Interactions between Pythium tracheiphilum, Meloidogyne hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans on lettuce

La croissance des plants de laitue (Lactuca sativa) en cabinet de croissance a été diminuée par la présence des Pythium tracheiphilum, Meloidogyne hapla et Pratylenchus penetrans. Une diminution additive marquée de la croissance de la laitue a été observée lorsque les P. tracheiphilum et M. hapla ont été ajoutés au sol simultanément. Une diminution additive a été observée lorsque le P. penetrans et une faible population du F. tracheiphilum ont été combinés. Par contre, lorsqu'une forte population du P. tracheiphilum était présente, les dommages observés n'ont pas augmenté significativement et une interaction négative a été observée. Le champignon a eu un effet négatif sur la population des deux espèces de nematode dans la racine.The growth of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) was reduced by Pythium tracheiphilum, Meloidogyne hapla and Pratylenchus penetrans under growth chamber conditions. A marked additive decrease in lettuce growth was observed when P. tracheiphilum and M. hapla were added to the soil simultaneously. Interactions between P. penetrans and P. tracheiphilum, however, were additive at low populations of F. tracheiphilum, but appeared to be negative at high populations of the fungus. The fungus had a negative effect on the populations of both species of nematode in roots

Product development methodology: non-quality caused in production by mistakes in product development, its measurement and improvement integration in the product development process

A new quality focused product development (NPD) methodology, applying lean manufacturing principles and Industry 4.0 paradigms is described in this paper. This methodology has been tested in a tailor-made equipment manufacturer for the retail sector, where tight product development times are needed. This requires a high agility in the processes, meaning the overlap of phases, the integration of processes, cooperation, and automation of tasks. We have generated a system concept that collects all the manufacturing incidences related to NPD, integrated in workshops stations, creating a system that enables real time data capture and a valuable feedback loop to NPD processes. Its implementation showed an improvement over 10% in the quality of the NPD process in a period of 3 months, an increase of the productivity in both product development and manufacturing areas, and a boost of the internal customer satisfaction in manufacturing area with the product development area

One-Dimensional Control System for a Linear Motor of a Two-Dimensional Nanopositioning Stage Using Commercial Control Hardware

A two-dimensional (2D) nanopositioning platform stage (NanoPla) is in development at the University of Zaragoza. To provide a long travel range, the actuators of the NanoPla are four Halbach linear motors. These motors present many advantages in precision engineering, and they are custom made for this application. In this work, a one-dimensional (1D) control strategy for positioning a Halbach linear motor has been developed, implemented, and experimentally validated. The chosen control hardware is a commercial Digital Motor Control (DMC) Kit from Texas Instruments that has been designed to control the torque or the rotational speed of rotative motors. Using a commercial control hardware facilitates the applicability of the developed control system. Nevertheless, it constrains the design, which needs to be adapted to the hardware and optimized. Firstly, a dynamic characterization of the linear motor has been performed. By leveraging the dynamic properties of the motor, a sensorless controller is proposed. Then, a closed-loop control strategy is developed. Finally, this control strategy is implemented in the control hardware. It was verified that the control system achieves the working requirements of the NanoPla. It is able to work in a range of 50 mm and perform a minimum incremental motion of 1 mu m

Product development methodology "scalability"

In industrial manufacturing environments, where production requires a detailed product development, delivery times to customer are highly affected by the time required for development. Usually, product development takes long before arriving to the final solution Therefore, an improvement of the product development process can imply a very high potential in reducing the product delivery time to customer. This paper outlines a new product development methodology, based on the foundations of collaborative design and lean and agile methodologies. For that, we analyze and optimize the value stream of the product engineering process flow in a company of the sector of design, manufacturing, and commercialization of equipment in retail, through lean tools, to implement the “product scalability” concept. The case study shows a reduction of the product development lead time around 10-20%, regarding the present process, in the pilot tests conducted. Consequently, product development methodology “scalability” could have an enormous potential in reducing lead time and product development cost, in sectors with similar characteristics in terms of number of product variants and life cycles than the development of furniture and equipment for retail sector

Stand-alone hybrid power plant based on SiC solar PV and wind inverters with smart spinning reserve management

Stand-alone hybrid power plants based on renewable energy sources are becoming a more and more interesting alternative. However, their management is a complex task because there are many variables, requirements and restrictions as well as a wide variety of possible scenarios. Though a proper sizing of the power plant is necessary to obtain a competitive cost of the energy, smart management is key to guarantee the power supply at a minimum cost. In this work, a novel hybrid power plant control strategy is designed, implemented and simulated under a wide variety of scenarios. Thereby, the proposed control algorithm aims to achieve maximum integration of renewable energy, reducing the usage of non-renewable generators as much as possible and guaranteeing the stability of the microgrid. Different scenarios and case studies have been analyzed by dynamic simulation to verify the proper operation of the power plant controller. The main novelties of this work are: (i) the stand-alone hybrid power plant management regarding a battery energy storage system as a part of the spinning reserve, (ii) the characterization of the largest loads as non-priority loads, (iii) the minimization of the needed spinning reserve and fuel consumption from diesel generators

Misalignment and tilt effect on aspheric intraocular lens designs after a corneal refractive surgery

Purpose: To numerically evaluate and compare the tolerance to misalignment and tilt of aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs) designed for three eyes: with standard cornea and with simulated corneas after myopic and hyperopic laser ablation surgery. Methods: Three aspheric IOLs of +20.00 diopter (D) with different spherical aberration (SA) (Z04) values have been designed using a theoretical model eye. Drastic changes on the theoretical eye anterior corneal asphericity have been performed to simulate myopic and hyperopic refractive surgeries. The effect of IOL misalignment and tilt on the image quality has been evaluated using a commercial optical software design for the three eye models. Image quality was assessed from the modulation transfer function (MTF), root mean square (RMS) values of defocus, astigmatism, coma and spherical aberration (Z04), and retinal images obtained from a visual simulator using an aleatory optotype of 0.00 LogMar visual acuity (VA). Results: IOL misalignment and tilt reduced MTF values in general, and increased wavefront aberrations errors. Aberration-free IOLs maintained best the MTF values when misalignments were applied, together with good on-axis optical quality. IOLs with negative SA (Z04) correction decreased the MTF value under 0.43 for misalignments values higher than 0.50 mm with the three corneas. The effect of misalignment on RMS astigmatism and coma was correlated with the IOL SA (Z04) and with the three corneas. Conclusions: This theoretical study shows that the largest degradation in image quality arises for the IOL with the highest amount of spherical aberration (Z04). Moreover, it has been found that the aspherical design has a more influential role in misalignment tolerance than in tilt tolerance

Filosofía y cristianismo en el pensamiento de María Zambrano

La filosofía de María Zambrano es una filosofía en alza. De ahí la multiplicidad de acercamientos a su propuesta que, en general, presentan como principal aportación una nueva forma de racionalidad: la razón poética. Sin embargo, la razón poética es un fruto, siendo necesario preguntarse por la raíz: ¿Cuál es la experiencia profunda que da unidad al pensamiento filosófico de Zambrano y que posibilita la razón poética? La respuesta supone dos constataciones. La primera es la afirmación de que lo cristiano y específicamente católico es la experiencia fundamental que unifica el pensamiento de Zambrano, no solo como pueda estar presente en cualquier producto cultural originado en un contexto cristiano, sino como configurador necesario de su experiencia de la realidad y de su expresión. La segunda se refiere a la posibilidad de una filosofía en contacto con la revelación cristiana. La de Zambrano es un ejemplo de filosofía ejercida por una cristiana que ha encontrado en su fe aquello necesario para que su razón crezca y se ensanche.María Zambrano’s philosophy is on the rise. Hence the multiplicity of approaches to her proposal that, in general, highlight a new form of rationality as her main contribution: poetic reason. However, poetic reason is no more than a fruit, of which it is necessary to find the root. What is the profound experience that does give unity to the philosophical thinking of Zambrano and does enable poetic reason? The answer to this question reveals two findings. The first is the affirmation that the Christian and specifically Catholic experience is the underlying element that unifies Zambrano’s thought, not only as it can be present in any cultural product originated in a Christian context, but as a necessary configurator of her experience of reality and of her expression. The second refers to the possibility of a philosophy in contact with Christian revelation. Zambrano’s is an example of philosophy exercised by a Christian who has found in her faith what is necessary for her reason to grow and expand

Study of the Behavior of a Bell-Shaped Colonic Self-Expandable NiTi Stent under Peristaltic Movements

Managing bowel obstruction produced by colon cancer requires an emergency intervention to patients usually in poor conditions, and it requires creating an intestinal stoma in most cases. Regardless of that the tumor may be resectable, a two-stage surgery is mandatory. To avoid these disadvantages, endoscopic placement of self-expanding stents has been introduced more than 10 years ago, as an alternative to relieve colonic obstruction. It can be used as a bridge to elective single-stage surgery avoiding a stoma or as a definitive palliative solution in patients with irresectable tumor or poor estimated survival. Stents must be capable of exerting an adequate radial pressure on the stenosed wall, keeping in mind that stent must not move or be crushed, guaranteeing an adequate lumen when affected by peristaltic waves. A finite element simulation of bell-shaped nitinol stent functionality has been done. Catheter introduction, releasing at position, and the effect of peristaltic wave were simulated. To check the reliability of the simulation, a clinical experimentation with porcine specimens was carried out. The stent presented a good deployment and flexibility. Stent behavior was excellent, expanding from the very narrow lumen corresponding to the maximum peristaltic pressure to the complete recovery of operative lumen when the pressure disappears

Gluten-free pasta enriched with fish by-product for special dietary uses: Technological quality and sensory properties

Gluten-free pasta enriched with fish can support a nutritive and suitable option for people with celiac disease that allows achieving the benefits of fish consumption, especially the consumption of O-3 fatty acids; however, this requires that the pasta has adequate technological and sensory properties. For this purpose, four optimal formulations, obtained with an iterative process, were analyzed to determine the effect of the different ingredients (yellow corn flour, white corn flour, and rice flour) in gluten-free pasta compared to commercial wheat pasta. An evaluation of the color, texture, and technological properties were conducted, and the pasta was sensorially characterized. The enriched gluten-free pasta required shorter cooking times (˜3 min) and was characterized by lower hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, and fracturability, and had higher values of adhesiveness than wheat pasta. In addition, the incorporation of yellow corn gives gluten-free pasta a similarity in color to commercial pasta, with a value of ¿E between 5.5 and 8.0. Regarding the sensory analysis, gluten-free pasta was characterized by slight fishy aromas and flavors with some aftertaste compared to commercial pasta. Finally, the use of different cereals to obtain gluten-free pasta could be a good and feasible alternative despite the technological and sensory modifications observed. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Quality parameters and technological properties of pasta enriched with a fish by-product: A healthy novel food

The effect of incorporating a fish (D. labrax) by-product on pasta quality was evaluated to assess its technological viability in comparison with a common pasta. Two enriched pastas, both dried and fresh and including or not a natural antioxidant (R. officinalis) were analyzed and compared to traditional pasta (durum and spelt). Findings indicated that enriched pasta showed a decrease in their texture properties, except for adhesiveness which was higher compared to traditional pasta. The addition of fish caused slight changes in color. Regarding the technological quality, it was moderately affected by fish inclusion, presenting lower gains in weight respect to control pasta (>15% of difference). Therefore, enriched pasta appears to be a good alternative to offer food with an improved nutritional profile with a low impact on the quality of the product from a technological point of view since the introduction of fish does not extensively affect pasta quality. Novelty impact statement: The enrichment of pasta from fish by-product is a good alternative to improve its nutritional value. The cooking had a beneficial effect on the bioavailability of nutrients in enriched pasta with fish. Technological properties of enriched pasta with fish after cooking was similar to traditional pasta made with durum wheat. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation published by Wiley Periodicals LLC