Applications of power electronics in power systems are growing very rapidly and changing the power system infrastructure in terms of operation speed and control. Even though applications of power electronics are wide spread, the cost and reliability of power electronics are the issues that could hinder their penetration in the utility and industrial systems. The demand for efficient and reliable converter controllers gave rise to modularized converter and controller design. The objective of this dissertation is to determine the appropriate partitioning and interface requirements between the system and application control layers for power electronic converters so that the minimum set of system layer to application layer control interfaces is compatible across all power electronic controllers. Previous work, using the Open System Architecture (OSA) concept has shown that there is a set of common functions shared by different converters at the low-level control layers. It has also shown that, depending on the application, there is a variation in control functions in application/middle control layers. This functional variation makes it difficult to define system functionality of power converters at upper control layers and further complicates the investigation into the partition requirements of system to application control layer. However, by analyzing the current or voltage affected by a converter in terms of orthogonal components, where each component or group of components is associated with a power-converter application, and the amount of required DC bus energy storage, a common functionality can be observed at the application control layer. Therefore, by establishing common functionality in terms of affected current or voltage components, a flexibility of operation can be realized at upper control layers that will be a major contribution towards standardizing the open system architecture. In order to a construct functional flexible power converter control architecture, the interface requirements to the system control layer and the partitioning between the system control layer and application control layer need to be explored. This will provide flexibility of system design methodology by reducing the number of constraints and enabling system designers to explore possible system architectures much more effectively.

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This paper studies the topological properties of the International Trade Network (ITN) among world countries using a network analysis. We explore the distribu- tions of the most important network statistics measuring connectivity, assortativ- ity and clustering. We show that the topological properties of the weighted rep- resentation of the ITN are very different from those obtained by a binary network approach. In particular, we find that: (i) the majority of countries are character- ized by weak trade relationships, (ii) well connected countries tend to trade with poorly connected partners and (iii) countries holding more intense trade relation- ships are more clustered. Finally, we display that all structural properties of the ITN have remained remarkably stable over time.

The aim of my work is to analyze Czech language textbooks for foreigners in terms of inclusion and presentation of cultural studies. In the theoretical part I attempt to outline the development of Czech courses for foreigners and Czech as a foreign language, as well as summarize the current knowledge of area studies and explain their interconnectedness with the socio- cultural competence. In the second, practical part of my work, I focus on whether facts in various Czech language textbooks for foreigners are presented implicitly or explicitly, whether the facts presented in contrast with the culture are expected from the student and whether the facts in these textbooks are practiced and tested. In addition, I tried to capture the presence or absence of geographical information, historical information, information regarding cultural characteristics of the Czech and their lifestyle, information about English and its development, information regarding speech courtesy and behaviour, information regarding Czech literature, art, science, sports, Czech food, information regarding Czech politics and other possible facts. The analysis of each textbook is its assessment and the recommendation for teachers. In conclusion, I summarize all discovered knowledge regarding area studies in Czech language textbooks for...

