Approximate feedback linearization of discrete-time non-linear systems using virtual input direct design

The design of feedback-linearization and poles-placement controllers for discrete-time non-linear plants, using Input/Output/State measurements only, is typically addressed via indirect design. In this paper we propose the use of a new technique, based on a Virtual Input Direct Design (VID²) approach. The main feature of such a technique is to reduce the control design problem into a standard non-linear mapping approximation problem, without calling for the preliminary construction of an appropriate model of the plant. As compared with the existing methods, the new one requires less computational effort, while taking full advantage of the non-linear approximation software tools already available. In this paper, the new method is described, a simple theoretical analysis is given, and some numerical examples are presented.     

Computing the energy balance of a statue of bronze: The San Marco's horses as a case study

The energy balance is discussed for the complex case of bronze or marble statuary horses and particularly the four horses of San Marco in Venice. Having computed the coefficient of exchange between bronze and the atmosphere, the daytime overheating is evaluated for different seasons and orientations of the statues. The equations can be solved with reasonable approximation and both the past and future overheatings can be evaluated as a function of the growing surface weathering and blackening. Therefore, the present analysis points out the chief characteristics of both the diurnal cycle and the variation over the centuries of the response of the bronzes to atmospheric variables.     

Effect of pretreatments and freezing rate on the firmness of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw cycle

The texture of potato tissue after a freeze–thaw process using different freezing rates and different pretreatments was analysed, in order to select the best strategy for optimum preservation of the textural characteristics of pre‐frozen potato. Ten blanching conditions were tested and a two‐step blanching process with calcium chloride (0.07 g mL^?1) proved the most effective in protecting the tissue after a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force around 10–55% of the raw tissue, depending on potato batch, for air‐blast freezing and 20–60% for immersion freezing). Vacuum impregnation at 100 and 400 mbar, even when followed by different pre‐drying treatments to remove excess water, was very detrimental to resistance to a freeze–thaw process (maximum load force below 10% of the raw tissue for air‐blast freezing and below 20% for immersion freezing). Microstructure analysis confirmed better tissue integrity retention with ethyleneglycol immersion freezing instead of air‐freezing. Differences were found between batches with a 6‐month difference in storage time, indicating that the fresher batch was more suitable for freezing.     

Platelet-activating factor and the vascular effects of zymosan in rats

Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 2.5 micrograms/kg) injected in the tail vein of anaesthetized rats increased the vascular permeability of the duodenum, paws, skin and muscles, as measured by the extravasation of 125I-labelled albumin. It did not affect the permeability of the lungs or the presence of labelled albumin in the liver and spleen. The effects of PAF were dose dependently inhibited by WEB 2086 (ID50: 1.39 to 2.09 mg/kg) and SM-12502 (ID50: 7.17 to 8.36 mg/kg). Zymosan, an activator of the alternative complement pathway (10 or 16 mg/kg), induced protein extravasation in the lungs, duodenum, paws and skin, and the accumulation of labelled albumin in the liver. The effects of zymosan on the duodenum and liver were dose dependently inhibited by WEB-2086 and SM-12502. Both PAF antagonists increased the effects of zymosan in the paws but they did not affect protein extravasation in the lungs. The hypotensive effect of PAF (0.5 micrograms/kg) was inhibited by WEB 2086 (ID50: 1.21 mg/kg) and SM-12502 (ID50: 13.4 mg/kg). Both PAF antagonists reduced the hypotensive effects of zymosan (4 or 16 mg/kg) with a similar relative inhibitory potency. PAF is the major mediator involved in the hypotensive effect of zymosan but plays only a minor role in the permeability-enhancing effect of zymosan, mostly in the splanchnic area.     

Transmission line routing for reduced external field disturbance

When immersed in a disturbing electromagnetic field, electronic systems are subject to interference due to the energy injected by the external field into the system through the electronic units and, especially, through the transmission lines connecting units one another. The issue of reducing the unwanted energy injection through connecting transmission lines is addressed in this contribution from the point of view of the routing, i.e. of the disposition of the connecting lines that minimizes the injection. The problem is formulated as an optimization problem, dealt with by the simulated annealing minimization technique combined with an efficient way of computing the field coupling to the lines. Results are reported for various cases, and the relation between the characteristics of the interfering field and the efficiency of the reduction is discussed.     

A panoramic view and swot analysis of artificial intelligence for achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030: progress and prospects

Applied Intelligence - The17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations Agenda 2030 constitute a global blueprint agenda and instrument for peace and prosperity...     

Optimal configuration of Energy-Efficient Ethernet

The IEEE 802.3az standard provides a new low power mode that Ethernet network interfaces can use to save energy when there is no traffic to transmit. Simultaneously with the final standard approval, several algorithms were proposed to govern the physical interface state transition between the normal active mode and the new low power mode. In fact, the standard leaves this sleeping algorithm unspecified to spur competition among different vendors and achieve the greatest energy savings. In this paper, we try to bring some light to the most well known sleeping algorithms, providing mathematical models for the expected energy savings and the average packet delay inflicted on outgoing traffic. We will then use the models to derive optimum configuration parameters for them under given efficiency constraints.     

A parallel micro evolutionary algorithm for heterogeneous computing and grid scheduling

This work presents a novel parallel micro evolutionary algorithm for scheduling tasks in distributed heterogeneous computing and grid environments. The scheduling problem in heterogeneous environments is NP-hard, so a significant effort has been made in order to develop an efficient method to provide good schedules in reduced execution times. The parallel micro evolutionary algorithm is implemented using MALLBA, a general-purpose library for combinatorial optimization. Efficient numerical results are reported in the experimental analysis performed on both well-known problem instances and large instances that model medium-sized grid environments. The comparative study of traditional methods and evolutionary algorithms shows that the parallel micro evolutionary algorithm achieves a high problem solving efficacy, outperforming previous results already reported in the related literature, and also showing a good scalability behavior when facing high dimension problem instances.