Automatic identification of gait events using an instrumented sock

Background: textile-based transducers are an emerging technology in which piezo-resistive properties of materials are used to measure an applied strain. By incorporating these sensors into a sock, this technology offers the potential to detect critical events during the stance phase of the gait cycle. This could prove useful in several applications, such as functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems to assist gait. Methods: we investigated the output of a knitted resistive strain sensor during walking and sought to determine the degree of similarity between the sensor output and the ankle angle in the sagittal plane. In addition, we investigated whether it would be possible to predict three key gait events, heel strike, heel lift and toe off, with a relatively straight-forward algorithm. This worked by predicting gait events to occur at fixed time offsets from specific peaks in the sensor signal. Results: our results showed that, for all subjects, the sensor output exhibited the same general characteristics as the ankle joint angle. However, there were large between-subjects differences in the degree of similarity between the two curves. Despite this variability, it was possible to accurately predict gait events using a simple algorithm. This algorithm displayed high levels of trial-to-trial repeatability. Conclusions: this study demonstrates the potential of using textile-based transducers in future devices that provide active gait assistance

Análise de solos: finalidade e procedimentos de amostragem.

A análise de solos é o único método que permite, antes do plantio, conhecer a capacidade de um determinado solo suprir nutrientes para as plantas. É a forma mais simples, econômica e eficiente de diagnose da fertilidade das terras e constitui base imprescindível para a recomendação de quantidades adequadas de corretivos e fertilizantes para aumentar a produtividade das culturas e, como consequência a produção e a lucratividade das lavouras.bitstream/CPAP-2010/57309/1/COT79.pd

Soil carbon and nitrogen stocks under natural forested savannah and cultivated pasture in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

The goal of this study was to estimate the soil C and N stocks under Urochloa spp.pasture with a natural forested savannah as a reference.(Embrapa Gado de Corte. Documentos, 216). Coordenador Roberto Giolo de Almeida. II SIGEE. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 30 nov. 2016

Produtividade de braquiarias na sub-regiao da Nhecolandia, Pantanal, MS - Brasil.

O Pantanal, essa imensa planicie sedimentar, de aproximadamente 140.000 km2, possui como um dos pilares da economia a exploracao da bovinocultura de corte. O regime de criacao e do tipo extensivo, concentrada principalmente na atividade de cria. Dentre as sub-regioes do Pantanal, a Nhecolandia e uma das maiores em termos de area e onde esta concentrado o maior rebanho bovino. Os solos sao essencialmente arenosos, apresentando a vegetacao natural em quatro unidades geomorficas: "cerradao ou mata", "caronal, predominacia do capim carona - Elyonurus muticus, "campo-cerrado" e "vazante", essas divisoes sao determinadas pelo nivel de fertilidade do solo, nivel e duracao das enchentes. A precipitacao pluvial anual esta em torno de 1.000 a 1.400 mm. A alimentacao do rebanho bovino baseava-se exclusivamente em pastagem nativa. Entretanto, como alternativa para o aumento da produtividade, ha cerca de duas decadas vem sendo efetuada a formacao de pastagens, com a introducao de gramineas exoticas, inicialmente em areas de cerradao e cerrado e mais recentemente em campo de caronal, visando aumentar a oferta alimentar aos animais em epocas criticas. Destaca-se basicamente a introducao de Brachiarias decumbens e B. humidicola.bitstream/item/41118/1/PA17.pd

Convergent and discriminant validities of SCBE-30 questionnaire using correlated trait–correlated method Minus One

Correlated trait–correlated method minus one was used to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity of Social Competence Behavior Evaluation questionnaire (Social Competence, Anger-Aggression, Anxiety-Withdrawal) between multiple raters. A total of 369 children (173 boys and 196 girls; Mage = 55.85, SDage = 11.54) were rated by their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Results showed more convergence between parents than parent-teacher ratings. Mother-teacher share a common view of child behavior that is not shared with father. Parents had more difficulty distinguishing internalizing and externalizing behaviors (especially fathers). Measurement invariance across child sex was explored, results imply that differences between boys and girls were not due to measure. Girls (compare to boys) were described as more social competent by their fathers and teachers, while boys as more aggressive by mothers and teachers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships: contributions to preschoolers’ social competence

