207 research outputs found
Reconfiguración asimétrica de un manipulador paralelo de 3-gdl
In this paper an asymmetric reconfigurable parallel manipulator is presented. Asymmetric configurations are obtained by modifying the angle between each of the kinematic chains. Thanks to the reconfiguration proposal significant improvement of the manipulator performance can be obtained with respect to a Delta-type parallel robot. The computation of the best condition number is obtained, the results show that by using the redundancy, all the performance indices that depend on the Jacobian matrix can be improved as well.En este trabajo se presenta un manipulador paralelo reconfigurable asimétrico. Al modificar los ángulos de cada una de las cadenas cinemáticas pueden obtenerse configuraciones asimétricas. Gracias a la reconfiguración propuesta pueden generarse mejoras significativas del desempeño del manipulador, con respecto a un robot paralelo tipo Delta. El cálculo del mejor número de condición es obtenido, los resultados muestran que usando la redundancia todos los Ãndices de desempeño que dependen de la matriz Jacobiana pueden ser mejorados también
Daytime Sky Quality at El Leoncito, Argentina
We characterize the daytime sky quality in terms of brightness, cloud coverage, and main weather variables at the Carlos Ulrico Cesco station of the Felix Aguilar Astronomical Observatory (OAFA), located in El Leoncito National Park, San Juan, Argentina. We have collected more than 15 years of daily observations from the auxiliary sky brightness detectors of the Mirror Coronagraph for Argentina (MICA, in operations from 1997 to 2012), including daily observing reports. We additionally present data from two meteorological stations operated at the site from 2000 to 2020. We determine the main statistical properties and seasonal variability of daytime sky brightness, clear sky time fraction (CSTF), precipitable water vapor (WV), temperature, humidity, and wind speed, which are relevant for solar, particularly coronal observations. Our results confirm that El Leoncito is an excellent place to perform daytime astronomical observations. We measure a median sky brightness of 15.8 ppm, estimated at 526.0 ± 1.0 nm and 6 solar radii from the solar disk center; a median CSTF of 0.7; and a median WV below 6 mm. These values, and those of other relevant weather variables, are comparable to the levels found among the best astronomical observing sites in the world. Due to the extended period of time analyzed and high sampling frequency, the novel data and results presented in this report contribute to the analysis and interpretation of historical sky brightness data and are of great value for the future planning of daytime astronomical instrumentation at El Leoncito.Fil: Iglesias, F. A.. Universidad de Mendoza. Facultad de Ingenieria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Francile, Carlos Natale. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas FÃsicas y Naturales. Departamento de Informática. Observatorio Astronómico Félix Aguilar; ArgentinaFil: Lazarte Gelmetti, J.. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FÃsicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Balmaceda, L. A.. George Mason University. School Of Physics. Astronomy And Computational Sciences; Estados Unidos. National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Estados UnidosFil: Cremades Fernandez, Maria Hebe. Universidad de Mendoza; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cisterna, F.. Universidad de Mendoza. Facultad de Ingenieria; Argentin
Pedometers to enhance physical activity in COPD: a randomised controlled trial
Physical inactivity is a cardinal feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Pedometers, which have been used in healthy populations, might also increase physical activity in patients with COPD. COPD patients taking part in a 3-month individualised programme to promote an increase in their daily physical activity were randomised to either a standard programme of physical activity encouragement alone, or a pedometer-based programme. Assessments were performed by investigators blinded to treatment allocation. Change in average 1-week daily step count, 6-min walking distance (6MWD), modified Medical Research Council scale, St George’s respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) and COPD assessment test (CAT) were compared between groups. 102 patients were recruited, of whom 97 completed the programme (pedometer group: n=50; control group: n=47); 60.8% were male with a mean±sd age of 68.7±8.5 years, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 66.1±19.4% and FEV1/forced vital capacity 55.2±9.5%. Both groups had comparable characteristics at baseline. The pedometer group had significantly greater improvements in: physical activity 3080±3254 steps·day−1 versus 138.3±1950 steps·day−1 (p<0.001); SGRQ −8.8±12.2 versus −3.8±10.9 (p=0.01); CAT score −3.5±5.5 versus −0.6±6.6 (p=0.001); and 6MWD 12.4±34.6 versus −0.7±24.4 m (p=0.02) than patients receiving activity encouragement only. A simple physical activity enhancement programme using pedometers can effectively improve physical activity level and quality of life in COPD patients
Solar cycle prediction using precursors and flux transport models
We study the origin of the predictive skill of some methods to forecast the
strength of solar activity cycles. A simple flux transport model for the
