A Simplified Method for Considering Achilles Tendon Curvature in the Assessment of Tendon Elongation

The consideration of the Achilles tendon (AT) curvature is crucial for the precise determination of AT length and strain. We previously established an ultrasound-kinematic-based method to quantify the curvature, using a line of reflective foil skin markers covering the AT from origin to insertion. The current study aimed to simplify the method by reducing the number of markers while maintaining high accuracy. Eleven participants walked (1.4 m/s) and ran (2.5, 3.5 m/s) on a treadmill, and the AT curvature was quantified using reflective foil markers aligned with the AT between the origin on the gastrocnemius myotendinous-junction (tracked by ultrasound) and a marker on the calcaneal insertion. Foil markers were then systematically removed, and the introduced error on the assessment of AT length and strain was calculated. We found a significant main effect of marker number on the measurement error of AT length and strain (p<0.001). Using more than 30% of the full marker-set for walking and 50% for running, the R2 of the AT length error saturated, corresponding to average errors of <0.1 mm and <0.15% strain. Therefore, a substantially reduced marker-set, associated with a marginal error, can be recommended for considering the AT curvature in the determination of AT length and strain.

Thermal Performance of Double-Pane Lightweight Steel Framed Walls with and without a Reflective Foil

One strategy to increase energy efficiency of buildings could be the reduction of undesirable heat losses by mitigating the heat transfer mechanisms across the building envelope. The use of thermal insulation is the simplest and most straightforward way to promote thermal resistance of building elements by reducing the heat transfer by conduction. However, whenever there is an air cavity, radiation heat transfer could be also very relevant. The use of thermal reflective insulation materials inside the air gaps of building elements is likewise an effective way to increase thermal resistance without increasing weight and wall thickness. Some additional advantages are its low-cost and easy installation. In this work, the performance of a thermal reflective insulation system, constituted by an aluminium foil placed inside an air cavity between a double pane lightweight steel framed (LSF) partition, is experimentally evaluated for different air gap thicknesses, ranging from 0 mm up to 50 mm, with a step increment of 10 mm. We found a maximum thermal resistance improvement of the double pane LSF walls due to the reflective foil of around +0.529 m2∙°C/W (+21%). The measurements of the R-values were compared with predictions provided by simplified models (CEN and NFRC 100). Both models were able to predict with reasonable accuracy (around ±5%) the thermal behaviour of the air cavities within the evaluated double pane LSF walls.

Manipulation of landing behaviour of two whitefly species by reflective foils

Whiteflies are major pests on several vegetable and ornamental crops. Landing behaviour is strongly influenced by wavelength (nm) of reflected light from ground and surrounding vegetation. This paper deals with manipulation of whitefly landing behaviour in semi-field greenhouse experiments using background foils, either white foils with high reflection of short wavelength radiation or green foils reducing contrast between target plants and background (soil). The reactions of two different whitefly species were compared to detect possible differences between specialist (Aleyrodes proletella) and generalist (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) species. Dual-choice experiments were performed in a greenhouse using ice-lettuce, Lactuca sativa var. capitata (T. vaporariorum) and broccoli, brassica oleracera var. Italica P (A. proletella) as model plants. The results show strong impact of the white reflective foil in controlling landing behaviour of both species, whereas the effect of the contrast-minimising foil was much lower. Light influence was stronger on generalist than on specialist species. Mechanisms behind these effects and opportunities for inclusion in an integrated pest management strategy are discussed.

Influence of reflective foil on persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit peel colour and selected bioactive compounds

The purpose of this work was to investigate how to overcome the negative effect of anti-hail netting on the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in persimmon trees and persimmon fruit colour, flesh firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) and individual carotenoid and phenolic compound contents (determined via HPLC-MS) under a hail net with the use of reflective foil. Reflective foil increased the PPFD on the lower side of the fruits, while there was no significant difference on the upper side compared to those of the control group. The CIE colour parameters a* and h° indicated more intense red colouration of the fruits in the foil treatment than those in the control. Among carotenoids, the content of β-carotene increased, and the content of zeaxanthin decreased in fruits in the reflective foil treatment group, while the content of other carotenoids was not affected by the reflective foil. Among individual phenolic compounds in the persimmon peel, greater light intensity significantly influenced all three phenolic compound subgroups: phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols and flavonols. The content of gallic acid in the persimmon flesh increased the most, while other phenolics did not show any significant differences in concentrations between the foil and control groups. This study is the first to examine the influence of reflective foil on bioactive compounds in persimmon fruit. The use of reflective foil in persimmon orchards improves persimmon fruit colour and selected bioactive compound contents.

EXAMINATION METHOD OF THE EFFECT OF THE INCIDENCE ANGLE OF LASER BEAM ON DISTANCE MEASUREMENT ACCURACY TO SURFACES WITH DIFFERENT COLOUR AND ROUGHNESS

Interest in the influence of the incidence angle of a laser beam to distance measurements can be seen in many areas of science and technology: geodesy, glaciology, archaeology, machine automation, and others. This paper presents results of measurements of the effect of the incidence angle of a laser beam to distance measurements to the surfaces of different colour and roughness by Topcon's electro-optical total station with an accuracy of 3 mm. Measurement method and the method of elimination of test stand errors are presented. The results of measurements have been analysed and the influence of selected factors (surface colour and roughness, lack of instrument rectification) on the distance measurement have been discussed. It is also shown the critical incidence angle above which it can be impossible to measure distances to reflective foil with tested total station

Extensive Testing and Comparison of a New Type of Target for Use in Engineering Surveying

The paper deals with the testing of a special target for determining the exact dimensions of steel structures and their descriptions. In most cases, the accuracy required in mechanical engineering is on the order of millimetres, and the location of a point on a steel construction is marked by a centre punch. Due to the segmentation of steel constructions and the impossibility of the vertical placement of a target, it is very difficult to use ordinary prisms because of their size and the linear error from a wrong rotation and a nontrivial conversion of the centre of a prism into a centre punch on a steel construction. For a more accurate determination of spatial coordinates, a special reflective target with a reflective foil and a mechanical collimator, which ensures the correct angle to the target device according to the instructions of the person at the instrument, has been developed. Centration with a high degree of accuracy is achieved by a spike. Its functionality and usability goals have been tested and compared with standard methods of measurements and goals in engineering structures.

Life Cycle Assessment of a Reflective Foil Material and Comparison With Other Solutions for Thermal Insulation of Buildings

In the last twenty years, the exploitation of non-renewable resources and the effects of their applications on environment and human health were considered central topics in political and scientific debate on European and worldwide scale. This kind of resources have been used in different sectors, as energy systems, technological research, but also in private/public buildings and production of consumer goods, involving significantly domestic and ordinary life of every human being. Studies about the effect of this exploitation carried out discouraging results, in terms of climate changes and energy sustenance; this determined a progressive approach process to a new concept of development, able to couple the qualitative standard of modern life with the respect of planet and its inhabitants. Starting from this reflection, scientific community moved towards research on alternative resources and developed a new way to conceive planning process and technical innovations, in order to exploit renewable energies and recycled materials, promote energy savings and reduce environmental pollution. In this context the present paper aims at evaluating benefits relating to different solutions of thermal insulation in building envelope. In fact a high grade of insulation ensures better comfort conditions in inner spaces, reducing energy consumptions due to heating and cooling conditioning. The paper presents the results of a detailed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the reflective foil ISOLIVING, conceived and produced by an Italian company. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology allows to consider all stages of the life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the product’s disposal, in an optics “from cradle to grave.” In particular, the study takes into account the production phase of the reflective foil ISOLIVING, the installation phase, the transport of all components to the production site and also the end of life scenario of the material. The possibility to collect many detailed information about the production phase adds value to the study. The analysis is carried out according to UNI EN ISO 14040 and UNI EN ISO 14044, which regulate the LCA procedure. The LCA modeling was performed using SimaPro software application. The results of the analysis allow to make an important comparison concerning the environmental performances, between the reflective foil ISOLIVING and other types of insulating materials.