Design and Test of a Jet Remote Control Spraying Machine for Orchards

Aimed at issues associated with the poor air supply and poor automatic targeting accuracy of existing orchard sprayers, this paper designs a jet-type orchard remote control sprayer with automatic targeting which is suitable for standardized orchards in hilly and mountainous areas. By optimizing the structure of the diversion box, the uniformity of deposition and penetration ability of the pesticide droplets to the fruit tree canopy are improved, and a uniform wild field distribution is realized simultaneously. An accurate positioning of the fruit tree canopy space orientation is achieved through automatic targeting and azimuthal adjustment systems. When the target is detected, the solenoid valve is controlled to open, and vice versa, and the distance from the nozzle to the fruit tree canopy is adjusted in real time to improve the utilization rate of pesticides. The test results show that the effective range of the jet-type orchard remote control sprayer is no more than 3.5 m, and the maximum flow rate range is 6~6.5 L/min. Within the effective spraying range, the farther the distance is, the higher the automatic targeting accuracy. The pesticide droplets sprayed by the spraying machine have a certain penetration ability, and the uniformity of the droplets is good, which solves solidification problems caused by the penetration of pesticide into the soil. This research provides a reference for jet spraying operation and automatic targeting spraying structure design.

Stereotactic and Robotic Minimally Invasive Thermal Ablation of Malignant Liver Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundStereotactic navigation techniques aim to enhance treatment precision and safety in minimally invasive thermal ablation of liver tumors. We qualitatively reviewed and quantitatively summarized the available literature on procedural and clinical outcomes after stereotactic navigated ablation of malignant liver tumors.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed on procedural and clinical outcomes when using stereotactic or robotic navigation for laparoscopic or percutaneous thermal ablation. The online databases Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. Endpoints included targeting accuracy, procedural efficiency, and treatment efficacy outcomes. Meta-analysis including subgroup analyses was performed.ResultsThirty-four studies (two randomized controlled trials, three prospective cohort studies, 29 case series) were qualitatively analyzed, and 22 studies were included for meta-analysis. Weighted average lateral targeting error was 3.7 mm (CI 3.2, 4.2), with all four comparative studies showing enhanced targeting accuracy compared to free-hand targeting. Weighted average overall complications, major complications, and mortality were 11.4% (6.7, 16.1), 3.4% (2.1, 5.1), and 0.8% (0.5, 1.3). Pooled estimates of primary technique efficacy were 94% (89, 97) if assessed at 1–6 weeks and 90% (87, 93) if assessed at 6–12 weeks post ablation, with remaining between-study heterogeneity. Primary technique efficacy was significantly enhanced in stereotactic vs. free-hand targeting, with odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 (1.2, 3.2) (n = 6 studies).ConclusionsAdvances in stereotactic navigation technologies allow highly precise and safe tumor targeting, leading to enhanced primary treatment efficacy. The use of varying definitions and terminology of safety and efficacy limits comparability among studies, highlighting the crucial need for further standardization of follow-up definitions.

SCANNER DESIGN SPECIFICITY FOR HELMET-MOUNTED TARGETING SYSTEM

Following design principles are important for helmet-mounted targeting systems. Two scanners on base of the polygonal reflector-type prisms forming the fanned field of view are fastened to head-up display. Three LEDs installed on pilot helmet form a plane, the normal of which is collinear to helmet indi-cator viewing line. Angles of LED bearings are measured with triangulation method and angular position of viewing line is calculat-ed. Two options for organization of scanning process are analyzed in the paper. In the first variant, one prism rotates in clockwise and the other in counterclockwise direction. In the second variant both prisms rotate in the same direction, clockwise for example. It is shown that if the prisms rotate in the same direction the targeting accuracy is greater. The algorithm developed for determination of targeting accuracy may be used to matching the rate of scanning and geometric parameters of helmet-mounted targeting system at prescribed accuracy of targeting.

TAP: Targeting and analysis pipeline for optimization and verification of TMS coil placement

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers possibilities to modulate function in regions of interest (ROI) in the brain via an induced electric field (E-field). The ROI E-field can be maximized using individualized computational head modeling to find an optimal scalp coil placement. We present a TMS targeting and analysis pipeline (TAP) software that uses an MRI/fMRI-derived brain target to optimize a coil placement considering experimental requirements such as subjects hair thickness and coil placement restriction. The coil placement optimization is implemented in SimNIBS 3.2 for which an additional graphical user interface (TargetingNavigator) is provided to visualize and adjust procedural parameters. The optimized coil placement information is prepared for neuronavigation software (Brainsight) which supports the targeting during the TMS experiment. The neuronavigation system can record the coil placement during the experiment and these data can be processed in TAP to evaluate retrospectively and visualize the TMS targeting accuracy.

