The Scelidotheriinae Ameghino, 1904 (Phyllophaga, Xenarthra) from the Ensenadan-Lujanian Stage/Ages (Early Pleistocene to Early-Middle Pleistocene-Early Holocene) of Argentina Miño Boilini, Ángel Ramón; Carlini, Alfredo Armando Review of the specimens assigned to Scelidotheriinae (Phyllophaga, Xenarthra) from the Ensenadan-Lujanian Stage/Ages of Argentina, showed that two genera are recognized for this territory: Scelidotherium (Owen) and Scelidodon (Ameghino), with the following species: Scelidotherium bravardi (Lydekker), for the Ensenadan Stage/Age (Early Pleistocene to Early-Middle Pleistocene), restricted to Buenos Aires Province, and the Pleistocene of San Luis Province; Scelidotherium leptocephalum (Owen), for the Bonaerian-Lujanian Stage/Ages (Middle Pleistocene-Early Holocene), of the Buenos Aires Province, in the Lujanian Stage/Age of Salta and Córdoba Provinces; Scelidotherium sp. for the Lujanian Stage/Age of Corrientes Province, Bonaerian-Lujanian Stage/Ages of Chaco Province; Scelidodon tarijensis (Gervais and Ameghino), for the Ensenadan-Bonaerian Stage/Ages of Buenos Aires Province, in Pleistocene of Córdoba Province; Scelidodon chiliense (Lydekker) for the Lujanian Stage/Age of San Luis Province, and Scelidodon sp. for the Lujanian Stage/Age of Corrientes, Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos Provinces, and the Pleistocene of Tucumán Province.

Enseñanza de la Diversidad Vegetal en la Universidad: una nueva propuesta dinámica innovadora Galetto, Leonardo; Urcelay, Roberto Carlos; Torres, Carolina Cecilia; Nattero, Julieta; Romanutti, Alejandra Aida; Scrivanti, Lidia Raquel; Anton, Ana Maria Ramona Se implementó una propuesta didáctica innovadora para la asignatura Diversidad Vegetal II, correspondiente a la Carrera de Biología de la Universidad Nacional la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. La asignatura se desarrolló a partir de la combinación de algunos problemas y preguntas de investigación (e.g., materiales botánicos desconocidos que debieron ser caracterizados e identificados, información sobre los grupos de plantas que debió ser seleccionada y sintetizada de manera adecuada) que fueron resueltos por los alumnos, promoviéndose su participación activa en el proceso de aprendizaje. Al final del ciclo lectivo 2006 se realizó una encuesta anónima para evaluar los objetivos propuestos inicialmente y la percepción de los alumnos, y para detectar falencias en la implementación de la propuesta. La mayoría de los alumnos (78,5%) calificó como buena o muy buena la propuesta en general, y también a los trabajos prácticos (88,8%) en particular. El 85,7% de ellos consideró adecuado el modo de evaluación. El balance entre las distintas actividades fue razonable sólo para el 55,7% de los alumnos, aspecto que deberemos reconsiderar. Observamos un gran entusiasmo y motivación en los alumnos por asistir y participar en las clases, donde se sintieron estimulados para buscar información, discutirla e intentar autogestionar el conocimiento sobre plantas con la guía de los docentes.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) distribution in water column, native mussels (Brachydontes sp and Tagelus sp) and fish (Odontesthes sp) from an industrialized South American estuary Arias, Andres Hugo; Spetter, Carla Vanesa; Freije, Rubén Hugo; Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), one of the major groups of anthropogenic environmental pollutants, were firstly identified and measured in coastal waters, native mussels and fish of an industrialized South American estuary. The aim of this study was to measure the PAHs concentrations and evaluate distribution and sources in surface seawater, native mussels Brachidontes sp. and Tagelus sp.) and fish (Odontesthes sp.) from various coastal sites of the Bahı´a Blanca Estuary, in order to put the estuary in a global context and assess it ecotoxicological risk. For this, 40 samples of surface water were collected between August 2004 and February 2006 and analyzed by GC/MS for 17 PAHs, including the 16 EPA priority PAHs. In addition, main physicochemical parameters, nutrients and pigments were simultaneously obtained as key parameters to evaluate possible relationships. Finally, several native mussel communities and fish specimens were also analyzed for PAHs contents. The area of study is located at the Argentinean coast and presents an intensive human and industrial activity at the north shoreline. Total PAHs (S17 PAHs) in whole surface waters ranged from undetected to more than 4 mg/l. Seasonal PAHs levels relationship with master parameters suggested a relationship between the phytoplankton microbiological cycling and the dissolved/suspended PAHs occurrence in water. In addition, Cluster Analysis was performed to identify the homogeneous groups of individual PAHs in water and Principal Component Analysis to extract underlying common factors. The result of PCA was similar to that of the cluster analysis; both could differentiate two subsets of pyrogenic sources and a petrogenic origin. PAHs levels in indigenous mussels (Brachidontes sp. and Tagelus sp.) ranged from 348 to 1597 ng/g (dry weight). Fish specimens (Odontesthes sp.) showed a mean concentration of 1095 ng/g d.w. in whole tissues. Mussel source ratios and PCA results were in good agreement with the dominant sources assessed for water samples and further enabled the linking of PAHs origins according to the sample location. The Bahı´a Blanca Estuary wide mean of the PAHs burden in mussels showed that the average PAH contamination level was within the ??moderate?? category. Levels appeared as ecotoxicologically risk safe for the inner stations; however, they were exceeding various safety criterions at the outer. Results indicate the needing of a systematic monitoring program for the area of study, in order to provide accurately assessment and management of risks for the regional population.

