First report of Metarhizium anisopliae IP 46 pathogenicity in adult Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. arabiensis (Diptera; Culicidae).

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae isolate IP 46, originating from a soil sample collected in 2001 in the Cerrado of Central Brazil, was tested for its ability to reduce the survival of adult male and female Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. arabiensis mosquitoes. A 6-h exposure to the fungus coated on test paper at a concentration of 3.3 x 106 conidia cm-2 reduced the daily survival of both mosquito species (HR = 3.14, p < 0.001), with higher risk of dying in An. gambiae s.s relative to An. arabiensis (HR = 1.38, p < 0.001). Fungal sporulation was observed in >95% of mosquito cadavers in the treatment groups. The results indicate that M. anisopliae IP 46 has the potential to be a bio-control agent for African malaria vector species, and is a suitable candidate for further research and development

On the Construction of Fiber-Optic Cables

In recent years, much research has been devoted to the improvement of RAID; however, few have enabled the analysis of active networks. After years of structured research into thin clients, we prove the visualization of virtual machines. Our focus in this paper is not on whether red- black trees can be made flexible, omniscient, and modular, but rather on introducing an algorithm for context-free grammar (Toph)

Enhanced teleoperation interfaces for multi-second latency conditions: System design and evaluation

Adding human cognitive skills to planetary exploration through remote teleoperation can lead to more effective and valuable scientific data acquisition. Still, even small amounts of latency can significantly affect real-time operations, often leading to compromised robot safety, goal overshoot, and high levels of human mental fatigue and cognitive workload. Thus, novel operational strategies are necessary to cope with these effects. This paper proposes three augmented teleoperation interfaces that allow the user to operate a robot subject to 3 seconds of latency: (1) Avatar-Aided Interface (AAI), a semi-autonomous approach based on a virtual element; (2) Predictive Interface (PI), an approach with direct control and predictive elements; and (3) Hybrid Interface (HI), where the operator can easily switch between PI and AAI. We conducted a systematic within-subject experiment to evaluate the proposed interfaces in a realistic virtual environment with frequent traction losses. The user study compared AAI and PI to a Control Interface (CI), which did not display any augmented elements. The main results of this comparison showed that: (1) AAI led to a significant reduction in workload and a significant increase in usability and robot safety; (2) the use of the PI caused a significant increase in path length, indicating that operators overshoot their goals more often with this approach; (3) PI and AAI had lower reported effort; and (4) AAI is more flexible and effortless than PI and CI. Finally, the presented results show the need to consider uncertainty (e.g., traction loss) in future interface design.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Traction awareness through haptic feedback for the teleoperation of UGVs*

Teleoperation of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) is dependent on several factors as the human operator is physically detached from the UGV. This paper focuses on situations where a UGV designed for search and rescue loses traction, thus becoming unable to comply with the operator's commands. In such situations, the lack of Situation Awareness (SA) may lead to an incorrect and inefficient response to the current UGV state usually confusing and frustrating the human operator. The exclusive use of visual information to simultaneously perform the main task (e.g. search and rescue) and to be aware of possible impediments to UGV operation, such as loss of traction, becomes a very challenging task for a single human operator. We address the challenge of unburdening the visual channel by using other human senses to provide multimodal feedback in UGV teleoperation. To achieve this goal we present a teleoperation architecture comprising (1) a laser-based traction detector module, to discriminate between traction losses (stuck and sliding) and (2) a haptic interface to convey the detected traction state to the human operator through different types of tactile stimuli provided by three haptic devices (E-Vita, Traction Cylinder and Vibrotactile Glove). We also report the experimental results of a user study to evaluate to what extent this new feedback modality improves the user SA regarding the UGV traction state. Statistically significant results were found supporting the hypothesis that two of the haptic devices improved the comprehension of the traction state of the UGV when comparing to exclusively visual modality.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Preliminary In-Flight Loads Analysis of In-Line Launch Vehicles using the VLOADS 1.4 Program

To calculate structural loads of in-line launch vehicles for preliminary design, a very useful computer program is VLOADS 1.4. This software may also be used to calculate structural loads for upper stages and planetary transfer vehicles. Launch vehicle inputs such as aerodynamic coefficients, mass properties, propellants, engine thrusts, and performance data are compiled and analyzed by VLOADS to produce distributed shear loads, bending moments, axial forces, and vehicle line loads as a function of X-station along the vehicle's length. Interface loads, if any, and translational accelerations are also computed. The major strength of the software is that it enables quick turnaround analysis of structural loads for launch vehicles during the preliminary design stage of its development. This represents a significant improvement over the alternative-the time-consuming, and expensive chore of developing finite element models. VLOADS was developed as a Visual BASIC macro in a Microsoft Excel 5.0 work book on a Macintosh. VLOADS has also been implemented on a PC computer using Microsoft Excel 7.0a for Windows 95. VLOADS was developed in 1996, and the current version was released to COSMIC, NASA's Software Technology Transfer Center, in 1997. The program is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA

Human case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease in Portugal, summer 2015

A case of West Nile virus (WNV) infection was reported in the Algarve region, Portugal, in the first week of September 2015. WNV is known to circulate in Portugal, with occasional reports in horses and birds (2004 to 2011) and very sporadically human cases (in 2004 and in 2010). Here we present the clinical and laboratory aspects related to the first human case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease reported in Portugal

Toward a spatial understanding of staple food and nonstaple food production in Brazil

Brazilian agricultural census data at the municipal level are used to develop and map a simple index of staple food versus nonstaple food agriculture for Brazil over time (1996-2006). The results show spatial variation in the direction and degree of the shift toward or away from staple food cropping across Brazil. The index is presented as an important methodological step toward a systematic geographic understanding of crop share changes surrounding food versus fuel and other nonfood crop production. (1996 ?? 2006 ?) Los datos del censo agropecuario brasileno a nivel municipal se utilizan para desarrollar y cartografiar un indice simple de la agricultura de alimentos esenciales versus la de alimentos no esenciales del Brasil durante un tiempo (1996-2006). Los resultados muestran variacion espacial en la direccion y grado del cambio hacia cultivos para alimentacion esencial, o lo contrario, en Brasil. El indice se presenta como un paso metodologico importante hacia un entendimiento geografico sistematico de cambios hacia un tipo de cosecha compartida que privilegia la produccion de alimentos, contra las cosechas para combustibles y otra produccion no alimentaria66224925

New data on the distribution and conservation status of some angiosperms of the Cape Verde Islands, W Africa

New data on the distributibn and conservation status of some angiosperms of the Cape Verde Islands, W Africa Intensive field work aud analysis of the state of biodiversity ou all islands during the years iYY.3 lo IYYY Icd lo lhc publication ol’several contributions lo the flora and vegelalion of the archipclago of Cabo Verde (Brochniann & al. 1997, Gornes & Vera-Cruz 1993. Gonles & al. I9YSa-h. 1998, Games 1997. Kilian & Leyens 1994, Leyens 1998. Leyens & Lobin 1995, Lobin & al. 1995) as well as to the compilation of the First Red Data List for the Cape Verde Islnuds (Lcyrus & Lobin 1996). the elaboration of the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation (SIPA 19YY) and ! compilation of all areas in urgent need of protection (Leyens unpubl. diplonla thc.\is IYYJ. Gwnes & al. iu prep.). As part UC the activities of the lnstituto National de Invcstig;u$o c Dcscnvolvitucnto Agriirio (INIDA) and the Dcpurtamcnto de GeociSncias do Institute Supcriot de Educ;u$o t ISE) iutcnsive t’icld studies were conducted PI many diffcrctu localilics OII xcvcr;~I islands. resulting in a thesis tGo~nes IY97) and several terminal study papers (Luz IYYY. Cosi;t 1994. Gonsalvez 1999). The results show that the vegetation and flora of the islands arc still IWI fully known and much more field work is needed. hllhot~gh Sanliiqw is one of lhc islands whcrc lhc firs1 holanicill iIlVcxligilliollx wcrr c:crriul WI (Wcbh 1x49. Schruidt 1x52. Chcvalicr IY35) and where uu~ny intensive field studirs wcr

On the use of haptic tablets for UGV teleoperation in unstructured environments: system design and evaluation

Teleoperation of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), particularly for inspection of unstructured and unfamiliar environments still raises important challenges from the point of view of the operator interface. One of these challenges is caused by the fact that all information available to the operator is presented to the operator through a computer interface, providing only a partial view of the robot situation. The majority of existing interfaces provide information using visual, and, less frequently, sound channels. The lack of Situation Awareness (SA), caused by this partial view, may lead to an incorrect and inefficient response to the current UGV state, usually confusing and frustrating the human operator. For instance, the UGV may become stuck in debris while the operator struggles to move the robot, not understanding the cause of the UGV lack of motion. We address this problem by studying the use of haptic feedback to improve operator SA. More precisely, improving SA with respect to the traction state of the UGV, using a haptic tablet for both commanding the robot and conveying traction state to the user by haptic feedback. We report (1) a teleoperating interface, integrating a haptic tablet with an existing UGV teleoperation interface, and (2) the experimental results of a user study designed to evaluate the advantage of this interface in the teleoperation of a UGV, in a search and rescue scenario. Statistically significant results were found supporting the hypothesis that using the haptic tablet elicits a reduction in the time that the UGV spends in states without traction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio