Search results for "FLE"
showing 10 items of 3517 documents
Assessing Field and Laboratory Calibration Protocols for the Diviner 2000 Probe in a Range of Soils with Different Textures
2016
Frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) downhole sensors have been increasingly used for soil moisture field monitoring because they allow measurement, even continuously, along a soil profile. Moreover, they can also be installed with minimal soil disturbance around the access tube. The objectives of the paper were to assess the field and laboratory calibration protocols for a FDR capacitance probe (Diviner 2000) for a range of soils characterized by different particle size distributions and shrink/swell potential and to propose a practical and effective protocol on the basis of undisturbed soil samples, accounting for soil shrinkage/swelling processes characterizing swelling clay soils. The e…
Empowering Photovoltaics with Smart Light Management Technologies
2021
The daily Sun supplies the continents of the Earth with four times more energy than humanity consumes in a year. This enormous potential of solar energy to generate clean energy is therefore driving great efforts to replace conventional and unsustainable fossil fuel consumption that damages our climate and our environment. Solar photovoltaic (PV) is emerging as the fastest growing renewable energy technology in the world, yet its share to the electricity production currently is less than 3%. While coal and gas remain key to electricity production, the climate crisis demands a fast transition to a carbon-neutral energy system. In the year 2019, the PV industry produced solar panels with a ca…
Mechanical and neural stretch responses of the human soleus muscle at different walking speeds
2009
During human walking, a sudden trip may elicit a Ia afferent fibre mediated short latency stretch reflex. The aim of this study was to investigate soleus (SOL) muscle mechanical behaviour in response to dorsiflexion perturbations, and to relate this behaviour to short latency stretch reflex responses. Twelve healthy subjects walked on a treadmill with the left leg attached to an actuator capable of rapidly dorsiflexing the ankle joint. Ultrasound was used to measure fascicle lengths in SOL during walking, and surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record muscle activation. Dorsiflexion perturbations of 6 deg were applied during mid-stance at walking speeds of 3, 4 and 5 km h(-1). At eac…
The Hoffmann reflex of human plantar foot muscles
1998
Electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa evoked an M wave (10.9 ms) and a late reflex response (38.1 ms) in the plantar foot muscles of all 10 volunteers. The late response had a somewhat lower electrical threshold than the corresponding M wave (8.5 versus 9 mA), and reached a maximum of amplitude when the stimulus intensity was increased, but was strongly suppressed by further increased intensity. A more distal stimulation of the tibial nerve at the ankle shortened the onset latency of the M wave and lengthened that of the late response. The reflex was facilitated by activation of synergists and inhibited by activation of antagonists. We showed that the late respon…
Effects of prolonged walking on neural and mechanical components of stretch responses in the human soleus muscle
2009
After repeated passive stretching, tendinous tissue compliance increases in the human soleus (SOL) muscle–tendon unit. During movement, such changes would have important consequences for neural and mechanical stretch responses. This study examined the existence of such effects in response to a 75 min walking intervention. Eleven healthy subjects walked on a treadmill at 4 km h−1 with a robotic stretch device attached to the left leg. Ultrasonography was used to measure SOL fascicle lengths, and surface EMG activity was recorded in the SOL and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Perturbations of 6 deg were imposed at three different measurement intervals: Pre (immediately before the walking inte…
Age dependency of neuromuscular function and dynamic balance control
2010
Abstract The purpose of the present study was to examine whether static and dynamic balance control are related to neuromuscular function and ageing. For this purpose, we constructed a new dynamic balance measurement system that simulates natural falling. Ten young (age 21–31 years) and 20 elderly (age 60–70 years) men participated in the experiment. Maximal isometric torque (MVC) and activation level were measured from the quadriceps and plantar flexor muscles. The H-reflex, V-wave, and maximal M-wave were measured from the soleus muscle. In dynamic balance control, anterior-posterior centre-of-pressure swaying was 74±8.1 mm in the young men and 91.5±19.4 mm in the elderly men (P<0.05), wh…
Determination of lidocaine in urine at low ppm levels using dispersive microextraction and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared me…
2015
Abstract IR spectra provide valuable information about biological systems and can be obtained with compactable and affordable instruments, but the lack of sensitivity of this technique hampers its use in the determination of drugs in clinical fluids. Taking lidocaine as a target molecule, in this paper we introduced a methodology for determining drugs in urine samples using infrared spectroscopy. The lack of sensitivity of the IR was compensated with the combination of an effective and straightforward dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and the measurement of the dry film of the organic extracts through attenuated total reflectance (ATR). The method developed improves the sensitivity b…
Ilustración apologética al primero, y segundo tomo del Teatro Critico : donde se notan mas de quatrocientos descuidos al Autor del Anti-Teatro; y d…
1777
Sig. a-b8, A-Dd8 Justa repulsa de iniquas acusaciones : Carta en que, manifestando las imposturas, que contra el Teatro Crítico, y su Autor diò ... Francisco Soto Marne...escribe ... Feijoó Són 2 t. en 1 vol. - Notes a peu de pag. - Reclams
Effect of UD carbon on the specific mechanical properties of glass mat composites for marine applications
2009
In this work the influence of a uniaxial carbon fabric layer on the mechanical performances of a glass mat/epoxy composite used for marine applications has been studied. All the structures have been made, at room temperature, by vacuum bagging technique. Tension and flexural tests have been carried out in order to evaluate the specific mechanical properties of the composite and to compare these with those of the marine aluminium alloy 6016-T4. The glass composites have higher specific strength but lower specific modulus than aluminium alloy. To increase the specific modulus of the composites, each layer of glass mat has been replaced with a layer of uniaxial carbon fabric. In addition, a s…
The colour of light for urban spaces
2013
Light in urban spaces was first introduced to prevent crimes against both people and properties and, while there is no study that confirms crimes' reduction in lit spaces, it is undeniable that people feel safer in lit urban spaces. Over the years it became evident that light can also improve the liveability of cities and enhance their characteristics, therefore in the last years a growing attention was paid to urban lighting design taking into account the environmental impact and energy saving requirements too. The will to use the lighting design project to improve the liveability of historical centres it’s clear: the city during the night is no more conceived like a sum of lit architectur…