Nella Larsen's Passing: Crossing Forbidden Boundaries

The present paper aims at analysing the theme of transgressions or the crossing of forbidden boundaries in Nella Larsen’s Passing. Due to the fact that hers is the first novel to address the social practice of “passing” overtly and directly within a wider tradition of “passing narratives” its context is relevant. Larsen’s novel became a canonical text almost sixty years after its first publication back in 1929. Moreover, it addressed a social practice, “passing”, that was a consequence of and relevant against a very particular social and historic backdrop and literary tradition, therefore I have deemed it crucial to start by positioning it against its background. The text draws on many autobiographical details such as both women protagonists being of mixed race ancestry like the author herself and them being part of the vibrant Harlem social and cultural scene of the 1920s so a brief outline of Larsen’s biographical details has been rendered. After placing the text in a context that is so relevant to it, the actual boundaries crossed under scrutiny in this paper have been delimited. Racial boundaries linked to identity boundaries are the most relevant as already revealed by the title. In fact, it will be argued that other transgressions are subdued to the crossing of racial boundaries, thus more scope will be devoted to analysing this sphere. Notwithstanding, in view of the scholarly interest in issues of social class, gender and sexuality these spheres are considered too as racial identity is related to issues of class as well as gender and sexual identities. In this sense, racial “passing” is motivated by the need for social advancement but also linked to sexual transgressions. In turn, class issues of bourgeois respectably also linked to the characters restraint and respect of other boundaries. Above all, the text questions racial definition in terms of visual perception, but racial boundaries are explored and exposed as both a physical essence and a social construct so both ambits shall be considered. Racial boundaries are revealed as ambiguous, permeable and arbitrary and their crossing results in individual and collective apprehensions that shatter ideas of identity and identity politics threatening a system of segregation in place in the 1920s America. The social practice of “passing” is exposed as a menace to the validity of the “colour line” as well as the characters ontological certainty raising the question of why a multiple and contingent identity should not be possible as opposed to binary categorisations

San Migelen irudia Gipuzkoako Barrokoan

En Gipuzkoa existen muchas iglesias bajo la advocación de San Miguel. En esta artículo se analizan los elementos iconográficos que caracterizan las imágenes de San Miguel. En el Renacimiento encontramos al principio, figuras muy idealizadas. Durante el romanismo, los rostros son tristes, labios apretados, actitud heroica, tensión muscular. Esto se extiende al Barroco. A lo largo del artículo se van analizando diferentes representaciones de San Miguel existentes en Gipuzkoa, así como los escultores de las mismas: Diego de Mayora, autor del San Miguel de la iglesia de Gaintza, Luis Salvador Carmona de la de Segura, Bernabé Cordero en Zaldibia, Francisco de Echevarría en Ataun. En todas la imágenes se representa a San Miguel luchando y sometiendo al diablo. Son obras de gran calidad y expresivida

"Carnicería" del Museo de San Telmo : sociedad holandesa del siglo XVII y la teoría de los cuatro temperamentos

El artículo hace un estudio de una obra pictórica que se encuentra en el Museo de San Telmo de San Sebastián. Se trata de la Carnicería, atribuida a Adriaen van Ostade. Nos permite caracterizar el contexto social en el que se desenvuelve. Holanda se ha independendizado de España a principios del S. XVII. El elemento religioso juega un papel importante. Holanda, de religión protestante pierde el mecenazgo de la Iglesia. Esto unido a la expansión coyuntural se refleja en la pintura holandesa, se da un auge importante de la producción pictórica que plasmará en imágenes acontecimientos usuales de la sociedad de la época. La nueva clientela es de los estratos medios de la sociedad que demandará un arte popular. A continuación, pasa a describir artística e iconográficamente el cuadro de la Carnicería: sus personajes, temática, técnica y composición. Esta obra representa el tema de los cuatros temperamentos: melancólico, colérico, flemático y sanguineo, que es posible ver reflejados en personajes del cuadr

Steady-state analysis and experimental evaluation of a resonant AC/DC converter for HF sinusoidal AC power distribution systems

The high frequency (HF) alternating current (AC) power distribution systems have significant advantages over their DC counterparts. This paper presents the analysis and experimental evaluation of an AC/DC resonant converter, suitable for use at the load side of HF sinusoidal AC power distribution systems. Foremost, a theoretical analysis of the converter operation in steady state and continuous conduction mode is performed. The analysis is focused on obtaining the conversion ratio, the distortion of the input current and the converter efficiency. In order to validate the theoretical analysis and to investigate the performance, a converter prototype was included in a laboratory HF sinusoidal AC distribution system. The experimental results present good correlation with predicted values obtained by means of calculations done with the mathematical expressions derived in the theoretical analysis. They also confirm the good performance of the converter for the suggested application.Fil: Cendoya, Marcelo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; Argentin

