Application of Air Coupled Acoustic Thermography (ACAT) for Inspection of Honeycomb Sandwich Structures

The application of a noncontact air coupled acoustic heating technique is investigated for the inspection of advanced honeycomb composite structures. A weakness in the out of plane stiffness of the structure, caused by a delamination or core damage, allows for the coupling of acoustic energy and thus this area will have a higher temperature than the surrounding area. Air coupled acoustic thermography (ACAT) measurements were made on composite sandwich structures with damage and were compared to conventional flash thermography. A vibrating plate model is presented to predict the optimal acoustic source frequency. Improvements to the measurement technique are also discussed

Tecnologia assistiva para crianças com transtorno do espectro autista que vivenciam estresse e ansiedade

With the development of current technology and influences that have been made by the Industry 4.0 utilizing ICTs, IoT, smart systems and products and many others, Assistive Technology (AT) is an important and integral part of the daily life of many people who experience disabilities. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a special category of disorder that can greatly benefit from its use. The purpose of this research is to collect data of Assistive Technology aimed at the detection, prevention and improvement of anxiety and stress (a characteristic of which has been proven to exist and is expressed in various ways in people with ASD). In the introduction, basic definitions regarding the neurobiology of stress and ASD are analyzed. In the main part AT, stress and anxiety correlations are made with ASD and AT devices are described and documented regarding their use for anxiety and stress in children and adolescents with ASD. The Assistive equipment and devices are divided into 2 main categories, 1) Low-tech and 2) Mid-High tech. The results of the research reveal a significant research gap in the use of AT to combat stress and anxiety and the difficulty of many promising options (especially in the domain of Mid-High tech) to be an easy and economical solution in integrating them into the daily life of people with ASD.Con el desarrollo de la tecnología actual y las influencias que ha tenido la Industria 4.0 utilizando TIC, IoT, sistemas y productos inteligentes y muchos otros, la Tecnología de asistencia (TA) es una parte importante e integral de la vida diaria de muchas personas que sufren de discapacidad. . . El trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) es una categoría especial de trastorno que puede beneficiarse enormemente de su uso. El objetivo de esta investigación es recopilar datos de Tecnología Asistiva dirigidos a detectar, prevenir y mejorar la ansiedad y el estrés (una característica que está comprobada y se expresa de diferentes formas en las personas con TEA). En la introducción se analizan definiciones básicas sobre la neurobiología del estrés y el TEA. En su mayor parte se realizan correlaciones de TA, estrés y ansiedad con los TEA y se describen y documentan los dispositivos de TA en relación a su uso para la ansiedad y el estrés en niños y adolescentes con TEA. Los equipos y dispositivos de asistencia se dividen en 2 categorías principales, 1) Tecnología baja y 2) Tecnología media-alta. Los resultados de la encuesta revelan una importante brecha de investigación en el uso de TA para combatir el estrés y la ansiedad y la dificultad de que muchas opciones prometedoras (especialmente en el dominio tecnológico medio-alto) sean una solución fácil y rentable para integrarlas en la vida cotidiana. de personas con TEA.Com o desenvolvimento da tecnologia atual e as influências que foram feitas pela Indústria 4.0 utilizando TICs, IoT, sistemas e produtos inteligentes e muitos outros, a Tecnologia Assistiva (TA) é uma parte importante e integrante da vida diária de muitas pessoas que sofrem de deficiência. O Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo (TEA) é uma categoria especial de transtorno que pode se beneficiar muito com seu uso. O objetivo desta pesquisa é coletar dados de Tecnologia Assistiva voltados para a detecção, prevenção e melhora da ansiedade e do estresse (característica que comprovadamente existe e se expressa de diversas formas em pessoas com TEA). Na introdução, são analisadas definições básicas sobre a neurobiologia do estresse e do TEA. Na parte principal, são feitas correlações de TA, estresse e ansiedade com ASD e dispositivos de TA são descritos e documentados em relação ao seu uso para ansiedade e estresse em crianças e adolescentes com TEA. Os equipamentos e dispositivos assistivos são divididos em 2 categorias principais, 1) Low-tech e 2) Mid-High tech. Os resultados da pesquisa revelam uma lacuna significativa de pesquisa no uso de TA para combater o estresse e a ansiedade e a dificuldade de muitas opções promissoras (especialmente no domínio da tecnologia média-alta) serem uma solução fácil e econômica em integrá-las ao cotidiano de pessoas com TEA

A terapia de integração sensorial como facilitadora do desenvolvimento da inteligência emocional em crianças com perturbação do espectro autista e o papel das TIC

Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) is a widely known and used intervention by a lot of professionals and practitioners in the field of special education as being an enabler of functionality of the child. Through intervention, the sensory processing components that have been affected are targeted. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is highly affected by sensory modulation disorder (SMD), a special subcategory of sensory processing disorder (SPD) that is expressed in various ways causing activation of Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) leading to biological and physiological stress. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a complex set of skills that drive us to higher mental states. According to theorists the basis of these skills is the ability to manage and regulate stimulus. The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the connections between SIT and EI in children with ASD. In the introduction basic definitions and concepts of ASD and SIT are analyzed and in the main part correlations between EI and SMD are made, discussing the effectiveness of SIT in ASD children.La Terapia de Integración Sensorial (SIT, por sus siglas en inglés) es una intervención ampliamente conocida utilizada por muchos profesionales y practicantes en el campo de la educación especial como facilitadora del funcionamiento infantil. A través de la intervención, los componentes del procesamiento sensorial que se han visto afectados son objeto de intervención. El Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA) es un trastorno del neurodesarrollo que se ve muy afectado por el Trastorno de Modulación Sensorial (SMD), una subcategoría especial del Trastorno del Procesamiento Sensorial (SPD) que se expresa de varias maneras, desencadenando la activación del Sistema Nervioso Autonómico (SNA) , lo que conduce a estrés biológico y fisiológico. La Inteligencia Emocional (IE) es un conjunto complejo de habilidades que nos llevan a estados mentales superiores. Según los teóricos, la base de estas habilidades es la capacidad de gestionar y regular los estímulos. El objetivo de esta revisión de la literatura es investigar los vínculos entre SIT y EI en niños con TEA. En la introducción se analizan las definiciones y conceptos básicos de TEA y SIT y, en su mayor parte, se realizan correlaciones entre IE y SMD, discutiendo la efectividad de SIT en niños con TEA.A Terapia de Integração Sensorial (SIT) é uma intervenção amplamente conhecida e utilizada por muitos profissionais e praticantes no domínio da educação especial como facilitadora da funcionalidade da criança. Através da intervenção, os componentes do processamento sensorial que foram afetados são alvo de intervenção. A Perturbação do Espectro do Autismo (PEA) é uma perturbação do neurodesenvolvimento muito afetada pela perturbação da modulação sensorial (SMD), uma subcategoria especial da perturbação do processamento sensorial (SPD) que se exprime de várias formas, provocando a ativação do Sistema Nervoso Autónomo (SNA), o que leva a um stress biológico e fisiológico. A Inteligência Emocional (IE) é um conjunto complexo de competências que nos conduzem a estados mentais mais elevados. De acordo com os teóricos, a base destas competências é a capacidade de gerir e regular os estímulos. O objetivo desta revisão da literatura é investigar as ligações entre os SIT e a IE em crianças com PEA. Na introdução, são analisadas as definições e os conceitos básicos de PEA e de SIT e, na parte principal, são feitas correlações entre a IE e o SMD, discutindo-se a eficácia do SIT em crianças com PEA

EDGIE: A simulation test-bed for investigating the impacts of building and vehicle electrification on distribution grids

Replacing fossil-fueled appliances and vehicles with electric versions can significantly reduce emissions. However, electric heating and vehicle charging can cause peaks in electricity demand that stress infrastructure in buildings and power grids, jeopardizing reliability or forcing costly infrastructure upgrades. This paper presents the open-source EDGIE (Emulating the Distribution Grid Impacts of Electrification) toolbox. EDGIE matches experiment data from an all-electric home in cold weather. It can simulate many locations and levels of technology adoption, and supports optimization and network power flow simulation. In simulations of a fully electrified neighborhood during the coldest week of 2019 in New York, demand peaks at quadruple today\u27s summer peak. Peaks are particularly sensitive to the use of overnight thermostat set-point reductions and to the efficiencies of heat pumps and building envelopes. Optimal vehicle-to-home coordination with flexible space and water heating reduces peak demand by 35% and transformer degradation by 99%

Inclusive Education for International Students: Applications of a Constructivist Framework

International students are a globally growing population that have numerous risk factors to their successful matriculation. One classroom tool university instructors have to combat these risk factors is utilizing an inclusive pedagoglogical framework. Instructors of international students that wish to apply an inclusive pedagogy to meet the needs of all students are lacking in concrete examples and strategies. This manuscript expands upon the idea of constructivist education as a type of inclusive pedagogy and uses the Constructive Supervision Process (Guiffrida, 2015) to provide a methodology for instructors of internationals students.  The tenents of the model are described in practical detail and a table of examples is provided

Sardine and anchovy as bioindicators of metal content in Greek coastal waters

Metal and element concentrations (Li, Na, Mg, P, Ca, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb, U) were monitored in the tissues of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) from six Greek coastal areas subjected to different natural and anthropogenic forcings in order to be assessed as bioindicator species of marine metal pollution. Sardine and anchovy provided a thorough view of the metal pollution load of each site in accordance with local pollution sources. The wide range of pressures applied in Elefsina Gulf and Thermaikos Gulf are depicted in the large number and the kind of elements reaching maximum concentrations among the sites (e.g. Pb, Cu, Hg, As in Elefsina Gulf, and Cd, Ni, P in Thermaikos Gulf) while in the rest of the sites (Amvrakikos Gulf, Strymonian Sea, Thracian Sea, Artemisium Straits), few elements were found at maximum levels. Statistically significant site-specific differences in metal content were detected. The differentiation in metal content of the fish tissues among the sites could be attributed to anthropogenic pressures, different background levels and environmental conditions. Sardine and anchovy can be evaluated as appropriate, reliable and useful bioindicator species of marine metal pollution