Improving data fusion in personal positioning systems for outdoor environments

A fault detection and correction methodology for personal positioning systems for outdoor environments is presented. We demonstrate its successful use in a system consisting of a global positioning system receiver and an inertial measurement unit. Localization is based on the dead reckoning algorithm. In order to obtain more reliable information from data fusion, which is carried out with Kalman filtering, the proposed methodology involves: (1) evaluation of the information provided by the sensors and (2) adaptability of the filtering. By carefully analyzing these factors we accomplish fault detection in different sources of information and in filtering. This allows us to apply corrections whenever the system requires it. Hence, our methodology consists of two stages. In the first stage, the evaluation is conducted. We apply the principles of causal diagnosis using possibility theory by defining states for normal behavior and for fault states. When a fault occurs, corrective measures are applied according to empirical knowledge. In the second stage, the consistency test of the filtering is performed. If this is inconsistent, principles of adaptive Kalman filtering are applied, which means the process and measurement noise matrices are tuned. Our results indicate a reasonable improvement of the trajectory obtained. At the same time, we can achieve consistent filtering, to obtain a more robust system and reliable information.     

Frequency of migrants and migratory activity are genetically correlated in a bird population: evolutionary implications

Most migratory bird populations are composed of individuals that migrate and individuals that remain resident. While the role of ecological factors in maintaining this behavioral dimorphism has received much attention, the importance of genetic constraints on the evolution of avian migration has not yet been considered. Drawing on the recorded migratory activities of 775 blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) from a partially migratory population in southern France, we tested two alternative genetic models about the relationship between incidence and amount of migratory activity. The amount of migratory activity could be the continuous variable "underlying" the phenotypic expression of migratory urge, or, alternatively, the expression of both traits could be controlled by two separate genetic systems. The distributions of migratory activities in five different cohorts and the inheritance pattern derived from selective breeding experiments both indicate that incidence and amount of migratory activity are two aspects of one trait. Thus, all birds without measurable activity have activity levels at the low end of a continuous distribution, below the limit of expression or detection. The phenotypic dichotomy "migrant-nonmigrant" is caused by a threshold which may not be fixed but influenced both genetically and environmentally. This finding has profound implications for the evolution of migration: the transition from migratoriness to residency should not only be driven by selection favoring resident birds but also by selection for lower migratory activity. This potential for selection on two aspects, residency and migration distance, of the same trait may enable extremely rapid evolutionary changes to occur in migratory behavior.     

Multiobjective structural optimization using a microgenetic algorithm

In this paper, we present a genetic algorithm with a very small population and a reinitialization process (a microgenetic algorithm) for solving multiobjective optimization problems. Our approach uses three forms of elitism, including an external memory (or secondary population) to keep the nondominated solutions found along the evolutionary process. We validate our proposal using several engineering optimization problems taken from the specialized literature and compare our results with respect to two other algorithms (NSGA-II and PAES) using three different metrics. Our results indicate that our approach is very efficient (computationally speaking) and performs very well in problems with different degrees of complexity.     

Graded balloon dilation atrial septostomy in severe primary pulmonary hypertension. A therapeutic alternative for patients nonresponsive to vasodilator treatment

Endothelial cell cultures were established from several wild African mammalian species. Long-term cultures were established from three ruminants, stable antelope (Hippotragus niger), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), and eland (Tragelaphus oryx), and from an omnivore, the bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus). Cowdria ruminanntium was isolated from plasma of clinically affected animals in these four cell lines and in bovine endothelial cells used routinely for C. ruminantium propagation. Nineteen different strains of C. ruminantium from Africa and the Caribbean region were grown and maintained in these cell lines and their growth was comparable with growth in the bovine endothelial cells. The role of sable antelope, eland, and bushpigs in the epidemiology of heartwater is unknown. However, these results extend the number of cell lines that can be used to isolate and grow C. ruminantium.     

Allylsilanes and vinylsilanes from silylcupration of carbon-carbon multiple bonds: scope and synthetic applications

Silylcupration of multiple bonds (allenes, acetylenes, dienes, and styrenes) has become one of the most efficient procedures for the synthesis of vinyl- and allylsilanes. These substrates are useful building blocks in organic synthesis since they undergo a great variety of silicon-assisted transformations. The methodology reported has been widely used in the synthesis of different natural products, as well as in the construction of carbo- and heterocycles. In this Account, we wish to illustrate our contribution to this field, as well as to highlight the contributions of others.     