Xylaria berkeleyi (Xylariaceae, Ascomycota) primera cita para la República Argentina; Xylaria berkeleyi (Xylariaceae-Ascomycota) new record from the República Argentina Hladki, Adriana Ines; Romero, Andrea Irene Hladki, Adriana I. y Romero, Andrea I. 2009. Xylaria berkeleyi (Xylariaceae, Ascomycota): primera cita para la República Argentina. Lilloa 46 (1-2). Se cita a Xylaria berkeleyi por primera vez en el país. Se describen los estromas teleomórficos y las características del cultivo en agar-avena, incluyendo ilustraciones y fotografias.; Hladki, Adriana I. & Andrea I. Romero. 2009. Xylaria berkeleyi (Xylariaceae-Ascomycota) new record from the República Argentina. Lilloa 46 (1-2). Xylaria berkeleyi is described as new record from Argentina. The strain was got for the first time. It is described on oatmeal agar.

Estado actual del conocimiento de la familia Ceratopogonidae en la Patagonia (Diptera: Nematocera); Current knowledge of the family Ceratopogonidae in Patagonia (Diptera: Nematocera) Spinelli, Gustavo Ricardo; Marino, Pablo Ignacio Ceratopogonidae incluye pequeños dípteros nematoceros que crían en hábitats acuáticos o semiacuáticos. Hasta los '80, el conocimiento de su taxonomía en la Patagonia se hallaba limitado a la contribución de los comienzos de los '30 de Ingram y Macfie, sobre la base de material capturado en 1926-27, en el área del Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi y zonas vecinas de Chile. En los últimos 25 años, se pusieron en marcha diferentes proyectos, resultando la descripción o registro de numerosos taxones para la región. Si se contabilizan los datos publicados, 102 especies habitan en la Patagonia, de las cuales 86 (84,31%) son endémicas para la región. Este alto porcentaje es evidente en los bosques de Nothofagus, con 71 especies endémicas de este bioma, nueve lo son de la estepa y seis presentan registros en bosque y estepa. Datos aún no publicados concuerdan con este esquema. Diecinueve géneros están representados en la Patagonia, diez de ellos con amplia distribución, tres de distribución transantártica y seis son endémicos para el área. Para la misma, se hallan publicadas las revisiones de Forcipomyia, Atrichopogon, Borkenthelea, Macrurohelea y Paradasyhelea; se han finalizado y aún no publicado aquellas de Dasyhelea y Palpomyia, está muy avanzada la de Stilobezzia y se prevé comenzar con las de Austrohelea, Austrosphaeromias, Physohelea y Bezzia. Se calcula que estos datos no divulgados contienen al menos 55 especies todavía no descriptas. Con respecto a los aspectos biogeográficos se pueden destacar estudios que tienden a establecer relaciones entre las áreas reconocidas en esquemas biogeográficos propuestos para la región andina.; Ceratopogonidae includes small nematoceran Diptera which breed in aquatic and semiaquatic habitats. Until the 80´s its taxonomic knowledge in Patagonia was limited to the early 30´s contribution of Ingram and Macfie, from material collected in 1926-27 in the area of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and neighboring sites of Chile. During the last 25 years several projects were performed, many new taxa were described or firstly recorded from the mentioned area. Considering the published data, 102 especies inhabit Patagonia, out of which 86 (84,31%) are endemic. This high percentage is evident in the Nothofagus forests with 71 endemic species, nine are endemic from the steppe and six occur in both biomas. Unpublished data is consistent with this squeme. Nineteen genera are represented in Patagonia, ten widely distributed, three exhibiting transantarctic distribution and six endemic of Patagonia. Revisions of Forcipomyia, Atrichopogon, Borkenthelea, Macrurohelea and Paradasyhelea for the area are published. Those of Dasyhelea and Palpomyia are finished and remain unpublished, Stilobezzia's is almost completed, and studies on Austrohelea, Austrosphaeromias, Physohelea and Bezzia will begin soon. Fifty-five undescribed species are recognized. Regarding biogeographical aspects, there are available studies aimed at establishing relationships between areas recognized in squemes of the Andean region.

