The DIADEM Software Development Methodology extended to Multimedia Interfaces

DIADEM, created by THOMSON-CSF, is a methodology for specifying and developing user interfaces. It improves productivity of the interface development process as well as quality of the interface. The method provides support to user interface development in three aspects. (1) DIADEM defines roles of people involved and their tasks and organises the sequence of activities. (2) It provides graphical formalisms supporting information exchange between people. (3) It offers a basic set of rules for optimum human-machine interfaces. The use of DIADEM in three areas (process control, sales support, and multimedia presentation) was observed and evaluated by our laboratory in the European project DIAMANTA (ESPRIT P20507). The method provides an open procedure that leaves room for adaptation to a specific application and environment. This paper gives an overview of DIADEM and shows how to extend formalisms for developing multimedia interfaces.

SQualTrack: A Tool for Robust Fault Detection

One of the techniques used to detect faults in dynamic systems is analytical redundancy. An important difficulty in applying this technique to real systems is dealing with the uncertainties associated with the system itself and with the measurements. In this paper, this uncertainty is taken into account by the use of intervals for the parameters of the model and for the measurements. The method that is proposed in this paper checks the consistency between the system's behavior, obtained from the measurements, and the model's behavior; if they are inconsistent, then there is a fault. The problem of detecting faults is stated as a quantified real constraint satisfaction problem, which can be solved using the modal interval analysis (MIA). MIA is used because it provides powerful tools to extend the calculations over real functions to intervals. To improve the results of the detection of the faults, the simultaneous use of several sliding time windows is proposed. The result of implementing this method is semiqualitative tracking (SQualTrack), a fault-detection tool that is robust in the sense that it does not generate false alarms, i.e., if there are false alarms, they indicate either that the interval model does not represent the system adequately or that the interval measurements do not represent the true values of the variables adequately. SQualTrack is currently being used to detect faults in real processes. Some of these applications using real data have been developed within the European project advanced decision support system for chemical/petrochemical manufacturing processes and are also described in this paper

Expert supervision based on cases

The paper focuses on taking advantage of large amounts of data that are systematically stored in plants (by means of SCADA systems), but not exploited enough in order to achieve supervisory goals (fault detection, diagnosis and reconfiguration). The methodology of case base reasoning (CBR) is proposed to perform supervisory tasks in industrial processes by re-using the stored data. The goal is to take advantage of experiences, registered in a suitable structure as cam, avoiding the tedious task of knowledge acquisition and representation needed by other reasoning techniques as expert systems. An outlook of CBR terminology and basic concepts are presented. The adaptation of CBR in performing expert supervisory tasks, taking into account the particularities and difficulties derived from dynamic systems, is discussed. A special interest is focused in proposing a general case definition suitable for supervisory tasks. Finally, this structure and the whole methodology is tested in a application example for monitoring a real drier chamber

Sistema automatizado de información para el Centro de Documentación Siso Martínez (CEDISIMAR).

El avance tecnológico está gestando un nuevo concepto de unidades de información que supone la desaparición progresiva de los actuales modelos caracterizados por grandes plantas físicas destinadas a atender a un significativo número de visitantes y custodiar importantes cantidades de valiosos materiales impresos. Los nuevos centros de información, investigación y documentación están llamados a satisfacer de una manera más eficiente a sus usuarios y permitirles acceder a la información de una manera más expedita y confiable. Dentro de este contexto, se ubicó el siguiente trabajo que tuvo como objetivo diseñar un software para la digitalización, ordenamiento y creación de la base de datos del Centro de Documentación del Pedagógico José Manuel Siso Martínez con el fin de optimizar la búsqueda de información, la elaboración de estadísticas y el control de procesos del mismo.

Realidad empresarial. Gobierno vs las Pymes en el uso de la información para el desarrollo administrativo internacional y logístico

En el transcurso del desarrollos de este trabajo se puede observar el análisis del Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística en Colombia (DANE), La Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales DIAN, el Departamento Nacional de Planeación DNP, La Superintendencia de Sociedades y Cámara de comercio) para entender si estas en un entorno actual a la realidad empresarial están ayudando o no a las PYMES en Colombia. Entiendo si presentan un buen servicio informativo para el apoyo estratégico y productivo desde la creación de estas mismas. Así mismo se analiza las puntos positivos y negativos que cada entidad representa hacia las PYMES y como es la percepción que las empresas tiene de las entidades gubernamentales, para lograr establecer las mejoras posibles, con el fin de manejar un mejor camino a mejorar el vínculo Logístico y administrativo en el entorno empresarial del sector privado y gubernamental.

Diagnosi basada en models tenint en compte els retards en xarxes de comunicació

Els mètodes de detecció, diagnosi i aïllament de fallades (Fault Detection and Isolation - FDI) basats en la redundància analítica (és a dir, la comparació del comportament actual del procés amb l’esperat, obtingut mitjançant un model matemàtic del mateix), són àmpliament utilitzats per al diagnòstic de sistemes quan el model matemàtic està disponible. S’ha implementat un algoritme per implementar aquesta redundància analítica a partir del model de la plana conegut com a Anàlisi Estructural

A hybrid approach of knowledge-based reasoning for structural assessment

La idea básica de detección de defectos basada en vibraciones en Monitorización de la Salud Estructural (SHM), es que el defecto altera las propiedades de rigidez, masa o disipación de energía de un sistema, el cual, altera la respuesta dinámica del mismo. Dentro del contexto de reconocimiento de patrones, esta tesis presenta una metodología híbrida de razonamiento para evaluar los defectos en las estructuras, combinando el uso de un modelo de la estructura y/o experimentos previos con el esquema de razonamiento basado en el conocimiento para evaluar si el defecto está presente, su gravedad y su localización. La metodología involucra algunos elementos relacionados con análisis de vibraciones, matemáticas (wavelets, control de procesos estadístico), análisis y procesamiento de señales y/o patrones (razonamiento basado en casos, redes auto-organizativas), estructuras inteligentes y detección de defectos. Las técnicas son validadas numérica y experimentalmente considerando corrosión, pérdida de masa, acumulación de masa e impactos. Las estructuras usadas durante este trabajo son: una estructura tipo cercha voladiza, una viga de aluminio, dos secciones de tubería y una parte del ala de un avión comercial.

Representació qualitativa asíncrona de senyals per a la supervisió de sistemes dinàmics

L'objectiu general d'aquest treball és trobar i mostrar una eina que permeti obtenir una representació dels senyals procedents de sistemes dinàmics adequada a les necessitats dels sistemes de Supervisió Experta de processos. Aquest objectiu general es pot subdividir en diverses parts, que són tractades en els diferents capítols que composen el treball i que es poden resumir en els següents punts: En primer lloc, cal conèixer les necessitats dels sistemes de Supervisió: La gran quantitat de dades que provenen dels processos fa necessari el tractament d'aquestes dades per obtenir-ne d'altres, més elaborades, amb un nivell més elevat de representació. La utilització de raonament qualitatiu, pròpia dels éssers humans, comporta la necessitat de representar simbòlicament els senyals, de traduir les dades numèriques en símbols. La Supervisió de sistemes dinàmics comporta que el temps sigui una variable fonamental, la asincronia dels esdeveniments significatius per a la Supervisió fa que les representacions més adequades i útils dels senyals siguin asíncrones. Finalment,l'ús dels coneixements experimentals en la Supervisió dels processos comporta que les representacions més naturals siguin les més útils. Aquestes necessitats fan de la representació dels senyals mitjançant episodis l'eina amb més possibilitats per assolir els objectius que es volen assolir. Per això, es presenta un formalisme que permet descriure i incloure-hi la formalització i les diferents aproximacions a aquest tipus de representació ja existents i, al mateix temps, augmentar-ne la significació a través de característiques dels senyals que no es tenen en compte en les aproximacions ja existents. El següent pas és aprofitar el nou formalisme per obtenir una nova representació amb un grau més gran de significació, cosa que s'aconsegueix representant explícitament les discontinuïtats i els períodes estacionaris o d'estabilitat, molt significatius en Supervisió de processos. Un problema sempre present en el tractament de senyals és el soroll que els afecta. Per aquest motiu es presenta un mètode que permet filtrar el soroll de manera que les representacions resultants quedin afectades el mínim possible per aquest tractament. Finalment, es presenta l'aplicació en línia de les eines descrites. La representació en línia dels senyals comporta el tractament de la incertesa inherent al coneixement parcial del senyal (un episodi no pot ser determinat i caracteritzat completament fins que no s'acaba). L'obtenció de resultats amb determinats graus de certesa és perfectament coherent amb la seva utilització posterior mitjançant Sistemes Experts o altres eines de la IA. Totes les aportacions del treball vénen acompanyades d'exemples i/o aplicacions que permeten observar-ne la utilitat i les limitacions.

