Search results for "cad"

Usability and acceptability assessment of an empathic virtual agent to prevent major depression

2016

In Human-Computer Interaction, the adaptation of the content and the way of how this content is communicated to the users in interactive sessions is a critical issue to promote the acceptability and usability of any computational system. We present a user-adapted interactive platform to identify and provide an early intervention for symptoms of depression and suicide. In particular, we describe the work performed to assess users' system acceptability and usability. An empathic Virtual Agent is the main interface with the user, and it has been designed to generate the appropriate dialogues and emotions during the interactions according to the detected user's specific needs. This personalizat…

Ethical relationship in the dentist-patient interaction

2021

Background In recent times the deontology of the dental profession has acquired special relevance as a result of problems that dentists have had to face to resolve ethical conflicts. Material and methods Information on deontology in the dental profession has been compiled in publications of health sciences in general and specific codes for dentistry, while expressing opinions about the experience of the authors themselves who, from a humanistic and health overview are concentrated in the dental area. Results This article presents our point of view of how the dentist-patient relationship should be in the face of current demands from patients and society, with a focus on the crucial role of e…

Metal distribution in the process of lignocellulosic ethanol production from heavy metal contaminated sorghum biomass

2016

II) Wood pellets for home heating can be considered environmentally friendly fuels? Heavy metals determination by inductively coupled plasma-optical …

2016

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the concentrations of twelve potentially hazardous elements in wood pellet ashes obtained by the combustion of 13 pellet brands for sale in Italy, the impact of adding the ashes to soils and health risk of operator due to dust exposure. Samples were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. The concentrations of heavy metals in ashes from stoves ranged from 0.41 to 7.2 mg kg − 1 for As, from 1.3 to 12 mg kg − 1 for Sb, from 1.8 to 12 mg kg − 1 for Zn, from 0.23 to 0.8 mg kg − 1 for Pb, from 0.18 to 2.8 mg kg − 1 for Ni, from 0.09 to 1.0 mg kg − 1 for Cd, from 0.46 to 3.4 mg kg − 1 for Cr, from 0.94 to 2.7 mg …

Heavy metal uptake by plants from wastewater of different pulp concentrations and contaminated soils

2021

There is a lack of information on the extent of mineral extraction by plants from wastewater in arid and semi-arid environments in developing countries. This research assesses the performance of Alhagi and Mallow plant species for the absorption of heavy metals around the tailings dam of a copper mine in Iran. The industrial wastewater, known as the pulp, from the copper mine site has different concentrations of heavy metals. In a laboratory setting the plants were cultivated and irrigated with different pulp concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) in water. Heavy metals (chromium, manganese, cadmium, and lead) accumulation in the aerial parts and roots of the plants, and the in-situ s…

Definition of the thermographic regions of interest in cycling by using a factor analysis

2016

Abstract Research in exercise physiology using infrared thermography has increased in the last years. However, the definition of the Regions of Interest (ROIs) varies strongly between studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use a factor analysis approach to define highly correlated groups of thermographic ROIs during a cycling test. Factor analyses were performed based on the moment of measurement and on the variation of skin temperatures as a result of the cycling exercise. 19 male participants cycled during 45 min at 50% of their individual peak power output with a cadence of 90 rpm. Infrared thermography was used to measure skin temperatures in sixteen ROIs of the trunk and lowe…

Consistent Clustering of Elements in Large Pairwise Comparison Matrices

2018

[EN] In multi-attribute decision making the number of decision elements under consideration may be huge, especially for complex, real-world problems. Typically these elements are clustered and then the clusters organized hierarchically to reduce the number of elements to be simultaneously handled. These decomposition methodologies are intended to bring the problem within the cognitive ability of decision makers. However, such methodologies have disadvantages, and it may happen that such a priori clustering is not clear, and/or the problem has previously been addressed without any grouping action. This is the situation for the case study we address, in which a panel of experts gives opinions…

Analysis of hybrid vehicle transmissions with any number of modes and planetary gearing: kinematics, power flows, mechanical power losses

2021

Abstract This paper is focused on upgrading a unified parametric model, available in the literature, that can perform both the analysis and the design of Power-Split Continuously Variable Transmissions (PS-CVTs), which are particularly promising to deploy in the hybrid electric powertrain. In particular, this work is focused on the analysis of PS-CVTs and proposes a new matrix approach for identifying the basic functional parameters underlying the model from the constructive layout of the transmission. This new method does not rely on a case-specific formulation, thus befits any power-split transmission, regardless of the number of planetary and ordinary gear sets and their constructive arr…

Formal ontology and CAD integration with macro parametric approach

2017

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses an ontological integration framework in the context of mereotopological formal ontology and CAD systems. Based on a comprehensive literature review of current design knowledge management and formal ontology research works, the authors propose the integration framework that can incorporate design knowledge with CAD systems. The primary role of mereotopology in this research work is the formal representation of design knowledge for the 3D solid assembly models. Most of the existing research works about design ontology present an abstract form and often require significant additional efforts to be integrated into CAD systems. Thus, this work introduces a formal ont…

Generative Design for Additively Manufactured Textiles in Orthopaedic Applications

2021

AbstractThe aim of this work is to implement a new process for the design and production of orthopaedic devices to realize entirely by Additive Manufacturing (AM). In particular, a generative algorithm for parametric modelling of flexible structures to use in orthopaedic devices has been developed. The developed modelling algorithm has been applied to a case study based on the design and production of a customized elbow orthosis made by Selective Laser Sintering. The results obtained have demonstrated that the developed algorithm overcomes many drawbacks typical of traditional CAD modelling approaches. FEM simulations have been also performed to validate the design of the orthosis. The new …