A revision of the Patagonian predaceous midges of the genus Palpomyia Meigen (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Spinelli, Gustavo Ricardo; Grogan, William L.; Ronderos, Maria Marcela This revision of the predaceous midges in the genus Palpomyia Meigen inhabiting the Patagonian region of Argentina and Chile recognizes eight species, provides diagnoses, descriptions, illustrations and a key to all species, as well as new distributional records of previously described species. Four new species are described and illustrated: P. mapuche, P. marinoi, P. septentrionalis and P. yamana (spp. n.). Palpomyia patagonica Ingram and Macfie and P. subfuscula I. and M. are redescribed and illustrated, the previously unknown male of P. patagonica is described and illustrated, and P. subaspera (Coquillett) is recorded for the first time from Patagonia. Palpomyia chilensis Ingram & Macfie is transferred to Austrosphaeromias Spinelli (n. comb.)

Cultivos diseñados por ingeniería genética: Una alternativa atractiva para la producción de biocombustibles. Parte I Luciani, Gabriela Fabiana; Díaz, Marina; Martinez Macias, Félix; Salomón, Débora Gisele; Echenique, Carmen Viviana Hoy en día, herramientas como la ingeniería genética y el mejoramiento molecular han permitido modificar los cultivos. Los desafíos incluyen desde encontrar nuevos cultivos alternativos, capaces de reemplazar a la soja y el maíz en la producción de diésel y etanol, hasta modificar genéticamente los cultivos tradicionales para obtener mayor rendimiento o mejor calidad. La posición de nuestro país en la producción de los biocombustibles.

Cultivos diseñados por ingeniería genética: Una alternativa atractiva para la producción de biocombustibles. Parte II Luciani, Gabriela Fabiana; Díaz, Marina; Martinez Macias, Félix; Salomón, Débora Gisele; Echenique, Carmen Viviana En la producción de biocombustibles los desafíos son nuevos: la reducción de los costos de los pretratamientos que remueven la lignina, la producción de enzimas que convierten a la celulosa yhemicelulosas de la pared celular en azúcares, y la fermentación de los azúcares simples en etanol. Y en todos ellos, el denominador común es la reducción y/o modificación del contenido de lignina de la pared celular.

ROS production by endogenously generated Protoporphyrin IX in murine leukemia cells Diez, Berenice Andrea; Cordo Russo, Rosalia Ines; Teijo, Maria Julieta; Hajos, Silvia Elvira; Batlle, Alcira María del C.; Fukuda, Haydee Endogenous production of Protoporphyrin IX (Pp1X) is succesfully exploited for photodynamic therapy (PDT) on malignant cells, following 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) administration and light irradiation. This treatment kills cancer cells by damaging organelles and impairing metabolic pathways via cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. We studied the efficiency of Pp1X synthetized from ALA on ROS generation, in the vincristine resistant (LBR-V160), Doxorubicin resistant (LBR-D160) and sensitive (LBR-) murine leukemia cells. Cells were incubated 4hr with 1mM ALA and then irradiated during different times with flourescent light. One hour later, production of ROS was analyzed by flow cytometry using different flourescent probes: Hydroethidine (HE) for superoxide anion, 2,7 Dichlorodihydroflourescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) for hydrogen peroxide; mitochondrial damage was examined with 3,3 Dinexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DIOC6). We found that superoxide anion production in the three cell lines increased with irradiation time whereas no peroxide hydrogen was detected. Mitochondrial damage also increased in an irradiation time dependent manner, being higher in the Vincristineresistant line. Previous studies have demonstrated that apoptotic cell death increased with irradiation time, which is consistent with these results, indicating that ROS are critical in ALA-PDT efficiency to kill malignant cells.  

