University of Alcalá

About: University of Alcalá is a education organization based out in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 10795 authors who have published 20718 publications receiving 410089 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Alcala & University of Alcala de Henares.

Immunohistochemical characterization of fibroblast subpopulations in normal peritoneal tissue and in peritoneal dialysis-induced fibrosis.

Abstract: Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most common morphological changes observed in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients Both resident fibroblasts and new fibroblast-like cells derived from the mesothelium by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition are the main cells involved fibrogenesis In order to establish markers of peritoneal impairment and pathogenic clues to explain the fibrogenic process, we conducted an immunohistochemical study focused on peritoneal fibroblasts Parietal peritoneal biopsies were collected from four patient groups: normal controls (n=15), non-CAPD uremic patients (n=17), uremic patients on CAPD (n=27) and non-renal patients with inguinal hernia (n=12) To study myofibroblastic conversion of mesothelial cells, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, cytokeratins and E-cadherin were analyzed The expression of CD34 by fibroblasts was also analyzed Fibroblasts from controls and non-CAPD uremic patients showed expression of CD34, but no myofibroblastic or mesothelial markers The opposite pattern was present during CAPD-related fibrosis Expression of cytokeratins and E-cadherin by fibroblast-like cells and α-SMA by mesothelial and stromal cells supports that mesothelial-to-myofibroblast transition occurs during CAPD Loss of CD34 expression correlated with the degree of peritoneal fibrosis The immunophenotype of fibroblasts varies during the progression of fibrosis Myofibroblasts seem to derive from both activation of resident fibroblasts and local conversion of mesothelial cells

Intelligent automatic overtaking system using vision for vehicle detection

Abstract: Highlights? We have implemented an autonomous overtaking system in a commercial car. ? The system performs the maneuver as humans do, i.e., depending on the leading vehicle. ? Vision system is use to detect obstacles and to determine its length and width. ? Fuzzy logic was used as control technique to design lateral and longitudinal control. ? Real experiments show the ability of the system to manage any overtaking maneuver. There is clear evidence that investment in intelligent transportation system technologies brings major social and economic benefits. Technological advances in the area of automatic systems in particular are becoming vital for the reduction of road deaths. We here describe our approach to automation of one the riskiest autonomous man?uvres involving vehicles - overtaking. The approach is based on a stereo vision system responsible for detecting any preceding vehicle and triggering the autonomous overtaking man?uvre. To this end, a fuzzy-logic based controller was developed to emulate how humans overtake. Its input is information from the vision system and from a positioning-based system consisting of a differential global positioning system (DGPS) and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Its output is the generation of action on the vehicle's actuators, i.e., the steering wheel and throttle and brake pedals. The system has been incorporated into a commercial Citroen car and tested on the private driving circuit at the facilities of our research center, CAR, with different preceding vehicles - a motorbike, car, and truck - with encouraging results.