Evaluation of laser range-finder mapping for agricultural spraying vehicles

In this paper, we present a new application of laser range-finder sensing to agricultural spraying vehicles. The current generation of spraying vehicles use automatic controllers to maintain the height of the sprayer booms above the crop. However, these control systems are typically based on ultrasonic sensors mounted on the booms, which limits the accuracy of the measurements and the response of the controller to changes in the terrain, resulting in a sub-optimal spraying process. To overcome these limitations, we propose to use a laser scanner, attached to the front of the sprayer's cabin, to scan the ground surface in front of the vehicle and to build a scrolling 3d map of the terrain. We evaluate the proposed solution in a series of field tests, demonstrating that the approach provides a more detailed and accurate representation of the environment than the current sonar-based solution, and which can lead to the development of more efficient boom control systems

Isomeric carbazolocarbazoles: synthesis, characterization and comparative study in Organic Field Effect Transistors

We report here the synthesis and characterization of a new family of isomeric carbazolocarbazole derivatives, namely carbazolo[1,2-a]carbazole, carbazolo[3,2-b]carbazoleand carbazolo[4,3-c]carbazole. Thermal, optical, electrochemical, morphological and semiconducting properties have been studied to understand the influence of geometrical isomerism on the optoelectronic properties of these compounds. Different packing patterns have been observed by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) which then correlate with the different morphologies of the evaporated thin films studied by XRD and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The effect of N-substituents has also been evaluated for one of the isomers revealing a noticeable influence on the performance as organic semiconductors in Organic Field Effect Transistors (OFETs). A good p-channel field effect has been determined for N,N′-dioctylcarbazolo[4,3-c]carbazole with a mobility of 0.02 cm2 V−1 s−1 and Ion/Ioff ratio of 106 in air. These preliminary results demonstrate the promising properties of molecular carbazolocarbazole systems which should be further explored in the area of organic semiconducting materials

Critical Role for CCA1 and LHY in Maintaining Circadian Rhythmicity in Arabidopsis

AbstractCircadian clocks are autoregulatory, endogenous mechanisms that allow organisms, from bacteria to humans, to advantageously time a wide range of activities within 24-hr environmental cycles [1]. CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) are thought to be important components of the circadian clock in the model plant Arabidopsis[2–5]. The similar circadian phenotypes of lines overexpressing either CCA1 or LHY have suggested that the functions of these two transcription factors are largely overlapping. cca1-1 plants, which lack CCA1 protein, show a short-period phenotype for the expression of several genes when assayed under constant light conditions [5]. This suggests that LHY function is able to only partially compensate for the lack of CCA1 protein, resulting in a clock with a faster pace in cca1-1 plants. We have obtained plants lacking CCA1 and with LHY function strongly reduced, cca1-1 lhy-R, and show that these plants are unable to maintain sustained oscillations in both constant light and constant darkness. However, these plants exhibit some circadian function in light/dark cycles, showing that the Arabidopsis circadian clock is not entirely dependent on CCA1 and LHY activities

Tumor de Células Gigantes del Primer Metacarpiano

Se presenta un caso de tumor de células gigantes que afecta al primer metacarpiano. El tratamiento consistió en la resección en bloque del metacarpiano y su sustitución por injerto cortico-esponjoso de cresta ilíaca.A case of giant cell tumor affecting the first metacarpal bone was presented. Treatment consisted of block resection of the metacarpal and its substitution by porous cortical bone graft from the iliac crest

KBE Application for the Design and Manufacture of HSM Fixtures

The design of machining fixtures for aeronautical parts is strongly based in the knowledge of the fixture designer, and it comprises certain repetitive tasks. An analysis of the design process allows us to state its suitability for developing Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) applications in order to capture the knowledge, and to systematize and automate the designs.This work justifies the importance of fixtures for High Speed Milling (HSM), and explains the development of a KBE application to automate the design and manufacturing of such elements. The application is the outcome of a project carried out in collaboration with the company EADS.In the development process, a specific methodology was used in order to represent the knowledge in a semi-structured way and to document the information needed to define the system. The developed KBE application is independent of the parts design system. This makes it necessary to use an interface to input the part geometry into the KBE application, where it is analyzed in order to extract the relevant information for the fixture design process. The results obtained from the application come in three different ways: raw material drawings, fixture 3D solid models, and text files (Bill Of Materials – BOM, and Numerical Control – NC programs). All the results are exported to other applications for use in other tasks. The designer interacts with the application through an ad hoc interface, where he is asked to select or input some data and where the results are also visualized. The prototype KBE application has been carried out in the ICAD development environment and the main interface is with the CAD/CAM system CATIA V4.

Development and kinematic verification of a finite element model for the lumbar spine: Application to disc degeneration

The knowledge of the lumbar spine biomechanics is essential for clinical applications. Due to the difficulties to experiment on living people and the irregular results published, simulation based on finite elements (FE) has been developed, making it possible to adequately reproduce the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. A 3D FE model of the complete lumbar spine (vertebrae, discs, and ligaments) has been developed. To verify the model, radiological images (X-rays) were taken over a group of 25 healthy, male individuals with average age of 27.4 and average weight of 78.6 kg with the corresponding informed consent. A maximum angle of 34.40° is achieved in flexion and of 35.58° in extension with a flexion-extension angle of 69.98°. The radiological measurements were 33.94 ± 4.91°, 38.73 ± 4.29°, and 72.67°, respectively. In lateral bending, the maximum angles were 19.33° and 23.40 ± 2.39, respectively. In rotation a maximum angle of 9.96° was obtained. The model incorporates a precise geometrical characterization of several elements (vertebrae, discs, and ligaments), respecting anatomical features and being capable of reproducing a wide range of physiological movements. Application to disc degeneration (L5-S1) allows predicting the affection in the mobility of the different lumbar segments, by means of parametric studies for different ranges of degeneration

Calidad de vida en el niño con enfermedad crónica

¿Cuál es la calidad de vida de los niños bajo diferentes situaciones sociales y de salud en la ciudad de Córdoba durante el período 2004 a 2006? ¿Porqué medir la Calidad de Vida en los niños? El desarrollo actual de la sociedad en su conjunto y de las ciencias en lo particular, han determinado que el 80% a 90% de los niños con diferentes dificultades físicas, psíquicas o sociales lleguen a la edad adulta. La presencia de esas dificultades en el momento de la maduración física y psicosocial puede impedir el desarrollo normal, originando un número no determinado de secuelas . Por ello nos parece importante identificar los problemas que afectan la CV de los niños, reconocerlos y darlos a conocer tan pronto como sea posible. Ello permitiría: - Identificar grupos que necesitan una pronta intervención en lo físico, psicológico o social. (Impacto de corto y mediano plazo). - Proveer información más allá de los parámetros cuantitativos (fisiológicos o bioquímicos). No es raro observar que individuos con grados equivalentes de dificultad muestran una diferencia notable en la sensación de bienestar y en el desarrollo de sus funciones. Diversas investigaciones han demostrado que la evaluación de la CV proporciona una imagen más adecuada de la que hacen otros parámetros por separado, y que lo hace tal como lo percibe el individuo afectado. - La evaluación de la CV se correlaciona mejor con la sensación de bienestar y la utilización de servicios sociales que la calificación que un médico, por ejemplo, hace de ese individuo. Esto hace a la eficiencia del modelo elegido. Los resultados pueden identificar grupos que demandan servicios en exceso y señalar posibles causas. - La evaluación de la CV de un individuo proporciona información que los padres, amigos o profesionales no pueden dar. Los parientes y profesionales tienden a subestimar la CV del niño y evalúan en forma diferente la importancia de las preocupaciones e incertidumbres de una situación. - El mapa de riesgo de la infancia Argentina otorga prioridad y por ende oportunidad al estudio de la CV de los niños. La eficiencia del modelo propuesto cobra importancia al suponer un impacto social y cambios positivos de importancia. El Objetivo general es: Investigar la Calidad de Vida del niño en forma genérica y específica. Los Objetivos específicos: Identificar un sistema de prioridades a partir de un proyecto genérico. Examinar la Calidad de Vida en relación a la salud en sus propios grupos de riesgo

