Formulation of consumables management models, executive summary

Future manned space programs that have increased launch frequencies and reusable systems require an implementation of new consumables and systems management techniques that relieve both the operations support personnel and flight crew activities. Analytical models and techniques were developed which consist of a Mission Planning Processor (MPP) with appropriate consumables data base, methods of recognizing potential constraint violations in both the planning and flight operations functions, and flight data files for storage/retrieval of information over extended periods interfacing with flight operations processors for monitoring of the actual flights. Consumables subsystems considered in the MPP were electrical power, environmental control and life support, propulsion, hydraulics and auxiliary power

Advanced Signal Processing Techniques Applied to Power Systems Control and Analysis

The work published in this book is related to the application of advanced signal processing in smart grids, including power quality, data management, stability and economic management in presence of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. The distinct architecture of smart grids has prompted investigations into the use of advanced algorithms combined with signal processing methods to provide optimal results. The presented applications are focused on data management with cloud computing, power quality assessment, photovoltaic power plant control, and electrical vehicle charge stations, all supported by modern AI-based optimization methods

Resource Management in Distributed Camera Systems

The aim of this work is to investigate different methods to solve the problem of allocating the correct amount of resources (network bandwidth and storage space) to video camera systems. Here we explore the intersection between two research areas: automatic control and game theory. Camera systems are a good example of the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its impact on our daily lives and the environment. We aim to improve today’s systems, shift from resources over-provisioning to allocate dynamically resources where they are needed the most. We optimize the storage and bandwidth allocation of camera systems to limit the impact on the environment as well as provide the best visual quality attainable with the resource limitations. This thesis is written as a collection of papers. It begins by introducing the problem with today’s camera systems, and continues with background information about resource allocation, automatic control and game theory. The third chapter de- scribes the models of the considered systems, their limitations and challenges. It then continues by providing more background on the automatic control and game theory techniques used in the proposed solutions. Finally, the proposed solutions are provided in five papers.Paper I proposes an approach to estimate the amount of data needed by surveillance cameras given camera and scenario parameters. This model is used for calculating the quasi Worst-Case Transmission Times of videos over a network. Papers II and III apply control concepts to camera network storage and bandwidth assignment. They provide simple, yet elegant solutions to the allocation of these resources in distributed camera systems. Paper IV com- bines pricing theory with control techniques to force the video quality of cam- era systems to converge to a common value based solely on the compression parameter of the provided videos. Paper V uses the VCG auction mechanism to solve the storage space allocation problem in competitive camera systems. It allows for a better system-wide visual quality than a simple split allocation given the limited system knowledge, trust and resource constraints

Energy Efficient Control and Fault Detection for HVAC Systems

The interest in HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) technology has rapidly increased in the last years. HVAC systems have become important in the design of medium-large buildings in order to ensure thermal comfort in the environments with respect to the temperature and humidity of the air. Control, optimisation and maintenance procedures are fundamental in HVAC systems in order to guarantee people comfort and energy efficient solutions in their management. Two different topics are covered in this thesis. Energy Efficient Control of Ice Thermal Energy Storage Systems HVAC plants have recently begun to be matched with thermal energy storage systems. If properly designed, installed, and maintained, these systems can be used to store energy when its cost is low and exploiting it when the price increases. In particular, in HVAC cooling systems, a common thermal storage medium is ice. From a control and optimisation point of view, a cooling plant with ice storage proves to be a complex system. Standard control strategies seem not to be able to achieve the right trade-off between energy efficiency and demand satisfaction. In this thesis, in order to design efficient control strategies for storage systems, a HVAC model with ice storage is developed in a simulation environment. The thermal behaviour of the HVAC system is derived from the mass and energy conservation equations; in particular the ice storage is considered a hybrid system, thus taking into consideration both sensible and latent heat. Three standard control methods are compared with a non-linear predictive control strategy. The simulations results show that the implemented non-linear predictive control strategy provides the best control for the efficient energy management of ice storage systems. Fault Detection in HVAC Systems Operating problems associated with degraded equipment, poor maintenance, and improperly implemented controls, plague many HVAC systems. Fault detection methods can therefore play a key role in monitoring complex HVAC plants, detecting anomalous behaviours in such a way as to keep the systems in their best operational conditions with minimum costs. In this thesis, fault detection and diagnosis methods on variable air volume (VAV) systems are first designed. To this aim, a VAV system model with two zones is developed; the control of system is obtained with a direct feedback linearisation technique. Supervised classification methods are used to detect and diagnose the simulated faults in the model. The simulations results show the good performances of the classification in the detection and diagnosis of the most common faults in VAV systems. Detection methods are then developed for the most relevant faults affecting chillers. To this aim, data collected in the research project 1043-RP promoted by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) are used. In this project experimental studies were conducted on a centrifugal water-cooled chiller in order to collect data in both normal and faulty situations. The developed technique is based on one-class classification methods with a novelty detection approach, where only normal data are used to characterize the correct system behaviour. The classification results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method for the detection of the most common faults in chillers

