An easy-learning and easy-teaching tool for indoor thermal analysis - ArcTech

ArcTech is a software being developed, applied and improved with the aim of becoming an efficient sensitization tool to support the teaching-learning process of Architecture courses. The application deals initially with the thermal comfort of buildings. The output generated by the software shows if a student is able to produce a pleasant environment, in terms of thermal sensation along a 24-hours period. Although one can find the very same characteristics in fully-developed commercial software, the reason to create ArcTech is related to the flexibility of the system to be adapted by the instructor and also to the need of simple tools for the evaluation of specific topics along the courses. The first part of ArcTech is dedicated to data management and that was developed using the visual programming language Delphi 7 and Firebird as the database management system. The second part contains the parameters that can be changed by the system administrator and those related to project visualization. The interface of the system, in which the student will learn how to implement and to evaluate the project alternatives, was built using Macromedia Flash. The software was applied to undergraduate students revealing its easy-learning and easy-teaching interface.

Prospective analysis about the world wide strategy of commercial vehicles development

The main objective of this paper is to make a prospective analysis about the tendencies of the world wide strategies of commercial vehicles development, in relation of the current local and international scenery. It has been done a research by using the Delphi method, which consists into regulate, systematically, the presentation of questions about a specified problem to a group of specialists. In order to guarantee more representative data, it has been adopted three distinct groups: academics, OEMs managers and Tier 1 suppliers managers. The results showed that the three mentioned groups have similar opinion about the necessity of having a product development in the subsidiaries companies; also it has been pointed the necessity of having more taylor made vehicles, due to the intrinsic characteristics of this industry segment. Copyright © 2008 SAE International.

The Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Clinician rating scale (NPI-C): Reliability and validity of a revised assessment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) affect almost all patients with dementia and are a major focus of study and treatment. Accurate assessment of NPS through valid, sensitive and reliable measures is crucial. Although current NPS measures have many strengths, they also have some limitations (e.g. acquisition of data is limited to informants or caregivers as respondents, limited depth of items specific to moderate dementia). Therefore, we developed a revised version of the NPI, known as the NPI-C. The NPI-C includes expanded domains and items, and a clinician-rating methodology. This study evaluated the reliability and convergent validity of the NPI-C at ten international sites (seven languages). Methods: Face validity for 78 new items was obtained through a Delphi panel. A total of 128 dyads (caregivers/patients) from three severity categories of dementia (mild = 58, moderate = 49, severe = 21) were interviewed separately by two trained raters using two rating methods: the original NPI interview and a clinician-rated method. Rater 1 also administered four additional, established measures: the Apathy Evaluation Scale, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Index, and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Intraclass correlations were used to determine inter-rater reliability. Pearson correlations between the four relevant NPI-C domains and their corresponding outside measures were used for convergent validity. Results: Inter-rater reliability was strong for most items. Convergent validity was moderate (apathy and agitation) to strong (hallucinations and delusions; agitation and aberrant vocalization; and depression) for clinician ratings in NPI-C domains. Conclusion: Overall, the NPI-C shows promise as a versatile tool which can accurately measure NPS and which uses a uniform scale system to facilitate data comparisons across studies. Copyright © 2010 International Psychogeriatric Association.

Identificação e priorização dos fatores críticos de sucesso na implantação de fábrica digital

A Digital Factory is a concept which improves the collaboration among product development processes. Despite the benefits brought by this concept, failures may occur in its implementation. This paper aims to present the Critical Success Factors in the implementation of a Digital Factory project in a Brazilian company. These factors were identified by an exploratory survey on the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning and Product Lifecycle Management among other systems. Following this identification, the factors were prioritized using the Delphi Method and the Analytic Hierarchy Process; this evaluation was carried out by professionals from enterprises which implement Digital Factory projects, in Brazil and abroad. Nine factors were identified. The five main priorities were: Continuous Support and Commitment from Top Management; Comprehensive Business Reengineering; Skilled and Experienced Partners; Participation and Commitment of Users; and Appropriate Role of the Project Manager.

Estudio de priorización de necesidades de investigación en la industria frigorífica

Incluye Bibliografía

Escenarios futuros de políticas de vejez en República Dominicana: la persistente demanda por derechos básicos

Incluye Bibliografía

Sistema especialista para a monitoração do processo de degradação de medidores tipo indução de energia elétrica ativa

This paper presents a methodology and software for hazard rate analysis of induction type watt-hour meters, considering the main variables related with the degradation process of these meters, for the Elektro Electricity and Services SA. The modeling developed to calculate the watt-hour meters hazard rate was implemented in a tool through a user friendly platform, in Delphi language, enabling not only hazard rate analysis, but also a classification by risk range, localization of installation for the analyzed meters, and, allowing, through an expert system, the sampling of induction type watt-hour meters, based on the model risk developed with artificial intelligence, with the mainly goal of follow and manage the process of degradation, maintenance and replacement of these meters. © 2010 IEEE.

