The Potential Impact of a Dog Training Program on the Animal Adoptions in an Italian Shelter

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Human–dog relationships are mainly focused on the physical and emotional wellbeing, and has much evolved in the last decades, becoming even more intense over time. Such a novel conception should also be applied to the life that takes place in kennels, which have been mistakenly regarded as a landfill or a burden on society for too many years. Here, we took into consideration an Italian shelter, and analyzed 555 adopted dogs who underwent a well-detailed behavioral training program, to assess the potential impact of the education upon the adoption of attitude. We documented a higher increase in the number of adoptions both for adult and senior animals when compared to the age-matched untrained dogs. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of a proper training, mainly accomplished with reward methods, to get a more suitable and balanced owner-dog attachment. ABSTRACT: One of the main concerns of the human–dog relationship is today associated with the quality life inside the kennels, which are very often regarded as animal dump where dogs are exiled, representing a burden on society. In the present study we sought to investigate the importance of performing an appropriate behavioral program on the adoption chances within an Italian shelter, near Naples (Ottaviano). In this respect, we enrolled 555 adopted dogs of different ages, who followed a tailored-4-month lasting training program between 2018 and 2020. Once entered there, they were carefully examined by the veterinary behaviorist, and directed towards a suited training program, to improve living conditions. We documented a higher number of both adult and senior dogs who left the kennel and were adopted, compared to the age-matched untrained animals (n = 479), housed in the same kennel from 2015 to 2017. Taken together, the present data highlight an important role for training in improving the natural attitudes of the companion dogs, thus pointing towards a better human–animal bond

Numerical modelling of a piezo roof harvesting system: the right component selection

Abstract The present work focuses on a first study for a piezoelectric harvesting system, finalized to the obtaining of electrical energy from the kinetic energy of rainy precipitation, a renewable energy source not really considered until now. The system, after the realization, can be collocated on the roof of an house, configuring a "Piezo Roof Harvesting System". After presenting a state of art of the harvesting systems from environmental energy, linked to vibrations, using piezoelectric structures, and of piezoelectric harvesting systems functioning with rain, the authors propose an analysis of the fundamental features of rainy precipitations for the definition of the harvesting system. Then, four key patterns for the realization of a piezoelectric energy harvesting system are discussed and analysed, arriving to the choice of a cantilever beam scheme, in which the piezoelectric material works in 31 mode. An electro-mechanical model for the simulation of performance of the unit for the energetic conversion, composed of three blocks, is proposed. The model is used for a simulation campaign to perform the final choice of the more suitable piezoelectric unit, available on the market, which will be adopted for the realization of the "Piezo Roof Harvesting System"

Fluid Dynamic Analysis of different Yacht configurations with VOF method

This paper presents two applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to super and mega yacht design, based on the Volume of Fluid method. After an overview of recent literature on the subject, the analysis of the hydrodynamic performances of different hull configurations and of different appendage configurations is presented

Numerical Modelling of a Piezo Roof Harvesting System: The Right Component Selection

The present work focuses on a first study for a piezoelectric harvesting system, finalized to the obtaining of electrical energy from the kinetic energy of rainy precipitation, a renewable energy source not really considered until now. The system, after the realization, can be collocated on the roof of an house, configuring a “Piezo Roof Harvesting System”. After presenting a state of art of the harvesting systems from environmental energy, linked to vibrations, using piezoelectric structures, and of piezoelectric harvesting systems functioning with rain, the authors propose an analysis of the fundamental features of rainy precipitations for the definition of the harvesting system. Then, four key patterns for the realization of a piezoelectric energy harvesting system are discussed and analysed, arriving to the choice of a cantilever beam scheme, in which the piezoelectric material works in 31 mode. An electro-mechanical model for the simulation of performance of the unit for the energetic conversion, composed of three blocks, is proposed. The model is used for a simulation campaign to perform the final choice of the more suitable piezoelectric unit, available on the market, which will be adopted for the realization of the “Piezo Roof Harvesting System”

A new approach for the estimation of longitudinal damping derivatives: CFD validation on NACA 0012

Aerodynamic longitudinal damping derivatives are of great importance for aircraft stability and control and for aircraft aeroelasticity problems. The classical methods adopted to calculate damping derivatives, using USAF Datcom or wind tunnel tests, are not accurate enough for unconventional shaped aircrafts in particular. Moreover, experimental methods refer to body pitch and plunge motion: it follows that the derivatives are affected to a great extent by the frequency. Some authors have proposed quasi-steady methods, which fail at the transonic regime. To overcome all of these shortcomings, a new approach, based on looping and heaving motion, is presented. The results of the proposed methods are validated, using CFD simulation with the NACA 0012 airfoil, against the exact Theodorsen theory, indicial functions and numerical results from other authors

