Worker participation in company profits or operating results in Latin America

Includes bibliography

A mixed-integer LP model for the reconfiguration of radial electric distribution systems considering distributed generation

The problem of reconfiguration of distribution systems considering the presence of distributed generation is modeled as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem in this paper. The demands of the electric distribution system are modeled through linear approximations in terms of real and imaginary parts of the voltage, taking into account typical operating conditions of the electric distribution system. The use of an MILP formulation has the following benefits: (a) a robust mathematical model that is equivalent to the mixed-integer non-linear programming model; (b) an efficient computational behavior with exiting MILP solvers; and (c) guarantees convergence to optimality using classical optimization techniques. Results from one test system and two real systems show the excellent performance of the proposed methodology compared with conventional methods. © 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Uso de árvore de decisão para avaliação da segurança estática em tempo real de sistemas elétricos de potência

As técnicas utilizadas para avaliação da segurança estática em sistemas elétricos de potência dependem da execução de grande número de casos de fluxo de carga para diversas topologias e condições operacionais do sistema. Em ambientes de operação de tempo real, esta prática é de difícil realização, principalmente em sistemas de grande porte onde a execução de todos os casos de fluxo de carga que são necessários, exige elevado tempo e esforço computacional mesmo para os recursos atuais disponíveis. Técnicas de mineração de dados como árvore de decisão estão sendo utilizadas nos últimos anos e tem alcançado bons resultados nas aplicações de avaliação da segurança estática e dinâmica de sistemas elétricos de potência. Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para avaliação da segurança estática em tempo real de sistemas elétricos de potência utilizando árvore de decisão, onde a partir de simulações off-line de fluxo de carga, executadas via software Anarede (CEPEL), foi gerada uma extensa base de dados rotulada relacionada ao estado do sistema, para diversas condições operacionais. Esta base de dados foi utilizada para indução das árvores de decisão, fornecendo um modelo de predição rápida e precisa que classifica o estado do sistema (seguro ou inseguro) para aplicação em tempo real. Esta metodologia reduz o uso de computadores no ambiente on-line, uma vez que o processamento das árvores de decisão exigem apenas a verificação de algumas instruções lógicas do tipo if-then, de um número reduzido de testes numéricos nos nós binários para definição do valor do atributo que satisfaz as regras, pois estes testes são realizados em quantidade igual ao número de níveis hierárquicos da árvore de decisão, o que normalmente é reduzido. Com este processamento computacional simples, a tarefa de avaliação da segurança estática poderá ser executada em uma fração do tempo necessário para a realização pelos métodos tradicionais mais rápidos. Para validação da metodologia, foi realizado um estudo de caso baseado em um sistema elétrico real, onde para cada contingência classificada como inseguro, uma ação de controle corretivo é executada, a partir da informação da árvore de decisão sobre o atributo crítico que mais afeta a segurança. Os resultados mostraram ser a metodologia uma importante ferramenta para avaliação da segurança estática em tempo real para uso em um centro de operação do sistema.

DESIGN OF MICROIRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN SLOPING LANDS USING LINEAR PROGRAMMING

Quando a área a ser irrigada apresenta um elevado gradiente de declive na direção das linhas de derivação, uma opção de dimensionamento é o uso de tubulações com vários diâmetros para economizar no custo e também para manter a variação de pressão dentro dos limites desejados. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um modelo de programação linear para dimensionar sistemas de irrigação por microaspersão com linhas de derivação com mais de um diâmetro e operando em declive, visando a minimização do custo anualizado da rede hidráulica e do custo anual com energia elétrica, além de assegurar que a máxima variação de carga hidráulica na linha será respeitada. Os dados de entrada são: configuração da rede hidráulica do sistema de irrigação, custo de todos os componentes da rede hidráulica e custo da energia. Os dados de saída são: custo anual total, diâmetro da tubulação em cada linha do sistema, carga hidráulica em cada ponto de derivação e altura manométrica total. Para ilustrar a potencialidade do modelo desenvolvido, ele foi aplicado em um pomar de citros no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. O modelo demonstrou ser eficiente no dimensionamento do sistema de irrigação quanto à obtenção da uniformidade de emissão desejada. O custo anual com bombeamento deve ser considerado no dimensionamento de sistemas de irrigação por microaspersão porque ele gera menores valores de custo anual total quando comparado com a mesma alternativa que não considera aquele custo.

A Dataset for Evaluating Intrusion Detection Systems in IEEE 802.11 Wireless Networks

Internet access by wireless networks has grown considerably in recent years. However, these networks are vulnerable to security problems, especially those related to denial of service attacks. Intrusion Detection Systems(IDS)are widely used to improve network security, but comparison among the several existing approaches is not a trivial task. This paper proposes building a datasetfor evaluating IDS in wireless environments. The data were captured in a real, operating network. We conducted tests using traditional IDS and achieved great results, which showed the effectiveness of our proposed approach.

Comparação de eficiências do uso de sistemas construídos de áreas alagadas (Constructed Wetland Systems - CWS), tipos ascendente e descendente, para tratamento de efluentes

Water is an essential element for life. The use of this element, to support the community, defines it as water resource. This feature is being misused and degraded by the dumping of highly contaminated effluents. The impoverishment of its quality poses a risk to human consumption. The necessity to manage this resource, treating the wastewater properly, requires the constant improvement of treatment systems. Another need is to adjust the cost of systems to the demands of communities with less financial clout. This study aimed to adapt and understand the systems of wetlands, improving its efficiency, in an attempt to collaborate with the enrichment of this technology. The practical evidence, with lab-scale prototypes, assembled in ETE Piracicamirim with urban sewage effluent contributed to highlight the problems and operating system design. The bibliographic review showed that several studies had effectiveness for treatment. But it was evident the need for better understanding of dimensioning definitions that better attempted to the answers into the project. Moreover, standardization of system conditions for the specific wastewater treatment is an interesting field, identified, for future studies yet contribute to environmental engineering and sanitation

Influence of the rotary and/or oscillatory reciprocating systems in the morphological changes of narrow and curved molar root canals anatomy

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparative analysis of different meat traceability systems using multiple criteria and a social network approach

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

BtoxDB: a comprehensive database of protein structural data on toxin-antitoxin systems

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

A hybrid method for the solution of a sparse power system matrices on vector computers

This paper describes a methodology for solving a linear system of equations on vector computer. The methodology combines direct and inverse factors. The decomposition and implementation of the direct solution in a CRAY Y-MPZE/232, and the performance results are discussed.

A simulation tool for transient stability analysis on vector computers

This paper deals with transient stability analysis based on time domain simulation on vector processing. This approach requires the solution of a set of differential equations in conjunction of another set of algebraic equations. The solution of the algebraic equations has presented a scalar as sequential set of tasks, and the solution of these equations, on vector computers, has required much more investigations to speedup the simulations. Therefore, the main objective of this paper has been to present methods to solve the algebraic equations using vector processing. The results, using a GRAY computer, have shown that on-line transient stability assessment is feasible.

Thermodynamic, Economic and Emissions Analysis of a Micro Gas Turbine Cogeneration System operating on Biofuels

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Development and Evaluation of a Pseudoreference Pt//Ag/AgCl Electrode for Electrochemical Systems

