Application of Mindstorms sensors in monitoring the fruit ripening process

In the present study, investigations were conducted to analyse the possibility of using the Lego Mindstorms light and color sensors in agriculture. The appropriate design was made which consisting of these sensors and control units that provided the information on measured values. The changes in color of tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) during maturation process were registered by using the appropriate color and light sensors with the analysis of the possibility of monitoring fruit ripening process and registration of any pathological changes of color. The values measured by sensors are presented in a graphical form, providing an analogy between the results given by Lego Mindstorms color sensor and Lego Mindstorms light sensor. The reliability of sensor readings was analysed by consideration of width of range of the results, from the beginning to the end of the maturation process and comparation with results of the other studies

Comparative values, correlation and classification of basketball players based on the efficiency index and expert evaluation by coaches

Measuring the efficiency of athletes during competition has been a subject of interest both for experts and scientists in sports for more than a hundred years. Basketball has recognized in the 1940s how important it is to analyze efficiency indicators because these procedures allow coaches to increase their knowledge. There are two basic methods – objective and subjective – for evaluating the efficiency, or real quality of basketball players. The aim of this research is to establish the level of correlation between these two methods and to identify clusters, i.e. player hierarchy based on the results of both methods of efficiency evaluation. The sample of variables consisted of 12 basketball players who participated in the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. The subjective evaluation, also called expert evaluation, was performed by coaches of seven national teams that participated in the Championship. The objective evaluation was performed using the EEF efficiency index. The data was processed using z-scoring, the Pearson coefficient, and hierarchical cluster analysis. The Pearson coefficients of linear correlation between the efficiency index and the expert evaluation is r = 0.859 with a statistical significance of p ≤ 0.01. The cluster analysis distinguished two groups of players, which were named quality and super quality. The variance analysis showed that the probability of the clusters being equal is less than p ≤ 0.00. The research has shown that the evaluation by coaches is relevant and is fully consistent with the efficiency index formula. Also, the distinction of two groups of players by clustering is not uncommon in the basketball practice and is linked with efficiency at the given time

Experimental Demonstration of Model Predictive Control in a Medium-Sized Commercial Building

This paper presents the implementation and experimental demonstration results of a practically effective and computationally efficient model predictive control (MPC) algorithm used to optimize the energy use of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in a multi-zone medium-sized commercial building. Advanced building control technologies are key enablers for intelligent operations of future buildings, however, adopting these technologies are quite difficult in practice mainly due to the cost-sensitive nature of the building industry. This paper presents the results of implementing optimization-based control algorithm and demonstrates the effectiveness of its energy-saving feature and improved thermal comfort along with lessons-learned. The performance of the implemented MPC algorithm was estimated relative to baseline days (heuristic-based control) with similar outdoor air temperature patterns during the cooling and shoulder seasons (September to November, 2013), and it was concluded that MPC reduced the total electrical energy consumption by more than 20% on average while improving thermal comfort in terms of temperature and maintaining similar zone CO2 levels

Isolation and cultivation of myofibroblasts from rats' liver using explantation method

During liver fibrosis development connective tissue is produced by myofibroblasts that could originate from two hepatic populations: hepatic stellate cells and portal fibroblasts. A marker of myofibroblasts is the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Distinctive feature of myofibroblasts, derived from hepatic stellate cells, is the preservation of the hepatic stellate cells marker expression - desmin. The processes of activation, proliferation and cells trans-differentiation into myofibroblasts are closely related to the activity of transcription factor NF-kB and its inhibitor IkBα. The aim of our work was to obtain a culture of hepatic myofibrobasts, to study their origin, phenotype, relations between NF-kB and IkBα expression and the processes of activation and cells trans-differentiation into myofibroblasts. For this purpose we isolated heterogeneous population of cells from rat liver by the method of explantation. Almost all the cells had desmin and α-SMA expression. On this basis, we suppose that these myofibroblasts were hepatic stellate cells derivatives, and singular desmin-negative cells originated from portal fibroblasts. Thus, hepatic stellate cells have major potential to activation, growth, proliferation and transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts in comparison to portal fibroblasts. Activated state of the cells was confirmed by stable expression of NF-kB and its inhibitor IkBα in all the cells throughout the whole experiment

Binary Weighted DAC with 2-ξ Resistor Ratio

In this paper we present a new digital analog converter (DAC) design, based on the binary weighted resistor network. The proposed design ensures high conversion accuracy using low precision resistors with ±1% ±2%, ±5%, ±10% and ±20% resistor tolerance. High accuracy is achieved due to better coverage of the analog domain of the transfer characteristic. In binary weighted converters the imprecision of resistors introduces positive and negative differential nonlinearities (DNL). Positive DNL causes gap in the analog domain of the transfer characteristic and negative DNL causes non-monotonicity. In the proposed solution we change the resistor ratio of the two consecutive DAC branches from 2 to 2-ξ, where ξ is small positive number. With this change, we intentionally introduce an additional negative DNL in order to entirely avoid the positive gap. Simulation results confirm that even with resistors tolerance of up to ±10%, we can achieve a converter with maximal gap in the transfer characteristic less than or around one LSB

