Salmonella in free-ranging quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) from Rottnest Island and the mainland of Western Australia

Salmonella is a genus of Gram-negative, motile, and facultative anaerobic bacteria with a worldwide distribution that contaminates multiple substrates (vegetation, food, soil, and water) and inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of birds, reptiles, and mammals, including humans. Rottnest Island is a popular tourist destination and is abundantly inhabited by quokkas (Setonix brachyurus), a charismatic small wallaby. Current data on the association between Salmonella and quokkas on Rottnest Island are outdated by approximately 30 years. Additionally, previous studies on quokkas on this island and mainland Western Australia did not perform physical examinations or any diagnostic tests. The aim of the project was to assess the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in quokkas from Rottnest Island and mainland Western Australia and correlate the presence of the bacterium with the health of the animal. Ninety-two quokkas from Rottnest Island (n = 71) and populations on the mainland (n = 21) were screened for Salmonella, and a prevalence of 47.9% and 4.8%, respectively, was determined. A total of 16 serovars were identified from 37 isolates; five of these serovars had previously not been described in the quokka. Salmonella appeared to have an effect on the haematology and blood chemistry of quokkas on Rottnest Island consistent with subclinical salmonellosis. The health of Rottnest Island quokkas, and their potential impact on the health of the visitors to the island, should continue to be monitored carefully

GFC-Robust Risk Management under the Basel Accord using Extreme Value Methodologies

In this paper we provide further evidence on the suitability of the median of the point VaR forecasts of a set of models as a GFC-robust strategy by using an additional set of new extreme value forecasting models and by extending the sample period for comparison. These extreme value models include DPOT and Conditional EVT. Such models might be expected to be useful in explaining financial data, especially in the presence of extreme shocks that arise during a GFC. Our empirical results confirm that the median remains GFC-robust even in the presence of these new extreme value models. This is illustrated by using the S&P500 index before, during and after the 2008-09 GFC. We investigate the performance of a variety of single and combined VaR forecasts in terms of daily capital requirements and violation penalties under the Basel II Accord, as well as other criteria, including several tests for independence of the violations. The strategy based on the median, or more generally, on combined forecasts of single models, is straightforward to incorporate into existing computer software packages that are used by banks and other financial institutions

GFC-Robust Risk Management Under the Basel Accord Using Extreme Value Methodologies

In McAleer et al. (2010b), a robust risk management strategy to the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) was proposed under the Basel II Accord by selecting a Value-at-Risk (VaR) forecast that combines the forecasts of different VaR models. The robust forecast was based on the median of the point VaR forecasts of a set of conditional volatility models. In this paper we provide further evidence on the suitability of the median as a GFC-robust strategy by using an additional set of new extreme value forecasting models and by extending the sample period for comparison. These extreme value models include DPOT and Conditional EVT. Such models might be expected to be useful in explaining financial data, especially in the presence of extreme shocks that arise during a GFC. Our empirical results confirm that the median remains GFC-robust even in the presence of these new extreme value models. This is illustrated by using the S&P500 index before, during and after the 2008-09 GFC. We investigate the performance of a variety of single and combined VaR forecasts in terms of daily capital requirements and violation penalties under the Basel II Accord, as well as other criteria, including several tests for independence of the violations. The strategy based on the median, or more generally, on combined forecasts of single models, is straightforward to incorporate into existing computer software packages that are used by banks and other financial institutions

The modelery: a collaborative web based repository

Software development processes are known to produce a large set of artifacts such as models, code and documentation. Keeping track of these artifacts without supporting tools is not easy, and making them available to others can be even harder. Standard version control systems are not able to solve this issue. More than keeping track of versions, a system to help organize and make artifacts available in meaningful ways is needed. In this paper we review a number of alternative systems, and present the requirements and the implementation of a collaborative web repository which we developed to solve this issue.Project LATiCES: Languages And Tools for Critical rEal-time Systems (Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000062) is financed by the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by national funds, through the Portuguese funding agency, Fundacão para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

A weed monitoring system using UAV-imagery and the Hough transform

Usually, crops require the use of herbicides as a useful manner of controlling the quality and quantity of crop production. Although there are weed-free areas, the most common approach is to broadcast herbicides entirely over crop fields, resulting in a reduction of profits and increase in environmental risks. Recently, patch spraying has allowed the use of site-specific weed management, allowing precise and timely weed maps at very early phenological stage, either by ground sampling or remote analysis. Remote imagery from piloted planes and satellites are not suitable for this purpose given their low spatial and temporal resolutions, however, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) represent an excellent alternative. This paper presents a new classification framework for weed monitoring via UAV showing promising results and accurate generalisation in different scenariosLos cultivos precisan del uso de herbicidas para controlar la calidad y cantidad de producción. A pesar de que las malas hierbas se distribuyen en rodales, la práctica más extendida es la fumigación de herbicidas en todo el cultivo, resultando en un aumento del coste y de riesgos mediambientales. La pulvericación por parches ha dado lugar al auge de otras técnicas de manejo de malas hierbas, permitiendo su tratamiento en un estado fenológico temprano. Las imágenes remotas de aviones pilotados o satélites no son útiles en este caso debido a su baja resolución espacial y temporal. Sin embargo, este no es el caso de los vehículos aéreos no tripulados. Este artículo presenta un nuevo método para monitorización de malas hierbas usando este tipo de vehículos, mostrando resultados prometedore

Analysis by Finite Element Method to Redesign a Jointed-Telescopic Crane for Elevation of Personnel

This paper proposes a numerical assessment of a crane for elevation of personnel by finite element analysis, validated with experimental data from constituent components of the crane. The original design of the crane consists of a jointed section of coplanar arms and a telescopic section of collinear arms. As a reference, the standard ANSI/SIA 92.2 was used to determine maximum loads and the consequent effects on the constituent components of the crane. This standard is suitable for crane designs distributed and commercialized in Mexico. The proposed numerical analysis is carried out through a finite element analysis, which is based on the assembly method of kinematic pairs, taking into account dynamic loads and their resulting reaction at each element. The mechanical performance of each component is assessed with the minimal security factor parameter. However, in those components where the MSF was insufficiently in accordance with the standard, a variety of modifications to redesign a given component was proposed. Subsequently, a detailed structural analysis on the proposed redesign was carried out, in which higher security factors were obtained in comparison to the original design. Finally, the numerical results of the proposed redesign were validated through experimental measurements of strain, using strain gauges attached on a crane prototype, which was manufactured according to the proposed redesigned model.Наведено чисельний розрахунок підйомного крана для підняття персоналу на основі скінченноелементного аналізу, підтверджений експериментальними даними по складових його компонентах. Оригінальна модель підйомного крана включає зчленовані секції компланарних стріл і телескопічної секції колінеарних стріл. Максимальні навантаження та іх вплив на складові компоненти підйомного крана визначено згідно зі стандартом ANSI/SIA 92.9, що використовується для моделей підйомного крана, розповсюджених і комерціалізованих у Мексиці. Скінченноелементний аналіз базується на методі складання кінематичних пар з урахуванням динамічного навантаження та їх результуючої реакції на кожен елемент. Механічні характеристики кожного компонента оцінюються за параметром мінімального фактора безпеки. Однак у тих компонентах, де цей фактор не відповідає стандарту, пропонується безліч модифікацій для перепроектування даного компонента. Проведено детальний структурний аналіз запропонованої їх модернізації й отримано більш високі фактори безпеки порівняно з оригінальною моделлю. Чисельні результати запропонованої модернізації підтверджено експериментальними вимірюваннями деформацій при використанні тензодатчиків, установлених на прототипі підйомного крана, який виготовлено згідно із запропонованою перепроектованою моделлю.Представлен численный расчет подъемного крана для поднятия персонала на основе конечноэлементного анализа, подтвержденный экспериментальными данными по составным его компонентам. Оригинальная модель подъемного крана состоит из сочлененных секций компланарных стрел и телескопической секции коллинеарных стрел. Максимальные нагрузки и их влияние на составные компоненты подъемного крана определены согласно стандарту ANSI/SIA 92.2, применяемому для моделей подъемного крана, распространенных и коммерциализированных в Мексике. Конечноэлементный анализ основан на методе сборки кинематических пар с учетом динамических нагрузок и их результирующей реакции на каждый элемент. Механические характеристики каждого компонента оценены по параметру минимального фактора безопасности. Однако в тех компонентах, где этот фактор не соответствует стандарту, предложено множество модификаций для перепроектирования данного компонента. Выполнен также подробный структурный анализ предложенной их модернизации и получены более высокие факторы безопасности по сравнению с оригинальной моделью. Численные результаты предложенной модернизации подтверждены экспериментальными измерениями деформаций при использовании тензодатчиков, установленных на прототипе подъемного крана, который был изготовлен согласно предложенной перепроектированной модели

