Multiagent Systems in Automotive Applications

The multiagent systems have proved to be a useful tool in the design of solutions to problems of distributed nature. In a distributed system, it is possible that the data, the control actions or even both, be distributed. The concept of agent is a suitable notion for capturing situations where the global knowledge about the status of a system is complex or even impossible to acquire in a single entity. In automotive applications, there exist a great number of scenarios of distributed nature, such as the traffic coordination, routes load balancing problems, traffic negotiation among the infrastructure and cars, to mention a few. Even more, the autonomous driving features of the new generation of cars will require the new methods of car to car communication, car to infrastructure negotiation, and even infrastructure to infrastructure communication. This chapter proposes the application of multiagent system techniques to some problems in the automotive field

Análisis de las propiedades mecánicas del ladrillo tipo bloque artesanal de concreto con adición de aserrín granulado Trujillo 2023

En el presente trabajo de investigación titulado “Análisis de las Propiedades Mecánicas del Ladrillo Tipo Bloque Artesanal de Concreto con Aserrín Granulado Trujillo 2023” se investigó el uso del ladrillo con aserrín granulado como material de construcción, ya que esto ayuda en gran parte al medio ambiente. Se planteo como objetivo: Comprobar si es posible la adición de aserrín granulado para fabricar ladrillo tipo bloque artesanal de concreto sin afectar sus propiedades mecánicas Trujillo 2023. Con un enfoque cuantitativo deductivo, según su propósito es básica y aplicada de carácter experimental, la población estimada fue el ladrillo tipo bloque artesanal convencional de concreto para muros de albañilería. Con una muestra serán 100 ladrillos con distintos porcentajes de 0%(patrón), 5%, 10% y 15% de aserrín granulado Para comprobar si es óptimo el uso de aserrín granulado en los ladrillos tipo bloque se hizo los ensayos de resistencia a la compresión, absorción, densidad y variación dimensional en el laboratorio. Cuyos resultados fueron analizados con las normas técnicas peruanas de unidades de albañilería y se comprobó que si es posible la adición de aserrín granulado para elaborar ladrillo tipo bloque de concreto en un 5 % para muros portantes

Dexamethasone-Loaded Lipomers: Development, Characterization, and Skin Biodistribution Studies

Follicular targeting has gained more attention in recent decades, due to the possibility of obtaining a depot effect in topical administration and its potential as a tool to treat hair follicle-related diseases. Lipid core ethyl cellulose lipomers were developed and optimized, following which characterization of their physicochemical properties was carried out. Dexamethasone was encapsulated in the lipomers (size, 115 nm; polydispersity, 0.24; zeta-potential (Z-potential), +30 mV) and their in vitro release profiles against dexamethasone in solution were investigated by vertical diffusion Franz cells. The skin biodistribution of the fluorescent-loaded lipomers was observed using confocal microscopy, demonstrating the accumulation of both lipomers and fluorochromes in the hair follicles of pig skin. To confirm this fact, immunofluorescence of the dexamethasone-loaded lipomers was carried out in pig hair follicles. The anti-inflammatory (via TNFα) efficacy of the dexamethasone-loaded lipomers was demonstrated in vitro in an HEK001 human keratinocytes cell culture and the in vitro cytotoxicity of the nanoformulation was investigated

Ex-Vivo and In-Vivo Assessment of Cyclamen europaeum Extract After Nasal Administration

Rhinosinusitis is a prevalent disorder with a severe impact on the health-related quality of life. Saponins of Cyclamen europaeum exert a clinically proven curative effect on rhinosinusitis symptoms when instilled into the nasal cavity, however, more extensive preclinical assessment is required to better characterize the efficacy of this botanical extract. This work evaluates the potential use of a natural freeze-dried extract of C. europaeum given as topical nasal administration. Permeation experiment on porcine nasal mucosa was performed with Franz diffusion cells. Experiments in rabbits were performed to test for any toxicological, hematological, biochemical or histological evidence of systemic action. No theoretical levels of saponins were found in the receptor chamber of Franz diffusion cells. Hematological data did not show significant differences between control and experimental animals (p > 0.05). Histological studies also showed that enhanced secretory activity in response to intranasal administration was not accompanied by any visible signs of injury. An examination of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, and gastrointestinal organs did not reveal any abnormality. The absence of mucosal permeation of saponins and negligible probability of C. europaeum saponins absorption in the course of a therapeutic application was demonstrated