The use of standard reference electrodes, such as Ag/AgCl or saturated calomel electrodes, in potentiometric and amperometric studies involving miniaturized electrochemical systems, or those operating under positive hydraulic pressure, is often impractical. Placement of the reference electrode in the direct vicinity of the working electrode is often prohibited by the dimensions or layout of the electrochemical cell, while the alternative strategy of locating the reference electrode in a separate compartment often leads to electrolyte leakage and contamination of the system. In the present study, we have investigated the functionality of a pseudoreference electrode comprising a platinum wire, one end of which was maintained in intimate contact with the internal solution of an Ag/AgCl reference electrode while the other was connected, via a BNC connector, to a platinum probe located within the electrochemical cell. Linear and cyclic voltammetric studies, involving both aqueous and nonaqueous electrolytes, were carried out using the pseudoreference electrode and an electrochemical cup-type cell with three electrodes or an electrochemical flow reactor. In all cases, the functionality of the Pt//Ag/AgCl system was similar to that of a conventional Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Variations in the electrolyte did not alter the potential or voltammetric profile recorded when using the pseudoreference system, although peak currents were generally improved and potential values shifted by approximately +350 mV in comparison with the Ag/AgCl electrode, therefore, the system pseudoreference can be applied in any electrochemical system due to the constant potential difference. It is concluded that the pseudoreference electrode can be used with advantage to obtain potentiometric and amperometric measurements in both simple and complex electrochemical systems.

New approach for power transformer protection based on intelligent hybrid systems

A power transformer needs continuous monitoring and fast protection as it is a very expensive piece of equipment and an essential element in an electrical power system. The most common protection technique used is the percentage differential logic, which provides discrimination between an internal fault and different operating conditions. Unfortunately, there are some operating conditions of power transformers that can mislead the conventional protection affecting the power system stability negatively. This study proposes the development of a new algorithm to improve the protection performance by using fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms. An electrical power system was modelled using Alternative Transients Program software to obtain the operational conditions and fault situations needed to test the algorithm developed, as well as a commercial differential relay. Results show improved reliability, as well as a fast response of the proposed technique when compared with conventional ones.

High precision astrometry mission for the detection and characterization of nearby habitable planetary systems with the Nearby Earth Astrometric Telescope (NEAT)

A complete census of planetary systems around a volume-limited sample of solar-type stars (FGK dwarfs) in the Solar neighborhood (d a parts per thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand 15 pc) with uniform sensitivity down to Earth-mass planets within their Habitable Zones out to several AUs would be a major milestone in extrasolar planets astrophysics. This fundamental goal can be achieved with a mission concept such as NEAT-the Nearby Earth Astrometric Telescope. NEAT is designed to carry out space-borne extremely-high-precision astrometric measurements at the 0.05 mu as (1 sigma) accuracy level, sufficient to detect dynamical effects due to orbiting planets of mass even lower than Earth's around the nearest stars. Such a survey mission would provide the actual planetary masses and the full orbital geometry for all the components of the detected planetary systems down to the Earth-mass limit. The NEAT performance limits can be achieved by carrying out differential astrometry between the targets and a set of suitable reference stars in the field. The NEAT instrument design consists of an off-axis parabola single-mirror telescope (D = 1 m), a detector with a large field of view located 40 m away from the telescope and made of 8 small movable CCDs located around a fixed central CCD, and an interferometric calibration system monitoring dynamical Young's fringes originating from metrology fibers located at the primary mirror. The mission profile is driven by the fact that the two main modules of the payload, the telescope and the focal plane, must be located 40 m away leading to the choice of a formation flying option as the reference mission, and of a deployable boom option as an alternative choice. The proposed mission architecture relies on the use of two satellites, of about 700 kg each, operating at L2 for 5 years, flying in formation and offering a capability of more than 20,000 reconfigurations. The two satellites will be launched in a stacked configuration using a Soyuz ST launch vehicle. The NEAT primary science program will encompass an astrometric survey of our 200 closest F-, G- and K-type stellar neighbors, with an average of 50 visits each distributed over the nominal mission duration. The main survey operation will use approximately 70% of the mission lifetime. The remaining 30% of NEAT observing time might be allocated, for example, to improve the characterization of the architecture of selected planetary systems around nearby targets of specific interest (low-mass stars, young stars, etc.) discovered by Gaia, ground-based high-precision radial-velocity surveys, and other programs. With its exquisite, surgical astrometric precision, NEAT holds the promise to provide the first thorough census for Earth-mass planets around stars in the immediate vicinity of our Sun.