Restricted stimulus control in stimulus control shaping with a capuchin monkey

Teaching the first instances of arbitrary matching-to-sample to nonhumans can prove difficult and time consuming. Stimulus control relations may develop that differ from those intended by the experimentereven when stimulus control shaping procedures are used. We present, in this study, efforts to identify sources of shaping program failure with a capuchin monkey. Procedures began with a baseline of identity matching. During subsequent shaping trials, compound comparison stimuli had two componentsone identical to and another different from the sample. The identical component was eliminated gradually by removing portions across trials (i.e., subtracting stimulus elements). The monkey performed accurately throughout shaping. At a late stage in the program, probe tests were conducted: (1) arbitrary matching trials that had all elements of the identical comparison removed and (2) other trials that included residual elements. During the test, the monkey performed at low levels on the former trials and higher levels on the latter. These results suggested that higher accuracy was due merely to continued control by the residual elements: the target arbitrary matching relations had not been learned. Thus, it appears that procedures that gradually transform identity matching baselines into arbitrary matching can fail by inadvertently shaping restricted control by residual elements. Subsequent probes at the end of the shaping series showed a successful transfer of stimulus control from identity to arbitrary matching after further programming steps apparently overcame the restricted stimulus control.

Treino sem consequências diferenciais: importância conceitual, metodológica e algumas implicações educacionais

Neste trabalho, retomamos os principais estudos sobre o treino de discriminações condicionais sem conseqüências diferenciais implementados em nosso laboratório com humanos desprovidos de história prévia de participação como sujeitos. Buscamos descrever os procedimentos utilizados e discutimos os resultados em torno de aspectos conceituais e metodológicos a respeito dos quais os estudos podem ser inter-relacionados - a questão do reforço (a temporalidade com que este segue o desempenho, enquanto uma característica envolvida em sua definição) e fontes alternativas de controle (o pareamento Modelo-Sc e Modelo-Si, bem como a reexposição às tentativas de treino). Finalmente, relacionamos o procedimento geral dos estudos com a postura do professor em sala de aula e sugerimos algumas implicações educacionais dele decorrentes, como podendo estar envolvidas na programação e implementação do ensino.

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 genetic algorithm/mathematical programming approach to solve a two-level soft drink production problem

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A Fuzzy Goal Programming model for solving aggregate production-planning problems under uncertainty: A case study in a Brazilian sugar mill

This paper proposes a Fuzzy Goal Programming model (FGP) for a real aggregate production-planning problem. To do so, an application was made in a Brazilian Sugar and Ethanol Milling Company. The FGP Model depicts the comprehensive production process of sugar, ethanol, molasses and derivatives, and considers the uncertainties involved in ethanol and sugar production. Decision-makings, related to the agricultural and logistics phases, were considered on a weekly-basis planning horizon to include the whole harvesting season and the periods between harvests. The research has provided interesting results about decisions in the agricultural stages of cutting, loading and transportation to sugarcane suppliers and, especially, in milling decisions, whose choice of production process includes storage and logistics distribution. (C)2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A mixed-integer quadratically-constrained programming model for the distribution system expansion planning

This paper presents a mixed-integer quadratically-constrained programming (MIQCP) model to solve the distribution system expansion planning (DSEP) problem. The DSEP model considers the construction/reinforcement of substations, the construction/reconductoring of circuits, the allocation of fixed capacitors banks and the radial topology modification. As the DSEP problem is a very complex mixed-integer non-linear programming problem, it is convenient to reformulate it like a MIQCP problem; it is demonstrated that the proposed formulation represents the steady-state operation of a radial distribution system. The proposed MIQCP model is a convex formulation, which allows to find the optimal solution using optimization solvers. Test systems of 23 and 54 nodes and one real distribution system of 136 nodes were used to show the efficiency of the proposed model in comparison with other DSEP models available in the specialized literature. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Undernutrition fetal programming: effects on kidney morphology, renal steroid and angiotensin receptors expression and urinary sodium excretion

Maternal undernutrition affects the foetal development, promoting renal alterations and adult hypertension. The present study investigates, in adult male rats, the effect of food restriction in utero on arterial blood pressure changes (AP), and its possible association with the number of nephrons, renal function and angiotensin II (AT1R/AT2R), glucocorticoid (GR) and mineralocorticoid (MCR) receptors expression. The daily food supply to pregnant rats was measured and one group (n=5) received normal quantity of food (NF) while the other group received 50% of that (FR50) (n=5). The AP was measured weekly. At 16 weeks of life, fractionator’s method was used to estimate glomeruli number in histological slices. The renal function was estimate by creatinine and lithium clearances. Blood and urine samples were collected to biochemical determination of creatinine, sodium, potassium and lithium. At 90th and 23rd days of life, kidneys were also processed to AT1R, AT2R, GR and MCR immunolocalization and for western blotting analysis. FR50 offspring shows a significant reduction in BW (FR50: 5.67 ± 0.16 vs. 6.84 ± 0.13g in NF, P<0.001) and increased AP from 6th to 12nd week (6thwk FR50: 149.1 ± 3.4 vs. 125.1 ± 3.2mmHg in NF, P<0.001and, 12ndwk FR50: 164.4 ± 4.9 vs. 144.0 ± 3.3 mmHg in NF, P=0.02). Expression of AT1R and AT2R were significantly decreased in FR50 (AT1, 59080 ± 2709 vs. 77000 ± 3591 in NF, P=0.05; AT2, 27500 ± 95.50 vs. 67870 ± 1509 in NF, P=0.001) while the expression of GR increased in FR50 (36090 ± 781.5 vs. 4446 ± 364.5 in NF, P=0.0007). The expression of MCR did not change significantly. We also verified a pronounced decrease in fractional urinary sodium excretion in FR50 offspring (0.03 ± 0.02 vs. 0.06 ± 0.04 in NF, p=0.03). This occurred despite unchanged creatinine clearance. The study led us to suggest that fetal undernutrition, with increased fetal exposure... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Website Laboratório de Televisão Digital www.labtvd.com.br

Este projeto tem como proposta principal a produção de um website que consolide informações, pesquisas, artigos, teses, notícias e produções audiovisuais que abordem a temática da Televisão Digital. A concepção deve ser construir com as bases de um modelo transdisciplinar de informações, já que pretende condensar e reunir inúmeras áreas correlatas à temática citada. O website LabTVD! – www.labtvd.com.br, é voltado a um público de estratos sociais e faixa etária flexíveis, constituído por estudantes universitários, pesquisadores, profissionais da área, professores ou qualquer interessado na evolução do Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão Digital Terrestre - SBTVD-T

Improvements in the score matrix calculation method using parallel score estimating algorithm

The increasing amount of sequences stored in genomic databases has become unfeasible to the sequential analysis. Then, the parallel computing brought its power to the Bioinformatics through parallel algorithms to align and analyze the sequences, providing improvements mainly in the running time of these algorithms. In many situations, the parallel strategy contributes to reducing the computational complexity of the big problems. This work shows some results obtained by an implementation of a parallel score estimating technique for the score matrix calculation stage, which is the first stage of a progressive multiple sequence alignment. The performance and quality of the parallel score estimating are compared with the results of a dynamic programming approach also implemented in parallel. This comparison shows a significant reduction of running time. Moreover, the quality of the final alignment, using the new strategy, is analyzed and compared with the quality of the approach with dynamic programming.

Controlador PID utilizando microcontrolador PIC

This monograph proposes the implementation of a low cost PID controller utilizing a PIC microcontroller, and its application in a positioning system previously controlled by a dedicated integrated circuit for a positioning system. Applying the closed-loop PID control, the system instability was reduced, and its response was smoother, eliminating vibrations and mechanical wear compared to its response with the dedicated integrated circuit, which has a very limited control action. The actuator of the system is a DC motor, whose speed is controlled by the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique, using a Full-Bridge circuit, allowing the shift of direction of rotation. The utilized microcontroller was the PIC16F684, which has an enhanced PWM module, with its analog converters used as reference and position feedback. The positioning sensor is a multiturn potentiometer coupled to the motor axis by gears. The possibility of programming the PID coefficients in the microcontroller, as well as the adjustment of the sampling rate, allows the implemented system achieving high level of versatility

Projeto e concepção de um quadcopter utilizando o controle PID

The present work refers to the design, conception and development of a quadcopter based on PID controllers, a widespread microcontroller on the market was being implemented, the Arduino. Also made use of LabVIEW programming tool from National Instruments company for the quadcopter control and telemetry. For the control, LabVIEW software acquired the joystick commands, making the necessary adjustments to the perfect interpretation by microcontroller on the quadcopter and adjusts the parameters of PID controllers. For telemetry, data relating to quadcopter behavior are received, interpreted and presented in an intuitive user interface. In the first part of this graduate work presents the theoretical background on the subject, with a brief history about the quadcopters, followed by the main projects in the academic and commercial matters. Also are presented the theories of communications used in the design and PID control. Then an overview of the dynamic and mathematical model is demonstrated. Having done this, the physical and computer components required to complete the project are showed and the results are achieved consequently. Finally, a conclusion is made taking into account the results obtained. In this work will be presented the PID control of quadcopter translational movements only to roll and pitch movements

Controle de Acesso utilizando Arduino, banco de dados MySQL e LabVIEW

The search for more reliable security systems and information management of these systems is leading to a growing progress in new technologies investments that allow the implementation of equipment with a high level of reliability, but also have an agile and practical operation. This led people to turn increasingly looking for home automation systems, enterprise and industry for the automation and integration of their systems. The identification by radio frequency is very widespread today for ensuring both agility in handling records data, the reliability of their identification systems, which are increasingly advanced and less susceptible to fraud. Attached to this technology, the use of the database is always very important for the storage of information collected, the area where the MySQL platform is widely used. Using the open source Arduino platform for programming and manipulation of RFID module and LabVIEW software for the union of all these technologies and to develop a user-friendly interface, you can create a highly reliable access control and agility places a high turnover of people. This project aims to prove the advantages of using all these technologies working together, thus improving a flawed system effectively safety, cheaper and quicker

Estudo e aplicação de diferentes métodos de resolução para problemas dinâmicos não-lineares em presença de atrito

The friction phenomena is present in mechanical systems with two surfaces that are in contact, which can cause serious damage to structures. Your understanding in many dynamic problems became the target of research due to its nonlinear behavior. It is necessary to know and thoroughly study each existing friction model found in the literature and nonlinear methods to define what will be the most appropriate to the problem in question. One of the most famous friction model is the Coulomb Friction, which is considered in the studied problems in the French research center Laboratoire de Mécanique des Structures et des Systèmes Couplés (LMSSC), where this search began. Regarding the resolution methods, the Harmonic Balance Method is generally used. To expand the knowledge about the friction models and the nonlinear methods, a study was carried out to identify and study potential methodologies that can be applied in the existing research lines in LMSSC and then obtain better final results. The identified friction models are divided into static and dynamic. Static models can be Classical Models, Karnopp Model and Armstrong Model. The dynamic models are Dahl Model, Bliman and Sorine Model and LuGre Model. Concerning about nonlinear methods, we study the Temporal Methods and Approximate Methods. The friction models analyzed with the help of Matlab software are verified from studies in the literature demonstrating the effectiveness of the developed programming

Planejamento e controle da produção: reestruturação no layout de apertadeiras eletrônicas em uma linha de produção do ramo de autopeças

In industrial plants, there is a department responsible for planning the use of productive resources to find the best possible way to set out plans in strategic, tactical and operational levels. This department is known as PCP or PPCP, which means Planning and Production Control and Planning, Programming and Production Control, respectively. This work presents the use of some of the tools from this department, in particular the Aggregate Production Planning, to propose a new layout of electronic nutrunners for an auto parts industry output line. Through some process indicators analyzes, was identified some productivity losses. The higher loss rate occurred by the electronic nutrunners breaking, and so this work was focused in these devices. Some premises were adopted for the use of electronic nut runners, setting an ideal cycle time for the operation of the production line and making calculations to define the minimum amount of electronic nutrunners to find the production demand without damaging the equipment. With this work we observed that a relevant factor for the constant breaks of electronic nutrunners is because these are working with overload, in other words, the amount of installed equipment is not enough to supply the demand without failures