azimuthally averaged radial magnetic field at the solar surface is used, which
contains a source term describing the emergence of new flux based on
observational sunspot data. We consider the magnetic flux diffusing over the
equator as a predictor, since this quantity is directly related to the global
dipole field from which a Babcock-Leighton dynamo generates the toroidal field
for the next activity cycle. If the source is represented schematically by a
narrow activity belt drifting with constant speed over a fixed range of
latitudes between activity minima, our predictor shows considerable predictive
skill with correlation coefficients up to 0.95 for past cycles. However, the
predictive skill is completely lost when the actually observed emergence
latitudes are used. This result originates from the fact that the precursor
amplitude is determined by the sunspot activity a few years before solar
minimum. Since stronger cycles tend to rise faster to their maximum activity
(known as the Waldmeier effect), the temporal overlapping of cycles leads to a
shift of the minimum epochs that depends on the strength of the following
cycle. This information is picked up by precursor methods and also by our flux
transport model with a schematic source. Therefore, their predictive skill does
not require a memory, i.e., a physical connection between the surface
manifestations of subsequent activity cycles.Comment: Astrophys. Journal, in pres
Solar energetic electron events measured by MESSENGER and Solar Orbiter. Peak intensity and energy spectrum radial dependences: statistical analysis
Context/Aims: We present a list of 61 solar energetic electron (SEE) events
measured by the MESSENGER mission and the radial dependences of the electron
peak intensity and the peak-intensity energy spectrum. The analysis comprises
the period from 2010 to 2015, when MESSENGER heliocentric distance varied
between 0.31 and 0.47 au. We also show the radial dependencies for a shorter
list of 12 SEE events measured in February and March 2022 by spacecraft near 1
au and by Solar Orbiter around its first close perihelion at 0.32 au.
Results: Due to the elevated background intensity level of the particle
instrument on board MESSENGER, the SEE events measured by this mission are
necessarily large and intense; most of them accompanied by a CME-driven shock,
being widespread in heliolongitude, and displaying relativistic (1 MeV)
electron intensity enhancements. The two main conclusions derived from the
analysis of the large SEE events measured by MESSENGER, which are generally
supported by Solar Orbiter's data results, are: (1) There is a wide variability
in the radial dependence of the electron peak intensity between 0.3 au
and 1 au, but the peak intensities of the energetic electrons decrease
with radial distance from the Sun in 27 out of 28 events. On average and within
the uncertainties, we find a radial dependence consistent with . (2)
The electron spectral index found in the energy range around 200 keV
(200) of the backward-scattered population near 0.3 au measured by
MESSENGER is harder in 19 out of 20 (15 out of 18) events by a median factor of
20% (10%) when comparing to the anti-sunward propagating beam
(backward-scattered population) near 1 au.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figure
First near-relativistic solar electron events observed by EPD onboard Solar Orbiter
Context. Solar Orbiter, launched in February 2020, started its cruise phase in June 2020, in coincidence with its first perihelion at 0.51 au from the
Sun. The in situ instruments onboard, including the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD), operate continuously during the cruise phase enabling the
observation of solar energetic particles.
Aims. In situ measurements of the first near-relativistic solar electron events observed in July 2020 by EPD are analyzed and the solar origins and
the conditions for the interplanetary transport of these particles investigated.
Methods. Electron observations from keV energies to the near-relativistic range were combined with the detection of type III radio bursts and
extreme ultraviolet (EUV) observations from multiple spacecraft in order to identify the solar origin of the electron events. Electron anisotropies
and timing as well as the plasma and magnetic field environment were evaluated to characterize the interplanetary transport conditions.
Results. All electron events were clearly associated with type III radio bursts. EUV jets were also found in association with all of them except
one. A diversity of time profiles and pitch-angle distributions was observed. Different source locations and different magnetic connectivity and
transport conditions were likely involved. The July 11 event was also detected by Wind, separated 107 degrees in longitude from Solar Orbiter.
For the July 22 event, the Suprathermal Electron and Proton (STEP) sensor of EPD allowed for us to not only resolve multiple electron injections
at low energies, but it also provided an exceptionally high pitch-angle resolution of a very anisotropic beam. This, together with radio observations
of local Langmuir waves suggest a very good magnetic connection during the July 22 event. This scenario is challenged by a high-frequency
occultation of the type III radio burst and a nominally non-direct connection to the source; therefore, magnetic connectivity requires further
investigation
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