Effectiveness of CSR Programs in The Development of Productive Economic Businesses in Semarang

The purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of CSR program distribution in developing productive economy in Semarang City. The study uses a mixed method approach that targets companies that distribute CSR and SMES beneficiary. The SMES sample was taken using the Purposive cluster random sampling technique in each kelurahan, including Culinary business, Agriculture business, Service business, and crafts. Research focuses include: type of company; type of activity ; and the effectiveness of CSR programs with indicators of targeting accuracy, objectives, and benefits. The results showed that 10 companies outside the BUMD that had channeled their CSR funds received a good category with an average value of 79.13 on the Community Development Index. With the highest score in the aspect of suitability of the needs of the community of 83.38 with a good category and the lowest score on the aspect of community involvement was 73.25 with a less good category. Research recommends: first, a pentahelix approach is needed in realizing CSR programs, both between academics as innovators, companies as donors, beneficiary communities and the government as regulators through program integration so that activities are useful; secondly, Bappeda should make a published map of public needs so that academic research and CSR programs are right on target and right on benefits; third, business actors are required to assist business licensing and product marketing through student engagement in KKN programs and promotions by the government both at national and international levels

Progress in the Application of Nanoparticles and Graphene as Drug Carriers and on the Diagnosis of Brain Infections

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is the protective sheath around the brain that protects the sensitive microenvironments of the brain. However, certain pathogens, viruses, and bacteria disrupt the endothelial barrier and cause infection and hence inflammation in meninges. Macromolecular therapeutics are unable to cross the tight junctions, thereby limiting their bioavailability in the brain. Recently, nanotechnology has brought a revolution in the field of drug delivery in brain infections. The nanostructures have high targeting accuracy and specificity to the receptors in the case of active targeting, which have made them the ideal cargoes to permeate across the BBB. In addition, nanomaterials with biomimetic functions have been introduced to efficiently cross the BBB to be engulfed by the pathogens. This review focuses on the nanotechnology-based drug delivery approaches for exploration in brain infections, including meningitis. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, or, rarely, protozoa or parasites may be the cause of brain infections. Moreover, inflammation of the meninges, called meningitis, is presently diagnosed using laboratory and imaging tests. Despite attempts to improve diagnostic instruments for brain infections and meningitis, due to its complicated and multidimensional nature and lack of successful diagnosis, meningitis appears almost untreatable. Potential for overcoming the difficulties and limitations related to conventional diagnostics has been shown by nanoparticles (NPs). Nanomedicine now offers new methods and perspectives to improve our knowledge of meningitis and can potentially give meningitis patients new hope. Here, we review traditional diagnosis tools and key nanoparticles (Au-NPs, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), QDs, etc.) for early diagnosis of brain infections and meningitis.

Targeting Accuracy Considerations for Simultaneous Tumor Treating Fields Antimitotic Therapy During Robotic Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) is a novel antimitotic treatment that was first proven effective for glioblastoma multiforme, now with trials for several extracranial indications underway. Several studies focused on concurrent TTFields therapy with radiation in the same time period, but were not given simultaneously. This study evaluates the targeting accuracy of simultaneous radiation therapy while TTFields arrays are in place and powered on, ensuring that radiation does not interfere with TTFields and TTFields does not interfere with radiation. This is one of several options to enable TTFields to begin several weeks sooner, and opens potential for synergistic effects of combined therapy. Methods: TTFields arrays were attached to a warm saline water bath and salt was added until the TTFields generator reached the maximal 2000 mA peak-to-peak current. A ball cube phantom containing 2 orthogonal films surrounded by fiducials was placed in the water phantom, CT scanned, and a radiation treatment plan with 58 isocentric beams was created using a 3 cm circular collimator. Fiducial tracking was used to deliver radiation, the films were scanned, and end-to-end targeting error was measured with vendor-supplied software. In addition, radiation effects on electric fields generated by the TTFields system were assessed by examining logfiles generated from the field generator. Results: With TTFields arrays in place and powered on, the robotic radiosurgery system achieved a final targeting result of 0.47 mm, which was well within the submillimeter specification. No discernible effects on TTFields current output beyond 0.3% were observed in the logfiles when the radiation beam pulsed on and off. Conclusion: A robotic radiosurgery system was used to verify that radiation targeting was not adversely affected when the TTFields arrays were in place and the TTFields delivery device was powered on. In addition, this study verified that radiation delivered simultaneously with TTFields did not interfere with the generation of the electric fields.