Contribuições para o método Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning

Em métodos de controle baseados em dados o ajuste dos parâmetros do controlador é realizado diretamente a partir dos dados coletados, sem a necessidade de estimar um modelo para o processo. Dentre os métodos propostos na literatura, o Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT) talvez seja o método não iterativo mais empregado para realizar o ajuste dos parâmetros de um controlador de modo a atingir um desempenho em malha fechada predeterminado. Contudo, a qualidade da estimativa dos parâmetros com este método é afetada quando: há presença de ruído nos sinais coletados, empregam-se controladores de ordem reduzida, ou os dados são coletados de um experimento pouco informativo. Assim, o presente trabalho propõe soluções para esses três problemas. Para o caso ruidoso, o problema do VRFT é formulado com as soluções de mínimos quadrados Data Least Squares (DLS) e Constrained Total Least Squares (CTLS). Na solução CTLS considerouse não apenas controladores com parametrização linear, mas também controladores com polos e zeros livres, permitindo mais flexibilidade na escolha da estrutura do controlador. Para o caso de controladores de ordem reduzida, são propostos filtros para a solução CTLS, permitindo sua aplicação nesse caso. No caso em que os dados são coletados de um experimento pouco informativo, como dados de operação, por exemplo, a utilização de todo o conjunto de dados não necessariamente melhora a estimativa dos parâmetros, nem o desempenho em malha fechada. Portanto, no presente trabalho foram adaptados para o método VRFT dois critérios de seleção de subconjuntos muito informativos de dados, presentes na literatura de identificação de sistemas. No contexto do presente trabalho, subconjuntos muito informativos de dados são segmentos do conjunto de dados original que contêm informação relevante para identificação dos parâmetros do controlador. Todas as contribuições propostas são ilustradas através de simulações.In the data-driven (DD) control framework, the task of tuning the controller’s parameters is carried out directly from the collected data, without the knowledge of the process model. Among the DD methods proposed in the literature, the Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT) is perhaps the non-iterative method most commonly employed to tune a controller’s parameters aiming to achieve a prescribed closed-loop performance. However, the parameters estimate’s quality with this method is compromised: when the collected data is affected by noise, in the reduced-order controllers case, and when the data is little informative. Therefore, the present work proposes solutions to these three problems. For the noisy case, the VRFT problem is formulated using the least squares solutions known as Data Least Squares (DLS) and Constrained Total Least Squares (CTLS). The CTLS solution is formulated not only using linearly parametrized controllers but also controllers with free poles and zeros, allowing more flexibility to the choice of the controller’s structure. For the reduced-order controllers case, filters are proposed for the CTLS solution, allowing its application in this case. For the case of little informative data, such as routine operating data, for example, more data does not necessarily mean a better estimate or a better closed-loop performance. Therefore, in the present work, two data selection criteria to select strongly informative subsets, applied in the system identification framework, were adapted to the VRFT problem. In the present work, strongly informative subsets are defined as sections of the original dataset containing the information relevant to identify the controller’s parameters. All the proposed contributions are illustrated through simulations

The disenchanted mountain's Heritage. Protection and reuse of sanatoriums in the Alps

Imaging studies are expected to produce reliable information regarding the size and fat content of the pancreas. However, the available studies have produced inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of imaging studies assessing pancreas size and fat content in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Medline and Embase databases were performed. Studies evaluating pancreatic size (diameter, area or volume) and/or fat content by ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging in patients with T1DM and/or T2DM as compared to healthy controls were selected. Seventeen studies including 3,403 subjects (284 T1DM patients, 1,139 T2DM patients, and 1,980 control subjects) were selected for meta-analyses. Pancreas diameter, area, volume, density, and fat percentage were evaluated.Pancreatic volume was reduced in T1DM and T2DM vs. controls (T1DM vs. controls: -38.72 cm3, 95%CI: -52.25 to -25.19, I2 = 70.2%, p for heterogeneity = 0.018; and T2DM vs. controls: -12.18 cm3, 95%CI: -19.1 to -5.25, I2 = 79.3%, p for heterogeneity = 0.001). Fat content was higher in T2DM vs. controls (+2.73%, 95%CI 0.55 to 4.91, I2 = 82.0%, p for heterogeneity<0.001).Individuals with T1DM and T2DM have reduced pancreas size in comparison with control subjects. Patients with T2DM have increased pancreatic fat content

Fake News oitocentistas? as petas da sociedade petalogica, uma agremiação empe-nhada na disseminação de mentiras : Rio de Janeiro (1830-1860)

Na edição de 27 de abril de 1983 da revista brasileira Veja, Eurípedes Alcantara, repórter de Ciência da revista, publicou a notícia sobre o “Boimate", experimento inovador anteriormente publicado na revista inglesa New Science. Segundo a revista inglesa, o “Boimate" seria o produto da fusão de células vegetais do tomate com células animais do boi. Os biólogos responsáveis pela experiência chamavam-se Barry McDonald e Will. Wimpey – sobrenomes que lembravam empresas de alimentação. Mesmo com essa e outras pistas no texto difun-dido na New Science, Eurípedes publicou tal experiência na revista Veja como sendo um fato verídico, o que causou a hilaridade de alguns leitores/as e jornalistas brasileiros/as. A publicação inglesa não passava de uma brincadeira costumeira da New Science, que inven-tava e fazia circular matérias em comemoração ao dia 1º de abril, conhecido como o dia da mentira. Esse é um exemplo do que podemos intitular como fake news, que simploriamente, diante de toda sua complexidade, pode ser entendido como notícias falsas que se espalham rapidamente. Esse fenômeno se ampara atualmente em novas tecnologias que proporcio-nam um maior poder de distribuições dessas notícias. No entanto, o hábito de lançar notícias falsas não é uma novidade no Brasil. Exemplo disso é a Sociedade Petalógica do Rossio Grande, uma agremiação que existiu entre os anos de 1830 e 1860 e que tinha como objetivo disseminar mentiras para ridicularizar aqueles que as passavam para frente como sendo verdades. Mas o que era essa Sociedade, quem eram seus membros e o que objetivavam com essas mentiras? Como os próprios iniciados na Petalogica escreviam nas Atas das reuniões da agremiação, publicadas o jornal de variedades A Marmota, vejamos como a cousa se fezFil: Teixeira, Cristiane Garcia. Universidad Federal de Santa Catarin

Prevalência da síndrome metabólica em receptores de transplante renal de acordo com o gênero e tempo pós-transplante /

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is defined as a set of cardiovascular risk factors including obesity, systemic high blood pressure (SHBP), changes in glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of MS in renal transplant recipients (RTR) ranges from 15% to 65%, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reducing renal allograft survival in the long term. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and frequency of MS in renal transplant patients according to gender and time of transplantation and to evaluate renal function in patients with and without MS. Patients and Methods: Crosssectional study conducted from August 2012 to September 2013 involving 153 renal transplant recipients. MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). The sample was divided into two groups: patients with metabolic syndrome (WMS patients) and patients without metabolic syndrome (WoMS patients) and according to gender. The WMS patients were stratified into quartiles according to the renal transplantation period (RTP), and variables related to MS were analyzed for both sexes. Results: MS was diagnosed in 58.1% of the studied population, specifically in MS was found 58.4% of men and 41.6% of women (P ˂ 0.05). The male and female with MS were 48.8 ± 11.6 years old vs. 47.1 ± 12.7 years old and the time of post transplantation was 76.1 ± 76.5 months vs. 84.7 ± 65.4 months, respectively (P >0,05). When we compared the sexes in the WMS group, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in men (137.0 ± 18.1 vs. 128.9 ± 13.6 mmHg, P= 0.029), while the other components of MS did not exhibit significant differences. With respect to renal function, when we compared the sexes in the WMS group, the serum creatinine (sCr) was higher in men (1.73 ± 0.69 vs. 1.31 ± 0.47 mg/dL, P= 0.0012), while the urinary protein/creatinine ratio was higher in women (0.48 ± 0.69 vs. 0.37 ± 0.48 mg/dL, P=0.0150). We found no significant difference in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between WMS and WoMS patients for women and men (50.6 ± 19.1 vs. 50.1 ± 18.3 mL/min/1.73 m², P=0.909). We found a significant positive association between eGFR and HDL-c levels (r=0.3371; P=0.0145) for WMS men. The MS components showed no significant differences in RTP for different interquartile ranges, except for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in women, where there was a significant variation among the quartiles evaluated (P=0.0009). Conclusion: the prevalence of MS was similar in the different quartiles in both sexes, in relation to time post TX. There was no significant difference in eGFR in patients WMS and WoMS, in both sexes. Concluding that the MS did not vary in relation to time post transplant.Dissertação (Mestrado)A Síndrome Metabólica (SM) é definida como um conjunto de fatores de risco cardiovascular, incluindo obesidade, hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), alterações no metabolismo de glicose e dislipidemia. A prevalência da SM em receptores de transplante renal (RTR) varia entre 15 a 65%, aumentando o risco de doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) e reduzindo a sobrevida do enxerto renal a longo prazo. Nosso objetivo foi de verificar a prevalência da SM e a frequência de seus componentes em pacientes transplantados renais de acordo com gênero e tempo pós-transplante, além de avaliar a função renal nos pacientes com e sem SM. Pacientes e métodos: Estudo transversal realizado no período de agosto de 2012 a setembro de 2013, envolvendo 153 pacientes transplantados renais. A SM foi definida pelos critérios do National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP- III). A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: pacientes com síndrome metabólica (CSM) e sem síndrome metabólica (SSM) e de acordo com gênero. Os pacientes CSM foram estratificados em quartis segundo o tempo pós-transplante renal e analisadas as variáveis relacionadas à SM para ambos os sexos. Resultados: A SM foi diagnosticada em 58,2% da população estudada. Sendo 58,4% do sexo masculino e 41,6% do sexo feminino (P ˂ 0,05). O sexo masculino e feminino com SM foram 48,8 ± 11,6 vs 47,1 ± 12,7 anos de idade e tempo pós-transplante 76,1 ± 76,5 vs 84,7 ± 65,4 meses, respectivamente (P >0,05). Quando comparados ambos os sexos CSM, a pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) foi maior nos homens (137,0 ± 18,1 vs 128,9 ± 13,6 mm/hg, P= 0,029) enquanto os outros componentes da SM não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Em relação à função renal, quando comparados ambos os sexos CSM, a creatinina sérica (Crs) foi mais elevada nos homens (1,73 ± 0,69 vs 1,31 ± 0,47 mg/dL, P= 0,0012), enquanto a relação urinária proteína/creatinina apresentou valores mais elevados nas mulheres (0,48 ± 0,69 vs 0,37 ± 0,48 mg/dL, P=0,0150). Não encontramos diferença significativa na taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe) entre os pacientes CSM e SSM para o sexo feminino e masculino respectivamente (50,6 ± 19,1 vs 50,1 ± 18,3 mL/min/1,73m², P=0,909). Encontramos uma associação positiva e significativa entre os níveis de HDL-c e a TFGe (r=0,3371; P=0,0145) para o sexo masculino CSM. Os componentes da SM não mostraram diferenças significativas quanto ao tempo de transplante para diferentes intervalos interquartis, com exceção da pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) no sexo feminino que apresentou variação significante entre os quartis avaliados (P=0,0009). Conclusão: a prevalência da SM foi semelhante nos diferentes quartis em ambos os sexos, em relação ao tempo de transplante. Não houve diferença significativa na TFGe nos pacientes CSM e SSM, em ambos os sexos. Concluindo-se que a SM não variou em relação ao tempo pós-transplante

Um projeto de revista n'O Espelho: literatura, modas, indústria e artes (1859-1860)

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em História, Florianópolis, 2016.Esta dissertação investigou o impresso O Espelho: revista de literatura, moda, indústria e artes, que circulou no Rio de Janeiro entre setembro de 1859 e janeiro de 1860, totalizando 19 números. Uma revista ainda pouco estudada, que teve como colaborador mais assíduo a pena desabusada de um prosador novato que, aos vinte anos de idade, assinou como Machado de Assis. O objetivo da pesquisa foi investigar a revista e o projeto de moderno em que a mesma foi pautada, bem como aquele disseminado por ela.Abstract : This thesis investigated the printed The Mirror: literary magazine, fashion industry and arts, which circulated in Rio de Janeiro between September 1859 and January 1860, totaling 19 numbers. A still understudied magazine, which had the most frequent contributor to petulant penalty of a novice prose writer who, at twenty years of age, signed as Machado de Assis. The objective of the research was to investigate the magazine and the modern project on which it based, as well as that disseminated by it

COLOMBIAN DESPLAZADOS: REFLECTIONS OF THE STATE’S INOPERABILITY TO PROTECT THE SOCIAL RIGHT TO HOUSING

INTRODUCTIONIn terms of mobility rights’ violation, the attention of international organizations and the academic researches often turns to immigration. This is because the severe humanitarian crisis installed by the complex dynamics of migration experienced by European countries – as host countries - and countries like Syria – from where migrants flee.Despite this significant problem, another type of displacement must become part of the agenda for discussion and the scope of protection and performance of States and international human rights organizations. The social and economic vulnerability of millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) around the world that live like hostages in their own country, forced to leave their homes and even their cities by the actions of armed groups, reveals itself as subject little known considering that studies in national and foreign doctrine are rare about it.In this research, the vague international protection becomes relevant factor due to the IDPs’ categorization as “refugee like situation” and the inertia of the States in the enforcement of minimum social rights to these people, particularly regarding the protection of social right to housing. Unable to confront and put an end to the armed conflict, the States fail for being omitted in human rights’ violation and for the absence of public policies to IDPs, subjecting them to severe social and economic vulnerability.The problem’s extension can be explained by the displacements of people observed in Colombia, especially from the 70s, with the emergence of Colombian militias that hide on the countryside. Since then, Colombia has been leading the ranking of IDPs for more than six decades with about six million desplazados until being overtaken by Syria in 2011.The extreme vulnerability of Colombians desplazados subjects them to extreme poverty and impedes the benefit of the adequate right to housing, guaranteed at the constitutional level. In terms of fundamental rights, it can be said that there is a total violation scenario of any moral value of human beings and because of it, this study aims to contribute to the reflection and to the socio-political practice for the non-violation of IDPs fundamental rights, addressing the specific and multifaceted problem of the Colombian context, especially in the realization of the social right to housing.METHODOLOGYThe research follows the deductive method and corresponds to the bibliographic type, in which books, scientific articles and international documents, such as the United Nations reports and international treaties will be reviewed. The theme approach requires an understanding of the basic aspects of fundamental and social rights, focusing on the right to housing, the social, political and historical context of the armed conflict and its own internal displacement, the role of international humanitarian law, besides documents related to the theme and the most important principle that rules fundamental rights and guarantees: the human dignity.DISCUSSIONAccording to recent data from the Norwegian Refugee Council (2015, p. 7), by the end of 2014 the number of IDPs increased to about thirty-eight million in more than forty countries of the African, American, European and Asian continent. The report demonstrates that Syria, Colombia, Iraq, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have the higher rates of displacement, from seven to two million people, in descending order.Oliveira (2004, p. 75) points out that there are various definitions of IDPs however these are not fully accepted by the (few) researchers due to the breadth of the term, which allows the inclusion of other groups than those displaced, and also because there is no difference between the treatment of displacement caused by violence or by natural causes. The most widely used definition, therefore, is provided by the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (1998) and proposed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Internally Displaced Persons: [...] IDPs are persons or groups of persons forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of, or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, human rights violations or human or natural disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized border of a state.In this sense, Oliveira (2004, p. 75) teaches that the main feature of IDPs consists in the fact that they remain within the borders of their country of origin, although they leave their homes. So, because of it, these individuals do not qualify neither as refugees nor as migrants, therefore it is required a specific legal category in international law.Unlike Syria, that faces a declared and major civil war, Espinosa (2009, p. 1) affirms that Colombia is the scene of migratory crisis of IDPs since the 70s, especially due to the violent actions of guerrilla movements, like the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Colombia, which led the ranking of internal displacement for more than six decades, accounted about six million of IDPs by the end of 2014, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (2015, p. 14).Even being an extremely delicate issue, Viana (2009, p. 145) explains that the Colombian government only initiated measures to tackle it in the late 1990s with Law No. 387/1997, transferring to the State the responsibility on policy formulation and adoption of actions to support the population of desplazados. The first article of the law calls as desplazado every person forced - through violence - to leave his residence or usual economic activity and migrate within the national territory as consequence of internal armed conflict, geostrategic territories dispute, areas to practice extensive farming and commercial agriculture, among other reasons.In terms of national law, which appears to be a serious problem of Latin American constitutionalism, the constitutions establish extensive list of fundamental rights that States fail to ensure. That is because social rights depend on state actions to be implemented and their effectiveness is directly related not only in the social area, but also in the legal, economic, and political fields. At that point, it is worth mentioning the lesson from Alexy (2015, p. 446), in his renowned work Theory of Fundamental Rights, for whom "[...] fundamental rights are positions that are so important that the decision on guarantee them or not guarantee them not It can simply be left to the simple parliamentary majority".The right to housing is established in the Colombian Constitution of 1991, specifically in Article 51, which guarantees all nationals the right to a "dignified housing", promoted by the State through public policies aimed at ensuring the right[1].As Sarlet (2015, p. 343) asserts that the right to housing can not be confused with the right to property or the right to property and are inextricably linked to the human dignity and the minimum subsistence of the human person. In the specific case of displaced people, there is interference in the right’s dual dimension, negative and positive, considering that the state fails in both the protection and the promotion of housing.Canuto (2010, p. 166-167) points out that social rights consist in means by which the human dignity is reached and, therefore, the State must constantly look for ways to make them more accessible to the entire population, especially for those who need more help. However, it is not enough to have those rights guaranteed in a minor way, but in the best possible quality that the State is able to provide.Theodoulou (1995, p. 3) explains that public policy is a complex concept that can refer to an action or omission of government designed to serve a politically defined purpose usually involving social problems. According to the same author, to outline public policy is necessary to understand the interaction of many formal and informal actors involved in the political context.In this sense, Canuto (2010, p. 187) adds that the evaluation and analysis of the progress of public policies is a way to avoid that social programs be forgotten and that public resources have proper destination. For this author, public policies consist in instruments of social justice that enable the population, especially an excluded and often overlooked part, to have the benefit of their fundamental rights.According to Oliveira (2004, p. 75), the armed conflict that has been ruined Colombia for years is considered one of the major causes of forced displacement in the country, causing disastrous consequences especially for the rural population, that suffers physical and psychological violence. In order to avoid more damages, many families choose to leave their homes, towns and cities searching for a place to live with a minimum of peace, but the reality faced by them consists in deep abandonment and misery due to the absence of an efficient care system by the Colombian government.Ultimately, Celis (2009) argues that state and society in cooperation have an ethical duty to seek social solutions to the problem of desplazados, which corresponds to one of the most vulnerable sectors of the Colombian population. This will only be possible when public policies applied to these people’s needs, as appropriate instrument to achieve the positive rights by the state, especially the right to housing. CONCLUSIONSAll around the world, millions of people face war and its consequences in their lives. In Colombia, a lasting internal battle rebounds in the protection of human rights, especially in the right to housing, considering that lots of people leave their homes trying to save their lives in pursuit of dignified conditions of living.However, a relevant percentage does not reach the dream of peace and initiates a new way of life without minimal conditions of survive within the borders of their own country. They are known as internally displaced persons (IDPs) or specifically in Colombia, as “desplazados”, since Colombia led the ranking of internal displacement for decades and its judiciary system has contributed to protect these people.This problem deserves more attention from international authorities as well as the States that have populations of IDPs, taking into account that the situation itself represents a several human rights violation. In Colombia, it was identified a few initiatives to solve the problem, but apparently it demands more adequate public policies to protect the IDPs’ right to housing and human dignity.In conclusion, this essay proposes the discussion towards the dimension of the internal displacement problem in Colombia and the consequent human rights violation from it. Besides, this research identifies the State’s necessity to formulate consistent public policies to promote the effectiveness of human dignity, social right, especially the right to housing.

Estudo de mercado e alternativas tecnológicas no processamento de sucos de frutas

O Brasil possui uma grande diversidade de frutas e uma das maiores extensões de terra ainda inexploradas com potencial para a agricultura. É o terceiro maior produtor de frutas do mundo. E, apesar deste cenário aparentemente favorável para maioria das frutas cultivadas, ainda não há agregação de valor. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram identificar as alternativas tecnológicas para o processamento de frutas com garantia da qualidade e da produção de alimentos seguros avaliando o mercado de sucos de frutas industrializados. O mercado de sucos está em plena expansão e a tendência é de continuar crescendo. Com isso, as empresas estão buscando alternativas para industrialização desses sucos, através da implantação de novos processos tecnológicos e aperfeiçoamento dos processos já existentes. A adoção de técnicas mais modernas é importante porque permite que as empresas acessem novos conhecimentos, novos mercados, aumentem suas receitas, realizem novas parcerias e aumentem o valor de suas marcas pela diversificação dos seus produtos. Essas alternativas vão desde a mudança completa de um processo ou a criação de um produto totalmente novo para o mercado, até uma simples alteração na embalagem. Outro motivo para implantar novas tecnologias, está no setor das exportações, pois o Brasil está se tornando o supridor mundial de suco de frutas, com destaque para a indústria citrícola além dos sucos de frutas tropicais e exóticas. O mercado atual exige que as empresas do setor de alimentos incorporem as exigências de qualidade e segurança dos seus produtos. Para atender esta demanda, foi criado um sistema de análise de perigos e pontos críticos de controle (APPCC). Esse sistema identifica perigos e estima os riscos que podem afetar a inocuidade de um alimento, a fim de estabelecer as medidas para controlá-los. Nos últimos 5 anos as empresas de processamento de sucos no Brasil que atendem aos padrões exigidos nas normas ISO 9001, cresceram de cerca de 3000 para 15000. De forma geral, observa-se à existência dos fatores que impulsionam o desenvolvimento de novas alternativas tecnológicas, como demanda, competitividade entre empresas do setor e novos conhecimentos. Este estudo apresenta o potencial a ser explorado na geração de novos produtos no setor de produção de sucos de frutas, com reflexos positivos para as empresas e a economia brasileira