A Design of Inductive Coupling Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicle Applications

This research focuses on the study of using an inductive-coupled Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) system for electric vehicle charging applications in Medium Voltage DC (MVDC) power networks. Implementing WPT in Electric Vehicles (EVs) can provide a convenient alternative charging option, versus static charging in a station that would take hours. Also, it can prevent the potential of electrocution hazards that might occur due to the usage of physical medium like wires in EV charging. Even though inductive coupling has been applied in some applications of WPT, it is still not efficient enough to transfer high power at the kilowatts level due to weak coupling between the transmitter and the receiver. Using optimally-specified resonant circuits along with inductive coupling can enhance the coupling and make the system more efficient for practical applications. This research aims to design and analyze the performance of a 5-KW WPT circuit. The optimal specification of a resonant circuit is studied and discussed. Theoretical calculations are performed to find the component values in the circuit to reach. The WPT system is firstly verifiedmby performing simulation tests in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and then on a low power hardware testbed

Quantification of a novel biotrophic mycoparasitic fungus using genus specific real-time PCR for biocontrol of phytopathogenic Fusarium graminearum in wheat root under controlled conditions

Non-Peer ReviewedFusarium species are well-known causal agents of Fusarium root-rot, Fusarium head blight (FHB), and Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) diseases in Saskatchewan and other provinces of Canada. Our goal is to develop quantitative real-time PCR techniques to determine and evaluate interactions between Fusarium-associated biotrophic mycoparasitic fungus SMCD 2220 and 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) producing Fusarium graminearum Schwabe – in and surrounding wheat roots. ITS1F/ITS4 (internal transcribed spacer) sequences from SMCD 2220 biotrophic mycoparasitic fungal isolate and 20 different Fusarium strains were aligned, and consensus sequences were verified. Four candidate primer sets from ITS regions were designed based on the non-conserved regions of the consensus sequences. Using the primer set SmyITSF/R, the biotrophic mycoparasite genomic DNAs were amplified from SMCD 2220. This primer set was developed for assessing and quantifying the interactions between SMCD 2220 biotrophic mycoparasite and F. graminearum. Well-known necrotrophic T. harzianum T-22, was used as the positive control. During in vitro studies, only SMCD 2220 was observed to improve wheat seed germination, whereas T-22 induced post-emergence damping-off symptoms. Under controlled phytotron conditions, both SMCD 2220 and T. harzianum strains were able to reduce the quantity of F. graminearum in spring wheat root, as well as improving the survival and growth of the spring wheat seedlings. However, amount of SMCD 2220 DNA detected was no significantly difference between wheat inoculated with F. graminearum and without Fusarium. In contrary, the amount of T. harzianum DNA monitored in the treatment inoculated with F. graminearum was observed to reduce significantly, as compared to non-Fusarium treatment

Pentraxin 3: A Novel Biomarker for Inflammatory Cardiovascular Disease

Numerous studies have recently examined the role of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in clinical situations. The pentraxin family includes C-reactive protein (CRP); however, unlike CRP, PTX3 is expressed predominantly in atherosclerotic lesions that involve macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, or smooth muscle cells. Interestingly, PTX3 gene expression in human endothelial cells is suppressed to a greater extent by pitavastatin than the expression of 6,000 other human genes that have been examined, suggesting that PTX3 may be a novel biomarker for inflammatory cardiovascular disease. The expression and involvement of PTX3 in cardiovascular diseases are discussed in this paper, along with the characteristics of PTX3 that make it a suitable biomarker; namely, that the physiological concentration is known and it is independent of other risk factors. The results discussed in this paper suggest that further investigations into the potential novel use of PTX3 as a biomarker for inflammatory cardiovascular disease should be undertaken

Scalable Multipartite Entanglement Using Squeezed light

Quantum entanglement is a pure quantum mechanical phenomena with no classical counterpart. The strong non locality of multipartite entangled states makes it suitable for application of quantum mechanics towards quantum computing, quantum key distribution and quantum interferometry. Many methods have been proposed for the generation of scalable multipartite entangled states in the frequency domain and by time-bin multiplexing. However, these are not suitable for long distance quantum communication. To build a long distance quantum network, we need a spatially separable multipartite entangled system. In this thesis, we focus on the use of a quantum interferometer, known as the SU(1,1) interferometer formed using a two mode squeezed quantum state, to generate a multipartite entangled quantum system in the spatial domain. We start with an introduction to the basic properties of quantum states of light and entangled systems. Later, we expand on the scheme proposed for the generation of multipartite entangled system. We go over the experimental implementation of this scheme and experimentally verify the existence of multipartite quantum correlated state

Healthy Living in the Pacific Islands: Results of a Focus Group Process to Identify Perceptions of Health and Collaboration in the U.S-Affiliated Pacific Islands

A focus group process was used to gather data on perceptions of health and community collaboration within 6 U.S. affiliated Pacific Islands as part of a process to encourage a community-based participatory approach to addressing community health issues and planning. The focus groups revealed Pacific Islanders\u27 perceptions of health and key local health issues and elements of collaboration. The results were applied to a community-oriented planning process, resulting in the creation of a broad planning framework within which islands could implement their own activities. This approach shows potential for initiating future activities in which communities collaborate in the planning process

Estudio de los endo y ectoparásitos que afectan a palomas mensajeras de la isla de Tenerife

