Autopilot simulator prototype for autonomous driving based on SimTwo

The main objective of this work was to develop a control system for an autonomous vehicle that provides autonomous driving. For this, a simulation software, named "SimTwo" was used, where the actuation and sensing model was developed. At the end of the work, a control and 3D visualization system was obtained for an autonomous vehicle capable of driving on a road, avoiding obstacles, alerting in case of danger, among others. The work was developed in a simulation environment and includes a 3D model of a road, with several real scenarios, where the vehicle moves. There are objects on the circuit that can obstruct the passage of the car, creating situations of imminent danger. This system alerts the driver in the event of danger and reacts by deflecting or stopping. This control system uses image sensors and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) as inputs data sources.O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de controlo de um veículo autónomo que o dote de condução autónoma. Para tal, foi utilizado um software de simulação, SimTwo, onde o modelo de atuação e sensorização foi desenvolvido. No final do trabalho, obteve-se um sistema de controlo e visualização 3D de um veículo autónomo capaz de conduzir numa estrada, desviar de obstáculos, alertar no caso de perigo, entre outros. O trabalho foi desenvolvido num ambiente de simulação e contempla um modelo 3D de uma estrada, com vários cenários reais, onde o veículo se desloca. Existem objetos nas bermas que podem obstruir a passagem do carro, criando situações de perigo eminente. Este alerta no caso de perigo e reage, desviando ou parando. Este sistema de controlo utiliza sensores de imagem e LiDAR (da sigla inglesa "Light Detection And Ranging"), como fontes de informação

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved