GPU implementation of a hyperspectral coded aperture algorithm for compressive sensing

This paper presents a new parallel implementation of a previously hyperspectral coded aperture (HYCA) algorithm for compressive sensing on graphics processing units (GPUs). HYCA method combines the ideas of spectral unmixing and compressive sensing exploiting the high spatial correlation that can be observed in the data and the generally low number of endmembers needed in order to explain the data. The proposed implementation exploits the GPU architecture at low level, thus taking full advantage of the computational power of GPUs using shared memory and coalesced accesses to memory. The proposed algorithm is evaluated not only in terms of reconstruction error but also in terms of computational performance using two different GPU architectures by NVIDIA: GeForce GTX 590 and GeForce GTX TITAN. Experimental results using real data reveals signficant speedups up with regards to serial implementation.

Portuguese strategy for occupational safety and health 2008-2012 for public administration : priorites for action, progress in the implementation of the proposed measures and their impact on occupational safety outcomes

Apresentação realizada no OH&S Forum 2011 - International Forum on Occupational Health and Safety: Policies, profiles and services, na Finlândia de, 20 a 22 Junho de 2011.

Adherence to health-related behaviors: effectiveness of implementation intentions and posthypnotic suggestion in college students

Resumo: Com base no conceito de implementação de intenções (Gollwitzer, 1993, 1999) e na teoria do contexto de resposta de Kirsch & Lynn (1997), o presente trabalho testou a eficácia de uma intervenção combinada de implementação de intenções com hipnose e sugestão pós-hipnótica na promoção da adesão a uma tarefa simples (avaliação do humor) e uma tarefa difícil (actividade física). Os participantes são estudantes universitários de uma universidade na Nova Jérsia, (N=124, Estudo 1, EUA) e em Lisboa (N=323, Estudo 2, Portugal). Em ambos os estudos os participantes foram seleccionados a partir de uma amostra mais vasta baseado num escrutínio da sua sugestibilidade hipnótica avaliada por meio da Escala de Grupo de Sugestibilidade Hipnótica de Waterloo-Stanford (WSGC): Forma C. O Estudo 1 usou um desenho factorial do tipo 2x2x3 (tipo de intenção formada x hipnose x nível de sugestionabilidade) e o Estudo 2 usou um desenho factorial do tipo 2 x 2x 2 x 4 (tipo de tarefa x tipo de intenção formada x hipnose x nível de sugestionabilidade). No Estudo 1 foi pedido aos participantes que corressem todos os dias e durante três semanas durante 5 minutos, que medissem a sua pulsação antes e depois da actividade física e que mandassem um e-mail ao experimentador, fornecendo assim uma medida comportamental e uma medida de auto-relato. Aos participantes no grupo de intenções de meta foi apenas pedido que corressem todos os dias. Aos participantes no grupo de implementação de intenções foi pedido que especificasses com exactidão quando e onde iriam correr e enviar o e-mail. Para além disso, cerca de metade dos participantes foram hipnotizados e receberam uma sugestão pós-hipnótica em que lhes foi sugerido que o pensamento de correr todos os dias lhes viria à mente sem esforço no momento apropriado. A outra metade dos participantes não recebeu qualquer sugestão hipnótica. No Estudo 2 foi seguido o mesmo procedimento, mas a cerca de metade dos participantes foi atribuída uma tarefa fácil (enviar um Adherence to health-related behaviors ix SMS com a avaliação diária do seu estado de humor naquele momento) e à outra metade da amostra foi atribuída a tarefa de exercício físico atrás descrita (tarefa difícil). Os resultados do estudo 1 mostraram uma interacção significativa entre o nível de sugestionabilidade dos participantes e a sugestão pós-hipnótica (p<.01) indicando que a administração da sugestão pós-hipnótica aumentou a adesão nos participantes muito sugestionáveis, mas baixou a adesão nos participantes pouco sugestionáveis. Não se encontraram diferenças entre os grupos que formaram intenções de meta e os que formaram implementação de intenções. No Estudo 2 os resultados indicaram que os participantes aderiram significativamente mais à tarefa fácil do que à tarefa difícil (p<.001). Os resultados não revelaram diferenças significativas entre as condições implementações de intenções, hipnose e as duas estratégias combinadas, indicando que a implementação de intenções não foi eficaz no aumento da adesão às duas tarefas propostas e não beneficiou da combinação com as sugestões pós-hipnóticas. A utilização da hipnose com sugestão pós-hipnótica significativamente reduziu a adesão a ambas as tarefas. Dado que não existiam instrumentos em Português destinados a avaliar a sugestionabilidade hipnótica, traduziu-se e adaptou-se para Português Escala de Grupo de sugestibilidade hipnótica de Waterloo-Stanford (WSGC): Forma C. A amostra Portuguesa (N=625) apresentou resultados semelhantes aos encontrados nas amostras de referência em termos do formato da distribuição dos padrões da pontuação e do índice de dificuldade dos itens. Contudo, a proporção de estudantes portugueses encontrada que pontuaram na zona superior de sugestionabilidade foi significativamente inferior à proporção de participantes na mesma zona encontrada nas amostras de referência. No sentido de lançar alguma luz sobre as razões para este resultado, inquiriu-se alguns dos participantes acerca das suas atitudes face à hipnose utilizando uma versão portuguesa da Escala de Valência de Atitudes e Crenças face à Hipnose e comparou-se com a opinião de Adherence to health-related behaviors xAbstract: On the basis of Gollwitzer’s (1993, 1999) implementation intentions’ concept, and Kirsch & Lynn’s (1997) response set theory, this dissertation tested the effectiveness of a combined intervention of implementation intentions with hypnosis with posthypnotic suggestions in enhancing adherence to a simple (mood report) and a difficult (physical activity) health-related task. Participants were enrolled in a university in New Jersey (N=124, Study 1, USA) and in two universities in Lisbon (N=323, Study 2, Portugal). In both studies participants were selected from a broader sample based on their suggestibility scores using the Waterloo-Stanford Group C (WSGC) scale of hypnotic susceptibility and then randomly assigned to the experimental groups. Study 1 used a 2x2x3 factorial design (instruction x hypnosis x level of suggestibility) and Study 2 used a 2 x 2x 2 x 4 factorial design (task x instructions x hypnosis x level of suggestibility). In Study 1 participants were asked to run in place for 5 minutes each day for a three-week period, to take their pulse rate before and after the activity, and to send a daily email report to the experimenter, thus providing both a self-report and a behavioral measure of adherence. Participants in the goal intention condition were simply asked to run in place and send the e-mail once a day. Those in the implementation intention condition were further asked to specify the exact place and time they would perform the physical activity and send the e-mail. In addition, half of the participants were given a post-hypnotic suggestion indicating that the thought of running in place would come to mind without effort at the appropriate moment. The other half did not receive a posthypnotic suggestion. Study 2 followed the same procedure, but additionally half of the participants were instructed to send a mood report by SMS (easy task) and half were assigned to the physical activity task described above (difficult task). Adherence to health-related behaviors vii Study 1 result’s showed a significant interaction between participant’s suggestibility level and posthypnotic suggestion (p<.01) indicating that posthypnotic suggestion enhanced adherence among highly suggestible participants, but lowered it among low suggestible individuals. No differences between the goal intention and the implementation intentions groups were found. In Study 2, participants adhered significantly more (p<.001) to the easy task than to the difficult task. Results did not revealed significant differences between the implementation intentions, hypnosis and the two conditions combined, indicating that implementation intentions was not enhanced by hypnosis with posthypnotic suggestion, neither was effective as single intervention in enhancing adherence to any of the tasks. Hypnosis with posthypnotic suggestion alone significantly reduced adherence to both tasks in comparison with participants that did not receive hypnosis. Since there were no instruments in Portuguese language to asses hypnotic suggestibility, the Waterloo-Stanford Group C (WSGC) scale of hypnotic susceptibility was translated and adapted to Portuguese and was used in the screening of a sample of college students from Lisbon (N=625). Results showed that the Portuguese sample has distribution shapes and difficulty patterns of hypnotic suggestibility scores similar to the reference samples, with the exception of the proportion of Portuguese students scoring in the high range of hypnotic suggestibility, that was found lower than the in reference samples. In order to shed some light on the reasons for this finding participant’s attitudes toward hypnosis were inquired using a Portuguese translation and adaptation of the Escala de Valencia de Actitudes y Creencias Hacia la Hipnosis, Versión Cliente, and compared with participants with no prior hypnosis experience (N=444). Significant differences were found between the two groups with participants without hypnosis experience scoring higher in factors indicating misconceptions and negative attitudes about hypnosis.

