Avaliação do AAM - Active Appearance Model para detecção de regiões de interesse em radiografias carpais na estimativa da idade óssea através do método TW

In several areas of health professionals (pediatricians, nutritionists, orthopedists, endocrinologists, dentists, etc.) are used in the assessment of bone age to diagnose growth disorders in children. Through interviews with specialists in diagnostic imaging and research done in the literature, we identified the TW method - Tanner and Whitehouse as the most efficient. Even achieving better results than other methods, it is still not the most used, due to the complexity of their use. This work presents the possibility of automation of this method and therefore that its use more widespread. Also in this work, they are met two important steps in the evaluation of bone age, identification and classification of regions of interest. Even in the radiography in which the positioning of the hands were not suitable for TW method, the identification algorithm of the fingers showed good results. As the use AAM - Active Appearance Models showed good results in the identification of regions of interest even in radiographs with high contrast and brightness variation. It has been shown through appearance, good results in the classification of the epiphysis in their stages of development, being chosen the average epiphysis finger III (middle) to show the performance. The final results show an average percentage of 90% hit and misclassified, it was found that the error went away just one stage of the correct stage.

Estratificação de solos em camadas horizontais utilizando evolução diferencial

This work's objective is the development of a methodology to represent an unknown soil through a stratified horizontal multilayer soil model, from which the engineer may carry out eletrical grounding projects with high precision. The methodology uses the experimental electrical apparent resistivity curve, obtained through measurements on the ground, using a 4-wire earth ground resistance tester kit, along with calculations involving the measured resistance. This curve is then compared with the theoretical electrical apparent resistivity curve, obtained through calculations over a horizontally strati ed soil, whose parameters are conjectured. This soil model parameters, such as the number of layers, in addition to the resistivity and the thickness of each layer, are optimized by Differential Evolution method, with enhanced performance through parallel computing, in order to both apparent resistivity curves get close enough, and it is possible to represent the unknown soil through the multilayer horizontal soil model fitted with optimized parameters. In order to assist the Differential Evolution method, in case of a stagnation during an arbitrary amount of generations, an optimization process unstuck methodology is proposed, to expand the search space and test new combinations, allowing the algorithm to nd a better solution and/or leave the local minima. It is further proposed an error improvement methodology, in order to smooth the error peaks between the apparent resistivity curves, by giving opportunities for other more uniform solutions to excel, in order to improve the whole algorithm precision, minimizing the maximum error. Methodologies to verify the polynomial approximation of the soil characteristic function and the theoretical apparent resistivity calculations are also proposed by including middle points among the approximated ones in the verification. Finally, a statistical evaluation prodecure is presented, in order to enable the classication of soil samples. The soil stratification methodology is used in a control group, formed by horizontally stratified soils. By using statistical inference, one may calculate the amount of soils that, within an error margin, does not follow the horizontal multilayer model.

Sistemas de cálculo, análise e operação virtual: interferências de campos elétricos e magnéticos produzidas por estações radio base de acesso múltiplo por divisão de código em banda larga - WCDMA

In this work it was developed mathematical resolutions taking as parameter maximum intensity values for the interference analysis of electric and magnetic fields and was given two virtual computer system that supports families of CDMA and WCDMA technologies. The first family were developed computational resources to solve electric and magnetic field calculations and power densities in Radio Base stations , with the use of CDMA technology in the 800 MHz band , taking into account the permissible values referenced by the Commission International Protection on non-Ionizing Radiation . The first family is divided into two segments of calculation carried out in virtual operation. In the first segment to compute the interference field radiated by the base station with input information such as radio channel power; Gain antenna; Radio channel number; Operating frequency; Losses in the cable; Attenuation of direction; Minimum Distance; Reflections. Said computing system allows to quickly and without the need of implementing instruments for measurements, meet the following calculated values: Effective Radiated Power; Sector Power Density; Electric field in the sector; Magnetic field in the sector; Magnetic flux density; point of maximum permissible exposure of electric field and power density. The results are shown in charts for clarity of view of power density in the industry, as well as the coverage area definition. The computer module also includes folders specifications antennas, cables and towers used in cellular telephony, the following manufacturers: RFS World, Andrew, Karthein and BRASILSAT. Many are presented "links" network access "Internet" to supplement the cable specifications, antennas, etc. . In the second segment of the first family work with more variables , seeking to perform calculations quickly and safely assisting in obtaining results of radio signal loss produced by ERB . This module displays screens representing propagation systems denominated "A" and "B". By propagating "A" are obtained radio signal attenuation calculations in areas of urban models , dense urban , suburban , and rural open . In reflection calculations are present the reflection coefficients , the standing wave ratio , return loss , the reflected power ratio , as well as the loss of the signal by mismatch impedance. With the spread " B" seek radio signal losses in the survey line and not targeted , the effective area , the power density , the received power , the coverage radius , the conversion levels and the gain conversion systems radiant . The second family of virtual computing system consists of 7 modules of which 5 are geared towards the design of WCDMA and 2 technology for calculation of telephone traffic serving CDMA and WCDMA . It includes a portfolio of radiant systems used on the site. In the virtual operation of the module 1 is compute-: distance frequency reuse, channel capacity with noise and without noise, Doppler frequency, modulation rate and channel efficiency; Module 2 includes computes the cell area, thermal noise, noise power (dB), noise figure, signal to noise ratio, bit of power (dBm); with the module 3 reaches the calculation: breakpoint, processing gain (dB) loss in the space of BTS, noise power (w), chip period and frequency reuse factor. Module 4 scales effective radiated power, sectorization gain, voice activity and load effect. The module 5 performs the calculation processing gain (Hz / bps) bit time, bit energy (Ws). Module 6 deals with the telephone traffic and scales 1: traffic volume, occupancy intensity, average time of occupancy, traffic intensity, calls completed, congestion. Module 7 deals with two telephone traffic and allows calculating call completion and not completed in HMM. Tests were performed on the mobile network performance field for the calculation of data relating to: CINP , CPI , RSRP , RSRQ , EARFCN , Drop Call , Block Call , Pilot , Data Bler , RSCP , Short Call, Long Call and Data Call ; ECIO - Short Call and Long Call , Data Call Troughput . As survey were conducted surveys of electric and magnetic field in an ERB , trying to observe the degree of exposure to non-ionizing radiation they are exposed to the general public and occupational element. The results were compared to permissible values for health endorsed by the ICNIRP and the CENELEC .

Wam based space efficient Prolog implementation in Lisp

This thesis proposes the implementation of a space efficient Prolog implementation based on the work of David H. D. Warren and Hassan Aït-Kaci. The Common Lisp is the framework used to the construction of the Prolog system, it was chosen both to provide a space efficient environment and a rich programming language in the sense that it supply the user with abstractions and new ways of thinking. The resulting system is a new syntax to the initial language that runs on top of the SBCL Common Lisp implementation and can abstract away or exploit the underlying system.

Controladores repetitivos aplicados a filtros ativos de potência sob variações de carga e de frequência da rede

This work presents the development and modification of techniques to reduce the effects of load variation and mains frequency deviation in repetitive controllers applied to active power filters. To minimize the effects of aperiodic signals resulting from the connection or disconnection of non-linear loads is developed a technique which recognizes linear and nonlinear loads, and operates to reset the controller only when the error due to the transition of considerable value, and the transition is from non-linear to linear load. An algorithm to adapt the gain of the repetitive controller, based on a sigmoid function adaptation, in order to minimize the effects caused by random noise in the measurement system is also used. This work also analyzes the effects of frequency variation and presents the main methods to cope with this situation. Some solutions are the change in the number of samples per period and the variation of the sampling rate. The first has the advantage of using linear design techniques and results in a time invariant system. The second method changes the sampling frequency and leads to a time variant system that demands a difficult analysis of stability. The proposed algorithms were tested using the methods of truncation of the number of samples and the method of changing the sampling rate of the system to compensate possible frequency variations of the grid. Experimental results are presented to validate the proposal.

