The existing closed-loop sensor networks are based on architectures that are designed and implemented for one specific application and require dedicated sensing and computational resources. This prevents the sharing of these networks. In this work, we propose an architecture of virtualization to allow sharing of closed-loop sensor networks. We also propose a scheduling approach that will manage requests from competing applications and evaluate their impact on system utilization against utilization achieved by more traditional, dedicated sensor networks. These algorithms are evaluated through trace-driven simulations, where the trace data is taken from CASA’s closed-loop weather radar sensor network. Results from this evaluation show that the proposed scheduling algorithms applied in a shared network result in cost savings, that are the result of being able to multiplex applications onto a single network as opposed to running each application on an dedicated sensor network.

Content: To reduce the environmental impact of tanneries at source for all types of leather, a series of investigations started at laboratory, then large pilot scale, to rationalise liming and tanning processes. This included the elimination of washes at the end of these processes, with retention of residual processing floats at maximum concentration as a chemical resource for reuse in subsequent processing. Adopted by four tanneries manufacturing more than 70,000 hides per week to the chromium tanned state, analysis detailing the equalisation of ions and solubles within these closed-loops was possible, and the subsequent release mechanisms. Large scale wet blue units specifically built to match the technology are now in the final stages of construction. From foundation level these differ from normal design, also uses of equipment, management of discharges, and plant operation. Low-impact chemical processing is locked into the fabric of these new tanneries. The technology has also spread to large scale nappa sheepskin production. And at cottage scale, thirty small tanneries in a tanning cluster processing sheep, goat, and bovine leathers to the wet blue are already changed their processing to meet a policy of no chromium discharges from their tanning areas by June 2019. The aims of low-impact manufacture, where the use of active chemicals is complete, quality fully maintained, and waste minimised are being met. This new approach to leather making offers considerable benefits at both large and small scale for wet blue manufacture. Take-Away: Closed loop systems for liming and tanning are highly effective in leather manufacture. Hight quality leathers can result fron this technology. There are considerable savings in chemical use and minimisation of waste water treatment.

Movement disorders are a group of syndromes that often arise due to neurological abnormalities. Approximately 40 million Americans are affected by some form of movement disorder, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and their ability to live independently. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one treatment that has shown promising results in the past couple decades, however, the currently used open-loop system has several drawbacks. By implementing a closed-loop or adaptive DBS (aDBS) system, the need for expensive parameter reprogramming sessions would be reduced, side-effects may be relieved, and habituation could be avoided. Several biomarkers, for example signals or activity derived from electroencephalogram (EEG), could potentially be used as a feedback source for aDBS. Here, we attempted to characterize cortical EEG potentials in healthy subjects performing six tasks that are difficult for those with movement disorders. Using a 32-channel EEG cap with an amplifier sampling at 500 Hz, we performed our protocol on 11 college-aged volunteers lacking any known movement disorder. For each task, we analyzed task-related power (TRP) changes, spectrograms, and topographical maps. In a finger movement exercise, we found task-related depression (TRD) in the delta band at the F4 electrode, as well as TRD at the C3 electrode in the alpha band during a pencil-pickup task, and TRD at the F3 electrode in the beta band during voluntary swallowing. While delta-ERD in the finger movement exercise was likely due to ocular artifact, the other significant results were in line with what relevant literature would predict. The findings from the work, in conjunction with a future study involving movement disorder patients, can provide insight into the use of EEG as a feedback source for aDBS. Keywords: EEG, electroencephalography, neurostimulation, deep brain stimulation, movement disorders, closed-loop DBS, adaptive DBS, aDBS

