Digital twin experiments focusing virtualisation, connectivity and real-time monitoring

Industry 4.0 is re-shaping the manufacturing world, and amongst the several associated emerging methods and technologies, Digital Twin is becoming a popular approach both in industry and academia. However, the lack of knowledge about the characteristics, functionalities, best practices and benefits that it can provide, especially for small and medium enterprises, constraints its wider adoption. The use of real applications and demonstrators can contribute to exposing stakeholders to these new and innovative technologies and approaches, showing the applicability of Digital Twins. This paper presents several experiments in implementing Digital Twin for automation scenarios, considering different technologies and functionalities, namely in terms of virtualisation, connectivity and monitoring. Lessons learnt and challenges are also provided as a result of the experimental implementations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Institutions and Agricultural Economics: a theoretical framework from Evolutionary Institutionalism

This paper aims to present central concepts of Evolutionary Institutionalism and to highlight analytical elements that may be useful for studies in agricultural economics. To this end, the study carried out a literature review based on the main references of institutional and evolutionary economics. The main analytical contribution of Evolutionary Institutionalism to agricultural economics lies in understanding economic relations from the perspective of human behaviour. Individuals become central to the analysis of the rural world, since they establish habits, behaviour patterns, and rules of conduct that, when interacting collectively, produce institutions. Thus, it is from the active role of the individual that rural dynamics emerge and consolidate an institutional environment and prevailing social structures. It is possible to point out some specific themes that emerge as potential applications of this line of thought: a) the analysis of the development trajectory of and institutional changes affecting different rural sectors; b) the role of habits, traditions and behavioural trends; c) power relations in agricultural markets; d) the evaluation of public policies for agriculture; e) innovation and technology as determinants of the evolution of routines, and f) the institutions “behind” the new relations of food production and consumption

A Note on Properties in Multi-Level Modeling

Given their ubiquity in conceptual modeling languages, it is no surprise that properties have been subject to attention and specialized support in multi-level modeling approaches (including mechanisms such as deep characterization). This paper examines consequences of a typology for properties of high-order types that distinguishes them into: direct, resultant and regularity properties. We discuss several implications of the proposed classification considering a number of aspects of multi-level modeling including: specialization between high-order types, applicability to powertype variants, property change, and potency.</p

ORGANIZAÇÃO ESPACIAL DA SUB-REGIÃO DE MACAPÁ, DA GÊNESE A ESTADUALIZAÇÃO

O presente artigo tem o objetivo de analisar a organização espacial da sub-região de Macapá – SRM, na Amazônia Setentrional Amapaense – ASA, que é composta pelos municípios de Macapá, Santana, Mazagão, Porto Grande, Ferreira Gomes, Serra do Navio, Itaubal do Piririm, Pedra Branca do Amaparí e Cutias do Araguarí, através de seus aspectos político-administrativos, com destaque a partir de seu desmembramento territorial e a dinâmica econômica presente na região de sua gênese até o período de sua estadualização. A forma como está organizado este artigo revela a necessidade de se compreender os diferentes papéis conferidos a sub-região de Macapá, na ASA, em particular. Para tanto, a metodologia utilizada no artigo foi analisar dados secundários, documentos, livros e artigos científicos que comprova a importância desta dentro da Amazônia, em sua dinâmica socioespacial. Por fim, a configuração espacial resultante de sua organização, denota a importância da SRM, em sua área core

Service Creation in the SPICE Service Platform

Convergence is driving the uptake of new technologies on networking and service layers. The emerging new network infrastructure centered on 3GPP and IMS will have a horizontal layering with a good separation of control functions, media handling, networking issues, and service layers. This is a first step for fast service creations. In addition, we need a good tool chain for service creation as well as a rich execution environment. This paper describes the approach of the IST project SPICE with respect to Service Creation Environment and Service Execution Environment

Quality characteristics of vineyard soil in the conventional and biodynamic cultivation system of chardonnay vinifers

Viticulture, particularly in the production of viniferous varieties, is one of the most present crops in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Soil indicators can be highlighted attributes linked to organic carbon, which have often been used, to assess soil quality. The objectives here were: a) to evaluate and compare soil quality characteristics of vineyards in the conventional and biodynamic cultivation system of chardonnay vinifers, together with areas of native forest, in the localities where the vineyards exist; b) to estimate the susceptibility to environmental impacts and possible soil degradation processes caused in soil management from cultivation systems and practices. The study was descriptive, exploratory and comparative of quantitative analysis. The sample was 26 vineyards and 19 corresponding native forests about 8 to 10 sub-samples, at a depth of 0 to 20 cm. The results showed an intermediate condition of VBI in relation to VCO and VAT, confirming the tendency of loss of initial soil characteristics from cultivation, but maintaining several attributes in a condition closer to that observed under natural vegetation

In vivo Gold Nanoparticle Delivery of Peptide Vaccine Induces Anti-Tumor Immune Response in Prophylactic and Therapeutic Tumor Models

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are promising vehicles for cancer immunotherapy, with demonstrated efficacy in immune delivery and innate cell stimulation. Nevertheless, their potential has yet to be assessed in the in vivo application of peptide cancer vaccines. In this study, it is hypothesized that the immune distribution and adjuvant qualities of AuNPs could be leveraged to facilitate delivery of the ovalbumin (OVA) peptide antigen and the CpG adjuvant and enhance their therapeutic effect in a B16-OVA tumor model. AuNP delivery of OVA (AuNP-OVA) and of CpG (AuNP-CpG) enhanced the efficacy of both agents and induced strong antigen-specific responses. In addition, it is found that AuNP-OVA delivery alone, without CpG, is sufficient to promote significant antigen-specific responses, leading to subsequent anti-tumor activity and prolonged survival in both prophylactic and therapeutic in vivo tumor models. This enhanced therapeutic efficacy is likely due to the adjuvant effect of peptide coated AuNPs, as they induce inflammatory cytokine release when cultured with bone marrow dendritic cells. Overall, AuNP-mediated OVA peptide delivery can produce significant therapeutic benefits without the need of adjuvant, indicating that AuNPs are effective peptide vaccine carriers with the potential to permit the use of lower and safer adjuvant doses during vaccination

UAS in the Airspace: A Review on Integration, Simulation, Optimization, and Open Challenges

Air transportation is essential for society, and it is increasing gradually due to its importance. To improve the airspace operation, new technologies are under development, such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). In fact, in the past few years, there has been a growth in UAS numbers in segregated airspace. However, there is an interest in integrating these aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS). The UAS is vital to different industries due to its advantages brought to the airspace (e.g., efficiency). Conversely, the relationship between UAS and Air Traffic Control (ATC) needs to be well-defined due to the impacts on ATC capacity these aircraft may present. Throughout the years, this impact may be lower than it is nowadays because the current lack of familiarity in this relationship contributes to higher workload levels. Thereupon, the primary goal of this research is to present a comprehensive review of the advancements in the integration of UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS) from different perspectives. We consider the challenges regarding simulation, final approach, and optimization of problems related to the interoperability of such systems in the airspace. Finally, we identify several open challenges in the field based on the existing state-of-the-art proposals

Eficiência de campo em diferentes operações mecanizadas na cafeicultura

Coffee is a prominent culture in Brazil, so much that in recent years the coffee crop has passed major changes, such as the intensive use of mechanization that has become a viable alternative for most producers, enabling increased capacity and reduction production costs. Currently in areas totally suitable for mechanization, all operations during the crop cycle are performed mechanically by different machines and implements. This experiment was carried out in Alfenas-MG, in order to determine the work capacity and efficiency of field machines used in different mechanized operations in the coffee crop. The performance data were treated statistically by Pearson correlation (p), wich allowed to determine the influence of operating speed and average length of streets in the performance parameters. Based on the results the parameters of operating performance, effective field capacity and time required were highly correlated as the operating speed of mechanized sets. The holes preparation, raking and gathering showed the worst results of field efficiency, while other operations evaluated showed values above 70%, considered acceptable.O café é uma cultura de destaque no Brasil, tanto que, nos últimos anos, passou por grandes modificações, com a utilização intensa da mecanização, que se tornou uma alternativa viável para grande parte dos produtores, possibilitando aumento da capacidade operacional e redução dos custos de produção. Atualmente, em áreas totalmente aptas à mecanização, todas as operações durante o ciclo da cultura são realizadas, mecanicamente, por diferentes máquinas e implementos. Conduziu-se, o presente estudo, no município de Alfenas-MG, para determinar a capacidade de trabalho e a eficiência de campo de máquinas utilizadas nas diferentes operações da lavoura cafeeira. Os dados de desempenho obtidos foram tratados estatisticamente pela correlação de Pearson (p), o que permitiu determinar a influência da velocidade operacional e comprimento médio das entrelinhas, nos parâmetros de desempenho. Com base nos resultados, os parâmetros de desempenho operacional, capacidade de campo efetiva e tempo demandado apresentaram alta correlação com a velocidade operacional dos conjuntos mecanizados. As operações de preparo de covas, varrição e recolhimento apresentaram os menores resultados de eficiência de campo, enquanto as demais operações avaliadas apresentaram valores acima de 70%, considerados aceitáveis

Viabilidade técnica e econômica de diferentes sistemas de colheita do café

This study was conducted to analyze the technical and economic viability for different coffee crops harvest systems, applied in Southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. In the harvest of 2014, the operational performance of three mechanic harvest systems for coffee trees were evaluated, as well as their productivity and operational costs, compared to manual and semi-mechanic systems. Based on data outcome, it is possible to assure that the mechanic harvest for coffee trees yields greater cost reduction and an increase in productivity in relation to other systems, and it is either economically viable. Soil declivity is an influencing factor on productivity for mechanic systems, and harvesters that work under such conditions suffer a decrease in operational efficiency and productivity, due to a higher demand of time during harvest.Objetivou-se, no presente trabalho, analisar a viabilidade técnica e econômica de diferentes sistemas de colheita em lavouras de café, localizadas na região Sul do estado de Minas Gerais. Na safra 2014, foram avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho operacional de três sistemas de colheita mecanizada do cafeeiro, como também suas produtividades e os custos operacionais, posteriormente comparados aos sistemas manual e semimecanizado. Com base nos resultados obtidos é possível afirmar que a colheita mecanizada do cafeeiro promove grandes reduções de custos e aumento da produtividade, em relação aos demais sistemas, demonstrando ser o mais viável economicamente. A declividade é um fator que influencia na produtividade dos sistemas mecanizados, e as máquinas que trabalham em áreas, nessas condições, têm reduzidas sua eficiência operacional e produtividade devido ao maior tempo desperdiçado na operação de colheita