Reliability evaluation of distribution systems considering automatic reclosers

This paper presents a new methodology to evaluate in a predictive way the reliability of distribution systems, considering the impact of automatic recloser switches. The developed algorithm is based on state enumeration techniques with Markovian models and on the minimal cut set theory. Some computational aspects related with the implementation of the proposed algorithm in typical distribution networks are also discussed. The description of the proposed approach is carried out using a sample test system. The results obtained with a typical configuration of a Brazilian system (EDP Bandeirante Energia S.A.) are presented and discussed.

Search for scalar neutrino superpartners in e+mu final states in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

We report a search for R-parity-violating production and decay of sneutrino particles in the eμ final state with 1.04±0.06fb-1 of data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider in 2002-2006. Good agreement between the data and the standard model prediction is observed. With no evidence for new physics, we set limits on the R-parity-violating couplings λ311′ and λ312 as a function of the sneutrino mass. © 2008 The American Physical Society.

Fuzzy environmental quality index

This paper presents the construction of a fuzzy environmental quality index for decision support in municipal environmental management. Five groups of indicators were selected in order to obtain an equation that best represented reality in terms of environmental quality. The calculation was carried out using fuzzy mathematical concepts, with the aid of the package Fuzzy Logical Toolbox 2.1 for Matlab ® 6.1, which provides functions and some applications of the theory of fuzzy sets. The work seeks to create a method of inference concerning the nature of urban areas that are unsustainable with respect to the environment, an issue that is often relegated to the background during public policy discussions. The development of this index, together with its implementation and dissemination, could improve public awareness of environmental issues, and promote mobilization towards the use of best practices in local development. © 2010 IEEE.

Improving accuracy and speed of optimum-path forest classifier using combination of disjoint training subsets

The Optimum-Path Forest (OPF) classifier is a recent and promising method for pattern recognition, with a fast training algorithm and good accuracy results. Therefore, the investigation of a combining method for this kind of classifier can be important for many applications. In this paper we report a fast method to combine OPF-based classifiers trained with disjoint training subsets. Given a fixed number of subsets, the algorithm chooses random samples, without replacement, from the original training set. Each subset accuracy is improved by a learning procedure. The final decision is given by majority vote. Experiments with simulated and real data sets showed that the proposed combining method is more efficient and effective than naive approach provided some conditions. It was also showed that OPF training step runs faster for a series of small subsets than for the whole training set. The combining scheme was also designed to support parallel or distributed processing, speeding up the procedure even more. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.

Application of an iterative method and an evolutionary algorithm in fuzzy optimization

This work develops two approaches based on the fuzzy set theory to solve a class of fuzzy mathematical optimization problems with uncertainties in the objective function and in the set of constraints. The first approach is an adaptation of an iterative method that obtains cut levels and later maximizes the membership function of fuzzy decision making using the bound search method. The second one is a metaheuristic approach that adapts a standard genetic algorithm to use fuzzy numbers. Both approaches use a decision criterion called satisfaction level that reaches the best solution in the uncertain environment. Selected examples from the literature are presented to compare and to validate the efficiency of the methods addressed, emphasizing the fuzzy optimization problem in some import-export companies in the south of Spain. © 2012 Brazilian Operations Research Society.

Selecting green suppliers based on GSCM practices: Using fuzzy TOPSIS applied to a Brazilian electronics company

Due to an increased awareness and significant environmental pressures from various stakeholders, companies have begun to realize the significance of incorporating green practices into their daily activities. This paper proposes a framework using Fuzzy TOPSIS to select green suppliers for a Brazilian electronics company; our framework is built on the criteria of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices. An empirical analysis is made, and the data are collected from a set of 12 available suppliers. We use a fuzzy TOPSIS approach to rank the suppliers, and the results of the proposed framework are compared with the ranks obtained by both the geometric mean and the graded mean methods of fuzzy TOPSIS methodology. Then a Spearman rank correlation coefficient is used to find the statistical difference between the ranks obtained by the three methods. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to examine the influence of the preferences given by the decision makers for the chosen GSCM practices on the selection of green suppliers. Results indicate that the four dominant criteria are Commitment of senior management to GSCM; Product designs that reduce, reuse, recycle, or reclaim materials, components, or energy; Compliance with legal environmental requirements and auditing programs; and Product designs that avoid or reduce toxic or hazardous material use. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A hybrid image restoration algorithm based on Projections onto Convex Sets and Harmony Search

Image restoration is a research field that attempts to recover a blurred and noisy image. Since it can be modeled as a linear system, we propose in this paper to use the meta-heuristics optimization algorithm Harmony Search (HS) to find out near-optimal solutions in a Projections Onto Convex Sets-based formulation to solve this problem. The experiments using HS and four of its variants have shown that we can obtain near-optimal and faster restored images than other evolutionary optimization approach. © 2013 IEEE.

Uma abordagem nebulosa de raciocínio baseado em casos para recomendação de sistemas marítimos de produção de petróleo

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Computação - IBILCE

Modelo de avaliação de impacto ambiental utilizando a teoria dos conjuntos fuzzy: um estudo de caso para a indústria automobilística

Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais - Sorocaba

Índice de sustentabilidade municipal: uma abordagem fuzzy para um sistema de apoio a decisão

Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais - Sorocaba

O poema em música e a música além do poema: estudo sobre a relação entre música e poesia em obras de Almeida Prado, Eduardo Guimarães Álvares e Harry Crowl

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Um modelo fuzzy-dea-game para estratégias de produção sob incerteza

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lógica Fuzzy aplicada à geologia

Pós-graduação em Matemática em Rede Nacional - IBILCE

Considerações históricas sobre o infinito e alguns de seus paradoxos

This research aims to elucidate some of the historical aspects of the idea of infinity during the creation of calculus and set theory. It also seeks to raise discussions about the nature of infinity: current infinite and potential infinite. For this, we conducted a survey with a qualitative approach in the form of exploratory study. This study was based on books of Mathematics' History and other scientific works such as articles, theses and dissertations on the subject. This work will bring the view of some philosophers and thinkers about the infinite, such as: Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Galilei, Augustine, Cantor. The research will be presented according to chronological order. The objective of the research is to understand the infinite from ancient Greece with the paradoxes of Zeno, during the time which the conflict between the conceptions atomistic and continuity were dominant, and in this context that Zeno launches its paradoxes which contradict much a concept as another, until the theory Cantor set, bringing some paradoxes related to this theory, namely paradox of Russell and Hilbert's paradox. The study also presents these paradoxes mentioned under the mathematical point of view and the light of calculus and set theory

Considerações históricas sobre o infinito e alguns de seus paradoxos

This research aims to elucidate some of the historical aspects of the idea of infinity during the creation of calculus and set theory. It also seeks to raise discussions about the nature of infinity: current infinite and potential infinite. For this, we conducted a survey with a qualitative approach in the form of exploratory study. This study was based on books of Mathematics' History and other scientific works such as articles, theses and dissertations on the subject. This work will bring the view of some philosophers and thinkers about the infinite, such as: Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, Galilei, Augustine, Cantor. The research will be presented according to chronological order. The objective of the research is to understand the infinite from ancient Greece with the paradoxes of Zeno, during the time which the conflict between the conceptions atomistic and continuity were dominant, and in this context that Zeno launches its paradoxes which contradict much a concept as another, until the theory Cantor set, bringing some paradoxes related to this theory, namely paradox of Russell and Hilbert's paradox. The study also presents these paradoxes mentioned under the mathematical point of view and the light of calculus and set theory