Application of MCSFilter to estimate stiction control valve parameters

The mitigation of the stiction phenomena in control valves is of paramount importance for efficient industrial plant operation. Mathematical models of sticky valves are typically discontinuous and highly nonlinear. A derivative-free optimization method is applied in the context of parameter estimation in order to determine the stiction parameters of a control valve. The method successfully determines the correct parameter set and compares favorably with a previous case study of this problem that used smooth function.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A tool to analyze robust stability for constrained nonlinear MPC

A sufficient condition for robust asymptotic stability of nonlinear constrained model predictive control (MPC) is derived with respect to plant/model mismatch. This work is an extension of a previous study on the unconstrained nonlinear MPC problem, and is based on nonlinear programming sensitivity concepts. It addresses the discrete time state feedback problem with all states measured. A strategy to estimate bounds on the plant/model mismatch is proposed that can be used off-line as a tool to assess the extent of model mismatch that can be tolerated to guarantee robust stability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V4N-4R7F42T-2/1/7729956156701c2970c6a488f929884

A robust multi-model predictive controller for distributed parameter systems

12 páginas, 6 figurasIn this work a robust nonlinear model predictive controller for nonlinear convection–diffusion-reaction systems is presented. The controller makes use of a collection of reduced order approximations of the plant (models) reconstructed on-line by projection methods on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) basis functions. The model selection and model update step is based on a sufficient condition that determines the maximum allowable process-model mismatch to guarantee stable control performance despite process uncertainty and disturbances. Proofs on the existence of a sequence of feasible approximations and control stability are given. Since plant approximations are built on-line based on actual measurements, the proposed controller can be interpreted as a multi-model nonlinear predictive control (MMPC). The performance of the MMPC strategy is illustrated by simulation experiments on a problem that involves reactant concentration control of a tubular reactor with recycle.This work has been also partially founded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SMART-QC, AGL2008-05267-C03-01), the FP7 CAFE project (KBBE-2007-1-212754), the Project PTDC/EQU-ESI/73458/2006 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and PI grant 07/IN.1/I1838 by Science Foundation Ireland. Also, the authors acknowledge financial support received by a collaborative grant GRICES-CSIC.Peer reviewe

A robust multi-model predictive controller for distributed parameter systems

12 páginas, 6 figurasIn this work a robust nonlinear model predictive controller for nonlinear convection–diffusion-reaction systems is presented. The controller makes use of a collection of reduced order approximations of the plant (models) reconstructed on-line by projection methods on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) basis functions. The model selection and model update step is based on a sufficient condition that determines the maximum allowable process-model mismatch to guarantee stable control performance despite process uncertainty and disturbances. Proofs on the existence of a sequence of feasible approximations and control stability are given. Since plant approximations are built on-line based on actual measurements, the proposed controller can be interpreted as a multi-model nonlinear predictive control (MMPC). The performance of the MMPC strategy is illustrated by simulation experiments on a problem that involves reactant concentration control of a tubular reactor with recycle.This work has been also partially founded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SMART-QC, AGL2008-05267-C03-01), the FP7 CAFE project (KBBE-2007-1-212754), the Project PTDC/EQU-ESI/73458/2006 from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and PI grant 07/IN.1/I1838 by Science Foundation Ireland. Also, the authors acknowledge financial support received by a collaborative grant GRICES-CSIC.Peer reviewe

Parameter estimation of a pulp digester model with derivative-free optimization strategies

The work concerns the parameter estimation in the context of the mechanistic modelling of a pulp digester. The problem is cast as a box bounded nonlinear global optimization problem in order to minimize the mismatch between the model outputs with the experimental data observed at a real pulp and paper plant. MCSFilter and Simulated Annealing global optimization methods were used to solve the optimization problem. While the former took longer to converge to the global minimum, the latter terminated faster at a significantly higher value of the objective function and, thus, failed to find the global solution.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The African hind's (Cephalopholis taeniops, serranidae) use of artificial reefs off Sal Island (Cape Verde): a preliminary study based on acoustic telemetry

The African hind Cephalopholis taeniops (Valenciennes, 1828) is one of the most important commercial demersal species caught in the Cape Verde archipelago. The species is closely associated with hard substrate and is one of the main attractions for SCUBA divers. In January 2006 a former Soviet fishing vessel - the Kwarcit - was sunk off Santa Maria Bay (Sal Island). Young C. taeniops are commonly observed in this artificial reef (AR). In order to investigate the species' use of the AR, 4 specimens were captured and surgically implanted underwater with Vemco brand acoustic transmitters. The fish were monitored daily with an active telemetry receiver for one week after release. Simultaneously, an array of 3 passive VR2 / VR2W receivers was set for 63 days, registering data that allowed an analysis of spatial, daily and short term temporal activity patterns. The results showed site fidelity to the AR, with no migrations to the nearby natural reef. The method used allowed to register a consistent higher activity during daytime and a preference for the area opposite the dominant current

Uso de microssatelites na avaliação da estabilidade genética de mudas regeneradas de suspensão celular de bananeira 'Grande Naine'.

