Driving while fatigued is dangerous and may result in car accidents. Moreover, adding technology to assist driving can distract the driver. In this work, we present a noninvasive and non-distracting method for monitoring driver emotions and fatigue. To the best of our knowledge, no scientifically agreed definition of emotions exists, as a physical state to be monitored. Emotion recognition is defined as measuring observations of motor system behavior that correspond with high probability to an underlying emotion or combination of emotions. This definition is based on the fact that measuring cognitive influences is currently impossible. In this work we have investigated driving sessions for identifying possible risks at drive in a certain itinerary, analyzing HRV trend. In general, HRV signals can be used as indicators of the responses of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) because the ANS is influenced by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The first one (SNS) response to an alarm situation: struggle, stress, drowsiness (and other factors) while PNS, when is activated, produces a slowing down of heart rate and breathing therefore PNS is the normal response to a situation of calmness and absence of danger and stress. For the test, we have collected ECG signals (Electrocardiography) and driver position in 15 trips on 2 daily sessions, by 2 different drivers on the same path. Results show an interesting geospatial relationship of emotions on the travelled path

Modern agriculture represents an economic sector that can mainly benefit from technology innovation according to the principles suggested by Industry 4.0 for smart farming systems. Greenhouse industry is significantly becoming more and more technological and automatized to improve the quality and efficiency of crop production. Smart greenhouses are equipped with forefront IoT- and ICT-based monitoring and control systems. New remote sensors, devices, networking communication, and control strategies can make available real-time information about crop health, soil, temperature, humidity, and other indoor parameters. Energy efficiency plays a key role in this context, as a fundamental path towards sustainability of the production. This paper is a review of the precision and sustainable agriculture approaches focusing on the current advance technological solution to monitor, track, and control greenhouse systems to enhance production in a more sustainable way. Thus, we compared and analyzed traditional versus model predictive control methods with the aim to enhance indoor microclimate condition management under an energy-saving approach. We also reviewed applications of sustainable approaches to reach nearly zero energy consumption, while achieving nearly zero water and pesticide use.

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Purpose The aim of this retrospective, multicenter study was to investigate the correlation between a high degree of rotatory instability, posterolateral tibial slope (PLTS), and anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury. Methods The study population consisted of 76 adults with isolated, complete noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The sample was divided into two groups according to the preoperative degree of rotator instability (group A: pivot-shift test grades 2 and 3; group B: pivot-shift test grade 1). Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment included angle of PLTS, posterior shift of the lateral femoral condyle (16 mm) on the tibial plateau, and the presence/absence of ALL injury. The two groups were compared for differences. Results There was a statistically significant association between pivot-shift test grades 2 and 3 (group A), PLTS slope angle > 9 degrees, and ALL injury (p < 0.05). Group A also demonstrated a greater posterior shift of lateral femoral condyle (>11 mm), which was, however, not statistically significant when evaluated as an isolated variable. Conclusion Our study indicates that an increased PLTS is associated with an increased incidence of ALL injury and an increased grade of pivot shift in patients with ACL tear. Assessment of posterolateral tibial slope on MRI can therefore play a key adjunct role in the surgical planning of ALL reconstruction, especially in cases when ALL damage is radiologically difficult to detect or doubtful. Level of Evidence This is a retrospective comparative level III study.

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