A model-free control strategy for an experimental greenhouse with an application to fault accommodation

Writing down mathematical models of agricultural greenhouses and regulating them via advanced controllers are challenging tasks since strong perturbations, like meteorological variations, have to be taken into account. This is why we are developing here a new model-free control approach and the corresponding intelligent controllers, where the need of a good model disappears. This setting, which has been introduced quite recently and is easy to implement, is already successful in many engineering domains. Tests on a concrete greenhouse and comparisons with Boolean controllers are reported. They not only demonstrate an excellent climate control, where the reference may be modified in a straightforward way, but also an efficient fault accommodation with respect to the actuators

On the model-free control of an experimental greenhouse

International audienceIn spite of a large technical literature, an efficient climate control of a greenhouse remains a very difficult task. Indeed, this process is a complex nonlinear system with strong meteorological disturbances. The newly introduced ''model-free control'' setting is employed here. It is easy to implement, and has already shown excellent performances in many other concrete domains. Successful experimental tests are presented and discussed. They are compared to a Boolean approach, which is often utilized in practice

Model-free control and fault accommodation for an experimental greenhouse

International audienceThe greenhouse climate control is important in modern agriculture. It is also rather difficult to design: as a matter of fact writing down a "good" mathematical model, which takes into account strong meteorological disturbances, might be an impossible task. The control is here synthesized via a new "model-free" setting, which yields an "intelligent" proportional feedback controller, the tuning of which is straightforward, and even simpler than the intelligent proportional-integral controller, which was already utilized in a previous publication. Our control strategy is successfully tested via an experimental greenhouse. The comparison with the classic Boolean approach, which is popular among manufacturers, demonstrates the superiority of our viewpoint, which permits moreover an efficient actuator fault accommodation. It might be the first model-free fault-tolerant control, which works satisfactorily in practice

COLECCIONES FOTOGRÁFICAS DEL AYUNTAMIENTO DE SANTA LUCÍA DE TIRAJANA [Material gráfico]

Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Subdirección General de Coordinación Bibliotecaria, 201

The epigenetic players and the chromatin marks involved in the articular cartilage during osteoarthritis

Epigenetics defines the modifications of the genome that do not involve a change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA. These modifications constitute a mechanism of gene regulation poorly explored in the context of cartilage physiology. They are now intensively studied by the scientific community working on articular cartilage and its related pathology such as osteoarthritis. Indeed, epigenetic regulations can control the expression of crucial gene in the chondrocytes, the only resident cells of cartilage. Some epigenetic changes are considered as a possible cause of the abnormal gene expression and the subsequent alteration of the chondrocyte phenotype (hypertrophy, proliferation, senescence…) as observed in osteoarthritic cartilage. Osteoarthritis is a joint pathology, which results in impaired extracellular matrix homeostasis and leads ultimately to the progressive destruction of cartilage. To date, there is no pharmacological treatment and the exact causes have yet to be defined. Given that the epigenetic modifying enzymes can be controlled by pharmacological inhibitors, it is thus crucial to describe the epigenetic marks that enable the normal expression of extracellular matrix encoding genes, and those associated with the abnormal gene expression such as degradative enzyme or inflammatory cytokines encoding genes. In this review, only the DNA methylation and histone modifications will be detailed with regard to normal and osteoarthritic cartilage. Although frequently referred as epigenetic mechanisms, the regulatory mechanisms involving microRNAs will not be discussed. Altogether, this review will show how this nascent field influences our understanding of the pathogenesis of OA in terms of diagnosis and how controlling the epigenetic marks can help defining epigenetic therapies

Diagnostic, reconstruction et identification des défauts capteurs et actionneurs (application aux station d'épurations des eaux usées)

Ce travail de thèse propose une méthode générale de reconstruction de défauts. Cette méthode donne un aperçu sur le problème d observabilité des entrées inconnues. Par la suite, une méthodologie de détection et d isolation de défauts capteurs et actionneurs est proposée. Le schéma de FDI est basé sur une banque d observateurs. L implémentation de cette méthode pour un modèle ASM1 réduit conduit à une table de signature fortement localisante.La deuxième partie porte sur la problématique de l observation des systèmes non linéaires . Le filtre de Kalman étendu (FKE) est l un des observateurs les plus largement utilisé à cette fin. Cependant, la convergence de cet observateur n est pas prouvée. Lorsque le FKE est appliqué à un système mis sous une forme canonique d observabilité, il acquiert, des propriétés de convergence exponentielle globales. Cependant, ce dernier entraine une amplification de bruit. Afin de combiner l efficacité d un FKE en termes de lissage de bruit, et la réactivité d un OKE grand gain face aux larges variations, [Boizot et al., 2010] ont proposé un observateur adaptatif. Ainsi, cet observateur est appliqué au système non-linéaire MIMO d une station d épuration biologique. Une étude comparative entre ces trois observateurs est menée afin de mettre en évidence la pertinence de l observateur adaptatif.This thesis proposes a general methodology for identifying and reconstructing sensor faults on dynamical processes. This identification theory provides a general framework for the problem of "observability with unknown inputs". Next, a framework for fault detection and isolation of sensors and actuators is proposed. The FDI sheme is based on bank of high-gain observers. A simulation study of a waste water treatment plant shows the effectiveness of the proposed approach.The second point evoked in the thesis is the observability of nonlinear dynamic systems and state estimation. The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is a widely used observer for such nonlinear systems. However, it suffers from the lack of theoretical justifications. The EKF, when applied to a system put in a normal form of observability, it acquires the property of global exponential convergence. Unfortunately, this latter observer (HG-EKF) is very sensitive to measurement noise. In order to combine the behaviors of the EKF (efficiency with respect to noise smoothing) and of the HG-EKF (reactivity to large estimation errors), (Boizot et al, 2010) proposed an adaptive high gain observer. This observer is applied to a MIMO nonlinear system of an Activated Sludge Process. A comparison study of the performances of the three observers under consideration is carried out. Results show a clearly better state estimation for the adaptive observer.TOULON-Bibliotheque electronique (830629901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Degraded States of Engagement in Air Traffic Control

