CYBERNETIC MODEL (LOPI) SIMULATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC DYNAMICS OF CROATIAN POPULATION

The purpose of our research was to assess the actual contribution and the potential uses of the cybernetic approach to understanding and predicting demographic processes. Methodological premise used was that anthropologically relevant aspects of population change could be expressed as quantitative cybernetic relations. Conducted simulations were based on demographic data for population of the Republic of Croatia. Cybernetic model (LOPI) simulations achieve 90% congruence with recorded population dynamics over a period of several hundred years. Explanatory and predictive forces of the LOPI model are discussed for understanding complexity of emergent phenomena – interaction between genetic kinship, environment, resources, and socio-cultural factors.     

Spincopter Wing Design and Flight Control

This paper presents dynamical properties of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), called spincopter. The vehicle structure is based on two wings that are forced in rotation (spinning) by propulsion system formed of two propellers. Based on devised dynamical model, that reveals inherent stability of the vehicle, composition of control algorithms for vertical and horizontal movement is proposed. Due to the specific configuration of the propulsion system, movement in horizontal direction is produced by pulsations in rotational speed of propulsion motors. An analysis of influence that such a configuration has on the vehicle dynamics is given. Finally, design recommendations for rotational wings are elaborated, based on extensive simulations of spincopter by using X-Plane® software package.     

Mapping population change index in Southern Serbia (1961-2027) as a function of environmental factors

Niche analysis methods developed within the biogeography community are routinely used for species distribution modeling of wildlife and endangered species. So far, such techniques have not been used to explain distribution of people in an area, nor to assess spatio-temporal dynamics of human populations. In this paper, the MaxEnt approach to species distribution modeling and publicly available gridded predictors were used to analyze the population dynamics in Southern Serbia (South Pomoravlje Region) for the period 1961-2027. Population values from the census administrative units were first downscaled to 200 m grid using a detailed map of populated places and dasymetric interpolation. In the second step, a point pattern representing the whole population (468,500 inhabitants in 2002) was simulated using the R package spatstat. MaxEnt was then used to derive habitat suitability index (HSI) as a function of gridded predictors: distance to roads, elevation, slope, topographic wetness index, enhanced vegetation index and land cover classes. HSI and environmental predictors were further used to explain spatial patterns in the population change index (PCI) through regression modeling. The results show that inhabiting preference for year 1961 is mainly a function of topography (TWI, elevation). The HSI for year 2027 shows that large portions of remote areas are becoming less preferred for inhabiting. The results of cross-validation in MaxEnt show that distribution of population is distinctly controlled by environmental factors (AUC > 0.84). Population decrease is particularly significant in areas >25 km distant from the main road network. The results of regression analysis show that 40% of variability in the PCI values can be explained with these environmental maps, distance to roads and urban areas being the main drivers of migration process. This approach allows precise mapping of demographic patterns that otherwise would not be visible from the census data alone.     

PID controller frequency-domain tuning for stable, integrating and unstable processes, including dead-time

In the present paper a new tuning procedure is proposed for the ideal PID controller in series with the first-order noise filter. It is based on the recently proposed extension of the Ziegler-Nichols frequency-domain dynamics characterization of a process G_p(s). Measured process characteristics are the ultimate frequency and ultimate gain, the angle of the tangent to the Nyquist curve of the process at the ultimate frequency, and G_p(0). For a large class of processes the same tuning formulae can be effectively applied to obtain closed-loop responses with predictable properties. Load disturbance step responses without the undershoot and reference step responses with negligible overshoot are obtained by analyzing a test batch consisting of stable, integrating and unstable processes, including dead-time and oscillatory dynamics. The proposed tuning makes possible to specify the desired sensitivity to the high frequency measurement noise and the desired maximum sensitivity. Comparison with the optimal ideal PID controller in series with the first-order noise filter is presented and discussed. The extension of the proposed method to the PI controller tuning is direct. Comparison with the optimal PI controller is presented and discussed.     

Classification of dynamic processes and PID controller tuning in a parameter plane

A quadruplet, defined by the ultimate frequency ω_u, the ultimate gain k_u, the angle φ of the tangent to the Nyquist curve at the ultimate frequency and the gain G_p(0), is sufficient for classification of a large class of stable processes, processes with oscillatory dynamics, integrating and unstable processes G_p(s). From the model defined by the above quadruplet, a two parameter model G_n(s_n) is obtained by the time and amplitude normalizations. Two parameters of G_n(s_n), the normalized gain ρ and the angle φ, are coordinates of the classification ρ-φ parameter plane. Model G_n(s_n) is used to obtain the desired closed-loop system performance/robustness tradeoff in the desired region of the classification plane. Tuning procedures and tuning formulae are derived guaranteeing almost the same performance/robustness tradeoff as obtained by the optimal PID controller, applied to G_p(s) classified to the same region of the classification plane. Validity of the proposed method is demonstrated on a test batch consisting of stable processes, processes with oscillatory dynamics, integrating and unstable processes, including dead-time.     

Multiresponse imaging: Information and fidelity

Multiresponse imaging is a process that acquires images, each with a different optical response, and reassembles them into a single image with an improved resolution that can approach times the photodetector-array sampling lattice. Our goals are to optimize the performance of this process in terms of the resolution and fidelity of the restored image and to assess the amount of information required to do so. The theoretical approach is based on the extension of both image restoration and rate distortion theories from their traditional realm of signal processing to image processing which includes image gathering and display.     

A flexible mixed-signal image processing pipeline using 3D chip stacks

This work presents a highly flexible mixed-signal CMOS image sensor suitable for smart camera applications. These systems need to fit different constraints regarding power consumption, speed and quality, and the optimal compromise may differ depending on the application. Moreover, the best implementation of a desired image processing task may be in the analog or the digital domain, or even a combined computation. Different aspects starting from the image sensor and signal acquisition up to the pre-processing in analog and digital domain are investigated in this paper to optimize not just one part of the system, but the whole system altogether. Moreover, it is shown that analog processing algorithms can improve signal quality, processing speed and latency while being able to save power, which is important for real-time systems. In order to be able to carry out spatial operations, the state-of-the-art sensor is modified to be able to read out multiple pixels at the same time. This allows analog spatial filter operations which consume significantly less power. As an example, an averaging filter is described which needs less than 5.3 % of the power–time product of a digital implementation for one computation. To enhance data throughput and flexibility, 3D chip stacking is proposed to partition the sensor in smaller units and enable massively parallel processing.     

Decomposition of a class of linear electrical networks for calculation of total power

A new method of decomposition of linear electrical networks for calculating total power is presented. By an iterative procedure, on the basis of decomposition of the electrical network, the branches containing power sources (voltage and/or current) are selected first until the remaining network becomes passive. Then, one calculates the power dissipated by the decomposed networks supplied by the corresponding power sources. Total power dissipated by impedances of the starting networks is equal to the sum of powers dissipated by impedances of the decomposed networks, under the condition that all impedances Z of the network are either resistive \({\text{Im}}(Z)=0\) or reactive \({\text{Re}}(Z)=0\) or mutually equal.     

Special issue section of clean technology and environmental policy dedicated to SDEWES 2020 conferences

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy -