Pub Date : 2024-10-17DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00292-3
Dianzhao Li, Ostap Okhrin
Autonomous driving presents unique challenges, particularly in transferring agents trained in simulation to real-world environments due to the discrepancies between the two. To address this issue, here we propose a robust Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework that incorporates platform-dependent perception modules to extract task-relevant information, enabling the training of a lane-following and overtaking agent in simulation. This framework facilitates the efficient transfer of the DRL agent to new simulated environments and the real world with minimal adjustments. We assess the performance of the agent across various driving scenarios in both simulation and the real world, comparing it to human drivers and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) baseline in simulation. Additionally, we contrast it with other DRL baselines to clarify the rationale behind choosing this framework. Our proposed approach helps bridge the gaps between different platforms and the Simulation to Reality (Sim2Real) gap, allowing the trained agent to perform consistently in both simulation and real-world scenarios, effectively driving the vehicle. Dianzhao Li and Ostap Okhrin proposed a deep reinforcement learning framework for transition between various simulated and real-world driving environments. Their method allows for the more effective control of autonomous vehicles in lane following and overtaking tasks.
{"title":"A platform-agnostic deep reinforcement learning framework for effective Sim2Real transfer towards autonomous driving","authors":"Dianzhao Li, Ostap Okhrin","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00292-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00292-3","url":null,"abstract":"Autonomous driving presents unique challenges, particularly in transferring agents trained in simulation to real-world environments due to the discrepancies between the two. To address this issue, here we propose a robust Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) framework that incorporates platform-dependent perception modules to extract task-relevant information, enabling the training of a lane-following and overtaking agent in simulation. This framework facilitates the efficient transfer of the DRL agent to new simulated environments and the real world with minimal adjustments. We assess the performance of the agent across various driving scenarios in both simulation and the real world, comparing it to human drivers and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) baseline in simulation. Additionally, we contrast it with other DRL baselines to clarify the rationale behind choosing this framework. Our proposed approach helps bridge the gaps between different platforms and the Simulation to Reality (Sim2Real) gap, allowing the trained agent to perform consistently in both simulation and real-world scenarios, effectively driving the vehicle. Dianzhao Li and Ostap Okhrin proposed a deep reinforcement learning framework for transition between various simulated and real-world driving environments. Their method allows for the more effective control of autonomous vehicles in lane following and overtaking tasks.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00292-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142447897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-15DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00293-2
Alberto Ferraris, Eunjung Cha, Peter Mueller, Kirsten Moselund, Cezar B. Zota
Multiplexed local charge storage, close to quantum processors at cryogenic temperatures could generate a multitude of control signals, for electronics or qubits, in an efficient manner. Such cryogenic electronics require generating quasi-static control signals with small area footprint, low noise, high stability, low power dissipation and, ideally, in a multiplexed fashion to reduce the number of input/outputs. In this work, we integrate capacitors with cryogenic high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) arrays and demonstrate quasi-static bias generation using gate pulses controlled in time and frequency domains. Multi-channel bias generation is also demonstrated. Operation at 4 K exhibits improved bias signal variability and greatly reduced subthreshold swing, reaching values of ~6 mV/decade. Due to the very low threshold voltage of 80 mV at 4 K and the steep subthreshold swing, these circuits can provide an advantage over the silicon-based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor equivalents by allowing operation at significantly reduced drive bias in the low output voltage regime <1 V. Together with their high-speed operation, this makes HEMTs an attractive platform for future cryogenic signal generation electronics in quantum computers. Alberto Ferraris and colleagues demonstrate a cryogenic circuit with a InGaAs-based quantum well transistors integrated with capacitors for the application of quantum computers. This system improves over Si CMOS by superior properties at cryogenic temperature and with a lower voltage supply, which is helpful to reduce the power consumption in the qubit control applications.
