Electrode construction Patent

Electrode attached to helmets for detecting low level signals from skin of living creature

Helmet system broadcasts electroencephalograms of wearer

EEG monitoring system consisting of nonirritating sponge-type electrodes, amplifiers, and a battery-powered wireless transmitter, all mounted in the subjects helmet, obtains electroencephalograms /EEGs/ of pilots and astronauts performing tasks under stress. After a quick initial fitting, the helmet can be removed and replaced without adjustments

Electric Vehicles Charging Control based on Future Internet Generic Enablers

In this paper a rationale for the deployment of Future Internet based applications in the field of Electric Vehicles (EVs) smart charging is presented. The focus is on the Connected Device Interface (CDI) Generic Enabler (GE) and the Network Information and Controller (NetIC) GE, which are recognized to have a potential impact on the charging control problem and the configuration of communications networks within reconfigurable clusters of charging points. The CDI GE can be used for capturing the driver feedback in terms of Quality of Experience (QoE) in those situations where the charging power is abruptly limited as a consequence of short term grid needs, like the shedding action asked by the Transmission System Operator to the Distribution System Operator aimed at clearing networks contingencies due to the loss of a transmission line or large wind power fluctuations. The NetIC GE can be used when a master Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) hosts the Load Area Controller, responsible for managing simultaneous charging sessions within a given Load Area (LA); the reconfiguration of distribution grid topology results in shift of EVSEs among LAs, then reallocation of slave EVSEs is needed. Involved actors, equipment, communications and processes are identified through the standardized framework provided by the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM).Comment: To appear in IEEE International Electric Vehicle Conference (IEEE IEVC 2014

On the simulation of the seismic energy transmission mechanisms

In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to research and development methods able to assess the seismic energy propagation on the territory. The seismic energy propagation is strongly related to the complexity of the source and it is affected by the attenuation and the scattering effects along the path. Thus, the effect of the earthquake is the result of a complex interaction between the signal emitted by the source and the propagation effects. The purpose of this work is to develop a methodology able to reproduce the propagation law of seismic energy, hypothesizing the "transmission" mechanisms that preside over the distribution of seismic effects on the territory, by means of a structural optimization process with a predetermined energy distribution. Briefly, the approach, based on a deterministic physical model, determines an objective correction of the detected distributions of seismic intensity on the soil, forcing the compatibility of the observed data with the physical-mechanical model. It is based on two hypotheses: (1) the earthquake at the epicentre is simulated by means of a system of distortions split into three parameters; (2) the intensity is considered coincident to the density of elastic energy. The optimal distribution of the beams stiffness is achieved, by reducing the difference between the values of intensity distribution computed on the mesh and those observed during four regional events historically reported concerning the Campania region (Italy)

Educação fiscal para legitimação da democracia

A UNILA, a Prefeitura Municipal de Foz do Iguaçu, a Alfândega da Receita Federal em Foz do Iguaçu, a Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste) e o Instituto Federal do Paraná (IFPR) promoverão conjuntamente, este ano, a Semana Integrada do Servidor Público. O evento pretende ser um espaço de análise e discussão sobre o tema “Valorização e integração: contribuições e desafios do servidor público na atualidade”. As atividades serão realizadas entre os dias 22 e 27 de outubro. O lançamento da Semana foi realizado nesta segunda-feira (27), no auditório da UnioesteO presente trabalho advém de inquietações da autora sobre a evolução do processo democrático brasileiro e de suas perspectivas futuras. Nesse sentido, apresenta constatações de estudos que demonstraram a fragilidade da democracia brasileira, traz discussões de opções para o seu fortalecimento e, sobretudo, questionamentos que visam incitar pesquisas mais aprofundadas instrumentos que alicercem a legitimação da democracia. A análise proposta limita-se ao viés da participação crítica e ativa do cidadão e cidadã nas esferas públicas. O objetivo da pesquisa é descrever e explorar a problemática posta e analisar em que medida o Programa Nacional de Educação Fiscal – PNEF pode atuar na lacuna dos conhecimentos básicos para vivência democrática e consequente participação ativa por meio da formação cidadã integral. O trabalho baseou-se principalmente em pesquisa bibliográfica qualitativa e não entregou respostas, mas perguntas que poderão estimular novos estudos sobre o tema Educação Fiscal para a Cidadania e sua relevância para as políticas públicas, tema de pouca produção científica no Brasil. Ao se compreender os objetivos e a missão da Educação Fiscal apresenta-se a possibilidade de uma nova ordem. A assimilação deste conhecimento poderá influir diretamente na condição de vida do indivíduo e, se incorporado a este, alcançar mudanças de valores e hábitos que refletirão na coletividad

