Recurrent neural network for induction motor speed estimation in industry applications

Many electronic drivers for the induction motor control are based on sensorless technologies. The proposal of this work Is to present an alternative approach of speed estimation, from transient to steady state, using artificial neural networks. The inputs of the network are the RMS voltage, current and speed estimated of the induction motor feedback to the input with a delay of n samples. Simulation results are also presented to validate the proposed approach. © 2006 IEEE.

Laboratory assessment of two active ingredients for control of coptotemes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a pest of major economic importance in urban environments of southeastern Brazil. Compared to using pesticides for termite control, termite bait products target termites more specifically and also address environmental contamination issues. In this point of view, we performed two different bioassays in order to evaluate the efficacy of boric acid and fipronil against different populations of C. gestroi. The results showed that concentrations between 2000 and 3000 ppm of boric acid caused approximately 100 percent mortality in termites. Concentrations between 0.01 and 0.0001 ppm of fipronil resulted in 100% termite mortality after 2 wk exposure. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites contaminated with fipronil, even with small concentrations, and therefore it is not a suitable product to be used in baits against C. gestroi. The present study showed a delayed toxicity of boric acid against the subterranean termite C. gestroi which suggests a need for further field tests.

A case study of concurrent engineering application on the development of parts for the white goods industry in Brazil

This classical way to manage product development processes for massive production seems to be changing: high pressure for cost reduction, higher quality standards, markets reaching for innovation lead to the necessity of new tools for development control. Into this, and learning from the automotive and aerospace industries factories from other segments are starting to understand and apply manufacturing and assembly oriented projects to ease the task of generate goods and from this obtain at least a part of the expected results. This paper is intended to demonstrate the applicability of the concepts of Concurrent Engineering and DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) in the development of products and parts for the White Goods industry in Brazil (major appliances as refrigerators, cookers and washing machines), showing one case concerning the development and releasing of a component. Finally is demonstrated in a short term how was reached a solution that could provide cost savings and reduction on the time to delivery using those techniques.

Robust control applied to power flow control in single-phase inverter with LCL filter, using droop control and D-stability

This paper proposes a new methodology to control the power flow between a distributed generator (DG) and the electrical power distribution grid. It is used the droop voltage control to manage the active and reactive power. Through this control a sinusoidal voltage reference is generated to be tracked by voltage loop and this loop generates the current reference for the current loop. The proposed control introduces feed-forward states improving the control performance in order to obtain high quality for the current injected to the grid. The controllers were obtained through the linear matrix inequalities (LMI) using the D-stability analysis to allocate the closed-loop controller poles. Therefore, the results show quick transient response with low oscillations. Thus, this paper presents the proposed control technique, the main simulation results and a prototype with 1000VA was developed in the laboratory in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed control. © 2012 IEEE.

Quality control of Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from different Brazilian bio-factories

The goal of this study was to evaluate the quality of Cotesia flavipes from different bio-factories as biological control agents. We evaluated biological characteristics of the parasitoids throughout their lifespan, and measured the body length and width, abdomen width, thorax width and width and length of the right forewing of female and male parasitoids. Our results showed that the number of males and pupal viability were similar among the bio-factories; the number of emerged females was greater in bio-factories I and II; the egg-pupa period and the pupal period were shorter in bio-factory IV; and a greater longevity was found in bio-factories II and III. Sex ratio (at approximately 60% females) was satisfactory (in terms of suitability for release) across all bio-factories. For morphometric measurements, the body, abdomen and wing widths were similar in males; however, thorax width was greater in the males from bio-factory I; bio-factory III produced females with the highest body length; bio-factory I produced females with the greatest abdomen width; bio-factories III and IV produced females with the greatest wing length. Among the bio-factories studied, bio-factory IV produced the best quality C. flavipes, with respect to the greatest number of parasitoids per pupal mass (a mean of 57% more parasitoids) in a satisfactory sex ratio, and with the shortest developmental time, which facilitates faster rearing in the laboratory. Studies such as this, which assess the quality of a mass-produced C. flavipes, are crucial for the continued use of this parasitoid in controlling Diatraea saccharalis in the field. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

User-producer interaction in the Brazilian oil industry: The relationship between petrobras and its suppliers of wet Christmas tree

The objective of this work is to analyze the importance of the user-producer interaction for the innovative process of the Brazilian oil industry from the 2000s. To do so, we selected two of the three providers installed in Brazil that produce the set of valves used in the oil wellhead to control its production, set which is called wet Christmas tree (WCT), the Norway's Aker Solutions and the American FMC Technologies. The results of this analysis indicate not only the development of the oil industry in Brazil is marked by a strategy of cooperative innovation, but they also reveal the importance of geographical proximity and direct cooperation, especially between the centers of engineering and research and development of companies. Furthermore, these partnerships are not limited to the adaptation of products to new needs, but they also include the development of new systems. © Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Facultad de Economía y Negocios.

Policy brief: biotechnology with special reference to the Caribbean

The biotechnology movement in the Caribbean is a fledgling industry that has tremendous potential for development. It focuses on the use of fermentation and enzyme technologies, tissue culture and recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology and is more greatly applied to plant varieties rather than animal species. Tissue culture is by far the most developed type of technology but increasing attention is being paid to rDNA technology. Main areas include application in the agriculture sector but the use in medicine and biology are also being promoted. In its purest form, the term "biotechnology" refers to the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health and the human environment for commercial purposes. The term brings to mind many different things. Some think of developing new types of animals while others anticipate almost unlimited sources of human therapeutic drugs. Still others envision the possibility of growing crops that are more nutritious and naturally pest-resistant to feed a rapidly growing world population. Biotechnology in one form or another has flourished since prehistoric times. When the first human beings realized that they could plant their own crops and breed their own animals, they learned to use biotechnology. The discovery that fruit juices fermented into wine or that milk could be converted into cheese or yogurt, or that beer could be made by fermenting solutions of malt and hops began the study of biotechnology. When the first bakers found that they could make soft, spongy bread rather than a firm, thin cracker, they were acting as fledgling biotechnologists. The first animal breeders, realizing that different physical traits could be either magnified or lost by mating appropriate pairs of animals, engaged in the manipulations of biotechnology. Throughout human history, we have learned a great deal about the different organisms that our ancestors used so effectively. The marked increase in our understanding of these organisms and their cell products gains us the ability to control the many functions of various cells and organisms. Using the techniques of gene splicing and recombinant DNA technology, we can now actually combine the genetic elements of two or more living cells. Functioning lengths of DNA can be taken from one organism and placed into the cells of another organism. As a result, for example, we can cause bacterial cells to produce human molecules. Cows can produce more milk for the same amount of feed. And we can synthesize therapeutic molecules that have never before existed.

Validação de sistema de amostragem para monitoramento de formigas cortadeiras atta spp. (Hymenoptera: formicidae) em plantações de eucalipto

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Efeitos de cultivares de algodoeiro que expressam as proteínas Cry1Ac e Cry1F nos parâmetros biológicos de Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, 1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Effects of different formulations of neem oil-based products on control Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman, 1833) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on beans

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Clostridium perfringens in ingredients of poultry feed and control of contamination by chemical treatments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efficiency and soil contamination during underground application of insecticides: control of leaf-cutting ants with thermal foggers

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

Taxonomic studies of laelapid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) and their use in combination with entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) to control Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

A mathematical approach to simulate spatio-temporal patterns of an insect-pest, the corn rootworm Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in intercropping systems

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Production and Use of Heteroptera Predators for the Biological Control of Eucalyptus Pests in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)