Editor i disseny d'interiors

L’OpenGL és un motor 3D que s’utilitza com a lligam entre el software i el hardware gràfic. Actualment és una de les tecnologies més utilitzades en el disseny d’aplicacions 3D. El treball està realitzat amb el programa Visual C++, que és el més recomanat per al desenvolupament d’aplicacions OpenGL. L’objectiu principal d’aquest treball és aprendre a programar amb aquest tipus de tecnologia que no hem estudiat durant el període de carrera. Un altre objectiu del treball era trobar una funció útil i pràctica per a l’aplicació i ens vam decantar per a realitzar un editor d’habitacions per un botiga o empresa de mobles. L’usuari pot de forma molt ràpida i senzilla dibuixar com és l’habitació que vol decorar de forma totalment personalitzada. El programa li generarà l’habitació en tres dimensions i amb els materials que s’han escollit (terra, parets, portes…). Després pot editar-hi mobles personalitzats o pertanyents a la llibreria del programa. El programa incorpora també una base de dades per a l’empresa que ens portarà la gestió de clients, habitacions, textures i mobles (permet ampliar la llibreria del programa). Un cop acabada l’habitació el programa ens hi permet fer una visita de forma interactiva i generar-ne la factura entre altres funcions. La conclusió principal després d’haver acabat aquest projecte, és que a part d’haver après OpenGL, hem aconseguit realitzar una aplicació molt pràctica de cares al disseny d’interiorisme.

Physiological evaluation of heat stress in gestating sows under different housing systems in bedding and concrete floor

The purpose of this paper was to observe the use of bedding (wood shavings) in physiological variables that indicate thermal stress in gestating sows. The experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of two types of floor (concrete and wood shavings). Worse microclimatic conditions were observed in bedding systems (P<0.05), with an increase in temperature and enthalpy of 1.14 ºC and 2.37 kJ.kg dry air-1, respectively. The floor temperature at the dirty area was higher in the bedding presence in comparison to its absence. In spite of the worse microclimatic conditions in the bedding, the rectal temperature did not differ significantly (P>0.05) but the skin surface temperature was higher in the bedding systems. The same occurred with the respiratory rates. The physical characteristics of the floor material influenced the rate of heat loss by conductance. Estimated values were 35.04 and 7.99 W m-2 for the conductive heat loss between the animal and floor for treatments with or without bedding, respectively. The use of bedding in sow rearing has a negative impact on microclimatic conditions, what implies in thermoregulatory damages.

Assessment of pelvic floor by three-dimensional-ultrasound in primiparous women according to delivery mode: initial experience from a single reference service in Brazil

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes to the pelvic floor of primiparous women with different delivery modes, using three-dimensional ultrasound. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study on 35 primiparae divided into groups according to the delivery mode: elective cesarean delivery (n=10), vaginal delivery (n=16), and forceps delivery (n=9). Three-dimensional ultrasound on the pelvic floor was performed on the second postpartum day with the patient in a resting position. A convex volumetric transducer (RAB4-8L) was used, in contact with the large labia, with the patient in the gynecological position. Biometric measurements of the urogenital hiatus were taken in the axial plane on images in the rendering mode, in order to assess the area, anteroposterior and transverse diameters, average thickness, and avulsion of the levator ani muscle. Differences between groups were evaluated by determining the mean differences and their respective 95% confidence intervals. The proportions of levator ani muscle avulsion were compared between elective cesarean section and vaginal birth using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The mean areas of the urogenital hiatus in the cases of vaginal and forceps deliveries were 17.0 and 20.1 cm², respectively, versus 12.4 cm² in the Control Group (elective cesarean). Avulsion of the levator ani muscle was observed in women who underwent vaginal delivery (3/25), however there was no statistically significant difference between cesarean section and vaginal delivery groups (p=0.5). CONCLUSION: Transperineal three-dimensional ultrasound was useful for assessing the pelvic floor of primiparous women, by allowing pelvic morphological changes to be differentiated according to the delivery mode.

Anatomical and functional characteristics of the pelvic floor in nulliparous women submitted to three-dimensional endovaginal ultrasonography: case control study and evaluation of interobserver agreement

PURPOSE: To determine anatomical and functional pelvic floor measurements performed with three-dimensional (3-D) endovaginal ultrasonography in asymptomatic nulliparous women without dysfunctions detected in previous dynamic 3-D anorectal ultrasonography (echo defecography) and to demonstrate the interobserver reliability of these measurements. METHODS: Asymptomatic nulliparous volunteers were submitted to echo defecography to identify dynamic dysfunctions, including anatomical (rectocele, intussusceptions, entero/sigmoidocele and perineal descent) and functional changes (non-relaxation or paradoxical contraction of the puborectalis muscle) in the posterior compartment and assessed with regard to the biometric index of levator hiatus, pubovisceral muscle thickness, urethral length, anorectal angle, anorectal junction position and bladder neck position with the 3-D endovaginal ultrasonography. All measurements were compared at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver, and perineal and bladder neck descent was determined. The level of interobserver agreement was evaluated for all measurements. RESULTS: A total of 34 volunteers were assessed by echo defecography and by 3-D endovaginal ultrasonography. Out of these, 20 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The 14 excluded subjects were found to have posterior dynamic dysfunctions. During the Valsalva maneuver, the hiatal area was significantly larger, the urethra was significantly shorter and the anorectal angle was greater. Measurements at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver differed significantly with regard to anorectal junction and bladder neck position. The mean values for normal perineal descent and bladder neck descent were 0.6 cm and 0.5 cm above the symphysis pubis, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.62-0.93. CONCLUSIONS: Functional biometric indexes, normal perineal descent and bladder neck descent values were determined for young asymptomatic nulliparous women with the 3-D endovaginal ultrasonography. The method was found to be reliable to measure pelvic floor structures at rest and during Valsalva, and might therefore be suitable for identifying dysfunctions in symptomatic patients.

Red eyes in the necropsy floor: twenty cases of hyphema in dogs and cats

Hyphema (hemorrhage within the anterior chamber of the eye) can be caused by several mechanisms and can easily be detected in routine ophthalmic or necroscopic examination as discolored red eye(s). The purpose of this study is to report the cause of hyphema diagnosed as a postmortem finding in dogs and cats. Twenty cases, 14 dogs and six cats of several ages and breeds and of both sexes were included in the study. Hyphema presented as a unilateral (14 cases out of 20) or bilateral (6/20) disorder in dogs and cats and extension of hemorrhage varied from minimal to diffuse. Hyphema was secondary to systemic disease (15/20) or occurred as a primary ocular lesion (5/20) in four dogs and one cat. Primary hyphema was always unilateral. In four of these cases, the cause of hyphema was trauma and remaining case was caused by phacoclastic uveitis in a dog with bilateral hypermature cataract. Various causes of bleeding disorders were found related to secondary hyphema: in decreasing order of frequency, they included vasculitis (8/15), systemic hypertension (5/15), and acquired coagulopathies (2/15). Vasculitis due to feline infectious peritonitis accounted for half of the cases (n=3) of systemic hyphema in cats. The various pathological aspects and pathogenesis of hyphema in dogs and cats are described and discussed.

Four to the Floor // (Far) Below the Bassline

http://www.fanniniemi-junkola.com/oneandmany.html ja https://www.facebook.com/events/363052333825773/ (15.1.2014)

Female pelvic floor disorders – outcome after mesh-augmented procedures and studies on vaginal connective tissue

Pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), are common disorders in women. Because of the prolonged life expectancy the prevalence of UI and POP and the probability of ending up in surgery are increasing. However, the pathophysiology behind these disorders is still unsolved. The aim of this thesis is to study possible alterations in the connective tissue in the vaginal wall in patients with and without POP. The long-term outcome and complications of mid-urethral slings (MUS) and mesh-augmented POP surgery were studied in heterogenic patient populations. More elastin and a slight increase in immunostaining of type III and V collagens in tissue samples were obtained from patients with POP compared to controls in whom type I collagen was more prominent. The studies assessing the mesh-augmented procedures revealed good efficacy and high patient satisfaction after a long-term follow-up. Patients operated on because of mixed incontinence and with BMI >30 kg/m² reported significantly more urinary symptoms and a lower quality of life than the patients operated on because of stress urinary incontinence and the ones with BMI ≤30 kg/m². The objective outcome was equal between the groups. Mesh exposure through vaginal mucosa occurred in 23 % of the patients after POP surgery, most of these being asymptomatic. There are alterations in connective tissues in patients with POP. Mid-urethral sling procedures produced good long-term cure rates and patient satisfaction. As to the prolapse surgery, in spite of relatively high exposure rate, mesh-augmented procedure proved to be safe and effective method for the correction of POP.

13th Floor

The Alumni or former Faculty and Staff Lounge on the 13th floor of the Schmon Tower.

Evolution of architectural floor plans

Layout planning is a process of sizing and placing rooms (e.g. in a house) while a t t empt ing to optimize various criteria. Often the r e are conflicting c r i t e r i a such as construction cost, minimizing the distance between r e l a t ed activities, and meeting the area requirements for these activities. The process of layout planning ha s mostly been done by hand, wi th a handful of a t t empt s to automa t e the process. Thi s thesis explores some of these pa s t a t t empt s and describes several new techniques for automa t ing the layout planning process using evolutionary computation. These techniques a r e inspired by the existing methods, while adding some of the i r own innovations. Additional experimenLs are done to t e s t the possibility of allowing polygonal exteriors wi th rectilinear interior walls. Several multi-objective approaches are used to evaluate and compare fitness. The evolutionary r epr e s ent a t ion and requirements specification used provide great flexibility in problem scope and depth and is worthy of considering in future layout and design a t t empt s . The system outlined in thi s thesis is capable of evolving a variety of floor plans conforming to functional and geometric specifications. Many of the resulting plans look reasonable even when compared to a professional floor plan. Additionally polygonal and multi-floor buildings were also generated.