A Neural Network Model for Estimating the Particle Size Distribution of Dilute Latex from Multiangle Dynamic Light Scattering Measurements Gugliotta, Luis Marcelino; Stegmayer, Georgina; Clementi, Luis Alberto; González, Verónica Doris Guadalupe; Minari, Roque Javier; Leiza, José; Vega, Jorge Ruben The particle size distribution (PSD) of dilute latex was estimated through a general regression neural network (GRNN) that was supplied with PSD average diameters derived from multiangle dynamic light scattering (MDLS) measurements. The GRNN was trained with a large set of measurements that were simulated from unimodal normal-logarithmic distributions representing the PSDs of polystyrene (PS) latexes. The proposed method was first tested through three simulated examples involving different PSD shapes, widths, and diameter ranges. Then the GRNN was employed to estimate the PSD of two PS samples; a latex standard of narrow PSD and known nominal diameter, and a latex synthesized in our laboratory. Both samples were also characterized through independent techniques (capillary hydrodynamic fractionation, transmission electron microscopy, and disc centrifugation). For comparison, all examples were solved by numerical inversion of MDLS measurements through a Tikhonov regularization technique. The PSDs estimated by the GRNN gave more accurate results than those obtained through other conventional techniques. The proposed method is a simple, effective, and robust tool for characterizing unimodal PSDs.

Reversible Ion Induced Modification of Consequent Secondary Electron Emission in Porous Silicon Ruano Sandoval, Gustavo Daniel; Ferron, Julio; Koropecki, Roberto Roman We report measurements of secondary electron emission (SEE) induced by electron and ion bombardment on porous silicon (PS). We found that electron induced emission is strongly reduced by ion bombardment, and that this reduction is reversible. The reduction effect is large even for ion fluxes much lower compared to that of the electron beam.
We attribute this effect to changes in the charge distribution of the surface dipole originated in the difference between ion and electron charge deposition depths. The nanostructure of PS plays an important role in this effect as well as in the reversibility of the process. We think that this effect could be useful in the dynamic centering and monitoring of ion and electron beams in electron spectroscopy.

Effect of anthelmintics on reproductive performance and first lactation culling rate in heifers Mejía, M. E.; Perri, Adrián Francisco; Miglierina, M. M.; Formía, N.; Becu, Damasia; Lacau, Isabel María Female Holstein calves were treated with ivermectin from birth to first oestrus to study the effect of parasitic burden and anthelmintic treatment on reproductive and productive performance. First oestrus, age at first service and age at calving were advanced by 30, 70 and 110 days, respectively (P<0·05), in ivermectin-treated animals compared with controls. No significant differences were observed in the conception rate, the number of services and the characteristics of the newborn calves and any problems at calving between the two groups. Daily milk yield, fat content in milk during first lactation, and the concentrations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor type 1, insulin and prolactin in serum were similar in both groups of cows. Culling during the first lactation was more common in untreated (47 per cent) than in treated (11 per cent) cows (P<0·05).

Essential oils of plants used in home medicine in North of Argentina Dambolena, José Sebastián; Zunino, María Paula; Lucini, Enrique Iván; Zygadlo, Julio Alberto; Rotman, Alicia Dora; Ahumada, Osvaldo Héctor; Biurrum, Fernando Essential oils of the medicinal plants Satureja parvifolia, Satureja boliviana, Hyptis mutabilis, Leonorus sibiricus, Lippia turnerifolia, Xeroaloysia ovatifolia and Acantholippia salsoloides of north Argentina were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Seventy-five compounds, representing more than 90% of the oils, were identified. The oils of both populations of S. parvifolia studied were characterized by a high content of piperitone (41.9% and 46%) and piperitenone oxide (50.1% and 49.3%). The most abundant constituents identified in S. boliviana oil were iso menthone (33%) and pulegone (25.3%). Hyptis mutabilis oil was characterized by b-phellandrene (27.1%) and b-caryophyllene (59.4%). The main constituents of L. sibiricus oil were the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons b-caryophyllene (35.2%), a-humulene (22.1%) and a-cubebene (18.4%). The oils of L. turnerifolia and X. ovatifolia also had a high content of sesquiterpenes. These were a-humulene (40.1%) and b-bisabolene (22.9%) in the oil of L. turnerifolia and b-caryophyllene (14.4%), (E)-nerolidol (10.5%), spathulenol (21.6%) and epi-a-cadinol (21.9%) in the oil of X. ovatifolia. Acantholippia salsoloides oil from Jujuy accumulated high contents of p-cymene (52.8%) and thymol (46.8%), while the oil from the population of Catamarca accumulated a-thujone (98.8%) as the major compound. 

