Work domain analysis and intelligent transport systems: Implications for vehicle design

This article presents a Work Domain Analysis (WDA) of the road transport system in Victoria, Australia. A series of driver information requirements and tasks that could potentially be supported through the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are then extracted from the WDA. The potential use of ITS technologies to circumvent these information gaps and provide additional support to drivers is discussed. It is concluded that driver information requirements are currently not entirely satisfied by contemporary vehicle design and also that there are a number of driving tasks that could be further supported through the provision of supplementary systems within vehicles

Freeze avoidance: a dehydrating moss gathers no ice

Using cryo-SEM with EDX fundamental structural and mechanical properties of the moss Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. were studied in relation to tolerance of freezing temperatures. In contrast to more complex plants, no ice accumulated within the moss during the freezing event. External ice induced desiccation with the response being a function of cell type; water-filled hydroid cells cavitated and were embolized at -4 ºC while parenchyma cells of the inner cortex exhibited cytorrhysis, decreasing to ~20% of their original volume at a nadir temperature of -20 ºC. Chlorophyll fluorescence showed that these winter acclimated mosses displayed no evidence of damage after thawing from -20 ºC while GCMS showed that sugar concentrations were not sufficient to confer this level of freezing tolerance. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry showed internal ice nucleation occurred in hydrated moss at ~ -12 ºC while desiccated moss showed no evidence of freezing with lowering of nadir temperature to -20 ºC. Therefore the rapid dehydration of the moss provides an elegantly simple solution to the problem of freezing; remove that which freezes

Efecto de los métodos de cosecha y secado de la semilla de brachiaria dictyoneura en su microflora y calidad (viabilidad y germinación)

Se evaluó el efecto de los métodos de cosecha con sudado (cosecha manual pila horizontal sometida a 3 días de sudado, cosecha manual pila vertical a 3 días, 6 días y 9 días de sudado, cosecha manual pila apretada a 3 días de sudado), sin sudado (cosecha manual sin sudado, cosecha con combinada) y de la mezcla fungicida (Benlate + Difolatan) sobre microflora, viabilidad y germinación de las semillas de Brachiaria dictyoneura. Para la determinación de la viabilidad se utilizó el método topográfico del tetrazolio, en las pruebas de germinación se utilizaron cuatro técnicas para romper latencia de las semillas (H20, H2S04, KN03 Y H2S04 + KN03).In this work, the effect of harvesting methods with sweating (manual harvesting horizontal pile exposed to 3 days sweating, manual harvesting vertical pile at 3,6 and 9 days sweating, manual harvesting disturbed pile at 3 days sweating); without sweating (manual harvest without sweating, combine harvesting) and of a mixture of fungicides (Benlate and Difolatan) on the microflora, viability and germination of the seeds of Brachiaria dictyoneura was evaluated. In order to determine the viability the topographical method of tetrazolium was used, in the germination test four methods to break latency of seeds were used H20, H2S04, KN03 and H2S04 + KN03

Quasi-static magnetization dynamics in a compensated ferrimagnetic half-metal -- Mn2_2Rux_xGa

Exploring anisotropy and diverse magnetization dynamics in specimens with vanishing magnetic moments presents a significant challenge using traditional magnetometry, as the low resolution of existing techniques hinders the ability to obtain accurate results. In this study, we delve deeper into the examination of magnetic anisotropy and quasi-static magnetization dynamics in \mrg\,(MRG) thin films, as an example of a compensated ferrimagnetic half-metal, by employing anomalous Hall effect measurements within a tetragonal crystal lattice system. Our research proposes an innovative approach to accurately determine the complete set of anisotropy constants of these MRG thin films. To achieve this, we perform anomalous Hall voltage curve fitting, using torque models under the macrospin approximation, which allow us to obtain out-of-plane anisotropy constants $K_1=4.0\times10^4$ J m$^{-3}$ ($K_1/M=0.655$\,T) and $K_2=2.54\times10^4$ J m$^{-3}$ ($K_2/M=0.416$\,T), along with a weaker in-plane anisotropy constant $K_3=3.48\times10^3$ J m$^{-3}$ ($K_3/M=0.057$\,T). By additionally employing first-order reversal curves (FORC) and classical Preisach hysteresis (hysterons) models, we are able to validate the efficacy of the macrospin model in capturing the magnetic behavior of MRG thin films. Furthermore, our investigation substantiates that the complex quasi-static magnetization dynamics of MRG thin films can be effectively modelled using a combination of hysteronic and torque models. This approach facilitates the exploration of both linear and non-linear quasi-static magnetization dynamics, in the presence of external magnetic field and/or current-induced effective fields, generated by the spin-orbit torque and spin transfer torque mechanisms.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure

Groundnut in ICRISAT programmes

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the three legume crops for which ICRISAT is mandated to develop and improve. ICRISAT is also designated as a world repoitory of germplasm with over 14 000 accessions of cultivated groundnut and 450 accessions of wild Arachis species currently held in public (rusL Groulltillut is an anllual crop and its seeds <Ire a rich source of edible oil und protein. Groulldnut is grown in over 100 COUll tries with a to(al estimated area of21.8 million ha and production in shell of28.5 lllil1ion t. Asiu (25 countries) with 63.4% of the area produces 7 I .7% of the world groundnut production. It is followed by Africu (46 countries) with 31.3% of the area and 18.6% 0[' the production...........

Measurement of glucose exclusion from the fully hydrated DOPE inverse hexagonal phase

The degree of exclusion of glucose from the inverse hexagonal HII phase of fully hydrated DOPE is determined using contrast variation small angle neutron scattering and small angle X-ray scattering. The presence of glucose is found to favour the formation of the non-lamellar HII phase over the fluid lamellar phase, over a wide range of temperatures, while having no significant effect on the structure of the HII phase. Glucose is preferentially excluded from the lipid-water interface resulting in a glucose concentration in the HII phase of less than half that in the coexisting aqueous phase. The degree of exclusion is quantified and the results are consistent with a hydration layer of pure water adjacent to the lipid head groups from which glucose is excluded. The osmotic gradient created by the difference in glucose concentration is determined and the influence of glucose on the phase behaviour of non-lamellar phase forming lipid systems is discussed

Groundnut Virus Diseases in Africa Summary and recommendations of the Sixth Meeting of the International Working Group 18 - 19 Mar 1996, Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa

The International Working Group Meeting on groundnut viruses in Africa reviewed progress made on the detection, identification, characterization, and management of groundnut viruses in Africa, with special emphasis on rosette and clump viruses. Country representatives summarized the status of research on groundnut viruses in their countries. In order to accomplish integrated management of rosette and clump virus diseases, it was agreed that consolidated efforts should be made to understand their epidemiology. Among the important aspects discussed were the provision of diagnostic aids and training in the identification and detection of viruses for the national agricultural research systems in Africa, and strengthening of laboratory facilities. Scientists from Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, and from Belgium, Germany, India, UK, and USA attended the meeting, which was the first gathering of so many plant virologists in South Africa