Analyse cinématique de la marche de travailleurs exposés à une surcharge mécanique sur l’articulation fémoro-tibiale (AF-T)

De nombreuses études concluent que la charge mécanique supportée par le genou, qu’elle soit reliée à l’obésité, aux sports intenses, à une altération biomécanique des structures de l’articulation ou à une exposition à des charges lourdes durant les activités occupationnelles, est considérée comme un facteur de risque important au développement de la gonarthrose. La gonarthrose reliée au travail a été le sujet de nombreuses études et plusieurs d’entre elles ont rapporté une prévalence accrue de la gonarthrose chez les travailleurs de certains domaines en particulier, comme la construction, la pose de plancher, la peinture, l’exploitation minière, l’agriculture et le travail en atelier et en milieu de la santé. Les personnes qui travaillent dans ces métiers sont exposées à des positions ou des activités nuisibles, comme travailler à genoux ou accroupi, monter des escaliers ou des échelles, transporter des changes lourdes et marcher de façon prolongée. Ces gestes surchargent l’articulation du genou, ce qui cause des modifications aux structures de l’articulation du genou ou aux adaptations neuromusculaires de patron de mouvement du genou. Ces modifications structurelles et adaptations neuromusculaires peuvent apporter des changements cinématiques à la marche qui peuvent initier la gonarthrose ou contribuer à sa progression. L’objectif principal de la présente étude était d’analyser l’effet d’une surcharge mécanique sur l’articulation fémoro-tibiale (AF-T) subie au travail lors d’une tâche de marche et comparer le patron cinématique de l’articulation fémoro-tibiale des travailleurs exposés à une surcharge mécanique à celui des travailleurs non exposés. Vingt-quatre travailleurs exposés à une surcharge mécanique et neuf travailleurs non exposés ont participé à l’étude. Les données cinématiques de la marche ont été enregistrées au niveau du genou dans des conditions cliniques en utilisant un système de suivi du mouvement électromagnétique. Les paramètres suivant ont été extraits et utilisés pour la comparaison des groupes : l’angle maximum lors du contact initial, l’angle ii maximum de flexion durant la réponse à la charge, l’angle minimum au moment de l’appui unipodal et l’étendue max-min du cycle. La comparaison des groupes pour les variables cliniques et cinématiques a été effectué par l’utilisation de tests-t bilatéraux (« Student-t tests ») et de tests ANCOVA utilisant le poids et la vitesse comme covariables. Les travailleurs exposés à une surcharge mécanique présentaient un plus grand angle de flexion de l’articulation fémoro-tibiale au contact initial, durant la réponse au chargement et à la phase unipodale et ils ont démontré une étendue d’angle moindre que les travailleurs non exposés. Nous croyons que les données cinématiques de la marche peuvent donner des idées sur les facteurs biomécaniques qui pourraient prédisposer les travailleurs au développement ou à la progression de la gonarthrose. Une meilleure compréhension de ces facteurs pourrait être un premier pas vers le développement d’une intervention plus efficace pour cette population.

Multi-objective assembly job shop scheduling using genetic algorithm and tabu search

Assembly job shop scheduling problem (AJSP) is one of the most complicated combinatorial optimization problem that involves simultaneously scheduling the processing and assembly operations of complex structured products. The problem becomes even more complicated if a combination of two or more optimization criteria is considered. This thesis addresses an assembly job shop scheduling problem with multiple objectives. The objectives considered are to simultaneously minimizing makespan and total tardiness. In this thesis, two approaches viz., weighted approach and Pareto approach are used for solving the problem. However, it is quite difficult to achieve an optimal solution to this problem with traditional optimization approaches owing to the high computational complexity. Two metaheuristic techniques namely, genetic algorithm and tabu search are investigated in this thesis for solving the multiobjective assembly job shop scheduling problems. Three algorithms based on the two metaheuristic techniques for weighted approach and Pareto approach are proposed for the multi-objective assembly job shop scheduling problem (MOAJSP). A new pairing mechanism is developed for crossover operation in genetic algorithm which leads to improved solutions and faster convergence. The performances of the proposed algorithms are evaluated through a set of test problems and the results are reported. The results reveal that the proposed algorithms based on weighted approach are feasible and effective for solving MOAJSP instances according to the weight assigned to each objective criterion and the proposed algorithms based on Pareto approach are capable of producing a number of good Pareto optimal scheduling plans for MOAJSP instances.

An Extension to the Tactical Planning Model for a Job Shop: Continuous-Time Control

We develop an extension to the tactical planning model (TPM) for a job shop by the third author. The TPM is a discrete-time model in which all transitions occur at the start of each time period. The time period must be defined appropriately in order for the model to be meaningful. Each period must be short enough so that a job is unlikely to travel through more than one station in one period. At the same time, the time period needs to be long enough to justify the assumptions of continuous workflow and Markovian job movements. We build an extension to the TPM that overcomes this restriction of period sizing by permitting production control over shorter time intervals. We achieve this by deriving a continuous-time linear control rule for a single station. We then determine the first two moments of the production level and queue length for the workstation.