Experimental evaluation of UWB indoor positioning for indoor track cycling

Accurate radio frequency (RF)-based indoor localization systems are more and more applied during sports. The most accurate RF-based localization systems use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology; this is why this technology is the most prevalent. UWB positioning systems allow for an in-depth analysis of the performance of athletes during training and competition. There is no research available that investigates the feasibility of UWB technology for indoor track cycling. In this paper, we investigate the optimal position to mount the UWB hardware for that specific use case. Different positions on the bicycle and cyclist were evaluated based on accuracy, received power level, line-of-sight, maximum communication range, and comfort. Next to this, the energy consumption of our UWB system was evaluated. We found that the optimal hardware position was the lower back, with a median ranging error of 22 cm (infrastructure hardware placed at 2.3 m). The energy consumption of our UWB system is also taken into account. Applied to our setup with the hardware mounted at the lower back, the maximum communication range varies between 32.6 m and 43.8 m. This shows that UWB localization systems are suitable for indoor positioning of track cyclists

Vascular transcription factors guide plant epidermal responses to limiting phosphate conditions

Optimal plant growth is hampered by deficiency of the essential macronutrient phosphate in most soils. Plant roots can, however, increase their root hair density to efficiently forage the soil for this immobile nutrient. By generating and exploiting a high-resolution single-cell gene expression atlas of Arabidopsis roots, we show an enrichment of TARGET OF MONOPTEROS 5 / LONESOME HIGHWAY (TMO5/LHW) target gene responses in root hair cells. The TMO5/LHW heterodimer triggers biosynthesis of mobile cytokinin in vascular cells and increases root hair density during low phosphate conditions by modifying both the length and cell fate of epidermal cells. Moreover, root hair responses in phosphate deprived conditions are TMO5 and cytokinin dependent. In conclusion, cytokinin signaling links root hair responses in the epidermis to perception of phosphate depletion in vascular cells

A redundant transcription factor network steers spatiotemporal Arabidopsis triterpene synthesis

25 Pág.Plant specialized metabolites modulate developmental and ecological functions and comprise many therapeutic and other high-value compounds. However, the mechanisms determining their cell-specific expression remain unknown. Here we describe the transcriptional regulatory network that underlies cell-specific biosynthesis of triterpenes in Arabidopsis thaliana root tips. Expression of thalianol and marneral biosynthesis pathway genes depends on the phytohormone jasmonate and is limited to outer tissues. We show that this is promoted by the activity of redundant bHLH-type transcription factors from two distinct clades and coactivated by homeodomain factors. Conversely, the DOF-type transcription factor DAG1 and other regulators prevent expression of the triterpene pathway genes in inner tissues. We thus show how precise expression of triterpene biosynthesis genes is determined by a robust network of transactivators, coactivators and counteracting repressors.This Article was written in loving memory of A. Van Moerkercke (1979–2021). The authors thank A. Bleys for critically reading the manuscript; D. Gasperini for kindly sharing the ProMYCs:NLS-VENUS reporter lines, and P. Vittorioso for the dag1 mutant, ProDAG1:GUS and DAG1 over-expressing lines; J. R. Wendrich and T. Eekhout for assistance in the launching and analysis of the scRNAseq experiment; and S. Desmet and G. Goeminne from the VIB Metabolomics Core – Ghent for the thalianol profiling. This work was supported by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement 613692-TriForC and H2020 Program under grant agreement 760331-Newcotiana to A.G.; the Special Research Fund from Ghent University to A.G. and A.R. (project BOF18/GOA/013), and M.M. (project BOF20/GOA/012); the Flemish Government (AI Research program) to Y.S.; the Research Foundation Flanders with research project grants to A.G. (G004515N and G008417N) and a postdoctoral fellowship to P.F.-C.; a Swiss National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship (P300PA_177831) to M.C.; and a China Scholarship Council PhD scholarship to Y.B. A.O. acknowledges funding support from the John Innes Foundation and the BBSRC Institute Strategic Program Grant ‘Molecules from Nature – Products and Pathways’ (BBS/E/J/000PR9790).Peer reviewe

Innovative organotypic in vitro models for safety assessment: aligning with regulatory requirements and understanding models of the heart, skin, and liver as paradigms

