Hardware-Software Partitioning for Real-Time Object Detection Using Dynamic Parameter Optimization.

Computer vision algorithms implementations, especially for real-time applications, are present in a variety of devices that we are currently using (from smartphones or automotive applications to monitoring/security applications) and pose specific challenges, memory bandwidth or energy consumption (e.g., for mobility) being the most notable ones. This paper aims at providing a solution to improve the overall quality of real-time object detection computer vision algorithms using a hybrid hardware-software implementation. To this end, we explore the methods for a proper allocation of algorithm components towards hardware (as IP Cores) and the interfacing between hardware and software. Addressing specific design constraints, the relationship between the above components allows embedded artificial intelligence to select the operating hardware blocks (IP cores)-in the configuration phase-and to dynamically change the parameters of the aggregated hardware resources-in the instantiation phase, similar to the concretization of a class into a software object. The conclusions show the benefits of using hybrid hardware-software implementations, as well as major gains from using IP Cores, managed by artificial intelligence, for an object detection use-case, implemented on a FPGA demonstrator built around a Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC Mini-ITX sub-system.

6G-Enabling the New Smart City: A Survey.

Smart cities and 6G are technological areas that have the potential to transform the way we live and work in the years to come. Until this transformation comes into place, there is the need, underlined by research and market studies, for a critical reassessment of the entire wireless communication sector for smart cities, which should include the IoT infrastructure, economic factors that could improve their adoption rate, and strategies that enable smart city operations. Therefore, from a technical point of view, a series of stringent issues, such as interoperability, data privacy, security, the digital divide, and implementation issues have to be addressed. Notably, to concentrate the scrutiny on smart cities and the forthcoming influence of 6G, the groundwork laid by the current 5G, with its multifaceted role and inherent limitations within the domain of smart cities, is embraced as a foundational standpoint. This examination culminates in a panoramic exposition, extending beyond the mere delineation of the 6G standard toward the unveiling of the extensive gamut of potential applications that this emergent standard promises to introduce to the smart cities arena. This paper provides an update on the SC ecosystem around the novel paradigm of 6G, aggregating a series of enabling technologies accompanied by the descriptions of their roles and specific employment schemes.

When Social Networks Meet D2D Communications: A Survey.

In the last few years, one of the main characteristics of the current technological development is the constantly increasing need for data exchange among various types of devices, both mobile and fixed. Within this context, the direct communications between devices has the potential to create new, location-based peer-to-peer applications and services, as well as to help offload traffic from the congested traditional cellular networks. The main hurdles for this kind of Device to Device (D2D) communications are throughput, spectral efficiency, latency and fairness. Most of these hurdles can be overcome by the use of the new Social IoT (SIoT) paradigm, of things and people involved together in the network, guided autonomously by social relationships following the rules set by their owners. This paper aims to investigate the state of the art of socially-driven D2D communications. Upon an initial analysis, we perform an in-deep literature investigation of the main directions in which social ties can improve D2D communication, draw conclusions and identify the research topics left open.

Exploring the Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential, Metabolite Composition and Inorganic Profile of Cistus monspeliensis L. Aerial Parts and Roots.

This work focuses on Cistus monspeliensis L. aerial parts (AP) and roots (R) extracts, investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the two organs in comparison. At dosages between 1.56 and 6.25 µg/mL, both extracts showed a protective effect against LPS inflammatory stimulus on a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Interestingly, only R was able to significantly reduce both IL-1ß and IL-6 mRNA gene expression in the presence of LPS. Moreover, the treatment of a neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) with AP and R at 6.25 µg/mL increased the cell survival rate by nearly 20% after H2O2 insult. However, only R promoted mitochondria survival, exhibited a significantly higher production of ATP and a higher activity of the enzyme catalase than the control. Both AP and R had similar primary metabolites; in particular, they both contained 1-O-methyl-epi-inositol. Labdane and methoxylated flavonoids were the most characteristic compounds of AP, while R contained mainly catechins, gallic acid, and pyrogallol derivatives. Considering the importance of elemental composition in plants, the inorganic profile of AP and R was also investigated and compared. No potentially toxic elements, such as Pb, were detected in any sample.

Ecotoxicological evaluation of an aqueous phytoextract of Melia azedarach L.

Melia azedarach L. is a Meliaceae that has shown important insecticidal activities. However, few researchers have extensively studied the toxicology of aqueous extracts of M. azedarach (MAE). Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize the phyto-eco-toxicological profile of MAE. First, a botanical and phytochemical characterization of MAE was performed using a histological, and metabolomic multi-analytical approach. Second, the toxicological effects on pollinating insects (Apis mellifera ligustica) and soil collembola (Folsomia candida) were evaluated. In addition, acute toxicity was evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio) to assess effects on aquatic fauna, and toxicity was determined in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and fibroblast (FB-21) cell models. Finally, phytotoxic effects on germination of Cucumis sativus L., Brassica rapa L. and Sorghum vulgare L. were considered. Metabolomic analyses revealed the presence of not only limonoids but also numerous alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids in MAE. Histological analyses allowed us to better localize the areas of leaf deposition of the identified secondary metabolites. Regarding the ecotoxicological data, no significant toxicity was observed in bees and collembola at all doses tested. In contrast, severe cardiac abnormalities were observed in zebrafish embryos at concentrations as low as 25 µg/mL. In addition, MAE showed toxicity at 1.6 µg/mL and 6.25 µg/mL in FB-21 and SH-SY5Y cells, respectively. Finally, MAE inhibited seed germination with inhibitory concentrations starting from 5.50 µg/mL in B. rapa, 20 µg/mL in S. vulgare, and 31 µg/mL in C. sativus. Although M. azedarach extracts are considered valuable natural insecticides, their ecological impact cannot be underestimated. Even the use of an environmentally friendly solvent (an aqueous solution), for the first time, is not without side effects. Therefore, the data collected in this study show the importance of evaluating the dosages, modes of administration and production methods of M. azedarach phytoextracts in agricultural settings.

The anti-tumorigenic properties of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor alpha are arachidonic acid epoxygenase-mediated.

Prevalence and mortality make cancer a health challenge in need of effective and better tolerated therapeutic approaches, with tumor angiogenesis identified as a promising target for drug development. The epoxygenase products, the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, are pro-angiogenic, and down-regulation of their biosynthesis by peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) ligands reduces tumor angiogenesis and growth. Endothelial cells lacking a Cyp2c44 epoxygenase, a PPARalpha target, show reduced proliferative and tubulogenic activities that are reversed by the enzyme's metabolites. In a mouse xenograft model of tumorigenesis, disruption of the host Cyp2c44 gene causes marked reductions in tumor volume, mass, and vascularization. The relevance of these studies to human cancer is indicated by the demonstration that: (a) activation of human PPARalpha down-regulates endothelial cell CYP2C9 epoxygenase expression and blunts proliferation and tubulogenesis, (b) in a PPARalpha-humanized mouse model, activation of the receptor inhibits tumor angiogenesis and growth, and (c) the CYP2C9 epoxygenase is expressed in the vasculature of human tumors. The identification of anti-angiogenic/anti-tumorigenic properties of PPARalpha points to a role for the receptor and its epoxygenase regulatory target in the pathophysiology of cancer, and for its ligands as candidates for the development of a new generation of safer and better tolerated anti-cancer drugs.

P300 in obsessive-compulsive disorder: source localization and the effects of treatment.

UNLABELLED: Converging evidence suggests that frontostriatal abnormalities underlie OCD symptoms. The event-related potential P300 is generated along a widely distributed network involving several of the areas implicated in OCD. P300 abnormalities reported in patients with OCD suggest increased activity in these areas. The aim of the present study was to investigate this assumption in unmedicated patients with OCD, and to assess the effects of OCD treatment on P300 brain activity patterns. Seventy-one unmedicated patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of OCD and 71 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects participated in the study. The P300 was obtained through 32-channel EEG during an auditory oddball paradigm. Forty-three patients underwent a second EEG assessment after treatment with sertraline and behavioural therapy. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was used to localize the sources of brain electrical activity. RESULTS: Increased P300-related activity was observed predominantly in the left orbitofrontal cortex, but also in left prefrontal, parietal and temporal areas, in patients compared to controls at baseline. After treatment, reduction of left middle frontal cortex hyperactivity was observed in patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of increased activity in frontoparietal areas in patients are consistent with several previous studies. Importantly, OCD treatment led to reduction of hyperactivity in the left middle frontal cortex, an area associated with context processing and uncertainty that might be important for the emergence of OCD symptoms. Thus, the present study is the first to show an association between P300 abnormalities and activity in brain regions postulated to be involved in the pathophysiology of OCD.