Retrospective‐cost‐based adaptive model refinement for the ionosphere and thermosphere

Mathematical models of physical phenomena are of critical importance in virtually all applications of science and technology. This paper addresses the problem of how to use data to improve the fidelity of a given model. We approach this problem using retrospective cost optimization, which uses data to recursively update an unknown subsystem interconnected to a known system. Applications of this technique are relevant to applications that depend on large‐scale models based on first‐principles physics, such as the global ionosphere–thermosphere model (GITM). Using GITM as the truth model, we demonstrate that measurements can be used to identify unknown physics. Specifically, we estimate static thermal conductivity parameters, as well as a dynamic cooling process. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 4: 446–458, 2011Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86874/1/10127_ftp.pd

Changes of population density in the municipality of Nikšić as a result of migration

Due to geographic and traffic position, migrations were characteristic of all periods of the demographic development of the municipality of Nikšić, but the highest intensity, especially internal population movements, they had from the second half of the 20th century. Caused by intensive industrialization, they greatly influenced the spatial distribution of the population, both in the city and in many rural areas of the municipality. In this paper, we will point out the impact of migration on the spatial distribution of the population and changes in population density of certain areas of the municipality. The impacts will be analyzed at the level of municipality, city, all villages, certain areas (Nikšićko polje and Zupa Nikšićka) and some areas with extreme values

Paper machine cross-directional control near spatial domain boundaries

This work is concerned with the modification of an existing industrial paper machine cross-directional (CD) control law near spatial domain boundaries (paper sheet edges), taking into account relevant control engineering criteria: closed-loop stability, performance, and robustness. Paper machine CD control systems belong to a set of large, multivariable, spatially-distributed control systems, having 30-300 control inputs and 200-2000 process outputs. The objective of CD control is to reduce the variations of a particular paper sheet property (basis weight - weight per unit area, moisture content, or thickness) in the cross-direction (the direction perpendicular to the sheet travel direction) as much as possible. CD control systems can properly be described as two-dimensional systems, with one time dimension and one spatial dimension (cross-direction). The state-of-the-art industrial CD controllers of interest in this work are designed assuming spatially-invariant CD processes. Indeed, a lot of recently developed techniques for the design of spatially-distributed control laws make use of the spatial-invariance assumption. However, very many of the real-life systems (including paper machine CD processes) are not spatially-invariant. Paper machine edges represent a clear disruption of the assumed spatial-invariance. As a result, initially designed spatially-invariant control laws must be modified before implementation on the real (spatially-variant) paper machines. The current industrial techniques for modifying CD control laws near spatial domain boundaries are based on techniques for extending finite-width signals, borrowed from the field of signal processing. As these techniques do not take into account relevant control engineering criteria, they can lead to very poor control near the edges, and potentially even destabilize the overall CD control system. The main contributions of this work are the three novel approaches to modifying the existing industrial CD control law that directly take into account important control engineering criteria. In addition, the newly developed closed-loop approach has also been successfully tested on a paper machine in a working paper mill. A developed closed-loop stability transfer approach is a straightforward perturbation technique for the spatially-invariant CD controller, that is guaranteed to stabilize a closed-loop system with the actual (spatially-variant) CD plant. Next, the similarities between effects observed near spatial domain boundaries of the industrial CD control systems and the well-known Gibbs effect are illustrated. Subsequently, based on the techniques for mitigating the Gibbs effect, the so-called open-loop approach to modifying the existing CD control law is developed and illustrated with a closed-loop simulation example. Finally, in a closed-loop approach to modifying the existing industrial CD controller, the objective is restated in terms of a block-decentralized static output feedback design problem. Static modifications of the existing controller's two constant matrix components are then sequentially computed by the use of a novel low-bandwidth static output feedback controller design algorithm. The relevant control engineering criteria (closed-loop stability, performance, and robustness) are all systematically taken into account with this approach. Since the resulting closed-loop system robustness margins near the sheet edges are directly considered, the possibility of CD control instability originating from the edges and 'creeping' into the rest of the system is eliminated with the new approach. The new approach has a clear economic benefit for the papermakers, since with a stable, robust, and performance improving control law near the sheet edges, the quality of the paper sheet near the edges can be significantly improved, thus resulting in less paper being trimmed off and more on-spec paper being produced from which the papermaker can extract his orders. The newly developed closed-loop approach to modifying the existing industrial CD control law near spatial domain boundaries is tested and verified on a paper machine in a working paper mill. The obtained closed-loop control results are presented.Applied Science, Faculty ofElectrical and Computer Engineering, Department ofGraduat

