A nonlinear geometric approach to power system excitation control and stabilization

In this paper, a unified approach to the design of a nonlinear excitation controller/power system stabilizer for a synchronous generator/infinite bus power system is presented. The approach is based on a form of state feedback linearization, known as input–output feedback linearization, which provides an exact semi-global state transformation that is valid for a large class of operating points of the power system. With this transformation, the terminal voltage becomes a linear function of the control input. The excitation controller/power system stabilizer is then synthesized by using linear controller design techniques. The controller is proven to provide small signal stability and to provide local asymptotic tracking of admissible constant reference signals for a large class of operating points. A procedure is given to tune the controller gains to provide significant damping of the power angle oscillations.     

A geostatistical algorithm to reproduce lateral gradual facies transitions: Description and implementation

Valid representations of geological heterogeneity are fundamental inputs for quantitative models used in managing subsurface activities. Consequently, the simulation of realistic facies distributions is a significant aim. Realistic facies distributions are typically obtained by pixel-based, object-based or process-based methods. This work presents a pixel-based geostatistical algorithm suitable for reproducing lateral gradual facies transitions (LGFT) between two adjacent sedimentary bodies. Lateral contact (i.e. interfingering) between distinct depositional facies is a widespread geometric relationship that occurs at different scales in any depositional system. The algorithm is based on the truncation of the sum of a linear expectation trend and a random Gaussian field, and can be conditioned to well data. The implementation introduced herein also includes subroutines to clean and geometrically characterize the obtained LGFT. The cleaned sedimentary body transition provides a more appropriate and realistic facies distribution for some depositional settings. The geometric measures of the LGFT yield an intuitive measure of the morphology of the sedimentary body boundary, which can be compared to analogue data. An example of a LGFT obtained by the algorithm presented herein is also flow simulated, quantitatively demonstrating the importance of realistically reproducing them in subsurface models, if further flow-related accurate predictions are to be made.     

The role of a “make” or internal human resource management system in Spanish manufacturing companies: Empirical evidence

The combined study of the literature about human resource management and the resource‐based view of the firm and organizational learning provides an analysis framework useful for understanding how strategic human resource management systems contribute to the creation and development of a sustained competitive advantage for the firm. This article has two major aims. First, it provides a conceptual framework linking simultaneously three theoretical blocks: (a) human resource management, (b) organizational learning and knowledge management, and (c) sustained competitive advantage. Second, the article builds a causal model and tests it with a sample of Spanish firms from the manufacturing industry using structural equation modeling (SEM). After the performance of a cluster analysis, a group of 72 learning firms is identified and used to test the model. Finally, major conclusions and implications for management are drawn and further avenues for research are suggested. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

In a ‘trusting’ environment, everyone is responsible for information security

Information security is important in any organisation and particularly where personal and medical information is routinely recorded. Further, where the organisational culture revolves around trust, as in the medical environment, insider threats, both malicious and non-malicious, are difficult to manage. International research has shown that changing security culture and increasing awareness is necessary as technical resolutions are not sufficient to control insider threats. This area of information security is both important and topical in view of the recently publicised breaches of patient health information. Ensuring that all staff assumes responsibility for information security, particularly as part of an information security governance framework, is one practical solution to the problem of insider threats.     

Digital microfluidic design and optimization of classic and new fluidic functions for lab on a chip systems

This paper deals with microfluidic studies for lab-on-a-chip development. The first goal was to develop microsystems immediately usable by biologists for complex protocol integrations. All fluid operations are performed on nano-liter droplet independently handled solely by electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) actuation. A bottom-up architecture was used for chip design due to the development and validation of elementary fluidic designs, which are then assembled. This approach speeds up development and industrialization while minimizing the effort in designing and simplifying chip-fluidic programming. Dispensing reproducibility for 64 nl droplets obtained a CV below 3% and mixing time was only a few seconds. Ease of the integration was demonstrated by performing on chip serial dilutions of 2.8-folds, four times. The second part of this paper concerns the development of new innovative fluidic functions in order to extend EWOD-actuated digital fluidics’ capabilities. Experiments of particle dispensing by EWOD droplet handling are reported. Finally, work is shown concerning the coupling of EWOD actuation and magnetic fields for magnetic bead manipulation.     

Toxicoproteomics and its application to human health risk assessment

Toxicoproteomics is the use of proteomic technologies to better understand environmental and genetic factors, toxic mechanisms, and modes of action in response to acute exposure to toxicants and in the long-term development of diseases caused or influenced by these exposures. Use of toxicoproteomic technologies to identify key biochemical pathways, mechanisms, and biomarkers of exposure and toxicity will decrease the uncertainties that are associated with human health risk assessments. This review provides an overview of toxicoproteomics from human health risk assessment perspectives. Key toxicoproteomic technologies such as 2-D gel-based proteomic methods and toxicoproteomic approaches are described, and examples of applications of these technologies and methodologies in the risk assessment context are presented. The discussion includes a focus on challenges and future directions.     

Toward the improvement of image-guided interventions for minimally invasive surgery: three factors that affect performance

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to measure the impact of specific features of imaging devices on tasks relevant to minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and to investigate cognitive and perceptual factors in such tasks. BACKGROUND: Although image-guided interventions used in MIS provide benefits for patients, they pose drawbacks for surgeons, including degraded depth perception and reduced field of view (FOV). It is important to identify design factors that affect performance. METHOD: In two navigation experiments, observers fed a borescope through an object until it reached a target. Task completion time and object shape judgments were measured. In a motion perception experiment, observers reported the direction of a line that moved behind an aperture. A motion illusion associated with reduced FOV was measured. RESULTS: Navigation through an object was faster when a preview of the object's exterior was provided. Judgments about the object's shape were more accurate with a preview (compared with none) and with active viewing (compared with passive viewing). The motion illusion decreased with a rectangular or rotating octagonal viewing aperture (compared with circular). CONCLUSIONS: Navigation performance may be enhanced when surgeons develop a mental model of the surgical environment, when surgeons (rather than assistants) control the camera, and when the shape of the image is designed to reduce visual illusions. APPLICATION: Unintentional contact between surgical tools and healthy tissues may be reduced during MIS when (a) visual aids permit surgeons to maintain a mental model of the surgical environment, (b) images are bound by noncircular apertures, and (c) surgeons manually control the camera.