Fast temporal correlation between hard X-ray and ultraviolet continuum brightenings

Recent Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) observations have shown fast and simultaneous increases in hard X-rays (HXR, E25 keV) and ultraviolet continuum (UVC, lambda lambda approx. equals 1600 and 1388 A) radiation. A simple and natural explanation is given for this phenomenon to happen, which does not involve extreme conditions for energy transport processes, and confirms earlier results on the effect of XUV photoionization in the solar atmosphere

Application of Fractional Calculus in the Dynamical Analysis and Control of Mechanical Manipulators

Mathematics Subject Classification: 26A33, 93C83, 93C85, 68T40Fractional Calculus (FC) goes back to the beginning of the theory of differential calculus. Nevertheless, the application of FC just emerged in the last two decades. In the field of dynamical systems theory some work has been carried out but the proposed models and algorithms are still in a preliminary stage of establishment. This article illustrates several applications of fractional calculus in robot manipulator path planning and control

An evolutionary approach for the motion planning of redundant and hyper-redundant manipulators

The trajectory planning of redundant robots is an important area of research and efficient optimization algorithms are needed. The pseudoinverse control is not repeatable, causing drift in joint space which is undesirable for physical control. This paper presents a new technique that combines the closed-loop pseudoinverse method with genetic algorithms, leading to an optimization criterion for repeatable control of redundant manipulators, and avoiding the joint angle drift problem. Computer simulations performed based on redundant and hyper-redundant planar manipulators show that, when the end-effector traces a closed path in the workspace, the robot returns to its initial configuration. The solution is repeatable for a workspace with and without obstacles in the sense that, after executing several cycles, the initial and final states of the manipulator are very close

An evolutionary approach to the trajectory planning of redundant robots

Several kinematic techniques for the trajectory optimization of redundant manipulators control the gripper using the pseudoinverse of the Jacobian. Nevertheless, these algorithms lead to a kind of chaotic motion with unpredictable arm configurations. This paper presents a new technique for solving the inverse kinematics problem for redundant manipulators that combines the closed-loop pseudoinverse method with genetic algorithms.N/

Fractional-order harmonics in the trajectory control of redundant manipulators

Redundant manipulators are superior to classical arms because they allow the trajectory optimization, the obstacle avoidance, and the resolution of singularities. For this type of manipulators, the kinematic control algorithms adopt generalized inverse matrices that may lead to unpredictable responses. Motivated by these problems this paper studies the complexity revealed by the trajectory planning scheme when controlling redundant manipulators. The result reveals a chaotic phenomenon and the existence of fractional order sub-harmonics in the robot signals.N/

The Fourier Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (FIXS) for the Argentinian, Scout-launched satelite de Aplicaciones Cienficas-1 (SAC-1)

The Fourier Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (FIXS) is one of four instruments on SAC-1, the Argentinian satellite being proposed for launch by NASA on a Scout rocket in 1992/3. The FIXS is designed to provide solar flare images at X-ray energies between 5 and 35 keV. Observations will be made on arcsecond size scales and subsecond time scales of the processes that modify the electron spectrum and the thermal distribution in flaring magnetic structures

Behaviour of hybrid corn seeds during storage under different conditions of air temperature and relative humidity

To evaluate the performance of early and normal hybrid corn seeds during storage under different conditions of temperature and relative humidity, Pioneer 3072 and 3210 hybrid seeds were stored under three different conditions, for sixth months. Evaluations of the physiological quality of the seeds were carried out in three bimonthly periods, part of the seeds having been submitted to additional stress at the time tests were conducted. The performance differences between the studied treatments were achieved through the employment of tests of germination, first count, accelerated aging, cold (with and without soil), electrical conductivity and seedling field emergence. It is concluded that: the control of temperature and relative humidity of the storage ambient, mainly relative humidity (dry chamber), favour the conservation of the hybrid corn seed quality.Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento de sementes de milho híbrido durante o armazenamento sob condições diversas de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar foram utilizadas sementes do híbrido Pioneer 3072 e 3210, as quais foram armazenadas sob três condições distintas: câmara seca, câmara fria e condição ambiente, durante 6 meses, e avaliadas quanto à qualidade fisiológica em 3 épocas bimestrais distintas, sendo parte submetida à estresse adicional no momento de realização dos testes. Para detecção da diferença de comportamento dos materiais estudados foram empregados os testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, frio (com ou sem solo), condutividade elétrica e emergência de plântulas em campo. Pôde-se concluir que: o controle da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar do ambiente de armazenamento, principalmente da umidade relativa do ar (câmara seca), favorece a conservação da qualidade das sementes

PpCRN7 and PpCRN20 of phythophthora parasitica regulate plant cell death leading to enhancement of host susceptibility

Phytophthora species secrete cytoplasmic effectors from a family named Crinkler (CRN), which are characterised by the presence of conserved specific domains in the N- and C-terminal regions. P. parasitica causes disease in a wide range of host plants, however the role of CRN effectors in these interactions remains unclear. Here, we aimed to: (i) identify candidate CRN encoding genes in P. parasitica genomes; (ii) evaluate the transcriptional expression of PpCRN (Phytophthora parasitica Crinkler candidate) during the P. parasitica interaction with Citrus sunki (high susceptible) and Poncirus trifoliata (resistant); and (iii) functionally characterize two PpCRNs in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana. Results Our in silico analyses identified 80 putative PpCRN effectors in the genome of P. parasitica isolate 'IAC 01/95.1'. Transcriptional analysis revealed differential gene expression of 20 PpCRN candidates during the interaction with the susceptible Citrus sunki and the resistant Poncirus trifoliata. We have also found that P. parasitica is able to recognize different citrus hosts and accordingly modulates PpCRNs expression. Additionally, two PpCRN effectors, namely PpCRN7 and PpCRN20, were further characterized via transient gene expression in N. benthamiana leaves. The elicitin INF-1-induced Hypersensitivity Response (HR) was increased by an additive effect driven by PpCRN7 expression, whereas PpCRN20 expression suppressed HR response in N. benthamiana leaves. Despite contrasting functions related to HR, both effectors increased the susceptibility of plants to P. parasitica. Conclusions PpCRN7 and PpCRN20 have the ability to increase P. parasitica pathogenicity and may play important roles at different stages of infection. These PpCRN-associated mechanisms are now targets of biotechnological studies aiming to break pathogen's virulence and to promote plant resistance19CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ445390/2014–0; 465440/2014–

Discurso pronunciado por el Excmo. Sr. D. Rafael Portaencasa Baeza, Rector Magnífico de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, con motivo de la festividad de Santo Tomás de Aquino e investidura de doctores honoris causa de los profesores Dres. Yuri M. Davydov, Vagan V. Shajguildan y Gabriel Ferraté

Discurso pronunciado por D. Rafael Portaencasa Baeza, Rector de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, con motivo de la festividad de Santo Tomás de Aquino e investidura de doctores honoris causa de los profesores Dres. Yuri M. Davydov, Vagan V. Shajguildan y Gabriel Ferraté. En este discurso se repasan los principales méritos académicos y de investigación de estas tres personalidades del mundo de la ciencia

Fractional dynamics in the trajectory control of redundant manipulators

Under the pseudoinverse control, robots with kinematical redundancy exhibit an undesirable chaotic joint motion which leads to an erratic behavior. This paper studies the complexity of fractional dynamics of the chaotic response. Fourier and wavelet analysis provides a deeper insight, helpful to know better the lack of repeatability problem of redundant manipulators. This perspective for the study of the chaotic phenomena will permit the development of superior trajectory control algorithms