在低温条件下，接近量子处理器的多路复用本地电荷存储可以高效地为电子器件或量子比特生成大量控制信号。这种低温电子设备要求生成的准静态控制信号占用面积小、噪声低、稳定性高、功耗低，而且最好能以多路复用的方式减少输入/输出的数量。在这项工作中，我们将电容器与低温高电子迁移率晶体管（HEMT）阵列集成在一起，并利用时域和频域控制的栅极脉冲演示了准静态偏置生成。此外，还演示了多通道偏压产生。在 4 K 下运行时，偏置信号的可变性得到改善，阈下摆动大大降低，达到约 6 mV/decade。由于这些电路在 4 K 时的阈值电压非常低，仅为 80 mV，而且阈下摆幅很陡，因此与硅基互补金属氧化物半导体等效电路相比，它们具有更大的优势，可以在低输出电压范围 <1 V 条件下以显著降低的驱动偏置运行。HEMT 的高速运行特性使其成为量子计算机中未来低温信号生成电子器件的理想平台。Alberto Ferraris 及其同事展示了一种低温电路，该电路采用基于 InGaAs 的量子阱晶体管，并集成了用于量子计算机的电容器。与硅 CMOS 相比，该系统在低温条件下具有更优越的性能，而且供电电压更低，有助于降低量子比特控制应用中的功耗。
{"title":"Cryogenic quantum computer control signal generation using high-electron-mobility transistors","authors":"Alberto Ferraris, Eunjung Cha, Peter Mueller, Kirsten Moselund, Cezar B. Zota","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00293-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00293-2","url":null,"abstract":"Multiplexed local charge storage, close to quantum processors at cryogenic temperatures could generate a multitude of control signals, for electronics or qubits, in an efficient manner. Such cryogenic electronics require generating quasi-static control signals with small area footprint, low noise, high stability, low power dissipation and, ideally, in a multiplexed fashion to reduce the number of input/outputs. In this work, we integrate capacitors with cryogenic high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) arrays and demonstrate quasi-static bias generation using gate pulses controlled in time and frequency domains. Multi-channel bias generation is also demonstrated. Operation at 4 K exhibits improved bias signal variability and greatly reduced subthreshold swing, reaching values of ~6 mV/decade. Due to the very low threshold voltage of 80 mV at 4 K and the steep subthreshold swing, these circuits can provide an advantage over the silicon-based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor equivalents by allowing operation at significantly reduced drive bias in the low output voltage regime <1 V. Together with their high-speed operation, this makes HEMTs an attractive platform for future cryogenic signal generation electronics in quantum computers. Alberto Ferraris and colleagues demonstrate a cryogenic circuit with a InGaAs-based quantum well transistors integrated with capacitors for the application of quantum computers. This system improves over Si CMOS by superior properties at cryogenic temperature and with a lower voltage supply, which is helpful to reduce the power consumption in the qubit control applications.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00293-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142435930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-15DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00291-4
Mustafa Majid Rashak Al-Fartoos, Anurag Roy, Tapas K. Mallick, Asif Ali Tahir
To address the pressing need for reducing building energy consumption and combating climate change, thermoelectric glazing (TEGZ) presents a promising solution. This technology harnesses waste heat from buildings and converts it into electricity, while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. Here, we developed a TEGZ using cost-effective materials, specifically aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and copper iodide (CuI). Both AZO and CuI exhibit a high figure of merit (ZT), a key indicator of thermoelectric efficiency, with values of 1.37 and 0.72, respectively, at 340 K, demonstrating their strong potential for efficient heat-to-electricity conversion. Additionally, we fabricated an AZO-CuI based TEGZ prototype (5 × 5 cm²), incorporating eight nanogenerators, each producing 32 nW at 340 K. Early testing of the prototype showed a notable temperature differential of 22.5 °C between the outer and inner surfaces of the window glazing. These results suggest TEGZ could advance building energy efficiency, offering a futuristic approach to sustainable build environment. A thermoelectric glazing prototype made from cost-effective aluminium-doped zinc oxide and copper iodide nanogenerators achieves a 22.5 °C temperature difference on either side of the glaze, harvesting electricity from the differential. Such glazes are critical for increasing energy efficiency in the built environment.