The development of improved, innovative models for the detection of toxicity of drugs, chemicals, or chemicals in cosmetics is crucial to efficiently bring new products safely to market in a cost-effective and timely manner. In addition, improvement in models to detect toxicity may reduce the incidence of unexpected post-marketing toxicity and reduce or eliminate the need for animal testing. The safety of novel products of the pharmaceutical, chemical, or cosmetics industry must be assured; therefore, toxicological properties need to be assessed. Accepted methods for gathering the information required by law for approval of substances are often animal methods. To reduce, refine, and replace animal testing, innovative organotypic in vitro models have emerged. Such models appear at different levels of complexity ranging from simpler, self-organized three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures up to more advanced scaffold-based co-cultures consisting of multiple cell types. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the field of toxicity testing with in vitro models for three major organ types: heart, skin, and liver. This review also examines regulatory aspects of such models in Europe and the UK, and summarizes best practices to facilitate the acceptance and appropriate use of advanced in vitro models

Non-cell autonomous and spatiotemporal signalling from a tissue organizer orchestrates root vascular development

During plant development, a precise balance of cytokinin is crucial for correct growth and patterning, but it remains unclear how this is achieved across different cell types and in the context of a growing organ. Here we show that in the root apical meristem, the TMO5/LHW complex increases active cytokinin levels via two cooperatively acting enzymes. By profiling the transcriptomic changes of increased cytokinin at single-cell level, we further show that this effect is counteracted by a tissue-specific increase in CYTOKININ OXIDASE 3 expression via direct activation of the mobile transcription factor SHORTROOT. In summary, we show that within the root meristem, xylem cells act as a local organizer of vascular development by non-autonomously regulating cytokinin levels in neighbouring procambium cells via sequential induction and repression modules

Experimental Evaluation of UWB Indoor Positioning for Indoor Track Cycling

Accurate radio frequency (RF)-based indoor localization systems are more and more applied during sports. The most accurate RF-based localization systems use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology; this is why this technology is the most prevalent. UWB positioning systems allow for an in-depth analysis of the performance of athletes during training and competition. There is no research available that investigates the feasibility of UWB technology for indoor track cycling. In this paper, we investigate the optimal position to mount the UWB hardware for that specific use case. Different positions on the bicycle and cyclist were evaluated based on accuracy, received power level, line-of-sight, maximum communication range, and comfort. Next to this, the energy consumption of our UWB system was evaluated. We found that the optimal hardware position was the lower back, with a median ranging error of 22 cm (infrastructure hardware placed at 2.3 m). The energy consumption of our UWB system is also taken into account. Applied to our setup with the hardware mounted at the lower back, the maximum communication range varies between 32.6 m and 43.8 m. This shows that UWB localization systems are suitable for indoor positioning of track cyclists

Prediction of the water demand and consistency of ready mixed concrete

The diagrams of Powers allow us to understand and to predict the voids ratio of particle mixtures. The basic parameters of these voids ratio diagrams (mean size, and voids ratio) are explained. The general theory of Dewar for particle mixtures and the implementation of the voids diagrams of Powers in this theory are explained. The water demand of concrete is derived from the theory of particle mixtures and a model for the prediction of consistency is given. In order to illustrate the above mentioned theory and methodology a case study, based on data from a Belgian ready mixed concrete plant is investigated. The theoretical water demand and consistency, predicted with the presented model, are compared with experimental data. The influence of the variation of the mean size and the voids ratio of the cements, fine and coarse aggregates on the water demand of the concrete is quantified

Prediction of the water demand and consistency of ready mixed concrete

The diagrams of Powers allow us to understand and to predict the voids ratio of particle mixtures. The basic parameters of these voids ratio diagrams (mean size, and voids ratio) are explained. The general theory of Dewar for particle mixtures and the implementation of the voids diagrams of Powers in this theory are explained. The water demand of concrete is derived from the theory of particle mixtures and a model for the prediction of consistency is given. In order to illustrate the above mentioned theory and methodology a case study, based on data from a Belgian ready mixed concrete plant is investigated. The theoretical water demand and consistency, predicted with the presented model, are compared with experimental data. The influence of the variation of the mean size and the voids ratio of the cements, fine and coarse aggregates on the water demand of the concrete is quantified.status: publishe

Quality inspection and optimization of concrete production by means of cusum techniques

In order to control the production of concrete, control charts can be used to detect significant changes in performance and to indicate when actions should be taken in order to meet the specifications. A cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) is well adapted to detect the inherent and abrupt changes in the concrete production. In order to indicate when actions should be taken, a mask is superimposed on the CUSUM chart. In this paper, an original probabilistic background for the design of a one-sided U-mask is derived in relation to the quality inspection of concrete production. Operating characteristic curves (OC-curves) are calculated, using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The parameter selection for the U-masks is based on the AOQL principle, which enables an objective parameter selection. Finally, the possibilities of the designed U-masks are illustrated with a case study, based on data from a Belgian concrete plant. Using the results of this paper it is possible to use the conformity assessment as a steering element for the production process of concrete