Macroporous monolithic polymers: preparation and applications Arrua, Ruben Dario; Strumia, Miriam Cristina; Alvarez Igarzabal, Cecilia Ines In the last years, macroporous monolithic materials have been introduced as a new and useful generation of polymers used in different fields. These polymers may be prepared in a simple way from a homogenous mixture into a mold and contain large interconnected pores or channels allowing for high flow rates at moderate pressures. Due to their porous characteristics, they could be used in different processes, such as stationary phases for different types of chromatography, high-throughput bioreactors and in microfluidic chip applications. This review reports the contributions of several groups working in the preparation of different macroporous monoliths and their modification by immobilization of specific ligands on the products for specific purposes.

El voto peronista en Corrientes. Análisis de las elecciones ejecutivas entre 1946 y 1955 Solís Carnicer, María del Mar El surgimiento del peronismo en la política Argentina significó una ruptura con respecto a las formas de entender y hacer política en el país. Estas transformaciones se reprodujeron en cada una de las provincias y se reflejan en los cambios que se dieron en la configuración de los partidos políticos, en la redefinición de los liderazgos y en las prácticas. La provincia de Corrientes no fue ajena a estas transformaciones a pesar de ser una provincia marcada por una larga tradición de gobiernos conservadores y el predominio de partidos provinciales tradicionales. Sin embargo, y a diferencia de lo ocurrido en otras provincias, en Corrientes el cambio se dio paulatinamente. Por ejemplo, en las elecciones de 1946 el peronismo no resulto victorioso, lo que recién ocurrirá en 1948, luego de una intervención federal. En este trabajo se busca analizar ese proceso peculiar a través del estudio de las elecciones provinciales llevadas a cabo entre 1946 y 1955. En particular, el análisis se centra en examinar la evolución y distribución del voto peronista en la provincia, las mudanzas de las preferencias del electorado provincial y la influencia del sistema electoral en el resultado de las elecciones.

Síntesis y caracterización de pinturas selectivas de Co3O4 para superficies selectivas en colectores solares de baja temperatura Gardey Merino, María Celeste; Belda, R.; Lascalea, Gustavo Enrique; Vazquez, Patricia Graciela Para aumentar el rendimiento energético de los calefones solares se recubre al colector con superficies selectivas, donde las pinturas selectivas representan una alternativa económica. El Co3O4 utilizado como pigmento en pinturas selectivas se ha obtenido por diferentes métodos, pero mediante síntesis por combustión se han encontrado pocas referencias respecto a la temática. Se obtuvieron micropartículas de Co3O4 mediante una vía de combustión. Luego, por Difracción de Rayos X se determinó la estructura cúbica del Co3O4, además, por Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido, se observó una morfología compacta y aglomeración y mediante Microscopía Electrónica de Transmisión se apreciaron tamaños de partícula de 1m aprox. La absorbancia espectral en un rango de 500 a 1100 nm de longitud de onda de las películas formadas a partir de los pigmentos de Co3O4 sobre vidrio y aluminio está entre 0.92 y 0.96 menor al obtenido para una pintura comercial que está entre 0.95 y 0.97.

