Experimental Determination of Delimbing Forces and Deformations in Hardwood Harvesting

Delimbing is the process used to cut the branches off the trunk during tree processing by forest harvester. This process can be described as chipless cutting of green wood at a feed speed of 3 to 7 ms-1.This work aims to identify the parameters influencing the efficiency of the delimbing process. To this end, the main parameters are defined, and different experimental tests are presented. The first experiment was conducted using a dynamometric pendulum that can reach cutting speeds of 10 ms-1. A Digital Image Correlation method was used in order to compute the deformation field in the branch. The deformation fields observed are consistent with previous studies in the literature. The second experimental device was a slow speed test bench. It uses a hydraulic actuator to translate the knife through the branch while measuring force and displacement. Tests were conducted, varying the diameter of branches, to analyze its effect on the cutting force. Proportionality between branch area and cutting forces were verified, and empirical coefficients were obtained for both speeds

The human cell count and size distribution

Cell size and cell count are adaptively regulated and intimately linked to growth and function. Yet, despite their widespread relevance, the relation between cell size and count has never been formally examined over the whole human body. Here, we compile a comprehensive dataset of cell size and count over all major cell types, with data drawn from >1,500 published sources. We consider the body of a representative male (70 kg), which allows further estimates of a female (60 kg) and 10-y-old child (32 kg). We build a hierarchical interface for the cellular organization of the body, giving easy access to data, methods, and sources (https://humancelltreemap.mis.mpg.de/). In total, we estimate total body counts of ≈36 trillion cells in the male, ≈28 trillion in the female, and ≈17 trillion in the child. These data reveal a surprising inverse relation between cell size and count, implying a trade-off between these variables, such that all cells within a given logarithmic size class contribute an equal fraction to the body's total cellular biomass. We also find that the coefficient of variation is approximately independent of mean cell size, implying the existence of cell-size regulation across cell types. Our data serve to establish a holistic quantitative framework for the cells of the human body, and highlight large-scale patterns in cell biology

Modelling of the hardwood harvesting process: feeding model

L'objectif des travaux présentés concerne la modélisation des procédés de bûcheronnage actuels et en cours de développement dans le cadre du projet ECOMEF (Éco-concevoir un outil de mécanisation pour le bûcheronnage dans les peuplements feuillus), et ce en vue d'évaluer et d'optimiser les performances (gain de productivité, mais également efficacité énergétique) des nouvelles solutions envisagées au regard des systèmes existants. Après une présentation du cadre de travail, cette publication présente, dans une première partie, une démarche de décomposition fonctionnelle basée sur la méthode SADT, en vue de déterminer des « briques élémentaires » de modélisation des systèmes d'abattage existants. Ainsi, l'objectif général « Modéliser le fonctionnement d'une tête d'abattage» (considéré comme la fonction A-0 de notre diagramme SADT) a été décomposé en quatre fonctions, très proches des phases de travail des machines actuelles, à savoir modéliser le serrage, l'entraînement, l'ébranchage, et le billonnage du tronc. Au vu de cette décomposition et des priorités formalisées au sein du projet, trois modèles ont été identifiés comme indispensables à développer : un modèle d'entraînement du tronc, un modèle de coupe adapté à l'ébranchage par choc ainsi qu'un modèle de contact entre le tronc et les différentes parties de la tête d'abattage. Dans une seconde partie, le modèle d'entraînement est détaillé : les études existantes ainsi que les objectifs de ce modèle sont présentés. Afin de développer chaque modèle, deux démarches sont menées simultanément : le développement d'une approche analytique et la mise en place de campagnes d'essais expérimentaux en vue du recalage et/ou de la caractérisation des modèles. L'approche théorique mise en place pour le modèle d'entraînement est détaillée, et enfin le développement d'un banc d'essai et les expérimentations prévues pour le recalage du modèle sont évoqués, avant de conclure sur les résultats attendus

Three-Phase Co-assembly: In Situ Incorporation of Nanoparticles into Tunable, Highly Ordered, Porous Silica Films

We present a reproducible, one-pot colloidal co-assembly approach that results in large-scale, highly-ordered porous silica films with embedded, uniformly-distributed, accessible gold nanoparticles. The unique coloration of these inverse opal films combines iridescence with plasmonic effects. The coupled optical properties are easily tunable either by changing the concentration of added nanoparticles to the solution before assembly or by localized growth of the embedded Au nanoparticles upon exposure to tetrachloroauric acid solution, after colloidal template removal. The presence of the selectively absorbing particles furthermore enhances the hue and saturation of the inverse opals color by suppressing incoherent diffuse scattering. The composition and optical properties of these films are demonstrated to be locally tunable using selective functionalization of the doped opals.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Definitions of the phenotypic manifestations of sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a pleiotropic genetic disorder of hemoglobin that has profound multiorgan effects. The low prevalence of SCD ( approximately 100,000/US) has limited progress in clinical, basic, and translational research. Lack of a large, readily accessible population for clinical studies has contributed to the absence of standard definitions and diagnostic criteria for the numerous complications of SCD and inadequate understanding of SCD pathophysiology. In 2005, the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers initiated a project to establish consensus definitions of the most frequently occurring complications. A group of clinicians and scientists with extensive expertise in research and treatment of SCD gathered to identify and categorize the most common complications. From this group, a formal writing team was formed that further reviewed the literature, sought specialist input, and produced definitions in a standard format. This article provides an overview of the process and describes 12 body system categories and the most prevalent or severe complications within these categories. A detailed Appendix provides standardized definitions for all complications identified within each system. This report proposes use of these definitions for studies of SCD complications, so future studies can be comparably robust and treatment efficacy measured. Use of these definitions will support greater accuracy in genotype-phenotype studies, thereby achieving a better understanding of SCD pathophysiology. This should nevertheless be viewed as a dynamic rather than final document; phenotype descriptions should be reevaluated and revised periodically to provide the most current standard definitions as etiologic factors are better understood, and new diagnostic options are developed

Gravitational Lensing Simulations I : Covariance Matrices and Halo Catalogues

Gravitational lensing surveys have now become large and precise enough that the interpretation of the lensing signal has to take into account an increasing number of theoretical limitations and observational biases. Since the lensing signal is the strongest at small angular scales, only numerical simulations can reproduce faithfully the non-linear dynamics and secondary effects at play. This work is the first of a series in which all gravitational lensing corrections known so far will be implemented in the same set of simulations, using realistic mock catalogues and non-Gaussian statistics. In this first paper, we present the TCS simulation suite and compute basic statistics such as the second and third order convergence and shear correlation functions. These simple tests set the range of validity of our simulations, which are resolving most of the signals at the sub-arc minute level (or $\ell \sim 10^4$). We also compute the non-Gaussian covariance matrix of several statistical estimators, including many that are used in the Canada France Hawaii Telescope Lensing Survey (CFHTLenS). From the same realizations, we construct halo catalogues, computing a series of properties that are required by most galaxy population algorithms. These simulation products are publicly available for download.Comment: 19 pages, 19 figures. This version matches the accepted MNRAS manuscript. It also includes a web address to download the weak lensing simulation product

Bioinspired self-repairing slippery surfaces with pressure-stable omniphobicity

Creating a robust synthetic surface that repels various liquids would have broad technological implications for areas ranging from biomedical devices and fuel transport to architecture but has proved extremely challenging. Inspirations from natural nonwetting structures particularly the leaves of the lotus, have led to the development of liquid-repellent microtextured surfaces that rely on the formation of a stable air–liquid interface. Despite over a decade of intense research, these surfaces are, however, still plagued with problems that restrict their practical applications: limited oleophobicity with high contact angle hysteresis, failure under pressure and upon physical damage inability to self-heal and high production cost. To address these challenges, here we report a strategy to create self-healing, slippery liquid-infused porous surface(s) (SLIPS) with exceptional liquid- and ice-repellency, pressure stability and enhanced optical transparency. Our approach—inspired by Nepenthes pitcher plants—is conceptually different from the lotus effect, because we use nano/microstructured substrates to lock in place the infused lubricating fluid. We define the requirements for which the lubricant forms a stable, defect-free and inert ‘slippery’ interface. This surface outperforms its natural counterparts and state-of-the-art synthetic liquid-repellent surfaces in its capability to repel various simple and complex liquids (water, hydrocarbons, crude oil and blood), maintain low contact angle hysteresis (<2.5°), quickly restore liquid-repellency after physical damage (within 0.1–1 s), resist ice adhesion, and function at high pressures (up to about 680 atm). We show that these properties are insensitive to the precise geometry of the underlying substrate, making our approach applicable to various inexpensive, low-surface-energy structured materials (such as porous Teflon membrane). We envision that these slippery surfaces will be useful in fluid handling and transportation, optical sensing, medicine, and as self-cleaning and anti-fouling materials operating in extreme environments.Engineering and Applied Science

Clinical pharmacist services within intensive care unit recovery clinics: An opinion of the critical care practice and research network of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy

Intensive care unit recovery clinics (ICU- RCs) have been proposed as a potential mechanism to address the multifaceted unmet needs of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and caregivers. The needs of this population include, but are not limited to, medication optimization, addressing physical function and psychological needs, coordination of care, and other interventions that may help in improving patient recovery and reducing the rate of preventable readmissions. The objective of this opinion paper is to identify and describe clinical pharmacy services for the management of ICU survivors and their caregivers in an ICU- RC. The goals are to guide the establishment and development of clinical pharmacist involvement in ICU- RCs and to highlight ICU recovery research and educational opportunities. Recommendations provided in this paper are based on the following: a review of published data on clinical pharmacist involvement in the ICU- RCs; a consensus of clinical pharmacists who provide direct patient care to ICU survivors and caregivers; and a review of published guidelines and literature focusing on the management of ICU survivors and caregivers. These recommendations define areas of clinical pharmacist involvement in ICU- RCs. Consequently, clinical pharmacists can promote education on Post Intensive Care Syndrome and Post Intensive Care Syndrome- Family; improve medication adherence; facilitate appropriate referrals to primary care providers and specialists; ensure comprehensive medication management and medication reconciliation; provide assessment of inappropriate and appropriate medications after hospitalization; address adverse drug events, medication errors, and drug interactions; promote preventive measures; and facilitate medication acquisition with the goal of improving patient outcomes and reducing health care system costs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163579/2/jac51311.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163579/1/jac51311_am.pd