Synthesis of tetrahydrofuran in acidic ionic liquids

Darbā pētīta tetrahidrofurāna iegūšana, dehidratējot 1,4-butāndiolu skābā vidē. Kā katalizatori izmantotas skābes un Brensteda skābie jonu šķidrumi. Sintezēti vairāki skābie jonu šķidrumi, to tīrība un identifikācija veikta ar AEŠH/MS/MS metodi. Izvērtēta jonu šķidruma anjona un alkilgrupas garuma ietekme uz dehidratācijas reakcijas iznākumu. Reakcijas produkta tīrība un identifikācija veikta ar GH/MS. Ūdens saturs produktā noteikts ar Karla Fišera titrēšanu. Pēc reakcijas reģenerēts 3-(1-piridīnio)-propān-1-sultons.The synthesis of tetrahydrofuran from 1,4-butanediole via dehydratation in acidic media was investigated for this paper. Several acids and Bronsted acidic ionic liquids were used as catalysts. Acidic ionic liquids were synthesized, identification and purity tested with HPLC/MS/MS. The influence of ionic liquid structures on dehydratation output was discussed. Identification and purity of THF was tested with GC/MS. Content of water in product was measured with Karl Fischer titration. After the reaction, 3-(1-pyridinio)-propane-1-sultone was recovered

Broadband market success factors – what determines a successful broadband market?

This master thesis is written at the Royal Institute of Technology during the spring and summer of 2008. The assignment was to investigate what factors on a broadband market determine how well it performs in terms of how many people have access to broadband. These are the factors that determine whether or not a country or market will be able to achieve a high broadband penetration. The purpose of this thesis was to establish a better understanding for what a market should look like or how a struggling one can be complemented in order to succeed. As a foundation for this investigation, a group of benchmark countries were chosen and evaluated. In addition to this, a group of, developing MENA 2 -countries were chosen and evaluated. Finally, interviews were performed with some of Sweden’s leading internet service providers, the regulatory agency and infrastructure company, Skanova. Among the benchmark countries were Sweden, France, Canada, South Korea and Japan. The MENA countries included Egypt, Iran, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The investigation included statistics from various sources, reports from analyst firms, as well as theories from literature and discussions with Ericsson employees. All the countries in the MENA study turned out to have very varying situations which made it easier to distinguish effects of different circumstances. Many factors affect the penetration levels in different ways. For prices to match the market’s ability to pay, open competition must exist. The level of competition is closely affected by the level of regulation from an independent regulator, making sure no player abuses a position of unusual power. An understanding from the government of the benefits of broadband is invaluable for establishing a stable foundation. Government actions have proven successful in both raising PC penetration and building solid infrastructure.Det här examensarbetet är skrivet på Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan under våren och sommaren 2008. Uppgiften var att utreda vilka faktorer som utmärker en framgångsrik bredbandsmarknad. Detta syftar på de faktorer som avgör om ett land eller en marknad kommer att uppnå en hög bredbandspenetration. Syftet var att få en bättre förståelse för hur en marknad bör se ut, eller vad som saknas på en marknad för att den ska kunna bli framgångsrik. Till grund för denna utredning undersöktes och utvärderades en grupp utvalda länder som anses ha en framgångsrik bredbandsmarknad (däribland Sverige). Utöver det gjordes en undersökning av en grupp länder i MENA 1 -regionen som av olika anledningar var intressanta för undersökningen eftersom de befinner sig i ett tidigt stadium av fasen för bredbandsutveckling. Avslutningsvis utfördes intervjuer med några av Sveriges ledande internetleverantörer, Post och Telestyrelsen samt infrastrukturbolaget Skanova. Benchmarkländerna inkluderar Sverige, Frankrike, Kanada, Sydkorea och Japan. MENA-gruppen inkluderar Egypten, Iran, Qatar, Förenade Arabemiraten, Jordanien, Turkiet och Saudiarabien. Utredningen bestod av statistik från olika källor, rapporter från analysbolag, teorier från litteratur samt diskussioner med Ericssonanställda. Alla länder i MENA-undersökningen visade sig vara i varierande situationer vilket underlättade att särskilja olika faktorers påverkan. Resultaten visade sig vara mångfacetterade. Ett starkt inslag av vissa faktorer kunde exempelvis ersätta andra. En generellt låg inkomst kan exempelvis hjälpas av ett starkt engagemang från regeringen. Fri konkurrens visade sig vara en av de viktigaste nycklarna för att få ner priserna till marknadens betalningsförmåga. Starkt kopplat till detta är också en oberoende, regulatorisk verksamhet som förhindrar monopol och missbruk av övertag. En förståelse från regeringen, för fördelar med bredband och initiativ till att öka penetrationen är även väldigt viktigt för att en hållbar situation skall kunna uppnås