<p></p><p>Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting 1 in every 10,000 to 15,000 newborns in the United States every year. Caused by a genetic mutation, PKU results in an excessive build up of the amino acid Phenylalanine (Phe) in the body leading to symptoms including but not limited to intellectual disability, hyperactivity, psychiatric disorders and seizures. Most PKU patients must follow a strict diet limited in Phe. The aim of this research study is to formulate, implement and compare techniques for Phe estimation in commercial foods using the information on the food label (Nutritional Fact Label and ordered ingredient list). Ideally, the techniques should be both accurate and amenable to a user friendly implementation as a Phe calculator that would aid PKU patients monitor their dietary Phe intake.</p> <p> The first approach to solve the above problem is a mathematical one that comprises three steps. The three steps were separately proposed as methods by Jieun Kim in her dissertation. It was assumed that the third method, which is more computationally expensive, was the most accurate one. However, by performing the three methods subsequently in three different steps and combining the results, we actually obtained better results than by merely using the third method.</p> <p> The first step makes use of the protein content in the foods and Phe:protein multipliers. The second step enumerates all the ingredients in the food and uses the minimum and maximum Phe:protein multipliers of the ingredients along with the protein content. The third step lists the ingredients in decreasing order of their weights, which gives rise to inequality constraints. These constraints hold assuming that there is no loss in the preparation process. The inequality constraints are optimized numerically in two phases. The first involves nutrient content estimation by approximating the ingredient amounts. The second phase is a refinement of the above estimates using the Simplex algorithm. The final Phe range is obtained by performing an interval intersection of the results of the three steps. We implemented all three steps as web applications. Our proposed three-step method yields a high accuracy of Phe estimation (error <= +/- 13.04mg Phe per serving for 90% of foods).</p> <p> The above mathematical procedure is contrasted against a machine learning approach that uses the data in an existing database as training data to infer the Phe in any given food. Specifically, we use the K-Nearest Neighbors (K-NN) classification method using a feature vector containing the (rounded) nutrient data. In other words, the Phe content of the test food is a weighted average of the Phe values of the neighbors closest to it using the nutrient values as attributes. A four-fold cross validation is carried out to determine the hyper-parameters and the training is performed using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food nutrient database. Our tests indicate that this approach is not very accurate for general foods (error <= +/- 50mg Phe per 100g in about 38% of the foods tested). However, for low-protein foods which are typically consumed by PKU patients, the accuracy increases significantly (error <= +/- 50mg Phe per 100g in over 77% foods).</p> <p> The machine learning approach is more user-friendly than the mathematical approach. It is convenient, fast and easy to use as it takes into account just the nutrient information. In contrast, the mathematical method additionally takes as input a detailed ingredient list, which is cumbersome to be located in a food database and entered as input. However, the Mathematical method has the added advantage of providing error bounds for the Phe estimate. It is also more accurate than the ML method. This may be due to the fact that for the ML method, the nutrition facts alone are not sufficient to estimate Phe and that additional information like the ingredients list is required. </p><br><p></p>

There are manufacturing systems all over the world and all of them present dif- ferent characteristics. To get close to those manufacturing systems and aid them to analyze data and improve their efficiency, it arises FACTS Analyzer®. The present project concerns the development of a bottleneck analysis using REVERSE- SCORE (Simulation based COnstraint REmoval), feature included in FACTS Ana- lyzer. It is used Simulation-based Multi-Objective Optimization (SMO) to ana- lyze the different variables of a production line and investigate how to best extend previous application of SMO for bottleneck detection to not only consider im- provements of system parameters but also degradations of them. Degrading some system parameters can have many hidden advantages such as reduce power con- sumption, increase material efficiency or lengthen the useful life of the machines or tools, advantages that can draw near sustainability.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:46:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JULIANO BARRETO RODRIGUES.pdf: 4748723 bytes, checksum: 897811779f15cd31a4f855eea2660a10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-28 / This paper presents the differences between the truth of the facts and truth that remains in the written records of the criminal process after the production of evidence indicating that one is not identical to another. The fact that writing is an end refiguring contaminated by numerous interpretations of actors, a reductionist historiographic discourse that denies the acts outside the standards and ignores the complexity of a criminal act. It also studies the juridical reason, based on the topical-rhetorical and prudential judgments, showing its fragility, justifying numerous judicial errors. With a focus on disciplinary Discourse Analysis, also uses concepts and theories of Historiography, Psychology, Linguistics and Publicity to treat under new angle, already much discussed topic of the strictly legal point of view. With this diverse perspective, demonstrates the countless acting interfering in the formation of versions ranging registered in the records, emphasis how can (the interfering) distance them (the records) of the real truth. Engages primarily of justice derived from the truth that it capable of producing in the process and will be, as proof, always more or less different from the facts as exactly occurred. Proved this part, we analyze the degree of acceptance of this model by jurisdictional. / O texto apresenta as diferenças entre a verdade dos fatos e a verdade que resta escrita nos autos do processo criminal após a persecução penal, indicando que esta não corresponde fielmente àquela, sendo uma refiguração, contaminada por interpretações de inúmeros atores, um discurso historiográfico reducionista que nega os discursos discrepantes e a complexidade do fato criminoso. Estuda a razão jurídica, lastreada na tópica-retórica e no juízo prudencial, demonstrando sua fragilidade, justificadora de inúmeros erros judiciários. Com foco disciplinar na Análise do Discurso, coteja também conceitos e teorias da Historiografia, da Psicologia, da Linguística e da Publicidade para tratar, sob ângulo novo, tema já muito discutido do ponto de vista estritamente jurídico. Com esta óptica diversa, demonstra os incontáveis interferentes que atuam na formação das versões que vão registradas nos autos, destacando o quanto podem (os interferentes) afastá-los (os autos) da verdade real. Trata, essencialmente, da justiça obtida a partir da verdade que se consegue produzir no processo e que será, conforme comprova, sempre mais ou menos diferente dos fatos como exatamente ocorridos. Provada esta parte, é analisado o grau de aceitação deste modelo pelos jurisdicionados.

This project has been initiated in cooperation with a Swedish manufacturing company. Due to increased demand and competition, the company wants to streamline its production process, increase the degree of automation and visualize specific workflows. By creating a frame of reference and a literature review, a theoretical basis for methods and concepts which has been utilized throughout the project has been obtained. With the help of the identified methods and methodologies, a current state analysis was performed. Using traditional Lean tools such as Genchi genbutsu, Ishikawa diagram and a 5-why analysis, in combination with time studies and interviews, the current state of the studied system was successfully mapped and analysed. With the help of the current state analysis, which served as a conceptual model, a simulation model of the current state was created in order to handle the large variety and the complexity of the system. The simulation model was validated and verified in order to ensure that it was “good enough” for the purpose of this project in the depiction of the real world system. During the experimental design, several improvement suggestions were created by utilizing methods such as brainstorming, Ishikawa diagram and a 5-why analysis. In a Kaizen event, onsite personnel had the opportunity to decide which suggestions that was fit for experimentation using simulation. With the result of the Kaizen event, experiments were performed in order to evaluate the proposed improvement suggestion. As a result, several new insights regarding improvements could be obtained, which provided several suggestions for an improved future state. Including a proposed automated cell. The analysis of the results did not entirely satisfy the aim of the project since certain factors could not be analysed, therefore the authors recommend that further studies are needed if proposed improvement suggestions are to be implemented.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T17:27:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ana.pdf: 567316 bytes, checksum: 92ee3a85ae2f1f2887af1780af36f0f3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-05-18 / The present study aims to connect the conception offered by the philosopher Hannah Arendt about the narratives of historical events with narrative of personal facts, most specifically the ones that occur during clinical psychology, rendering favourable the comprehension that man may have about himself, as the co-author of his own life. The starting-point for these thoughts concerns the way of life of the modern man, who, rooted out and heir of a world broken up with tradition, may become ill as an alternative to stand living. The growing absence of public spaces for the search of common benefit has been restricting people s suffering to the private ambit, making illness be understood as a biological or affective deficiency, thus individual. This effort in seeking in philosophy bases to the clinical work reflection is justified by the interest in understanding human existence in order to amplify the specific view of psychology about the so-called psychic sufferings. Arendt s philosophy offers resources for this consideration, most specifically about the concepts of narrative and comprehension that can be transferred to the psychotherapy extent. Understanding oneself by telling its own story is based on the idea that allows the actor of a biography to become a self-spectator as well as a narrator to the others. Nevertheless, this activity is not solitary. In order to make the self-comprehension happen it is necessary for the personal stories narrative to be dialogical, thus presenced by a witness and arisen from a truths discoverer meeting. These truths, although never absolute, always reveal the hero of his own story / O presente estudo propõe relacionar o entendimento que a pensadora Hannah Arendt oferece a respeito da narrativa de acontecimentos históricos com a narrativa de histórias pessoais, mais especificamente, as que ocorrem na psicologia clínica, propiciando a compreensão que o homem pode ter de si mesmo, como co-autor da sua vida. O que se tomou como ponto de partida para essas reflexões diz respeito ao modo de viver do homem moderno, que, desenraizado e herdeiro de um mundo rompido com a tradição, pode encontrar no adoecimento uma alternativa para dar conta do existir. A crescente ausência de espaços públicos para a busca do bem comum, tem restringido o