为满足降低建筑能耗和应对气候变化的迫切需要，热电玻璃（TEGZ）提供了一种前景广阔的解决方案。这项技术可以利用建筑物的余热并将其转化为电能，同时保持舒适的室内温度。在这里，我们使用具有成本效益的材料，特别是掺铝氧化锌（AZO）和碘化铜（CuI），开发了一种 TEGZ。AZO 和 CuI 都具有很高的优点系数 (ZT)，这是衡量热电效率的一个关键指标，在 340 K 时的数值分别为 1.37 和 0.72，这证明了它们在高效热电转换方面的巨大潜力。此外，我们还制作了一个基于 AZO-CuI 的 TEGZ 原型（5 × 5 cm²），其中包含八个纳米发电机，每个在 340 K 时可产生 32 nW。这些结果表明，TEGZ 可以提高建筑能效，为可持续建筑环境提供一种未来方法。由具有成本效益的掺铝氧化锌和碘化铜纳米发电机制成的热电玻璃原型在玻璃两侧实现了 22.5 °C的温差，并从温差中获取电能。这种玻璃对于提高建筑环境的能效至关重要。
{"title":"A semi-transparent thermoelectric glazing nanogenerator with aluminium doped zinc oxide and copper iodide thin films","authors":"Mustafa Majid Rashak Al-Fartoos, Anurag Roy, Tapas K. Mallick, Asif Ali Tahir","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00291-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00291-4","url":null,"abstract":"To address the pressing need for reducing building energy consumption and combating climate change, thermoelectric glazing (TEGZ) presents a promising solution. This technology harnesses waste heat from buildings and converts it into electricity, while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. Here, we developed a TEGZ using cost-effective materials, specifically aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO) and copper iodide (CuI). Both AZO and CuI exhibit a high figure of merit (ZT), a key indicator of thermoelectric efficiency, with values of 1.37 and 0.72, respectively, at 340 K, demonstrating their strong potential for efficient heat-to-electricity conversion. Additionally, we fabricated an AZO-CuI based TEGZ prototype (5 × 5 cm²), incorporating eight nanogenerators, each producing 32 nW at 340 K. Early testing of the prototype showed a notable temperature differential of 22.5 °C between the outer and inner surfaces of the window glazing. These results suggest TEGZ could advance building energy efficiency, offering a futuristic approach to sustainable build environment. A thermoelectric glazing prototype made from cost-effective aluminium-doped zinc oxide and copper iodide nanogenerators achieves a 22.5 °C temperature difference on either side of the glaze, harvesting electricity from the differential. Such glazes are critical for increasing energy efficiency in the built environment.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00291-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142435962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Numerous deep-learning models have been developed using task-specific data, but they ignore the inherent connections among different tasks. By jointly learning a wide range of segmentation tasks, we prove that a general medical image segmentation model can improve segmentation performance for computerized tomography (CT) volumes. The proposed general CT image segmentation (gCIS) model utilizes a common transformer-based encoder for all tasks and incorporates automatic pathway modules for task prompt-based decoding. It is trained on one of the largest datasets, comprising 36,419 CT scans and 83 tasks. gCIS can automatically perform various segmentation tasks using automatic pathway modules of decoding networks through text prompt inputs, achieving an average Dice coefficient of 82.84%. Furthermore, the proposed automatic pathway routing mechanism allows for parameter pruning of the network during deployment, and gCIS can also be quickly adapted to unseen tasks with minimal training samples while maintaining great performance. Xi Ouyang et al. developed a unified machine-learning model for multi-task segmentation in computed tomography images. After collating a large dataset composed of over 35K scans, the model presented superior results compared to the state-of-the-art in various tasks.
{"title":"Towards a general computed tomography image segmentation model for anatomical structures and lesions","authors":"Xi Ouyang, Dongdong Gu, Xuejian Li, Wenqi Zhou, Qianqian Chen, Yiqiang Zhan, Xiang Sean Zhou, Feng Shi, Zhong Xue, Dinggang Shen","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00287-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00287-0","url":null,"abstract":"Numerous deep-learning models have been developed using task-specific data, but they ignore the inherent connections among different tasks. By jointly learning a wide range of segmentation tasks, we prove that a general medical image segmentation model can improve segmentation performance for computerized tomography (CT) volumes. The proposed general CT image segmentation (gCIS) model utilizes a common transformer-based encoder for all tasks and incorporates automatic pathway modules for task prompt-based decoding. It is trained on one of the largest datasets, comprising 36,419 CT scans and 83 tasks. gCIS can automatically perform various segmentation tasks using automatic pathway modules of decoding networks through text prompt inputs, achieving an average Dice coefficient of 82.84%. Furthermore, the proposed automatic pathway routing mechanism allows for parameter pruning of the network during deployment, and gCIS can also be quickly adapted to unseen tasks with minimal training samples while maintaining great performance. Xi Ouyang et al. developed a unified machine-learning model for multi-task segmentation in computed tomography images. After collating a large dataset composed of over 35K scans, the model presented superior results compared to the state-of-the-art in various tasks.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00287-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The integration of fiber-optical wireless convergence with fifth generation new radio is crucial in building high-performance access networks. This approach not only provides high-transmission-rates but also ensures broad coverage, which is vital for future networks. Here we report fifth generation new radio fiber-wireless converged systems by injection locking multi-optical carrier into directly-modulated lasers. Data rates of 10 Gb/s, 20 Gb/s, and 40 Gb/s are achieved by direct modulation on directly-modulated lasers using 16-quadrature amplitude modulation-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signal. Through 25-km single-mode fiber, 1.5-km optical wireless, and 12-/22-/33-m millimeter-wave/sub-terahertz wireless integrated-media, 10-Gb/s/20-GHz, 20-Gb/s/60-GHz, and 40-Gb/s/100-GHz signals are transmitted with acceptably low bit error rates and error vector magnitudes, as well as distinct constellations. The successful transport of fifth generation new radio millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz signals at different carrier frequencies through fiber-wireless convergence demonstrates the potential of the system to meet the evolving requirement of next-generation communications. Hai-Han Lu and co-authors present a new radio transmission system. Using directly modulated laser thought injection locking of the optical comb, they demonstrate millimeter wave/sub-terahertz wireless and fiber transmission.
{"title":"5 G new radio fiber-wireless converged systems by injection locking multi-optical carrier into directly-modulated lasers","authors":"Hai-Han Lu, Hsiao-Mei Lin, Chia-Peng Wang, Stotaw Talbachew Hayle, Chung-Yi Li, Xu-Hong Huang, Yu-Yao Bai, Kelper Okram, Jia-Ming Lu, Yu-Chen Chung, Wei-Wen Hsu","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00295-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00295-0","url":null,"abstract":"The integration of fiber-optical wireless convergence with fifth generation new radio is crucial in building high-performance access networks. This approach not only provides high-transmission-rates but also ensures broad coverage, which is vital for future networks. Here we report fifth generation new radio fiber-wireless converged systems by injection locking multi-optical carrier into directly-modulated lasers. Data rates of 10 Gb/s, 20 Gb/s, and 40 Gb/s are achieved by direct modulation on directly-modulated lasers using 16-quadrature amplitude modulation-orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signal. Through 25-km single-mode fiber, 1.5-km optical wireless, and 12-/22-/33-m millimeter-wave/sub-terahertz wireless integrated-media, 10-Gb/s/20-GHz, 20-Gb/s/60-GHz, and 40-Gb/s/100-GHz signals are transmitted with acceptably low bit error rates and error vector magnitudes, as well as distinct constellations. The successful transport of fifth generation new radio millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz signals at different carrier frequencies through fiber-wireless convergence demonstrates the potential of the system to meet the evolving requirement of next-generation communications. Hai-Han Lu and co-authors present a new radio transmission system. Using directly modulated laser thought injection locking of the optical comb, they demonstrate millimeter wave/sub-terahertz wireless and fiber transmission.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00295-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142431095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-12DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00285-2
Ryan Way, Hayley Templeton, Daniel Ball, Ming-Hao Cheng, Stuart A. Tobet, Thomas Chen
Epithelial cells create barriers that protect many different components in the body from their external environment. Increased gut barrier permeability (leaky gut) has been linked to several chronic inflammatory diseases. Understanding the cause of leaky gut and effective interventions are elusive due to the lack of tools that maintain tissue’s physiological environment while elucidating cellular functions under various stimuli ex vivo. Here we present a microphysiological system that records real-time barrier permeability of mouse colon in a physiological environment over extended durations. The system includes a microfluidic chamber; media composition that preserves microbiome and creates necessary oxygen gradients across the barrier; and integrated sensor electrodes for acquiring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Our results demonstrate that the system can maintain tissue viability for up to 72 h. The TEER sensors can distinguish levels of barrier permeability when treated with collagenase and low pH media and detect different thickness in the tissue explant. Thomas Chen and colleagues design a microphysiological system for the study of intestinal mouse epithelial tissue under physiological conditions in an ex-vivo environment. Using their apparatus they perform a time-dependent analysis of the transepithelial electrical resistance and determine changes in the gut epithelial barrier permeability.
