Video target tracking by using competitive neural networks

A target tracking algorithm able to identify the position and to pursuit moving targets in video digital sequences is proposed in this paper. The proposed approach aims to track moving targets inside the vision field of a digital camera. The position and trajectory of the target are identified by using a neural network presenting competitive learning technique. The winning neuron is trained to approximate to the target and, then, pursuit it. A digital camera provides a sequence of images and the algorithm process those frames in real time tracking the moving target. The algorithm is performed both with black and white and multi-colored images to simulate real world situations. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, since the neurons tracked the moving targets even if there is no pre-processing image analysis. Single and multiple moving targets are followed in real time.

Clinical and microbiological evaluation of the use of toothpaste containing 1% chlorhexidine and the influence of motivation on oral hygiene in patients with motor deficiency

Patients with motor deficiency have variable difficulties with mechanical plaque control, and as a consequence, the incidence of dental caries and periodontal disease can be higher in these patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacy of a toothpaste containing 1% chlorhexidine, which was used by patients with motor deficiency for 14 days. The reduction in plaque and gingival index and the impact on salivary microorganisms was evaluated. We conclude that the motivation of caregivers to carry out oral hygiene for patients with mental and motor deficiency is of great importance and is effective in reducing the formation of plaque as long as it is continuously reinforced. The use of chlorhexidine- containing toothpaste significantly reduced the plaque index and microorganism count between days 0 and 14. A reduction was also observed in the group that used a dentifrice without the chlorhexidine, but this difference was not significant. © 2010 Special Care Dentistry Association and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Optimal contract pricing of distributed generation under a competitive framework

A bilevel programming approach for the optimal contract pricing of distributed generation (DG) in distribution networks is presented. The outer optimization problem corresponds to the owner of the DG who must decide the contract price that would maximize his profits. The inner optimization problem corresponds to the distribution company (DisCo), which procures the minimization of the payments incurred in attending the expected demand while satisfying network constraints. The meet the expected demand the DisCo can purchase energy either form the transmission network through the substations or form the DG units within its network. The inner optimization problem is substituted by its Karush- Kuhn-Tucker optimality conditions, turning the bilevel programming problem into an equivalent single-level nonlinear programming problem which is solved using commercially available software. © 2010 IEEE.

Red Light Stimulates Feeding Motivation in Fish but Does Not Improve Growth

Nile tilapia fish were individually reared under similar light levels for 8 weeks under five colored light spectra (maximum wavelength absorbance): white (full light spectrum), blue (~452 nm), green (~516 nm), yellow (~520 nm) or red (~628 nm). The effects of light on feeding, latency to begin feeding, growth and feed conversion were measured during the last 4 weeks of the study (i.e., after acclimation). We found that red light stimulates feeding, as in humans, most likely by affecting central control centers, but the extra feeding is not converted into growth. © 2013 Volpato et al.

Internacionalização de empresas produtoras de insumos básicos de países em desenvolvimento: análise das indústrias de aço e de cimento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Use of organic acids and competitive exclusion product as an alternative to antibiotic as a growth promoter in the raising of commercial turkeys

Processo FAPESP: 10/20655-3

Control of Salmonella Enteritidis in turkeys using organic acids and competitive exclusion product

Aim: To evaluate the use of organic acids (OAs) and competitive exclusion (CE) product administered continuously in the feed and transiently in drinking water on the control of Salmonella enterica subspecie enterica serotype Enteritidis (SE) prior to slaughter.Methods and Results: The influence of treatments were evaluated on pH, population of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae, concentration of volatile fatty acids and SE colonization in the crop and caecum. The birds were challenged with SE 24 h before being slaughtered, and then, the caeca and crop were removed and subjected to SE counts. Continuous administration of OAs reduced the population of bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family in both crop and caecum, positively influenced the butyric acid concentration and reduced SE colonization in the caecum. The diet supplemented with CE product positively influenced the quantity of LAB in the crop and caecum, elevated the butyric acid concentration and reduced both Enterobacteriaceae quantity and SE colonization in the caecum. There was no effect from administering the treatments via drinking water on the variables measured.Conclusions: Continuous supplementation in feed with OAs and CE product reduced SE colonization of the caeca.Significance and Impact of the Study: Supplementation of OAs and CE product in diet to turkeys can reduce the SE load, potentially leading to a lower contamination risk of meat during slaughter.

Análise dos níveis de motivação e estresse em atletas do campeonato regional de basquetebol feminino sub-21

This descriptive study aimed to investigate what changes of emotional states more sensitive to internal and external influences and to investigate the motivating factors and stressors in basketball players of a Regional Championship of the Interior . Study subjects were 56 (fifty - six) athletes, members of 05 (five) highest ranked teams in the competition. As a measuring tool used the Frester ‟sP sychicLoad Test (1972, apud SAMULSKI, CHAGAS, 1992) . Data analys used descriptive statistics. The findings showed that the facts considered as motivators during the competition were: the audience, the fact of constantly thinking on achieving the desirable aims, and the establishment of very high aims; the stressful factors were: disagreements and conflicts with the coach, partners or family, bad sleeping the night before the competition, excessive nervousness and to be prejudiced by the referees . Therefore, we can conclude: the facts that influence the interest can be of motivating or stressful order , depending on the personal and situational perception; most athletes characterized the competiti ve sport as more stressful than motivating, and this assessment influenced by constant pressure of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that athletes suffers during the competitive environment

