Leveraging wireless devices for networked control systems in industrial applications

Networked control systems (NCSs) are distributed control system in which sensors, actuators and controllers are physically separated and connected through communication networks. NCS represent the evolution of networked control architectures providing greater modularity and control decentralization, ease maintenance and diagnosis and lower cost of implementation. A recent trend in this research topic is the development of NCS using wireless networks(WNCS)which enable interoperability between existing wiredand wireless systems. This paper presents the feasibility analysis of using serial to wireless converter as a wireless sensor link in NCS. In order to support this investigation, relevant performance metrics for wireless control applications such as jitter, time delay and messages lost are highlighted and calculated to evaluate the wireless converter capabilities. In addition the control performance of an implemented motor control system using the converter is analyzed. Experimental results led to the conclusion that serial ZigBee device isrecommended against the Bluetooth as it provided better metrics for control applications. However, bothdevices can be used to implement WNCS providing transmission rates and closed control loop times which are acceptable for NCS applications.Moreoverthe use of thewireless device delay in the PID controller discretization can improve the control performance of the system.

Proposta de metodologia para o gerenciamento automático de sistemas fotovoltaicos de geração distribuída

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Malware distributed collection and pre-classification system using honeypot technology

Malware has become a major threat in the last years due to the ease of spread through the Internet. Malware detection has become difficult with the use of compression, polymorphic methods and techniques to detect and disable security software. Those and other obfuscation techniques pose a problem for detection and classification schemes that analyze malware behavior. In this paper we propose a distributed architecture to improve malware collection using different honeypot technologies to increase the variety of malware collected. We also present a daemon tool developed to grab malware distributed through spam and a pre-classification technique that uses antivirus technology to separate malware in generic classes. © 2009 SPIE.

The Owner Share scheduler for a distributed system

In large distributed systems, where shared resources are owned by distinct entities, there is a need to reflect resource ownership in resource allocation. An appropriate resource management system should guarantee that resource's owners have access to a share of resources proportional to the share they provide. In order to achieve that some policies can be used for revoking access to resources currently used by other users. In this paper, a scheduling policy based in the concept of distributed ownership is introduced called Owner Share Enforcement Policy (OSEP). OSEP goal is to guarantee that owner do not have their jobs postponed for longer periods of time. We evaluate the results achieved with the application of this policy using metrics that describe policy violation, loss of capacity, policy cost and user satisfaction in environments with and without job checkpointing. We also evaluate and compare the OSEP policy with the Fair-Share policy, and from these results it is possible to capture the trade-offs from different ways to achieve fairness based on the user satisfaction. © 2009 IEEE.

The efficacy of the self-adjusting file and ProTaper for removal of calcium hydroxide from root canals

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Self-Adjusting File (SAF) and ProTaper for removing calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] from root canals. Material And Methods: Thirty-six human mandibular incisors were instrumented with the ProTaper system up to instrument F2 and filled with a Ca(OH)2-based dressing. After 7 days, specimens were distributed in two groups (n=15) according to the method of Ca(OH)2 removal. Group I (SAF) was irrigated with 5 mL of NaOCl and SAF was used for 30 seconds under constant irrigation with 5 mL of NaOCl using the Vatea irrigation device, followed by irrigation with 3 mL of EDTA and 5 mL of NaOCl. Group II (ProTaper) was irrigated with 5 mL of NaOCl, the F2 instrument was used for 30 seconds, followed by irrigation with 5 mL of NaOCl, 3 mL of EDTA, and 5 mL of NaOCl. In 3 teeth Ca(OH)2 was not removed (positive control) and in 3 teeth canals were not filled with Ca(OH)2 (negative control). Teeth were sectioned and prepared for the scanning electron microscopy. The amounts of residual Ca(OH)2 were evaluated in the middle and apical thirds using a 5-score system. Results: None of the techniques completely removed the Ca(OH)2 dressing. No difference was observed between SAF and ProTaper in removing Ca(OH)2 in the middle (P=0.11) and the apical (P=0.23) thirds. Conclusion: The SAF system showed similar efficacy to rotary instrument for removal of Ca(OH)2 from mandibular incisor root canals.

Histopathological analysis of the reproductive system of male dogs experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo descrever eventuais alterações histopatológicas no sistema reprodutor (testículo e epidídimo) de cães machos experimentalmente infectados com Toxoplasma gondii. Para tal, 10 animais sorologicamente negativos para T. gondii foram selecionados e distribuídos em três grupos experimentais: GI - três cães inoculados com 2,0 x 10(5) oocistos da cepa P, GII - três cães infectados com 1,0 x 10(6) taquizoítos da cepa RH e GIII - quatro cães mantidos como controle. Pesquisa de anticorpos (IFI) contra T. gondii foi realizada. A infecção por T. gondii confirmou-se pela soroconversão de todos os machos infectados a partir do 7° e do 14° dia pós-inoculação (DPI) para cães que receberam taquizoítos e oocistos respectivamente. Decorridos 70DPI, realizou-se, em todos os cães, orquiectomia, e amostras (testículo e epidídimo) foram coletadas e processadas histologicamente para leitura em microscópio óptico. As seguintes alterações foram diagnosticadas: infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear leve e moderado em epidídimo, edema celular moderado, degeneração hidrópica e fibrose intersticial moderada em túbulos seminíferos. Os resultados histopatológicos do presente trabalho, aliados ao isolamento do T. gondii em fragmentos de testículo e epidídimo pela imunoistoquímica, juntamente com os resultados encontrados na literatura por outros autores em diferentes tecidos, permitem inferir que as alterações encontradas nos cães infectados com o respectivo protozoário são sugestivas de infecção toxoplásmica.

Digestible methionine plus cystine requirements of ISA Label broilers reared in free-range system

Three assays were carried out to determine the digestible methionine+cystine (Met+Cys) requirement for ISA Label broilers from both sexes. The birds were reared in free range system on starting phase (1 to 28 days), growing phase (28 to 56 days) and finishing phase (56 to 84 days). Four hundred and eighty birds were distributed into 24 pens, each one composed of shelter (3.13 m(2)) and pasture (72.87 m(2)). The experimental design was completely randomized with eight treatments as factorial arrangement (four Met+Cys levels and two sexes) with three replicates of 20 birds. The digestible Met+Cys levels were 0.532; 0.652; 0.772; 0.892% for starting phase; 0.515; 0.635; 0.755; 0.875% for growing phase and 0.469; 0.589; 0.709; 0.829% for finishing phase. The analyzed parameters were performance, carcass yield, body protein and fat deposition, weight and protein concentration in feathers. In the starting phase, the digestible Met+Cys level estimated for males was 0.765 and 0.803% for females, corresponding to 0.252 and 0.268% of Met+Cys/Mcal of ME, respectively. For the growing phase, the digestible Met+Cys level estimated was 0.716% for both sexes, corresponding to 0.235% of Met+Cys/Mcal of ME. For the finishing phase, the Met+Cys levels were 0.756 and 0.597% for males and females, corresponding to 0.244 and 0.193% of Met+Cys/Mcal of ME respectively.

Multi-objective evolutionary particle swarm optimization in the assessment of the impact of distributed generation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

ALGORITHM FOR PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS of DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WITH DISTRIBUTED GENERATION

In this paper an efficient algorithm for probabilistic analysis of unbalanced three-phase weakly-meshed distribution systems is presented. This algorithm uses the technique of Two-Point Estimate Method for calculating the probabilistic behavior of the system random variables. Additionally, the deterministic analysis of the state variables is performed by means of a Compensation-Based Radial Load Flow (CBRLF). Such load flow efficiently exploits the topological characteristics of the network. To deal with distributed generation, a strategy to incorporate a simplified model of a generator in the CBRLF is proposed. Thus, depending on the type of control and generator operation conditions, the node with distributed generation can be modeled either as a PV or PQ node. To validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, the IEEE 37 bus test system is used. The probabilistic results are compared with those obtained using the Monte Carlo method.

