Feed-backs between genetic structure and perturbation-driven decline in seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows

We explored the relationships between perturbation-driven population decline and genetic/genotypic structure in the clonal seagrass Posidonia oceanica, subject to intensive meadow regression around four Mediterranean fish-farms, using seven specific microsatellites. Two meadows were randomly sampled (40 shoots) within 1,600 m2 at each site: the “impacted” station, 5–200 m from fish cages, and the “control” station, around 1,000 m downstream further away (considered a proxy of the pre-impact genetic structure at the site). Clonal richness (R), Simpson genotypic diversity (D*) and clonal sub-range (CR) were highly variable among sites. Nevertheless, the maximum distance at which clonal dispersal was detected, indicated by CR, was higher at impacted stations than at the respective control station (paired t-test: P < 0.05, N = 4). The mean number of alleles (Â) and the presence of rare alleles ( r) decreased at impacted stations (paired t-test: P < 0.05, and P < 0.02, respectively, N = 4). At a given perturbation level (quantified by the organic and nutrient loads), shoot mortality at the impacted stations significantly decreased with CR at control stations (R 2 = 0.86, P < 0.05). Seagrass mortality also increased with  (R 2 = 0.81, P < 0.10), R (R 2 = 0.96, P < 0.05) and D* (R 2 = 0.99, P < 0.01) at the control stations, probably because of the negative correlation between those parameters and CR. Therefore, the effects of clonal size structure on meadow resistance could play an important role on meadow survival. Large genotypes of P. oceanica meadows thus seem to resist better to fish farm-derived impacts than little ones. Clonal integration, foraging advantage or other size-related fitness traits could account for this effect.

Resonance control of piezolaminated structures

This paper deals with a third order shear deformation finite element model wich is applied on the active resonance control thin plate/shell laminated structures with integrated piezoelectric layers of patches, acting as sensors and actuators. The finite element model is a single layer tringular nonconforming plate/shell element with 24 degrees of freedom for he generalized displacements, and one electrical potential degree of freedom for each piezoelectric element layer, wich are surface bonded on the laminated. The newwork method is considered to calculate the dynamic response of the laminated sructures forced to vibrate in the first natural frequency. To achieve a mechanism of active control of the structure dynamic response, a feedback control algorithm is used, coupling the sensor and active piezoelectric layers. The model is applied to the solution of one illustrative case, and the results are presented and discussed.

Optimal dynamic control of laminated adaptive structures using a higher order model and a genetic algorithm

This paper deals with a finite element formulation based on the classical laminated plate theory, for active control of thin plate laminated structures with integrated piezoelectric layers, acting as sensors and actuators. The control is initialized through a previous optimization of the core of the laminated structure, in order to minimize the vibration amplitude. Also the optimization of the patches position is performed to maximize the piezoelectric actuator efficiency. The genetic algorithm is used for these purposes. The finite element model is a single layer triangular plate/shell element with 24 degrees of freedom for the generalized displacements, and one electrical potential degree of freedom for each piezoelectric element layer, which can be surface bonded or embedded on the laminate. To achieve a mechanism of active control of the structure dynamic response, a feedback control algorithm is used, coupling the sensor and active piezoelectric layers. To calculate the dynamic response of the laminated structures the Newmark method is considered. The model is applied in the solution of an illustrative case and the results are presented and discussed.

Finit element model for active control of adaptive laminated structures

A finite element formulation for active vibration control of thin plate laminated structures with integrated piezoelectric layers, acting as sensors and actuators in presented. The finite element model is a nonconforming single layer triangular plate/shell element with 18 degrees of freedom for the generalized displacements and one electrical potential degree of freedom for each piezoelectric element layer, and is based on the kirchhoff classical laminated theory. To achieve a mechanism of active control of the structure dynamic response, a feedback control algorithm is used, coupling the sensor and active piezoelectric layers, and Newmark method is used to calculate yhe dynamic response of the laminated structures. The model is applied in the solution of several illustrative cases, and the results are presented and discussed.

Core and patch position optimizations for vibration control of piezolaminated structures

This paper deals with a finite formulation baserd on the classical laminated plate tehory, for active control of thin late laminated structures with integrated piezoelectric layers, acting as sensors and actuators. The control is initialized through a previuos optimization of the core of the laminated structure, in order to minimize the vibration amplitude. Also the optimization of the patches position in performed to maximize the piezoelectric actuator efficiency. the simulating annealing mthod is used for these purposes. The finite element model is a single layer triangular nonconforming plate/shell element with 18 degrees of fredom for the generalized displacements, and one electrical potential degree of freedom for each piezoelectric element layer, wich can be surface bonded or imbedded on the laminate. To achieve a mechanism of active control of the structure dynamic response, a feedback control algorirhm is used, coupling the sensor and active piezoelectric layers. To calculate the dynamic response of the laminated structures the Newmark method is considered. The model is applied in the solution of an illustrative case and the results are presented and discussed.

Real-time parameter estimation of dynamic temperature models for greenhouse environmental control

For a greenhouse located at UTAD-University, the methods used to estimate in real-time the parameters of the inside air temperature model will be described. The structure and the parameters of the climate discrete-time dynamic model were previously identified using data acquired during two different periods of the year.