An Innovative Systematic Approach to Financial Portfolio Management via PID Control

This book discusses the theory, application, and practice of PID control technology. It is designed for engineers, researchers, students of process control, and industry professionals. It will also be of interest for those seeking an overview of the subject of green automation who need to procure single loop and multi-loop PID controllers and who aim for an exceptional, stable, and robust closed-loop performance through process automation. Process modeling, controller design, and analyses using conventional and heuristic schemes are explained through different applications here. The readers should have primary knowledge of transfer functions, poles, zeros, regulation concepts, and background. The following sections are covered: The Theory of PID Controllers and their Design Methods, Tuning Criteria, Multivariable Systems: Automatic Tuning and Adaptation, Intelligent PID Control, Discrete, Intelligent PID Controller, Fractional Order PID Controllers, Extended Applications of PID, and Practical Applications. A wide variety of researchers and engineers seeking methods of designing and analyzing controllers will create a heavy demand for this book: interdisciplinary researchers, real time process developers, control engineers, instrument technicians, and many more entities that are recognizing the value of shifting to PID controller procurement

In Vitro Screening of the Apatite-Forming Ability, Biointeractivity and Physical Properties of a Tricalcium Silicate Material for Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry

Aim: Calcium silicate-based materials are hydraulic self-setting materials with physico-chemical properties suitable for endodontic surgery and good biological/clinical outcomes. The study aim was to evaluate the bio-properties (biointeractivity and apatite-forming ability) and selected physical properties (porosity, water sorption, solubility, and setting time) of Biodentine, a tricalcium silicate material for endodontics and restorative dentistry, compared to that of ProRoot MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) as gold standard material. Methods: Biodentine and ProRoot MTA pastes were prepared and analyzed for calcium release and alkalinizing activity (3 h–28 days), setting time, water sorption, porosity, solubility, surface microstructure and composition, and apatite-forming ability in simulated body fluid. Results: Biodentine showed higher calcium release, alkalinizing activity, and solubility but higher open and apparent porosity, water sorption, and a markedly shorter setting time. Calcium phosphate (CaP) deposits were noted on material surfaces after short ageing times. A CaP coating composed of spherulites was detected after 28 days. The thickness, continuity, and Ca/P ratio of the coating differed markedly between the materials. Biodentine showed a coating composed by denser but smaller spherulites, while ProRoot MTA showed large but less dense aggregates of spherulitic deposits. Conclusions: Biodentine showed a pronounced ability to release calcium and extended alkalinizing activity interlinked with its noticeable porosity, water sorption, and solubility: open porosities provide a broad wet biointeractive surface for the release of the calcium and hydroxyl ions involved in the formation of a CaP mineral. Biodentine is a biointeractive tricalcium silicate material with interesting chemical-physical properties and represents a fast-setting alternative to the conventional calcium silicate MTA-like cements

THE MIDDLE EOCENE CLIMATIC OPTIMUM (MECO) IMPACT ON THE BENTHIC AND PLANKTIC FORAMINIFERAL RESILIENCE FROM A SHALLOW-WATER SEDIMENTARY RECORD

We present here new quantitative analyses of planktic and benthic foraminifera to assess the impact of the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO, ~40 Ma) on these biotic groups studied along a shallow-water succession rich in larger benthic foraminifera (Sealza, Liguria, NW Italy). The MECO is one of the major Eocene global warming events, characterized by ~4–6°C warming, shifts in the global carbon cycle, and rise in atmospheric pCO2. The Sealza succession is interpreted as the product of a drowning ramp influenced by tectonic activity and provides an exceptional chance to compare biotic variations in shallow-water assemblages with deep-water communities across the MECO. In the section, the MECO interval is tentatively constrained by stable isotope oxygen data and calcareous plankton biostratigraphy. The marked decline in abundance of the epifaunal benthic Cibicidoides across the lower-middle part of the MECO suggests a decrease in oxygenation at the seafloor. Further evidence of oxygen depletion is the increase in organic matter content (TOC) of the sediment and the presence of infaunal genera Uvigerina and Bolivina. The planktic foraminiferal assemblages record the MECO warming in the upper water column as the mixed-layer warm index genera Acarinina and Morozovelloides markedly increase in abundance. In the post-MECO interval, here poorly exposed, cooler conditions are indicated by the dominance of the cold-water index genus Subbotina. Remarkably, Acarinina decline in abundance in the upper MECO interval and never recover. The MECO perturbance permanently impacted the benthic and planktic communities at Sealza that exceeded the tipping point to move to a new regime, thus proving the fauna to be not resilient, but also not recording any extinctions.