Calidad de vida del niño en situación socio-económica adversa

¿Cuál es la calidad de vida de los niños bajo diferentes situaciones sociales y de salud en la ciudad de Córdoba durante el período 2004 a 2006? ¿Porqué medir la Calidad de Vida en los niños? El desarrollo actual de la sociedad en su conjunto y de las ciencias en lo particular, han determinado que el 80% a 90% de los niños con diferentes dificultades físicas, psíquicas o sociales lleguen a la edad adulta. La presencia de esas dificultades en el momento de la maduración física y psicosocial puede impedir el desarrollo normal, originando un número no determinado de secuelas . Por ello nos parece importante identificar los problemas que afectan la CV de los niños, reconocerlos y darlos a conocer tan pronto como sea posible. Ello permitiría: - Identificar grupos que necesitan una pronta intervención en lo físico, psicológico o social. (Impacto de corto y mediano plazo). - Proveer información más allá de los parámetros cuantitativos (fisiológicos o bioquímicos). No es raro observar que individuos con grados equivalentes de dificultad muestran una diferencia notable en la sensación de bienestar y en el desarrollo de sus funciones. Diversas investigaciones han demostrado que la evaluación de la CV proporciona una imagen más adecuada de la que hacen otros parámetros por separado, y que lo hace tal como lo percibe el individuo afectado. - La evaluación de la CV se correlaciona mejor con la sensación de bienestar y la utilización de servicios sociales que la calificación que un médico, por ejemplo, hace de ese individuo. Esto hace a la eficiencia del modelo elegido. Los resultados pueden identificar grupos que demandan servicios en exceso y señalar posibles causas. - La evaluación de la CV de un individuo proporciona información que los padres, amigos o profesionales no pueden dar. Los parientes y profesionales tienden a subestimar la CV del niño y evalúan en forma diferente la importancia de las preocupaciones e incertidumbres de una situación. - El mapa de riesgo de la infancia Argentina otorga prioridad y por ende oportunidad al estudio de la CV de los niños. La eficiencia del modelo propuesto cobra importancia al suponer un impacto social y cambios positivos de importancia. El Objetivo general es: Investigar la Calidad de Vida del niño en forma genérica y específica. Los Objetivos específicos: Identificar un sistema de prioridades a partir de un proyecto genérico. Examinar la Calidad de Vida en relación a la salud en sus propios grupos de riesgo

Body weight distortions in an auditory-driven body illusion in subclinical and clinical eating disorders.

Previous studies suggest a stronger influence of visual signals on body image in individuals with eating disorders (EDs) than healthy controls; however, the influence of other exteroceptive sensory signals remains unclear. Here we used an illusion relying on auditory (exteroceptive) signals to manipulate body size/weight perceptions and investigated whether the mechanisms integrating sensory signals into body image are altered in subclinical and clinical EDs. Participants' footstep sounds were altered to seem produced by lighter or heavier bodies. Across two experiments, we tested healthy women assigned to three groups based on self-reported Symptomatology of EDs (SED), and women with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), and used self-report, body-visualization, and behavioural (gait) measures. As with visual bodily illusions, we predicted stronger influence of auditory signals, leading to an enhanced body-weight illusion, in people with High-SED and AN. Unexpectedly, High-SED and AN participants displayed a gait typical of heavier bodies and a widest/heaviest visualized body in the 'light' footsteps condition. In contrast, Low-SED participants showed these patterns in the 'heavy' footsteps condition. Self-reports did not show group differences. The results of this pilot study suggest disturbances in the sensory integration mechanisms, rather than purely visually-driven body distortions, in subclinical/clinical EDs, opening opportunities for the development of novel diagnostic/therapeutic tools

Preliminary evaluation of a blast sprayer controlled by pulse width modulated nozzles

[EN] Precision spraying relies on the response of the spraying equipment to the features of the targeted canopy. PWM technology manages the flow rate using a set of electronically actuated solenoid valves to regulate flow rate at the nozzle level. Previous studies have found that PWM systems may deliver incorrect flow rates. The objective of the present study was to characterize the performance of a commercial blast sprayer modified with pulse-width-modulated nozzles under laboratory conditions, as a preliminary step before its further field validation. Four different duty cycles (25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent and 100 percent) and four different pressures (400 kPa, 500 kPa, 600 kPa and 700 kPa) were combined to experimentally measure the flow rate of each nozzle. Results showed that the PWM nozzles mounted in the commercial blast sprayer, under static conditions, were capable of modulating flow rate according to the duty cycle. However, the reduction of flow rates for the tested duty cycles according to pressure was lower than the percentage expected. A good linear relation was found between the pressure registered by the control system feedback sensor and the pressure measured by a reference conventional manometer located after the pump. High-speed video recordings confirmed the accurate opening and closing of the nozzles according to the duty cycle; however, substantial pressure variations were found at nozzle level. Further research to establish the general suitability of PWM systems for regulating nozzle flow rates in blast sprayers without modifying the system pressure still remains to be addressed.This research was funded by the Government of Spain through the project "Smart spraying for a sustainable vineyard and olive trees" PIVOS (PID2019-104289RB).Ortí García, E.; Cuenca, A.; Pérez Teruel, M.; Torregrosa, A.; Ortiz Sánchez, MC.; Rovira Más, F. (2022). Preliminary evaluation of a blast sprayer controlled by pulse width modulated nozzles. Sensors. 22(13):1-12. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22134924112221