sofrimento das pessoas ao âmbito privado, fazendo com que o adoecimento seja entendido apenas como uma deficiência biológica ou afetiva, portanto individual. Esse esforço em buscar na filosofia fundamentos para a reflexão do trabalho clínico se justifica pelo interesse em compreender a existência humana, a fim de ampliar a visão específica da psicologia quanto aos sofrimentos denominados psíquicos . A filosofia de Arendt oferece recursos para essa reflexão, mais especificamente quanto aos seus conceitos de narrativa e compreensão, que podem ser transpostos para o âmbito da psicoterapia. Compreender-se narrando a própria história, tem por base a faculdade do pensamento que permite ao ator de uma biografia tornar-se um espectador de si mesmo e narrar-se aos demais. No entanto, essa atividade não se dá de modo solitário. Para que a compreensão de si mesmo se dê, é necessário que a narrativa de histórias pessoais seja dialógica, que tenha a presença de uma testemunha, e que surja de um encontro ensejador de verdades, jamais absolutas, mas reveladoras do herói de sua história

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Claudionor Francisco do Nascimento / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Elétrica, 2014. / Os sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica, de um modo geral, são radiais. Estes sistemas podem possuir problemas de qualidade da energia elétrica em suas barras, tais como os desequilíbrios de tensão e de corrente. Ademais, as redes de distribuição podem conter uma grande quantidade de cargas monofásicas e trifásicas desequilibradas, indutivas e não lineares, o que pode resultar nos seguintes problemas: baixo fator de potência, desequilíbrio de tensão e distorção harmônica. Nesse sentido, devido à dinâmica destas cargas e a ocorrência de fenômenos, como afundamento de tensão por partidas de grandes motores e curtos-circuitos, há a necessidade de solução destas anormalidades, com respostas rápidas de estabilização. De maneira a atender a esta necessidade, os resultados das recentes pesquisas baseadas na eletrônica de potência têm proporcionado a utilização de equipamentos capazes de trabalhar em sistemas de potência de alta tensão. Esse avanço permite aplicações de dispositivos FACTS (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems) nas operações de flexibilidade e mitigação de problemas comuns às redes de energia elétrica de transmissão e de distribuição, melhorando, assim, a qualidade da energia elétrica, o que aumenta a confiabilidade destes sistemas. Com este propósito, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal o estudo e a modelagem de um DSTATCOM (Distribution Static Compensator) em um sistema de distribuição de energia elétrica com variações de tensão, avaliando os possíveis benefícios proporcionados a este sistema. Os resultados de simulação foram obtidos com o auxílio do software MatLab/Simuling. / Distribution systems of electric power, in general, are radial. These systems have power quality problems in their power bars, such as the voltage variations. Moreover, the distribution networks contain a large amount of single-phase and three-phase unbalanced loads, inductive and non-linear, which may result in the following problems: low power factor, voltage unbalance, and harmonic distortion. Accordingly, due to the dynamic loads and the occurrence of these phenomena, such as voltage sag matches by large motors and short circuits, there is a need for solution of these abnormalities, with responsive stabilization. In order to meet this need, the results of recent research based on power electronics have provided the use of equipment to work on systems of high voltage power. This advancement allows applications FACTS devices (Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems) flexibility in operations and mitigation of problems common to the networks of electricity transmission and distribution, thus improving the quality of electric power, which increases the reliability of these systems. For this purpose, the present work has as main objective the study and modeling of a DSTATCOM (Distribution Static Compensator) in a system of electricity distribution, evaluating the possible benefits provided to the electric power system. The simulation results were obtained with the aid of software Matlab/Simuling. The effectiveness of the work has been proven since the DSTATCOM installed, the distribution network operated within established standards.