Robotic Fish Technology and Its Applications to Space Mechatronics

The authors have developed a shark ray robotic fish based on biomimetic approaches. The paper describes the newly developed robotic fish technology and its application to mechatronics in the space. It is found that robotic fish technology creates not only new underwater robotics, but also the next generation space mechatronics for geological survey of lunar/planets and dust cleaning in the space station.2013 the 3rd International Conference on Mechatronics and Applied Mechanics (ICMAM2013), Dec.27-28, 2013 Paris, Franc

A survey of problems in the care and support of infants born at very low birth weight

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Clodomiro Unsihuay-VilaCoorientadora: Prof.a Dr. a Thelma Solange P. FernandesDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Tecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica. Defesa : Curitiba, 29/08/2019Inclui referências: p. 127-133Área de concentração: Sistema de energiaResumo: A frota de veículo elétrico (VE) cresce rapidamente no mundo, em 2018 já superou a marca de 5,1 milhões. A inserção de VE nas redes ativas de distribuição significa uma evolução nos sistemas de energia elétrica, mas essa evolução requer avanços no planejamento da operação, de maneira a considerar o aumento da complexidade que esses novos elementos podem causar na rede. Por isso, se faz necessário ferramentas computacionais que permitam analisar os impactos que o VE causa na operação de redes ativas de distribuição, de maneira a auxiliar na definição de estratégias operativas apropriadas e garantir a otimização de todos os recursos energéticos do sistema. Dessa forma, nesta dissertação foi desenvolvido um modelo computacional, formulado como um problema de otimização capaz de determinar a programação diária da operação de redes ativas de distribuição, considerando a inserção do VE na rede. O problema foi abordado através de um Fluxo de Potência Ótimo (FPO) multiperíodo. A intertemporalidade do problema é formulada através da introdução de uma função de acoplamento representada pela energia armazenada pelas baterias do VE. A resolução do FPO foi através do Métodos dos Pontos Interiores versão Primal-Dual. O horizonte de planejamento é de 24 períodos, divididos em horas. Também é considerado a geração distribuída fotovoltaica e um sistema de tarifação horária de energia. O veículo elétrico é incorporado no problema por meio da adição de uma variável de otimização à função objetivo que além de alterar as restrições de balanço de potência também é usada para monitorar a energia armazenada nas baterias. Como resultado, têm-se um FPO multiperíodo que busca, além da minimização dos custos operativos e perdas de transmissão, também a maximização da energia armazenada nas baterias dos veículos elétricos conectados à rede visando a injeção ótima de energia à rede ativa. Nas simulações realizadas, foram utilizados cenários determinísticos de conexão do VE para avaliar seus impactos nas perdas, custos operacionais e perfil de tensão do sistema elétrico. Os resultados de simulações demonstraram que, no cenário de perfil residencial, que possibilitam o carregamento/descarregamento, é perceptível uma melhora no perfil de tensão do sistema. Isso mostra que a apropriada operação dos VEs com possibilidade de injeção de energia à rede podem ser uma boa alternativa para deslocar picos de carga e reduzir custos operacionais da rede ativa de distribuição. Para o perfil comercial, é perceptível uma redução do perfil de tensão para o seu instante de conexão. Entretanto, esse comportamento pode ser complementado através de uma geração fotovoltaica, que apresenta seus picos de geração nos mesmos instantes em que o VE carrega. Para os cenários que consideram uma alta inserção de VE na rede, os impactos no perfil de tensão do sistema são bastante significativos, demonstrando que para que a rede seja capaz de atender uma grande frota de VEs devem ser feitos investimentos na infraestrutura da rede de distribuição. O impacto da inserção do VE à rede pode aumentar em até 40% as perdas do sistema. Os impactos no custo de operação são significativos, podendo aumentar em até 19%, para cenários de alta penetração de VE. Palavras-chave: Planejamento da Operação. Redes Ativas de Distribuição. Veículo Elétrico. Fluxo de Potência Ótimo. Método dos Pontos Interiores versão Primal-Dual. Armazenamento de energia em baterias.Abstract: The electric vehicle (EV) fleet is growing rapidly in the world, by 2018, it has already surpassed the 5.1 million mark. The insertion of EV into active distribution grids means an evolution in power systems, but this evolution requires advances in operation planning in order to consider the increased complexity that these new elements in the grid may cause. Therefore, computational tools are needed to analyze the impacts that EV has on the operation of active distribution networks, in order to help define appropriate operating strategies and ensuring the optimization of all energy resources in the system. Thus, in this dissertation a computational model was developed, formulated as an optimization problem capable of determining the daily programming of the active distribution networks operation, considering the insertion of the EV in the network. The problem was addressed through a Multi-Period Optimal Power Flow (OPF). The intertemporality of the problem is formulated by introducing a coupling function represented by the energy stored by LV batteries. The resolution of the OPF was through the Primal-Dual Interior Point Method. The planning horizon is 24 periods, divided into hours, under the influence of photovoltaic generation and an hourly energy hourly charging system. The electric vehicle is incorporated into the problem by adding an optimization variable to the objective function which in addition to changing the power balance restrictions is also used to monitor the energy stored in the batteries. As a result, there is a MultiPeriod OPF that seeks, in addition to minimizing operating costs and transmission losses, also maximizing the energy stored in the batteries of electric vehicles connected to the grid for optimal injection of power to the grid at peak hours. In the simulations performed, deterministic EV connection scenarios were used to assess their impacts on losses, operating costs and voltage profile. Simulation results showed that, in the residential profile scenario, which enables loading / unloading, an improvement in the system voltage profile is noticeable. Showing that appropriate EV operation can be a good alternative for shifting power generation from light load moments of the system to high load moments, optimizing the use of system energy resources, reducing operating costs of active distribution. For the commercial profile, a reduction of the voltage profile is noticeable for its connection time. However, this behavior can be complemented by a photovoltaic generation, which presents its generation peaks at the same time that the EV charges. For scenarios that consider a high insertion of EV in the grid, the impacts on the system voltage profile are quite significant, demonstrating that for the grid to be able to serve a large fleet of EVs, investments in the distribution network infrastructure must be made. The impacts of EV insertion into the network can increase system losses by up to 40%. The impacts on operating costs are significant and may increase by up to 19% for high EV penetration scenarios. Keywords: Operation Planning. Active Distribution Networks. Electric Vehicle. Optimal Power Flow. Primal-Dual Interior Point Method. Energy storage in batteries