Controlo de qualidade de formas farmacêuticas estéreis

Com o avanço da tecnologia cada vez mais acessível, torna-se imprescindível acompanhar este mesmo desenvolvimento e adotá-lo para a obtenção de um melhor produto. Sendo as formas farmacêuticas estéreis alvo de uma rigorosa avaliação dos seus requisitos, é uma grande vantagem conhecer quais as orientações atuais para o fabrico destes produtos. Uma vez que estamos na era da “aldeia global”, é inquestionável a necessidade de conhecer documentos de outros países, isto porque na indústria farmacêutica, tal como em muitas outras, há o objetivo de expandir a comercialização de produtos para outros países, continentes, mas há que ter em atenção que para esses países os requisitos de qualidade desses produtos podem não ser iguais aos do nosso país. Ao conhecer e aplicar os principais e mais rígidos controlos e normas, é certo que todos os outros serão cumpridos. Como principais documentos que regulam e orientam o processo de fabrico destes produtos existem as Good Manufacturing Practices, as normas da Internactional Standardization Organization e as Farmacopeias de vários países. Na indústria farmacêutica, principalmente no fabrico das formas farmacêuticas estéreis, há controlo não só do processo de fabrico e produto final, como também de todo o ambiente e intervenientes que envolvem a produção. Dentro das formas farmacêuticas em estudo encontram-se as de uso oftálmico, de aplicação nasal, de aplicação auricular e de uso parenteral. Todas estas têm o principal requisito de ser estéreis, variando nos outros parâmetros, como tonicidade e pH de acordo com a localização da administração. Os ensaios realizados tanto em In Process Control como no produto final, estão presentes nas Farmacopeias, que serão discutidos e comparados entre si.

Managing Armillaria root rot

Controlling Armillaria infections by physical and chemical methods alone is at present inadequate, ineffective, or impractical. Effective biological control either alone or in integration with another control strategy appears necessary. Biological control agents of Armillaria function by the antagonists inhibiting or preventing its rhizomorphic and mycelial development, by limiting it to substrate already occupied, by actively pre-empting the substrate, or by eliminating the pathogen from substrate it has already occupied. Among the most thoroughly investigated antagonists of Armillaria are Trichoderma species. Depending on the particular isolate of a Trichoderma species, control may be achieved by competition, production of antibiotics, or by mycoparasitism. The level of control is also influenced by the growth and carrier substrate of the antagonist, time of application in relation to the occurrence of the disease, and several environmental conditions. Among a range of the other antagonists are several cord-forming fungi and an isolate of Dactylium dendroides. Integrating biological methods with an appropriate method of chemical could control the disease more effectively. However it is essential to determine whether the antagonist or the fungicide should be applied first, and the time interval between.

Insect and bird interactions

This unique book is the first of its kind to explore the diversity of interactions between insects and birds. A group of international experts enthusiastically agreed to contribute to the four sections of the book following the success of an Entomological Club Conference on Insect and Bird Interactions. The first section covers population management issues, discussing effects on birds highly relevant to the planting of large areas of GM crops, new opportunities for increasing biodiversity in farming landscapes, and the novel aspect of managing insects by exploiting birds as biological control agents. This is followed by a section discussing the effects of insecticides on bird populations, and includes a contribution from the RSPB, as well as a re-appraisal of the effects of DDT on raptors. Next, the foraging behaviour of birds on insects is discussed, with chapters also on 'warning' coloration in insects and learning by birds. The first chapter in this section is unusual in having been written by an ophthalmologist and covers colour vision in birds, more specifically ultraviolet vision in relation to insect coloration. Finally, the authors look at insects that are parasites of birds or feed on the detritus in nests, and review the ecology and evolution of the co-adaptation of insect ectoparasites with birds. Insect and Bird Interactions is unparalleled in scope and coverage and will be of interest to entomologists, ornithologists, and ecologists alike.

Plastic films for polytunnels can prolong the effective residual life of cypermethrin to over 6 months

Synthetic pyrethroid insecticides are degraded almost entirely by ultraviolet (UV)-catalysed oxidation. A bioassay using the beetle Tribolium confusum duVal caged on bandages soaked in 0.04% a.i. cypermethrin showed large differences in residual insecticide-life under three plastic films available for cladding polytunnels. Cypermethrin exposed to a UV film that transmitted 70% of UVB and 80% of UVA killed all beetles for 8 weeks, compared to only 3 weeks for cypermethrin exposed in a clear plastic envelope. Cypermethrin under a UV-absorbing film that reduced the transmission of UVB and UVA to 14% and 50%, respectively, gave a complete kill for 17 weeks. Reducing the transmission of UVB to virtually zero, and that of UVA to only 3%, using a UV-opaque film prolonged the effective life of the cypermethrin residue to 26 weeks, and some beetles were still killed for a further 11 weeks. Even after this time, beetles exposed to cypermethrin from the UV-opaque treatment were still affected by the insecticide, and only showed near-normal mobility after 24 months of pesticide exposure to the UV-opaque film. These results have implications for the recommended intervals between cypermethrin treatment and crop harvest, and on the time of introduction of insect-based biological control agents, when UV-opaque films are used in commercial horticulture.

On-line prediction of cheese making using backscatter of near infrared indices light

The potential of a fibre optic sensor, detecting light backscatter in a cheese vat during coagulation and syneresis, to predict curd moisture, fat loses and curd yield was examined. Temperature, cutting time and calcium levels were varied to assess the strength of the predictions over a range of processing conditions. Equations were developed using a combination of independent variables, milk compositional and light backscatter parameters. Fat losses, curd yield and curd moisture content were predicted with a standard error of prediction (SEP) of +/- 2.65 g 100 g(-1) (R-2 = 0.93), +/- 0.95% (R-2 = 0.90) and +/- 1.43% (R-2 = 0.94), respectively. These results were used to develop a model for predicting curd moisture as a function of time during syneresis (SEP = +/- 1.72%; R-2 = 0.95). By monitoring coagulation and syneresis, this sensor technology could be employed to control curd moisture content, thereby improving process control during cheese manufacture. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved..

Application of near and mid-infrared spectroscopy to determine cheese quality and authenticity

This paper reviews the current state of development of both near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopic techniques for process monitoring, quality control, and authenticity determination in cheese processing. Infrared spectroscopy has been identified as an ideal process analytical technology tool, and recent publications have demonstrated the potential of both NIR and MIR spectroscopy, coupled with chemometric techniques, for monitoring coagulation, syneresis, and ripening as well as determination of authenticity, composition, sensory, and rheological parameters. Recent research is reviewed and compared on the basis of experimental design, spectroscopic and chemometric methods employed to assess the potential of infrared spectroscopy as a technology for improving process control and quality in cheese manufacture. Emerging research areas for these technologies, such as cheese authenticity and food chain traceability, are also discussed.

Use of in situ FT-Raman spectroscopy to study the kinetics of the transformation of carbamazepine polymorphs

The solid-state transformation of carbamazepine from form III to form I was examined by Fourier Transform Raman spectroscopy. Using a novel environmental chamber, the isothermal conversion was monitored in situ at 130◦C, 138◦C, 140◦C and 150◦C. The rate of transformation was monitored by taking the relative intensities of peaks arising from two C H bending modes; this approach minimised errors due to thermal artefacts and variations in power intensities or scattering efficiencies from the samples in which crystal habit changed from a characteristic prism morphology (form III) to whiskers (form I). The solid-state transformation at the different temperatures was fitted to various solid-state kinetic models of which four gave good fits, thus indicating the complexity of the process which is known to occur via a solid–gas–solid mechanism. Arrhenius plots from the kinetic models yielded activation energies from 344 kJ mol−1 to 368 kJ mol−1 for the transformation. The study demonstrates the value of a rapid in situ analysis of drug polymorphic type which can be of value for at-line in-process control.