Identification of fractional-order transfer functions using a step excitation

This brief proposes a new method for the identification of fractional order transfer functions based on the time response resulting from a single step excitation. The proposed method is applied to the identification of a three-dimensional RC network, which can be tailored in terms of topology and composition to emulate real time systems governed by fractional order dynamics. The results are in excellent agreement with the actual network response, yet the identification procedure only requires a small number of coefficients to be determined, demonstrating that the fractional order modelling approach leads to very parsimonious model formulations

A wavelet-based multivariable approach for fault detection in dynamic systems

This paper presents a multivariable extension to a recently proposed wavelet-based technique for fault detection. In the original formulation, the Discrete Wavelet Transform is used to carry out dynamic consistency checks between pairs of signals within frequency subbands. For this purpose, moving average models with an integrative term are employed to reproduce the dynamics of the system in each subband under consideration. The present work introduces a new architecture allowing the use of subband models with more general multivariable structures. More specifically, a multivariable ARX (autoregressive with exogenous input) structure is adopted for each subband model. The proposed technique is illustrated in a case study involving a nonlinear simulation model for an aircraft with a sensor fault. The results show that the multivariable approach outperforms the original formulation in terms of residue amplification following the fault onset

Robust Model Predictive Control Using Linear Matrix Inequalities for the Treatment of Asymmetric Output Constraints

One of the main advantages of predictive control approaches is the capability of dealing explicitly with constraints on the manipulated and output variables. However, if the predictive control formulation does not consider model uncertainties, then the constraint satisfaction may be compromised. A solution for this inconvenience is to use robust model predictive control (RMPC) strategies based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). However, LMI-based RMPC formulations typically consider only symmetric constraints. This paper proposes a method based on pseudoreferences to treat asymmetric output constraints in integrating SISO systems. Such technique guarantees robust constraint satisfaction and convergence of the state to the desired equilibrium point. A case study using numerical simulation indicates that satisfactory results can be achieved

Lipoid proteinosis

OBJETIVO: Apresentar as características clínicas, tratamento cirúrgico e achado histológico de um caso de lipoidoproteinose. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Criança do sexo masculino, cinco anos de idade, branco, que procurou atendimento odontológico na Universidade. A mãe da criança relatou presença de intensa halitose e dificuldade na alimentação e higienização bucal, decorrentes de crescimento gengival generalizado nos arcos dentários superior e inferior. No exame clínico, verificaram-se comprometimento funcional e estético generalizado (rouquidão, artralgia bilateral no joelho e tornozelo, lesões tumorais nas orelhas, entre outros), além de extensa hiperplasia gengival em ambos os arcos dentários. Optou-se pelo tratamento cirúrgico, com remoção do tecido hiperplásico e exodontia de todos os dentes decíduos e de dois permanentes. O exame histopatológico da peça cirúrgica confirmou o diagnóstico de lipoidoproteinose. COMENTÁRIOS: A lipoidoproteinose é uma doença rara caracterizada pela deposição da substância hialina na pele, membranas mucosas e nos órgãos internos. Os sinais que podem surgir após o nascimento, são: rouquidão; lesões pápulo-nodulares na cabeça, pescoço e membros; lesões papulares amareladas nas margens das pálpebras. O curso desta doença é benigno e crônico.OBJECTIVE: Report clinical characteristics, histological findings and treatment of a patient with lipoid proteinosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: Five year-old male patient was assisted in the university clinic for dental treatment. The mother reported the presence of intense halitosis and difficulties for feeding and oral hygiene due to extensive gingival hyperplasia on the maxillary and mandibular arches. Clinical examination revealed generalized functional and esthetic involvement, including hoarseness; bilateral knee and ankle arthralgia; tumoral lesions on the ears and gingival hyperplasia throughout the extent of both dental arches. The surgical treatment removed the hyperplastic tissue and all deciduous teeth, as well as two permanents teeth. Histopathological examination of the specimen confirmed the diagnosis of lipoid proteinosis. COMMENTS: Lipoid proteinosis is a rare disorder characterized by progressive deposition of hyaline material in the skin, mucous membranes and organs. Clinical signs appear after birth and are characterized by hoarseness, papulonodular lesions on the head, neck and limbs and yellowish papules on the eyelid margins, among others. The disease has a benign and chronic evolution

Conversion of descriptor representations to state-space form: an extension of the shuffle algorithm

This paper proposes a systematic procedure for the determination of state-space models from an available descriptor representation of a linear dynamic system. The goal is to determine a state equation, a set of algebraic equations and an output equation in terms of the state and input variables. It is shown that standard methods may fail to convert the descriptor representation to state-space form, even for simple electrical circuit models obtained from Kirchoff’s laws and constitutive element equations. A novel procedure to address this problem is then proposed as an extension of the classic shuffle algorithm combined with a singular value decomposition approach. In addition to an illustrative example involving a simple electrical circuit, the proposed method is employed in a case study involving the modeling of three-dimensional RLC networks with a large number of components

