaller ponds, thus producing the observed pattern; and (ii) the turtle release is not random, and people actively select the ponds they consider more suitable for their pet animals. In this study, it appears the lakes were perceived by those who abandon their pets as the most ecologically suitable habitats among other pond types to accommodate the different species of turtles. Knowledge of people's attitudes in regard to releasing pet animals also might assist managers of public green spaces to develop strategies aimed to preserve local biodiversity, and to educate the public about the conservation issue represented by the alien species.     

SIVR epidemic model with stochastic perturbation

We propose a stochastic disease model where vaccination is included and such that the immunity is permanent. The existence, uniqueness, and positivity of the solution and the stability of the disease-free equilibrium are studied.     

Characterization of poly(diethoxyphosphazene) by size exclusion chromatography and viscometry

Two samples of poly(diethoxyphosphazene) (PDEP) having very different molecular weights have been studied by viscometry and size exclusion chromatography in THF solution. The results obtained, together with light scattering data of these samples, allow the calculation of the Mark-Houwink constants a=0.65 and K=2.5 10^-4 in THF at 25°C. The method of calculation employed takes into account the great polydispersity of the samples. The characteristic ratio of the unperturbed dimensions was also calculated giving C_n = r²_o/n² 18, a value slightly higher than those previously reported for poly(dihexoxyphosphazene), C_n13 and poly (dichlorophosphazene), C_n13.5.     

Digestibility and nutritional value of crude oil from three amaranth species

Oils from a selection ofAmaranthus caudatus, A. hypochondriacus andA. cruentus were extracted with hexane. The crude oils were analyzed for acid value, saponification and iodine number, and were included in basal casein diets for rat studies at 5 and 10% levels to replace equal amounts of refined cottonseed oil. The oils fromA. cruentus andA. hypochondriacus were similar in the oil properties studied and different fromA. caudatus. At either 5 or 10% food intake levels, weight gain and PER were not statistically different from values reported for cottonseed oil. True digestibility of amaranth oil was lower than that of cottonseed oil.A. cruentus oil gave the lowest digestibility. Oil levels induced statistical differences in food intake and digestibility. Oils fromA. caudatus, A. hypochondriacus and cottonseed induced similar serum cholesterol levels, while oil fromA. cruentus gave statistically higher values. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum proteins were similar among all groups. Microscopic analysis of the organs of the rats revealed some changes that were also found in cottonseed oil-fed rats. It was concluded that crude amaranth oil has lower digestibility than cottonseed oil, but that it is not responsible for growth-depressing effects when the seed is fed raw as compared to processed materials.     

Discovering social structures of local influence by using tweetStimuli

Information diffusion in large-scale networks has been studied to identify the users influence. The influence has been targeted as a key feature either to reach large populations or influencing public opinion. Through the use of micro-blogs, such as Twitter, global influencers have been identified and ranked based on message propagation (retweets). In this paper, a new application is presented, which allows to find first and classify then the local influence on Twitter: who have influenced you and who have been influenced by you. Until now, social structures of tweets’ original authors that have been either retweeted or marked as favourites are unobservable. Throughout this application, these structures can be discovered and they reveal the existence of communities formed by users of similar profile (that are connected among them) interrelated with other similar profile users’ communities.     

Modelling the effects of human papillomavirus in cervical cells

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, after breast cancer. The prevalence of this malignant disease is estimated at 1.4 million cases worldwide, causing about 290,000 deaths and 500,000 new cases per year, of which 80% correspond to women living in developing countries. In this work we propose a family of ordered models for basal cells of the cervix corresponding to different stages ranging from normal cells to the formation of precancerous lesions. We analyse the first member of the family analytically and for the second member we developed a non-standard numerical method in order to extract some biological information.     

Reduction of sulphur in PbSPbCl2NaCl melts

The reduction of dissolved sulphur and the soluble species formed during the electrolysis of PbS dissolved in the PbCl₂NaCl eutectic has been studied chronopotentiometrically. The pre-lead reduction process reported earlier[1] can now be assigned to a subsulphide species that is generated electrochemically. At higher PbS concentrations (eg 10^?3 mol cm^?3), elemental sulphur introduces a new reduction wave in addition to the subsulphide. The saturation solubility of sulphur is approximately proportional to the square of the PbS concentration. It has been estimated to be 2.3× 10^?4 mol S cm^?3 at 430°C for a melt containing 2.4× 10^?3 mol PbS cm^?3 in the PbCl₂-NaCl eutectic.