Low-Cost Piezoelectric Sensors for Time Domain Load Monitoring of Metallic Structures During Operational and Maintenance Processes

The versatility of piezoelectric sensors in measurement techniques and their performance in applications has given rise to an increased interest in their use for structural and manufacturing component monitoring. They enable wireless and sensor network solutions to be developed in order to directly integrate the sensors into machines, fixtures and tools. Piezoelectric sensors increasingly compete with strain-gauges due to their wide operational temperature range, load and strain sensing accuracy, low power consumption and low cost. This research sets out the use of piezoelectric sensors for real-time monitoring of mechanical strength in metallic structures in the ongoing operational control of machinery components. The behaviour of aluminium and steel structures under flexural strength was studied using piezoelectric sensors. Variations in structural behaviour and geometry were measured, and the load and μstrains during operational conditions were quantified in the time domain at a specific frequency. The lead zirconium titanate (PZT) sensors were able to distinguish between material types and thicknesses. Moreover, this work covers frequency selection and optimisation from 20 Hz to 300 kHz. Significant differences in terms of optimal operating frequencies and sensitivity were found in both structures. The influence of the PZT voltage applied was assessed to reduce power consumption without signal loss, and calibration to μstrains and loads was performed.This research was funded by Basque Government, grant number KK-2019/00051-SMARTRESNAK and by the European Commission, grant number 869884- RECLAIM

Effects of deferred forage as winter cover on spring growth of the tropical grasses Chloris gayana and Panicum coloratum = Efectos del forraje diferido como cobertura de invierno en el crecimiento primaveral de las gramíneas tropicales Chloris gayana y Panicum coloratum

This pot study assessed the effects of deferring forage during autumn and leaving as winter cover on reducing cold damage to plants of 2 tropical (C4) grasses (Chloris gayana and Panicum coloratum) in a temperate environment in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mature plants were subjected to the following treatments: (i) autumn-deferred forage retained (DF) as control; and (ii) autumn-deferred forage removed (DFR) cutting at 15 cm from soil level at beginning of winter. This experiment had 10 replicates per treatment and 1 plant per pot (experimental unit). Plants of both species were extracted from a commercial beef farm and transplanted into an experimental garden in pots where they grew outdoors from 2 February to 23 May (111 days) when treatments were applied. After winter, both grasses were cut to 15 cm in early spring (27 September) and spring growth was measured in November. Shoot biomass was harvested at ground level and separated into lower and upper layers (above and below 15 cm), leaf blades, sheaths and stolons. Daily air temperature, relative humidity and frost events were registered. Allometric analysis of shoot biomass was performed to determine the stress incidence by cold. DF plants achieved 55‒80% higher shoot biomass than DFR plants during spring in both species. The allometric analysis revealed for P. coloratum significant relationships between shoot biomass from plant compartments (lower and upper layers, leaf blade and sheath) and total shoot biomass in both treatments, indicating good cold tolerance. However, for C. gayana, unlike DF plants, DFR plants were strongly stressed, showing a lack of shoot biomass fit. These results suggest that deferring autumn forage growth and retaining as winter cover may improve survival during winter and productivity during spring of these two tropical grasses in temperate pastoral systems. However, the study needs to be repeated under field conditions and under grazing or cutting over a number of years in different situations to verify these preliminary results.En La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, en un experimento en macetas a aire libre (condiciones de luz y temperatura naturales) se evaluó el efecto del forraje diferido como cobertura invernal en 2 gramíneas tropicales C4 (Chloris gayana y Panicum coloratum). Plantas adultas fueron extraídas de un establecimiento ganadero, trasplantadas a macetas en un jardín experimental y, después de crecer durante 111 días, sometidas el 23 de Mayo a los tratamientos: (1) control [sin remoción del forraje diferido de otoño (DF)]; y (2) remoción del forraje diferido de otoño (DFR) después de un corte a 15 cm del suelo. Se utilizaron 10 repeticiones por tratamiento y una planta por maceta (unidad experimental). Las plantas fueron cosechadas el 27 de Septiembre (después del invierno) y nuevamente en Noviembre, mediante corte a ras del suelo, para medir la biomasa del rebrote primaveral en los estratos superior (>15 cm) e inferior (<15 cm sobre el suelo), láminas, vainas y estolones. Se realizó un análisis alométrico para dilucidar la incidencia del estrés por frio y se registraron la temperatura del aire, la humedad relativa y la ocurrencia de heladas. Las plantas con forraje diferido alcanzaron una mayor biomasa (55‒80%) que aquellas con remoción del forraje. Panicum coloratum mostró un ajuste significativo entre la biomasa total y la biomasa de los diferentes estratos para ambos tratamientos, mostrando buena tolerancia al estrés por frio. Por otro lado, C. gayana mostró falta de ajuste de la biomasa y un mayor estrés por la remoción del forraje, mientras que las plantas sin remoción presentaron menor daño por frío y un mayor ajuste. La cobertura invernal del forraje diferido podría mejorar la productividad y supervivencia de estas especies forrajeras cuando son utilizadas en sistemas pastoriles templados. Estos resultados preliminares deben ser evaluados en condiciones de campo durante un mayor número de años, considerando diferentes estrategias de pastoreo.Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco SemiáridoFil: Imaz, José Augusto. University of Sydney. Faculty of Agriculture and Environment. Centre for Carbon, Water & Food; Australia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Merani, Víctor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Dos Santos, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical. Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical; ArgentinaFil: Benvenutti, Marcelo A. University of Queensland, Gatton Campus; AustraliaFil: Gimenez, Daniel Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Hernandez, Olegario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Arroquy, Jose Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero; Argentin

Fitohormonas reducen daños por Nacobbus aberrans en tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Existen antecedentes de la reducción de daños por nemátodos con el uso de elicitores, compuestos que estimulan defensas en las plantas, promoviendo el metabolismo secundario. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivos evaluar la nematofauna presente en el suelo y raíces del cultivo antecesor, y medir el efecto sobre el rendimiento y daño en raíces por Nacobbus aberrans en tomate (Solanum lycopersicum)‘Elpida’, tratado por drench 24 horas previas al trasplante con 1 mL de ácido salicílico 0,50 x 10-4 M y 1,00 x 10-4 M, etileno 0,35 x 10-3 M y 0,70 x 10-3 M, ácido jasmónico 1,00 x 10-4 M y 1,00 x 10-5 M, dejando testigos sin tratar. En el suelo se identificaron nemátodos saprófitos, omnívoros y predatores, Helicotylenchus spp. y N. aberrans. El cultivo antecesor fue tomate ‘Elpida’ sin injertar e injertado sobre Maxifort, 9184, Multifort y Beaufort, identificándose huevos y N. aberrans J2 en todas las raíces, en cantidad significativamente menor en Maxifort y 9184. Las fitohormonas incrementaron la producción de frutos con peso mayor a 150 g y el rendimiento total respecto al testigo, produciendo menor número de agallas, índice de agallamiento y reproducción. Ácido salicílico 1,00 x 10-4 M produjo menor daño en raíces y mayor producción total y por racimos, seguido por etileno 0,70 x 10-3 M y ácido jasmónico 1,00 x 10-5 M. Es importante continuar investigando aspectos prácticos del uso de elicitores y profundizar en la comprensión de su acción para el control de N. aberrans.There is evidence that indicates that elicitors reduce damage caused by nematodes. Elicitors are compounds that stimulate plant defense promoting secondary metabolism. The aims of this study were to evaluate the soil and previous root crop nematofauna in tomato ‘Elpida’, and determine the effect on yield and root damage by Nacobbus aberrrans. Soil drench applications were conducted 24 hours pre-transplanting with 1 mL of: salicilic acid 0.50 x 10-4 M and 1.00 x 10-4 M, ethylen 0.35 x 10-3 M and 0.70 x 10-3 M, jasmonic acid 1.00 x 10-4 M and 1.00 x 10-5 M, including untreated plants as control. In the soil, saprophytic, omnivorous and predatory nematodes, as well as Helicotylenchus spp. and N. aberrans, were identified. The previous crop was ungrafted ‘Elpida’ plants and also grafted on Maxifort, 9184, Multifort and Beaufort. Eggs and N. aberrans J2 were identified in all roots, with significantly lower amounts in Maxifort and 9184. Phytohormones increased the production of fruits with weight higher than 150 g and total yield compared to the control, producing lower galls, galling and reproductive indexes. Salicylic acid 1.00 x 10-4 M produced lower damage to the roots and a higher total yield and truss yield, followed by ethylene 0.70 x 10-3 M and jasmonic acid 1.00 x 10-5 M treatments. Further research is required to provide deeper knowledge of the practical implications of using elicitors and enhance the understanding of their action for N. aberrans control.EEA AMBAFil: Martínez, Susana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Garbi, Mariana. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Puig, Lucrecia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Cap, Guillermo Bartolomé. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Chacra Experimental Gorina. Convenio INTA-MDA-BA; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Daniel Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Daniel Oscar. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; Argentin