Effects of robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm in patients with hemiparetic cerebral palsy: a proof-of-concept pilot study

On a voluntary basis, 10 adolescents with hemiparesis due to cerebral palsy and 11 neurologically healthy control subjects participated in this proof-of-concept pilot study. The aim was to examine the effects of robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm in patients with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Baseline comparison between the unaffected arm of the hemiparetic patients with cerebral palsy and the dominant arm of healthy control subjects showed significant differences on the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test and action planning ability tests. Within-group comparison after ten 30-minute sessions (five days a week for two consecutive weeks) of robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm showed significant improvements in patients with cerebral palsy on the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test (performed at both hands) and action planning ability test (evaluated at the unaffected arm). Our findings are in line with previous evidences of action planning deficits at the unaffected arm in patients with hemiparetic cerebral palsy and support the hypothesis that robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm may be useful to improve manual dexterity and action planning in patients with hemiparesis due to cerebral palsy

Effects of Robot-Assisted Training for the Unaffected Arm in Patients with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy: A Proof-of-Concept Pilot Study

On a voluntary basis, 10 adolescents with hemiparesis due to cerebral palsy and 11 neurologically healthy control subjects participated in this proof-of-concept pilot study. The aim was to examine the effects of robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm in patients with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Baseline comparison between the unaffected arm of the hemiparetic patients with cerebral palsy and the dominant arm of healthy control subjects showed significant differences on the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test and action planning ability tests. Within-group comparison after ten 30-minute sessions (five days a week for two consecutive weeks) of robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm showed significant improvements in patients with cerebral palsy on the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test (performed at both hands) and action planning ability test (evaluated at the unaffected arm). Our findings are in line with previous evidences of action planning deficits at the unaffected arm in patients with hemiparetic cerebral palsy and support the hypothesis that robot-assisted training for the unaffected arm may be useful to improve manual dexterity and action planning in patients with hemiparesis due to cerebral palsy

Electromechanical and robotic devices for gait and balance rehabilitation of children with neurological disability: a systematic review

In the last two decades, a growing interest has been focused on gait and balance robot-assisted rehabilitation in children with neurological disabilities. Robotic devices allow the implementation of intensive, task-specific training fostering functional recovery and neuroplasticity phenomena. However, limited attention has been paid to the protocols used in this research framework. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on robotic systems for the rehabilitation of gait and balance in children with neurological disabilities and their rehabilitation applications. The literature search was carried out independently and synchronously by three authors on the following databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PeDro, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The data collected included three subsections referring to clinical, technical, and regulatory aspects. Thirty-one articles out of 81 found on the primary literature search were included in the systematic review. Most studies involved children with cerebral palsy. Only one-third of the studies were randomized controlled trials. Overall, 17 devices (nine end-effector systems and eight exoskeletons) were investigated, among which only 4 (24%) were bore the CE mark. Studies differ on rehabilitation protocols duration, intensity, and outcome measures. Future research should improve both rehabilitation protocols\u2019 and devices\u2019 descriptions

Síntesis y caracterización de materiales de referencia certificados de impurezas de ingredientes farmacéuticos activos

A partir de la promulgación de Ley N° 19.511/1972, el Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial (INTI) fue designado Instituto Nacional de Metrología. En función de la reglamentación de esta ley, el INTI es responsable de producir, mantener y diseminar los patrones nacionales de medida, y diseminar trazabilidad metrológica en todo el territorio nacional. Esta diseminación se establece principalmente al Sistema Internacional de Unidades (SI). Además, tiene un rol en el aseguramiento de la calidad de las mediciones vinculadas con la producción industrial, la equidad en el comercio, y el cuidado del ambiente, la salud, los alimentos y la seguridad pública. La necesidad de mejorar las mediciones en la actualidad es una premisa fundamental del desarrollo industrial y por ende económico, de nuestro país. Combinando las capacidades existentes en INTI de investigación y desarrollo en síntesis química, caracterización de pequeñas moléculas y en la producción de MR para distintos sectores industriales, nos planteamos como objetivo el Desarrollo de Materiales de Referencia Certificados de Sustancias Relacionadas (SR) de Ingredientes Farmacéuticos Activos (IFAs). En este trabajo describimos los principales avances en este proyecto.Fil: Gandolfi Donadío, Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Hermida, Laura Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Molinari, Judith Paola. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Alberti, Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Ciarlantini, Matias Sebastián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Santos, Leandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Scravaglieri, Antonella. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Fischer, Diego Alejandro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Heba, Julieta. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Bellomo, Ana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Paolo, Luciano Sebastián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Grillo, Sergio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Puelles, María Mabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Gatti, Patricia Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Comin, Maria Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentin

Spazi e pratiche dell’accoglienza nei processi di costruzione identitaria. Riflessioni in margine alla gestione dell’Emergenza Nord Africa in provincia di Bologna

L’ obiettivo del contributo è quello di avanzare nella definizione di un metodo che includa l’analisi di medio e lungo periodo nello studio degli attuali processi di produzione territoriale e identitaria. L’attenzione è portata sul ruolo che il controllo degli spazi dell’abitare riveste tanto nei processi di marginalizzazione di componenti esterne, minoritarie o comunque sgradite quanto in quelli di costruzione identitaria dei sistemi territoriali ospitanti. Nell’analisi di due modalità di accoglienza dei profughi dell’Emergenza Nord Africa sono state messe in luce specificità regionali e locali che hanno generato modelli spaziali e progettualità differenti, facendo emergere fattori legati tanto a cultura e governance territoriale, quanto a partecipazione e orientamento di attori istituzionali e non istituzionali, tra i quali enti, associazioni e cittadini. Pratiche, memoria e progettualità dei sistemi territoriali e degli enti attivi nella loro gestione, frutto e fautori dei processi materiali e immateriali di generazione dei paesaggi, sono stati studiati comparando esperienze di accoglienza diffusa e accentrata realizzatesi nella provincia di Bologna.This article intends to define further a method embracing medium and long-term analysis in the study of current processes of territorial and identity production. It focuses on the role that the control of dwelling spaces plays in the marginalization processes of external, minority or unwelcome components as well as in the identity-building processes of the host territorial system. The analysis of two reception formats regarding refugees of the North Africa Emergency demonstrates how regional and local specificities generated different spatial models and planning ability. The research sheds light on factors linked to culture, governance, participation and the orientation of institutional and non-institutional actors, including organizations, associations and citizens. This article examines policy, memory and planning ability of territorial systems and the bodies responsible for their management, both an outcome and determining factor of material and immaterial cultural landscape production processes, through the comparison of decentralized and centralized reception experiences in the province of Bologna.Espacios y prácticas de recepción en los procesos de construcción identitaria. Reflexiones en margen a la gestión de la Emergencia Norte de África en la provincia de Bolonia (Italia) El objetivo de la contribución es avanzar en la definición de un método que incluya el análisis a mediano y largo plazo en el estudio de los procesos actuales de producción territorial e identitaria. El artículo se centra en el papel que juega el control de los espacios de vivienda tanto en los procesos de marginalización de componentes externos, minoritarios o no deseados como en los de construcción identitaria. En el análisis de dos formas de recepción de refugiados de la Emergencia del Norte de África, se han resaltado las especificidades regionales y locales que han generado diferentes modelos espaciales y perspectivas, destacando factores relacionados con la cultura, la gobernanza, la participación y la orientación de los ciudadanos y las asociaciones. Las prácticas, la memoria y la orientación de los sistemas territoriales y de los organismos responsables de su gestión, fruto y partidarios de los procesos materiales y no materiales de producción de paisajes se estudiaron comparando experiencias de recepción generalizadas y centralizadas, realizadas en la provincia de Bolonia. Parole chiave: marginalità, spazi dell’abitare, identità, paesaggio culturale, Emergenza Nord Africa Keywords: marginality, dwelling spaces, identity, cultural landscape, North Africa Emergenc

Riflessioni sull’abitare Rom, Sinti e Camminanti (RSC)

Nel quadro di studi relativi ai processi di marginalizzazione e ai loro presupposti di medio e lungo periodo, il contributo riflette sull’abitare di Rom, Sinti e Camminanti (RSC), caratterizzato da un’informalità cui si associa un certo livello di instabilità che varia in ragione delle reazioni del territorio e delle risposte delle autorità. Il focus verrà portato sulla L.R. 11/2015 che L’Emilia Romagna ha definito, a seguito della Comunicazione europea 173/2011 e della Strategia nazionale d’inclusione dei RSC (UNAR), anche promuovendo la partecipazione di Rom e Sinti quali soggetti attivi e culturalmente propositivi nella definizione di processi per l’uscita dall’irregolarità, se pure pro tempore, di forme culturali consolidate dell’abitare Sinti, quali le microaree.Reflections on Roma, Sinti, and Caminanti (RSC) housing. In the framework of studies relating to marginalization processes and their medium and long-term implications, this paper investigates Roma, Sinti and Caminanti (RSC) housing. Its informality is associated with a certain level of instability that varies based on how a territory reacts and how authorities respond. The paper focuses on Emilia Romagna’s Regional Law 11/2015, which was created after the European Commission Communication 173/2011 and the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma, Sinti and Caminanti (RSC) (UNAR). The law was written promoting the participation of Roma and Sinti communities as active and culturally constructive actors in defining processes for emerging, albeit temporarily, from the illegality of consolidated cultural forms of Sinti housing, such as micro-areas