Sensoriamento óptico quase-distribuído aplicado ao monitoramento de trocadores de calor de usinas hidrelétricas

This work aims to develop optical sensors for temperature monitoring in hydroelectric power plant heat exchangers. The proposed sensors are based on the Fiber Bragg Gratings technology. First of all, a prototype with three sensors inscribed in a same fiber was developed. This fiber was then fixed to a conventional Pt100 sensor rod and inserted in a thermowell. The ensemble was then calibrated in a workbench, presenting a maximum combined uncertainty of 2,06 °C. The sensor was installed in one of the heat exchangers of the Salto Osório’s hydroelectric power plant. This power plant is situated in the Iguaçu river, at the Paraná state. Despite the satisfactory results, the sensor was improved to a second version. In this, fifteen optical Bragg sensors were inscribed in a same fiber. The fixation with a conventional sensor was no longer necessary, because the first version results comproved the efficiency and response time in comparison to a conventional sensor. For this reason, it was decided to position the fiber inside a stainless steel rod, due to his low thermal expansion coefficient and high corrosion immunity. The utilization of fifteen fiber Bragg gratings aims to improve the sensor spatial resolution. Therefore, measurements every ten centimeters with respect to the heat exchanger’s height are possible. This provides the generation of a thermal map of the heat exchanger’s surface, which can be used for determination of possible points of obstruction in the hydraulic circuit of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger’s obstruction in hydroelectric power plants usually occur by bio-fouling, and has direct influence in the generator’s cooling system efficiency. The obtained results have demonstrated the feasibility in application of the optical sensors technology in hydroelectric power plants.

Sistema de emulação de aerogeradores para aplicação em geração distribuída de energia elétrica

Power generation from alternative sources is at present the subject of numerous research and development in science and industry. Wind energy stands out in this scenario as one of the most prominent alternative in the generation of electricity, by its numerous advantages. In research works, computer reproduction and experimental behavior of a wind turbine are very suitable tools for the development and study of new technologies and the use of wind potential of a given region. These tools generally are desired to include simulation of mechanical and electrical parameters that directly affect the energy conversion. This work presents the energy conversion process in wind systems for power generation, in order to develop a tool for wind turbine emulation testing experimental, using LabVIEW® software. The purpose of this tool is to emulate the torque developed in an axis wind turbine. The physical setup consists of a three phase induction motor and a permanent magnet synchronous generator, which are evaluated under different wind speed conditions. This tool has the objective to be flexible to other laboratory arrangements, and can be used in other wind power generation structures in real time. A modeling of the wind power system is presented, from the turbine to the electrical generator. A simulation tool is developed using Matlab/Simulink® with the purpose to pre-validate the experiment setup. Finally, the design is implemented in a laboratory setup.

Análise e projeto de um conversor boost de três níveis intercalado

This paper presents the development of a boost converter with the possibility of higher gain than the conventional boost converter for applications under similar conditions and increased power. Presents the main concepts involving the boost converter and two variations: the boost converter of three levels and the boost converter interspersed with two converter cells. The breakdown mounting positions, the operating steps, the addressing and the main strengths of each converter in order to check for possible uses in the construction of a prototype joining their main advantages. In the presentation of this converter addresses the operating steps, the equation governing its design, the simulations obtained through software (PSIM), a comparison between the boost converter models studied and the experimental results.

Diagnóstico automático de eventos e distúrbios em unidades geradoras e usinas utilizando lógica fuzzy

The electric power systems are getting more complex and covering larger areas day by day. This fact has been contribuiting to the development of monitoring techniques that aim to help the analysis, control and planning of power systems. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Wide Area Measurement Systems and disturbance record systems. Unlike SCADA and WAMS, disturbance record systems are mainly used for offilne analysis in occurrences where a fault resulted in tripping of and apparatus such as a transimission line, transformer, generator and so on. The device responsible for record the disturbances is called Digital Fault Recorder (DFR) and records, basically, electrical quantities as voltage and currents and also, records digital information from protection system devices. Generally, in power plants, all the DFRs data are centralized in the utility data centre and it results in an excess of data that difficults the task of analysis by the specialist engineers. This dissertation shows a new methodology for automated analysis of disturbances in power plants. A fuzzy reasoning system is proposed to deal with the data from the DFRs. The objective of the system is to help the engineer resposnible for the analysis of the DFRs’s information by means of a pre-classification of data. For that, the fuzzy system is responsible for generating unit operational state diagnosis and fault classification.

Acousto-optic modulation of optical reflection properties in fiber Bragg gratings and the application in fiber lasers

This thesis aims to investigate the interaction of acoustic waves and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in standard and suspended-core fibers (SCFs), to evaluate the influence of the fiber, grating and modulator design on the increase of the modulation efficiency, bandwidth and frequency. Initially, the frequency response and the resonant acoustic modes of a low frequency acousto-optic modulator (f < 1.2 MHz) are numerically investigated by using the finite element method. Later, the interaction of longitudinal acoustic waves and FBGs in SCFs is also numerically investigated. The fiber geometric parameters are varied and the strain and grating properties are simulated by means of the finite element method and the transfer matrix method. The study indicates that the air holes composing the SCF cause a significant reduction of the amount of silica in the fiber cross section increasing acousto-optic interaction in the core. Experimental modulation of the reflectivity of FBGs inscribed in two distinct SCFs indicates evidences of this increased interaction. Besides, a method to acoustically induce a dynamic phase-shift in a chirped FBG employing an optimized design of modulator is shown. Afterwards, a combination of this modulator and a FBG inscribed in a three air holes SCF is applied to mode-lock an ytterbium doped fiber laser. To improve the modulator design for future applications, two other distinct devices are investigated to increase the acousto-optic interaction, bandwidth and frequency (f > 10 MHz). A high reflectivity modulation has been achieved for a modulator based on a tapered fiber. Moreover, an increased modulated bandwidth (320 pm) has been obtained for a modulator based on interaction of a radial long period grating (RLPG) and a FBG inscribed in a standard fiber. In summary, the results show a considerable reduction of the grating/fiber length and the modulator size, indicating possibilities for compact and faster acousto-optic fiber devices. Additionally, the increased interaction efficiency, modulated bandwidth and frequency can be useful to shorten the pulse width of future all-fiber mode-locked fiber lasers, as well, to other photonic devices which require the control of the light in optical fibers by electrically tunable acoustic waves.

Avaliação do comportamento ingestivo utilizando eletromiografia de superfície do músculo masseter

Physiologists and animal scientists try to understand the relationship between ruminants and their environment. The knowledge about feeding behavior of these animals is the key to maximize the production of meat and milk and their derivatives and ensure animal welfare. Within the area called precision farming, one of the goals is to find a model that describes animal nutrition. Existing methods for determining the consumption and ingestive patterns are often time-consuming and imprecise. Therefore, an accurate and less laborious method may be relevant for feeding behaviour recognition. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is able to provide information of muscle activity. Through sEMG of the muscles of mastication, coupled with instrumentation techniques, signal processing and data classification, it is possible to extract the variables of interest that describe chewing activity. This work presents a new method for chewing pattern evaluation, feed intake prediction and for the determination of rumination, food and daily rest time through ruminant animals masseter muscle sEMG signals. Short-term evaluation results are shown and discussed, evidencing employed methods viability.

Comparação do controle do inversor trifásico conectado à rede com filtro LCL considerando o amortecimento passivo e ativo

Distributed generation systems must fulfill standards specifications of current harmonics injected to the grid. In order to satisfy these grid requirements, passive filters are connected between inverter and grid. This work compares the characteristic response of the traditional inductive (L) filter with the inductive-capacitive-inductive (LCL) filter. It is shown that increasing the inductance L leads to a good ripple current suppression around the inverter switching frequency. The LCL filter provides better harmonic attenuation and reduces the filter size. The main drawback is the LCL filter impedance, which is characterized by a typical resonance peak, which must be damped to avoid instability. Passive or active techniques can be used to damp the LCL resonance. To address this issue, this dissertation presents a comparison of current control for PV grid-tied inverters with L filter and LCL filter and also discuss the use of active and passive damping for different regions of resonance frequency. From the mathematical models, a design methodology of the controllers was developed and the dynamic behavior of the system operating in closed loop was investigated. To validate the studies developed during this work, experimental results are presented using a three-phase 5kW experimental platform. The main components and their functions are discussed in this work. Experimental results are given to support the theoretical analysis and to illustrate the performance of grid-connected PV inverter system. It is shown that the resonant frequency of the system, and sampling frequency can be associated in order to calculate a critical frequency, below which is essential to perform the damping of the LCL filter. Also, the experimental results show that the active buffer per virtual resistor, although with a simple development, is effective to damp the resonance of the LCL filter and allow the system to operate stable within predetermined parameters.

