Distributed satisficing MPC

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Automação e Sistemas, Florianópolis, 2013.Abstract : To obtain a Pareto-optimal solution, the classical cooperative MPC implementsa categorical altruism imposed by a fixed global cost sharedby all the local controllers. Instead, this thesis implements a situationalaltruism where a global cost, neither imposed nor fixed, emerges fromconvex local costs and local specifications. The satisficing controllersemploy a distributed algorithm to find a solution that lies in a convexregion that is satisfactory and sufficient for all controllers (satisficing= satisfy + suffice), while optimizing in the direction of the analyticcenter of such a region. The system is modeled as being a network oflinear subsystems, coupled by their inputs, and the algorithm uses adistributed interior-point method to avoid fixed points when the constraintsare also coupled. The optimal solution of the satisficing MPC,besides Pareto-optimal, gives more importance to the controllers witha worst performance at the moment. Situational altruism permits amore balanced division of resources, avoiding the exploitation of onecontroller by the others. The satisficing MPC is shown to be stabilizingeven if suboptimal, provided that it is satisficing. To this end,stabilizing constraints are added to the basic formulation.2014-08-06T17:19:47

Os ataques em curso contra a Rede Federal de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica

En este artículo, analizamos como las reformas educativas de los gobiernos de Temer y Bolsonaro que, en línea de continuidad y de profundización, se orientan por principios de carácter neoconservadores y ultra neoliberales, se constituyen en amenaza al espacio público con consecuencias del ataque a la Red Federal de Formación profesional y Tecnológica (RFEPCT). Con base en el delineamiento del desarrollo histórico de los modelos de formación profesional en Brasil, identificamos una lógica en relación a las medidas que operan en la perspectiva de la fragilidad curricular de la formación profesional y de la educación secundaria ofertada en el RFEPCT y que se articulan en un doble movimiento de vaciamiento del financiamiento de la educación y de su mercantilización, para brindar formación al mercado y al mercado de la educación.Dans cet article, nous analysons de quelles façons les réformes éducatives des gouvernements Temer et Bolsonaro qui, dans la continuité et l'approfondissement, sont guidées par des principes néoconservateurs et ultra néolibéraux, constituent une menace pour l'espace public avec les attaques en cours contre le Réseau Fédéral de l'Enseignement Professionnel et Technologique (RFEPCT). Sur la base de la délimitation du développement historique des modèles d'éducation professionnelle au Brésil, nous identifions une logique par rapport aux mesures qui opèrent dans la perspective de l'effilochage du programme de l'éducation professionnelle et de l´enseignement secondaire offert dans le RFEPCT et qui s'articulent dans un double mouvement d´écoulement du financement de l'éducation et de sa mercantilisation, pour faire la formation pour le marché et le marché de l'éducation.Neste artigo, analisamos como as reformas educacionais dos governos Temer e Bolsonaro que, em linha de continuidade e de aprofundamento, se orientam por princípios de caráter neoconservadores e ultra neoliberais, constituem-se em ameaça ao espaço público com desdobramentos de ataque à Rede Federal de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (RFEPCT). Com base no delineamento do desenvolvimento histórico dos modelos de ensino profissional no Brasil, identificamos uma lógica em relação às medidas que operam na perspectiva do esgarçamento curricular da educação profissional e do ensino médio ofertado na RFEPCT e que se articulam em um duplo movimento de esvaziamento do financiamento da educação e de sua mercantilização, para fazer a formação para mercado e o mercado da educação

Is the technical performance of young soccer players influenced by hormonal status, sexual maturity, anthropometric profile, and physical performance?

