Exploiting the RSSI Long-Term Data of a WSN for the RF Channel Modeling in EPS Environments.

In this paper, we propose a methodology to use the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) available by the protocol stack of an installed Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) at an electric-power-system environment (EPS) as a tool for obtaining the characteristic of its communication channel. Thereby, it is possible to optimize the settings and configuration of the network after its deployment, which is usually run empirically without any previous knowledge of the channel. A study case of a hydroelectric power plant is presented, where measurements recorded over a two-month period were analyzed and treated to obtain the large-scale characteristics of the radiofrequency channel at 2.

The effect of added fat on the accuracy of Cobb angle measurements in CT SPR images: A phantom study.

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity that mostly affects females aged between 10 and 17 years old. Cobb's method is the gold standard for assessing AIS. Being overweight is a common characteristic in AIS patients; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect fat mass has on the accuracy of Cobb angle measurements in 10-year-old female AIS patients.

A Hybrid VLC-RF Portable Phasor Measurement Unit for Deep Tunnels.

In this manuscript we propose a hybrid Visible Light Communication and Radio Frequency (VLC-RF) scheme for the implementation of a portable Phaser Measurement Unit (PMU) for deep underground tunnels. Through computer simulations and laboratory measurements we are capable of providing Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to the PMUs, as well as high accuracy positioning in a Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environment. The estimated PMU position, time stamp, and electrical power system measurements are sent to a central monitoring station using a radio frequency uplink with a data rate of hundreds of Kbps.

Publisher Correction: The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Immunization with the recombinant myosin regulatory light chain (FhrMRLC) in Adjuplex® adjuvant elicits a Th1-biased immune response and a reduction of parasite burden in Fasciola hepatica infected rats.

The aim of this study was to assess the immune response and the protective efficacy elicited by the vaccination with the recombinant Fasciola hepatica myosin regulatory light chain (FhrMRLC) in Adjuplex® adjuvant against the infection with F. hepatica in rats. Four groups of 15 animals each were used for the study, one group was immunized with the recombinant F.

Combination of herbal components (curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, cinnamaldehyde) in broiler chicken feed: Impacts on response parameters, performance, fatty acid profiles, meat quality and control of coccidia and bacteria.

The objective of this study was to determine whether curcumin and a commercial microencapsulated phytogenic supplement containing thymol, cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol in broiler chicken feed would improve health and meat quality (fatty acid profile), as well as to determine the coccidiostatic and bactericidal potential of the additives. The broiler chickens were divided into five groups: NC - negative control feed; PC - positive control; CU - with 50 mg/kg of curcumin, PHY - 100 mg/kg phytogenic; and PHY + CU, a combination of both additives at 50 mg/kg (curcumin) and 100 mg/kg (phytogenic). We observed significantly higher levels of total proteins associated with increased circulating globulins, as well as lower levels of uric acid, cholesterol and triglycerides in the PHY + CU group than in the NC.

The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales.

Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants' interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers.

Availability of nutrients, removal of nicotine, heavy metals and pathogens in compounds obtained from smuggled cigarette tobacco compost associated with industrial sewage sludge.

This study evaluated the chemical and microbiological properties of the compost obtained from the tobacco of smuggled cigarettes (SCT) and industrial sewage sludge (ISS). The composting was carried out in three reactors from different combinations of residues. The compost was analyzed to verify the percentage of nicotine removal, heavy metals, nutrient content and the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms.

A review of the application of ergonomics in instructional design.

Background: Ergonomics can help instructional designers to develop projects compatible with students' needs, capabilities, and limitations.

Objective: We intend to verify the application of ergonomics in instructional design methods, methodologies, techniques, and recommendations.

Methods: We searched journal articles in the following databases: Compendex, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science.

Robust Estimators in Geodetic Networks Based on a New Metaheuristic: Independent Vortices Search.

Geodetic networks provide accurate three-dimensional control points for mapping activities, geoinformation, and infrastructure works. Accurate computation and adjustment are necessary, as all data collection is vulnerable to outliers. Applying a Least Squares (LS) process can lead to inaccuracy over many points in such conditions.

Key volatile compounds of 'Fuji Kiku' apples as affected by the storage conditions and shelf life: Correlation between volatile emission by intact fruit and juice extracted from the fruit.

For the 'Fuji Kiku' apple, this study aimed: (i) to evaluate the volatile compounds (VCs) from headspace storage chambers with static controlled atmosphere (CA) and with dynamic controlled atmosphere based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) and based on respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ1.5) at ninth month of storage, during 1 and 7 days of shelf life of intact fruit, and in apple juice headspace and (ii) to determine the correlation of the VCs in the headspace from storage chambers and fruit during shelf life with the headspace VCs from apple juice as markers of quality. The VCs were isolated by solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography.

Changes in organic acids, polyphenolic and elemental composition of rosé sparkling wines treated with mannoproteins during over-lees aging.

The effect of mannoproteins on the evolution of rosé sparkling wines during over-lees aging was investigated on the basis of the chemical characterization of polyphenols, organic acids, macro- and microelements using a combined analytical approach. Variations on these constituents were assessed using Raman and near-infrared spectroscopy. During the biological aging, caffeic acid, catechin, gallic acid and malvidin-3-O-glucoside were the most abundant polyphenolics in the rosé wines.

