Search

The paper presents the evolution of the tail surface design of a micro air vehicle based on adaptive wing geometry. The initial prototype was conceived as a tailless aircraft geometry, waiting for future innovations and stability augmentations. An initial experimental test bench will be presented to characterize the variation of wing profile curvature as a function of the voltage, through MFC actuators. Once these results have been analyzed, the process of conceiving a conventional T-tail was initiated, ultimately evolving toward the proposal of a bioinspired tail based on the tail shape of various birds. The results obtained in wind tunnel tests using PIV techniques will be presented. The results validate the selected tail surface design as an appropriate geometry for a bioinspired micro air vehicle.

There are currently several investigations being developed around Mars, primarily focused on the aerodynamics of drones and the study of atmosphere flow and Martian soil with the assistance of the Perseverance rover. Several phenomena in the Martian atmosphere can complicate flow measurements, and the Multi Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) at the rear of the rover can introduce additional uncertainty to the measurements. These measurements are conducted with the system called MEDA, which is located at the front of the rover, under its head. Therefore, it is considered of interest to carry out a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of performing tests on Earth simulating the Martian atmosphere without the need for a vacuum chamber. This would make it possible to streamline and simplify the methods used. The aim of this work is to perform simulations on a plate, that can be considered as a simplification of the MMRTG heat exchanger system, which is composed of a cylinder with flat fins around it, over free and forced convection to verify whether flow behaviour in Martian conditions can be obtained from dimensional analysis on Earth.

Summary: Cuttlefish are known for their rapid changes of appearance enabling camouflage and con-specific communication for mating or agonistic display. However, interpretation of their sophisticated behaviors and responsible brain areas is based on the better-studied squid brain atlas. Here we present the first detailed description of the neuroanatomical features of a tropical and diurnal cuttlefish, Sepia plangon, coupled with observations on ontogenetic changes in its visual and learning centers using a suite of MRI-based techniques and histology. We then make comparisons to a loliginid squid, treating it as a ‘baseline’, and also to other cuttlefish species to help construct a connectivity map of the cuttlefish brain. Differences in brain anatomy and the previously unknown neural connections associated with camouflage, motor control and chemosensory function are described. These findings link brain heterogeneity to ecological niches and lifestyle, feeding hypotheses and evolutionary history, and provide a timely, new technology update to older literature.

In this article, a comparative analysis is made between three statistical methods (Taguchi’s Orthogonal Array Testing method, Monte Carlo and Two-Point method) by integrating the uncertainty of primary sources of renewable generation in systems of electric power. The modeling of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers test system of 13 nodes is made by integrating the distributed generation with two different sources: wind and photovoltaic. For the simulation of wind power generation, the wind speed data is from El Cabo de la Vela in the Guajira department in Colombia and for the simulation of solar power generation, the solar radiation data is from Bogota city in Colombia. Once the system of 13 nodes is modeled and incorporated to the variability of primary resource and the load in each case; the load flow can be made by using the Matpower tool in Matlab for each one of the statistical methods proposed. The voltage, power generated, and power demanded data is recovered for each method to create comparison charts, establish the advantages, and disadvantages of each one in the analysis of the distribution of power systems with distributed generation. The main results are: the Taguchi’s Orthogonal Array Testing method improves its behavior if the number of levels is increased for each variable; more iterations in the Montecarlo method produce a greater precision of the probabilities; and the two-point method is a combination between the benefits of the deterministic and the probabilistic. Keywords: Distributed generation, Solar power, Wind power, Deterministic methods, Probabilistic methods

Resumen: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se relaciona con el tabaquismo como principal agente etiológico, si bien existen otros factores de riesgo que pueden interactuar influyendo en el desarrollo de la enfermedad. La definición de EPOC se asienta en tres puntos: la presencia de síntomas respiratorios persistentes, la exposición a agentes etiológicos y un cociente espirométrico obstructivo no reversible. La espirometría forzada con prueba broncodilatadora es la prueba de elección para confirmar el diagnóstico de EPOC, no obstante, se están intentando desarrollar métodos alternativos para el cribado de la enfermedad, dado el importante infradiagnóstico actual de esta patología.Con el fin de avanzar en una medicina más personalizada, en el paciente se han adoptado herramientas de clasificación como son los fenotipos clínicos y los rasgos tratables, permitiendo adecuar los tratamientos en función de las características de los pacientes. El tratamiento no farmacológico, como la deshabituación tabáquica, la vacunación, el ejercicio físico… es fundamental en el manejo de la enfermedad, así como el tratamiento farmacológico basado en los fenotipos clínicos. Los eosinófilos se han convertido en un marcador clave a la hora de instaurar el tratamiento con glucocorticoides inhalados.En el seguimiento de la enfermedad, es de especial relevancia evaluar el grado de control de esta, siendo un elemento fundamental para establecer un adecuado control la ausencia de agudizaciones. Estas conllevan importantes implicaciones en la mortalidad, morbilidad y calidad de vida de los pacientes, siendo necesarios más estudios para definir mejor los fenotipos de las agudizaciones y sus biomarcadores. Abstract: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is related to smoking as the main etiological agent although there are other risk factors that can interact influencing the development of the disease. The definition of COPD is based on three points: the presence of persistent respiratory symptoms, exposure to risk agents, and a non-reversible obstructive spirometric ratio. Forced spirometry with a bronchodilator test is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of COPD, however, attempts are being made to develop alternative methods for screening given the current significant underdiagnosis of this pathology.In order to advance in a more personalized medicine for the patient, classification tools have been adopted such as clinical phenotypes and treatable traits, allowing treatments to be adapted according to the characteristics of the patients. Non-pharmacological treatment (smoking cessation, vaccination, physical exercise...) are essential for the management of the disease, as well as pharmacological treatment based on clinical phenotypes. Eosinophils have become a key marker when establishing treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids.In the follow-up of the disease, it is very relevant to evaluate the degree of control being a fundamental element the absence of exacerbations given their implications in mortality, morbidity and quality of life of patients. More studies are needed to better define the phenotypes of exacerbations and their biomarkers.