Traballo Fin de Grao en Veterinaria. Curso 2019-2020Neste estudo recolléronse un total de 54 mostras de feces e 81 de plumas de pombas mensaxeiras (Columba livia) procedentes de 11 pombais federados da illa de Tenerife. A mostraxe levouse a cabo entre novembro de 2018 e maio de 2019 tendo en conta o sexo e idade dos animais; para cada pombal recolléronse datos relativos ao grao de amoreamento dos animais, frecuencia de limpeza e desinfección e tratamentos antiparasitarios. As mostras fecais recolléronse do chan dos aviarios e analizáronse mediante flotación en solución de sacarosa e en solución salina saturada con posterior reconto en cámara de McMaster. As mostras de plumas observáronse á lupa binocular (4x). A prevalencia total de parasitos dixestivos foi do 98,15%, sendo todos os pombais (100%) positivos a algún parasito. Identificáronse 4 xéneros de parasitos dixestivos: un protozoo (Eimeria) e 3 nematodos (Ascaridia, Capillaria e Ornithostrongylus). A prevalencia e intensidade media de eliminación foron moi elevadas para Eimeria spp. (98,15%; 18.775±31.024,39 o.p.g.), seguidos por Ascaridia spp. (66,67; 220,37±70,94 h.p.g.), Capillaria spp. (57,41%; 390,74±1.466,74 h.p.g.) e, por último, Ornithostrongylus (14,81%, 15,38±45,41 h.p.g.). Tamén se atoparon nas coproloxías ovos de ácaros transeúntes (27,78%; 9,26±36,44 h.p.g.), inxeridos polas pombas ao acicalarse ou peteirarse. O sexo e a idade das pombas non constitúen factores determinantes na prevalencia e intensidade de infección dos parasitos dixestivos detectados neste estudo, agás para Capillaria, cuxa intensidade de eliminación era significativamente maior nos reprodutores (1.290±2.630,40) ca nos adultos (56±105,40) e pombiños (25±80,26). Ao comparar as dúas técnicas de flotación, a flotación en sacarosa ofreceu valores de prevalencia superiores á flotación en solución salina para todos os xéneros agás para Eimeria, cuxas porcentaxes estiveron próximas ao 100% en ambos casos. O 24,69% das mostras de plumas foron positivas a algún ectoparasito, cun 20,99% de prevalencia para os ácaros Falculifer rostratus e Diplaegidia columbae, seguido dun 8,64% o piollo malófago da pomba (Columbicola columbae) e 1,23% para a mosca da pomba (Pseudolynchia canariensis). Dos oito xéneros de parasitos detectados no noso estudo, tres deles (Ornithostrongylus, Falculifer e Diplaegidia) constitúen primeiras citas na pomba (Columba livia) en España. Descártase o risco de transmisión zoonótica dos parasitos identificados para as persoas, pero si existe risco de transmisión a outras especies de pombas e a outras aves tanto domésticas como agrestes.En este estudio se recogieron un total de 54 muestras de heces y 81 de plumas de palomas mensajeras (Columba livia) procedentes de 11 palomares federados de la isla de Tenerife. El muestreo se llevó a cabo entre noviembre de 2018 y mayo de 2019 teniendo en cuenta el sexo y edad de los animales; para cada palomar se recogieron datos relativos al grado de hacinamiento de los animales, frecuencia de limpieza y desinfección y tratamientos antiparasitarios. Las muestras fecales se recogieron del suelo de los aviarios y se analizaron mediante flotación en solución de sacarosa y en solución salina saturada con posterior recuento en cámara de McMaster. Las muestras de plumas se observaron a la lupa binocular (4x). La prevalencia total de parásitos digestivos fue del 98,15%, siendo todos los palomares (100%) positivos a algún parásito. Se identificaron 4 géneros de parásitos digestivos: un protozoo (Eimeria) y 3 nematodos (Ascaridia, Capillaria y Ornithostrongylus). La prevalencia e intensidad media de eliminación fueron muy elevadas para Eimeria spp. (98,15%; 18.775±31.024,39 o.p.g.), seguidos por Ascaridia spp. (66,67; 220,37±70,94 h.p.g.), Capillaria spp. (57,41%; 390,74±1.466,74 h.p.g.) y, por último, Ornithostrongylus (14,81%, 15,38±45,41 h.p.g.). También se encontraron en coprología huevos de ácaros transeúntes (27,78%; 9,26±36,44 h.p.g.), ingeridos por las palomas al acicalarse o picotearse. El sexo y la edad de las palomas no constituyen factores determinantes en la prevalencia e intensidad de infección de los parásitos digestivos detectados en este estudio, excepto para Capillaria, cuya intensidad de eliminación era significativamente mayor en los reproductores (1.290±2.630,40) que en los adultos (56±105,40) y pichones (25±80,26). Al comparar las dos técnicas de flotación, la flotación en sacarosa ofreció valores de prevalencia superiores a la flotación en solución salina para todos los géneros excepto para Eimeria, cuyos porcentajes estuvieron próximos al 100% en ambos casos. El 24,69% de las muestras de plumas fueron positivas a algún ectoparásito, con un 20,99% de prevalencia para los ácaros Falculifer rostratus y Diplaegidia columbae, seguido de un 8,64% el piojo malófago de la paloma (Columbicola columbae) y 1,23% para la mosca de la paloma (Pseudolynchia canariensis). De los ocho géneros de parásitos detectados en nuestro estudio, tres de ellos (Ornithostrongylus, Falculifer y Diplaegidia) constituyen primeras citas en la paloma (Columba livia) en España. Se descarta el riesgo de transmisión zoonótica de los parásitos identificados para las personas, pero si existe riesgo de transmisión a otras especies de palomas y a otras aves tanto domésticas como silvestres.In this study a total of 54 faecal and 81 feather samples of carrier pigeons (Columba livia) were collected from 11 federated lofts on the island of Tenerife. Sampling was carried out between November 2018 and May 2019 taking into account the sex and age of the animals; data were collected for each loft on the density of animals, frequency of cleaning and disinfection and anti-parasite treatments. Fecal samples were collected from the floor of the aviaries and analysed by flotation in sucrose and in saturated saline solutions with subsequent counting in a McMaster chamber. Feather samples were observed under a stereo microscope (4x). The total prevalence of digestive parasites was 98.15%, with all lofts (100%) being positive for some parasite. Four genera of digestive parasites were identified: one protozoan (Eimeria) and three nematodes (Ascaridia, Capillaria and Ornithostrongylus). The prevalence and average elimination intensity were very high for Eimeria spp. (98.15%; 18,775±31,024.39 opg), followed by Ascaridia spp. (66.67; 220.37±70.94 hpg), Capillaria spp. (57.41%; 390.74±1,466.74 hpg) and finally, Ornithostrongylus (14.81%, 15.38±45.41 hpg). Eggs of transient mites, ingested by pigeons when preening or pecking, were also found in coprology (27.78%; 9.26±36.44 h.p.g.). The sex and age of the pigeons do not constitute determining factors in the prevalence and intensity of infection for the digestive parasites detected in this study, except for Capillaria, whose elimination intensity was significantly higher in breeders (1,290±2,630.40) than in adults (56±105.40) and youngsters (25±80.26). When comparing the two flotation techniques, sucrose flotation offered higher prevalence values than saline flotation for all genera except Eimeria, whose percentages were close to 100% in both cases. 24.69% of the feather samples were positive for some ectoparasite, with a prevalence of 20.99% for the mites Falculifer rostratus and Diplaegidia columbae, followed by 8.64% for the pigeon louse (Columbicola columbae) and 1.23% for the pigeon fly (Pseudolynchia canariensis). From the eight genera detected in our study, three of them (Ornithostrongylus, Falculifer and Diplaegidia) constitute first citations in the pigeon (Columba livia) in Spain. The risk of zoonotic transmission of the identified parasites to humans is ruled out, but there is a risk of transmission to other species of pigeons and other birds, both domestic and wild

