Using aircraft as wind sensors for estimating accurate wind fields for air traffic management applications

A study which examines the use of aircraft as wind sensors in a terminal area for real-time wind estimation in order to improve aircraft trajectory prediction is presented in this paper. We describe not only different sources in the aircraft systems that provide the variables needed to derivate the wind velocity but the capabilities which allow us to present this information for ATM Applications. Based on wind speed samples from aircraft landing at Madrid-Barajas airport, a real-time wind field will be estimated using a data processing approach through a minimum variance method. Finally the accuracy of this procedure will be evaluated for this information to be useful to Air Traffic Control

Upper and lower bounds to the information rate transferred through the Pol-Mux channel

Pol-Mux transmission is a well established technique that enhances spectral efficiency by simultaneously transmitting over horizontal and vertical polarizations of the electrical field. However, cross-coupling of the two polarizations impairs transmission. Under the assumption that the cross-coupling matrix is a Markov process with free-running state, we propose upper and lower bounds to the information rate that can be transferred through the channel. Simulation results show that the two bounds are tight for values of the cross-coupling power of practical interest and modulation formats up to 16-QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation)

¿Contribuye la didáctica del álgebra lineal a que los estudiantes identifiquen los espacios vectoriales como una estructura sistémica?

Considerando como antecedente que en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje de los espacios vectoriales existen dificultades con la concepción didáctica de los profesores para que los estudiantes identifiquen y utilicen los conceptos que se abordan en este tema, se realiza un diagnóstico para valorar los criterios de profesores y estudiantes en relación a la enseñanza de este tema. Se utiliza una metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa, se realiza un estudio descriptivo. Se asume como marco teórico la relación entre conocimiento común, especializado y propedéutico del contenido. Se concluye que la didáctica que sustenta el trabajo de los docentes no contribuye a que los estudiantes identifiquen los espacios vectoriales como una estructura sistémica

Not Doomed to Death: A Map of Small Firms' Business Models in the Italian Textile Apparel Industry

Arnaldo Camuffo International Motor Vehicle Program Cambridge, MA 02139 and Bocconi University Milan 20136, Italy [email protected] And Roberto Pozzana University of Padua Padova 35123, Italy [email protected] And Andrea Vinelli University of Padua Padova 35123, Italy [email protected] And Laura Benedetti Società per gli Studi di Settore Rome 00143, Italy [email protected]

Understanding the sexual recruitment of one of the oldest and largest organisms on Earth, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica

The seagrass Posidonia oceanica is considered one of the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth. Notwithstanding, given the difficulty of monitoring its fruits and seeds in the field, the development of P. oceanica during its sexual recruitment is not completely understood. We studied the stages of development of P. oceanica seeds from their dispersion in the fruit interior to their settlement in sediment through histological, ultrastructural and mesocosm experiments. P. oceanica sexual recruitment can be divided into three main stages that focus on maximising photosynthesis and anchoring the seedlings to the sediment. In the first stage (fruit dispersion), seeds perform photosynthesis while being transported inside the fruit along the sea surface. In the second stage (seed adhesion), seeds develop adhesive microscopic hairs that cover the primary and secondary roots and favour seed adhesion to the substrate. In the last stage (seedling anchorage), roots attach the seedlings to the substrate by orienting them towards the direction of light to maximise photosynthesis. The adaptations observed in P. oceanica are similar to those in other seagrasses with non-dormant seeds and fruits with membranous pericarps, such as Thalassia sp. and Enhalus sp. These common strategies suggest a convergent evolution in such seagrasses in terms of sexual recruitment. Understanding the sexual recruitment of habitat-forming species such as seagrasses is necessary to adequately manage the ecosystems that they inhabit

Adolescents with HIV and facial lipoatrophy: response to facial stimulation

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of facial stimulation over the superficial muscles of the face in individuals with facial lipoatrophy associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and with no indication for treatment with polymethyl methacrylate. METHOD: The study sample comprised four adolescents of both genders ranging from 13 to 17 years in age. To participate in the study, the participants had to score six or less points on the Facial Lipoatrophy Index. The facial stimulation program used in our study consisted of 12 weekly 30-minute sessions during which individuals received therapy. The therapy consisted of intra- and extra-oral muscle contraction and stretching maneuvers of the zygomaticus major and minor and the masseter muscles. Pre- and post-treatment results were obtained using anthropometric static measurements of the face and the Facial Lipoatrophy Index. RESULTS: The results suggest that the therapeutic program effectively improved the volume of the buccinators. No significant differences were observed for the measurements of the medial portion of the face, the lateral portion of the face, the volume of the masseter muscle, or Facial Lipoatrophy Index scores. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that facial maneuvers applied to the superficial muscles of the face of adolescents with facial lipoatrophy associated with HIV improved the facial area volume related to the buccinators muscles. We believe that our results will encourage future research with HIV patients, especially for patients who do not have the possibility of receiving an alternative aesthetic treatment

Combination of cloxacillin and essential oil of <i>Melaleuca armillaris</i> as an alternative against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>

