•This paper shows the simulation of a potato crop under semiarid conditions.•Aquacrop model was calibrated and validated using data of a two years experiment.•Canopy cover, dry matter, and ...evapotranspiration were the primary variables analyzed.•Aquacrop requires a temperature stress coefficient that modifies the harvest index.
The processes of calibration and validation of the Aquacrop model for the simulation of the growth and development of a potato crop (Agria cultivar) that was irrigated with a center pivot system are described in this study. The field experiments were conducted during 2011 (calibration) and 2012 (validation) in a semiarid region in southeastern Spain. The potatoes were irrigated with four treatments (120%, 100%, 80%, and 60% of the water requirement). The Aquacrop model was suitable for the simulation of the growth and development of potatoes in the climatic conditions of the study area. The canopy cover, total dry matter, dry matter of tubers and evapotranspiration were the primary variables analyzed. An acceptable goodness of fit was found between observed and simulated values. So, statistical indicators such as the Willmott index of agreement (d) and the coefficient of determination (R2) showed good values (d and R2>0.90) for the primary variables analyzed. Both the model and the observed data found that 80% and 60% of the water requirements were the treatments that were most efficient in the use of water. A high temperature stress coefficient affecting the harvest index is recommended to be incorporated in the model for avoiding overestimations of yield.
The purpose of this study was to compare the neurotrophic factor response following one session of high-intensity exercise, resistance training or both in a cohort of physically inactive overweight ...adults aged 18-30 years old. A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial of 51 men (23.6 ± 3.5 years; 83.5 ± 7.8 kg; 28.0 ± 1.9 kg/m
) who are physically inactive (i.e., < 150 min of moderate-intensity exercise per week or IPAQ score of <600 MET min/week for >6 months) and are either abdominally obese (waist circumference ≥90 cm) or have a body mass index, BMI ≥25 and ≤ 30 kg/m
were randomized to the following four exercise protocols: high-intensity exercise (4 × 4 min intervals at 85-95% maximum heart rate HRmax interspersed with 4 min of recovery at 75-85% HRmax) (
= 14), resistance training (12-15 repetitions per set, at 50-70% of one repetition maximum with 60 s of recovery) (
= 12), combined high-intensity and resistance exercise (
= 13), or non-exercising control (
= 12). The plasma levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (also known as neurotrophin 4/5; NT-4 or NT-4/5), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined before (pre-exercise) and 1-min post-exercise for each protocol session. Resistance training induced significant increases in NT-3 (+39.6 ng/mL 95% CI, 2.5-76.6;
= 0.004, and NT-4/5 (+1.3 ng/mL 95% CI, 0.3-2.3;
= 0.014), respectively. Additionally, combined training results in favorable effects on BDNF (+22.0, 95% CI, 2.6-41.5;
= 0.029) and NT-3 (+32.9 ng/mL 95% CI, 12.3-53.4;
= 0.004), respectively. The regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between changes in BDNF levels and changes in NT-4/5 levels from baseline to immediate post-exercise in the combined training group (
= 0.345,
= 0.034) but not the other intervention groups. The findings indicate that acute resistance training and combined exercise increase neurotrophic factors in physically inactive overweight adults. Further studies are required to determine the biological importance of changes in neurotrophic responses in overweight men and chronic effects of these exercise protocols.
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02915913 (Date: September 22, 2016).
We present the first results of a comprehensive photometric O-star survey performed with a robotic twin refractor at the Universitatsstemwarte Bochum located near Cerro Armazones in Chile. For three ...high-mass stars, Pismis 24-1, CPD-51degrees 8946, and HD 319702, we determined the period through the Lafler-Kinman algorithm and modelled the light curves within the frame-work of the Roche geometry. For Pismis 24-1, a previously known eclipsing binary, we provide the first light curves and determined a photometric period of 2.36 days together with an orbital inclination of 61.8degrees. The best-fitting model solution to the light curves suggests a detached configuration. With a primary temperature of T sub(1) = 42 520 K we obtained the temperature of the secondary component as T sub(2) = 41 500 K. The CPD-51degrees 8946 system is another known eclipsing binary for which we present a revised photometric period of 1.96 days with an orbital inclination of 58.4degrees. The system probably has a semi-detached configuration and a mass ratio q = M sub(1)/M sub(2) = 2.8. If we adopt a primary temperature of T sub(1) = 34 550 K, we obtain T sub(2) = 21 500 K for the secondary component. The HD 319702 system is a newly discovered eclipsing binary member of the young open cluster NGC 6334. The system shows well-defined eclipses favouring a detached configuration with a period of 2.0 days and an orbital inclination of 67.5degrees. Combining our photometric result with the primary spectral type 08 III(f) (T sub(1) = 34000 K) we derive a temperature of T sub(2) = 25 200 K for the secondary component.
Increased tissue stiffness is a driver of breast cancer progression. The transcriptional regulator YAP is considered a universal mechanotransducer, based largely on 2D culture studies. However, the ...role of YAP during in vivo breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we find that mechanotransduction occurs independently of YAP in breast cancer patient samples and mechanically tunable 3D cultures. Mechanistically, the lack of YAP activity in 3D culture and in vivo is associated with the absence of stress fibers and an order of magnitude decrease in nuclear cross-sectional area relative to 2D culture. This work highlights the context-dependent role of YAP in mechanotransduction, and establishes that YAP does not mediate mechanotransduction in breast cancer.
This paper presents a navigation strategy for a platoon of n non-holonomic mobile robots with a time-varying spacing policy between each pair of successive robots at the platoon, such that a safe ...trailing distance is maintained at any speed, avoiding the robots getting too close to each other. It is intended that all the vehicles in the formation follow the trajectory described by the leader robot, which is generated by bounded input velocities. To establish a chain formation among the vehicles, it is required that, for each pair of successive vehicles, the (i+1)-th one follows the trajectory executed by the former i-th one, with a delay of τ(t) units of time. An observer is proposed to estimate the trajectory, velocities, and positions of the i-th vehicle, delayed τ(t) units of time, consequently generating the desired path for the (i+1)-th vehicle, avoiding numerical approximations of the velocities, rendering robustness against noise and corrupted or missing data as well as to external disturbances. Besides the time-varying gap, a constant-time gap is used to get a secure trailing distance between each two successive robots. The presented platoon formation strategy is analyzed and proven by using Lyapunov theory, concluding asymptotic convergence for the posture tracking between the (i+1)-th robot and the virtual reference provided by the observer that corresponds to the i-th robot. The strategy is evaluated by numerical simulations and real-time experiments.
The validation of several micellar LC-based analytical methodologies was described. These methods were able to quantify quinolones in fish from fisheries, hydroxytyrosol in olive extracts and ...biogenic amines in anchovy sauce. The validation was performed following the requirements of official guides to provide more reliability. Two guides suggested by renowned institution are described: US FDA Guidance for Industry and EU Regulation 2002/657/EC Decision. The appropriate guide was used for each method, depending of the analyte, the matrix and the scope of sample. The calculated validation parameters were those proposed by the guide: selectivity, calibration range, linearity, LOD and LOQ, inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision, limit of decision, detection capability, robustness, recovery and stability. The methodologies were successfully validated by the selected guideline, indicating their suitability to be applied to analysis of real samples, proven to be useful to its intended purpose.
We report on characterization of bio-additive from
Jatropha curcas
L. oil (JBA) in mineral-based oil (MBO) at different viscosities with 10 % and 20 % ratios blends of JBA. Measurements of kinematic ...viscosity and mass density were carried out to know the physical changes of MBOs when JBA is added. Also, a thermal characterization of the samples was performed. The thermal conductivity,
k
, and specific heat,
c
, were obtained using their relationship with thermal effusivity,
e
, and thermal diffusivity,
α
, which were determined by the front and back photopyroelectric techniques, respectively. We show that a correlation between kinematic viscosity and thermal conductivity exists with the percentage of JBA in the blend. The obtained thermal conductivities values were compared with those retrieved using the hot-wire technique showing a good agreement. JBA demonstrated special features to improve the thermal properties and to be able to be used as a viscosity modifier of the MBOs, which could be reflected in a better performance in machinery that uses engine oil.
•The study focusses on an EV charging station design problem.•EV charging station operation is modelled in detail.•EV power demand is represented by an Erlang B queuing model.•The EV operations ...include the purchase and sale of energy in the electricity market.•This design problem includes a wide variety of energy sources.•A genetic algorithm was adapted to deal with the complexity of the design problem.
The development of electric vehicles (EVs) depends on several factors: the EV’s acquisition price, autonomy, the charging process and the charging infrastructure. This paper is focused on the last factor: the design of an EV fast-charging station. In order to improve the profitability of the fast-charging stations and to decrease the high energy demanded from the grid, the station includes renewable generation (wind and photovoltaic) and a storage system. Unlike other papers, this one uses a detailed model of the charging process that considers the arrival time and state of charge of electric vehicles. First, the Monte Carlo method is used to model the EV demand and the renewable generation. Later, a genetic algorithm (GA) optimizes the installation and operation of the EV fast-charging station. It finds the optimal solution that maximizes the profit measured by its net present value (NPV). Several cases are studied to analyse the influence of renewable energies and storage systems. The obtained results show that a mix of renewable energies and storage systems attains the best cost efficient solution.
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