On-demand hd video using Jini based grid

This research establishes the feasibility of using a network centric technology, Jini, to provide a grid framework on which to perform parallel video encoding. A solution was implemented using Jini and obtained real-time on demand encoding of a 480 HD video stream. Further, a projection is made concerning the encoding of 1080 HD video in real-time, as the current grid was not powerful enough to achieve this above 15fps. The research found that Jini is able to provide a number of tools and services highly applicable in a grid environment. It is also suitable in terms of performance and responds well to a varying number of grid nodes. The main performance limiter was found to be the network bandwidth allocation, which when loaded with a large number of grid nodes was unable to handle the traffic.

Fractal structures in nonlinear plasma physics

Fractal structures appear in many situations related to the dynamics of conservative as well as dissipative dynamical systems, being a manifestation of chaotic behaviour. In open area-preserving discrete dynamical systems we can find fractal structures in the form of fractal boundaries, associated to escape basins, and even possessing the more general property of Wada. Such systems appear in certain applications in plasma physics, like the magnetic field line behaviour in tokamaks with ergodic limiters. The main purpose of this paper is to show how such fractal structures have observable consequences in terms of the transport properties in the plasma edge of tokamaks, some of which have been experimentally verified. We emphasize the role of the fractal structures in the understanding of mesoscale phenomena in plasmas, such as electromagnetic turbulence.

Integrable maps with non-trivial topology: application to divertor configurations

We explore a method for constructing two-dimensional area-preserving, integrable maps associated with Hamiltonian systems, with a given set of fixed points and given invariant curves. The method is used to find an integrable Poincare map for the field lines in a large aspect ratio tokamak with a poloidal single-null divertor. The divertor field is a superposition of a magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium with an arbitrarily chosen safety factor profile, with a wire carrying an electric current to create an X-point. This integrable map is perturbed by an impulsive perturbation that describes non-axisymmetric magnetic resonances at the plasma edge. The non-integrable perturbed map is applied to study the structure of the open field lines in the scrape-off layer, reproducing the main transport features obtained by integrating numerically the magnetic field line equations, such as the connection lengths and magnetic footprints on the divertor plate.

Transport control in fusion plasmas by changing electric and magnetic field spatial profiles

For magnetically confined plasmas in tokamaks, we have numerically investigated how Lagrangian chaos at the plasma edge affects the plasma confinement. Initially, we have considered the chaotic motion of particles in an equilibrium electric field with a monotonic radial profile perturbed by drift waves. We have showed that an effective transport barrier may be created at the plasma edge by modifying the electric field radial profile. In the second place, we have obtained escape patterns and magnetic footprints of chaotic magnetic field lines in the region near a tokamak wall with resonant modes due to the action of an ergodic magnetic limiter. For monotonic plasma current density profiles we have obtained distributions of field line connections to the wall and line escape channels with the same spatial pattern as the magnetic footprints on the tokamak walls. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chaotic transport in reversed shear tokamaks

For tokamak models using simplified geometries and reversed shear plasma profiles, we have numerically investigated how the onset of Lagrangian chaos at the plasma edge may affect the plasma confinement in two distinct but closely related problems. Firstly, we have considered the motion of particles in drift waves in the presence of an equilibrium radial electric field with shear. We have shown that the radial particle transport caused by this motion is selective in phase space, being determined by the resonant drift waves and depending on the parameters of both the resonant waves and the electric field profile. Moreover, we have shown that an additional transport barrier may be created at the plasma edge by increasing the electric field. In the second place, we have studied escape patterns and magnetic footprints of chaotic magnetic field lines in the region near a tokamak wall, when there are resonant modes due to the action of an ergodic magnetic limiter. A non-monotonic safety factor profile has been used in the analysis of field line topology in a region of negative magnetic shear. We have observed that, if internal modes are perturbed, the distributions of field line connection lengths and magnetic footprints exhibit spatially localized escape channels. For typical physical parameters of a fusion plasma, the two Lagrangian chaotic processes considered in this work can be effective in usual conditions so as to influence plasma confinement. The reversed shear effects discussed in this work may also contribute to evaluate the transport barrier relevance in advanced confinement scenarios in future tokamak experiments.

Two-photon absorption properties of a novel class of triarylamine compounds

Two-photon absorption spectra of a triarylamine compounds dissolved in toluene were measured using the well-known Z-scan technique, employing 120-fs laser pulse-width. According to the results, an extra band located at around 900 nm was observed only for triarylamine with azoaromatic units. On the other hand, a shift in the two-photon absorption band for triarylamine, with and without azoaromatic units, is observed when different electron donor/acceptors groups are changed. The fitting of the spectra, using sum-over-states model, allowed us to obtain the spectroscopic parameters of each molecule, which appears to be in reasonable agreement with molecules presenting similar structural moieties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Robust optimal motion cueing algorithm based on the linear quadratic regulator method and a genetic algorithm

The aim of this paper is to design and develop an optimal motion cueing algorithm (MCA) based on the genetic algorithm (GA) that can generate high-fidelity motions within the motion simulator's physical limitations. Both, angular velocity and linear acceleration are adopted as the inputs to the MCA for producing the higher order optimal washout filter. The linear quadratic regulator (LQR) method is used to constrain the human perception error between the real and simulated driving tasks. To develop the optimal MCA, the latest mathematical models of the vestibular system and simulator motion are taken into account. A reference frame with the center of rotation at the driver's head to eliminate false motion cues caused by rotation of the simulator to the translational motion of the driver's head as well as to reduce the workspace displacement is employed. To improve the developed LQR-based optimal MCA, a new strategy based on optimal control theory and the GA is devised. The objective is to reproduce a signal that can follow closely the reference signal and avoid false motion cues by adjusting the parameters from the obtained LQR-based optimal washout filter. This is achieved by taking a series of factors into account, which include the vestibular sensation error between the real and simulated cases, the main dynamic limitations, the human threshold limiter in tilt coordination, the cross correlation coefficient, and the human sensation error fluctuation. It is worth pointing out that other related investigations in the literature normally do not consider the effects of these factors. The proposed optimized MCA based on the GA is implemented using the MATLAB/Simulink software. The results show the effectiveness of the proposed GA-based method in enhancing human sensation, maximizing the reference shape tracking, and reducing the workspace usage.

Aspects de la syntaxe, de la semantique et de la morphologie des verbes a trait de /complexite/

Cette dissertation porte sur l’analyse syntactico-sémantique des verbes à trait de complexité. Le trait de complexité (Blanche-Benveniste et al. 1984) réunit une classe de verbes connue comme verbes ‘symétriques’, ‘réciproques’ ou ‘collectifs’ sans toutefois se limiter à ces ensembles (cf. grouiller, collectionner, amonceler, scinder, etc.). Ce trait induit une lecture ‘plurielle’ à l’entité formée du lexème verbal et de ses arguments et qui se traduit, sur le plan morphosyntaxique, par deux propriétés: sélection obligatoire d’une position syntaxique (sujet ou objet) au pluriel; en absence de ce pluriel morphologique, le trait de complexité se réalise par la sélection d’un complément prépositionnel correlié à une position syntaxique (sujet ou objet) et l’interprétation de ‘pluriel’ des deux éléments correliés. L’hypothèse générale, et point de départ de cette dissertation, consiste à préciser l’interprétation de ‘pluralité inhérente’ des verbes à trait de complexité comme étant de type ‘collectif’, défini comme désignant du ‘plus d’un en un’ (Jespersen, 1971). La notion de ‘collectif’ est à distinguer de la notion de ‘pluriel’ (Gillon, 1992) et permet d’expliquer le lien entre les deux propriétés morphosyntaxiques présentées. Cette hypothèse générale s’appuie sur la sélection d’un ensemble d’outils d’analyse. Un premier outil vise à rendre compte, du point de vue formel, des réseaux syntactico-sémantiques, par une représentation abstraite de la syntaxe verbale, conçue comme une ‘syntaxe de position’ et où sont délimitées, autour du noyau verbal, deux zones syntaxiques (zone SUJET et zone OBJET) constituées de points d’ancrage du trait de complexité. En tenant compte de la spécificité du ‘collectif’ par rapport à la ‘pluralité’, le recours au concept d’opérateurs de complexité, entendus comme des opérateurs du trait [+discret] (Doetjes, 1999), permet de mieux définir la notion du ‘collectif’ appliquée au domaine verbal. Les différents opérateurs – affixes dérivationnels, constructions prépositionnelles, constructions en SE - se situent à différents niveaux de structuration. L’analyse par ‘opérateurs de complexité’ ([+discret]) présuppose également la prise en compte de la fonction quantitative. Dans cette perspective, ces opérateurs induisent différents degrés de l‘individuation’ des constituants du ‘collectif’ dénoté par la sémantique des verbes à trait de complexité. Les échelles de gradation de [+discret] rendent compte de cette propriété. Les valeurs de ‘plus d’un’ et ‘en un’ dénotées par les expressions verbales à trait de complexité sont interprétées comme faisant partie d’une structure conceptuelle de type ‘tout-intégré’ d’après l’approche lexicale et multidimensionnelle de la sémantique conceptuelle des relations parties/tout de Moltmann (1997).

Entre o pavilhão e o inferno: trajetória dos meninos infratores no CEDUC Pitimbu

Cet étude est une recherche sur les significations imaginaires de la violence pratiquée par des jeunes délinquants ou à laquelle ils sont soumis, dans la condition de confinés chez le Centre Éducationnel CEDUC/PITIMBU, lieu où l investigation a été faite. Dans la mésure où le sujet de la violence se présente plein de manifestations, nous proposons ici une réflexion sur l imaginaire de la production théorique sur la question et en même temps nous nous proposons identifier jusqu à quel point les diverses visions scientifiques établient un savoir qui finit par limiter une conception plus complexe et profonde des réseaux de la violence. Le parcours théorique et méthodologique realisé nous a permis concluire que certaines interventions finissent par renforcer des situations limites vécues à l intèrieur du Centre par les jeunes déliquants. Parmi d autres aspects, nous traitons de l espace de l institution, leurs objectifs, routines, aussi bien que sur les principaux expressions de la violence qu apparaissent dans les récits des jeunes. Nous traitons de leurs origines socioculturelles, en signalant les milieux d oú ils viennent et leur vie quotidienne. Ainsi, nous traitons d analyser les éléments de la culture constituée, les valeurs, la « loi de plus fort », le pouvoir, le courage, la peur, l astuce, la sagesse et les rêves. Nous remarquons aussi la notion de « destin » qui renvoie à l idée que le crime et la mort sont inéluctables. Nous nous occupons de réfléchir sur le rôle de l institution dans le renforcement de la violence et dans la reproduction de valeurs sociales. Dans cet étude, nous utilisons l analyse des trajectoires de vie des jeunes délinquants pour comprendre la réalité de la violence à laquelle ils sont soumis

Magnetic Field Line Escape: Comparison with Mean Free Path

In the present work, we determine the fraction of magnetic field lines that reach the tokamak wall leaving the plasma surrounded by a chaotic layer created by resonant perturbations at the plasma edge. The chaotic layer arises in a scenario where an integrable magnetic field with reversed magnetic shear is perturbed by an ergodic magnetic limiter. For each considered line, we calculate its connection length, i.e. the number of toroidal turns that the field lines complete before reaching the wall. We represent the results in the poloidal section in which the initial coordinates are chosen. We also estimate the radial profile of the fraction of field lines, for different temperatures, whose connection lengths are smaller than the electron collisional mean free path.

Test results of a superconducting FCL using bifilar coil of BSCCO-2212

A single-phase superconducting Fault Current Limiter using a bifilar coil of BSCCO-2212 tube was tested in 220 V-60 Hz line during fault current between 1 kA to 4 kA, operating in 77 K. In this work are presented the critical current dependence as a function of an external magnetic field applied and the results can be used to predict the current limiter performance. The experimental setup is described and the test results are presented for the unit conducting a steady nominal AC current of 200 A, and also during the fault time (1 to 6 cycles). The performance of the bifilar coil to provide the limiting impedance associated with the dynamic resistance developed during the beginning of the fault was analyzed and compared with other types of superconducting current limiters.

Fault current test of a bifilar Bi-2212 bulk coil

A bifilar Bi-2212 bulk coil with parallel shunt resistor was tested under fault current condition using a 3 MVA single-phase transformer in a 220 V-60 Hz line achieving fault current peak of 8 kA. The fault current tests are performed from steady state peak current of 200 A by applying controlled short circuits up to 8 kA varying the time period from one to six cycles. The test results show the function of the shunt resistor providing homogeneous quench behavior of the HTS coil besides its intrinsic stabilizing role. The limiting current ratio achieves a factor 4.2 during 5 cycles without any degradation.

Application of a bounded upwinding scheme to complex fluid dynamics problems

This paper is concerned with an overview of upwinding schemes, and further nonlinear applications of a recently introduced high resolution upwind differencing scheme, namely the ADBQUICKEST [V.G. Ferreira, F.A. Kurokawa, R.A.B. Queiroz, M.K. Kaibara, C.M. Oishi, J.A.Cuminato, A.F. Castelo, M.F. Tomé, S. McKee, assessment of a high-order finite difference upwind scheme for the simulation of convection-diffusion problems, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids 60 (2009) 1-26]. The ADBQUICKEST scheme is a new TVD version of the QUICKEST [B.P. Leonard, A stable and accurate convective modeling procedure based on quadratic upstream interpolation, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 19 (1979) 59-98] for solving nonlinear balance laws. The scheme is based on the concept of NV and TVD formalisms and satisfies a convective boundedness criterion. The accuracy of the scheme is compared with other popularly used convective upwinding schemes (see, for example, Roe (1985) [19], Van Leer (1974) [18] and Arora & Roe (1997) [17]) for solving nonlinear conservation laws (for example, Buckley-Leverett, shallow water and Euler equations). The ADBQUICKEST scheme is then used to solve six types of fluid flow problems of increasing complexity: namely, 2D aerosol filtration by fibrous filters; axisymmetric flow in a tubular membrane; 2D two-phase flow in a fluidized bed; 2D compressible Orszag-Tang MHD vortex; axisymmetric jet onto a flat surface at low Reynolds number and full 3D incompressible flows involving moving free surfaces. The numerical simulations indicate that this convective upwinding scheme is a good generic alternative for solving complex fluid dynamics problems. © 2012.

Aplicação de melhorias na organização e nos processos de usinagem pesada

Currently productivity is a concern in large firms and in heavy machining industries could not be otherwise . The issue of time in the process becomes a relevant and worthy of analysis point , especially that the setup time becomes a critical issue to be addressed . Due to the size of the equipment studied ( heavy machining ) and especially with regard to the characteristics of the machine tool and the parts to be machined , generally robust and large parts , the preparation of such parts shall be made accurately to the machining has a good result as planned . With the setup acting as a limiter of productivity growth in this sector , actions constantly in search of reducing downtimes and optimization are taken . This study aimed to conduct a study that confirms increased productivity by reducing the machining time , especially setup time and also with the implementation of organizational tools. Actions taken in heavy machining industry Arm L- 580 Liebherr company in Brazil specifically in CNC Boring PAMA Speedram 3000 were analyzed . Through a qualitative study using the method of case study , it was examined before and after the sector and reducing setup times . Evidencing the shares through figures and collection times . The end result of this analysis was to verify that through simple actions productivity and organization in the area were directly affected in a positive way , and supporting organizational change throughout training were taught to be incorporated into the company culture

Study of the feasibility of mix of species from sawmill waste and limiting for particleboard

This study aims to determine physical properties of particleboard made of sawmill waste, as a mix of several wood species, and two adhesives: urea-formaldehyde, usually employed in industry (even with drawbacks or formaldehyde emission during pressing) and FASTBOND®, water based resin, still poorly referenced in literature. Sixteen panels have been produced, in four experimental conditions, defined by using two adhesives and a 12 mm thick limiter (or not). Variance analysis was adopted to evaluate influence of experimental conditions on physical properties of produced panels, manufactured in nominal dimensions 350x350mm; 10% resin related to particles mass (at 5% moisture); 3.5 MPa compaction pressure, temperature 130°C, in a 10 min cycle. Tests to determine density, moisture content, swelling and water absorption were carried out based on normative parameters of ABNT NBR 14810:2006. Results have been satisfactory to panels produced with urea-formaldehyde but those manufactured with polychloroprene based resin (FASTBOND®) not meet regulatory requirements. Best results have been obtained without limiter.