Investigating the effect of previous treatment on wheat biomass over multiple spatial frequencies

In this study we use the maximum overlap discrete packet transform (MODWPT) to investigate residual effects on wheat biomass of fertigation treatments applied to a previous crop. The wheat crop covered nine subplots from a previous experiment on melon response to fertigation. Each subplot had previously received a different level of applied nitrogen. Many factors affect wheat biomass, causing it to vary at different spatial frequencies. We hypothesize that these will include residual effects from fertilizer application (at relatively low spatial frequencies) and the local influence of individual plants from the previous melon crop (at high frequency). To test this hypothesis we use the MODWPT to identify the dominant spatial frequencies of wheat biomass variation, and analyse the relationship to both the previous fertilizer application and the location of individual melon plants in the previous crop. The MODWPT is particularly appropriate for this because it allows us first to identify the key spatial frequencies in the wheat biomass objectively and to analyse them, and their relationship to hypothesized driving factors without any assumptions of uniformity (stationarity) of wheat-biomass variation. The results showed that the applied nitrogen dominated the wheat biomass response, and that there was a noticeable component of wheat-biomass variation at the spatial frequency that corresponds to the melon cropping. We expected wheat biomass to be negatively correlated with the position of melons in the previous crop, due to uptake of the applied nitrogen. The MODWPT, which allows us to detect changes in correlation between variables at different frequencies, showed that such a relationship was found across part of the experiment but not uniformly

Improving manual assembly lines devoted to complex electronic devices by applying Lean tools

Manual assembly lines are usually deeply studied before implementation. Nevertheless, several problems upsurge when the product needs to be slightly changed. This is very common in complex electric and electronic devices usually produced in small batches, where the customers are demanding more and more features and the product needs to be continuously updated. However, these updates sometimes create huge difficulties for the previously installed assembly line, generating as well, line unbalancing and wastes of time regarding the initial situation. In this paper, a deep study of an adjusted assembly line of electronic devices was carried out using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) method to fully understand and document the different tasks and operations. The Lean Line Balancing (LLB) was also applied in order to reduce the line bottleneck by balancing the Task Time (TT) of each workstation so that there are no delays, and nobody is overburden with their task. Standardized processes and standardized work were also applied. During the line layout development stage, assembly fixtures, wastes reductions and visual management techniques were applied as well, different concepts were generated and, finally, the best solutions were selected. Throughout the study, many benefits for the studied manual assembly line were found, which can be considered as a strong motivation to apply Lean Manufacturing (LM) tools for better line efficiency and production rate.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Locking the GFP Fluorophore to Enhance Its Emission Intensity

Funding Information: Thanks are due to the University of Aveiro, FCT/MEC, Centro 2020 and Portugal2020, the COMPETE program, and the European Union (FEDER program) via the financial support to the LAQV-REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020), to the CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UID/CTM/50011/2019, UIDB/50011/2020 and UIDP/50011/2020), financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES, to the Portuguese NMR Network. SG is supported by national funds (OE), through FCT, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5, and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19. JRMF. Thanks FCT and ESF (European Social Fund) through POCH (Programa Operacional Capital Humano) for her PhD grant (UI/BD/151272/2021). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.The Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and its analogues have been widely used as fluorescent biomarkers in cell biology. Yet, the chromophore responsible for the fluorescence of the GFP is not emissive when isolated in solution, outside the protein environment. The most accepted explanation is that the quenching of the fluorescence results from the rotation of the aryl–alkene bond and from the Z/E isomerization. Over the years, many efforts have been performed to block these torsional rotations, mimicking the environment inside the protein β-barrel, to restore the emission intensity. Molecule rigidification through chemical modifications or complexation, or through crystallization, is one of the strategies used. This review presents an overview of the strategies developed to achieve highly emissive GFP chromophore by hindering the torsional rotations.publishersversionpublishe

PENGARUH LIKUIDITAS, KUALITAS AKTIVA, SENSITIVITAS, EFISIENSI DAN PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP PERMODALAN PADA BUSN DEVISA