Atención farmacéutica integral para la optimización de los resultados terapéuticos y mejora de uso de Benzodiacepinas

Las Benzodiacepinas (BZD) se caracterizan por una elevada tasa de prescripción y un aumento progresivo en su consumo a nivel mundial. Principalmente indicadas en el tratamiento de la ansiedad generalizada y el insomnio, también se usan como anticonvulsivantes, relajantes musculares, premedicación anestésica y desintoxicación alcohólica, entre otras. Su uso en tratamientos prolongados se asocia con efectos secundarios como excesiva somnolencia y sedación, un mayor riesgo de deterioro cognitivo, caídas y fracturas de caderas y la aparición de tolerancia y dependencia, con su consecuente síndrome de abstinencia. Esta tesis tiene como objetivo principal diseñar, con visión asistencial, un protocolo pionero de dispensación integral de BZD, dotado de su correspondiente algoritmo para Farmacia Comunitaria que promueva el uso seguro de este grupo farmacológico y la optimización de sus resultados terapéuticos. Personalizar la Atención Farmacéutica de BZD, con especial atención a pacientes de riesgo ejerciendo una intervención farmacéutica individualizada. Se trata de un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal prospectivo realizado en una oficina de farmacia de Tenerife está avalado y clasificado por la AEMPS, CEIm y Servicio Canario de la Salud. El período de recogida de datos (agosto 2020- febrero 2021) con 127 pacientes usuarios de BZD han sido entrevistados usando un cuestionario de recogida de datos . Un total de 46 variables sobre parámetros sociodemográficos y del fármaco, conocimiento del paciente sobre la BZD, criterios STOPP, test Euroqol 5D 3L, test de adherencia de Morisky-Green, test de Pfeiffer para deterioro cognitivo y test de dependencia a BZD, intervención farmacéutica individualizada y satisfacción del servicio de dispensación, entre otros, han sido recogidas y analizadas

Analysis of Activities with ICT in Secondary Education Classrooms

MetNum es punto de encuentro en el campus virtual Moodle, para los alumnos de Métodos Numéricos de la I.T.Informática de la Universidad de Málaga. Como herramientas básicas de Moodle nos planteamos en este campus virtual la utilización de cuestionarios, lecciones, glosarios, tareas, wikis, libros y foros como medio de incentivar y encauzar el trabajo diario de los alumnos. Destacamos que se ha desarrollado PDTeXInT: un entorno para el diseño de tutoriales interactivos para la presentación de material matemático. PDTeXInT permite acercar de forma amistosa y formato portable los contenidos teóricos junto con ejercicios de autoevaluación, como método para mejorar el proceso de aprendizaje.An cases study has made in two Secondary Education Centres of Tenerife, integrated into the Project Medusa of the Canary Government (http://www.gobiernodecanarias.org/educacion/ medusa). The results obtained from the observations of many classrooms developed teaching activities supported in the use of digital resources are presented here. The central objective was to identify what kind of activities have been developed in the pedagogical use of ICT, to what extent these activities are favoring informational and digital skills in students, and how they organized and developed them