Robust Control Methods for a Recycle Bioreactor

The paper presents a robust control design strategy for bioprocesses, which are characterized by strongly nonlinear dynamics. More precisely, we present the H2 methodology in order to compute the controller for a recycle Continuous Stirred Tank Bioreactor (CSTB). We consider a general method of formulating control problem, which makes use of linear fractional transformation as introduced by Doyle (1978). The formulation makes use of the general two-port configuration of the generalized plant with a generalized controller. The H2 norm is the quadratic criterion used in optimal control as LQG. The overall control objective is to minimize the H2 norm of the transfer matrix function from the weighted exogenous inputs to the weighted controlled outputs. The advantage of H2 control technique, which uses the linearized model of the CSTB, is that it is completely automated and very flexible. Finally, we prove that the closed loop control structure has very good inner robustness

Using the Laser Scanning Technology in the Evaluation of a Building Located on Ion Neculce Street from Cluj-Napoca

Laser scanning describes a method by which a surface is sampled or scanned using laser technology. The science of valuation has become more and more sophisticated as the development of society in general and of the economy in particular, in order to meet, eventually, complex information needs. The main idea of this project is to carry out scanning works in the framework of the evaluation report of a property. For this project, The Leica Scanstation C10 laser scanner was used and the following methods were applied for the scan operation: Backward Intersection Method, Deletion Method. For the valuation we used Market approach and Cost approach. The use of the laser scanner led to the expected results, namely the retrieval of an enormous volume of information collected from the field, of extremely high accuracy which subsequently helped to model a large number of details necessary to improve the evaluation process

Distributed Control Systems for a Wastewater Treatment Plant: Architectures and Advanced Control Solutions

This chapter is focused on the development and implementation of a distributed and hierarchized control system for the wastewater treatment plant (WTP) Calafat, Romania. The primary control loops for both treatment lines (water and activated sludge) are developed and analyzed. Also, the distributed control system (DCS) architecture of the wastewater treatment plant is presented, and the advantages of the proposed control structure are highlighted. In order to increase the performance of the overall control system, some advanced control solutions are investigated. More precisely, multivariable adaptive and robust control algorithms are proposed for the activated sludge bioprocess. Several realistic simulation experiments are performed, and the obtained results are analyzed

Matrix Gla Protein – a new marker for colorectal cancer detection? A systematic review

Background. Colorectal cancer is a real public health issue, with high morbidity and severe impact on quality of life. Although mortality from this type of cancer is decreasing due to modern diagnostic and treatment methods, the understanding of its genetic and molecular mechanisms is important to develop a broader range of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Genetic therapy is an important strategy in cancer treatment, and the matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene expression has been described in numerous studies as increased in tumour pathology. In this article, we have summarized the currently available evidence on the connection between MGP and colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we have searched the PubMed, ProQuest and ScienceDirect databases for relevant published works that studied the connection between colorectal cancer and MGP gene expression. Results. Three relevant works were included in this systematic review. Two of these studies have observed MGP gene overexpression in tumour cells, a result that contradicts the third study, where the MGP gene was underexpressed. Conclusions. The data provided by these articles is contradictory, and therefore more studies are needed on larger sets of subjects, to fully understand the connection between MGP and colorectal cancer. Materials and methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we have searched the PubMed, ProQuest and ScienceDirect databases for relevant published works that studied the connection between colorectal cancer and MGP gene expression. Results: Three relevant works were included in this systematic review. Two of these studies have observed MGP gene overexpression in tumour cells, a result that contradicts the third study, where the MGP gene was underexpressed. Conclusions: The data provided by these articles is contradictory, and therefore more studies are needed on larger sets of subjects, to fully understand the connection between MGP and colorectal cancer