Clastogenicity of Piper cubeba (Piperaceae) seed extract in an in vivo mammalian cell system

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of genotype, finishing system, and sex on physiochemical characteristics of goat meat

Foram utilizados 78 cabritos de ambos os sexos e de cinco genótipos: raça Alpina, ½ Boer + ½ Alpina, ¾ Boer + ¼ Alpina, ½ Anglo-nubiana + ½ Alpina e tricross (½ Anglo-nubiana + ¼ Boer + ¼ Alpina), com peso médio inicial de 14,1 ± 2,5 kg. Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos do genótipo, do sistema de terminação e do sexo sobre as características físico-químicas da carne. Os sistemas de terminação foram constituídos: ST1 - cabrito + mãe em pasto e ST2 - cabrito desmamado confinado. Os cabritos do ST1 foram mantidos em piquetes formados com Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia e os do ST2 receberam dieta completa com 16% PB e 73% NDT. Os valores de pH, a* (teor de vermelho), Perda de Peso ao Cozimento (PPC) e porcentagem de Extrato Etéreo (EE) foram influenciados pelo genótipo. Os teores de vermelho (a*) e L* (luminosidade), PPC e porcentagens de umidade, proteína, EE e cinzas foram influenciados pelo sistema de terminação. O músculo longissimus dorsidos animais ½ BA apresentou as melhores características físico-químicas. Se a preferência do consumidor for por uma carne mais macia e com maior teor de gordura, as fêmeas são mais indicadas.

Efficacy of several digital radiographic imaging systems for laboratory determination of endodontic file length

P>AimTo compare the efficacy of different digital radiographic imaging systems for determining the length of endodontic files.MethodologyK-type endodontic files were introduced into the canals of 40 extracted human permanent single-rooted teeth and fixed in place at random lengths. The teeth were radiographed using Digora Optime (R), CygnusRay MPS (R) and CDR Wireless (R) digital imaging systems. Six observers measured every file length in all the images and repeated this procedure in 50% of the image samples, and assigned a score to the level of difficulty found. Analysis of variance for differences between digital systems and Tukey's test were performed. The level of intraobserver agreement was measured by intraclass correlation. The assigned scores were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests.ResultsThe CDR Wireless values did not differ significantly from the actual lengths and the CygnusRay MPS values. The Digora Optime system was significantly different from the others and overestimated the values (P < 0.05). The Digora Optime was significantly easier to use for taking measurements and the CygnusRay MPS the most difficult (P < 0.05). All digital radiographic imaging systems showed excellent agreement with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient > 0.95.ConclusionsThe three digital radiographic imaging systems were precise. The CDR Wireless system was significantly more accurate in determining endodontic file lengths, and similarly to Digora Optime, was considered the least difficult to use when assessing endodontic file lengths.

Effect of Combined Digital Imaging Parameters on Endodontic File Measurements

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of physical training on the immune system in diabetic rats

Aims: This study aims to investigate the influence of physical training on the immune system of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were distributed into Sedentary Control (SC), Trained Control (TC), Sedentary Diabetic (SD) and Trained Diabetic (TD) groups were used. Diabetes was induced by alloxan (32 mg/bw-i.v.). Training protocol consisted of swimming, at 32 18C, one hour/day, five days/week, supporting an overload equivalent to 5 of the body weight, during four weeks. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed by decapitation and blood samples were collected for glucose, insulin, albumin, hematocrit determinations, total and differential leukocyte counting. Additionally, liver samples for glycogen analyses were obtained. Results: The results were analyzed by one way at a significance level of 5. Diabetes reduced blood insulin, liver glycogen stores and increased blood glucose and neutrophil count. Physical training restored glycemia, liver glycogen levels, neutrophils and lymphocytes count in diabetic rats. Conclusions: In summary, physical training was able to improve metabolic and immunological aspects in the experimental diabetic rats.

Stridulatory file and calling song of two populations of the tropical bush cricket Eneoptera surinamensis (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Eneopterinae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)