Evaluación de la respuesta serológica contra IBR a partir de la utilización de vacunas polivalentes disponibles en el mercado

La Rinotraqueítis infecciosa bovina (IBR) es una enfermedad de distribución mundial que provoca grandes pérdidas económicas en nuestro país y el mundo. En la provincia de La Pampa se ha reportado su presencia y amplia distribución territorial. En general la prevención de IBR ha estado centrada en la utilización de vacunas polivalentes. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la respuesta serológica a través de los niveles de anticuerpos presentes. Para ello se utilizaron 3 vacunas comerciales polivalentes que contenían en su formulación Herpesvirus bovino tipo 1 (BVH1) inactivado. Se utilizaron 4 grupos de terneros. G1 estuvo integrado por 14 animales, G2 y G3 por 13 animales y G4 o control (-) por 9 animales. Los animales fueron vacunados en dos oportunidades con un intervalo de 21 días. Para la detección de anticuerpos se utilizó un kit de ELISA. Al finalizar el ensayo al día 42 el porcentaje de animales que presentaron anticuerpos vacunales contra IBR fue del 42,8%, 61,5% y 38,4% para los grupos G1, G2 y G3 respectivamente y de 0% para los animales de G4 o grupo control (-). Las medias geométricas del IRPC (Índice Relativo x 100) en la misma fecha fueron de 16,31; 27,7 y 15,12 para los grupos G1, G2 y G3 respectivamente. Las vacunas utilizadas desarrollaron anticuerpos contra IBR en todos los grupos inoculados existiendo diferencias en el porcentaje de animales positivos de cada grupo. Los niveles de anticuerpos generados por las diferentes vacunas no presentaron diferencias significativas entre sí. Por último, se encontraron diferencias significativas entre el nivel de anticuerpos generado por las vacunas y los niveles obtenidos por pasaje viral.Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) is a worldwidedisease which causes great economic losses in Argentina and around the world. Its presence and high prevalence 3have been reported in the province of La Pampa. IBR prevention strategy has mostly been focused on the use of polyvalent vaccines. The objective of our research was to evaluate the serological response, assessing antibodieslevels applyingthree polyvalent commercial vaccines containing inactivated bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BVH1). To that aim, four groups of calves were used: G1 consisted of 14 animals, G2 and G3 of13 animals,and negative controlconsistedof9 animals. The animals were vaccinated twice with an interval of 21 days. Antibodies levelswere measured by means of ELISA. At the end of the trial, the percentage of animals in each group that showed vaccinal antibodies against IBR were: 42.8%, 61.5% and 38.4% for G1, G2 and G3 respectively,and 0% for G4 or negativecontrolgroup. The geometric means of the IRPC (Relative Index x 100) on the same date were 16.31; 27.7 and 15.12 for groups G1, G2 and G3 respectively. The vaccines used,developed antibodies in all the inoculated groups, with differencesin the percentage of positive animalsin each group. The levels of antibodies generated by the different vaccines did not present significant differences between them. Finally, significant differences were found between the levels of antibodies generated by the vaccines and the levels obtained by viral passage.AER Victorica, INTAFil: Lux, Juan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil. Agencia de Extensión Rural Victorica; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Hugo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Torrado, Juan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil. Agencia de Extensión Rural Victorica; ArgentinaFil: Echeveste, Oscar. Escuela Provincial Agrotécnica “Florencio Peirone”. Victorica, La Pampa. ArgentinaFil: Fort, Marcelo Cristián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; Argentin

El Miocè inferior de la conca del Vallès-Penedès : un registre excepcional dels canvis climàtics i faunístics

Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. Les tasques de camp es van poder dur a terme gràcies al suport del Departament de Cultura de la Generalitat de Catalunya (projecte 2014/100584) i la National Geographic Society (beca d'exploració ref. 9640-15).Les intervencions paleontològiques recents han mostrat que el registre de vertebrats continentals del Miocè inferior de la conca del Vallès-Penedès és molt més ric i continu del que es pensava. Avui dia es coneixen una vintena de jaciments que han lliurat tant microvertebrats com macrovertebrats. Els nostres estudis biostratigràfics han permès una datació precisa dels diferents jaciments i també dels principals esdeveniments faunístics i climàtics

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat