Field Operation Planning for Agricultural Vehicles: A Hierarchical Modeling Framework

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Field Operation Planning for Agricultural Vehicles: A Hierarchical Modeling Framework. Manuscript PM 06 021. Vol. IX. February, 2007

Optimal Dynamic Motion Sequence Generation for Multiple Harvesters

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 9 (2007): Optimal Dynamic Motion Sequence Generation for Multiple Harvesters. Manuscript ATOE 07 001. Vol. IX. July, 2007

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) is a lysosomal storage disease with progressive multisystem involvement, associated with a deficiency of arylsulfatase B leading to the accumulation of dermatan sulfate. Birth prevalence is between 1 in 43,261 and 1 in 1,505,160 live births. The disorder shows a wide spectrum of symptoms from slowly to rapidly progressing forms. The characteristic skeletal dysplasia includes short stature, dysostosis multiplex and degenerative joint disease. Rapidly progressing forms may have onset from birth, elevated urinary glycosaminoglycans (generally >100 μg/mg creatinine), severe dysostosis multiplex, short stature, and death before the 2nd or 3rd decades. A more slowly progressing form has been described as having later onset, mildly elevated glycosaminoglycans (generally <100 μg/mg creatinine), mild dysostosis multiplex, with death in the 4th or 5th decades. Other clinical findings may include cardiac valve disease, reduced pulmonary function, hepatosplenomegaly, sinusitis, otitis media, hearing loss, sleep apnea, corneal clouding, carpal tunnel disease, and inguinal or umbilical hernia. Although intellectual deficit is generally absent in MPS VI, central nervous system findings may include cervical cord compression caused by cervical spinal instability, meningeal thickening and/or bony stenosis, communicating hydrocephalus, optic nerve atrophy and blindness. The disorder is transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner and is caused by mutations in the ARSB gene, located in chromosome 5 (5q13-5q14). Over 130 ARSB mutations have been reported, causing absent or reduced arylsulfatase B (N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase) activity and interrupted dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate degradation. Diagnosis generally requires evidence of clinical phenotype, arylsulfatase B enzyme activity <10% of the lower limit of normal in cultured fibroblasts or isolated leukocytes, and demonstration of a normal activity of a different sulfatase enzyme (to exclude multiple sulfatase deficiency). The finding of elevated urinary dermatan sulfate with the absence of heparan sulfate is supportive. In addition to multiple sulfatase deficiency, the differential diagnosis should also include other forms of MPS (MPS I, II IVA, VII), sialidosis and mucolipidosis. Before enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with galsulfase (Naglazyme®), clinical management was limited to supportive care and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Galsulfase is now widely available and is a specific therapy providing improved endurance with an acceptable safety profile. Prognosis is variable depending on the age of onset, rate of disease progression, age at initiation of ERT and on the quality of the medical care provided

Intelligent autonomous system for the detection and treatment of fungal diseases in arable crops

In this paper, the development phases of a ground-based real-time remote sensing system are described. The proposed system can be carried by tractors or robotic platforms. This prototype system makes possible the detection of plant diseases automatically in arable crops at an early stage of disease development, even before the diseases are visibly detectable, during field operations. The methodology uses differences in reflectance and fluorescence properties between healthy and diseased plants. Hyperspectral reflectance, fluorescence imaging, and multispectral imaging techniques were developed for simultaneous acquisition in the same canopy. New fluorescence acquisition techniques were developed, experimental platforms were constructed, and the advantage of using sensor fusion was proven. An intelligent multisensor fusion decision system based on neural networks was developed aiming at predicting the presence of diseases or plant stresses, in order to treat the diseases in a spatially variable way. A robust multi-sensor platform integrating optical sensing, GPS and a data processing unit was constructed and calibrated. The functionality of automatic disease sensing and detection devices is crucial in order to conceive a site-specific spraying strategy against fungal foliar diseases. Furthermore, field tests were carried out to optimise the functioning of the multi-sensor disease-detection device. An overview is provided on how disease presence data are processed in order to enable an automatic site-specific spraying strategy in winter wheat. Furthermore, mapping of diseases based on automated optical sensing and intelligent prediction provide a spatially variable recommendation for spraying

Assessing the impact of integrated traus modal urban transport pricing on modal split

There is increasing interest in the use of pricing measures to improve the efficiency of urban transport systems. In particular, pricing is often seen as a key element in strategies designed to bring about changes in modal split, encouraging the use of public transport while attempting to restrain use of the private car. The European Commission, as part of the Urban Transport sub-programme of the 4 the Framework Transport Programme (Pricing and Financing Section), has funded Project TransPrice (Trans-Modal Integrated Urban Transport Pricing for Optimum Modal Split) which aims to address the issue of integrated trans-modal transport pricing, towards achieving optimum modal split and relieving congestion in urban areas. This paper reports the results of travel behaviour research and simulation modelling for a series of alternative trans-modal pricing and integrated payment scenarios, drawing from work carded out in eight European cities. The range of pricing measures considered covers road use charging (including cordon pricing, area licensing and expressway tolls), public transport fares and parking charges. The broader strategies involve the introduction of integrated transport payment systems (including smart card technology) and enhanced travel conditions for those changing mode (including park- and-ride, public transport priorities and HOV lanes)

Intelligent multi-sensor system for the detection and treatment of fungal diseases in arable crops

The development of a ground-based real-time remote sensing system that can be carried by tractors or robotic platforms is described. This prototype system makes possible the detection of plant diseases in arable crops automatically at an early stage of disease development and during field operations. The methodology uses differences in reflectance between healthy and diseased plants. Hyperspectral reflectance and multi-spectral imaging techniques were developed for simultaneous acquisition in the same canopy. Experimental platforms were constructed, and the advantage of using sensor fusion was demonstrated. An intelligent multi-sensor fusion decision system based on neural networks was developed to predict the presence of diseases or plant stresses, in order to treat the diseases in a spatially variable way. A robust multi-sensor platform integrating optical sensing, GPS (Geostationary Positioning System) and a data processing unit was constructed and calibrated. The functionality of automatic disease sensing and detection devices is crucial in order to conceive a site-specific spraying strategy against fungal foliar diseases. Field tests were carried out to optimise the functioning of the multi-sensor disease detection device. An overview is provided on how disease presence data are processed in order to enable an automatic site-specific spraying strategy in winter wheat. Furthermore, mapping of diseases based on automated optical sensing and intelligent prediction provide a spatially variable recommendation for spraying

Information models specifying usage precesses and data elements : FutureFarm Deliverable 3.4

Work package 3: Analysis and specification of knowledge based farm managementvokKATKV

Specification of system architecture : FutureFarm Deliverable 3.6

Work package 3: "Analysis and specification of knowledge based farm management"vokKATKV