Development of dispersive solvent extraction method to determine the chemical composition of apple peel wax.

A method to extract apple peel wax was developed using the dispersive solvent extraction technique and applied to four apple cultivars (Royal Gala, Pink Lady®, Red Delicious, and Granny Smith). Different variables of the method were optimized, namely type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvents, ionic strength, and use of ultrasound. Extracts were evaluated as gravimetric yield of wax and composition as determined by gas chromatography.

Instantaneous frequency based index to characterize respiratory crackles.

Background: Crackle is a lung sound widely employed by health staff to identify respiratory diseases. The two-cycle duration (2CD) is a quantitative index pointed out by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society to classify respiratory crackles as fine or coarse. However, this index, measured in the time domain, is highly affected by noise and filters of recording systems.

Patulin accumulation in apples under dynamic controlled atmosphere storage.

The goal of this study was to evaluate patulin contamination in 'Galaxy' and 'Fuji Kiku' apples subjected to controlled atmosphere (CA) and dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) conditions. Experiments were performed and fruit were stored for nine months under refrigeration plus 7 days shelf life at 20 °C. CA and DCA were not effective in preventing patulin production in either 'Galaxy' or 'Fuji Kiku' apples.

OSL dosimetric properties and efficiency of Brazilian natural calcium fluoride pellets.

Calcium fluoride (CaF), in both natural and synthetic forms, has been exhaustively studied and explored as thermoluminescent (TL) detector. However its sensitivity to ambient light points to the applicability of CaF as OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) detector, increasing the research about its luminescent properties. Although some properties to employ CaF detectors with OSL technique have been already demonstrated, there is a lack of some essential information as the OSL response to different types and energy of ionizing radiation.

Bioprospection of Culturable Endophytic Fungi Associated with the Ornamental Plant Pachystachys lutea.

Endophytes are fungi and bacteria that inhabit plant tissues without causing disease. Endophytes have characteristics that are important for the health of the plant and have been isolated from several plants of economic and medicinal interest but rarely from ornamental plants. The current study isolates and identifies endophytic fungi from the leaves of Pachystachys lutea and evaluates the antagonistic activity of these endophytes as well as cellulase production by the endophytes.

Long-Term Regular Eccentric Exercise Decreases Neuropathic Pain-like Behavior and Improves Motor Functional Recovery in an Axonotmesis Mouse Model: the Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1.

Although training programs with regular eccentric (ECC) exercise are more commonly used for improving muscular strength and mobility, ECC exercise effects upon functional recovery of the sciatic nerve has not yet been determined. After sciatic nerve crush, different mice groups were subjected to run on the treadmill for 30 min at a speed of 6, 10, or 14 m/min with - 16° slope, 5 days per week, over 8 weeks. During the training time, neuropathic pain-like behavior (mechanical and cold hyperalgesia) was assessed and functional recovery was determined with the grip strength test and the Sciatic Functional and Static indexes (SFI and SSI).

Volatile composition of Merlot red wine and its contribution to the aroma: optimization and validation of analytical method.

A methodology for the determination of volatile compounds in red wine using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-ion trap/ mass spectrometry (GC-IT/MS) and flame ionization detector (GC -FID) was developed, validated and applied to a sample of Brazilian red wine. The optimization strategy was conducted using the Plackett-Burman design for variable selection and central composite rotational design (CCRD). The response surface methodology showed that the performance of the extraction of the volatile compounds using divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) fiber is improved with no sample dilution, the addition of 30% NaCl, applying an extraction temperature of 56°C and extraction time of 55min.

Dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA): interaction between DCA methods and 1-methylcyclopropene on 'Fuji Suprema' apple quality.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the appropriate respiratory quotient (RQ) value to achieve a safe lowest oxygen limit (LOL), during storage of 'Fuji Suprema' apples, in dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA), treated with or without 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The apples were stored in DCA-RQ, a new technology for storing fruits, and were compared with the HarvestWatch™, a system based on chlorophyll fluorescence DCA (DCA-CF), and static controlled atmosphere. DCA-RQ1.

Effect of dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient and 1-methylcyclopropene on the metabolism and quality of 'Galaxy' apple harvested at three maturity stages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between controlled atmosphere (CA), CA+1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ) with three fruit maturity stages at harvest (early harvest date, optimal harvest date and late harvest date) on 'Galaxy' apple metabolism and quality after harvest and 9months storage plus 7days of shelf life at 20°C. Fruit stored under dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient 1.3 (DCA-RQ 1.

Assessing an imidazolium salt's performance as antifungal agent on a mouthwash formulation.

Aims: This study demonstrates the development of a mouthwash formulation containing the imidazolium salt (IMS) 1-n-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C MImCl), considering its stability and efficacy against Candida sp. Biofilm formation.

Methods And Results: A variety of in vitro test methods were applied, assessing contaminated acrylic resin strip specimens before and after applying the mouthwash formulations.

Effects of dynamic controlled atmosphere by respiratory quotient on some quality parameters and volatile profile of 'Royal Gala' apple after long-term storage.

The effects of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) and respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ) on the quality and volatile profile of 'Royal Gala' apple were evaluated. DCA storage reduces ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) oxidase activity, ethylene production and respiration rate of apples stored for 9months at 1.0°C plus 7days at 20°C, resulting in higher flesh firmness, titratable acidity and lesser physiological disorders, and provided a higher proportion of healthy fruit.