Effect of Boriding on the Mechanical Properties of AISI 1045 Steel

Efecto en las propiedades mecánicas de un acero borurado 1045.Some mechanical properties of AISI 1045 borided steels were estimated in the present work. The boriding process was carried out by the powder pack method at 950°C with 8 h of treatment. The fatigue strength on borided notched specimens was evaluated with rotating bending tests (R=1) considering a stress concentration factor (Kt) of 2.53. Likewise, the presence of residual stresses in boride layers was established by the XRD technique. The Daimler-Benz Rockwell C test was used, also, to estimate the strength adhesion of the coated system. The results show a decrease in the fatigue strength of AISI borided steels due to the presence of high porosity in the layers. Finally, the Rockwell-C adhesion test showed no coating failure for the boride layer

Cyclooxygenase-2 polymorphisms confer susceptibility to sarcoidosis but are not related to prognosis

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) gene and susceptibility to sarcoidosis, as well as the relation between these SNPs and the evolution of the disease.Material and methodsThis multicenter investigation involved seven hospitals in Spain. We used a case–control design followed by a prospective follow-up study. Sarcoid patients were recruited from the participating institutions during outpatient routine visits. Age- and gender-matched control subjects were recruited mainly from among outpatients attending the participating hospitals. Four SNPs in the COX2 gene (COX2.5909 T > G, COX2.8473 T > C, COX2.926 G > C, and COX2.3050 G > C) were genotyped using fluorescent hybridization probes among 131 patients with sarcoidosis (63 males; mean age: 47 ± 15 years) and 157 healthy controls (83 males; mean age: 50 ± 16 years). We employed a binomial multiple logistic regression analysis to test the association between the selected SNPs and disease susceptibility. The clinical, functional and radiological prognosis of the sarcoidosis patients was determined after a mean follow-up of 37.4 ± 30.4 months.ResultsCarriers of the homozygous CC genotype of the COX2.8473 T > C polymorphism had a higher risk of sarcoidosis compared with TT carriers (OR: 3.08; 95% CI: 1.2–7.7; p = 0.035). 84% of patients achieved improvement or complete remission at follow-up. No association between the investigated SNPs and prognosis was seen.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the homozygous CC genotype of the COX2.8473 T > C polymorphism may be associated with sarcoidosis susceptibility. No significant association with prognosis was detected

Synthesis and Frictional Characteristics of Bio-Based Lubricants Obtained from Fatty Acids of Castor Oil

The depletion of oil reserves and concerns about the environmental impact of the use and incorrect disposal of mineral lubricants have been promoting the development of bio-based lubricants. In this study, biolubricants obtained from fatty acids of castor oil were synthesized by esterification (>wt.%93), epoxidation (>wt.%92), and oxirane ring opening reactions using water (>wt.%92) or 2-ethylhexanol (>wt.%94) as nucleophilic agents. The frictional characteristics of the synthesized samples were obtained through tribological tests performed in a four-ball tester and compared with a commercial mineral oil. The sample obtained through oxirane ring opening with water showed the best frictional performance (FC = 0.0699 ± 0.0007) among the prepared samples, with equivalent wear rate (WSD = 281.2 ± 5.54 μm) and ca. 20% lower friction coefficient when compared to the commercial mineral oil, indicating its great potential for replacing mineral fossil oils.We thank CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico) Projects: 304950/2019-0 (Tavares de Luna, F.M.), 309046/2018-1 (Loureiro Cavalcante, C., Jr.) and FUNCAP (Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) Project E1-0079-0004301 for financial support for this study. Ribeiro-Filho thanks the FAPEMA (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão) Project 01131/18 (Campos Flexa Ribeiro Filho, P.R.) and Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (UEMA) for financial support. E.R.-C. thanks Junta de Andalucía, project P20-00375 and FEDER funds. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Mecanismo de fuerza constante

