ABSTRACT
We present optical turbulence profiles obtained with a Generalized SCIDAR (G-SCIDAR) and a low-layer SCIDAR (LOLAS) at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional in San Pedro Mártir (OAN-SPM), ...Baja California, Mexico, during three observing campaigns in 2013, 2014, and 2015. The G-SCIDAR delivers profiles with moderate altitude-resolution (a few hundred metres) along the entire turbulent section of the atmosphere, while the LOLAS gives high altitude resolution (on the order of tens of metres) but only within the first few hundred metres. Simultaneous measurements were obtained on 2014 and allowed us to characterize in detail the combined effect of the local orography and wind direction on the turbulence distribution close to the ground. At the beginning of several nights, the LOLAS profiles show that turbulence peaks between 25 and 50 m above the ground, not at ground level as was expected. The G-SCIDAR profiles exhibit a peak within the first kilometre. In 55 per cent and 36 per cent of the nights stable layers are detected between 10 and 15 km and at 3 km, respectively. This distribution is consistent with the results obtained with a G-SCIDAR in 1997 and 2000 observing campaigns. Statistics computed with the 7891 profiles that have been measured at the OAN-SPM with a G-SCIDAR in 1997, 2000, 2014, and 2015 campaigns are presented. The seeing values calculated with each of those profiles have a median of 0.79, first and third quartiles of 0.51 and 1.08 arcsec, which are in close agreement with other long term seeing monitoring performed at the OAN-SPM.
Resumen En este artículo se propone un modelo de información para determinar el panorama de las tecnologías emergentes relacionadas con los equipos de terapia de ultrasonido, el cual permite la ...identificación de cuatro grandes categorías en el área de la investigación y el desarrollo dentro del campo, utilizando una metodología competitiva que incorpora la evaluación de publicaciones científicas y un análisis de patentes; utilizando distintas bases de datos mediante la agrupación por palabras clave y cronología. Se examinaron las bases de datos de Google Académico, Scopus, Springer, Sage Journals, ScienceDirect y Academic.edu para consultar artículos y publicaciones científicas; se encontraron alrededor de 67,000 artículos de los cuales únicamente 119 cumplen con los criterios de exclusión, en donde se analizó cómo está conformado un equipo de ultrasonido, sus distintas aplicaciones y nuevas tendencias desde un enfoque de interfaz humano computadora. Las bases de datos utilizadas para la recolección de las patentes fueron Patentscope, Google Patents, e Invenes, así como las bases de WIPO y USPTO; en las cuales se encontraron alrededor 421 patentes con relación a los equipos de ultrasonido, los países en los que se registró la patente y la forma en la que la clasifican. Finalmente, sólo 16 patentes cumplen con los criterios de exclusión. Los resultados indican que Estados Unidos es la nación con más difusión tanto en la publicación de artículos como en patentes.
This paper presents a novel methodology for positioning an explosive ordnance device (EOD) which consists of a mobile manipulator with 12° of freedom. The approach uses an extension of a homogeneus ...transformation graph (HTG) which can be used in the kinematic modeling of mobile manipulators and unmanned aerial vehicles. In this approach the complete kinematics is modeled as one unit in contrast to previous approaches where the manipulator and mobile body are decoupled. The system is tested in several escenarios (simulated and real experimentation) like approaching to an explosive device location on the plane as well as in slope ways, climbing stairs, lifting itself and manipulating procedures. All the aforementioned scenarios were developed using the HTG which establishes the appropriate transformations and interaction parameters of the coupled system. Finally, the system is tested (simulated and real experimentation) for positioning its end device in a target with a RMS positioning average error ofr 7.91 mm which is acceptable for this kind of devices.
