Evaluation of the Cartographic Communication Performance of a Route Guidance and Navigation System

This study evaluates the influence of different cartographic representations of in-car navigation systems on visual demand, subjective preference, and navigational error. It takes into account the type and complexity of the representation, maneuvering complexity, road layout, and driver gender. A group of 28 drivers (14 male and 14 female) participated in this experiment which was performed in a low-cost driving simulator. The tests were performed on a limited number of instances for each type of representation, and their purpose was to carry out a preliminary assessment and provide future avenues for further studies. Data collected for the visual demand study were analyzed using non-parametric statistical analyses. Results confirmed previous research that showed that different levels of design complexity significantly influence visual demand. Non-grid-like road networks, for example, influence significantly visual demand and navigational error. An analysis of simple maneuvers on a grid-like road network showed that static and blinking arrows did not present significant differences. From the set of representations analyzed to assess visual demand, both arrows were equally efficient. From a gender perspective, women seem to took at the display more than men, but this factor was not significant. With respect to subjective preferences, drivers prefer representations with mimetic landmarks when they perform straight-ahead tasks. For maneuvering tasks, landmarks in a perspective model created higher visual demands.

Ultrasound guidance is not necessary during easy embryo transfers

Purpose: To determine whether the use of ultrasound (US) to guide embryo transfer (ET) in a population previously defined as likely to have easy transfer would change the implantation and pregnancy rates in an ICSI program.Methods: A total of 100 patients identified as likely to have easy transfer after mock transfer were divided into two groups: Group I, US-guided ET (N = 50) and Group II, ET without the aid of US (N = 50).Results: Implantation and pregnancy rates were similar (p = 0.51, p = 0.29) for Group I (19.6%,42%) and Group II (16.3%,30%), as also was the abortion rate (p = 0.55) (Group I: 1/21; Group II: 2/15).Conclusion: As long as previous mock transfers are routinely performed during a cycle preceding assisted reproduction and the clinician considers transfer to be easy, ultrasound does not benefit the process of embryo transfer.

Networked control system for the guidance of a four-wheel steering agricultural robotic platform

A current trend in the agricultural area is the development of mobile robots and autonomous vehicles for precision agriculture (PA). One of the major challenges in the design of these robots is the development of the electronic architecture for the control of the devices. In a joint project among research institutions and a private company in Brazil a multifunctional robotic platform for information acquisition in PA is being designed. This platform has as main characteristics four-wheel propulsion and independent steering, adjustable width, span of 1,80m in height, diesel engine, hydraulic system, and a CAN-based networked control system (NCS). This paper presents a NCS solution for the platform guidance by the four-wheel hydraulic steering distributed control. The control strategy, centered on the robot manipulators control theory, is based on the difference between the desired and actual position and considering the angular speed of the wheels. The results demonstrate that the NCS was simple and efficient, providing suitable steering performance for the platform guidance. Even though the simplicity of the NCS solution developed, it also overcame some verified control challenges in the robot guidance system design such as the hydraulic system delay, nonlinearities in the steering actuators, and inertia in the steering system due the friction of different terrains. Copyright © 2012 Eduardo Pacincia Godoy et al.

A randomised controlled trial of periconal eye blockade with or without ultrasound guidance

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Celestial mechanics: from the errant stars to guidance of spacecrafts

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of anesthetic efficacy and adverse effects associated with peribulbar injection of ropivacaine performed with and without ultrasound guidance in dogs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Grupo Ginástico UNESP: contribuições da Ginástica para Todos na formação de seus participantes

Gymnastics for all or General Gymnastics is a gymnastic body practice without competitive purposes, demonstrative character that combines the basics of gymnastics with different forms of body language. It is a pleasurable physical activity and inclusive, within the gymnastic possibilities offers great opportunities for participation of people, creativity, cooperation and human values experiences (AYOUB, 2003). Within this proposal is, in 2011, the Gymnastic Group UNESP, under the guidance and coordination of teachers Laurita Marconi Schiavon e Silvia Deustch as a project of university extension of the Department of Physical Education, Biosciences Institute of the São Paulo State University / Campus Rio Claro - SP. His working method and choreographic composition based on the proposal of the Gymnastic Group Unicamp, reference in this body practice in Brazil, and their course is in two parts: one for the exploration of all the resources that the teaching materials can provide and the other focused on social interaction of its participants. Therefore the research developed in this study aimed to verify contributions of the participation of members in Gymnastic Group Unesp vocational training thereof, and to verify the relationship and the approach of the members with Gym. The methodological approach adopted for this qualitative research is descriptive, and quantitative and qualitative data collected through questionnaires. The participants were 32 students from different courses at the University, and members of Gymnastic Unesp Group from 2011 to 2013, with the inclusion criteria: 1. minimum of one year of participation in Gymnastic Group Unesp; 2. Minimum of two performances of choreography in events with that group. Quantitative data are processed using descriptive statistics and qualitative analyzed by content analysis technique proposed by Laville and Dionne (1999). According to the results obtained over 41% of the participants had no...

Da formação acadêmica à atuação em educação física adaptada: a preparação do profissional de educação física para o contexto inclusivo escolar

This study examines the knowledge of the physical education teacher’s relation with inclusion of handicapped people in their classes. Thus, data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire administered in 23 teachers of Physical Education. The main difficulties to the implementation of inclusion concerned basically to the lack of applied knowledge. As suggestions, were highlighted: the need for guidance by a multidisciplinary team; continuing education; upgrades in infrastructure and appropriate teaching resources; previous experience of teaching students with disabilities were also related. The data allowed the identification of elements needed to accomplish the inclusive educational physical education purpose and the need of professional prepare to attend the inclusive quests.