Identificação de causas especiais no processo que aumentam a ocorrência de poro na solda de tubos de aço: aplicação etapas definir, medir e analisar do DMAIC

This work covers the methodology Six Sigma with the application of the steps Define, Measure and Analyze a company of steel tubes, with the objective of identify special causes in the process that drives the creation of the pore defect in the solder. It is highlighted the fact that this work is the base of an continuous upgrade project that aims in eliminating the occurrence of this defect. The motivation is given to the necessity of improving the productivity of the factory, considering that the defect occurs at random and your causes are unknown. This way, it was defined that the problem to analyze, measured the capability of the process in DPMO and analyzed with the aid of graph by attribute P. The results show the process that present special cases, as well as the process considered ideal, This way it was stated that in this work, the processes destabilized and the controlled, allowing a comparison of the characteristics for the elaboration of concise action plans to eliminate the defect. The project must follow the steps Upgrade and control the methodology Six Sigma, in order to ensure success in his execution, aiming to amplify the competitive edge of the business

Projeto CHRONOS - desenvolvimento e aplicação de um sistema de freios automotivo

The automobilist Market is more competitive each day, with new products developed by great technological innovations, daily challenging new concepts of Engineering. This monograph aims to explain the development of a brake system project completely, with emphasis on preliminary calculations made from a worksheet in Excel, for a better understanding of the components, which can be improved further in order to achieve the goals of company. It is through the preliminary calculations that we can have a reasonable first system estimate. The whole set is then analyzed for performance, cost and mass by competitors benchmarking. In terms of confidentiality, all data is fictional, but viable. The motivation for this study is approach an extracurricular topic, which essence is designing, base of engineering. The results obtained in software and field tests prove the validity of the study and assist in the continuous improvement of product development

Estados emocionais em professores recém-formados: análise contextual

In general, the early career is a period marked by crises. Hubermam (1992) points out that this period is considered by the teacher as one of life's most difficult professional teaching. According to Machado (2004), the physical education worked only in competitive perspective in school, does not contribute to the school to perform its social role. This approach encourages the use of stigmas, labels and prejudices, so common in school, that marginalize even more students from lower classes, and can make the sport of high performance within the school walls create students with low self-esteem and low motivation within other possible disorders . Thus, this study presents the fundamental importance to aid and support to novice teachers, so that they can understand, and address key emotional aspects that interfere in their practice. Thus, our aim was to identify the most recurrent emotional processes in novice teachers identify and also how these emotional states can influence the professional and personal attitudes of these teachers. Through a bibliographic we seek statements, reports and case studies that provide enough material to our analysis and interpretation in order to collaborate with the study area and proceed to proposals that are not unreasonable or tied to the current system. Among the emotional states reported in the literature, we highlight the main, more present and influent in the beginner teacher as listed as follow: Anxiety, Stress, Fear, Shame, Low Self Confidence and Motivation. Considering these states, Damasio (1996) reports that the United Emotional directly influenced the style and efficiency of cognitive processes, in other words, interfere with the performance of teachers in the teaching front. Thus, Machado (2006) points out that the teacher should have a set of techniques and procedures that drive their practice in a manner appropriate to the leading group. Therefore, the knowledge of Psychology of Physical...

Plano para implementação dos princípios lean manufacturing em microempresas alimentícias

Nowadays, being prepared for competition is a basic demand for companies to survive and expand their businesses, requiring more and more productivity enhancements and costs reductions without interfering in the products quality. Thus, it is very important to have a solid management system adapted to each specific market and industrial sector. With that, many companies invest in studies to optimize its processes aiming to increase production. This work has the goal to present a deployment plan to Lean Manufacturing principles on a small fast food enterprise. The methodology consisted on a bibliographic research followed by an observation of the daily reality and problems found in loco. The study showed that the Lean principles can be a competitive advantage when applying the plan on new processes and enable changes on old methods already implemented by the organization. Besides that, contribute to a productivity enhancement and consequently the employee's motivation

Typology of companies networks for competitive assessment: an application in higher education institutions

Taking into account the changes in the market scenario by virtue of globalization, Institutes of Higher Education (IES) as well as other organizations seek their competitive stability. For that reason, it is up to organizations to adopt innovative models of management for their operations aimed at improving results. Company networks consist of a model that is perfect for uniting efforts through cooperation among partners in a given business, which can involve ties of different natures. This paper shows the development and the application of an auxiliary technique to analyze the intensity, nature and importance of internal and external relations in the formation of results for a company network. For such, a multiple case study was conducted at two IES in the State of São Paulo and their networks of partners and employees in order to observe their specificities and organizational strategies. The study demonstrated the existence of specific performance criteria (pillars) for each IES and its network, resulting from its competitive reality. It reveals evidence that the education pillar is strengthened in both cases, and the research pillar is growing, although it is the weakest. The outreach pillar is the most robust in the public IES and the financial sustainability pillar is relevant for the private IES, and it was only detected in this IES.

Effect of the competition of Cu(II) and Ni(II) on the kinetic and thermodynamic stabilities of Cr(III)-organic ligand complexes using competitive ligand exchange (EDTA)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)