A Practical Engineering Approach to the Design and Manufacturing of a mini kW BladeWind Turbine: Definition, optimization and CFD Analysis

A practical engineering approach to the design of a 60 kW wind generator with improved performances is presented. The proposed approach relies on the use of a specific, ``ad hoc'' developed software, OPTIWR (Optimization Software), expressly conceived to define an ``optimum'' rotor configuration in the framework of the blade-element-momentum theory. Starting from an initial input geometric configuration (corresponding to an already existing 50 kW turbine) and for given values of the wind velocity VwindVwind and of the advance ratio X=Vwind/ΩRX=Vwind/ΩR (where ΩΩ is the blade rotational speed and $R$ is the propeller radius), this software is used to determine iteratively the optimized distributions of chords and twists which can guarantee a constant value of the socalled axial induction factor a=a= 1/3 along the blade. The output configuration is then converted into a CAD model to be used, in turn, as input data for a CFD commercial software. With this tool the relative rotational motion between the fluid and the wind turbine simulated resorting to a MRF (Moving Reference Frame) technique (for which continuity and momentum equations are solved in a rotating reference frame). The outcomes of the numerical simulations are then used to verify the improved performances of the optimized configuration and to which extent the CFD data agree with ``expected'' behaviours (i.e. performances predicted on the basis of the simplified model). Finally, some details about the construction technique used to turn the optimized configuration into an effective working prototype are provided, in conjunction with a critical discussion of suitable production methods for composite components

Mixed-Compression Supersonic Intake and Engine–Airframe Integration

Hypersonic flight is gaining increasing attention by aerospace companies interested in designing and developing reusable aircraftlike vehicles (spaceplanes). Advanced concepts include a combination of space and aviation approaches able to fly few minutes in space for sightseeing or fast enough to enable point-to-point transportation. In this framework, a concept of hypersonic systems for space travel and high-speed transportation is presented, with a particular focus on the intake and engine–airframe configurations. The adopted intake is designed to ensure an efficient functioning, not only in nominal conditions but along the supersonic ascent trajectory thanks to a movable inner spike. A nonzero angle of attack resulted in a little degradation of the performances in terms of efficiency, spillage, and flow distortion. In the second part, the interaction between the engine and airframe is also investigated. An initial configuration, characterized by the propulsion system located on the fuselage side near the wing, is characterized by a strong interference responsible for an off-design functioning with a high percentage of air spillage. An alternative solution with engine–wing integration exhibits a completely different behavior with interference minimized, resulting in a design intake functioning without air spillage and a considerable drag reduction

Performances of a small hypersonic airplane (HyPlane)

In the present work a preliminary performance study regarding a small hypersonic airplane named HyPlane is presented. It is designed for point-to-point medium range hypersonic trip, within the “urgent business travel” market segment. The vehicle is also consistent with long duration suborbital space tourism missions, in the frame of the Space Renaissance (SR) Italia Space Tourism Program. The design of such a hypersonic airplane is based on the concept of integrating available technologies developed for aeronautical and space atmospheric re-entry systems. The vehicle, characterized by high aerodynamic efficiency and low wing loading and powered by Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) engines plus a throtteable Rocket, is able to produce a reduced sonic boom and to perform Horizontal Takeoff and Horizontal Landing (HTHL) on runways. Aerodynamic and propulsive performances for the different flight regimes encountered during the missions are studied. Aerodynamic heating effects are analyzed, in order to identify suitable structures and materials design to sustain the hypersonic flight conditions. Different flight paths are also investigated, including hypersonic cruise and suborbital parabolic trajectories, which provide Space tourists with the opportunity of long duration missions, offering short and repeated periods of low-gravity, in the high stratosphere where a large view of the Earth is ensured

A new approach for the estimation of longitudinal damping derivatives: CFD validation on NACA 0012

Aerodynamic longitudinal damping derivatives are of great importance for aircraft stability and control and for aircraft aeroelasticity problems. The classical methods adopted to calculate damping derivatives, using USAF Datcom or wind tunnel tests, are not accurate enough for unconventional shaped aircrafts in particular. Moreover, experimental methods refer to body pitch and plunge motion: it follows that the derivatives are affected to a great extent by the frequency. Some authors have proposed quasi-steady methods, which fail at the transonic regime. To overcome all of these shortcomings, a new approach, based on looping and heaving motion, is presented. The results of the proposed methods are validated, using CFD simulation with the NACA 0012 airfoil, against the exact Theodorsen theory, indicial functions and numerical results from other authors