Multi-sensor analysis of extreme events in North-Eastern Italy

International audienceThe North-eastern part of Italy is known to be one of the most rainy regions in Europe. In this paper three extreme events are analysed, using a multi-sensor observing system including a weather radar and a dense telemetric network of surface stations, recording precipitation, wind, temperature and relative humidity. The cases examined comprise two long lasting rainfall events impacting two distinct areas, and a vigorous hail-producing thunderstorm event over the plains. In all cases, inter-comparison between remotely sensed and surface observations, including estimates and measures of precipitation and wind, helps to better understand the behaviour of the atmosphere, thus supporting operational fore- and now-casting. In the case of widespread precipitation, a relation is suggested between the wind speed and direction at medium/low levels with the location of the maximum precipitation relative to the mountains. This reflects the dynamical interaction between the mountain barrier and the atmospheric flux impinging upon it. This flux can be estimated by the automatic weather station of Mt. Cesen, a focal point for a now-casting of the rain in the Veneto Region. Analysis of strong thunderstorm activity makes extensive use of radar data. In the examined case the interaction of a sea breeze-like circulation with a mesoscale trough gave rise to a distinct convergence line that triggered a severe and long-lived hail-producing multi-cell thunderstorm. The hail was successfully detected by the radar's hail detection algorithm

Radial force control of Multi-Sector Permanent Magnet machines considering radial rotor displacement

A mathematical model enabling to predict the electromagnetic x-y forces and torque for a given input current in a Multi-Sector Permanent Magnet Synchronous (MSPMS) machine is presented. The rotor static eccentricity is also accounted and the analytical calculations are validated by means Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Furthermore, a novel force and torque control is proposed based on input current minimization and is applied to suppress the Unbalanced Magnetic Pull (UMP) caused by the rotor eccentricity. The effective operation of the force suppression technique is verified by means of FEA

Taking into account interactions between converters in the design of aircraft power networks

This paper presents some key interactions among converters, which need to be taken into account when designing a modern embedded electrical grid, including a large amount of Power Electronics based loads. A design by Optimization method is first used to define the converter parameters. During this step, it is mandatory to account for the interaction between the input and output EMI filters. The second step consists in designing the control strategy; the paper will show that the results are largely improved if all converters are considered simultaneously. Finally, the stability study of the embedded network has to be investigated. All these interactions are studied in the example of a three phases AC network, composed of a Voltage Source Inverter and an Active Front End

Finite control set and modulated model predictive flux and current control for induction motor drives

The paper presents a new implementation of direct flux and current vector control of an induction motor drive using the techniques of model predictive control. The advantages offered by predictive control are used to enhance the dynamics of direct flux vector control. To minimize the problems of variable switching frequency inherent to finite control set predictive control, an alternative approach using pulse width modulation is studied for command execution as occurs in the so-called modulated model predictive control. A comparison between finite control set and modulated model predictive control is presented and the results are also compared with the control implementation through traditional proportional-integral regulators to highlight the advantages and drawbacks of predictive control based strategies. Apart from a greater harmonic content in stator currents, the predictive control can offers control dynamics comparable with proportional-integral control while maintaining immunity against machine parameter variations and excluding the need for controller tunin

Space vectors and pseudo inverse matrix methods for the radial force control in bearingless multi-sector permanent magnet machines

Two different approaches to characterize the torque and radial force production in a Bearingless Multi-Sector Permanent Magnet (BMSPM) machine are presented in this work. The first method consists of modelling the motor in terms of torque and force production as a function of the stationary reference frame α-β currents. The current control reference signals are then evaluated adopting the Joule losses minimization as constrain by means of the pseudo inverse matrix. The second method is based on the control of the magnetic field harmonics in the airgap through the current Space Vector (SV) technique. Once the magnetic field harmonics involved in the torque and force production are determined, the SV transformation can be defined to obtain the reference current space vectors. The methods are validated by numerical simulations, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental tests. The differences in terms of two Degrees of Freedom (DOF) levitation performance and efficiency are highlighted in order to give the reader an in-depth comparison of the two methods

Reduction of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) leads to visual impairment in vertebrates

In vertebrates, mitochondria are tightly preserved energy producing organelles, which sustain nervous system development and function. The understanding of proteins that regulate their homoeostasis in complex animals is therefore critical and doing so via means of systemic analysis pivotal to inform pathophysiological conditions associated with mitochondrial deficiency. With the goal to decipher the role of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) in brain development, we employed the zebrafish as elected model reporting that the Atpif1a−/− zebrafish mutant, pinotage (pnttq209), which lacks one of the two IF1 paralogous, exhibits visual impairment alongside increased apoptotic bodies and neuroinflammation in both brain and retina. This associates with increased processing of the dynamin-like GTPase optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), whose ablation is a direct cause of inherited optic atrophy. Defects in vision associated with the processing of OPA1 are specular in Atpif1−/− mice thus confirming a regulatory axis, which interlinks IF1 and OPA1 in the definition of mitochondrial fitness and specialised brain functions. This study unveils a functional relay between IF1 and OPA1 in central nervous system besides representing an example of how the zebrafish model could be harnessed to infer the activity of mitochondrial proteins during development

Desempenho de linhagens elites de arroz irrigado de ciclo precoce do Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Embrapa em ensaios VCU no RS - safra 2008/09.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho em rendimento de grãos e características agronômicas de interesse das linhagens de ciclo precoce geradas pelo programa de melhoramento genético da Embrapa, em diferentes regiões orizícolas do Rio Grande do Sul, para verificar a possibilidade de indicação de novas cultivares

Ensaio regional de linhagens de arroz irrigado do Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Embrapa no RS - safra 2008/09.

O Ensaio Regional de linhagens de arroz irrigado visa selecionar genótipos que apresentem alta adaptabilidade e estabilidade aos diversos ambientes em que são cultivadas e que expressem elevado rendimento de grãos, associado à características agronômicas, industriais e culinárias adequadas. Este experimento teve como objetivo avaliar linhagens do programa da Embrapa no Ensaio Regional de Rendimento

Engineering design in food-packaging industry: The case study of a tuna canning machine

Food packaging industry requires machines able to perform different tasks and carry out several functions. Machine modularization allows to feed customer's needs creating a set of equipment with different features and technology. Module derivation is particularly important at the conceptual phase where main decisions are taken and where the degree of freedom are higher, avoiding subsequent costly modification. This study aims at investigating the adoption of engineering design process for the development of a tuna canning machine, deriving main modules for a definition of a product platform. The possibility to have a modular framework in this type of products allows to satisfy constraints coming from different markets and applications (i.e., product quality, adaptability, upgradability, assemblability, compliance with standards where the machine is installed, etc.). Modules were derived based on state-of-art approaches used for product development (i.e., functional analysis, module derivation and morphological matrix) and two examples (i.e., Cutter and Compactor & Shaper modules) were detailed to explain the developed design solutions. Results highlight how different design options can be adopted to overcome several issues (i.e., assemblability, upgradability) and fulfill requirements of different markets (i.e., product quality and aesthetic)

Desempenho de linhagens elite de arroz irrigado de ciclo médio do Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Embrapa em ensaios VCU no RS - safra 2008/09.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho das linhagens geradas pelo Programa de Melhoramento Genético da Embrapa, em diferente regiões orizícolas do Rio Grande do Sul, visando possível lançamento de novas cultivares