{"title":"A microphysiological system for studying barrier health of live tissues in real time","authors":"Ryan Way, Hayley Templeton, Daniel Ball, Ming-Hao Cheng, Stuart A. Tobet, Thomas Chen","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00285-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00285-2","url":null,"abstract":"Epithelial cells create barriers that protect many different components in the body from their external environment. Increased gut barrier permeability (leaky gut) has been linked to several chronic inflammatory diseases. Understanding the cause of leaky gut and effective interventions are elusive due to the lack of tools that maintain tissue’s physiological environment while elucidating cellular functions under various stimuli ex vivo. Here we present a microphysiological system that records real-time barrier permeability of mouse colon in a physiological environment over extended durations. The system includes a microfluidic chamber; media composition that preserves microbiome and creates necessary oxygen gradients across the barrier; and integrated sensor electrodes for acquiring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Our results demonstrate that the system can maintain tissue viability for up to 72 h. The TEER sensors can distinguish levels of barrier permeability when treated with collagenase and low pH media and detect different thickness in the tissue explant. Thomas Chen and colleagues design a microphysiological system for the study of intestinal mouse epithelial tissue under physiological conditions in an ex-vivo environment. Using their apparatus they perform a time-dependent analysis of the transepithelial electrical resistance and determine changes in the gut epithelial barrier permeability.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00285-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142415418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-11DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00286-1
Richard Hopper, Daniel Popa, Emanuela Maggioni, Devarsh Patel, Marianna Obrist, Basile Nicolas Landis, Julien Wen Hsieh, Florin Udrea
To improve our understanding of the perception of odors, researchers are often required to undertake experimental procedures with users exposed to multiple odors in a variety of settings, including to diagnose smell loss in clinics and care homes. Existing smell tests are typically administered using multiple sniffing pens, manually presented to patients by a highly specialized nurse using a time-consuming and complex testing paradigm. Automated odor delivery devices, such as olfactometer systems, exist but are expensive, bulky and typically lab based, making them difficult to use for on the ground odor delivery. Here we have developed a portable, affordable, odor delivery device that can deliver 24 odors through individual channels with high temporal precision and without cross-contamination. The device allows for the rapid, flexible sequencing of odors via digital control using a mobile application and has been experimentally validated in the lab, as well as tested on patients. The design provides several advantages for investigating olfactory perception and offers the possibility that users can one day self-administer smell tests in a range of settings, including at home, allowing smell healthcare services to evolve and become part of a routine practice and self-care culture. Richard Hopper and colleagues design a multi-channel odor delivery system. Their device allows high precision olfactory experiences to be created with a compact desktop unit.
{"title":"Multi-channel portable odor delivery device for self-administered and rapid smell testing","authors":"Richard Hopper, Daniel Popa, Emanuela Maggioni, Devarsh Patel, Marianna Obrist, Basile Nicolas Landis, Julien Wen Hsieh, Florin Udrea","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00286-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00286-1","url":null,"abstract":"To improve our understanding of the perception of odors, researchers are often required to undertake experimental procedures with users exposed to multiple odors in a variety of settings, including to diagnose smell loss in clinics and care homes. Existing smell tests are typically administered using multiple sniffing pens, manually presented to patients by a highly specialized nurse using a time-consuming and complex testing paradigm. Automated odor delivery devices, such as olfactometer systems, exist but are expensive, bulky and typically lab based, making them difficult to use for on the ground odor delivery. Here we have developed a portable, affordable, odor delivery device that can deliver 24 odors through individual channels with high temporal precision and without cross-contamination. The device allows for the rapid, flexible sequencing of odors via digital control using a mobile application and has been experimentally validated in the lab, as well as tested on patients. The design provides several advantages for investigating olfactory perception and offers the possibility that users can one day self-administer smell tests in a range of settings, including at home, allowing smell healthcare services to evolve and become part of a routine practice and self-care culture. Richard Hopper and colleagues design a multi-channel odor delivery system. Their device allows high precision olfactory experiences to be created with a compact desktop unit.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00286-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142407304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-09DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00280-7
Kazuyo Ito, Cameron Hoerig, Yee Shan Dan, Sally A. McFadden, Jonathan Mamou, Quan V. Hoang
Retina-derived growth signals relayed from the choroid to the sclera cause remodeling of the extracellular scleral matrix, resulting in myopic ocular elongation. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have assessed changes in choroidal stromal biomechanical properties during myopia progression. Here we utilized 7 µm-resolution scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) to assess biomechanical properties (bulk modulus (K) and mass density (rho)) of choroidal stroma from guinea pig eyes with form-deprivation (FD) induced myopia. The choroidal stroma had considerable intrinsic strength arising from its biomechanical properties and these were differentially affected by myopia in central and peripheral regions. Choroidal stromal biomechanical values were also highly correlated with those in adjacent scleral regions, and the choroidal stromal-scleral association was stronger in myopic eyes. Biomechanical changes observed in the choroidal stroma of myopic eyes were mirrored to those observed in the adjacent sclera. These findings suggest that choroidal stromal remodeling may accompany myopia and open the door to the source of the signals that cause scleral remodeling in myopia. Prof Hoang and colleagues used scanning acoustic microscopy to investigate the biomechanical properties of the choroid in myopic eyes. Their biomechanical analytics reveal changes in choroidal stroma from remodeling were mirrored to those in the adjacent sclera. This finding opens the door to the source of the signals that cause scleral remodeling in myopia.
{"title":"Biomechanical changes occur in myopic choroidal stroma and mirror those in the adjacent sclera","authors":"Kazuyo Ito, Cameron Hoerig, Yee Shan Dan, Sally A. McFadden, Jonathan Mamou, Quan V. Hoang","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00280-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00280-7","url":null,"abstract":"Retina-derived growth signals relayed from the choroid to the sclera cause remodeling of the extracellular scleral matrix, resulting in myopic ocular elongation. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have assessed changes in choroidal stromal biomechanical properties during myopia progression. Here we utilized 7 µm-resolution scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) to assess biomechanical properties (bulk modulus (K) and mass density (rho)) of choroidal stroma from guinea pig eyes with form-deprivation (FD) induced myopia. The choroidal stroma had considerable intrinsic strength arising from its biomechanical properties and these were differentially affected by myopia in central and peripheral regions. Choroidal stromal biomechanical values were also highly correlated with those in adjacent scleral regions, and the choroidal stromal-scleral association was stronger in myopic eyes. Biomechanical changes observed in the choroidal stroma of myopic eyes were mirrored to those observed in the adjacent sclera. These findings suggest that choroidal stromal remodeling may accompany myopia and open the door to the source of the signals that cause scleral remodeling in myopia. Prof Hoang and colleagues used scanning acoustic microscopy to investigate the biomechanical properties of the choroid in myopic eyes. Their biomechanical analytics reveal changes in choroidal stroma from remodeling were mirrored to those in the adjacent sclera. This finding opens the door to the source of the signals that cause scleral remodeling in myopia.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00280-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142395704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Traditional image processing-based autofocusing techniques require the acquisition, storage, and processing of large amounts of image sequences, constraining focusing speed and cost. Here we propose an autofocusing technique, which directly and exactly acquires the geometric moments of the target object in real time at different locations by means of a proper image modulation and detection by a single-pixel detector. An autofocusing criterion is then formulated using the central moments, and the fast acquisition of the focal point is achieved by searching for the position that minimizes the criterion. Theoretical analysis and experimental validation of the method are performed and the results show that the method can achieve fast and accurate autofocusing. The proposed method requires only three single-pixel detections for each focusing position of the target object to evaluate the focusing criterion without imaging the target object. The method does not require any active object-to-camera distance measurement. Comparing to local differential methods such as contrast or gradient measurement, our method is more stable to noise and requires very little data compared with the traditional image processing methods. It may find a wide range of potential applications and prospects, particularly in low-light imaging and near-infra imaging, where the level of noise is typically high. Dongfeng Shi and colleagues design an autofocusing algorithm which required fewer sampling pixels. Their method performs well in low light high noise imaging.
