Optimal game theoretic distributed control methodologies in small scale power systems

This dissertation presents the competitive control methodologies for small-scale power system (SSPS). A SSPS is a collection of sources and loads that shares a common network which can be isolated during terrestrial disturbances. Micro-grids, naval ship electric power systems (NSEPS), aircraft power systems and telecommunication system power systems are typical examples of SSPS. The analysis and development of control systems for small-scale power systems (SSPS) lacks a defined slack bus. In addition, a change of a load or source will influence the real time system parameters of the system. Therefore, the control system should provide the required flexibility, to ensure operation as a single aggregated system. In most of the cases of a SSPS the sources and loads must be equipped with power electronic interfaces which can be modeled as a dynamic controllable quantity. The mathematical formulation of the micro-grid is carried out with the help of game theory, optimal control and fundamental theory of electrical power systems. Then the micro-grid can be viewed as a dynamical multi-objective optimization problem with nonlinear objectives and variables. Basically detailed analysis was done with optimal solutions with regards to start up transient modeling, bus selection modeling and level of communication within the micro-grids. In each approach a detail mathematical model is formed to observe the system response. The differential game theoretic approach was also used for modeling and optimization of startup transients. The startup transient controller was implemented with open loop, PI and feedback control methodologies. Then the hardware implementation was carried out to validate the theoretical results. The proposed game theoretic controller shows higher performances over traditional the PI controller during startup. In addition, the optimal transient surface is necessary while implementing the feedback controller for startup transient. Further, the experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical simulation. The bus selection and team communication was modeled with discrete and continuous game theory models. Although players have multiple choices, this controller is capable of choosing the optimum bus. Next the team communication structures are able to optimize the players’ Nash equilibrium point. All mathematical models are based on the local information of the load or source. As a result, these models are the keys to developing accurate distributed controllers.

Strategies to advance translational research into brain barriers

There is a paucity of therapies for most neurological disorders--from rare lysosomal storage diseases to major public health concerns such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Advances in the targeting of drugs to the CNS are essential for the future success of neurotherapeutics; however, the delivery of many potentially therapeutic and diagnostic compounds to specific areas of the brain is restricted by the blood-brain barrier, the blood-CSF barrier, or other specialised CNS barriers. These brain barriers are now recognised as a major obstacle to the treatment of most brain disorders. The challenge to deliver therapies to the CNS is formidable, and the solution will require concerted international efforts among academia, government, and industry. At a recent meeting of expert panels, essential and high-priority recommendations to propel brain barrier research forward in six topical areas were developed and these recommendations are presented here.

Prosthetically driven, computer-guided implant planning for the edentulous maxilla: a model study

OBJECTIVES: To analyze computer-assisted diagnostics and virtual implant planning and to evaluate the indication for template-guided flapless surgery and immediate loading in the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with an edentulous maxilla were selected for this study. The three-dimensional analysis and virtual implant planning was performed with the NobelGuide software program (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden). Prior to the computer tomography aesthetics and functional aspects were checked clinically. Either a well-fitting denture or an optimized prosthetic setup was used and then converted to a radiographic template. This allowed for a computer-guided analysis of the jaw together with the prosthesis. Accordingly, the best implant position was determined in relation to the bone structure and prospective tooth position. For all jaws, the hypothetical indication for (1) four implants with a bar overdenture and (2) six implants with a simple fixed prosthesis were planned. The planning of the optimized implant position was then analyzed as follows: the number of implants was calculated that could be placed in sufficient quantity of bone. Additional surgical procedures (guided bone regeneration, sinus floor elevation) that would be necessary due the reduced bone quality and quantity were identified. The indication of template-guided, flapless surgery or an immediate loaded protocol was evaluated. RESULTS: Model (a) - bar overdentures: for 28 patients (70%), all four implants could be placed in sufficient bone (total 112 implants). Thus, a full, flapless procedure could be suggested. For six patients (15%), sufficient bone was not available for any of their planned implants. The remaining six patients had exhibited a combination of sufficient or insufficient bone. Model (b) - simple fixed prosthesis: for 12 patients (30%), all six implants could be placed in sufficient bone (total 72 implants). Thus, a full, flapless procedure could be suggested. For seven patients (17%), sufficient bone was not available for any of their planned implants. The remaining 21 patients had exhibited a combination of sufficient or insufficient bone. DISCUSSION: In the maxilla, advanced atrophy is often observed, and implant placement becomes difficult or impossible. Thus, flapless surgery or an immediate loading protocol can be performed just in a selected number of patients. Nevertheless, the use of a computer program for prosthetically driven implant planning is highly efficient and safe. The three-dimensional view of the maxilla allows the determination of the best implant position, the optimization of the implant axis, and the definition of the best surgical and prosthetic solution for the patient. Thus, a protocol that combines a computer-guided technique with conventional surgical procedures becomes a promising option, which needs to be further evaluated and improved.

The Car Resequencing Problem with Pull-Off Tables

The car sequencing problem determines sequences of different car models launched down a mixed-model assembly line. To avoid work overloads of workforce, car sequencing restricts the maximum occurrence of labor-intensive options, e.g., a sunroof, by applying sequencing rules. We consider this problem in a resequencing context, where a given number of buffers (denoted as pull-off tables) is available for rearranging a stirred sequence. The problem is formalized and suited solution procedures are developed. A lower bound and a dominance rule are introduced which both reduce the running time of our graph approach. Finally, a real-world resequencing setting is investigated.

DiepRuR

Aufbau einer föderativen Dienstlandschaft in der Ruhr-Region auf Basis von SAML mit dem Ziel eine organisationsübergreifende Nutzung von webbasierten IT-Diensten zu ermöglichen

Sequential incoherence in a multi-party synchronous computer mediated communication for an introductory Health Informatics course.

Online courses will play a key role in the high-volume Informatics education required to train the personnel that will be necessary to fulfill the health IT needs of the country. Online courses can cause feelings of isolation in students. A common way to address these feelings is to hold synchronous online "chats" for students. Conventional chats, however, can be confusing and impose a high extrinsic cognitive load on their participants that hinders the learning process. In this paper we present a qualitative analysis that shows the causes of this high cognitive load and our solution through the use of a moderated chat system.

Aluminum toxicity in a tropical montane forest ecosystem in southern Ecuador

Aluminum phytotoxicity frequently occurs in acid soils (pH < 5.5) and was therefore discussed to affect ecosystem functioning of tropical montane forests. The susceptibility to Al toxicity depends on the sensitivity of the plant species and the Al speciation in soil solution, which can vary highly depending e.g., on pH, ionic strength, and dissolved organic matter. An acidification of the ecosystem and periodic base metal deposition from Saharan dust may control plant available Al concentrations in the soil solutions of tropical montane rainforests in south Ecuador. The overall objective of my study was to assess a potential Al phytotoxicity in the tropical montane forests in south Ecuador. For this purpose, I exposed three native Al non-accumulating tree species (Cedrela odorata L., Heliocarpus americanus L., and Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq.) G. Nicholson) to increased Al concentrations (0 – 2400 μM Al) in a hydroponic experiment, I established dose-response curves to estimate the sensitivity of the tree species to increased Al concentrations, and I investigated the mechanisms behind the observed effects induced by elevated Al concentrations. Furthermore, the response of Al concentrations and the speciation in soil solution to Ca amendment in the study area were determined. In a final step, I assessed all major Al fluxes, drivers of Al concentrations in ecosystem solutions, and indicators of Al toxicity in the tropical montane rainforest in Ecuador in order to test for indications of Al toxicity. In the hydroponic experiment, a 10 % reduction in aboveground biomass production occurred at 126 to 376 μM Al (EC10 values), probably attributable to decreased Mg concentrations in leaves and reduced potosynthesis. At 300 μM Al, increased root biomass production of T. chrysantha was observed. Phosphorus concentrations in roots of C. odorata and T. chrysantha were significantly highest in the treatment with 300 μM Al and correlated significantly with root biomass, being a likely reason for stimulated root biomass production. The degree of organic complexation of Al in the organic layer leachate, which is central to plant nutrition because of the high root density, and soil solution from the study area was very high (mean > 99 %). The resulting low free Al concentrations are not likely to affect plant growth, although the concentrations of potentially toxic Al3+ increased with soil depth due to higher total Al and lower dissolved organic matter concentrations in soil solutions. The Ca additions caused an increase of Al in the organic layer leachate, probably because Al3+ was exchanged against the added Ca2+ ions while pH remained constant. The free ion molar ratios of Ca2+:Al3+ (mean ratio ca. 400) were far above the threshold (≤ 1) for Al toxicity, because of a much higher degree of organo-complexation of Al than Ca. High Al fluxes in litterfall (8.8 – 14.2 kg ha−1 yr−1) indicate a high Al circulation through the ecosystem. The Al concentrations in the organic layer leachate were driven by the acidification of the ecosystem and increased significantly between 1999 and 2008. However, the Ca:Al molar ratios in organic layer leachate and all aboveground ecosystem solutions were above the threshold for Al toxicity. Except for two Al accumulating and one non-accumulating tree species, the Ca:Al molar ratios in tree leaves from the study area were above the Al toxicity threshold of 12.5. I conclude that toxic effects in the hydroponic experiment occurred at Al concentrations far above those in native organic layer leachate, shoot biomass production was likely inhibited by reduced Mg uptake, impairing photosynthesis, and the stimulation of root growth at low Al concentrations can be possibly attributed to improved P uptake. Dissolved organic matter in soil solutions detoxifies Al in acidic tropical forest soils and a wide distribution of Al accumulating tree species and high Al fluxes in the ecosystem do not necessarily imply a general Al phytotoxicity.

"Altkatholische Identität - altkirchliche Identität"? Ein Workshopbericht

Reference to the Ancient Church is an important aspect of Old Catholic identity. This includes reference to particular doctrinal decisions of Ecumenical Councils as well as to the conciliar ecclesiology that made these decisions possible. Four different functions of the reference to the Ancient Church are presented: self legitimation in a controversial context, common ground in an ecumenical context, a source of reforms and ascertaining one’s identity. Legitimating the Ancient Church as a normative source for today’s theology is far from trivial. The ecumenical character of the Ancient Church, its conciliar principle, the paradigmatic and fundamental character of its decisions may serve as such legitimations.

Teachers' Views of Human Rights Education

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that education should be "directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms... promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups." This study surveyed 53 teachers on their views of Human Rights Education, including their familiarity with the concept, their self-efficacy with teaching it, and conditions that would increase the likelihood of their teaching it. The study found that, regardless of familiarity with the topic, years of teaching experience, or school location (urban/suburban), most teachers were open to teaching Human Rights Education. They did identify the need for better resources in the form of lesson plans, teaching materials, and professional training. In addition, support from other teachers, administration, and parents was felt to be important in order for them to undertake Human Rights Education. The best strategy to move forward with Human Rights Education would be to provide resources and support for teachers so that we can be living up to the expectations put forth in the UDHR.

Molecular Mechanics of Water Monomer

Simulation of the classical molecular dynamics of a water molecule can be useful in explaining normal modes of motion, Fourier Transforms, and fundamental frequencies of vibration, as illustrated herein.

Experiencia y absoluto : La respuesta de G.F.W Hegel en la Introducción a la fenomenología del espíritu a los desafíos del escepticismo de G. Schulze

Los estudios de esta tesis doctoral muestran la relación estrecha que existe en la Fenomenología del Espíritu entre el concepto hegeliano de experiencia, su concepción del absoluto y el impacto que tiene en ambos el desafío del escepticismo. La tesis general sostenida es que la confrontación de Hegel con el escepticismo es la clave de lectura más importante para la comprensión de la Introducción a la Fenomenología y por lo tanto del programa original de la obra. Más específicamente, se sostiene que la Introducción a la Fenomenología del Espíritu se encuentra filosóficamente constituida en atenta referencia a las objeciones que Gottlob Schulze había dirigido al incipiente idealismo de Jena en sus escritos de 1803 (Aforismos sobre lo Absoluto) y de 1805 (Los momentos principales del modo escéptico de pensar acerca del conocimiento humano). Se afirma aquí que Hegel revalorizó el escepticismo de Schulze, a tal punto que: a) los desafíos de Schulze son la principal provocación para un cambio de rumbo en los planes filosóficos de Hegel, esto es, el de comenzar por el problema del conocimiento antes de presentar su Lógica; b) las objeciones de Schulze constituyen los motivos decisivos que generan la ruptura entre Schelling y Hegel; c) a raíz de tales objeciones, Hegel relativiza en la Fenomenología la distinción tajante que había establecido entre antiguo y nuevo escepticismo en su escrito de 1802 (Relación del escepticismo con la filosofía); d) Hegel no sólo considera las objeciones del escéptico sino que se apropia y reformula algunas de sus ideas.En síntesis: los estudios que se exponen en esta tesis reconstruyen una polémica entre Hegel y Schulze. Esta reconstrucción puede aclarar la teoría de la experiencia que se encuentra en el texto de la Introducción a la Fenomenología.En cuanto al orden de la exposición, este trabajo doctoral comienza con una presentación de la concepción de Kant acerca de la experiencia, del límite del conocimiento humano y del absoluto, tal como aparecen en la Crítica de la Razón Pura, mostrando cómo ya en aquella obra el escepticismo juega un rol determinante (capítulo 1). A continuación, se exponen las ideas y los argumentos fundamentales del escrito hegeliano de 1802 sobre el escepticismo (capítulo 2). En el tercer capítulo se muestra la incertidumbre que tuvieron los lectores académicos, entre ellos Schulze, acerca de la autoría de la Revista Crítica de Filosofía, la cual era editada por Schelling y Hegel sin especificar la autoría de cada artículo, y en la que había sido publicado el escrito de Hegel. A esta situación se debe -según la presente tesis- que Schulze haya dirigido sus críticas a Schelling y no a Hegel. En los capítulos cuarto y quinto se exponen las tesis fundamentales que Schulze sostiene en los escritos mencionados de 1803 y 1805. El capítulo central, el sexto, consiste en un comentario de toda la Introducción a la Fenomenología a la luz del debate velado con Schulze y en atención particular al concepto hegeliano de experiencia. El último capítulo examina a grandes rasgos, a partir de lo demostrado, la concepción de Hegel sobre el escepticismo y sobre el concepto de experiencia en el resto de la Fenomenología del Espíritu. Se distingue un escepticismo estructural, que forma parte de la dinámica de la experiencia, de un escepticismo histórico que constituye una figura puntual del itinerario de la experiencia que hace la conciencia. En el mismo capítulo se considera el destino que tuvo el concepto de experiencia en el resto de la obra de Hegel y se concluye que sigue de cerca el destino de la Fenomenología y se indagan los motivos. También se examina sucintamente el papel del escepticismo en la Ciencia de la Lógica y en las Lecciones de Historia de la Filosofía. En las Conclusiones Finales de este trabajo doctoral se retoman en forma comparada y sintética las concepciones de Kant, de Schulze y de Hegel acerca de la experiencia, el límite, el absoluto y la libertad.

Séneca, didascalias y voluntad de representación

De las múltiples problemáticas planteadas por la obra trágica de Séneca, una de las que más polémica causa es la cuestión de la representación de sus obras. Numerosos y admirados eruditos han debatido hasta el cansancio sobre este tema, a menudo utilizando los mismos argumentos para tesis encontradas (Pociña, Andrés, 'Una vez más sobre la representación de las tragedias de Séneca', Emerita 41, 1973, 297-308.). En este trabajo intentamos corremos de esta discusión histórico-arqueológica para enfocamos en el entramado textual mismo en busca de pasajes claramente performativos (meso y microdidascalias textuales) que revelan una 'voluntad de representación', al menos primigenia, por parte del autor, más allá de si las obras fueron representadas o no alguna vez. El teatro antiguo tiene por convención la enunciación efectiva de las acciones escénicas y,a la vez, toda acción performativa tiene su correlato en el discurso. Estos pasajes cumplen la función de didascalias internas y responden a una voluntad del autor de influir en la representación (Issacharof, Michael, 'Voix, autorité, didascalies', Poétique 96, 1993, 463-474). La presencia de meso y microdidascalias, relevantes y fundamentales para el desarrollo dramático y trágico, son la huella rastreable de que existió una 'voluntad de representación' por parte de Séneca, al menos en el momento de creación y concepción poética de sus tragedias

Estructuras agrarias comparadas: la Puna argentina y el sur boliviano a comienzos del siglo XX

Este artículo tiene por propósito realizar un aporte más al conocimiento de la problemática socio-económica de la Puna argentina, específicamente a su estructura agraria, atendiendo los cambios y permanencias relativos a la propiedad y tenencia de la tierra, clave del poder económico y social y eje fundamental en las relaciones de producción de esta sociedad agraria. Se trata la cuestión en el marco de la problemática de las tierras indígenas, comparando la situación del Norte argentino con la del Sur boliviano, analizando las políticas de ambos Estados en torno a la tierra de las comunidades y sus efectos en las estructuras agrarias de comienzos del siglo XX.

Questões sobre Classes, Dominação e Conflitos Sociais na Alta Idade Média

Except for a History that is mobilized, nowadays, much more by the supposedly continuities than the changes, the periods of major transitions continue to demand interpretative effort from specialists. It is long the list of those who have been dedicated to the transitional problem between the Antiquity and the Middle Ages, focused on a period of poor and unequally distributed sources, trying to shed light and establish various interpretative means for this phenomenon. Albeit having overcome some of the catastrophic perspectives hindering the pioneer analyses within this context, the current approaches have also eliminated the recognition of both the contradictory manifestations and the social struggles acting as central and fundamental engines of the social transformations within the discussed context. When supported by an adequate theoretical background, documents from the period lead us to a process resulting from contradictions and a scenario of actions and reactions that eventually materialized the conflicts and moved History forward. The transition from the Antiquity to the Middle Ages was encompassed by diverse social antagonist manifestations, which allows us to consider that the arena of disputes were, therefore, that of the society itself.

Experiencia y absoluto : La respuesta de G.F.W Hegel en la Introducción a la fenomenología del espíritu a los desafíos del escepticismo de G. Schulze

Los estudios de esta tesis doctoral muestran la relación estrecha que existe en la Fenomenología del Espíritu entre el concepto hegeliano de experiencia, su concepción del absoluto y el impacto que tiene en ambos el desafío del escepticismo. La tesis general sostenida es que la confrontación de Hegel con el escepticismo es la clave de lectura más importante para la comprensión de la Introducción a la Fenomenología y por lo tanto del programa original de la obra. Más específicamente, se sostiene que la Introducción a la Fenomenología del Espíritu se encuentra filosóficamente constituida en atenta referencia a las objeciones que Gottlob Schulze había dirigido al incipiente idealismo de Jena en sus escritos de 1803 (Aforismos sobre lo Absoluto) y de 1805 (Los momentos principales del modo escéptico de pensar acerca del conocimiento humano). Se afirma aquí que Hegel revalorizó el escepticismo de Schulze, a tal punto que: a) los desafíos de Schulze son la principal provocación para un cambio de rumbo en los planes filosóficos de Hegel, esto es, el de comenzar por el problema del conocimiento antes de presentar su Lógica; b) las objeciones de Schulze constituyen los motivos decisivos que generan la ruptura entre Schelling y Hegel; c) a raíz de tales objeciones, Hegel relativiza en la Fenomenología la distinción tajante que había establecido entre antiguo y nuevo escepticismo en su escrito de 1802 (Relación del escepticismo con la filosofía); d) Hegel no sólo considera las objeciones del escéptico sino que se apropia y reformula algunas de sus ideas.En síntesis: los estudios que se exponen en esta tesis reconstruyen una polémica entre Hegel y Schulze. Esta reconstrucción puede aclarar la teoría de la experiencia que se encuentra en el texto de la Introducción a la Fenomenología.En cuanto al orden de la exposición, este trabajo doctoral comienza con una presentación de la concepción de Kant acerca de la experiencia, del límite del conocimiento humano y del absoluto, tal como aparecen en la Crítica de la Razón Pura, mostrando cómo ya en aquella obra el escepticismo juega un rol determinante (capítulo 1). A continuación, se exponen las ideas y los argumentos fundamentales del escrito hegeliano de 1802 sobre el escepticismo (capítulo 2). En el tercer capítulo se muestra la incertidumbre que tuvieron los lectores académicos, entre ellos Schulze, acerca de la autoría de la Revista Crítica de Filosofía, la cual era editada por Schelling y Hegel sin especificar la autoría de cada artículo, y en la que había sido publicado el escrito de Hegel. A esta situación se debe -según la presente tesis- que Schulze haya dirigido sus críticas a Schelling y no a Hegel. En los capítulos cuarto y quinto se exponen las tesis fundamentales que Schulze sostiene en los escritos mencionados de 1803 y 1805. El capítulo central, el sexto, consiste en un comentario de toda la Introducción a la Fenomenología a la luz del debate velado con Schulze y en atención particular al concepto hegeliano de experiencia. El último capítulo examina a grandes rasgos, a partir de lo demostrado, la concepción de Hegel sobre el escepticismo y sobre el concepto de experiencia en el resto de la Fenomenología del Espíritu. Se distingue un escepticismo estructural, que forma parte de la dinámica de la experiencia, de un escepticismo histórico que constituye una figura puntual del itinerario de la experiencia que hace la conciencia. En el mismo capítulo se considera el destino que tuvo el concepto de experiencia en el resto de la obra de Hegel y se concluye que sigue de cerca el destino de la Fenomenología y se indagan los motivos. También se examina sucintamente el papel del escepticismo en la Ciencia de la Lógica y en las Lecciones de Historia de la Filosofía. En las Conclusiones Finales de este trabajo doctoral se retoman en forma comparada y sintética las concepciones de Kant, de Schulze y de Hegel acerca de la experiencia, el límite, el absoluto y la libertad.