Real-Time Object Detection for Autonomous Solar Farm Inspection via UAVs.

Robotic missions for solar farm inspection demand agile and precise object detection strategies. This paper introduces an innovative keypoint-based object detection framework specifically designed for real-time solar farm inspections with UAVs. Moving away from conventional bounding box or segmentation methods, our technique focuses on detecting the vertices of solar panels, which provides a richer granularity than traditional approaches.

Electrostatic hindrance to diffusion in flexible crosslinked gels: A coarse-grained simulation study.

In this work, we study how electrostatic forces slow down the diffusion of solute in flexible gels through coarse-grained simulations. The model used explicitly considers the movement of solute particles and polyelectrolyte chains. These movements are performed by following a Brownian dynamics algorithm.

A Proposed System for Multi-UAVs in Remote Sensing Operations.

This paper proposes the design of the communications, control systems, and navigation algorithms of a multi-UAV system focused on remote sensing operations. A new controller based on a compensator and a nominal controller is designed to dynamically regulate the UAVs' attitude. The navigation system addresses the multi-region coverage trajectory planning task using a new approach to solve the TSP-CPP problem.

Synergic Thermo- and pH-Sensitive Hybrid Microgels Loaded with Fluorescent Dyes and Ultrasmall Gold Nanoparticles for Photoacoustic Imaging and Photothermal Therapy.

Smart microgels (μGels) made of polymeric particles doped with inorganic nanoparticles have emerged recently as promising multifunctional materials for nanomedicine applications. However, the synthesis of these hybrid materials is still a challenging task with the necessity to control several features, such as particle sizes and doping levels, in order to tailor their final properties in relation to the targeted application. We report herein an innovative modular strategy to achieve the rational design of well-defined and densely filled hybrid particles.

Coarse-Grained Simulations of Release of Drugs Housed in Flexible Nanogels: New Insights into Kinetic Parameters.

The diffusion-controlled release of drugs housed in flexible nanogels has been simulated with the help of a coarse-grained model that explicitly considers polymer chains. In these in silico experiments, the effect of its flexibility is assessed by comparing it with data obtained for a rigid nanogel with the same volume fraction and topology. Our results show that the initial distribution of the drug can exert a great influence on the release kinetics.

Medical students' exposure to and attitudes towards product promotion and incentives from the pharmaceutical industry in 2019: a national cross-sectional study in France.

Objectives: To measure medical students' exposure to pharmaceutical product promotion and incentives nationwide, and to evaluate students' attitudes towards the pharmaceutical industry, access to education on promotional strategies and knowledge of institutional policies about drug company-student relationships.

Design: Cross-sectional survey based on a 48-item anonymous questionnaire.

Setting: All 37 French medical schools, from March to April 2019.

Fast Multi-UAV Path Planning for Optimal Area Coverage in Aerial Sensing Applications.

This paper deals with the problems and the solutions of fast coverage path planning (CPP) for multiple UAVs. Through this research, the problem is solved and analyzed with both a software framework and algorithm. The implemented algorithm generates a back-and-forth path based on the onboard sensor footprint.

Complexation of DNA with Thermoresponsive Charged Microgels: Role of Swelling State and Electrostatics.

Micro- and nanogels are being increasingly used to encapsulate bioactive compounds. Their soft structure allows large loading capacity while their stimuli responsiveness makes them extremely versatile. In this work, the complexation of DNA with thermoresponsive microgels is presented.

Zenithal isotropic object counting by localization using adversarial training.

Counting objects in images is a very time-consuming task for humans that yields to errors caused by repetitiveness and boredom. In this paper, we present a novel object counting method that, unlike most of the recent works that focus on the regression of a density map, performs the counting procedure by localizing each single object. This key difference allows us to provide not only an accurate count but the position of every counted object, information that can be critical in some areas such as precision agriculture.

Universal description of steric hindrance in flexible polymer gels.

In this work, the long-time diffusion of a solute in a chemically crosslinked and flexible hydrogel is computed from a bead-spring model of a polymeric network to assess the effect of steric obstruction. The relative diffusivities obtained for a wide variety of systems can be described by an exponential decay depending on a parameter that differs from that employed for rigid gels. The mathematical expression derived here can approximately predict the diffusivity in flexible gels if steric hindrance is the mechanism ruling diffusion.

Microgels at interfaces, from mickering emulsions to flat interfaces and back.

In this review, we cover the topic of p(NIPAM) based microgels at interfaces, revisiting classical studies in light of the newest ones. In particular, we focus on their use as emulsifiers in the so-called mickering emulsions, i.e.

Solute diffusion in gels: Thirty years of simulations.