The main goal of this study was to explore the contributions of early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships to children’s later social competence with their preschool peers; possible unique and shared contributions were tested. Using a multi-method design and focusing on direct observation, attachment was assessed at home at age 3 with the Attachment Behavior Q-sort (AQS) and two years later social competence was assessed at classrooms of 5-year-olds using a set of seven measurement indicators that are part of the Hierarchical Model of Social Competence. Results show that attachment to each parent made unique and significant contributions to children’s social competence and suggested the possibility that each caregiver may have somewhat different patterns of influence on the different indicators of children’s social competence. Findings also suggest the possibility that a secure attachment with one parent may buffer the impact of having an insecure relationship with the other. Due to sample size these results should be seen as a starting point to generate new and larger studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Efeito da temperatura no crescimento e capacidade parasítica de isolados de Trichoderma spp. selecionados para o controle biológico de Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

O mofo-branco (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) é a doença mais destrutiva do feijoeiro nos plantios de inverno, quando os dias são mais curtos e as temperaturas mais amenas (15 a 25ºC). Além das práticas culturais que contribuem para a redução do inóculo do patógeno no solo, o uso de agentes de controle biológico têm se intensificado. Espécies de Trichoderma são recomendados com relativo sucesso para o controle da doença em diversos países. A maioria das espécies de Trichoderma desenvolve-se melhor em temperaturas superiores a 25ºC. No Brasil, produtos à base de Trichoderma são utilizados em algumas regiões produtoras que apresentam temperatura elevada no inverno, entretanto, são pouco eficientes em regiões ou épocas de temperatura mais frias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da temperatura (15, 20, 25, 30 e 35ºC) sobre o crescimento e capacidade de parasitismo de três isolados de Trichoderma spp. (T66, T111 e T409) previamente selecionados para o controle do mofo branco. Foram avaliados o crescimento radial das colônias e a germinação de esporos em meio de cultura, além da capacidade de parasitismo sobre escleródios do patógeno no solo. A germinação de esporos e o crescimento das colônias de todos os isolados foram maiores entre 20 e 30ºC. Já a capacidade de inibição da germinação e parasitismo de escleródios foi variável entre os isolados e as temperaturas. De forma geral, nenhum dos isolados foi eficiente em parasitar os escleródios do patógeno nas temperaturas mais baixas (15 a 20ºC). Portanto, são necessárias novas avaliações na busca de isolados mais eficientes para o cultivo de outono-inverno

An infrared diagnostic for magnetism in hot stars

Magnetospheric observational proxies are used for indirect detection of magnetic fields in hot stars in the X-ray, UV, optical, and radio wavelength ranges. To determine the viability of infrared (IR) hydrogen recombination lines as a magnetic diagnostic for these stars, we have obtained low-resolution (R~1200), near-IR spectra of the known magnetic B2V stars HR 5907 and HR 7355, taken with the Ohio State Infrared Imager/Spectrometer (OSIRIS) attached to the 4.1m Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope. Both stars show definite variable emission features in IR hydrogen lines of the Brackett series, with similar properties as those found in optical spectra, including the derived location of the detected magnetospheric plasma. These features also have the added advantage of a lowered contribution of stellar flux at these wavelengths, making circumstellar material more easily detectable. IR diagnostics will be useful for the future study of magnetic hot stars, to detect and analyze lower-density environments, and to detect magnetic candidates in areas obscured from UV and optical observations, increasing the number of known magnetic stars to determine basic formation properties and investigate the origin of their magnetic fields.Comment: 4 pages, accepted for publication in A&

The Berwald-type linearisation of generalised connections

We study the existence of a natural `linearisation' process for generalised connections on an affine bundle. It is shown that this leads to an affine generalised connection over a prolonged bundle, which is the analogue of what is called a connection of Berwald type in the standard theory of connections. Various new insights are being obtained in the fine structure of affine bundles over an anchored vector bundle and affineness of generalised connections on such bundles.Comment: 25 page