5 Post-processing methods for passivity enforcement

Many physical systems are passive (or dissipative): they are unable to generate energy on their own, but they can store energy in some form while exchanging power with the surrounding environment. This chapter describes the most prominent approaches for ensuring that Reduced Order Models are passive, so that their math- ematical representation satisfies an appropriate dissipativity condition. The main focus is on Linear and Time-Invariant (LTI) systems in state-space form. Different conditions for testing passivity of a given LTI model are discussed, including Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs), Frequency-Domain Inequalities, and spectral conditions on associated Hamiltonian matrices. Then we describe common approaches for perturbing a given non-passive system to enforce its passivity. Various examples from electronic applications are used to demonstrate both theory and algorithm performance

Limitações e oportunidades na avaliação dos projetos da cooperação Portuguesa

Os projetos de Cooperação para o Desenvolvimento, para além dos de Ação Humanitária, em particular os desenvolvidos no continente africano, têm produzido resultados frustrantes, apesar do volume de recursos financeiros empenhados na tarefa de produzir desenvolvimento. Sendo a unidade de medida o projeto e o mecanismo prevalecente de aprendizagem e correção de metodologias o processo de avaliação desse projeto, importa entender quais as limitações que condicionam a eficácia do exercício de avaliação e as oportunidades de melhorar a implementação das suas recomendações pelas ONGs no terreno. Com uma abordagem muito prática e que parte do estudo de 26 casos concretos de projetos da cooperação portuguesa, foi possível identificar aspetos fundamentais que limitam a capacidade de esses projetos produzirem os resultados esperados e provocarem mudanças duradouras junto das populações beneficiadas. Este documento identifica um conjunto de 10 sugestões que representam oportunidades para melhorar a eficácia dos processos de avaliação na criação de um ciclo de aprendizagem, organizados em redor do conceito do Círculo Virtuoso da avaliação, que associa à competência técnica da avaliação, a necessidade de assegurar um planeamento adequado do projeto e a criação de condições de independência para os avaliadores realizarem o seu escrutínio. Financiadores e ONGs têm a possibilidade de utilizar estas sugestões para estabelecerem um diálogo mais participado, que assegure uma correta priorização dos projetos e o seu impacto sustentado junto das populações beneficiadas.Development Cooperation projects, in addition to Humanitarian Action projects, particularly those on the African continent, have produced frustrating results, despite the volume of financial resources committed to the task of producing development. Since the unit of measurement is the project and the prevailing mechanism for learning and correcting methodologies is the evaluation process of that project, it is important to understand the limitations that condition the effectiveness of the evaluation exercise and the opportunities to improve the implementation of its recommendations by NGOs in the field. With a very practical approach based on the study of 26 concrete cases of Portuguese cooperation projects, it was possible to identify key aspects that limit the ability of these projects to produce the expected results and bring about lasting changes in the beneficiary populations. This document identifies a set of 10 suggestions that represent opportunities for improving the effectiveness of evaluation processes in the creation of a learning cycle, organized around the concept of the Virtuous Circle of evaluation, which associates to the technical competence of the evaluation, the need to ensure adequate planning of the project and the creation of conditions of independence for the evaluators to carry out their scrutiny. Funders and NGOs have the possibility to use these suggestions to establish a more participatory dialogue to ensure the correct prioritization of projects and their sustained impact on beneficiary populations

Los impactos del COVID-19 en el comportamiento de los consumidores en Uruguay

La especial situación de pandemia global durante 2020, provocada por la rápida expansión del COVID-19, ha generado numerosos efectos a distintos niveles, impactando fuertemente en los sistemas económicos, tanto desde la oferta como desde la demanda. Esta investigación puso el foco en el efecto que esta coyuntura ha tenido en la demanda y el consumo, especialmente de bienes durables, entre los meses de marzo a agosto de 2020 en Uruguay. A través del análisis de la evolución del Índice de Confianza del Consumidor, y los tres subíndices que lo conforman, el presente estudio pudo comprobar que el shock COVID tuvo importantes efectos en la conformación de los hábitos de consumo de la población uruguaya

Root exudation of oxalic acid in Lotus corniculatus in response to aluminum toxicity

The objective of this research was to identify the existence of root exudation of organic acid in Lotus corniculatus germplasms subjected to toxic aluminum (Al) levels and investigate the effect of this mechanism on the Al content in the root tissue and in morphological parameters of plant development. Two experiments were performed in nutrient solution to evaluate the Al accumulation and exudation of organic acids, using cultivars INIA Draco and São Gabriel and genotypes UFRGS and UF-T2. The plants were cultivated in Al-free solution, which was applied on the 45th day in half of the pots of each genotype. Root exudation was highly correlated with the reduced accumulation of Al in the root tissue (r2 = 0.75 at 72 h). Genotype UF-T2, selected for Al tolerance, extruded 80% more oxalic acid in the presence of Al compared with the other germplasms, indicating that this mechanism is involved with Al tolerance in L. corniculatus. This experiment showed strong evidence that L. corniculatus exhibits Type I tolerance, in which anionic channels are rapidly activated by Al exposure. Exudation of oxalic acid is likely a crucial mechanism that allows the maintenance of L. corniculatus growth when exposed to toxic Al conditions, and this characteristic should be used to identify tolerant genotypes in the future

Obstáculos a la innovación y la cooperación para innovar. Caso de empresas en la industria manufacturera del Uruguay

The key element of organizational competitiveness is innovation and SMEs do not escape this, in this sense, this paper tries to answer, what are the main innovation activities and the obstacles to those activities that most affect Uruguayan industrial companies, and if cooperation with other companies and institutions and participation in networks are important at the time to overcome these obstacles. Microdata from a survey by the Uruguayan National Research and Innovation Agency (ANII) were used, which allowed the elaboration of a series of statistical descriptors related to the variables defined in the study. The research shows that the main innovation activity carried out by both SMEs and large companies is the acquisition of capital goods, together with internal R&D. It is verified that the most important obstacles to developing innovation activities are aspects related to micro and meso-economic issues. There is a greater relative presence of large companies in cooperation agreements for the joint purchase and development of technology and a reduced participation of SMEs in agreements or networks related to scientific and technological knowledge is detected, which would indicate that they do not necessarily contribute to lift some of the obstacles to innovation activities.El elemento clave de la competitividad organizacional es la innovación y las pymes no escapan de ello, en este sentido, el presente trabajo trata de responder, cuáles son las principales actividades de innovación y los obstáculos a esas actividades que más inciden en las empresas industriales uruguayas, y si la cooperación con otras empresas e instituciones y la participación en redes son importantes a la hora de superar dichos obstáculos. Se utilizaron microdatos de la encuesta que realiza la Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación de Uruguay (ANII), que posibilitó elaborar una serie de descriptores estadísticos relacionados con las variables definidas en el estudio. La investigación pone de manifiesto que la principal actividad de innovación que realizan, tanto las pymes como las grandes empresas, es la adquisición de bienes de capital, junto con la I+D interna. Se verifica que los obstáculos más importantes para desarrollar actividades de innovación son aspectos relacionados a temas micro y meso-económicos. Se encuentra una mayor presencia relativa de grandes empresas en los acuerdos de cooperación para compra y desarrollo conjunto de tecnología y se detecta una reducida participación de empresas pymes en acuerdos o redes vinculadas a conocimientos científicos y tecnológicos, lo que indicaría que los mismos no necesariamente contribuyen a levantar algunos de los obstáculos para realizar actividades de innovación

Dissimilaridade entre ecótipos de Andropogon lateralis submetidos a diferentes frequências de desfolha e alturas de corte

Andropogon lateralis Nees is a native grass of southern Brazil and is one of the most frequent specie found in native grasslands. The species is widely distributed and has a high degree of phenotypic plasticity, which makes it highly adaptable to different edaphoclimatic conditions and management. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of twelve ecotypes of A. lateralis, collected in different regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul and cut to three different heights and subjected to two different defoliation frequencies. From September to February, the ecotypes were evaluated for total dry matter, leaf and stem yields. In addition, total, vegetative and reproductive tillers and plant height were measured. These characteristics are important for the selection of superior genotypes in terms of genetic variability and forage production. Total dry matter and leaf dry matter are characteristics with agronomic importance and they showed the highest correlation (r = 0.77), enabling an indirect selection for one of these characteristics. The natural selection of plants resulted in distinct structural, morphological and productive characteristics with heterogeneity that allows the selection and grouping according to the characteristics, ecotypes with superior agronomic characteristics can be included in breeding programs.Andropogon lateralis Nees é uma gramínea nativa do sul do Brasil e uma das espécies mais frequentes na flora dos campos nativos da região. Possui ampla distribuição e alto grau de plasticidade fenotípica, tornando-o adaptável as condições edafoclimáticas e a práticas de desfolha. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a dissimilaridade entre doze ecótipos de A. lateralis N., coletados em diferentes regiões do Rio Grande do Sul, submetidos a duas frequências de desfolha e três alturas de corte. No período de setembro a fevereiro, os ecótipos foram avaliados quanto à produção de matéria seca total, de lâminas foliares e de colmo. Além disso, foram medidos o número de perfilhos totais, vegetativos e reprodutivos e a altura das plantas. Essas características são importantes para a seleção de genótipos superiores em termos de variabilidade genética e produção de forragem. A matéria seca total e a matéria seca foliar são características com importância agronômica e apresentaram a maior correlação (r = 0,77), possibilitando uma seleção indireta para uma dessas características. A seleção natural das plantas resultou em características estruturais, morfológicas e produtivas distintas com uma heterogeneidade que permite a seleção e agrupamento de acordo com as características, ecótipos com características agronômicas superiores podem ser incluídos em programas de melhoramento