In this review, we present a summary of computer simulation studies on solute diffusion in gels carried out in the last three decades. Special attention is paid to coarse-grained simulations in which the role of steric and electrostatic interactions on the particle diffusion can be evaluated. In addition, other important characteristics of particle diffusion in gels, such as the stiffness of the gel structure and hydrodynamic interactions, can be taken into account through coarse-grained simulations.

Industry 4.0 Lean Shopfloor Management Characterization Using EEG Sensors and Deep Learning.

Achieving the shift towards Industry 4.0 is only feasible through the active integration of the shopfloor into the transformation process. Several shopfloor management (SM) systems can aid this conversion.

Coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulations of nanogel-polyelectrolyte complexes: electrostatic effects.

Coarse-grained Monte-Carlo simulations of nanogel-polyelectrolyte complexes have been carried out. The results presented here capture two phenomena reported in experiments with real complexes: (i) the reduction in size after absorbing just a few chains and (ii) the charge inversion detected through electrophoretic mobility data. Our simulations reveal that charge inversion occurs if the polyelectrolyte charge is large enough.

Geometric Deep Lean Learning: Deep Learning in Industry 4.0 Cyber-Physical Complex Networks.

In the near future, value streams associated with Industry 4.0 will be formed by interconnected cyber-physical elements forming complex networks that generate huge amounts of data in real time. The success or failure of industry leaders interested in the continuous improvement of lean management systems in this context is determined by their ability to recognize behavioral patterns in these big data structured within non-Euclidean domains, such as these dynamic sociotechnical complex networks.

Characterization of Industry 4.0 Lean Management Problem-Solving Behavioral Patterns Using EEG Sensors and Deep Learning.

Industry 4.0 leaders solve problems all of the time. Successful problem-solving behavioral pattern choice determines organizational and personal success, therefore a proper understanding of the problem-solving-related neurological dynamics is sure to help increase business performance.

Interaction between charged lipid vesicles and point- or rod-like trivalent ions.

This work examines the influence of the charge distribution of trivalent cations on their interaction with soft anionic particles, using a combination of experimental measurements and theoretical modelling. In particular, we perform electrophoresis measurements to determine the zeta-potential of anionic liposomes in the presence of spermidine and lanthanum cations. We work in a range of electrolyte concentration where a reversal in the electrophoretic mobility of the liposomes is expected; however, unlike the case of lanthanum cations, spermidine does not induce mobility reversal of liposomes.

[Severe neonatal anemia due to fetomaternal hemorrhage: an ilustrative case].

Fetomaternal transfusion (FMT) is defined by the transfer of fetal blood into the maternal circulation. The incidence of massive FMT is estimated to be approximately 0.2-0.

Interaction of DNA with likely-charged lipid monolayers: An experimental study.

Anionic lipids are increasingly being used in lipoplexes for synthetic gene vectors as an alternative to cationic lipids. This is primarily due to their lower toxicity, which makes them biocompatible and adaptable to be tissue specific. However, anionic lipoplexes require the presence of multivalent cations to promote the electrostatic attraction between DNA and anionic lipid mono- and bilayers.

Direct determination of forces between charged nanogels through coarse-grained simulations.

In this work, electrostatic forces between charged nanogels are explored through coarse-grained simulations. These simulations allow us to explicitly consider the complex topology of these nanoparticles and provide reliable force values to examine highly charged nanogels of a few tens of nanometers. The results obtained here clearly reveal that the electrostatic interactions between these nanoparticles are not governed by the net charge of the nanogel, which includes not only the charge of the polymer network but also the charge of ions inside.

A Collaborative Approach for Surface Inspection Using Aerial Robots and Computer Vision.

Aerial robots with cameras on board can be used in surface inspection to observe areas that are difficult to reach by other means. In this type of problem, it is desirable for aerial robots to have a high degree of autonomy. A way to provide more autonomy would be to use computer vision techniques to automatically detect anomalies on the surface.

Competition between excluded-volume and electrostatic interactions for nanogel swelling: effects of the counterion valence and nanogel charge.

In this work the equilibrium distribution of ions around a thermo-responsive charged nanogel particle in an electrolyte aqueous suspension is explored using coarse-grained Monte Carlo computer simulations and the Ornstein-Zernike integral equation theory. We explicitly consider the ionic size in both methods and study the interplay between electrostatic and excluded-volume effects for swollen and shrunken nanogels, monovalent and trivalent counterions, and for two different nanogel charges. We find good quantitative agreement between the ionic density profiles obtained using both methods when the excluded repulsive force exerted by the cross-linked polymer network is taken into account.