Real cockpit proposal for flight simulation with airbus A32x models: an overview description

This paper describes the several steps to build an elaborate flight simulator cockpit, where the hardware is designed based on Mechatronic principles and the proposed software was developed using agile methodologies to create a Cyber-Physical System (CPS). Furthermore, this research attempts to simulate the real environment from an aircraft as close as possible with a real scale developed cockpit. Based on this, the presented paper contributions include: (1) The implementation of a complex dynamic system such as a CPS, where the Mechatronic system is part of it; (2) The deployment of a scale model of an Airbus A32x aircraft (one of the most used), integrating into a mathematical model adapted to the operation of an aircraft flight simulation system, regarding the physical forces involved. This project is also used to captivate the students’ motivation to the areas of technology such as electronics and programming and permits its development as a student project and thesis. Results allow validating the proposed cockpit.This work has been supported by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UIDB/05757/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

EM simulation of a low-pass filter based on a microstrip defected ground structure using COMSOL

We perform EM simulations of a lowpass microstrip filter consisting of a crossjunction open stub and two unit sections implemented as defected ground structures (DGS). The defect introduced by unit sections corresponds to an etched lattice on the copper backside ground plane. The filter presents wide and deep attenuation characteristics in the stopband. Different model implementations were carried out with the aim at evaluating the computational costs versus accuracy. Simulations of a high-fidelity model are in good agreement with experimental data reported in a previous paper. COMSOL simulation settings, enclosing box, computational costs, and simulation times for the considered models are provided.ITESO, A.C.Intel Guadalajara Design Cente

Robot-assisted rehabilitation architecture supported by a distributed data acquisition system

Rehabilitation robotics aims to facilitate the rehabilitation procedure for patients and physical therapists. This field has a relatively long history dating back to the 1990s; however, their implementation and the standardisation of their application in the medical field does not follow the same pace, mainly due to their complexity of reproduction and the need for their approval by the authorities. This paper aims to describe architecture that can be applied to industrial robots and promote their application in healthcare ecosystems. The control of the robotic arm is performed using the software called SmartHealth, offering a 2 Degree of Autonomy (DOA). Data are gathered through electromyography (EMG) and force sensors at a frequency of 45 Hz. It also proves the capabilities of such small robots in performing such medical procedures. Four exercises focused on shoulder rehabilitation (passive, restricted active-assisted, free active-assisted and Activities of Daily Living (ADL)) were carried out and confirmed the viability of the proposed architecture and the potential of small robots (i.e., the UR3) in rehabilitation procedure accomplishment. This robot can perform the majority of the default exercises in addition to ADLs but, nevertheless, their limits were also uncovered, mainly due to their limited Range of Motion (ROM) and cost.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Adding Acanthodactylus beershebensis to the mtDNA phylogeny of the Acanthodactylus pardalis group

The phylogenetic affinities of Acanthodactylus beershebensis, a highly endangered lacertid lizard endemic to the Neguev (Israel), were assessed using mtDNA markers. Fragments of 12S and 16S rRNA were analysed and compared with already published sequences of Acanthodactylus. Results corroborate the taxonomic placement of A. beershebensis as a member of the A. pardalis group but place it within a polytomy at the same phylogenetic level as other (unnamed) African populations. This pattern of high but poorly structured genetic diversity, previously observed for other Acanthodactylus complexes, has been suggested to derive from the climatic instability of North Africa and the Middle East during the humid and dry periods of the Pleistocene as well as dune migrations. In conservation terms, if A. beershebensis is to be prioritised, then other populations of the A. pardalis group inhabiting North Africa would deserve a similar status, making their species definition urgent. These results highlight the need for considering phylogeny when establishing conservation priorities.publishe

Combined pulsed electric field and high-power ultrasound treatments for microbial inactivation in oil-in-water emulsions

[EN] The impact of individual and combined pulsed electric field (PEF) and high power ultrasound (HPU) on the inactivation of different microorganisms in emulsions was investigated. The highest inactivation level using PEF was 2.6, 1.2 and 0.1 log-cycles for Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Bacillus pumilus, respectively, achieved at the highest energy level and temperature (152.3-176.3 kJ/kg and 25 degrees C). HPU led to the highest reduction (5.4, 4.3 and 0.3 log-cycles for E. coli, A. niger and B. pumilus, respectively) after the longest treatment time studied (3 min). PEF (152.3-176.3 kJ/kg) followed by HPU (3 min) was found to be the most effective sequence, leading to synergistic effects (6.6 and 1.0 log-cycles for A. niger and B. pumilus, respectively), compared to the individual treatments. PEF-HPU is a promising hurdle technology with which to inactivate vegetative bacteria or fungal spores in emulsions. However, limited inactivation was achieved for bacterial spores.The authors acknowledge the financial support from Fresenius KabiGómez-Gómez, Á.; Brito-De La Fuente, E.; Gallegos, C.; Garcia-Perez, J.; Benedito Fort, JJ. (2021). Combined pulsed electric field and high-power ultrasound treatments for microbial inactivation in oil-in-water emulsions. Food Control. 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108348S13

Numerical Model of Constrained Wave Energy Hyperbaric Converter under Full-Scale Sea Wave Conditions

Funding Information: This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT.IP) through the grant UIDB/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI). This work was also supported by the project SURVIWEC PID2020-113245RB-I00 and by the project ED431C 2021/44 “Programa de Consolidación e Estructuración de Unidades de Investigación Competitivas”. This study forms part of the Marine Science programme (ThinkInAzul) supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Xunta de Galicia with funding from the European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Funding Information: The authors acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT.IP) for its financial support through the grant UIDB/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI). This work was also supported by the project SURVIWEC PID2020-113245RB-I00 financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the project ED431C 2021/44 ”Programa de Consolidación e Estructuración de Unidades de Investigación Competitivas” financed by Xunta de Galicia, Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidade. This study forms part of the Marine Science programme (ThinkInAzul) supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and Xunta de Galicia with funding from the European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.A 2D numerical investigation of the power absorption of a constrained wave energy hyperbaric converter (WEHC) under full-scale sea wave conditions is presented. A fully non-linear numerical model DualSPHysics, based on the coupling of a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) fluid solver with a multibody dynamics solver, is used to model the interaction between wave and WEHC sub-systems. The numerical model was first validated against experimental data for a similar device, with a good accordance between PTO position and velocity. The model is then employed to study the hydrodynamics of a constrained WEHC considering several sea states, different hydraulic power take-off (PTO) damping and breakwater geometries. It is observed that the capture width ratio (CWR) is particularly sensitive to variations in the PTO damping, although the CWR absolute maximum is less sensitive considering mild variations applied to the PTO damping. Both wave height and wave period have an important effect on the CWR. The breakwater geometry is also essential for the performance of the WEHC, with a decrease in maximum CWR of about 15% for porous breakwater. These results are necessary to understand the full-scale behaviour of WEHC.publishersversionpublishe

Mechanical properties of fly ash geopolymers containing steelmaking ladle slag

The effect of adding steelmaking ladle slag to fly ash based geopolymers has been studied. For that, flexural and compression strengths were evaluated at 7 and 28 days after curing. It can be concluded that the increase in fly ash content has a relevant effect on the various mechanical properties.W2V, SA, Geodesigninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reutilização de águas residuais : modelação da adsorção de nutrientes no solo

