An Effective Combination of PLC and Microcontrollers for Centralized Traffic Control and Monitoring System

In this paper, a smart and centralized traffic light control and monitoring system is proposed to control the modern transportation systems and make the city safer, using programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and programmable electronic microcontrollers. A camera is used to monitor the mishaps during the traffic flow of vehicles. The system has four modes, i.e., auto-control mode (ACM), manual control mode (MCM), central control mode (CCM), and remote control mode (RCM). In the auto-control mode (ACM), the traffic light signals are controlled automatically through programmable electronic microcontrollers at specific times, while the manual control mode (MCM) controls the traffic light signals manually (on–off switches) according to the traffic congestion. The central control mode (CCM) is considered to be a centralized mode, where the programmable logic controller (PLC) is used by a computer workstation. In this mode, the traffic light signals are controlled by a ladder logic program of the PLC. The third mode, RCM, is linked with the second mode, CCM; in this mode, the traffic light signals are remotely controlled through the software by transferring programmable logic controller (PLC) functions to the software interface. As a result, this transportation system can also be controlled remotely. The designed system delivers suitable, flexible, and reliable control for traffic signaling and transportation.

Bluetooth-Tracing RSSI Sampling Method as Basic Technology of Indoor Localization for Smart Grid

In recent years, Smart Grid have become the center of interest for IT companies and construction companies and various types of Smart Grids have been made currently available on the market. Yet, equipment is costly and it is not easy to convert existing equipment for Smart Grid application as they may require additional resources which could also inflict much costs. The extra costs involving the remodeling of existing housing structure and installment of new equipment can be avoided by using advanced wireless technologies. As an example, this book proposed an indoor localization system that adopts Bluetooth technology and uses RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) values for localization. Researchers have configured a system where the central control device will recognize all other devices or equipment in the system, communicate with each other, and respond to the commands or the information provided. However, despite the efforts of many researchers, existing RSSI-based indoor localization systems do not show a satisfactory level of accuracy such that we have devised a system that traces the trend in the RSSI samples.

Risk Factors of Walking While Talking Decline in Older Adults: Central Control of Mobility and Aging Study

Background Slow gait speed during walking while talking (WWT-speed) is associated with an increased risk of falls and dementia. Age-related changes in WWT-speed and associated risk factors, however, are poorly understood. This study examined 1) change in WWT-speed over time 2) factors associated with change in WWT-speed. Methods A total of 431 older participants (M Age=76.8±6.4 years; M follow-up 4.5±2.3 years) enrolled in the Central Control of Mobility in Aging study were examined. WWT-speed was measured with a computerized walkway while participants recited alternate letters of the alphabet while walking. The following baseline measures were examined as risk factors: demographic [age, sex, education], medical [hypertension, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias, history of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease, arthritis, depression], cognitive [global cognition, executive function, processing speed], sensorimotor [balance, grip strength, vision], falls and frailty. Linear mixed effect models were used to examine 1) change in WWT-speed over time 2) risk factors of WWT-speed change. Results WWT-speed declined over time (b -1.06, 95%CI -1.45, -.68) independent of baseline age, sex and education. Rate of WWT-decline was modified by age (b -.10, 95%CI -.17, -.03) and poorer balance (b -1.12, 95%CI -1.95, -.28). Lower scores in tests of global cognition and processing speed and, kidney disease predicted slow WWT-speed on average. Conclusion Greater age and poorer balance accelerate WWT-speed decline while poorer global cognition, slow processing speed and kidney disease predicts slow WWT-speed. These factors may provide potential targets for future interventions to prevent decline in WWT-speed and associated adverse health outcomes.

Autorytarne sterowanie szkołą wyższą jako determinanta zarządzania i finansowania szkolnictwa wyższego w PRL

The article concerns a system of reforms of higher education in Poland in a time of Polish People’s Republic, in 1945–1989, which is adequate to top-down imposed and strictly respected Soviet patterns that were in force in all spheres of political, economic, and cultural life. The authors analyse a system of managing and financing of universities on the basis of legal regulations that indicated a direction, character, and a scope of activities set for universities by communist authorities in order to “build a socialist state and educate new intelligentsia”. The article also considers the issue of central control of university’s activities system separation of education from research bureaucratization and parametrization of all levels of education, top-down employment levels and structuring, closure to international exchange and inefficient financing, and asset management, which in consequence led universities to collapse at the end of 1980s.

Research on improvement of moisture proof technology for JIS control cabinet of 220kV substation based on big data

The outdoor control cabinet of intelligent substation includes the central control cabinet and the intelligent control cabinet. The internal integrated circuits and electronic components are easily affected by the environmental humidity. Through the operation and maintenance data statistics, it is found that the existing heating and dehumidification system in the control cabinet can not fully meet the humidity requirements in the cabinet. In view of this problem, this paper analyzes the factors leading to the increase of humidity in the cabinet, puts forward the research on the improvement of moisture-proof technology of JIS control cabinet in 220kV substation based on big data. In an environment where the air temperature changes rapidly, the test data verify that the moisture-proof technology of JIS control cabinet in 220kV substation based on big data can effectively reduce the humidity in the intelligent control cabinet, and effectively ensure the safe operation of electronic equipment in the intelligent control cabinet.

Signal Transduction of Mineralocorticoid and Angiotensin II Receptors in the Central Control of Sodium Appetite: A Narrative Review

Sodium appetite is an innate behavior occurring in response to sodium depletion that induces homeostatic responses such as the secretion of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex and the stimulation of the peptide hormone angiotensin II (ANG II). The synergistic action of these hormones signals to the brain the sodium appetite that represents the increased palatability for salt intake. This narrative review summarizes the main data dealing with the role of mineralocorticoid and ANG II receptors in the central control of sodium appetite. Appropriate keywords and MeSH terms were identified and searched in PubMed. References to original articles and reviews were examined, selected, and discussed. Several brain areas control sodium appetite, including the nucleus of the solitary tract, which contains aldosterone-sensitive HSD2 neurons, and the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) that contains ANG II-sensitive neurons. Furthermore, sodium appetite is under the control of signaling proteins such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and inositol 1,4,5-thriphosphate (IP3). ANG II stimulates salt intake via MAPK, while combined ANG II and aldosterone action induce sodium intake via the IP3 signaling pathway. Finally, aldosterone and ANG II stimulate OVLT neurons and suppress oxytocin secretion inhibiting the neuronal activity of the paraventricular nucleus, thus disinhibiting the OVLT activity to aldosterone and ANG II stimulation.