Specialist tool for monitoring the measurement degradation process of induction active energy meters

This paper presents a methodology and a specialist tool for failure probability analysis of induction type watt-hour meters, considering the main variables related to their measurement degradation processes. The database of the metering park of a distribution company, named Elektro Electricity and Services Co., was used for determining the most relevant variables and to feed the data in the software. The modeling developed to calculate the watt-hour meters probability of failure was implemented in a tool through a user friendly platform, written in Delphi language. Among the main features of this tool are: analysis of probability of failure by risk range; geographical localization of the meters in the metering park, and automatic sampling of induction type watt-hour meters, based on a risk classification expert system, in order to obtain information to aid the management of these meters. The main goals of the specialist tool are following and managing the measurement degradation, maintenance and replacement processes for induction watt-hour meters. © 2011 IEEE.

Model to design drip hose lateral line using two spacing between emitters

The use of non-pressure compensating drip hose in horticultural and annual cycle fruits is growing in Brazil. In this case, the challenge for designers is getting longer lateral lines with high values of uniformity. The objective of this study was to develop a model to design longer lateral lines using non-pressure compensating drip hose. Using the developed model, the hypotheses to be evaluated were: a) the use of two different spacing between emitters in the same lateral line allows longer length; b) it is possible to get longer lateral lines using high values of pressure variation in the lateral lines since the distribution uniformity stays below allowable limits. A computer program was developed in Delphi based on the model developed and it is able to design lateral lines in level using non-pressure compensating drip hose. The input data are: desired distribution uniformity (DU); initial and final pressure in the lateral line; coefficients of relationship between emitter discharge and pressure head; hose internal diameter; pipe cross-sectional area with the dripper; and roughness coefficient for the Hazen-Williams equation. The program allows calculate the lateral line length with three possibilities: selecting two spacing between emitters and defining the exchange point; using two pre-established spacing between emitters and calculating the length of each section with different spacing; using one emitter spacing. Results showed that the use of two sections with different spacing between drippers in the lateral line didn't allow longer length but got better uniformity when compared with lateral line with one spacing between emitters. The adoption of two spacing increased the flow rate per meter in the final section which represented approximately 80% of the lateral line total length and this justifies their use. The software allowed DU above 90% with pressure head variation of 40% and the use of two spacing between emitters. The developed model/software showed to be accurate, easy to handle and useful for lateral line design using non-pressure compensating drip hose.

Software for calculation of reservoir active capacity with the sequent-peak algorithm

It is presented a software developed with Delphi programming language to compute the reservoir's annual regulated active storage, based on the sequent-peak algorithm. Mathematical models used for that purpose generally require extended hydrological series. Usually, the analysis of those series is performed with spreadsheets or graphical representations. Based on that, it was developed a software for calculation of reservoir active capacity. An example calculation is shown by 30-years (from 1977 to 2009) monthly mean flow historical data, from Corrente River, located at São Francisco River Basin, Brazil. As an additional tool, an interface was developed to manage water resources, helping to manipulate data and to point out information that it would be of interest to the user. Moreover, with that interface irrigation districts where water consumption is higher can be analyzed as a function of specific seasonal water demands situations. From a practical application, it is possible to conclude that the program provides the calculation originally proposed. It was designed to keep information organized and retrievable at any time, and to show simulation on seasonal water demands throughout the year, contributing with the elements of study concerning reservoir projects. This program, with its functionality, is an important tool for decision making in the water resources management.

Plataforma de força para aplicações biomédicas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

LOGO2VHDL: modelos descritos em VHDL a partir da linguagem do LOGO!Soft Comfort da Siemens

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Desenvolvimento e teste de um programa computacional para simulação de plantas térmicas e de potência

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEIS

Desenvolvimento de um programa paramétrico para simulação do processo de estampagem utilizando elementos finitos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Lecciones aprendidas del Plan de Acción Regional eLAC2007

Lecciones aprendidas del Plan de Acción Regional. Presidente de El Salvador destaca el desafío de reducir la brecha digital. II Foro de Gobernanza de Internet, una visión desde la perspectiva de los gobiernos de Argentina y Brasil. Reportes de los Grupos de Trabajo eLAC2007. Monitoreo del eLAC2007 @LIS: lecciones aprendidas de cuatro años de colaboración Europa-América Latina para la Sociedad de la Información Jefes de estado y de gobierno resaltan la importancia de las TIC y el eLAC2007 para el desarrollo regional. Experiencias y planes para la inclusión digital en América Latina y el Caribe. La inversión en TIC es importante para el desarrollo económico de América Latina y el Caribe Delphi de Prioridades de Políticas eLAC: el diseño participativo de políticas para el desarrollo de sociedades de la información en América Latina y el Caribe. El Fondo de la Solidaridad Digital, ha otorgado financiamiento para dos proyectos de la región. Últimas publicaciones. Avances regionales en la generación de indicadores de acceso y uso de TIC.