A review of insect infestation of maize in farm storage in Africa with special reference to the ecology and control of Prostephanus truncatus (NRI Bulletin No. 18)

African farmers operate traditional methods of integrated pest control when storing maize. They dry the maize well, store it on the cob in suitable structures and avoid protracted storage whenever possible. Such traditional methods are reasonably effective and studies have shown that under normal conditions they can keep losses down to less than 5% per year (Adams, 1977; Golob, 1981 a and 1981 b). Recent changes in farming systems have, however, interfered with traditional storage practices, resulting in the more frequent occurrence of serious losses. In particular, where high-yielding varieties of maize have been introduced, a dramatic increase in losses has often resulted. Other changes in farming systems have affected cropping patterns, causing farmers to store maize that is too wet, increasing its susceptibility to attack by insects and fungi. The recent accidental introduction of the larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus) into Africa has added a new dimension to these problems, through its remarkable ability to damage well-dried maize, even when stored on the cob. This beetle is currently a more serious pest in parts of sub-Saharan Africa than in its native Central America, indicating that in Africa there are ecological, agricultural or socio-economic factors associated with maize storage which favour its success. Certainly, where P. truncatus has become established in Africa, it has commonly increased the loss levels sustained in traditional maize stores to a point at which intensified pest control by the farmer is an economic necessity (McFarlane, 1988). There is thus a need to revise recommended methods for the control of insect pests of maize in farm storage, taking into account the changes which have reduced the effectiveness of traditional practices. This bulletin attempts to summarize available data from studies of pest infestation in traditional maize stores, relevant to current and future research in this field. The emphasis on P. truncatus in parts of the text reflects the importance currently attached to the development of integrated pest management strategies for this pest, in order to limit its spread in maize-producing regions of Africa

Double–blind control of the data manager doesn't have any impact on data entry reliability and should be considered as an avoidable cost

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Database systems have been developed to store data from large medical trials and survey studies. However, a reliable data storage system does not guarantee data entering reliability.</p> <p>We aimed to evaluate if double-blind control of the data manager might have any effect on data-reliability. Our secondary aim was to assess the influence of the inserting position in the insertion-sheet on data-entry accuracy and the effectiveness of electronic controls in identifying data-entering mistakes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey and single data-manager data entry.</p> <p>Data from PACMeR_02 survey, which had been conducted within a framework of the SESy-Europe project (PACMeR_01.4), were used as substrate for this study. We analyzed the electronic storage of 6446 medical charts. We structured data insertion in four sequential phases. After each phase, the data stored in the database were tested in order to detect unreliable entries through both computerized and manual random control. Control was provided in a double blind fashion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Double-blind control of the data manager didn't improve data entry reliability. Entries near the end of the insertion sheet were correlated with a larger number of mistakes. Data entry monitoring by electronic-control was statistically more effective than hand-searching of randomly selected medical records.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Double-blind control of the data manager should be considered an avoidable cost. Electronic-control for monitoring of data-entry reliability is suggested.</p

Evaluasi Keandalan Catatan Akuntansi Persediaan Dalam Pelaksanaan Pengendalian Intern (Studi Kasus Pada CV Juberta Di Kasui, Way Kanan)

The purpose of this study was to determine whether inventory records in the implementation of internal control has been reliably. Authors proposed hypothesis is: "inventory accounting records in the implementation of internal control has not been reliably. The methods used in the research is to conduct library research, especially on things that relate to research and field research by way of field research with the object studied. Analysis tool used is the qualitative analysis was to compare the theory internal control systems inventory with field reality. In the discussion of the data analysis, it can be concluded that based on the qualitative analysis that in carrying out its activities CV.Juberta leaders had planned organizational structure and division of tasks according to the activities undertaken, the transfer of goods to the companys procedures do not ensure good internal control, because it contains among the many weaknesses lain.selama pngiriman process and storage of goods in warehouses holding just rely on trust to a warehouse clerk. The company has not separated the functions of making the order and delivery of goods, storage, and delivery functions