Safety studies have identified attention as a recurring cause of incidents and accidents in air traffic control. However, little is known of the precise attentional states that lead to degraded ATC performance. Therefore, we surveyed 150 French en route air traffic controllers on the causes of and impacts on perceived cooperation, safety, and performance of seven degraded attentional states from the literature: task-related and task-unrelated mind wandering, mental overload, inattentional deafness and blindness, attentional entropy, and perseveration. Our findings indicated that task- related and task-unrelated mind wandering were the most prevalent but had the least impact on perceived safety. Conversely, inattentional blindness and attentional entropy were less reported but were considered a significant safety concern, while inattentional deafness affected cooperation. Most states were experienced in workload levels consistent with the literature. However, no other factor such as shift work was identified as a cause of these states. Overall, these findings suggest that “attention” is not a specific enough subject for ATC, as attentional issues can occur in various conditions and have different impacts. As far as safety is concerned, inattentional blindness should be the prime target for further research. Neuroergonomics in particular could help develop dynamic countermeasures to mitigate its impact

Neurofeedback Training of Fronto-medial Theta Oscillations as a Tool to Mitigate Engagement Issues While Flying

Flying is a multitasking and complex activity that requires high working memory, mental flexibility and inhibition abilities 1. It is now well admitted that stressors (eg. fatigue, psychological stress) can impair this executive functioning to an extent that pilots fail to face task demands and to adapt to external contingencies 1–[4]. Several solutions ranging from adaptive automation to the design of cognitive countermeasures have been successfully implemented [5]–[7]. A complementary approach is to consider the use of preventive approaches such as the neurofeedback technique. Indeed, neurofeedback allows displaying online cerebral activity using brain imaging techniques (e.g., EEG, fNIRS, fMRI) in order to teach self-regulation of brain functioning [8], [9]. Recent studies have highlighted that neurofeedback training is particularly relevant to improve performance in controlled settings [10], [11], but also in more ecological contexts [12], [13]. In addition, it has been shown that frontal-medial theta [4-8] Hz, which is regarded as the “working language” for neural communication of executive functioning can improve basic executive functions [14] . Consequently, we assume that training pilots in order to increase their theta activity in the fronto-medial cortex will help them perform better in tasks involving executive functions

In situ monitoring of galactolipid digestion by infrared spectroscopy in both model micelles and spinach chloroplasts

Galactolipids are the main lipids from plant photosynthetic membranes and they can be digested by pancreatic lipase related protein 2 (PLRP2), an enzyme found in the pancreatic secretion in many animal species. Here, we used transmission Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to monitor continuously the hydrolysis of galactolipids by PLRP2, in situ and in real time. The method was first developed with a model substrate, a synthetic monogalactosyl diacylglycerol with 8-carbon acyl chains (C8-MGDG), in the form of mixed micelles with a bile salt, sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC). The concentrations of the residual substrate and reaction products (monogalactosylmonoglyceride, MGMG; monogalactosylglycerol, MGG; octanoic acid) were estimated from the carbonyl and carboxylate vibration bands after calibration with reference standards. The results were confirmed by thin layer chromatography analysis (TLC) and specific staining of galactosylated compounds with thymol and sulfuric acid. The method was then applied to the lipolysis of more complex substrates, a natural extract of MGDG with long acyl chains, micellized with NaTDC, and intact chloroplasts isolated from spinach leaves. After a calibration performed with α-linolenic acid, the main fatty acid (FA) found in plant galactolipids, FTIR allowed quantitative measurement of chloroplast lipolysis by PLRP2. A full release of FA from membrane galactolipids was observed, that was not dependent on the presence of bile salts. Nevertheless, the evolution of amide vibration band in FTIR spectra suggested the interaction of membrane proteins with NaTDC and lipolysis products

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition)

In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. For example, a key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process versus those that measure fl ux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process including the amount and rate of cargo sequestered and degraded). In particular, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation must be differentiated from stimuli that increase autophagic activity, defi ned as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (inmost higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium ) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the fi eld understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. It is worth emphasizing here that lysosomal digestion is a stage of autophagy and evaluating its competence is a crucial part of the evaluation of autophagic flux, or complete autophagy. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. Along these lines, because of the potential for pleiotropic effects due to blocking autophagy through genetic manipulation it is imperative to delete or knock down more than one autophagy-related gene. In addition, some individual Atg proteins, or groups of proteins, are involved in other cellular pathways so not all Atg proteins can be used as a specific marker for an autophagic process. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field