Mexican Bottom of Barrel Life Cycle environmental improvement proposal

Growing economies have the dual challenge of economical and industrial growing, but in a sustainable way and with protection of Ecosystems, all prior requirements are a must that are either satisfied or Human Kind will suffer the irreparable loss of Earth Biosphere. Prospective studies show that for the period 1990–2010 the petroleum will be heavier and richer in sulphur. In order to make a more sustainable use of Mexican heavy petroleum the actual “Life Cycle” of Mexican Bottom of Barrel crude oil can be modified through the proposal of producing an activated carbon (CAFOB) from Mexican petroleum vacuums residue and Mexican petroleum coke applied in the flue gases desulphuration, therefore, experimental activated carbon was made from Mexican petroleum vacuums residue and petroleum coke and desulphuration adsorption tests of a synthetic flue gas mixture similar in composition to flue gases produced from the burning of Mexican heavy fuel oil were made. Commercial activated carbons were used as reference materials. The CAFOB180M experimental activated carbon showed a good desulphuration capacity compared to commercial activated carbon, showing its potentiality in the process of evolving the actual “Life Cycle” of Mexican Bottom of Barrel crude oil to a more sustainable one.     

Ecotaxes and their impact in the cost of steam and electric energy generated by a steam turbine system

Ecotaxes allow the internalization of costs that are considered externalities associated with polluting industrial process emissions to the atmosphere. In this paper, ecotaxes internalize polluting emissions negative impacts that are added to electricity and steam generated costs of a steam turbine and heat recovery systems from a utilities refinery plant. Steam costs were calculated by means of an exergy analysis tool and Aspen Plus simulation models. Ecotaxes were calculated for specific substances emitted in the refinery flue gases, based on a toxicity and pollution scale. Ecotaxes were generated from a model that includes damages produced to biotic and abiotic resources and considers the relative position of those substances in a toxicity and pollution scale. These ecotaxes were internalized by an exergoeconomic analysis resulting in an increase in the cost per kWh produced. This kind of ecotax is not applied in Mexico. The values of ecotaxes used in the cost determination are referred to the values currently applied by some European countries to nitrogen oxides emissions.     

Effects of the dopamine antagonist PD 152255 on juvenile rats' responses to dorsal stimulation, the transport response and related behaviors.

The authors gave 23- and 40-day-old rats doses of the dopamine D? antagonist PD 152255 and tested them on transport response intensity, vertical cling catalepsy duration, and dorsal immobility duration. Administration of PD 152255 resulted in dose-dependent increases in transport response intensity in 40-day-old rats but was without effect in 23-day-old rats. Administration of PD 152255 caused increases in dorsal immobility durations in both 23- and 40-day-old subjects. The drug was without effect on vertical cling catalepsy. Results are discussed with respect to the role of D? receptors in the transport response and the nature of D?-D? receptor interactions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multi-resistant tuberculosis of fatal outcome in a patient without HIV infection

Fifty six patients with typhoid enteric perforation who underwent operative treatment were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Twenty seven patients in group A underwent laparotomy via the Rutherford-Morrison incision while 29 patients in group B underwent the same procedure via a right paramedian incision. Surgical treatment consisted of two layer closure of the perforation with peritoneal lavage and tube drainage in all cases. Mean operating time in group A and group B was 45 +/- 10 minutes and 73 +/- 6 minutes respectively (p < 0.001). Postoperative wound dehiscence in group A and group B was observed in 2 and 11 cases respectively (p < 0.001). Incisional hernia developed in 8 patients in group B and none in group A (p < 0.01). Two patients in group A and 10 in group B developed adhesion-obstruction (p < 0.05). Differences in wound sepsis, pelvic abscess and mortality were not significant. Mean hospital stay in groups A and B was 12.4 days and 16.8 days respectively (p < 0.001). We conclude that in the presence of a confirmed preoperative diagnosis of typhoid enteric perforation, laparotomy via the Rutherford-Morrison incision may significantly reduce postoperative wound complications and morbidity without significantly altering the overall outcome.