{"title":"Fast autofocusing based on single-pixel moment detection","authors":"Huiling Chen, Dongfeng Shi, Zijun Guo, Runbo Jiang, Linbin Zha, Yingjian Wang, Jan Flusser","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00288-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00288-z","url":null,"abstract":"Traditional image processing-based autofocusing techniques require the acquisition, storage, and processing of large amounts of image sequences, constraining focusing speed and cost. Here we propose an autofocusing technique, which directly and exactly acquires the geometric moments of the target object in real time at different locations by means of a proper image modulation and detection by a single-pixel detector. An autofocusing criterion is then formulated using the central moments, and the fast acquisition of the focal point is achieved by searching for the position that minimizes the criterion. Theoretical analysis and experimental validation of the method are performed and the results show that the method can achieve fast and accurate autofocusing. The proposed method requires only three single-pixel detections for each focusing position of the target object to evaluate the focusing criterion without imaging the target object. The method does not require any active object-to-camera distance measurement. Comparing to local differential methods such as contrast or gradient measurement, our method is more stable to noise and requires very little data compared with the traditional image processing methods. It may find a wide range of potential applications and prospects, particularly in low-light imaging and near-infra imaging, where the level of noise is typically high. Dongfeng Shi and colleagues design an autofocusing algorithm which required fewer sampling pixels. Their method performs well in low light high noise imaging.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s44172-024-00288-z.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142395705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-05DOI: 10.1038/s44172-024-00284-3
Qilong Cheng, Sukumar Rajauria, Erhard Schreck, Robert Smith, Qing Dai, David B. Bogy
Laser-lubricant interaction has been a critical reliability issue in a thermo-tribological system named heat-assisted magnetic recording, one of the next generation hard disk drive solutions to increasing data storage. The lubricant response under laser irradiation and the subsequent lubricant recovery are crucial to the system’s reliability and longevity, however, they cannot be diagnosed locally and timely so far. Here, we propose a thermal scheme to in-situ characterize the mechanical laser-lubricant interaction. The nanometer-thick lubricant has a thermal barrier effect on the near-field thermal transport in the system, according to which the lubricant thickness can be determined. As demonstrations, this paper reports the first quantitative in-situ measurements of the laser-induced lubricant depletion and the subsequent reflow dynamics. The proposed scheme shows a sub-angstrom resolution (~0.2 Å) and a fast response time within seconds, rendering in-situ real-time lubricant diagnosis feasible in the practical hard disk drive products. Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording hard disk drives offer a solution to increasing data storage. Cheng and colleagues demonstrate a near-field thermal transport-based scheme to in-situ measure the lubricant thickness during the lubricant depletion and reflow dynamics, a process crucial to the reliability and longevity of the system.
{"title":"In-situ sub-angstrom characterization of laser-lubricant interaction in a thermo-tribological system","authors":"Qilong Cheng, Sukumar Rajauria, Erhard Schreck, Robert Smith, Qing Dai, David B. Bogy","doi":"10.1038/s44172-024-00284-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s44172-024-00284-3","url":null,"abstract":"Laser-lubricant interaction has been a critical reliability issue in a thermo-tribological system named heat-assisted magnetic recording, one of the next generation hard disk drive solutions to increasing data storage. The lubricant response under laser irradiation and the subsequent lubricant recovery are crucial to the system’s reliability and longevity, however, they cannot be diagnosed locally and timely so far. Here, we propose a thermal scheme to in-situ characterize the mechanical laser-lubricant interaction. The nanometer-thick lubricant has a thermal barrier effect on the near-field thermal transport in the system, according to which the lubricant thickness can be determined. As demonstrations, this paper reports the first quantitative in-situ measurements of the laser-induced lubricant depletion and the subsequent reflow dynamics. The proposed scheme shows a sub-angstrom resolution (~0.2 Å) and a fast response time within seconds, rendering in-situ real-time lubricant diagnosis feasible in the practical hard disk drive products. Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording hard disk drives offer a solution to increasing data storage. Cheng and colleagues demonstrate a near-field thermal transport-based scheme to in-situ measure the lubricant thickness during the lubricant depletion and reflow dynamics, a process crucial to the reliability and longevity of the system.","PeriodicalId":72644,"journal":{"name":"Communications engineering","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11457497/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142378658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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