Evaluación en resultados de salud del proceso diabetes tipo 2

ResumenObjetivoAnalizar la asociación entre el desarrollo del proceso diabetes tipo 2 (DM2) y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS).DiseñoEstudio descriptivo transversal.EmplazamientoUnidad de Gestión Clínica (Ayamonte, Huelva).ParticipantesSelección por muestreo aleatorio simple entre los pacientes registrados en el proceso DM2: n=143.El proceso DM2 es una herramienta que utiliza indicadores de buena práctica clínica para el seguimiento de los pacientes.Recogida de datos desde registros y entrevista personal para el cuestionario de CVRS SF-36.ResultadosSe analizaron 101 pacientes. 51,5% mujeres. Edad media: 66,8 años (DE 11,3). Realizan actividad física: 52,5%. Tiempo de evolución de la diabetes: 9,6 años (DE 7,7). Índice de calidad del proceso (ISCD): 64,5%.Peor puntuación en componente físico de CVRS, media de 41,9 (DE 9,6).Mayor puntuación en hombres. Practicar ejercicio físico regular mejora la puntuación (diferencia de medias de 19,5 IC95% 10,2–28,8). Asociación negativa entre: edad y función física (r=−0,354 p<0,005), tiempo de evolución de diabetes y componente sumario físico (r=−0,278 p<0,005).Retinopatía (t=2,03 p<0,04) y cardiopatía (t=2,6 p<0,008) se relacionan con menor puntuación en componente físico.La asociación de CVRS con control metabólico, automedida de glucemia y educación diabetológica es no significativa.Predictores de la CVRS son: actividad física y enfermedades comórbidas.ConclusionesLa CVRS es mala en los diabéticos tipo 2 a pesar de tener buenos indicadores en el proceso.Debería incluirse la CVRS como estándar del proceso DM2.AbstractObjectiveTo analyse association between the development of type 2 diabetes and the health-related quality of life (HRQL).DesignDescriptive cross-sectional study.SettingPrimary care centre in Ayamonte (Huelva). Participants: Selection by simple random sampling between the patients registered with type 2 diabetes: n=143.The type 2 diabetes process is a tool that uses indicators of good clinical practice for the follow-up of the patients.Collection of data from records and personal interview for the questionnaire HRQL SF-36.ResultsA total of 101 patients were analysed, of which 51.5% were women. the average age was 66.8 years (SD 11.3). Performing physical activity 52.5%. Time of evolution of diabetes: 9.6 years (SD 7.7). Quality Index of the process: 64.5%. Worst score in physical component HRQL, mean of 41.9 (SD 9.6). Men had a better score, and it improves if there is regular physical exercise (mean difference 19.5% IC95%CI: 10.2–28.8). Age was inversely associated with physical function (r −0.354 P<0,005); and the time of evolution of diabetes with physical component (r −0.278 P<0.005). Retinopathy (t=2.03 P<0.04) and heart disease (t=2.6 P<0.008) were associated with lowest score in physical component. The association of HRQL with metabolic control, self control of glucose and diabetes education was not significant. Physical activity and comorbid diseases predict HRQL.ConclusionsThe HRQL is poor in type 2 diabetics despite having good indicators in the process. The HRQL should be included as standard in the type 2 diabetes process

A novel reiterated family of transcribed oligo(A)-terminated, interspersed DNA elements in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi

We report the molecular characterization of a novel reiterated family of transcribed oligo(A)-terminated, interspersed DNA elements in the genome of Trypanosoma cruzi. Steady-state level of transcripts of this sequence family appeared to be developmentally regulated, since only in the replicative forms the parasite showed expression of related sequences with a major band around 3 kb. The presence of frame shifts or premature stop codons predicts that transcripts are not translated. The sequence family also contains truncated forms of retrotransposons elements that may become potential hot spots for retroelement insertion. Sequences homologous to this family are interspersed at many chromosomes including the subtelomeric regions.Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaNorthwestern University Medical School Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-ImmunologyUniversidad Central de Venezuela Instituto de Biologia Experimental Laboratorio de Genetica MolecularUniversidad de Antofagasta Departamento de Tecnologia MédicaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Microbiologia, Imunologia e ParasitologiaSciEL