Embedded DSP-Based Compact Fuzzy System and Its Application for Induction-Motor V/f Speed Control

This paper presents a compact embedded fuzzy system for three-phase induction-motor scalar speed control. The control strategy consists in keeping constant the voltage-frequency ratio of the induction-motor supply source. A fuzzy-control system is built on a digital signal processor, which uses speed error and speed-error variation to change both the fundamental voltage amplitude and frequency of a sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation inverter. An alternative optimized method for embedded fuzzy-system design is also proposed. The controller performance, in relation to reference and load-torque variations, is evaluated by experimental results. A comparative analysis with conventional proportional-integral controller is also achieved.

A sensitive vorticity gauge using rotated porphyroblasts, and its application to rocks adjacent to the Alpine Fault, New Zealand

Variable aspect ratio porphyroblasts deformed in non-coaxial flow. and internally containing rotated relicts of an external foliation, can be used to characterise plane strain flow regimes. The distribution obtained by plotting the orientation of the long axis of such grains, classified by aspect ratio, against the orientation of the internal foliation is potentially a sensitive gauge of both the bulk shear strain (as previously suggested) and kinematic vorticity number. We illustrate the method using rotated biotite porphyroblasts in the Alpine Schist: a sequence of mid-crustal rocks that have been ramped to the surface along the Alpine Fault. a major transpressional plate boundary. Results indicate that, at distances greater than or equal to similar to1 km from the fault, the rocks have undergone a combination of irrotational fattening and dextral-oblique, normal-sense shear, with a bulk shear strain of similar to0.6 and kinematic vorticity number of similar to0.2. The vorticity analysis is compatible with estimates of strongly oblate bulk strain of similar to 75% maximum shortening. Dextral-reverse transpressional flow characterises higher strain S-tectonite mylonite within similar to1 km of the Alpine Fault. These relationships provide insight into the kinematics of flow and distribution of strain in the hangingwall of the Alpine Fault and place constraints on numerical mechanical models for the exhumation of these mid-crustal rocks. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of the gate capacitance measurement technique and its application for the evaluation of hot-carrier degradation in submicrometer MOSFETs

The use of gate-to-drain capacitance (C-gd) measurement as a tool to characterize hot-carrier-induced charge centers in submicron n- and p-MOSFET's has been reviewed and demonstrated. By analyzing the change in C-gd measured at room and cryogenic temperature before and after high gate-to-drain transverse field (high field) and maximum substrate current (I-bmax) stress, it is concluded that the degradation was found to be mostly due to trapping of majority carriers and generation of interface states. These interface states were found to be acceptor states at top half of band gap for n-MOSFETs and donor states at bottom half of band gap for p-MOSFETs. In general, hot electrons are more likely to be trapped in gate oxide as compared to hot holes while the presence of hot holes generates more interface states. Also, we have demonstrated a new method for extracting the spatial distribution of oxide trapped charge, Q(ot), through gate-to-substrate capacitance (C-gb) measurement. This method is simple to implement and does not require additional information from simulation or detailed knowledge of the device's structure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biased EPR entanglement and its application to teleportation

We consider pure continuous variable entanglement with non-equal correlations between orthogonal quadratures. We introduce a simple protocol which equates these correlations and in the process transforms the entanglement onto a state with the minimum allowed number of photons. As an example we show that our protocol transforms, through unitary local operations, a single squeezed beam split on a beam splitter into the same entanglement that is produced when two squeezed beams are mixed orthogonally. We demonstrate that this technique can in principle facilitate perfect teleportation utilizing only one squeezed beam.

The US actuarial balance model for the pay-as-you-go system and its application to Spain

The aim of this paper is to formulate an approximation of the US actuarial balance model and apply it to the Spanish public retirement pension system under various scenarios in order to determine a consistent indicator of the system's financial state comparable to those used by the most advanced social security systems. This will enable us to answer the question as to whether there is any justification for reforming the pension system in Spain. This type of actuarial balance uses projections to show future challenges to the financial side of the pension system deriving basically from ageing, the projected increase in longevity and fluctuations in economic activity. If one is compiled periodically it can provide various indicators to help depoliticize the management of the pay-as-you-go system by bringing the planning horizons of politicians and the system itself closer together.

