In this paper the Asymptotic Homogenization Method is combined with a model of Hyperelasticity with softening (which models the mechanical failure of the material), with the purpose of estimating the mechanical behaviour of microperiodic composites in the way to reproduces better the behaviour obtained in experiments. This hybrid approach brings some satisfactory results, showing that the (hypothetical) composite studied presents effective behaviour very close to the expected from the Hyperelasticity model. That is a very important fact because can be used as a tool to predict the failure of composite materials, trough its constituent materials information. This evaluating needs more steps, to be possible much bigger and strong conclusions.

In this paper, it was studied the optimization of the cost of interplanetary missions with emphasis on reducing fuel consumption. To achieve this goal, a genetic algorithm was implemented to optimize the total impulse of orbital transfer. It was implemented a case of sending a space vehicle from Earth to a another planet using a gravity assist maneuver (swing by), in this paper it was chose sending a spacecraft from Earth to Mars with a close approach to the Venus. The method employed can be used for impulsive interplanetary missions in general, and so the solution found can become an initial solution for numerical methods of optimization of low thrust maneuvers.

Cancer is a set of diseases whose mechanisms of emergence and growth are not completely known. Mathematical and computational models aim to contribute to a better understanding of these mechanisms in tumor dynamics. They can also be used to analyze the impact of anticancer therapeutic protocols. In this sense, we investigate a mathematical model of tumor growth dynamics from the optimal control point of view. We apply the Switching-Time-Variation method to solve the control problem and modify its implementation in order to reduce computational time. Our results show that the execution time of the adaptive method is significantly shorter, and optimal controls for the observed scenario are of the bang-bang type with administration by maximum tolerated dose. The analysis also suggests that the application of another drug capable of acting on resistant tumor cells is required.

Robotics has been expanding over last decades, employed mainly to the activities that are most harmful to human beings. Considering that welding is one of the most risky activities in industries, studies and researches in the process automation are quite important. In this context, this work contributes to the control of the velocity tracking of the displacement of a linear welding robot. The mathematical modelling of the robot is presented, and the chosen control technique is Model Reference Control, which allows project controller based on the desired behaviour for the robot. To corroborate controller effectiveness, simulation and experimental results are presented and discussed, proving that proposed technique is adequate to control the robot velocity.

In this paper were developed fast array algorithms for the linear minimum mean square error estimator for a class of Markovian jump linear systems with structured time-variant parameters. The fast array algorithms for systems with structured time-variant parameters arises as an alternative to calculate this type algorithm for some variation in the time of the parameters. Numerical example to show the advantage of using fast array algorithm to filter this class of systems are provided.

With the increasing use of equipment that demand electric drive systems, the need for new systems that meet requirements of compactness, versatility, safety and low cost has increased. The IRAM module is an electronic circuit that provides a driver for DC and AC motors, being extremely compact and presents high performance. In this context, this work contributes to the power electronics area, presenting a design and construction of a low cost drive system, based on IRAM module, developed for individual or simultaneous drive, up to two DC motors. To carry out the experiments, DC motors responsible for moving a welding robot, were used. Experimental results are presented to shown the feasibility of using this system.

In this work, two Robust Model Reference Adaptive Control (RMRAC) for grid-side current control of a static 3-wire converter with LCL filter are implemented and compared. The adaptation law used to adjust gains online is a modified Least Square (LS) algorithm. In both methods there is no need using resonant controllers to reject exogenous disturbance. Thereby, it is presented, step-by-step, how to implement both strategies, pointing out benefits and drawbacks of each technique and comparing their performance to track model reference output and robustness to deal with parametric variation of grid conditions. The performance comparison parameters considered are: THD (Total Harmonics Distortion), mean of absolute tracking error and maximum overshoot. Simulation results are presented to support the discussion.

Creativity is the tendency to create or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems. It is the ability to produce work that is both novel (i.e., original, unexpected) and appropriate (i.e., adaptive concerning task constraints). This study analyzed the effect of 2-year chess training program on the creativity of school-going children. A pretest–posttest with control group design was used. The training methodology comprised Winning Moves Chess Learning Program with the demonstration board, on-the-board playing and training, chess exercise through workbooks, and working with chess software, which was carried out by trained chess coaches. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that there was a statistically significant increase in Total Creativity observed in the experimental group compared to the control group after 2-year chess intervention and the effect size was small as assessed by Cohen’s d. It is clear that the outcome of this rigorous, yet enjoyable, training methodology was the enhanced cognitive abilities that were reflected in increased creativity scores. Improving creativity through chess intervention could lead to enhanced functioning. These increases have far-reaching benefits for academic performance and generally for life skills. Therefore, the potential educational gains of interventions are valuable and should be explored.

The purpose of this study was to explore how elderly citizens react to chess instruction. Underlying this inquiry was the belief that chess training could be useful in the care of older people by helping to maintain the cognitive vitality of seniors and reducing the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Certain findings emerged from a pilot study of a chess training intervention with elderly citizens as participants. There were 12 participants in the study. All participants were at least 65 years of age. There were seven male participants and five female participants. The chess training intervention lasted approximately three months. The intervention occurred either in a community senior center or in a community library. The intervention sessions were weekly with each session being 90 minutes in length with some lasting 2 hours. The training made extensive use of chess-related websites available on the Internet such as chess.com and lichess.org. The instruction involved the projection of a chess-related website projected onto a large classroom screen with the use of an instructor’s computer connected to a projector that projected the computer-based image onto the screen. The chess training involved instruction in chess on topics such as tactics and basic checkmates. The chess activity that the students enjoyed the most was a group activity pitting the seniors as a group against an artificial opponent available on chess.com. The seniors tended to learn at a slower pace than undergraduates whom I have taught. Also, some of the seniors were quite timid, seemingly fearful of making a mistake. Overall, the seniors enjoyed the chess training and looked forward to the training activity.

The purpose of this study was to explore how undergraduate university students react to chess instruction. Certain patterns emerged from 10 offerings of a Freshman Seminar entitled “Beginners’ Chess and 21st Century Thinking Skills”. The course enrolled only first-year and second-year undergraduate students at a large public state university in the USA. The students tended to have little or no knowledge of chess prior to the course. The course made extensive use of chess-related websites available on the Internet such as chess.com, lichess.org, and chessgames.com. The instruction involved the projection of a chess-related website projected onto a large classroom screen with the use of an instructor’s computer connected to a projector that projected the computer-based image onto the screen. The course had 10-20 students in each annual offering of the course that lasted 15 weeks. The student evaluations of the course were very positive, indicating that the students enjoyed the course very much. The course involved instruction in chess on topics such as tactics and basic checkmates along with instruction on the cognitive psychological foundations of chess on topics such as problem solving and critical thinking. The primary task in the course was that each student had to prepare a critical evaluation of two of their own chess games that included correct usage of proper algebraic notation for the chess moves. The chess activity that the students enjoyed the most was group competition.