To improve the geometric accuracy of CNC machined parts, dynamic machining errors due to on-line disturbances (tool deflection, tool wear, heat deformation, etc.) should be accounted for in some manner. Unless these on-line disturbances are properly handled, it is obvious that a high degree of geometric accuracy is difficult to achieve. Many attempts have been made to compensate for these on-line disturbances such as the development of engineering models; however, the models are not adequate enough for reflecting the real phenomenon and are dependent on continuous process monitoring using a variety of sensors. Closed-loop process control is a scheme for manufacturing parts and compensating for on-line disturbances and machine tool inaccuracies using error feedback. The goal has been to develop a system that automatically provides dimensional error feedback to the process machine. Closed-loop process control can be achieved before, during (in-process) or after the machining cycle. In-process control is achieved by measuring the part prior to finishing cuts while the part is fixtured to the machine tool. Although the theory behind an automated closed-loop, in-process control system would significantly reduce manufacturing costs, at the present time, machining errors typically are compensated through manual error feedback. This thesis presents a systematic approach for automatically compensating for dynamic machining errors based on a new closed-looped machining scheme. The new scheme incorporates these errors, found through in-process inspection, into a modified CAD model or "Variational Part Model". As a result, the Variational Part Model inherently contains the online disturbances associated with machining. It is important to note that this new scheme assumes the machine tool's static error (ball screw error, joint misalignment, perpendicularity error, etc.) has been addressed by some other compensating method and this scheme only addresses the dynamic machining error. To create the Variational Part Model, the machined part is measured on the machine and compared to the CAD model's theoretical data. The data is then used in conjunction with modeling functions contained in NX's Application Programming Interface (API) to interact with the CAD model and modify its feature geometry. The validity and effectiveness of the methods are presented as well as results from experimental testing. This thesis also presents the methods necessary for automatic CAM process updating to ultimately close the loop between machining and inspection.

The master´s thesis deals with reconstruction of RCF test rig AXMAT. Main goal is design new hydraulic load system and his realization. The first part of thesis describes similar experimental machines and their pros and cons. This analysis is base for complete reconstruciton of AXMAT. New hydraulic load system allows dynamic programmable load cycles. Control system with close loop and feedback was created in software Matlab – Simulink. Main frame was reconstructed too. Control and action parts were asseble to station. Output of thesis is function sample.

We study linear descriptor systems with rectangular variable coefficient matrices. Using local and global equivalence transformations we introduce normal and condensed forms and get sets of characteristic quantities. These quantities allow us to decide whether a linear descriptor system with variable coefficients is regularizable by derivative and/or proportional state feedback or not. Regularizable by feedback means for us that their exist a feedback which makes the closed loop system uniquely solvable for every consistent initial vector.

Background As of today the textile and fashion industry mainly relies on a linear production model, also referred to as the take-make-waste system. This economy depends solely on the single use of raw materials leaving space for an open-ended production and no intention of salvaging or recovering resources. Such a system cannot be supported by the environment in the future; therefore, several stakeholders are starting to embrace circular production systems and a closed-loop economy. One example of these efforts is take-back schemes (TBS) which strive to make the fashion industry more regenerative and restorative by narrowing, slowing, and closing the resource loops. Nonetheless, practitioners and academia have found adversities during the implementation stage which instead require competent knowledge, skills, and unique capabilities to achieve a successful performance. Purpose To achieve a successful implementation of a TBS, companies require unique capabilities that allow them to adapt and adopt a sustainable innovation. Therefore, this study investigates the dynamic capabilities (DCs) needed to implement a TBS in order to provide practitioners and academia with a guide that eases the application, overcomes the known adversities as well as explores the relationship between these and the relevant DCs. Methodology The research was based on a multiple case study method embracing abductive reasoning by extending the theory of DCs for circular business model implementation to TBS within the fashion industry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three companies applying different types of take-back schemes; the primary data was strengthened by document research and a validation round of interviews. The data was analyzed through qualitative thematic content analysis. Further, the characteristics of the study lend themselves well to be represented through a qualitative causal loop diagram appropriate for developing novel solution strategies such as the DCs. Findings The results show, through the use of two maps, that several DCs have to be developed when implementing a TBS in order to reach a substantial competitive advantage in the form of a cost leadership, differentiation or focus strategy. Further, the causal loop maps also shed light on the different relationships between DCs and how these can be exploited to overcome the difficulties or utilizing the possibilities in implementing a TBS. Practical implications and research limitations - The thesis creates new insights on TBS implementation through the use of DCs by presenting two causal loop maps. Thus, aiding practitioners and allowing them to quickly recognize their current situation against the maps as well as what changes need to be made following the suggested capabilities. The study is limited by the choice of interviewed companies, which represent only retailers with TBS in Sweden.