The emergence of resistance to antibiotics has been favored by abuse in the application of antimicrobials in human and animal medicine. Essential oils are a great resource to deal with this crisis. Melaleuca armillaris belongs to the family of Myrtaceae, rich in species with essential oils. Plant extracts has shown antimicrobial activity in many investigations. Cloxacillin (CLOX) is an antibiotic widely used in veterinary medicine against Staphylococcus aureus. Our aim was to assess pharmacodynamic interaction established by combining essential oil of M. armillaris (EO) with CLOX in search of a synergistic effect that maximizes the antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The EO was obtained by steam distillation and its composition was analyzed by a GC-FID-MS. The most abundant components in the EO were 1.8 cineole (72.3%), limonene (7.8%). and a-pinene (6%). We worked with wild type S. aureus strains (n = 3) isolated from Holstein cows, and S. aureus ATCC 29213 as the reference strain. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of CLOX, EO and the combination was determined by microdilution in broth at pH 7.4; 6.5 and 5.0. The checkerboard method was applied to evaluate the interaction between CLOX and EO. The Fractional Inhibitory Concentration index (FIC) was established. From those combinations that yielded the lowest FIC values, we evaluated the index of antibacterial activity (E), established as the difference between the Log10 values of the number of viable bacteria at the initial (nt0) and at the end of the test (nt24). So, time-killing curves with CLOX and EO/CLOX combination at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 fold the MIC in broth at pH 7.4; 6.5 and 5.0 were prepared. We considered Bacteriostatic effect (E = 0) Bactericidal effect (E = -3) and Effect of virtual eradication of bacteria (E = -4). A clear synergic activity between the EO and the CLOX was demonstrated, which allows reducing the MIC of β-lactam against S. aureus. This interaction was favored by acidification of the medium, where lower concentrations of CLOX achieved a bactericidal effect, close to virtual eradication, in the presence of small amounts of EO.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

In vitro synergistic interaction between Melaleuca armillaris essential oil and erythromycin against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dairy cows

Staphylococcus aureus frequently causes subclinical mastitis around the world with a high impact on the milk industry and public health. Essential oils (EO) are recognized antimicrobials that can be synergistic with antibiotics. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the essential oil (EO) of Melaleuca armillaris as an adjuvant of erythromycin (ERY) for the alternative treatment of bovine mastitis caused by S. aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory and Bactericidal Concentrations (MIC and MBC) of EO, ERY, and its combinations were established against S. aureus at different pHs (7.4, 6.5 and 5.0), emulating extra and intracellular conditions. Sensitive (N = 3) and resistant (N = 3) strains to ERY and S. aureus ATCC 29213 as control were used. Math models were applied to describe the antibacterial activity of EO and combinations EO-ERY. The EO was bactericidal against all the strains independently of the pH with a slight improvement in acid conditions. The synergism between EO and ERY was estimated by the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FIC) and by mathematical modeling of the bacterial killing data. Synergism was observed with ERY, where combinations had bactericidal activity also even with pH modification. M. armillaris EO is an interesting adjuvant for ERY, being a promissory option for further analysis of intracellular efficacy against S. aureus.Fil: Buldain, Daniel Cornelio. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gortari Castillo, Lihuel. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Buchamer, Andrea Veronica. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; ArgentinaFil: Bandoni, Arnaldo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Marchetti, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Mestorino, Nora. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentin

Modeling the growth and death of Staphylococcus aureus against Melaleuca armillaris essential oil at different ph conditions

Essential oils (EO) are a great antimicrobial resource against bacterial resistance in public health. Math models are useful in describing the growth, survival, and inactivation of microorganisms against antimicrobials. We evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Melaleuca armillaris EO obtained from plants placed in the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) against Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were close and decreased, slightly acidi-fying the medium from pH 7.4 to 6.5 and 5.0. This result was also evidenced by applying a sigmoid model, where the time and EO concentration necessaries to achieve 50% of the maximum effect decreased when the medium was acidified. Moreover, at pH 7.4, applying the Gompertz model, we found that subinhibitory concentrations of EO decreased the growth rate and the maximum popu-lation density and increased the latency period concerning the control. Additionally, we established physicochemical parameters for quality control and standardization of M. armillaris EO. Mathemat-ical modeling allowed us to estimate key parameters in the behavior of S. aureus and Melaleuca ar-millaris EO at different pH. This is interesting in situations where the pH changes are relevant, such as the control of intracellular infections in public health or the development of preservatives for the food industry.Fil: Buldain, Daniel Cornelio. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Cátedra de Farmacología, Farmacotecnia y Terapéutica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gortari Castillo, Lihuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Cátedra de Farmacología, Farmacotecnia y Terapéutica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; ArgentinaFil: Marchetti, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas. Cátedra de Farmacología, Farmacotecnia y Terapéutica; ArgentinaFil: Julca Lozano, Karen. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; ArgentinaFil: Bandoni, Arnaldo Luis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacognosia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; ArgentinaFil: Mestorino, Olga Nora. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Laboratorio de Estudios Farmacologicos y Toxicologicos.; Argentin

Insuficiencia suprarrenal en paciente con dificultad respiratoria y úlceras en miembros inferiores

La Insuficiencia Suprarrenal es un cuadro grave que presenta numerosas manifestaciones clínicassecundarias a la depresión de la producción hormonal de dicha glándula. Las causas son varias eincluso depende de las regiones y épocas. En América Latina se debe considerar al Paracoccidioidescomo probable causa. Presentamos el caso de un hombre campesino, ingresado al Hospitalpor Insuficiencia Suprarrenal, con dificultad respiratoria y lesiones ulcerosas en piernas debidasa paracoccidioidomicosis, que también fue la causa del trastorno respiratorio y posiblementesuprarrenal