Toward a comprehensive dam monitoring: On-site and remote-retrieved forcing factors and resulting displacements (gnss and ps–insar)

Many factors can influence the displacements of a dam, including water level variability and environmental temperatures, in addition to the dam composition. In this work, optical-based classification, thermal diachronic analysis, and a quasi-PS (Persistent Scatter) Interferometric SAR technique have been applied to determine both forcing factors and resulting displacements of the crest of the Castello dam (South Italy) over a one-year time period. The dataset includes Sentinel-1A images acquired in Interferometric Wide swath mode using the Terrain Observation with Progressive Scans SAR (TOPSAR); Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) thermal images, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for interpreting the motion of the top of the dam retrieved via interferometry. Results suggest that it is possible to monitor both dam water level and temperature periodic forcing factors and resulting displacements via a synergistic use of different satellite images

Recreating the Feel of the Human Chest in a CPR Manikin via Programmable Pneumatic Damping

It is well known that the human chest exhibits a strong force displacement hysteresis during CPR, a stark contrast to the non hysteretic behavior of standard spring manikins. We hypothesize that individuals with experience performing CPR on humans would perceive a manikin with damping as more realistic and better for training. By analyzing data collected from chest compressions on real patients, we created a dynamic model that accounts for this hysteresis with a linear spring and a one-way variable damper, and we built a new high-fidelity manikin to enact the desired force displacement relationship. A linkage attached to the chest plate converts vertical compression motions to the horizontal displacement of a set of pneumatic dashpot pistons, sending a volume of air into and out of the manikin through a programmable valve. Position and pressure sensors allow a microcontroller to adjust the valve orifice so that the provided damping force closely follows the desired damping force throughout the compression cycle. Eight experienced CPR practitioners tested both the new manikin and an identical looking standard manikin; the manikin with damping received significantly higher ratings for haptic realism and perceived utility as a training tool

Early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity can affect soybean yields

Increased soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) seed costs have motivated interest in reduced seeding rates to improve profitability while maintaining or increasing yield. However, little is known about the effect of early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity on the yield of modern soybean varieties planted at reduced seeding rates. The objectives of this study were to (i) investigate traditional and devise new metrics for characterizing early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity, (ii) identify the best metrics correlating plant-to-plant spatial uniformity and soybean yield, and (iii) evaluate those metrics at different seeding rate (and achieved plant density) levels and yield environments. Soybean trials planted in 2019 and 2020 compared seeding rates of 160, 215, 270, and 321 thousand seeds ha−1 planted with two different planters, Max Emerge and Exact Emerge, in rainfed and irrigated conditions in the United States (US). In addition, trials comparing seeding rates of 100, 230, 360, and 550 thousand seeds ha−1 were conducted in Argentina (Arg) in 2019 and 2020. Achieved plant density, grain yield, and early-season plant-to-plant spacing (and calculated metrics) were measured in all trials. All site-years were separated into low- (2.7 Mg ha−1), medium- (3 Mg ha−1), and high- (4.3 Mg ha−1) yielding environments, and the tested seeding rates were separated into low ( 300 seeds m−2) levels. Out of the 13 metrics of spatial uniformity, standard deviation (sd) of spacing and of achieved versus targeted evenness index (herein termed as ATEI, observed to theoretical ratio of plant spacing) showed the greatest correlation with soybean yield in US trials (R2 = 0.26 and 0.32, respectively). However, only the ATEI sd, with increases denoting less uniform spacing, exhibited a consistent relationship with yield in both US and Arg trials. The effect of spatial uniformity (ATEI sd) on soybean yield differed by yield environment. Increases in ATEI sd (values > 1) negatively impacted soybean yields in both low- and medium-yield environments, and in achieved plant densities below 200 thousand plants ha−1. High-yielding environments were unaffected by variations in spatial uniformity and plant density levels. Our study provides new insights into the effect of early-season plant-to-plant spatial uniformity on soybean yields, as influenced by yield environments and reduced plant densities.Fil: Pereyra, Valentina M.. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Bastos, Leonardo M.. University of Georgia; Estados UnidosFil: Froes de Borja Reis, André. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Melchiori, Ricardo J. M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Entre Ríos. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Paraná; ArgentinaFil: Maltese, Nicolás Elías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Appelhans, Stefania Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; ArgentinaFil: Vara Prasad, P. V.. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Wright, Yancy. No especifíca;Fil: Brokesh, Edwin. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Sharda, Ajay. Kansas State University; Estados UnidosFil: Ciampitti, Ignacio Antonio. Kansas State University; Estados Unido

Scythes, sickles and other blades: Defining the diversity of pectoral fin morphotypes in Pachycormiformes

The traditional terminology of 'scythe' or 'sickle' shaped is observed to be flawed as an effective descriptor for pectoral fin shape in pachycormids. The diversity of pachycormid pectoral fin shapes is assessed across the 14 recognised genera that preserve complete pectoral fins, and improved terms are defined to more effectively describe their form, supported by anatomical observation and aspect ratio analysis of individual fins, and corroborated by landmark analysis. Three clear and distinct pectoral fin structural morphotypes emerge (falceform, gladiform, falcataform), reflecting a diversity of pachycormid lifestyles throughout the Mesozoic, from agile pursuit predator to slow-cruising suspension feeder