Diseño y Simulación Mecánica de un Actuador Hidráulico Rotativo Sumergible Para Aplicación en Hidroterapia/Design and Mechanical Simulation of a Submersible Rotary Hydraulic Actuator for Hydrotherapy Application

El presente trabajo demuestra el proceso en la investigación inicial para el desarrollo de un actuador giratorio hidráulico para fines terapéuticos. El dispositivo se basa en la necesidad de un aparato motor aplicable a la rehabilitación de lesiones de rodilla, con la capacidad de ser usado en la hidroterapia, para lo cual se realiza una revisión bibliográfica y se define el comportamiento del actuador en función a los fenómenos de presión y flujo, definiendo así las funciones para el par y la velocidad del actuador. En una primera etapa, se presenta un modelo simplificado del actuador, para luego simular el comportamiento mecánico de los componentes con la ayuda de un software de análisis de elementos finitos. Concluyendo con la validación de los elementos principales del actuador, llamados eje y aleta, sometidos a los parámetros delimitados para la aplicación, dejando la base de un modelo del mecanismo útil para el cálculo de la dinámica del sistema como siguiente paso de la investigación. The present work demonstrates the process in the research and development of a hydraulic rotary actuator for therapeutic purposes. The device is based on the need for a motor apparatus applicable to the rehabilitation of knee injuries, with the ability to be used in hydrotherapy, for which a literature review is performed and the behavior of the actuator is defined depending on the pressure and flow phenomena, thus defining the functions for the torque and speed of the actuator. In the first stage, a simplified model of the actuator is presented, to proceed to simulate the mechanical behavior of the components with the help of finite element analysis software. Concluding with the validation of the main elements of the actuator, called axis and fin, subject to the parameters defined for the application, leaving the basis of a model of the mechanism useful for calculating the dynamics of the system as the next step of the investigation. Palabras claves: Actuador rotatorio, Simulación, Diseño, Mecánica hidráulica. Keywords: Rotary actuator, Simulation, Design, Hydraulic Mechanics

Simultaneous production of biochar and thermal energy using palm oil residual biomass as feedstock in an auto-thermal prototype reactor

In developing countries, the technology used for biomass carbonization requires major retrofits for an efficient conversion of the residual biomass produced in the palm oil mills into biochar. This study analyzes a prototype of a small and modular auger reactor (P-SMART) that uses untreated kernel shells as feedstock to produce biochar and thermal energy. The P-SMART does not require inert gases during operation, neither diesel nor natural gas for the initial heating process. This study shows that the carbonization process can be driven by the energy generated during pyrolysis gas combustion (auto-thermal conditions) from a biomass load capacity of 30 kg/h. During the auto-thermal operation, the thermal energy generated by pyrolysis gas combustion is higher than that required by the carbonization process. The carbon monoxide concentration in the flue gas during the auto-thermal operation was 197 mg/Nm3 which is lower than the European eco-design requirement of 500 mg/Nm3 (both measured at 11% vol. O2, dry gas). The biochars produced during auto-thermal operation have a macro-porous structure with a pore radius that ranges from 0.42 to 12.48 μm. The carbon content and the molar H/Corg and O/Corg ratio of the analyzed biochars are in accordance with the European guidelines for the sustainable production of biochar of less than 0.7 and 0.4 respectively. Moreover, relevant soil nutrients were observed in the KS ash, namely: silica (30 wt%), potassium (8.2 wt%) and phosphorous (3 wt%).publishe

“I write my letters at school, so I’m ready right?” Low-income Latino children’s transition from preschool to kindergarten

The transition to kindergarten is a significant period in children’s education that initiates the development of skills that promote future academic success. Studies indicate that Latino children in the United States are disproportionately disadvantaged during this critical period of development, and are most likely to fall below the recommended level of kindergarten readiness. Researchers report that Latina mothers often have different beliefs and perceptions of school readiness and parental involvement, but little is known about the preparatory practices of low- income suburban Latina mothers before children enter kindergarten. This study used qualitative interviews to better understand the factors that influence Latino children’s kindergarten readiness and how low-income Latina mothers (N = 17) engage in their children’s educational development as they transition to kindergarten. Latina mothers reported understanding kindergarten readiness in terms of nominal knowledge and emergent literacy skills. When asked about parental involvement practices, mothers reported home-based involvement focusing on socialization rather than school-based involvement focusing on academics. The mothers in this study also reported being actively involved in their children’s kindergarten preparation, engaging in various activities that promote children’s readiness. Barriers to parental involvement were also noted, and included language barriers and busy work schedules. These findings contribute to our understanding of school readiness practices, and parental involvement within low-income Latino families during the transition from preschool to kindergarten.USDA Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 793-357 [accession number: 1007545]Ope

Neurotransmitters Drive Combinatorial Multistate Postsynaptic Density Networks

The mammalian postsynaptic density (PSD) comprises a complex collection of ~1100 proteins. Despite extensive knowledge of individual proteins, the overall organization of the PSD is poorly understood. Here, we define maps of molecular circuitry within the PSD based on phosphorylation of postsynaptic proteins. Activation of a single neurotransmitter receptor, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), changed the phosphorylation status of 127 proteins. Stimulation of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors and dopamine receptors activated overlapping networks with distinct combinatorial phosphorylation signatures. Using peptide array technology, we identified specific phosphorylation motifs and switching mechanisms responsible for the integration of neurotransmitter receptor pathways and their coordination of multiple substrates in these networks. These combinatorial networks confer high information-processing capacity and functional diversity on synapses, and their elucidation may provide new insights into disease mechanisms and new opportunities for drug discover

Airbnb and crime in Barcelona (Spain): testing the relationship using a geographically weighted regression

The existence of works proving the possible relationship empirically that Airbnb lodgings could have with crime in Spain is not known. This research analyzes the relationship between Airbnb lodgings and crimes against the properties and people in Barcelona’s neighbourhoods. To achieve this, we use an ordinary least squares regression model and a geographically weighted regression model. The results show a significant and positive relationship between the higher density of Airbnb lodgings and the higher crime rates in the neighbourhoods, especially of patrimonial nature. Divided by type of leased space, the Airbnb homes, in which the guest shares a room with other guests, show a higher relationship with crimes against property and people. The results of the local model show a spatial heterogeneity in all variables used, indicating the need to address non-stationary spatial processes that reveal hidden patterns. However, the only variable that shows statistically significant local variability is the total Airbnb lodgings variable. Finally, we discussed some unexpected results, proposing some future lines of research. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group, on behalf of Nanjing Normal University

Conversion of quinoa and lupin agro-residues into biochar in the Andes: An experimental study in a pilot-scale auger-type reactor

In the last decades, the cultivation of quinoa and lupin became an important source of income for Andean farmers due to the demand for high nutrient-density foods from the Global North. The increase in the cultivation intensity caused by this exogenous demand led to the overexploitation of local ecosystems and a decrease in soil fertility. As an alternative to recover and improve soil quality, this work uses a pilot-scale auger pyrolysis reactor, implemented in the Andes, to assess the conversion of the agro residues generated in the post-harvesting processes of quinoa and lupin into biochar for soil amendment. Following the European Biochar Certificate guidelines, the pyrolyzed quinoa stems can be classified as biochar while the pyrolyzed quinoa husks can be classified as pyrogenic carbonaceous material. Both can be used for soil amendment considering their molar ratios (H/Corg, O/Corg) and carbon content. It was not possible to carbonize lupin stems and seedcases. Despite the altitude (2,632 m.a.s.l), the CO concentration during the carbonization of quinoa stems and husks were 1,024.4 and 559 mg/Nm3, this last, near the European eco-design standard of 500 mg/Nm3. A subsequent SWOT analysis showed the need to explore low-cost and low-complexity pyrolysis reactors that allow the decentralized conversion of agro residues at the farm-scale. The development of local standards to regulate the production and use of biochar is also essential to grant the safety of the processes, the quality of the products, and mobilize funds that allow implementation at relevant scales