We propose a novel hand-object contact detection system based on grasp quality metrics extracted from object and hand poses, and evaluated its performance using the DexYCB dataset. Our evaluation demonstrated the system's high accuracy (approaching 90%). Future work will focus on a real-time implementation using vision-based estimation, and integrating it to a robot-to-human handover system.

BACKGROUND: Identification and characterization of novel Plasmodium gene families is necessary for developing new anti-malarial therapeutics. The products of the Plasmodium falciparum gene, MB2, were shown previously to have a stage-specific pattern of subcellular localization and proteolytic processing. RESULTS: Genes homologous to MB2 were identified in five additional parasite species, P. knowlesi, P. gallinaceum, P. berghei, P. yoelii, and P. chabaudi. Sequence comparisons among the MB2 gene products reveal amino acid conservation of structural features, including putative S1 and GTP-binding domains, and putative signal peptides and nuclear localization signals. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of domains is unique to this gene family and indicates that MB2 genes comprise a novel family and therefore may be a good target for drug development.

Active and programmable networks allow innovative new services to be deployed rapidly. However, in a carrier grade network, it is imperative to maintain a scalable fast path mechanism so that the delay and throughput requirements are met. This is particularly important since, in many cases, network-level processing is only needed for a subset of packets and the remainder of traffic must be forwarded on the fast path. It is a challenge to design a cost effective node architecture that can satisfy this requirement. Current models are often 'revolutionary' and may not scale to the required performance levels of a carrier grade network. We develop an evolutionary architecture that uses MPLS label stacks to enable efficient and scalable extraction of active packets from the fast path without penalising the rest of the traffic. Our model can be used to extend the reach of programmable networks over a legacy infrastructure and provide a migratory path for existing carriers towards a programmable infrastructure.