Resumen: En este artículo se presenta un enfoque para rehabilitación pasiva de miembro superior mediante la formulación de cuatro casos de estudio haciendo un análisis de las patologías y los ...ejercicios que se aplican. Para llevar a cabo la experimentación en los casos propuestos se registraron los datos de las trayectorias de las articulaciones del brazo de un paciente realizando los ejercicios de rehabilitación con un terapeuta. Se diseñó el exoesqueleto ERMIS de siete grados de libertad para emular los movimientos anatómicos en el brazo durante la rehabilitación a partir de los requerimientos de los casos de estudio. Para validar el funcionamiento del exoesqueleto en los casos se simuló el modelo dinámico del ERMIS y se compararon los datos con los datos muestreados de los ejercicios. Al final se presentan los resultados obtenidos de los ejercicios realizados con el exoesqueleto, obteniendo en la precisión un desempeño promedio del 95% en los movimientos de hombro, codo y muñeca al emular la terapia con timón.
Allergic diseases are under-investigated and overlooked health conditions in developing countries. We measured the prevalence of food allergy (FA), airborne allergic disease, and allergic ...sensitisation among adolescents living in 2 socio-demographically disparate regions in Ecuador. We investigated which risk factors are associated with these conditions.
A cross-sectional study involved 1338 students (mean age: 13 ± 0.9 years old) living in Cuenca (n = 876) and Santa Isabel (n = 462). History of allergic symptoms (noted by parents or doctor) to food, house dust mites (HDM), pollen, and pets were recorded. Sociodemographic characteristics, environmental exposures, and parental history of allergic disorders data were collected. Sensitisation to 19 food and 20 aeroallergens was measured by skin-prick testing (SPT). FA and airborne allergic diseases (to HDM, pollen, cat, or dog) were defined as a report of allergic symptoms noted by doctor, together with a positive SPT (wheal size ≥3 mm). Logistic regression models were used to identify environmental and parental factors associated with allergic conditions.
FA was prevalent among 0.4% (95% CI 0.2%–0.9%), and food sensitisation among 19.1% of the adolescents. Shrimp was the most frequent food linked with FA and food sensitisation. Risk factors associated with FA could not be evaluated due to the low prevalence. Food sensitisation was higher among adolescents exposed to family smoking (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.14–2.34, p = 0.008) and those with parental history of allergic disorders (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.13–2.49, p = 0.01), but less common among adolescents owning dogs (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41–0.84, p = 0.003).
Airborne allergic diseases were prevalent amongst 12.0% of the adolescents (95% CI: 10.4–13.9, n = 1321), with HDM as the primary allergen (11.2%). Airborne allergic diseases were less common among adolescents with more siblings (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65–0.96, p = 0.02) and those who lived with farm animals in the first year of life (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.95, p = 0.04), but, most common among adolescents with a smoking family (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04–2.70, p = 0.03) and with a parental history of allergic disorders (OR self-perceived: 2.62, 95% CI 1.46–4.71, p = 0.001; OR diagnosed by a doctor: 4.07, 95% CI 2.44–6.80, p < 0.001).
FA and airborne allergies are less prevalent in Ecuador than in developed regions; there is a great dissociation between the prevalence of allergic disease and allergic sensitisation. Shrimp and HDM were the most prevalent allergens. Risk factors identified in this study to be related to allergic diseases should be considered by physicians, health practitioners, and epidemiologists in Ecuador.
LOLAS-2 Avila, R.; Zúñiga, C. A.; Tapia-Rodríguez, J. J. ...
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
10/2016, Letnik:
128, Številka:
968
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We present the development, tests, and first results of the second-generation LOLAS-2. This instrument constitutes a strongly improved version of the prototype LOLAS, which is aimed at the ...measurement of optical turbulence profiles close to the ground, with high altitude-resolution. The method is based on the generalized Scidar principle that consists of taking double-star scintillation images on a defocused pupil plane and calculating in real time the autocovariance of the scintillation. The main components are an open-truss 40-cm Ritchey–Chrétien telescope, a German-type equatorial mount, an electron-multiplying CCD camera, and a dedicated acquisition and real-time data-processing software. The new optical design of LOLAS-2 is significantly simplified compared to the prototype. The experiments carried out to test the permanence of the image within the useful zone of the detector and the stability of the telescope focus show that LOLAS-2 can function without the use of the autoguiding and autofocus algorithms that were developed for the prototype version. Optical turbulence profiles obtained with the new LOLAS have the best altitude-resolution ever achieved with Scidar-like techniques (6.3 m). The simplification of the optical layout and the improved mechanical properties of the telescope and mount make of LOLAS-2 a more robust instrument.