A proposed core curriculum for dental English education in Japan

Background: Globalization of the professions has become a necessity among schools and universities across the world. It has affected the medical and dental professions in terms of curriculum design and student and patient needs. In Japan, where medicine and dentistry are taught mainly in the Japanese language, profession-based courses in English, known as Medical English and Dental English, have been integrated into the existing curriculum among its 83 medical and 29 dental schools. Unfortunately, there is neither a core curriculum nor a model syllabus for these courses. Methods: This report is based on a survey, two discussion forums, a workshop, and finally, the drafting of a proposed core curriculum for dental English approved by consensus of the participants from each university. Results: The core curriculum covers the theoretical aspects, including dental English terms and oral pathologies; and practical aspects, including blended learning and dentist-patient communication. It is divided into modules and is recommended to be offered for at least two semesters. Conclusions: The core curriculum is expected to guide curriculum developers in schools where dental English courses are yet to be offered or are still in their early development. It may also serve as a model curriculum to medical and dental schools in countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central and South America, where English is not the medium of instruction

The Long-Term Effects of a Kampo Medicine, Juzentaihoto, on Maintenance of Antibody Titer in Elderly People after Influenza Vaccination

We have performed a broad-ranging analysis of the adjuvant effect of a Kampo medicine, juzentaihoto (JTT), on influenza vaccination in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. In this study, the enhancing effect of JTT on antibody titer after influenza vaccination was studied for 28 weeks in elderly people who were in the high-risk group for influenza infection. In total, 91 subjects over 65 years old were recruited from four long-term-care facilities located in Chiba, Gunma, and Toyama prefectures in Japan. Participants were randomly assigned to the JTT and the control groups. Blood samples were taken at 4 weeks before vaccination, at the time of vaccination, and then at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after vaccination. The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers against A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Victoria/210/2009 (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008 were then manually measured. A significant increase in HI titer against H3N2 was observed at week 8 after vaccination in the JTT group compared with the control group (P=0.0229), and the HI titer of the JTT group significantly increased from 4 to 24 weeks (P=0.0468), compared with the control group. In conclusion, our results indicated that JTT increased and prolonged antibody production against A/Victoria/210/2009 (H3N2), in particular, after influenza vaccination