Embriogênese Somáticas é freqüentemente considerada como o melhor sistema para a propagação de genótipos superiores principalmente porque, tanto parte aérea e como radicular estão presentes em embriões somáticos. Células em suspensão é usada basicamente em trabalhos de engenharia genética (Ghosh et al., 2009), podendo também ser empregado na propagação em larga escala de plantas, na produção de sementes sintéticas (Ganapathi et al., 2001), na criopreservação. A micropropagação através da cultura de células em suspensão e embriogênese somática é uma das técnicas mais promissoras para a obtenção de grandes quantidades de mudas qualificadas com baixos custos de produção (Matsumoto & Silva Neto, 2003). Poucos estudos têm sido realizados com o objetivo de se estudar a estabilidade genética das plantas geradas nesse processo com a cultura da bananeira.pdf 201

Adequação da técnica de massa específica na diferenciação de diplóides e poliplóides de Musa acuminata Cola.

A duplicação cromossômica de diplóides, com a produção de autotetraplóides, é uma técnica que vem sendo usada no melhoramento genético de bananeira para obtenção de triplóides secundários. Mediante cruzamento desses tetraplóides com diplóides melhorados (Silva et al., 2005). Desta forma é possível, produzir híbridos com boas características agronômicas e resistentes a pragas que podem ser recomendados como novas cultivares (Bakry et al., 2007).Vários são os fatores que podem determinar o sucesso da poliploidização em bananeira, dentre eles destaca-se o uso de técnicas práticas e seguras para identificação dos poliplóides putativos. Dentre essas, são usadas a citometria de fluxo, estudo da estrutura de estômatos e contagem de cromossomos (Ganga & Chezhiyan, 2002; Bakry et al., 2007; Dolezel, 2007).A pré-seleção de indivíduos tratados com antimitótico é uma prática, que se observou necessária para redução do número de indivíduos que necessitam ter a ploidia confirmada por citometria ou outros métodos. A pré-seleção é feita na fase de aclimatização e baseia-se em características morfológicas e ou estruturais, como espessura das folhas, uma vez que, os tetraplóides normalmente são plantas vigoras e com folhas mais espessas. Plantas com folhas mais espessas podem ser identificadas por pessoas treinadas por meio do tato. A espessura foliar pode ser medida por vários métodos e de forma indireta, com base na massa de discos foliares.O trabalho teve por objetivo estimar a espessura foliar, com base no peso de discos foliares de genótipos com diferentes ploidias.pdf 252

Histamine stimulates neurogenesis in the rodent subventricular zone

Neural stem/progenitor cells present in the subventricular zone (SVZ) are a potential source of repairing cells after injury. Therefore, the identification of novel players that modulate neural stem cells differentiation can have a huge impact in stem cell-based therapies. Herein, we describe a unique role of histamine in inducing functional neuronal differentiation from cultured mouse SVZ stem/progenitor cells. This proneurogenic effect depends on histamine 1 receptor activation and involves epigenetic modifications and increased expression of Mash1, Dlx2, and Ngn1 genes. Biocompatible poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles, engineered to release histamine in a controlled and prolonged manner, also triggered robust neuronal differentiation in vitro. Preconditioning with histamine-loaded microparticles facilitated neuronal differentiation of SVZ-GFP cells grafted in hippocampal slices and in in vivo rodent brain. We propose that neuronal commitment triggered by histamine per se or released from biomaterial-derived vehicles may represent a new tool for brain repair strategies. STEM CELLS 2012; 30:773784Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia-Portugal [SFRH/BD/42848/2008, SFRH/BPD/34841/2007, PTDC/SAU-NEU/104415/2008, PTDC/SAU-NEU/101783/2008, PTDC/CTM/099659/2008]; Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian [96542]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploratory analysis of potential zones for differential management in precision agriculture through soil-plant-climate patterns

Crop site-specific management, also known as precision farming, is related to the application of information technology to the agricultural systems. The implementation of precision farming programs depends on the integration of soil, plant and climate data in order to generate useful information. The recognition of patterns for soil and plant properties is important especially for crop zone management strategies. Aiming to study management aspects by zone delineation and spatial yield patterns, a field experiment was carried out in Angatuba, SP (23º33 S; 48º18 W; 670 m). Grid soil sampling was performed and plant and climatic data were collected in a 40 ha area cultivated with maize autumn sowing, in two consecutive growing seasons. Integration of these data was done under a procedure for soil pattern recognition, aiming a management by zone delineation and yield spatial distribution verification. The proposed integrated procedures for area segmentation showed to be promising and the management by zone delineation process suggests itself to be influenced by mean properties and climatic conditions.A agricultura de precisão contempla a aplicação da informação tecnológica aos processos produtivos. A implementação de programas nesta linha depende da integração de dados de solo, planta e clima, para a geração de informações úteis. O reconhecimento de padrões em propriedades de solo e planta, é fundamental para a viabilização de práticas nessa área, principalmente para uma abordagem de lavouras por zonas ou classes de manejo. Visando estudar aspectos do delineamento de zonas potenciais para manejo diferenciado e distribuição espacial do potencial produtivo, conduziu-se um experimento na região de Angatuba, SP, Brasil. Uma amostragem intensiva de variáveis de solo e planta, além de dados do microclima, foi realizada em uma área de 40 ha cultivados com milho-sequeiro, em duas safras seguidas, além da integração dessas informações para o reconhecimento de padrões de solo e definição de zonas potenciais de manejo. Também se fez a verificação conjunta com os padrões de distribuição da malha de produtividade, durante duas estações de crescimento de milho-sequeiro. O processo de segmentação utilizado mostrou-se adequado para o delineamento proposto, ao mesmo tempo em que foi observado que a definição de zonas com potencial para manejo diferenciado é um processo dinâmico, podendo ser influenciado por propriedades do meio e condições climáticas.46346