Copper Bis(oxazoline) Encapsulated in Zeolites and Its Application as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Cyclopropanation of Styrene

A copper C(2)-symmetric bis(oxazoline), CuBox, was introduced in two forms of commercial Y zeolite: a sodium form (NaY) and an ultrastable form (NaUSY). CuBox was introduced by first partially exchanging the sodium cations of both zeolites for copper and then by refluxing the obtained materials with a solution of bis(oxazoline) (Box). Two different loadings were prepared for each form of zeolite. The materials were characterized by copper ICP-AES, elemental analysis, XPS, FTIR, TG, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms at -196 degrees C. Evidence for Box ligand location in the supercages of NaY and NaUSY zeolites and its coordination to the exchanged copper(II) was obtained by the several techniques used. The materials were all active in the cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyldiazoacetate at room temperature and diastereoselective toward trans cydopropanes. Although the materials containing Box showed low enantioselectivities, their catalytic activities were higher than the parent copper exchanged zeolites, and did not decrease with reuse, at least during three consecutive cycles.

Study of the voltammetric behaviour of metam and its application to an amperometric flow system

The electrochemical behaviour of the pesticide metam (MT) at a glassy carbon working electrode (GCE) and at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) was investigated. Different voltammetric techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV), were used. An anodic peak (independent of pH) at +1.46 V vs AgCl/Ag was observed in MTaqueous solution using the GCE. SWV calibration curves were plotted under optimized conditions (pH 2.5 and frequency 50 Hz), which showed a linear response for 17–29 mg L−1. Electrochemical reduction was also explored, using the HMDE. A well defined cathodic peak was recorded at −0.72 V vs AgCl/ Ag, dependent on pH. After optimizing the operating conditions (pH 10.1, frequency 150 Hz, potential deposition −0.20 V for 10 s), calibration curves was measured in the concentration range 2.5×10−1 to 1.0 mg L−1 using SWV. The electrochemical behaviour of this compound facilitated the development of a flow injection analysis (FIA) system with amperometric detection for the quantification of MT in commercial formulations and spiked water samples. An assessment of the optimal FIA conditions indicated that the best analytical results were obtained at a potential of +1.30 V, an injection volume of 207 μL and an overall flow rate of 2.4 ml min−1. Real samples were analysed via calibration curves over the concentration range 1.3×10−2 to 1.3 mg L−1. Recoveries from the real samples (spiked waters and commercial formulations) were between 97.4 and 105.5%. The precision of the proposed method was evaluated by assessing the relative standard deviation (RSD %) of ten consecutive determinations of one sample (1.0 mg L−1), and the value obtained was 1.5%.

Orchestration of heterogeneous middleware services and its application to a comand and control platform

MSC Dissertation in Computer Engineering

Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks Training Through Charged System Search and its Application for Non-Technical Losses Detection

The non-technical loss is not a problem with trivial solution or regional character and its minimization represents the guarantee of investments in product quality and maintenance of power systems, introduced by a competitive environment after the period of privatization in the national scene. In this paper, we show how to improve the training phase of a neural network-based classifier using a recently proposed meta-heuristic technique called Charged System Search, which is based on the interactions between electrically charged particles. The experiments were carried out in the context of non-technical loss in power distribution systems in a dataset obtained from a Brazilian electrical power company, and have demonstrated the robustness of the proposed technique against with several others natureinspired optimization techniques for training neural networks. Thus, it is possible to improve some applications on Smart Grids.

New molecularly-imprinted polymer for carnitine and its application as ionophore in potentiometric selective membranes

Carnitine (CRT) is a biological metabolite found in urine that contributes in assessingseveral disease conditions, including cancer. Novel quick screening procedures for CRT are therefore fundamental. This work proposes a novel potentiometric device where molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were used as ionophores. The host-tailored sites were imprinted on a polymeric network assembled by radical polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and trimethylpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM). Non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) were produced as control by removing the template from the reaction media. The selective membrane was prepared by dispersing MIP or NIP particles in plasticizer and poly(vinyl chloride), PVC, and casting this mixture over a solid contact support made of graphite. The composition of the selective membrane was investigated with regard to kind/amount of sensory material (MIP or NIP), and the need for a lipophilic additive. Overall, MIP sensors with additive exhibited the best performance, with near-Nernstian response down to ~ 1 × 10− 4 mol L− 1, at pH 5, and a detection limitof ~ 8 × 10− 5 mol L− 1. Suitable selectivity was found for all membranes, assessed by the matched potential method against some of the most common species in urine (urea, sodium, creatinine, sulfate, fructose and hemoglobin). CRT selective membranes including MIP materials were applied successfully to the potentiometric determination of CRT in urine samples.

Combining data mining and evolutionary computation for multi-criteria optimization of earthworks

Earthworks tasks aim at levelling the ground surface at a target construction area and precede any kind of structural construction (e.g., road and railway construction). It is comprised of sequential tasks, such as excavation, transportation, spreading and compaction, and it is strongly based on heavy mechanical equipment and repetitive processes. Under this context, it is essential to optimize the usage of all available resources under two key criteria: the costs and duration of earthwork projects. In this paper, we present an integrated system that uses two artificial intelligence based techniques: data mining and evolutionary multi-objective optimization. The former is used to build data-driven models capable of providing realistic estimates of resource productivity, while the latter is used to optimize resource allocation considering the two main earthwork objectives (duration and cost). Experiments held using real-world data, from a construction site, have shown that the proposed system is competitive when compared with current manual earthwork design.

Estudios in vitro e in vivo de agentes fotosensibilizadores y su aplicación en terapia fotodinámica. In vitro and in vivo studies of photosensitizer agents and its application in photodynamic therapy.

Muchos esfuerzos se están realizando en el diseño de nuevos métodos para la eliminación de las células tumorales y así inhibir el crecimiento neoplásico. Entre los métodos no convencionales se encuentran la Terapia Fotodinámica.La Terapia Fotodinámica (TFD) es un tratamiento experimental de algunos tipos de cáncer, basado en el efecto citotóxico inducido en el tejido tumoral, por la acción combinada de una droga (fotosensibilizador) y la luz visible. El fotosensibilizador posee la propiedad de absorber la luz y reaccionar con el oxígeno molecular, produciendo una forma activa del oxígeno: el oxígeno singlete (1O2) que oxida diversas moléculas biológicas, induciendo un efecto citotóxico que se traduce en la regresión tumoral. Los nuevos avances en la dosimetría de la luz, así como la búsqueda de una segunda generación de nuevos fotosensibilizadores más eficaces que los actualmente utilizados, han permitido incluir protocolos de Terapia Fotodinámica en numerosos centros hospitalarios principalmente para el tratamiento de cánceres de pulmón, vejiga, esófago y piel. Plantas fototóxicas, sus metabolitos fotosensibilizantes y sus posibles usos; En general, dentro de las especies vegetales tóxicas existen aquellas denominadas plantas alergénicas, que son las que pueden producir sus efectos indeseables por vía dérmica. También existen aquellas que pueden producir efectos tóxicos por vía sistémica. Sin embargo, coexiste en la naturaleza otro grupo de plantas tóxicas que desencadenan sus efectos nocivos bajo la acción de la luz, por lo que son llamadas plantas fototóxicas, cuyos principios activos son comúnmente denominados agentes fotosensibilizantes La apoptosis como blanco terapéutico contra el cáncer: Los conocimientos moleculares sobre la apoptosis adquiridos en los últimos años están siendo aplicados al desarrollo de nuevos fármacos que puedan modular selectivamente las señales involucradas en la muerte de las células. Una de las razones que justifica el interés en el estudio de este tipo de moléculas, es que una de las características más tempranas en la transformación de la células neoplásicas esta relacionada con la incapacidad de responder a los estímulos de muerte. Esto lleva a una desregulación del proceso de apoptosis desencadenando una proliferación descontrolada. Los otros eventos que desencadenan el cáncer son, la invasión vascular y la metástasis a distanciaLa adquisición de resistencia a los efectos citotóxicos de los tratamientos anticancerígenos ha emergido como un significante impedimento para el efectivo tratamiento de la enfermedad. Por ello, en el presente proyecto se investigará si la adquisición de resistencia a TFD inducida en la línea celular estudiada es conferida por el aumento de la proteína MDRP1 a través de la vía de señalización PI3K/Akt. Además, se estudiará la correlación entre la posible resistencia a drogas y la inducción de apoptosis, analizando los mecanismos involucrados. Los resultados obtenidos contribuirán a dilucidar y entender los mecanismos moleculares implicados en la resistencia y sensibilidad tumoral a la TFD, y de esta manera mejorar la eficacia de dicha terapia antitumoral para sensibilizar a las células a la apoptosis. OBJETIVOS Estudiar el efecto de agentes fotosensibilizadores de origen sintético (ftalocianinas), comercialmente ya aprobadas por la FDA (Me-ALA), de origen natural (antraquinonas), y obtenidas en procesos nanotecnologicos (nanofibras) respecto a su capacidad de inducir la muerte celular en sistemas experimentales in vivo, para el desarrollo de nuevas drogas de aplicación en Terapia Fotodinámica (PDT). Estudiar las señales de apoptosis que se desencadenan, combinando la PDT con iRNA (antisurvivina) con la finalidad de aumentar la eficiencia de la muerte tumoral. Estudiar los mecanismos de resistencia a la Terapia Fotodinámica en carcinoma de células escamosas con fotosensibilizadores permitidos (Me-ALA).

Development of a new isogeometric finite element and its application for Lamb wave based structural health monitoring

Magdeburg, Univ., Fak. für Maschinenbau, Diss., 2012