Quantifying the Contribution of Organisms to the Provision of Ecosystem Services Luck, Gary; Harrington, Richard; Harrison, Paula A.; Kremen, Claire; Berry, Pam M.; Bugter, Rob; Dawson, Terence P.; de Bello, Francesco; Diaz, Sandra Myrna; Feld, Christian K.; Haslett, John R.; Hering, Daniel; Kontogianni, Areti; Lavorel, Sandra; Ronsevell, Mark; Samways, Michael J.; Sandin, Leonard; Settele, Josef; Sykes, Martin T.; van den Hove, Sybille; Wandewalle, Marie; Zobel, Martin Research on ecosystem services has grown rapidly over the last decade. Two conceptual frameworks have been published to guide ecological assessments of organisms that deliver services?the concepts of service-providing units (SPUs) and ecosystem service providers (ESPs). Here, we unite these frameworks and present an SPU-ESP continuum that offers a coherent conceptual approach for synthesizing the latest developments in ecosystem service research, and can direct future studies at all levels of organization. In particular, we show how the service-provider concept can be applied at the population, functional group, and community levels. We strongly emphasize the need to identify and quantify the organisms and their characteristics (e.g., functional traits) that provide services, and to assess service provision relative to the demands of human beneficiaries. We use key examples from the literature to illustrate the new approach and to highlight gaps in knowledge, particularly in relation to the impact of species interactions and ecosystem dynamics on service provision.

Recomendaciones para gestantes con diabetes: conclusiones del Consenso reunido por convocatoria del Comité de Diabetes y Embarazo de la SAD Faingold, María Cristina; Lamela, C.; Gheggi, María Soledad; Lapertosa, S.; Di Marco, Ingrid; Basualdo, María Natalia; Rovira, G.; Jawerbaum, Alicia Sandra; Glatstein, Lucia; López, C.; Caamaño, A.; Salcedo, L.; Rodriguez, M. E.; Alvariñas J. La diabetes gestacional es una alteración de la tolerancia a la glucosa con severidad variable que comienza o es reconocida por primera vez durante el embarazo en curso. Esta definición es válida independientemente del tratamiento que requiera, de si se trata de una diabetes previa al embarazo que no fue diagnosticada, o si la alteración del metabolismo hidrocabonado persiste al concluir la gestación. El presente trabajo, realizado por Consenso en el Comité de Diabetes y Embarazo de la Sociedad Argentina de Diabetes, actualiza los criterios diagnósticos de la diabetes gestacional, así como también el tratamiento, seguimiento y control de la patología tanto durante la gestación, como en el parto y el puerperio.

Infinite horizon MPC with non-minimal state space feedback González, Alejandro Hernán; Pérez, José; Odloak, Darci In the MPC literature, stability is usually assured under the assumption that the state is measured. Since the closed-loop system may be nonlinear because of the constraints, it is not possible to apply the separation principle to prove global stability for the output feedback case. It is well known that, a nonlinear closed-loop system with the state estimated via an exponentially converging observer combined with a state feedback controller can be unstable even when the controller is stable. One alternative to overcome the state estimation problem is to adopt a non-minimal state space model, in which the states are represented by measured past inputs and outputs [P.C. Young, M.A. Behzadi, C.L. Wang, A. Chotai, Direct digital and adaptative control by input–output, state variable feedback pole assignment, International Journal of Control 46 (1987) 1867–1881; C. Wang, P.C. Young, Direct digital control by input–output, state variable feedback: theoretical background, International Journal of Control 47 (1988) 97–109]. In this case, no observer is needed since the state variables can be directly measured. However, an important disadvantage of this approach is that the realigned model is not of minimal order, which makes the infinite horizon approach to obtain nominal stability difficult to apply. Here, we propose a method to properly formulate an infinite horizon MPC based on the output-realigned model, which avoids the use of an observer and guarantees the closed loop stability. The simulation results show that, besides providing closed-loop stability for systems with integrating and stable modes, the proposed controller may have a better performance than those MPC controllers that make use of an observer to estimate the current states.

Enlarging the domain of attraction of stable MPC controllers, maintaining the output performance González, Alejandro Hernán; Odloak, Darci This work presents an alternative way to formulate the stable Model Predictive Control (MPC) optimization problem that allows the enlargement of the domain of attraction, while preserving the controller performance. Based on the dual MPC that uses the null local controller, it proposed the inclusion of an appropriate set of slacked terminal constraints into the control problem. As a result, the domain of attraction is unlimited for the stable modes of the system, and the largest possible for the non-stable modes. Although this controller does not achieve local optimality, simulations show that the input and output performances may be comparable to the ones obtained with the dual MPC that uses the LQR as a local controller.