Número de publicación: ES2683962 A1 (28.09.2018) También publicado como: ES2683962 B2 (21.02.2019) Número de Solicitud: Consulta de Expedientes OEPM (C.E.O.) P201700551 (28.03.2017)Mecanismo de fuerza constante del tipo de los utilizados para mantener un nivel de fuerza constante sobre el eslabón de entrada. El mecanismo incorpora una guía curva (1), cuya cara exterior define dos pistas de rodadura laterales (3a, 3b) sobre las que ruedan sendas ruedas (5a, 5b). Ambas ruedas (5a, 5b) están montadas sobre un mismo eje (6), sobre el que actúa un resorte de extensión (8). El otro extremo de este resorte se articula a un eje fijo (7). Por acción de una cadena de rodillos (10) las ruedas (5a, 5b) se desplazan sobre sendas pistas de rodadura laterales (3a, 3b) mientras que el resorte de extensión (8) se opone al movimiento. La geometría de la curva definida por las pistas de rodadura laterales (3a, 3b) es tal que la fuerza aplicada sobre la cadena de rodillos (10) se mantiene constante para cualquier posición de las ruedas (5a, 5b).Universidad de Almería y Universidad de Sevill

Clinical Audits in Outpatient Clinics for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Methodological Considerations and Workflow

Objectives: Previous clinical audits for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have provided valuable information on the clinical care delivered to patients admitted to medical wards because of COPD exacerbations. However, clinical audits of COPD in an outpatient setting are scarce and no methodological guidelines are currently available. Based on our previous experience, herein we describe a clinical audit for COPD patients in specialized outpatient clinics with the overall goal of establishing a potential methodological workflow.Methods: A pilot clinical audit of COPD patients referred to respiratory outpatient clinics in the region of Andalusia, Spain (over 8 million inhabitants), was performed. The audit took place between October 2013 and September 2014, and 10 centers (20% of all public hospitals) were invited to participate. Cases with an established diagnosis of COPD based on risk factors, clinical symptoms, and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.70 were deemed eligible. The usefulness of formally scheduled regular follow-up visits was assessed. Two different databases (resources and clinical database) were constructed. Assessments were planned over a year divided by 4 three-month periods, with the goal of determining seasonal-related changes. Exacerbations and survival served as the main endpoints.Conclusions: This paper describes a methodological framework for conducting a clinical audit of COPD patients in an outpatient setting. Results from such audits can guide health information systems development and implementation in real-world settings.This study was financially supported by an unrestricted grant from Laboratorios Menarini, SA (Barcelona, Spain)

A prospective cross-sectional study of tuberculosis in elderly Hispanics reveals that BCG vaccination at birth is protective whereas diabetes is not a risk factor

Background: Aging increases the risk of tuberculosis (TB) and its adverse outcomes, but most studies are based on secondary analyses, and few are in Hispanics. Diabetes is a risk factor for TB in adults, but its contribution in the elderly is unknown. We aimed to identify the role of diabetes and other risk factors for TB in elderly Hispanics. Methods: Cross-sectional study among newly-diagnosed TB patients, recent contacts (ReC), or community controls (CoC) totaling 646 participants, including 183 elderly (\u3e60 years; 43 TB, 80 ReC, 60 CoC) and 463 adults (18 to 50 years; 80 TB, 301 ReC and 82 CoC). Host characteristics associated with TB and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) were identified in the elderly by univariable and confirmed by multivariable logistic regression. Results: LTBI was more prevalent among the elderly CoC (55% vs. 23.2% in adults; p\u3c0.001), but not in ReC (elderly 71.3% vs. adult 63.8%); p = 0.213). Risk factors for TB in the elderly included male sex (adj-OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.76, 10.65), smoking (adj-OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.01, 6.45) and low BMI (adj-OR 12.34, 95% CI 4.44, 34.33). Unexpectedly, type 2 diabetes was not associated with TB despite its high prevalence (adj-OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.06, 2.38), and BCG vaccination at birth was protective (adj-OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.06, 0.45). Conclusions: We report novel distinctions in TB risk factors in the elderly vs. adults, notably in diabetes and BCG vaccination at birth. Further studies are warranted to address disparities in this vulnerable, understudied population