Projeto, implementação e análise de um conversor CC-CC de alto ganho e alto rendimento para aplicações fotovoltaicas

In recent years the photovoltaic generation has had greater insertion in the energy mix of the most developed countries, growing at annual rates of over 30%. The pressure for the reduction of pollutant emissions, diversification of the energy mix and the drop in prices are the main factors driving this growth. Grid tied systems plays an important role in alleviating the energy crisis and diversification of energy sources. Among the grid tied systems, building integrated photovoltaic systems suffers from partial shading of the photovoltaic modules and consequently the energy yield is reduced. In such cases, classical forms of modules connection do not produce good results and new techniques have been developed to increase the amount of energy produced by a set of modules. In the parallel connection technique of photovoltaic modules, a high voltage gain DC-DC converter is required, which is relatively complex to build with high efficiency. The current-fed isolated converters explored in this work have some desirable characteristics for this type of application, such as: low input current ripple and input voltage ripple, high voltage gain, galvanic isolation, feature high power capacity and it achieve soft switching in a wide operating range. This study presents contributions to the study of a high gain and high efficiency DC-DC converter for use in a parallel system of photovoltaic generation, being possible the use in a microinverter or with central inverter. The main contributions of this work are: analysis of the active clamping circuit operation proposing that the clamp capacitor connection must be done on the negative node of the power supply to reduce the input current ripple and thus reduce the filter requirements; use of a voltage doubler in the output rectifier to reduce the number of components and to extend the gain of the converter; detailed study of the converter components in order to raise the efficiency; obtaining the AC equivalent model and control system design. As a result, a DC-DC converter with high gain, high efficiency and without electrolytic capacitors in the power stage was developed. In the final part of this work the DC-DC converter operation connected to an inverter is presented. Besides, the DC bus controller is designed and are implemented two maximum power point tracking algorithms. Experimental results of full system operation connected to an emulator and subsequently to a real photovoltaic module are also given.

Transformada wavelet aplicada a análise automática de oscilografias de curta duração em unidades geradoras

The focus of this work is the automatic analysis of disturbance records for electrical power generating units. The main proposition is a method based on wavelet transform applied to short-term disturbance records (waveform records). The goal of the method is to detect the time instants of recorded disturbances and extract meaningful information that characterize the faults. The result is a set of representative information of the monitored signals in power generators. This information can be further classified by an expert system (or other classification method) in order to classify the faults and other abnormal operating conditions. The large amount of data produced by digital fault recorders during faults justify the research of methods to assist the analysts in their task of analysing the disturbances. The literature review pointed out the state of the art and possible applications for oscillography records. The review of the COMTRADE standard and wavelet transform underlines the choice of the method for solving the problem. The conducted tests lead to the determination of the best mother wavelet for the segmentation process. The application of the proposed method to five case studies with real oscillographic records confirmed the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed scheme. With this research, the post-operation analysis of occurrences is improved and as a direct result is the reduction of the time that generators are offline.

Múltiplas antenas como alternativa para aumentar a taxa de extração de chaves secretas em redes veiculares com desvanecimento lento

The communication in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) is commonly divided in two scenarios, namely vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I). Aiming at establishing secure communication against eavesdroppers, recent works have proposed the exchange of secret keys based on the variation in received signal strength (RSS). However, the performance of such scheme depends on the channel variation rate, being more appropriate for scenarios where the channel varies rapidly, as is usually the case with V2V communication. In the communication V2I, the channel commonly undergoes slow fading. In this work we propose the use of multiple antennas in order to artificially generate a fast fading channel so that the extraction of secret keys out of the RSS becomes feasible in a V2I scenario. Numerical analysis shows that the proposed model can outperform, in terms of secret bit extraction rate, a frequency hopping-based method proposed in the literature.