The purposes of this research to analyze how much liquidity influence, quality asset, sensitivity, efficiency, and profitability ratio to capital adequacy. The population of this research is exchange national private general banks during the period 2013-2017. The sample of this research consists of three exchange national private general banks namely PT Bank Mayapada Internasional. Tbk, PT Bank Mega, tbk, PT Bank Uob, tbk. Sample selection using the purposive sampling and the data source used in this research is secondary data. From the result of the research shows that the Net Foreign Exchange Position partially have a significant negative effect on Capital Adequacy Ratio. Investing Policy Ratio, Interest Rate Risk has a significant positive effect on Capital Adequacy Ratio. Return On Asset have a positive effect that is not significant to the Capital Adequacy Ratio. Loan to Deposit Ratio, Non Performing Loan, Non-earning Assets, Operational Cost and Operating Incomehas no significant negative effect on Capital Adequacy Ratio, Coefficient of determination showed with 84,5% caused by variables studied were LDR, IPR, NPL, APB, IRR, PDN, BOPO and ROA, while 15,5% influenced by other factors outside of research. Key words :Likuidity, Assets Quality, Sensitivity, Eficiency, Profitability, Solvabilit

The Improvement of an APEX Machine involved in the Tire Manufacturing Process

Over the years, there has been a huge expansion in the automotive component industry and its consequent innovation, which has evolved along with automation and robotics. Therefore, in order to ensure component quality, as well as the quality of the entire production process, it is crucial to enhance competitiveness in the sector. Since quality is a key feature in this industry, all manufacturers and suppliers are scrutinized by systematic audits to ensure constant improvements. This work was developed at a multinational industry and focuses on tire production for the automotive sector. Tires present a complex production process, which covers a wide range of activities from mixing, preparation, construction and vulcanization to the inspection departments, all of which are greatly predisposed to process improvement. In one of these departments (Preparation - APEX machines, responsible for the tire bead production), one of the main problems detected was directly related to a large number of failures in the pneumatic systems. These were found to be difficult to control, both in terms of speed and positioning. Some of the failures in automation were generating delays in certain processes, leading to lengthy setup times and culminating in higher production costs. In order to achieve greater quality, reliability and accuracy, a higher level of automation was applied to these kinds of machines by resorting to 5S methodology. A safety upgrade of the equipment was also undertaken, which will allow for the improvement of workplace safety.The performance improvement of the APEX machines was reached by implementing the following strategies: the automation of conveyor and tray movements between the cutting and application subprocesses; the implementation of 5S methodology; the automation of the cutting process; the updating of safety devices; and the automated control of the separation subprocess. A strong decrease in the breakdown time was recorded (-62%) resulting of the project implementation. The APEXmachine performance was also improved in 9%.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Immunoproteomic analysis of Plasmodium falciparum antigens using sera from patients with clinical history of imported malaria.

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A theoretical and empirical investigation of nutritional label use

Due in part to increasing diet-related health problems caused, among others, by obesity, nutritional labelling has been considered important, mainly because it can provide consumers with information that can be used to make informed and healthier food choices. Several studies have focused on the empirical perspective of nutritional label use. None of these studies, however, have focused on developing a theoretical economic model that would adequately describe nutritional label use based on a utility theoretic framework. We attempt to fill this void by developing a simple theoretical model of nutritional label use, incorporating the time a consumer spends reading labels as part of the food choice process. The demand equations of the model are then empirically tested. Results suggest the significant role of several variables that flow directly from the model which, to our knowledge, have not been used in any previous empirical work

Daylighting as the Driving Force of the Design Process: from the Results of a Survey to the Implementation into an Advanced Daylighting Project

This paper presents a study for the transformation of an industrial area in Turin, Italy. The area hosts two buildings (one of which appointed as listed) to be transformed into dwellings. A synergic approach was adopted which combined expertise from architecture, social-economics, psychology and building physics sciences. Building physics sciences lead the research team. A user-centered design was pursued, using a bottom-up approach. A specifically developed questionnaire was submitted on-line to potential users. The survey showed that 'amount of daylight', 'size of rooms', 'tranquility of the area' and 'presence of a private garden' were perceived by users to be the most positive aspects of both their present and future, ideal home. These results were then implemented into the project. The exploitation of daylight became the driving force of the transformation project. Especially for the listed building, skylights and light wells were designed to bring daylight into the cores of the buildings, which host common spaces such as libraries or study rooms. The amount of daylight was assessed through the legislative index of the average daylight factor and through a climate-based modeling approach, calculating dynamic metrics such as the spatial daylight autonomy and the Useful Daylight Illuminance. The paper critically compares and discusses these two approaches. Finally, the energy demand for lighting was also calculated to analyze how the increased exploitation of daylight may imply a reduced need for electricity for lighting