Using Ontology Research in Semantic Web Applications

In the light of improving the World Wide Web, researchers are working towards the Semantic Web. Ontologies and ontology-based applications are its basic ingredients. Several ontological environments, categorizations and methodologies can be found in the literature. This paper shows how we have investigated the state of the art in these areas in an ontology building process that is the basis for an application developed at the later stage in an events organisation domain

RDG System in Remote Areas with Utility or Local Feed Topology and Operation Strategy

In remote regions with availability of wind energy, a RDG (renewable distributed generation) system is an advantageous alternative to increase the provision of electrical supply. Usually, these systems are structured on the basis of a connection to an existing weak grid. When the grid is out of service, the system may operate in islanding mode, if the RDG configuration allows it, continuing the provision of energy with standard voltage and frequency values. Facing the latter situation, a wind-diesel/gas generation system is proposed, with a conversion and control strategies based on a variable speed wind turbine employing a DFIG (doubly fed induction generator), a SC (ultracapacitor) storage system and a SG (synchronous generator) driven by a diesel/gas engine.Fil: Toccaceli, Graciela Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electrotecnia. Laboratorio de Electrónica Industrial, Control e Instrumentación; ArgentinaFil: Peña, Ricardo Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Comodoro; ArgentinaFil: Cendoya, Marcelo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electrotecnia. Laboratorio de Electrónica Industrial, Control e Instrumentación; ArgentinaFil: Battaiotto, Pedro Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Electrotecnia. Laboratorio de Electrónica Industrial, Control e Instrumentación; Argentin

Selection for high spike fertility index increases genetic progress in grain yield and stability in bread wheat

Spike fertility index (SF) has been proposed as a promising trait to be used as a selection criterion in wheat breeding programs aimed at increasing grain yield, but no actual evidence of its successful application has been reported. In this study, 146 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between ‘Baguette 10’ and ‘Klein Chajá’, Argentinean spring bread wheat cultivars with contrasting SF, were evaluated during three crop seasons (2013, 2014 and 2015) at Balcarce, Argentina. Grain yield, grain number/m2, grain weight, and SF were measured at maturity. Changes in grain yield (i.e., responses to selection) after application of different selection strategies, including different selection criteria and selection intensities, were determined. Significant correlations were observed between grain number and grain yield, SF and grain yield, and SF and grain weight. Analysis of SF variance components showed a significant genotype × environment interaction, but it represented only 9% of the total variation, whereas 51% of the variation was genetic, resulting in a high narrow-sense heritability (0.84). The use of SF as a selection criterion, either solely or in combination with selection for high yield, increased yield, resulting in higher and more stable yields than if selecting for high yield alone. Our findings support the use of spike fertility index as a selection criterion for increasing genetic progress and stability of yield in bread wheat breeding programs.Fil: Alonso, María Pía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Área de Investigación en Agronomía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Mirabella, Nadia Estefania. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Área de Investigación en Agronomía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Panelo, Juan Sebastián. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Área de Investigación en Agronomía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Cendoya, Marcelo Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Área de Investigación en Agronomía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pontaroli, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce. Área de Investigación en Agronomía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Application of Statecharts in Buck-Boost DC-DC Converter Simulation

A very attractive and relatively simple option to simulate a DC-DC converter is to use a hybrid model. In this case, the need to use very small simulation steps (as those necessary to simulate models carried out at the physical level) is avoided. Furthermore, unlike the averaged state-space models, it has the advantage that the model is valid throughout the entire working range of the converter and for both conduction modes (continuous and discontinuous). By simulating several renewable energy conversion systems incorporating DC-DC converters, the authors have discovered the true potential of this modeling method. Despite its inherent advantages, this approach to DC-DC converters simulation is not as widely adopted as it should be. This work tries to encourage the reader of its use in certain typical situations. In this article the implementation of the hybrid model of the DC-DC Buck-Boost converter, using Statechart techniques, is performed. This model was written in the Stateflow language, a tool from the MATLAB®/Simulink environment, and allowed the creation of a building block formed by the described converter model with adequate interfaces to the SimPowerSystem and Simulink environments. The block is validated by comparing simulation results, realized under different operating conditions, with calculations done employing well-known and proven formulas. As an example of the use of the presented block, a buck-boost DC-DC converter with voltage and current control loops is simulated, corroborating its correct performance.Fil: Cendoya, Marcelo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; ArgentinaFil: Toccaceli, Graciela Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; Argentin

Analysis of a series resonant AC/DC converter with integral cycle mode control for high frequency AC distribution systems

The study of a resonant AC/DC converter, thought for high frequency sinusoidal AC power distribution systems, is performed in this article. The control switch is commuted at the resonant current zero crossings, staying closed (or open) for a certain number of complete cycles. This commutation strategy, known as “integral cycle mode control”, gives soft-switching which improves efficiency, minimizes EMI and increases reliability and converter life span. Also, the input current has a low THD and a good power factor. A suitable scheme to control the converter is proposed. It consists of an internal loop based on sliding mode techniques, for regulating the amplitude of the resonant current, and an external PI loop with an added feed-forward action, that sets the DC output voltage. The main objective is minimizing the disturbing effect that variations in the AC bus voltage and load consumption have over the DC output voltage. For the design of the control laws, a model expressed in terms of rectified and averaged sinusoidal variables is employed. Computer simulations have been performed, considering typical surrounding conditions for this kind of application. The obtained results show that the converter DC output voltage stay always close to its reference value, presenting good rejection against the aforementioned disturbances.Fil: Cendoya, Marcelo Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; ArgentinaFil: Mantz, Ricardo Julian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Nuevas noticias sobre Lázaro de la Incera Vega

Lázaro de la Incera Vega es un maestro arquitecto de procedencia cántabra activo en Gipuzkoa y Bizkaia entre fines del siglo XVII y principios del siglo XVIII. Fallecido en 1728, aquí presentamos, en base al inventario de sus bienes, los libros que sobre su oficio poseía. De esta manera podremos conocer el soporte teórico de sus obras y, sobre todo, su capacitación profesional. Además, documentaremos la contratación de las torres de San Severino y San Juan del Moral de Balmaseda, reduciendo su papel al de artífice material de la primera, toda vez que los diseños de esa importante obra corresponderían a Pedro de la Viesca, Andrés Martínez, Alberto Alonso de Viadero y Alonso Martínez Ochoa.Lázaro de la Incera Vega kantauriar jatorriko arkitektura-maisuak Gipuzkoan eta Bizkaian jardun zuen XVII. mendearen amaieratik XVIII. mendearen hasiera bitartean. 1728an zendu zen. Bere ondasunen inbentarioan oinarriturik, lanbideaz zeuzkan liburuak aurkezten ditugu lan honetan. Horrela, haren obren euskarri teorikoa eta, batez ere, haren lanbide-gaitasuna ezagutu ahal izan dugu. Gainera, Balmasedako San Severino eta San Juan del Moral dorreen kontratazioa dokumentatuko dugu, eta haren eginkizuna horietako lehenaren egile materiala izatera mugatuko dugu, obra garrantzitsu horren diseinuen egileak Pedro de la Viesca, Andrés Martínez, Albert o Alonso de Viadero eta Alonso Martínez Ochoa izan bide zirelako.Lázaro de la Incera Vega est un maître architecte de provenance cantabre, qui exerça à Gipuzkoa et à Bizkaia entre la fin du XVIIe et le début du XVIIIe siècle. Il mourut en 1728 et nous présentons ici, sur la base d'inventaire de ses biens, les livres qu'il possédait sur son métier. De cette manière nous pourrons connaître le support théorique de ses oeuvres et, surtout, sa capacité professionnelle. De plus, nous documenterons le contrat des tours de San Severino et San Juan del Moral de Balmaseda, réduisant son rôle à celui d'artisan matériel de la première, étant donné que les dessins de cette oeuvre importante correspondraient à Pedro de la Viesca, Andrés Martínez, Alberto Alonso de Viadero et Alonso Martínez Ochoa.Lázaro de la Incera Vega is a master architect who was born in Cantabria and who was active in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia between the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. He died in 1728. In this work, the author, based on the inventory of his properties, presents the books that he had on his trade. In this way we will be able to know the theoretical support of his works and, above all, his professional training. Furthermore, the author has documented the contracting of the towers of San Severino and San Juan del Moral de Balmaseda, reducing his role to builder of the former tower. The design of that important building corresponded in reality to Pedro de la Viesca, Andrés Martínez, Alberto Alonso de Viadero and Alonso Martínez Ochoa