We present the development, tests, and first results of the second-generation LOLAS-2. This instrument constitutes a strongly improved version of the prototype LOLAS, which is aimed at the ...measurement of optical turbulence profiles close to the ground, with high altitude-resolution. The method is based on the generalized Scidar principle that consists of taking double-star scintillation images on a defocused pupil plane and calculating in real time the autocovariance of the scintillation. The main components are an open-truss 40-cm Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, a German-type equatorial mount, an electron-multiplying CCD camera, and a dedicated acquisition and real-time data-processing software. The new optical design of LOLAS-2 is significantly simplified compared to the prototype. The experiments carried out to test the permanence of the image within the useful zone of the detector and the stability of the telescope focus show that LOLAS-2 can function without the use of the autoguiding and autofocus algorithms that were developed for the prototype version. Optical turbulence profiles obtained with the new LOLAS have the best altitude-resolution ever achieved with Scidar-like techniques (6.3 m). The simplification of the optical layout and the improved mechanical properties of the telescope and mount make of LOLAS-2 a more robust instrument.
We present the instrument and first results of a Low Layer SCIDAR (Scintillation Detection and Ranging), called new generation LOLAS (LOLAS 2), which consists of the optical coupling of a ...Ritchey-Chrétien telescope and an EMCCD camera, and allows the measurements of optical turbulence profiles in the atmosphere from ground level with high altitude-resolution. The system is designed for widely separated double star targets, which enables a high altitude resolution of 5 ≤ Δh ≤ 35 meters above the first kilometer , measured from ground level. The first results were obtained in June and November 2013, and May 2014 at the Observatorio Astronomico Nacional de San Pedro Mártir (OAN-SPM), México.
This article presents a methodology to teach students to develop mechatronic projects. It was taught in higher education schools, in different universities in Mexico, in courses such as: Robotics, ...Control Systems, Mechatronic Systems, Artificial Intelligence, etc. The intention of this methodology is not only to achieve the integration of different subjects but also to accomplish synergy between them so that the final result may be the best possible in quality, time and robustness. Since its introduction into the educational area, this methodology was evaluated and modified for approximately five years, were substantial characteristics were adopted. For the next ten years, only minor alterations were carried out. Fifteen years of experience have proven that the methodology is useful not only for training but also for real projects. In this article, we first explain the methodology and its main characteristics, as well as a brief history of its teaching in different educational programs. Then, we present two cases were the methodology was successfully applied. The first project consisted in the design, construction and evaluation of a mobile robotic manipulator which aims to be used as an explosives ordnance device. In the second case, we document the results of a project assignment for robotics tasks carried out by students which were formerly taught with the methodology.
Plitidepsin, a marine-derived cyclic-peptide, inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication at nanomolar concentrations by targeting the host protein eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A. Here, we show that ...plitidepsin distributes preferentially to lung over plasma, with similar potency against across several SARS-CoV-2 variants in preclinical studies. Simultaneously, in this randomized, parallel, open-label, proof-of-concept study (NCT04382066) conducted in 10 Spanish hospitals between May and November 2020, 46 adult hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection received either 1.5 mg (n = 15), 2.0 mg (n = 16), or 2.5 mg (n = 15) plitidepsin once daily for 3 d. The primary objective was safety; viral load kinetics, mortality, need for increased respiratory support, and dose selection were secondary end points. One patient withdrew consent before starting procedures; 45 initiated treatment; one withdrew because of hypersensitivity. Two Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events were observed (hypersensitivity and diarrhea). Treatment-related adverse events affecting more than 5% of patients were nausea (42.2%), vomiting (15.6%), and diarrhea (6.7%). Mean viral load reductions from baseline were 1.35, 2.35, 3.25, and 3.85 log
at days 4, 7, 15, and 31. Nonmechanical invasive ventilation was required in 8 of 44 evaluable patients (16.0%); six patients required intensive care support (13.6%), and three patients (6.7%) died (COVID-19-related). Plitidepsin has a favorable safety profile in patients with COVID-19.