NEW DESIGN OF PLC-BASED ROBOTIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONCRETE PRINTING IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

This paper presents a new platform for the development of an open control system for a robotic arm designed for the 3D printing of buildings. This platform uses a very efficient system of automatic code generation which greatly simplifies the process of robotic arm synthesis and analysis while allowing the deployment of custom control algorithms. An experimental workplace, with a reduced and simplified robotic arm, has been developed for the purpose of testing the platform. The mechanical and electrical construction of this experimental workplace is explained. The control system platform is also introduced and data from the test results are included. Both the advantages and disadvantages are discussed at the end.

Use of Synchrotron Phase-Sensitive Imaging for the Investigation of Magnetopriming and Solar UV-Exclusion Impact on Soybean (Glycine max) Leaves

The combined response of exclusion of solar ultraviolet radiation (UV-A+B and UV-B) and static magnetic field (SMF) pre-treatment of 200 mT for 1 h were studied on soybean (Glycine max) leaves using synchrotron imaging. The seeds of soybean with and without SMF pre-treatment were sown in nursery bags kept in iron meshes where UV-A+B (280–400 nm) and UV-B (280–315 nm) from solar radiation were filtered through a polyester filters. Two controls were planned, one with polythene filter controls (FC)- which allows all the UV (280–400 nm); the other control had no filter used (open control-OC). Midrib regions of the intact third trifoliate leaves were imaged using the phase-contrast imaging technique at BL-4, Indus-2 synchrotron radiation source. The solar UV exclusion results suggest that ambient UV caused a reduction in leaf growth which ultimately reduced the photosynthesis in soybean seedlings, while SMF treatment caused enhancement of leaf growth along with photosynthesis even under the presence of ambient UV-B stress. The width of midrib and second-order veins, length of the second-order veins, leaf vein density, and the density of third-order veins obtained from the quantitative image analysis showed an enhancement in the leaves of plants that emerged from SMF pre-treated seeds as compared to untreated ones grown in open control and filter control conditions (in the presence of ambient UV stress). SMF pre-treated seeds along with UV-A+B and UV-B exclusion also showed significant enhancements in leaf parameters as compared to the UV excluded untreated leaves. Our results suggested that SMF-pretreatment of seeds diminishes the ambient UV-induced adverse effects on soybean.

ADJUSTMENT OF A PID REGULATOR USING TRANSIENT FUNCTION OF THE OPEN CONTROL LOOP

The problem of optimal adjustment of a PID regulator, which is basic algorithm for automatic control systems for thermal plants, remains relevant. A simple and practical method of adjustment the PID regulator, using the transient function of the open control clop in the time domain is offered, convenient for practical use. The optimal graph of the transient function of the open control loop should be a broken straight line with delay. By varying time constants of the integration and differentiation channels of the PID regulator, the graph of the transient function of the open control loop should be straightened, that is converted to a straight line with delay. Variating the proportionality factor of the regulator, the growth rate (slope of the graph) of the transient function should be made 0.52, relative to its delay. Adjusting the PID regulator according to the proposed method guarantees the minimal possible regulation time. The proposed method for adjusting the parameters of a PID regulator is recommended to be used both for the computer simulation of the regulation dynamics and for operating systems of automatic control.

Experimental Study of Various Parameters during Speed Control of Three-phase Induction Motor Using GPIC and LabVIEW

Induction motors are widely used from home to industrial applications. Speed of induction motor plays important role, so to control the speed of induction motor various techniques are adopted and one of these techniques is V/F control, which is adopted in this paper. This technique helps to control the speed in open control system in RPM. Moreover, Control is designed in LabVIEW, it is quite helpful to develop the circuit graphically and code is automatically written in the background to run on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The aim of this research is to study the impacts on diverse parameters during speed control of three phase induction machine with manipulation of GPIC. Solar technology is used as input source to drive the General-Purpose Inverter Controller (GPIC). Apart of this, impacts of modulation index and carrier frequency influencing the active, reactive and apparent power, temperature and power quality and current overshoot is analysed. MATLAB/Simulink and LabVIEW tools are used for simulation and results along with GPIC, Induction motor and solar panel as hardware.

Experimental Study of Various Parameters during Speed Control of Three-phase Induction Motor Using GPIC and LabVIEW

Induction motors are widely used from home to industrial applications. Speed of induction motor plays important role, so to control the speed of induction motor various techniques are adopted and one of these techniques is V/F control, which is adopted in this paper. This technique helps to control the speed in open control system in RPM. Moreover, Control is designed in LabVIEW, it is quite helpful to develop the circuit graphically and code is automatically written in the background to run on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The aim of this research is to study the impacts on diverse parameters during speed control of three phase induction machine with manipulation of GPIC. Solar technology is used as input source to drive the General-Purpose Inverter Controller (GPIC). Apart of this, impacts of modulation index and carrier frequency influencing the active, reactive and apparent power, temperature and power quality and current overshoot is analysed. MATLAB/Simulink and LabVIEW tools are used for simulation and results along with GPIC, Induction motor and solar panel as hardware.

Interpretation of Contracts and Control of Unfair Terms in Asia: A Comparison

This chapter concludes Volume III of Studies in the Contract Laws of Asia. It summarizes the main findings on the 13 Asian jurisdictions covered (China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam). With regard to both the interpretation of contracts and the control of unfair terms, the various legal sources and their ‘Western’ sources of inspiration are described, questions of classification and terminology discussed, and the major substantive issues that arise across legal systems examined. The latter include the dichotomy of ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ approaches to contractual interpretation; the admissible aids to interpretation, such as customs, usages, the commercial background, good faith, and the negotiations of the parties; the conflict between ‘literalist’ and ‘contextualist’ approaches, particularly with regard to gap-filling by way of implication of terms or ‘supplementary interpretation’; the ‘covert’ judicial control of unfair terms under general contract law doctrines, such as incorporation, interpretation, and the rules on procedural unfairness; the open control based on specific legislation on either particular types of term, unfair standard terms, or consumer contracts, and the supporting enforcement mechanisms. In conclusion, the chapter highlights the differences and similarities that can be observed across Asia, relates these to the wide variety of legal transfers that occurred in the relevant legal systems, and maps out issues for further research.

Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients Aged >80 Years

Background/Purpose: Expert guidelines specify no upper age limit for alteplase for thrombolysis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) but, until recently, European regulatory criteria restricted its use to patients aged 18 to 80 years. We performed pooled analyses of randomized controlled trial (RCT) and registry data to evaluate the benefit-risk profile of alteplase for AIS among patients aged >80 years to support a regulatory application to lift the upper age restriction. Methods: Individual patient data were evaluated from 7 randomized trials of alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) versus placebo or open control for AIS, and the European SITS-UTMOST registry database. Clinical outcomes, including good functional outcome (score 0–1, modified Rankin Scale day 90 or Oxford Handicap Score day 180), were evaluated in the full RCT and registry populations, and specified age-based subgroups (≤80 or >80 years) who met existing European regulatory criteria for alteplase, excluding upper age restriction. Results: Regardless of treatment allocation, 90-day mortality was lower among RCT patients aged ≤80 versus >80 years who otherwise met existing European regulatory criteria (246/2405 [10.2%] versus 307/1028 [29.9%], respectively). Among patients aged >80 years, alteplase versus placebo was associated with a higher proportion of good stroke outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1; 99/518 [19.1%] versus 67/510 [13.1%]; P =0.0109) and similar 90-day mortality (153/518 [29.5%] versus 154/510 [30.2%]; P =0.8382). The odds of a good stroke outcome following alteplase allocation in the full RCT population were independent of age ( P =0.7383). Good stroke outcome was reported for almost half (4821/11 169 [43.2%]) of the patients who received alteplase in routine practice. Outcomes in routine practice supported those achieved in RCTs. Conclusions: Alteplase for AIS has a positive benefit-risk profile among patients aged >80 years when administered according to other regulatory criteria. Alteplase for AIS should be evaluated on an individual benefit-risk basis.

Growth and Yield of Three Turmeric Varities (Curcuma longa L.) under Mango Based Agroforestry

An experiment was conducted at the Department of Agroforestry and Environment, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh during 24 March 2018 to 10 January 2019, to investigate the growth and yield of different turmeric varieties under mango trees and open control. The experiment consisted of two factors with three replications. Among the two factors, one factor was two production systems: T1 =Mango + Turmeric and T2=Open control + Turmeric; the second factor was three turmeric local varieties: V1=Thailand, V2= Malshira and V3= Debipat. Interaction treatments between factor A and factor B were T1V1, T1V2, T1V3, T2V1, T2V2 and T2V3 combinations. The experiment was laid out following a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Findings of the study revealed that growth and yield of turmeric significantly varied in the main effect of different agroforestry production systems. The highest fresh weight of rhizome (11000 kg/ha) was obtained in T2 and lowest (7055 kg/ha) in T1. The highest dry weight of rhizome (2126 kg/ha) was found in T2 and lowest (1456 kg/ha) was in T1. On the other hand the highest fresh weight of rhizome was 9777 kg/ha found with (V2) and lowest 8055 kg/ha with (V3), the highest dry weight of rhizome was 2013kg/ha found in V1.In case of interaction, the highest fresh rhizome weight (13611 kg/ha) and dry rhizome weight (2631 kg/ha) were recorded in T2V2 and T2V2, respectively. However, the lowest were found in T1V2 (5944 kg/ha) and T1V2 (1208 kg/ha).

Pollinator effectiveness of a specialist bee exploiting a generalist plant—tracking pollen transfer by Heriades truncorum with quantum dots

Heriades truncorum (Megachilidae) is a specialist bee that forages on Asteraceae and collects pollen by tapping its abdomen on pollen-presenting florets which places the grains directly in the ventral scopa. We tracked pollen transfer by female H. truncorum between conspecific inflorescences of Inula ensifolia and Pulicaria dysenterica by labelling pollen with quantum dots. On average, bees transferred 31.14 (I. ensifolia) and 9.96 (P. dysenterica) pollen grains from the last visited inflorescence, 39% and 45% of which were placed on receptive styles. Pollen germination ratio is significantly lower for inflorescences of P. dysenterica visited by one H. truncorum (0.13%) compared with open control inflorescences (0.51%), which suggests that the bees mainly transfer self-pollen of these self-incompatible plants. Thus, a single visit by H. truncorum does not grant the plant high reproductive success, but the bees’ abundance and flower constancy might reduce this disadvantage.