Multivalued adaptive neuro-fuzzy controller for robot vehicle - art. no. 1406

Robotic vehicle navigation in unstructured and uncertain environments is still a challenge. This paper presents the implementation of a multivalued neurofuzzy controller for autonomous ground vehicle (AGVs) in indoor environments. The control system consists of a hierarchy of mobile robot using multivalued adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system behaviors.

Vehicle influence on calcium hydroxide pastes diffusion in human and bovine teeth

The purpose of this study was to compare the pH and calcium ion liberation after use of calcium hydroxide pastes with different paste vehicles in human or bovine teeth. Ninety-two single-rooted human and bovine roots were used. The roots were instrumented and an external cavity preparation was performed. The roots were divided in to human and bovine groups. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups (SB) according to the vehicle:SB1, detergent; SB2, saline; SB3, polyethylenoglycol + camphorated paramonochlorophenol (Calen PMCC) and SB4, polyethylenoglycol + furacyn paramonochlorophenol (FPMC). Specimens were immersed into saline solution at 37 degrees C and after 7 and 14 days pH and calcium ion measurements were made. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between bovine and human teeth in the pH analysis (P < 0.05), but bovine teeth provided larger calcium ion liberation than human teeth. Calen PMCC was statistically more effective for pH increase and calcium ion liberation in all analyses, followed by FPMC and saline. Detergent showed the lowest pH alterations and calcium ion liberation. The period of 14 days showed more calcium ionic liberation than the 7-day period.

Low-cost PWM speed controller for an electric mini-baja type vehicle

This paperwork presents a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) speed controller for an electric mini-baja-type car. A battery-fed 1-kW three-phase induction motor provides the electric vehicle traction. The open-loop speed control is implemented with an equal voltage/frequency ratio, in order to maintain a constant amount of torque on all velocities. The PWM is implemented by a low-cost 8-bit microcontroller provided with optimized ROM charts for distinct speed value implementations, synchronized transition between different charts and reduced odd harmonics generation. This technique was implemented using a single passenger mini-baja vehicle, and the essays have shown that its application resulted on reduced current consumption, besides eliminating mechanical parts. Copyright © 2007 by ABCM.

An investigation into the loss of the Brazilian space programme's launch vehicle VLS-1 V03

There has been a rapid increase in the complexity and integration of many safety-critical systems. In consequence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify the causes of incidents and accidents back through the complex interactions that lead to an adverse event. At the same time, there is a growing appreciation of the need to consider a broad range of contextual factors in the aftermath of any mishap. A number of regulators, operators and research teams have responded to these developments by proposing novel techniques to support the analysis of complex, safety-critical incidents. It is important to illustrate these different approaches by applying them to a number of common case studies. The following pages, therefore, show how STAMP and AcciMap might support the Serviço Público Federal investigation into the explosion and fire of the Brazilian launch vehicle VLS-1 VO3. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling of a MIT for the application of a frequency inverter of the electric vehicle

Nowadays, drives that use a combination of induction motors and frequency inverters are very common, a fact due to the financial practicality and viability in purchasing and operating that system. This system modeling and simulation becomes important when it wants to evaluate the performance, to calculate and correct parameters, and it has a fundamental role in functionality and viability analysis for application of new configurations and technologies. This work is about to elaborate a simple induction motor model based in the torque versus speed characteristic, using the linearization method for application in a specific operation range to be controlled by a frequency inverter. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Nasal administration of liquid crystal precursor mucoadhesive vehicle as an alternative antiretroviral therapy

The purpose of this study was to develop a mucoadhesive stimuli-sensitive drug delivery system for nasal administration of zidovudine (AZT). The system was prepared by formulating a low viscosity precursor of a liquid crystal phase, taking advantage of its lyotropic phase behavior. Flow rheology measurements showed that the formulation composed of PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid and water (55, 30, 15% w/w), denominated P, has Newtonian flow behavior. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) revealed that formulation P is isotropic, whereas its 1:1 (w/w) dilution with artificial nasal mucus (ANM) changed the system to an anisotropic lamellar phase (PD). Oscillatory frequency sweep analysis showed that PD has a high storage modulus (G′) at nasal temperatures. Measurement of the mucoadhesive force against excised porcine nasal mucosa or a mucin disk proved that the transition to the lamellar phase tripled the work of mucoadhesion. Ex vivo permeation studies across porcine nasal mucosa exhibited an 18-fold rise in the permeability of AZT from the formulation. The Weibull mathematical model suggested that the AZT is released by Fickian diffusion mechanisms. Hence, the physicochemical characterization, combined with ex vivo studies, revealed that the PPG-5-CETETH-20, oleic acid, and water formulation could form a mucoadhesive matrix in contact with nasal mucus that promoted nasal absorption of the AZT. For an in vivo assessment, the plasma concentrations of AZT in rats were determined by HPLC method following intravenous and intranasal administration of AZT-loaded P formulation (PA) and AZT solution, respectively, at a dose of 8 mg/kg. The intranasal administration of PA resulted in a fast absorption process (Tmax = 6.7 min). Therefore, a liquid crystal precursor formulation administered by the nasal route might represent a promising novel tool for the systemic delivery of AZT and other antiretroviral drugs. In the present study, the uptake of AZT absorption in the nasal mucosa was demonstrated, providing new foundations for clinical trials in patients with AIDS. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Technology and work organization in Latin American motor vehicle industries

Includes bibliography

Study of problems related with the establishment of motor-vehicle industries in developing countries

Information Paper, No 12

Case study on the manufacture of pistons and other motor-vehicle parts in Mexico

Information Paper, No 15

Cost-volume ratios in the motor-vehicle industry; final assembly

Information Paper, No 19

Aggressiveness of pratylenchus brachyurus to sugarcane, compared with key nematode p. zeae

Pratylenchus zeae, Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita are considered key species of nematodes in sugarcane in Brazil, but P. brachyurus is also frequently found. This study was conducted to determine the aggressiveness of P. brachyurus compared with P. zeae to sugarcane. Plants were grown in pots (100 L) in an open area with initial inoculation of 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 and 100,000/plant for P. brachyurus and P. zeae. The nematode inocula were from in vitro, carrot-cylinder cultures. Sampling was performed every 60 days until 300 days after inoculation. At harvest, we evaluated the population dynamics of the nematodes and plant growth characteristics. The population for the initial levels of 10 and 100,000 specimens/plant, for P. brachyurus and P. zeae at 300 days after inoculation were similar. This fact shows that, upon detection of nematodes in a certain place during the planting of sugarcane, the ratoon on this area should be treated so as to control populations of P. brachyurus and/or P. zeae. The damage caused by the initial population of 10 specimens of P. brachyurus was similar to those of 10.000 specimens of P. zeae. The variety CTC 2 was classified as susceptible to P. zeae and intolerant to P. brachyurus. Compared to the control, the losses as measured by the volume and fresh weight of shoots by the nematode species were 29.82% and 40.34%, respectively. Pratylenchus brachyurus was more aggressive than P. zeae to the CTC 2 sugarcane variety.

The role of TMPRSS2:ERG in molecular stratification of PCa and its association with tumor aggressiveness: a study in Brazilian patients

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