Near-infrared spectrometric determination of dipyrone in closed ampoules

AbstractThe present paper proposes an analytical method for fast near-infrared (NIR) determination of dipyrone in injectable formulations with a nominal content of 50.0%mv−1 without violation of the ampoule. For this purpose, two multivariate calibration methods are evaluated, namely Partial-Least-Squares (PLS) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) with variable selection by the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA). The resulting models comprised four latent variables (PLS) and five spectral variables (MLR-SPA). Appropriate predictions were obtained in both cases, with RMSEP values of 0.39 (PLS) and 0.35%mv−1 (MLR-SPA) and correlation coefficients of 0.9970 (PLS) and 0.9975 (MLR-SPA) for a calibration range of 40–60%mv−1. No systematic error was observed and no significant differences were found between the predicted and reference values, according to a paired t-test at 95% confidence level

The role of the muscarinic system in regulating estradiol secretion varies during the estrous cycle: the hemiovariectomized rat model

There is evidence that one gonad has functional predominance. The present study analyzed the acute effects of unilateral ovariectomy (ULO) and blocking the cholinergic system, by injecting atropine sulfate (ATR), on estradiol (E(2)) serum concentrations during the estrous cycle. The results indicate that ULO effects on E(2 )concentrations are asymmetric, vary during the estrous cycle, and partially depend on the cholinergic innervation. Perforation of the left peritoneum resulted in lower E(2 )serum concentrations in the three stages of the estrous cycle. At proestrus, unilateral or bilateral perforation of the peritoneum resulted in lower E(2 )serum concentrations. ULO of the right ovary (left ovary in situ) resulted in significantly higher E(2 )concentrations than animals with ULO of the left ovary (right ovary in situ). ATR treatment to ULO rats on D1 resulted in a significant drop of E(2 )serum concentrations. ULO rats treated with ATR on D2 or P, resulted in an asymmetrical E(2) secretion response; when the right ovary remained in situ an increase in E(2) was observed, and a decrease when the left ovary remained in situ. The results obtained in the present study suggest that each ovary's ability to compensate the secretion of E(2 )from the missing ovary is different and varies during the estrous cycle. The results also suggest that the cholinergic system participates in regulating ovarian E(2 )secretion. Such participation varies according to the ovary remaining in situ and the stage of the estrous cycle of the animal. The results agree with previously stated hypothesis of a neural pathway arising from the peritoneum that participates in regulating E(2 )secretion, and also supports the idea of cross-talk between the ovaries, via a neural communication, that modulates E(2 )secretion

Efeito protetor e impacto econômico de métodos de aplicação de inseticidas em cevada

The objective of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of different forms of insecticide application on the transmission of yellow dwarf disease in barley cultivars, as well as to determine the production costs and the net profit of these managements. The experiments were carried out during 2011 and 2012 growing seasons, using the following managements at main plots: T1, seed treatment with insecticide (ST) + insecticide on shoots at 15‑day interval; T2, just ST; T3, insecticide applied on shoots, when aphid control level (CL) was reached; T4, without insecticide; and T5, ST + insecticide on shoots when CL was reached. Different barley cultivars – BRS Cauê, BRS Brau and MN 6021 – were arranged in the subplots. Insecticides lambda cyhalothrin (pyrethroid) and thiamethoxam (neonicotinoid) were used. There were differences on yellow dwarf disease index in both seasons for the different treatments, while damage to grain yield was influenced by year and aphid population. Production costs and net profit were different among treatments. Seed treatment with insecticide is sufficient to reduce the transmission of yellow dwarf disease in years with low aphid population pressure, while in years with larger populations, the application of insecticide on shoots is also required.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito protetor de diferentes formas de aplicação de inseticida sobre a transmissão do nanismo amarelo em cultivares de cevada, bem como determinar os custos de produção e o lucro líquido destes manejos. Os experimentos foram realizados durante as safras 2011 e 2012, tendo-se utilizado os seguintes manejos nas parcelas principais: T1, tratamento de sementes com inseticida (TS) + inseticida na parte aérea aplicado quinzenalmente; T2, apenas TS; T3, inseticida aplicado à parte aérea, quando foi atingido o nível de controle de afídeos (NC); T4, sem inseticida; e T5, TS + inseticida na parte aérea, quando o NC foi atingido. As subparcelas foram constituídas de diferentes cultivares de cevada: BRS Cauê, BRS Brau e MN 6021. Foram utilizados os inseticidas lambda‑cialotrina (piretroide) e thiametoxam (neonicotinoide). Houve diferenças no índice de doença do nanismo amarelo em ambas as safras para os diferentes manejos, enquanto o dano ao rendimento de grãos foi influenciado pelo ano e pela população de afídeos. Os custos de produção e lucro líquido diferiram entre os tratamentos. Constatou-se que o tratamento de sementes com inseticida é suficiente para reduzir a epidemia do nanismo‑amarelo em anos com baixa pressão populacional de afídeos; porém, em anos com maiores populações, a aplicação de inseticida à parte aérea também se torna necessária