Modelling and PI Control of an Irrigation Canal

The main goal of this paper is to expose and validate a methodology to design efficient automatic controllers for irrigation canals, based on the Saint-Venant model. This model-based methodology enables to design controllers at the design stage (when the canal is not already built). The methodology is applied on an experimental canal located in Portugal. First the full nonlinear PDE model is calibrated, using a single steady-state experiment. The model is then linearized around a functioning point, in order to design linear PI controllers. Two classical control strategies are tested (local upstream control and distant downstream control) and compared on the canal. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the model.

One-dimensional Model for Fluids of Third-grade in Tubes with Constant Radius

Our goal in this paper is to extend previous results obtained for Newtonian and secondgrade fluids to third-grade fluids in the case of an axisymmetric, straight, rigid and impermeable tube with constant cross-section using a one-dimensional hierarchical model based on the Cosserat theory related to fluid dynamics. In this way we can reduce the full threedimensional system of equations for the axisymmetric unsteady motion of a non-Newtonian incompressible third-grade fluid to a system of equations depending on time and on a single spatial variable. Some numerical simulations for the volume flow rate and the the wall shear stress are presented.

Auditoria e controlo interno no exército: Relatório de estágio

O Sector Público em Portugal atravessa um momento de viragem. O antigo modelo de gestão, burocrático e autoritário vai, aos poucos, dando lugar a um novo modelo assente no princípio dos três "E(s)"1, economia, eficiência, eficácia, ao qual se pode juntar a sustentabilidade e o respeito pelo ambiente, procura tomar os serviços públicos amigos dos cidadãos e das boas práticas. Esta metamorfose exige, contudo, uma acção concertada não só ao nível das práticas, mas também das mentalidades num trabalho conjunto de governantes gestores e auditores. É hoje indiscutível a importância que a auditoria interna tem no seio das organizações. O sector público começa agora a dar os primeiros passos nesta área procurando através da auditoria, não só evitar fraudes e detectar erros mas também apoiar a gestão através de uma actuação directa e eficaz sobre o que está a acontecer, garantindo que os recursos que são de todos, estão a ser gastos de forma adequada. No Exército já existe uma cultura de auditoria na sua vertente tradicional, ou seja, verificação do passado, efeito persuasor, verificação da legalidade detecção de erros e fraudes. A instituição só pode ganhar se nesta área for pioneira alargando o âmbito, da sua intervenção ao nível da verificação da eficácia e da eficiência melhorando e criando uma cultura de rigor e boas práticas na sua gestão. /ABSTRACT: The public sector in Portugal is at a turning point. The old management, bureaucratic and authoritarian model is gradually giving way to a new model based on the principle of the three "E (s)2”, economy, efficiency, effectiveness and, to which we can join sustainability and environmental respect. It aims at making the public service friendly for citizens and promoting better practices. This metamorphosis, however, requires a harmonized action not only at the practice level but also in the attitudes within a joint effort of governing managers and auditors. It is nowadays· indisputable the importance that internal audit has within organizations. The public sector is beginning to take the first steps in this area, seeking in the audit not only to prevent fraud and detect errors but also to support the management by working directly and effectively on what is happening, ensuring that the resources belong to everyone, and are all being spent properly. ln the Army there is already an audit culture in its traditional area, i.e., verification of the past, persuasive effect, verification of the legality, detecting errors and fraud. The institution can only win if it is pioneer in this area by expanding the scope of its intervention at the level of verification, effectiveness and efficiency, improving and creating a culture of rigor and better practices in its management. (1-Vectores chaves para o aumento da produtividade e da riqueza suporte do chamado Value for Money (VFM) - 2-Key vectors that increase the support productivity and wealth of the so called Value for Money (VFM) )

Classi cation of new electricity customers based on surveys and smart metering data

This paper proposes a process for the classifi cation of new residential electricity customers. The current state of the art is extended by using a combination of smart metering and survey data and by using model-based feature selection for the classifi cation task. Firstly, the normalized representative consumption profi les of the population are derived through the clustering of data from households. Secondly, new customers are classifi ed using survey data and a limited amount of smart metering data. Thirdly, regression analysis and model-based feature selection results explain the importance of the variables and which are the drivers of diff erent consumption profi les, enabling the extraction of appropriate models. The results of a case study show that the use of survey data signi ficantly increases accuracy of the classifi cation task (up to 20%). Considering four consumption groups, more than half of the customers are correctly classifi ed with only one week of metering data, with more weeks the accuracy is signifi cantly improved. The use of model-based feature selection resulted in the use of a signifi cantly lower number of features allowing an easy interpretation of the derived models.

A fuzzy clustering approach to a demand response model

This paper proposes a novel demand response model using a fuzzy subtractive cluster approach. The model development provides support to domestic consumer decisions on controllable loads management, considering consumers’ consumption needs and the appropriate load shape or rescheduling in order to achieve possible economic benefits. The model based on fuzzy subtractive clustering method considers clusters of domestic consumption covering an adequate consumption range. Analysis of different scenarios is presented considering available electric power and electric energy prices. Simulation results are presented and conclusions of the proposed demand response model are discussed.

How well can models predict changes in species distributions? A 13-year-old otter model revisited

Species distribution and ecological niche models are increasingly used in biodiversity management and conservation. However, one thing that is important but rarely done is to follow up on the predictive performance of these models over time, to check if their predictions are fulfilled and maintain accuracy, or if they apply only to the set in which they were produced. In 2003, a distribution model of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Spain was published, based on the results of a country-wide otter survey published in 1998. This model was built with logistic regression of otter presence-absence in UTM 10 km2 cells on a diverse set of environmental, human and spatial variables, selected according to statistical criteria. Here we evaluate this model against the results of the most recent otter survey, carried out a decade later and after a significant expansion of the otter distribution area in this country. Despite the time elapsed and the evident changes in this species’ distribution, the model maintained a good predictive capacity, considering both discrimination and calibration measures. Otter distribution did not expand randomly or simply towards vicinity areas,m but specifically towards the areas predicted as most favourable by the model based on data from 10 years before. This corroborates the utility of predictive distribution models, at least in the medium term and when they are made with robust methods and relevant predictor variables.

A fuzzy clustering approach to a demand response model

This paper proposes a novel demand response model using a fuzzy subtractive cluster approach. The model development provides support to domestic consumer decisions on controllable loads management, considering consumers’ consumption needs and the appropriate load shape or rescheduling in order to achieve possible economic benefits. The model based on fuzzy subtractive clustering method considers clusters of domestic consumption covering an adequate consumption range. Analysis of different scenarios is presented considering available electric power and electric energy prices. Simulation results are presented and conclusions of the proposed demand response model are discussed.

Relatório de ensino supervisionada, realizada no agrupamento vertical n.º 3 de Évora - Santa Clara e Escola Secundária Severim de Faria em ensino de educação física nos ensinos básico e secundário

O presente relatório tem como objectivo efectuar uma retrospectiva e um balanço sobre todo o trabalho desenvolvido ao longo do ano lectivo na Prática de Ensino Supervisionada (PES). A prestação do aluno de PES foi ao longo deste relatório analisada minuciosamente, sendo na sua análise implícita uma reflexão crítica de carácter importante. A PES desenvolveu-se na EB 2;3 de Santa Clara, EB1 de São Mamede e na Escola Secundária de Severim Faria. Concluiu-se que o planeamento é essencial para que exista uma organização e controlo sobre o processo ensino­ aprendizagem; que a avaliação formativa é essencial para o sucesso dos alunos; o planeamento por etapas assume-se como o mais adequado para o processo ensino­aprendizagem. Por último considera-se que leccionar uma aula é muito mais que colocar os alunos a realizar uma modalidade desportiva, sendo necessário, pensar, planear, organizar, demonstrar, acompanhar, facultar informação e adaptar-se aos alunos e ao meio escolar. ABSTRACT; The present report aims to make a retrospective overview of the work throughout the school year in Supervised Practice Teaching (SPT). The present report aims to make a retrospective overview of the work throughout the school year in Supervised Practice Teaching (SPT). The work of the student of SPT is carefully examined through this report; a critical reflexion is implicit in all chapters. The SPT was developed in three schools: EB 2, 3, Santa Clara, EB1 São Mamede and Secondary School Severim Faria. lt was concluded that planning is essential for achieving a high level of organization and control on the teaching-learning process; that the formative evaluation is fundamental for the student’s success; and that a planning model based on stages seem to be the most appropriate for the learning process. Also, it was understood that teaching a lesson is much more than getting the students practicing a sport; it requires skills like planning, organizing, demonstrating, instructing and adapting to the students and school’s characteristics.