Emergency remote teaching in process simulation using DWSIM: a case study from DIQ-UMAG, Chilean Patagonia / Enseñanza remota de emergencia en simulación de procesos con DWSIM: un caso estudio DIQ-UMAG, Patagonia Chilena

Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Chilean universities were forced to transition from face-to-face classes to online instruction. In response, the Department of Chemical Engineering (DIQ) at the University of Magallanes sought alternative strategies for remote teaching. This article reports on their experience of delivering technical process simulation skills to their final-year undergraduate chemical engineering students. Due to difficulties connecting with the commercial software Aspen HYSYS, which was housed at the university, the department turned to the open-source software, DWSIM, as an alternative. The material content was adapted, and video tutorials were created to meet learning objectives. The software was taught in a new module within the Project Engineering course to develop the skills needed for students to design and simulate a chemical plant. Positive feedback and constructive criticism were received from the students through anonymous surveys and discussion forums. In response, DIQ launched its YouTube channel, DIQ_DWSIM, which has had a positive impact on Spanish-speaking individuals seeking to learn DWSIM. Additionally, two universities have used the channel as support material for their process simulation courses. A second survey of the YouTube audience has further solidified the value of this open online educational resource for higher education learning

Modeling the Radio and X-ray Emission of SN 1993J and SN 2002ap

Modeling of radio and X-ray observations of supernovae interacting with their circumstellar media are discussed, with special application to SN 1993J and SN 2002ap. We emphasize the importance of including all relevant physical mechanisms, especially for the modeling of the radio light curves. The different conclusions for the absorption mechanism (free-free or synchrotron self-absorption), as well as departures from an $\rho \propto r^{-2}$ CSM, as inferred by some authors, are discussed in detail. We conclude that the evidence for a variation in the mass loss rate with time is very weak. The results regarding the efficiencies of magnetic field generation and relativistic particle acceleration are summarized.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures. Uses svmult.cls. To appear in proceedings of IAU Colloquium 192 "Supernovae (10 years of SN 1993J)", April 2003, Valencia, Spain, eds. J. M. Marcaide and K. W. Weile

Semi-supervised Learning for Ordinal Kernel Discriminant Analysis

Ordinal classication considers those classication problems where the labels of the variable to predict follow a given order. Naturally, labelled data is scarce or di_cult to obtain in this type of problems because, in many cases, ordinal labels are given by an user or expert (e.g. in recommendation systems). Firstly, this paper develops a new strategy for ordinal classi_cation where both labelled and unlabelled data are used in the model construction step (a scheme which is referred to as semi-supervised learning). More specically, the ordinal version of kernel discriminant learning is extended for this setting considering the neighbourhood information of unlabelled data, which is proposed to be computed in the feature space induced by the kernel function. Secondly, a new method for semi-supervised kernel learning is devised in the context of ordinal classi_cation, which is combined with our developed classi_cation strategy to optimise the kernel parameters. The experiments conducted compare 6 different approaches for semi-supervised learning in the context of ordinal classication in a battery of 30 datasets, showing 1) the good synergy of the ordinal version of discriminant analysis and the use of unlabelled data and 2) the advantage of computing distances in the feature space induced by the kernel function