Optimal control of impulsive switched systems with minimum subsystem durations

This paper presents a new computational approach for solving optimal control problems governed by impulsive switched systems. Such systems consist of multiple subsystems operating in succession, with possible instantaneous state jumps occurring when the system switches from one subsystem to another. The control variables are the subsystem durations and a set of system parameters influencing the state jumps. In contrast with most other papers on the control of impulsive switched systems, we do not require every potential subsystem to be active during the time horizon (it may be optimal to delete certain subsystems, especially when the optimal number of switches is unknown). However, any active subsystem must be active for a minimum non-negligible duration of time. This restriction leads to a disjoint feasible region for the subsystem durations. The problem of choosing the subsystem durations and the system parameters to minimize a given cost function is a non-standard optimal control problem that cannot be solved using conventional techniques. By combining a time-scaling transformation and an exact penalty method, we develop a computational algorithm for solving this problem. We then demonstrate the effectiveness of this algorithm by considering a numerical example on the optimization of shrimp harvesting operations

Robust Optimal Control of a Microbial Batch Culture Process

This paper considers the microbial batch culture process for producing 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) via glycerol fermentation. Our goal was to design an optimal control scheme for this process, with the aim of balancing two (perhaps competing) objectives: (i) the process should yield a sufficiently high concentration of 1,3-PD at the terminal time and (ii) the process should be robust with respect to changes in various uncertain system parameters. Accordingly, we pose an optimal control problem, in which both process yield and process sensitivity are considered in the objective function. The control variables in this problem are the terminal time of the batch culture process and the initial concentrations of biomass and glycerol in the batch reactor. By performing a time-scaling transformation and introducing an auxiliary dynamic system to calculate process sensitivity, we obtain an equivalent optimal control problem in standard form. We then develop a particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving this equivalent problem. Finally, we explore the trade-off between process efficiency and process robustness via numerical simulations

Domestic violence: possibilities and limitations in coping Violencia doméstica: las posibilidades y los límites de enfrentamiento Violência doméstica: as possibilidades e os limites de enfrentamento

This qualitative study assesses how women, in situations of domestic violence and examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, deal with this adversity and identifies protection strategies to cope with it, considering the support required and obtained from their relational and institutional environments. Ten women were interviewed and the data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Search for help primarily occurs in the women’s social milieu, with family and friends and health and legal services being sought. In such a quest, established bonds may either become an obstacle to coping and make these women vulnerable to violence or protect and strengthen them during coping. In the identification of these women’s social and health needs, the aggravating circumstances of violence are only superficially addressed by professionals. New strategies to implement professional actions should be devised in order to provide integral and humanized care.<br>El objetivo del presente estudio fue comprender como las mujeres en situación de violencia doméstica, atendidas en el Instituto Médico Legal, conviven con esta adversidad e identificar las estrategias de protección en el enfrentamiento, considerando el apoyo/soporte requerido y el obtenido en el medio relacional e institucional. Es un estudio de abordaje cualitativo. Se entrevistaron diez mujeres y los datos fueron analizados por la técnica de análisis de contenido, en la modalidad temática. La búsqueda por ayuda ocurre en el propio medio social, junto a la familia y amigos. Posteriormente, se recurre a los servicios de salud y judicial. En esa búsqueda los vínculos establecidos se pueden tornar un obstáculo al enfrentamiento y, por lo tanto, vulnerables a la violencia, o pueden proteger a las mujeres y fortalecerlas en el enfrentamiento. En el reconocimiento de sus necesidades sociales y de salud, los agravantes de la violencia son tocados apenas tangencialmente por los profesionales en la aprehensión de las necesidades de estas mujeres. Para la atención integral y humanizada deben ser elaboradas nuevas estrategias de acciones profesionales.<br>O objetivo do presente estudo foi compreender como as mulheres em situação de violência doméstica, atendidas no instituto médico legal, convivem com essa adversidade e identificar as estratégias de proteção no enfrentamento, considerando o apoio/suporte requerido e o obtido no meio relacional e institucional. Trata-se de estudo com abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistadas dez mulheres e os dados analisados pela técnica de análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática. A busca por ajuda ocorre no próprio meio social, junto à família e amigos. Posteriormente, recorre-se aos serviços de saúde e judicial. Nessa busca, os vínculos estabelecidos podem se tornar obstáculo ao enfrentamento e, portanto, vulneráveis à violência, ou podem proteger as mulheres e fortalecê-las no enfrentamento. No reconhecimento de suas necessidades sociais e de saúde, os agravantes da violência são apenas tangenciados pelos profissionais, na apreensão das necessidades dessas mulheres. Para o atendimento integral e humanizado devem ser pensadas novas estratégias de ações profissionais

Forming sexualities as judicial virtues

This article explores the formation of sexuality in the institution of the judiciary. Its object of study is an archive made up of the texts of swearing in ceremonies of newly appointed judges of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia. The texts, records of public events, demonstrate a remarkable consistency of general content and tone. They take the form of what might best be described as life writing (biography and autobiography). They have a strong hagiographic quality. Dedicated to writing the life of the newly appointed judge, they are a particular form of life writing devoted to the portrayal of state officials. As such they have a double function formulating and fashioning the subject not only as an exemplary individual life but also as a subject that embodies the virtues of the judicial institution. Each swearing-in document offers a textual portrait that makes and makes public the values and virtues of the institution of the judge. An important context for this study is an earlier empirical research project on sexual diversity in the judiciary. Key informants in that research advised me that sexuality was unlike the other strands of diversity. It was described as a personal and a private matter: strictly extra judicial. The primary objective of this essay is to explore how, if at all, sexuality is made in these public judicial ceremonies and texts, and more specifically, how the subject’s sexuality is figured as an institutional ideal, as a judicial virtue. In undertaking this task the analysis will also examine some aspects of the role of gender in the formation of the judicial subject as a sexual subject