Seismic and energy retrofitting of residential buildings: a simulation-based approach

The topic of the high seismic vulnerability of housing stock in Italy is back again at the center of political, economic, social and scientific-technical debate following the seismic crisis that struck Marche, Umbria and Lazio regions in 2016. These events have once again raised the need for a massive retrofitting program at National and Regional level, addressing the majority of the existing building stock, realized for 60% prior to the adoption of the first seismic code (Law 64/74), in a territory characterized north to south by high levels of seismic hazard. In recent years, different kinds of tools have been implemented to allow the simulation of natural hazards’ impacts on the built environment and to support strategic choices both in the field of emergency management and resilience-based urban design and planning. Nevertheless, an integrated set of instruments for a quantitatively informed decision support is still missing. Within EU-FP7 CRISMA project, an integrated DSS (Decision Support System) application has been developed, with a set of tools and functionalities addressing the main aspects involved in the decision-making processes for natural hazards preparedness and response

A quasi-static nonlinear analysis for assessing the fire resistance of 3d frames exploiting time-dependent yield surface

In this work an automatic procedure for evaluating the axial force-biaxial bending yield surface of reinforced concrete sections in fire is proposed. It provides an accurate time-dependent expression of the yield condition by a section analysis carried out once and for all, accounting for the strength reduction of the materials, which is a function of the fire duration. The equilibrium state of 3D frames with such yield conditions, once discretized using beam finite elements, is formulated as a nonlinear vectorial equation defining a curve in the hyperspace of the discrete variables and the fire duration. A generalized path-following strategy is proposed for tracing this curve and evaluating, if it exists, the limit fire duration, that is the time of exposure which leads to structural collapse. Compared to the previous proposals on the topic, which are limited to local sectional checks, this work is the first to present a global analysis for assessing the fire resistance of 3D frames, providing a time history of the fire event and taking account of the stress redistribution. Numerical examples are given to illustrate and validate the proposal

Planar ion trap (retarding potential analyzer) experiment for atmosphere explorer

The retarding potential analyzer and drift meter were carried aboard all three Atmosphere Explorer spacecraft. These instruments measure the total thermal ion concentration and temperature, the bulk thermal ion velocity vector and some limited properties of the relative abundance of H(+), He(+), O(+) and molecular ions. These instruments functioned with no internal failures on all the spacecraft. On AE-E there existed some evidence for external surface contamination that damaged the integrity of the RPA sweep grids. This led to some difficulties in data reduction and interpretation that did not prove to be a disastrous problem. The AE-D spacecraft functioned for only a few months before it re-entered. During this time the satellite suffered from a nutation about the spin axis of about + or - 2 deg. This 2 deg modulation was superimposed upon the ion drift meter horizontal ion arrival angle output requiring the employment of filtering techniques to retrieve the real data

Building Resilient Cities: A Simulation-Based Scenario Assessment Methodology for the Integration of DRR and CCA in a Multi-Scale Design Perspective

Resilience of the built environment and communities to natural and man-made hazards is consolidating worldwide as a key requirement in the field of urban planning and building design, and there is an increasing awareness that Sustainable Development Goals and priorities of the Sendai Framework cannot be achieved without a comprehensive approach able to promote the effective implementation of DRR and CCA measures within regeneration processes at various scales. In this sense, an “all-hazards” approach, addressing multiple risk conditions (including Natech and cascading effects) and integrating DRR and CCA design strategies, show a highly cost-effective potential, maximizing the effect of complementary measures and optimizing mitigation/adaptation design techniques within a multi-scale (building/neighbourhood/city) resilience perspective, delivering at the same time socio-economic benefits linked to the improvement of urban spaces’ liveability and environmental quality. Vulnerability and impact assessment represent an essential component of a simulation-based methodology aimed at increasing the potential for use of scientific results by decision-makers, through multi-hazard and dynamic impact scenarios combined with cost-benefit and multi-criteria analyses to assess the effectiveness of alternative options. The paper presents the methodological approach developed at PLINIVS Study Centre and the experimental applications implemented within recent EU and National projects, such as H2020-ESPREssO and SIMMCITIES_NA

Deflectable beam linear strip cesium contact ion thruster system

Deflectable dual beam, linear strip cesium contact, ion thruster system design and performance testin