System identification concerns how to construct mathematical models of dynamic systems based on experimental data. A very important application of system identification is in model-based control design. In such applications it is often possible to externally excite the system during the data collection experiment. The properties of the exciting input signal influence the quality of the identified model, and well-designed input signals can reduce both the experimental time and effort. The objective of this thesis is to develop algorithms and theory for minimum cost experiment design for system identification while guaranteeing that the estimated model results in an acceptable control performance. We will use the framework of application oriented Optimal Input Design (OID). First, we study how to find a convex approximation of the set of models that results in acceptable control performance. The main contribution is analytical methods to determine application sets for controllers with no explicit control law, for instance Model Predictive Control (MPC). The application oriented OID problem is then formulated in time domain to enable the handling of signals constraints, which often comes from the physical limitations on the plant and actuators. The framework is the extended to closed-loopsystems. Here two different cases are considered. The first case assumes that the plant is controlled by a general (either linear or non-linear) but known controller. The main contribution here is a method to design an external stationary signal via graph theory such that the identification requirements and signal constraints are satisfied. In the second case application oriented OID problem is studied for MPC. The proposed approach here is a modification of a results where the experiment design requirements are integrated to the MPC as a constraint. The main idea is to back off from the identification requirements when the control requirements are violating from their acceptable bounds. We evaluate the effectiveness of all the proposed algorithms by several simulation examples. / <p>QC 20150126</p>

Background: Communication is one of the nurse anaesthetist’s non-technical skills. In anaesthesia, potent drugs are administered during induction and intubation, therefore it is necessary that the exchange of information during these procedures are correctly perceived by the recipient. Consequently, a well-developed communication skill is part of nurse anaesthetist’s core competencies in order to maintain patient safety. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate how closed-loop communication [CLC] is used between nurse anaesthetists and anesthesiologists during induction and intubation, and to observe which environmental factors affected the communication. Method: The study had a quantitative and qualitative descriptive approach. Observation protocols inspired by CLC and Nurse Anaesthetists’ Non-Technical Skills [N-ANTS] were used during data collection of a total of 20 observations at an operation unit in Sweden. Results: The anaesthesia personnel used CLC in more than half of the observations. However, the use of CLC varied depending on whether the surgeries were planned or emergent, and which profession administered the drugs. According to N-ANTS, most of the exchanged communication was considered to be of good quality. Communication during induction and intubation was for instance, affected by preparations, roles, priorities and technical equipment and devices. Conclusion: The result indicates that the use of standardized communication methods and the minimization of distractions, increases the quality of communication and reduces the risk of interruptions during induction and intubation.

Hybrid motors that employ non-toxic, non-explosive components with a liquid oxidizer and a solid hydrocarbon fuel grain have inherently safe operating characteristics. The inherent safety of hybrid rocket motors offers the potential to greatly reduce overall operating costs. Another key advantage of hybrid rocket motors is the potential for in-flight shutdown, restart, and throttle by controlling the pressure drop between the oxidizer tank and the injector. This research designed, developed, and ground tested a closed-loop throttle controller for a hybrid rocket motor using nitrous oxide and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene as propellants. The research simultaneously developed closed-loop throttle algorithms and lab scale motor hardware to evaluate the fidelity of the throttle simulations and algorithms. Initial open-loop motor tests were performed to better classify system parameters and to validate motor performance values. Deep-throttle open-loop tests evaluated limits of stable thrust that can be achieved on the test hardware. Open-loop tests demonstrated the ability to throttle the motor to less than 10% of maximum thrust with little reduction in effective specific impulse and acoustical stability. Following the open-loop development, closed-loop, hardware-in-the-loop tests were performed. The closed-loop controller successfully tracked prescribed step and ramp command profiles with a high degree of fidelity. Steady-state accuracy was greatly improved over uncontrolled thrust.