O presente estudo incide na modelação da remoção de nutrientes presentes em águas residuais domésticas por adsorção no solo e na avaliação do risco de contaminação de aquíferos por parte destes. Nesse sentido, desenvolveu-se um modelo matemático e efectuou-se a determinação experimental dos parâmetros que caracterizam as isotérmicas de adsorção dos iões nitrato, fosfato e amónio. Os resultados experimentais indicaram que o solo tem principalmente carga iónica positiva, visto que os iões de carga contrária (tais como o nitrato e fosfato) foram os que principalmente adsorveram. Os resultados da simulação demonstraram que o fosfato é totalmente adsorvido e que a concentração de nitrato e amónio na água intersticial, após o período de um ano, é de 0.250 mg/L e 0.023 mg/L respectivamente, a 2 m de profundidade. Em relação ao exercício de simulação, estudouse o efeito de uma sobrecarga de nutrientes assim como a possibilidade de ocorrer saturação da coluna de solo. No caso de ocorrer uma sobrecarga de nutrientes no solo proveniente da descarga de água residual com uma concentração até quatro vezes superior ao valor médio, verificou-se que a concentração do ião amónio foi a mais afectada, aumentando de 27 % a uma profundidade de 2 m e ao fim de um ano. Finalmente, os parâmetros das isotérmicas de adsorção (segundo os modelos de Freundlich e Langmuir) foram sujeitos a uma análise de sensibilidade, tendo-se comprovado que o modelo desenvolvido é extremamente sensível à constante α da isotérmica de Freundlich

Reference values for spirometry in preschool children

OBJECTIVES: Reference values for lung function tests differ in samples from different countries, including values for preschoolers. The main objective of this study was to derive reference values in this population. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted through a questionnaire applied to 425 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years, from schools and day-care centers in a metropolitan city in Brazil. Children were selected by simple random sampling from the aforementioned schools. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volumes (FEV1, FEV0.50), forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75) and FEV1/FVC, FEV0.5/FVC and FEF25-75/FVC ratios were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 425 children enrolled, 321 (75.6%) underwent the tests. Of these, 135 (42.0%) showed acceptable results with full expiratory curves and thus were included in the regression analysis to define the reference values. Height and gender significantly influenced FVC values through linear and logarithmic regression analysis. In males, R2 increased with the logarithmic model for FVC and FEV1, but the linear model was retained for its simplicity. The lower limits were calculated by measuring the fifth percentile residues. CONCLUSION: Full expiratory curves are more difficult to obtain in preschoolers. In addition to height, gender also influences the measures of FVC and FEV1. Reference values were defined for spirometry in preschool children in this population, which are applicable to similar populations.OBJETIVOS: Valores de referência para testes de função pulmonar diferem em amostras de diferentes países, incluindo valores para pré-escolares. O objetivo principal do presente estudo foi derivar valores de referência em nossa população. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo prospectivo, com aplicação de questionário a 425 crianças pré-escolares com idade variando entre três e seis anos, provenientes de escolas e creches públicas e privadas de uma cidade metropolitana do Brasil. As crianças foram selecionadas por amostragem aleatória simples dos referidos educandários. Foram avaliados: PFE, CVF, VEF1 VEF0,50, FEF25-75 e as relações: VEF1/CVF, VEF0,5/CVF e FEF25-75/CVF. RESULTADOS: Das 425 crianças recrutadas, 321 (75,6%) realizaram os testes. Destas, 135 (42,0%) apresentaram manobras aceitáveis, com curvas expiratórias completas e fizeram parte da análise de regressão para definir os valores de referência. Por análise de regressão linear e logarítmica, a estatura e o sexo influenciaram significativamente nas medidas de CVF. No sexo masculino, o r² se elevou com o modelo logarítmico, para a CVF e VEF1, porém o modelo linear foi mantido, por sua simplicidade. Os limites inferiores foram calculados através das medidas do 5º percentil dos resíduos. CONCLUSÃO: Curvas expiratórias completas são de mais difícil obtenção em pré-escolares. Além da estatura, o sexo também influencia nas medidas de CVF e VEF1. Foram definidos valores de referência para espirometria em crianças pré-escolares, nessa população, aplicáveis a populações semelhantes.Universidade Federal de PernambucoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUFPE Departamento de Medicina ClínicaFundação Oswaldo Cruz Centro de Pesquisas Ageu MagalhãesUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL