A homogenized bending shell theory for multiscale materials from 3D3D nonlinear elasticity

We derive homogenized bending shell theories starting from three dimensional nonlinear elasticity. The original three dimensional model contains three small parameters: the two homogenization scales $\varepsilon$ and $\varepsilon^2$ of the material properties and the thickness $h$ of the shell. Depending on the asymptotic ratio of these three parameters, we obtain different asymptotic theories

Do-It-Yourself Single Camera 3D Pointer Input Device

We present a new algorithm for single camera 3D reconstruction, or 3D input for human-computer interfaces, based on precise tracking of an elongated object, such as a pen, having a pattern of colored bands. To configure the system, the user provides no more than one labelled image of a handmade pointer, measurements of its colored bands, and the camera's pinhole projection matrix. Other systems are of much higher cost and complexity, requiring combinations of multiple cameras, stereocameras, and pointers with sensors and lights. Instead of relying on information from multiple devices, we examine our single view more closely, integrating geometric and appearance constraints to robustly track the pointer in the presence of occlusion and distractor objects. By probing objects of known geometry with the pointer, we demonstrate acceptable accuracy of 3D localization.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 2018 15th Conference on Computer and Robot Visio

Underlying inflation in the spanish economy: estimation and methodology

This paper presents a methodology to analyse the inflationary process in Spain. It is based on forecasts of the Consumer Price Index using quantitative models to obtain a measure of underlying inflation and the expected medium-term value of the annual price growth rate, which is called inertia in the paper. Every time a new observation becomes available, the study of the underlying inflation and inertia allows to be performed a systematic analysis of the inflationary process. The estimation of underlying inflation and inertia has also proven useful to improve the measurement of some important economic indicators such as inflation differentials and ex-ante real interest rates

IGF-1 enhances the osteogenic activity of BMP-6 in vitro and in vivo, and together have a stronger osteogenic effect than when IGF-1 is combined with BMP-2

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is widely used in orthopedic surgery and bone tissue engineering because of its strong osteogenic activity. However, BMP-2 treatments have several drawbacks and alternatives are being explored. Since BMP-6 has been demonstrated to be more osteoinductive, its use, either alone or together with other cytokines, might be an interesting option. We have compared the effect of BMP-2, BMP-6, or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), either alone or in combination. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with IGF-1 and/or of BMP-2 or -6 and the expression of osteogenic genes, proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that IGF-1 greatly enhanced the BMP-induced osteogenic differentiation of these cells and that the ALP activity in the cultures was higher when the combination was made with BMP-6 than with BMP-2. Other in vitro experiments showed that the osteogenic effect of these combinations can be modulated controlling the sequential administration of the growth factors. Furthermore, we have tested the osteogenic potential of these treatments in vivo by loading them onto absorbable collagen sponges which were implanted into an ectopic bone formation model in rats. These experiments revealed that only BMP-6 was able to induce bone formation at the used dose and that the addition of IGF-1 contributed to an increase of the mineralization in the implants. Hence, the combination of BMP-6 with IGF-1 might be a better alternative than BMP-2 for orthopedic surgery and bone tissue engineering approaches with potential application through using controlled delivery systems.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Classification of Systematic Measurement Errors within the Framework of Robust Data Reconciliation

A robust data reconciliation strategy provides unbiased variable estimates in the presence of a moderate quantity of atypical measurements. However, estimates get worse if systematic measurement errors that persist in time (e.g., biases and drifts) are undetected and the breakdown point of the robust strategy is surpassed. The detection and classification of those errors allow taking corrective actions on the inputs of the robust data reconciliation that preserve the instrumentation system redundancy while the faulty sensor is repaired. In this work, a new methodology for variable estimation and systematic error classification, which is based on the concepts of robust statistics, is presented. It has been devised to be part of the real-time optimization loop of an industrial plant; therefore, it runs for processes operating under steady-state conditions. The robust measurement test is proposed in this article and used to detect the presence of sporadic and continuous systematic errors. Also, the robust linear regression of the data contained in a moving window is applied to classify the continuous errors as biases or drifts. Results highlight the performance of the proposed methodology to detect and classify outliers, biases, and drifts for linear and nonlinear benchmarks.Fil: Llanos, Claudia Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Mabel Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Maronna, Ricardo Antonio. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Matemáticas; Argentin

Skyport airframe: design and manufacturing

Many rural areas of developing countries lack the necessary transportation infrastructure to have reliable access to basic needs. This is particularly true for medical supplies. To combat the issue of insufficient access to vaccines in developing areas, the SkyPort project has developed the SkyPort UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). The SkyPort UAV has the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a quadcopter, as well as the efficient, sustained flight of a fixed-wing aircraft. It provides a cheaper, quicker, and safer delivery method than existing alternatives for vaccines in areas that lack a reliable transportation infrastructure. The role of the SkyPort Airframe Design Team was to design and build the primary support structure of the UAV, which will house the payload, controls, and propulsion systems being designed by the other two SkyPort teams. The airframe consists of a lightweight and durable fuselage, wing, tail, and framing subsystems and it is designed to be modular so that parts are easy to replace and require minimal maintenance. Primary materials used in construction were foam, carbon fiber, and aluminum. Testing of the frame yielded a weight of 8.63 kg, minimum foam strength of 1.70 MPa, and a minimum factor of safety of 16 for the structural members of the frame. Although the weight of the airframe is higher than the desired weight, this was necessary in order to satisfy the strength requirements and protect sensitive electrical components during initial flight tests. In the future, this extra weight could be decreased by using less carbon fiber, lower density foam, smaller, lighter material for the structural members, or smaller fasteners

Purchasing Strategies to Improve Care Management for Complex Populations: A National Scan of State Purchasers

Explores cost-effective alternatives to fee-for-service plans and full-risk managed care for Medicaid's aged, blind, and disabled or Supplementary Security Income beneficiaries. Includes summaries of systems being implemented in twelve states

IGF-1 enhances the osteogenic activity of BMP-6 in vitro and in vivo

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is widely used in orthopedic surgery and bone tissue engineering because of its strong osteogenic activity. However, BMP-2 treatments have several drawbacks and alternatives are being explored. Since BMP-6 has been demonstrated to be more osteoinductive, its use, either alone or together with other cytokines, might be an interesting option. We have compared the effect of BMP-2, BMP-6, or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), either alone or in combination. MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with IGF-1 and/or of BMP-2 or -6 and the expression of osteogenic genes, proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that IGF-1 greatly enhanced the BMP-induced osteogenic differentiation of these cells and that the ALP activity in the cultures was higher when the combination was made with BMP-6 than with BMP-2. Other in vitro experiments showed that the osteogenic effect of these combinations can be modulated controlling the sequential administration of the growth factors. Furthermore, we have tested the osteogenic potential of these treatments in vivo by loading them onto absorbable collagen sponges which were implanted into an ectopic bone formation model in rats. These experiments revealed that only BMP-6 was able to induce bone formation at the used dose and that the addition of IGF-1 contributed to an increase of the mineralization in the implants. Hence, the combination of BMP-6 with IGF-1 might be a better alternative than BMP-2 for orthopedic surgery and bone tissue engineering approaches with potential application through using controlled delivery systems.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

La Edad del Hierro y sus precedentes, en Alava y Navarra.

Se trata de una puesta al día del proceso de formación del poblamiento de Alava y Navarra durante algo más de un milenio a.C. Durante el Bronce Medio/Final y Edad del Hierro. La secuencia se establece dividiéndola en cuatro etapas: Inicial, de Ocupación,de Consolidación y residual. También se vierten algunas conclusiones en forma de síntesis sobre aspectos concretos. El trabajo se introduce con una exposición sobre la historia de las investigaciones en torno a este tema

Memoria y traición femenina en la ficción y el testimonio

El artículo analiza la representación de las mujeres que, habiendo formado parte de la militancia de izquierda en los setenta, pasó a colaborar con los organismos represivos después de haber sido sometidas a una tortura extrema. Algunas novelas contemporáneas, como La vida doble o El fin de la historia construyen su relato en torno a estas figuras, que catalogan bajo el paradigma de la traición, contribuyendo a la consolidación de narrativas estigmatizadoras en torno a ellas. Palabras clave: Represión, traición, género, testimonio, ficción.The article focuses on the representation of women who were leftist militants in the seventies but became collaborators of the repressive institutions, after suffering an extreme violence against them. Some contemporary novels, such as La vida doble or El fin de la historia fictionalize the life of some of these women. The article focuses in the way they do it and the meanings the contribute to build about political militance, repression and betrayal. Key words: Repression, Betrayal, Gender,  Testimony, Fiction.