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of hormonal status, anthropometric profile, sexual maturity level, and physical performance on the technical abilities of 40 young male soccer players during small-sided games (SSGs). Anthropometric profiling, saliva sampling, sexual maturity assessment (Tanner scale), and physical performance tests (Yo-Yo and vertical jumps) were conducted two weeks prior to the SSGs. Salivary testosterone was determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Technical performance was determined by the frequency of actions during SSGs. Principal component analyses identified four technical actions of importance: total number of passes, effectiveness, goal attempts, and total tackles. A multivariate canonical correlation analysis was then employed to verify the prediction of a multiple dependent variables set (composed of four technical actions) from an independent set of variables, composed of testosterone concentration, stage of pubic hair and genitalia development, vertical jumps and Yo-Yo performance. A moderate-to-large relationship between the technical performance set and the independent set was observed. The canonical correlation was 0.75 with a canonical R2 of 0.45. The highest structure coefficient in the technical performance set was observed for tackles (0.77), while testosterone presented the highest structure coefficient (0.75) for the variables of the independent set. The current data suggest that the selected independent set of variables might be useful in predicting SSG performance in young soccer players. Coaches should be aware that physical development plays a key role in technical performance to avoid decision-making mistakes during the selection of young players

Fazendo gênero na medievalística: entrevista com Andréia Cristina Lopes Frazão da Silva

Entrevista com Andréia Cristina Lopes Frazão da Silv

A REFORMA PAPAL, A CONTINÊNCIA E O CELIBATO ECLESIÁSTICO: CONSIDERAÇÕES SOBRE AS PRÁTICAS LEGISLATIVAS DO PONTIFICADO DE INOCÊNCIO III (1198-1216)

Do século XI ao XIII, o papado liderou o movimento reformador que buscava uma transformação na organização da Igreja e da própria sociedade. Dentre as muitas questões que receberam a atenção do papado neste período, encontrava-se a preocupação com a moral clerical, em especial no tocante à continência e ao celibato, visando a um controle do corpo dos religiosos em prol da discretio. A preocupação central é discutir como, na prática legislativa, o ideal da continência e do celibato clerical foi apreendido. Neste sentido, nessa investigação, optou-se por estudar dois tipos de documentos legislativos: os cânones lateranenses I, II, III e IV, textos normativos de caráter geral, e as correspondências pontifícias do período do pontificado Inocêncio III (1198-1216). Abstract During the XI to the XIII centuries, the papacy led the reformer movement that looked for a transformation in the organization of the church and of the own society. Above the subjects that received the attention of the papacy in this period were the atention to the clerical moral, especially concerning the continence and the celibacy, seeking a control of the body of the religious persons in prol of the discretio. Our central concern is to discuss as, in the legislative practice, the ideal of the continence and of the clerical celibacy was apprehended. In this sense, in our investigation, we opted for studying two types of legislative documents: the canons lateranenses I, II, III and IV, normative texts of general character, and the papal correspondences of the period of the pontificate Innocent III (1198-1216)

Biodegradable nanoparticles designed for drug delivery: The number of nanoparticles impacts on cytotoxicity

Nanostructured drug delivery systems are based on biocompatible and biodegradable components. Composition, size and membrane surface properties are characteristics that may influence cell viability in cytotoxicity assays. In this work, four nanostructured systems commonly used for drug delivery were prepared and cytotoxicity was evaluated on human lymphocytes and Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts. The hemolytic potential was also investigated. Polymeric nanocapsules (NC) and nanospheres (NS), nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) and liposomes were prepared and characterized for size, distribution, zeta potential and number per volume of the colloidal dispersion. Cell viability was evaluated, 24 and 48h, by MTT and neutral red assays (NR). Cells were incubated with each particle in eight different dilutions varying from 2.1×10 4 to 2.1×10 11 particles/mL. Diameter of nanoparticles was between 130 and 200nm, all samples exhibited narrow size distribution (polydispersity index below 0.1) and zeta potential varied from -6.8 to -19.5mV. NC, NS and NLC reduced cell viability in a dilution dependent manner. For these nanoparticles, the higher number of particles induced cell death for both cell types. Liposomes did not cause loss of cell viability even at the highest number of particles. Results suggest that, depending on the kind of nanoparticle, the number of particles in the dispersion can negatively influence cell viability in pre-clinical drug development.This work was supported by the Brazilian research funding agencies Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Financiadora de Estudos e Pesquisas (FINEP), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisada Universidade Federal de Goiás (FUNAPE) and Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás (FAPEG).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Use of an Alternative Extraoral Periapical Technique for Patients with Severe Gag Reflex

Gag reflex is a physiologic mechanism that promotes contraction of the muscles of the tongue and pharyngeal walls. Different factors, including intraoral radiographic films and sensors, may trigger this reflex. Patients with severe gag reflex may not be able to tolerate the presence of intraoral radiographic films or sensors during root canal therapy (RCT). This factor may prevent an appropriate intraoral radiograph, which is important in RCT. Different approaches have been used to facilitate dental procedures in patients suffering from severe gag reflex. The use of an extraoral radiographic technique is an alternative method to obtain working length confirmation in patients with severe gag reflex. In this report of 2 cases, the use of an extraoral radiographic technique as an alternative approach during RCT in patients with severe gag reflex associated with phobic behavior and trismus was successfully demonstrated

Pure and Nanocomposite Thin Films Based on TiO2 Prepared by Sol-Gel Process: Characterization and Applications

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films have innumerable applications, and the preparation of nanocomposites based on TiO2 favors the coupling of different structures that can lead to additional or enhanced properties. The aim of this chapter is to show the preparation and characterization of TiO2 thin films and some nanocomposites based on anatase-TiO2, prepared by sol-gel process using the dip-coating technique. TiO2 thin films were prepared by sol-gel process onto borosilicate glass, steel, magnet, and silicon substrates from alcoholic starting solutions containing titanium isopropoxide, isopropyl alcohol, and acids to the control of the velocity of gelation. The doped thin films, such as SiO2/TiO2, Ag/TiO2, and Nb/TiO2, were prepared adding the dopants in a form of salts or alkoxides in starting solution. The morphological, structural, and textural characterization of the films was made using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) detector, atomic force microscopy/nanoindentation, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Photoelectrical, mechanical, biological, optical, and surface properties were evaluated

ENZIMAS EXÓGENAS NA DIETA DE LEITÕES DESMAMADOS

Weaning is characterized as the most critical period in swine production due to digestive immaturity and low concentration of digestive enzymes, such as carbohydrases, proteases, and phytases, in the first weeks after weaning, which causes poor performance of piglets. In this case, there is the need for exogenous supplementation of enzymes that act on the degradation of food fractions, increasing diet utilization. Exogenous enzyme nutrition has been considered an effective alternative to the low concentration of endogenous enzymes in the first weeks after weaning, as it contributes to an increase in the digestibility of solid diets and, consequently, greater use of the ingredients. In swine nutrition, the most used exogenous enzymes are carbohydrases, proteases, and phytases. Furthermore, the use of enzymatic blends is also considered a great alternative, as they contribute to the inhibition of anti-nutritional factors, which are responsible for making nutrients necessary for the development and performance of animals unavailable. Therefore, this study aimed to present the main exogenous enzymes used in the nutrition of weaned piglets, as well as their effects on animal performance.O desmame é caracterizado como o período mais crítico da produção de suínos devido à imaturidade digestiva e à baixa concentração de enzimas digestivas, como carboidrases, proteases e fitases, nas primeiras semanas do pós-desmame, o que ocasiona o baixo desempenho dos leitões. Neste caso, há a necessidade de suplementação exógena de enzimas que atuam na degradação de frações do alimento, aumentando o aproveitamento da dieta. A nutrição enzimática exógena tem sido considerada uma alternativa eficaz frente à baixa concentração de enzimas endógenas nas primeiras semanas após o desmame por contribuir para o aumento na digestibilidade das dietas sólidas e, deste modo, para um maior aproveitamento dos ingredientes. Na nutrição de suínos, as enzimas exógenas mais utilizadas são as carboidrases, as proteases e as fitases. Ademais, a utilização de blends enzimáticos também é considerada uma ótima alternativa, pois contribui para a inibição de fatores antinutricionais, os quais são responsáveis por indisponibilizar nutrientes necessários para o desenvolvimento e desempenho dos animais. Diante do exposto, o objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar as principais enzimas exógenas utilizadas na nutrição de leitões desmamados, bem como seus efeitos no desempenho animal