Projeto de estruturas de um edifício em betão armado com recurso ao programa de cálculo automático ETABS

Trabalho de Projeto para obtenção do grau de mestre em Engenharia Civil

GPU implementation of the simplex identification via split augmented Lagrangian

Hyperspectral imaging can be used for object detection and for discriminating between different objects based on their spectral characteristics. One of the main problems of hyperspectral data analysis is the presence of mixed pixels, due to the low spatial resolution of such images. This means that several spectrally pure signatures (endmembers) are combined into the same mixed pixel. Linear spectral unmixing follows an unsupervised approach which aims at inferring pure spectral signatures and their material fractions at each pixel of the scene. The huge data volumes acquired by such sensors put stringent requirements on processing and unmixing methods. This paper proposes an efficient implementation of a unsupervised linear unmixing method on GPUs using CUDA. The method finds the smallest simplex by solving a sequence of nonsmooth convex subproblems using variable splitting to obtain a constraint formulation, and then applying an augmented Lagrangian technique. The parallel implementation of SISAL presented in this work exploits the GPU architecture at low level, using shared memory and coalesced accesses to memory. The results herein presented indicate that the GPU implementation can significantly accelerate the method's execution over big datasets while maintaining the methods accuracy.

Lean and quality management integration: improvement program implementation in a service company

Lean Thinking is an important pillar in the success of any program of continuous improvement process. Its tools are useful means in the analysis, control and organization of important data for correct decision making in organizations. This project had as main objective the design of a program of quality improvement in Eurico Ferreira, S.A., based on the evaluation of customer satisfaction and the implementation of 5S. Subsequently, we have selected which business area of the company to address. After the selection, there was an initial diagnostic procedure, identifying the various points of improvement to which some tools of Lean Thinking have been applied, in particular Value Stream Mapping and 5S methodology. With the first, we were able to map the current state of the process in which all stakeholders were represented as well as the flow of materials and information throughout the process. The 5S methodology allowed to act on the wastage, identifying and implementing various process improvements.

Identification of factors and groups at risk of infection with Schistosoma mansoni: a strategy for the implementation of control measures?

A fourteen year schistosomiasis control program in Peri-Peri (Capim Branco, MG) reduced prevalence from 43.5 to 4.4%; incidence from 19.0 to 2.9%, the geometric mean of the number of eggs from 281 to 87 and the level of the hepatoesplenic form cases from 5.9 to 0.0%. In 1991, three years after the interruption of the program, the prevalence had risen to 19.6%. The district consists of Barbosa (a rural area) and Peri-Peri itself (an urban area). In 1991, the prevalence in the two areas was 28.4% and 16.0% respectively. A multivariate analysis of risk factors for schistosomiasis indicated the domestic agricultural activity with population attributive risk (PAR) of 29.82%, the distance (< 10 m) from home to water source (PAR = 25.93%) and weekly fishing (PAR = 17.21%) as being responsible for infections in the rural area. The recommended control measures for this area are non-manual irrigation and removal of homes to more than ten meters from irrigation ditches. In the urban area, it was observed that swimming at weekly intervals (PAR = 20.71%), daily domestic agricultural activity (PAR = 4.07%) and the absence of drinking water in the home (PAR=4.29%) were responsible for infections. Thus, in the urban area the recommended control measures are the substitution of manual irrigation with an irrigation method that avoids contact with water, the creation of leisure options of the population and the provision of a domestic water supply. The authors call attention to the need for the efficacy of multivariate analysis of risk factors to be evaluated for schistosomiasis prior to its large scale use as a indicator of the control measures to be implemented.

The web feature service: transaction standard: an example of prototype implementation

Trabalho de Projecto apresentado como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciência e Sistemas de Informação Geográfica

Vertex component analysis GPU-based implementation for hyperspectral unmixing

Endmember extraction (EE) is a fundamental and crucial task in hyperspectral unmixing. Among other methods vertex component analysis ( VCA) has become a very popular and useful tool to unmix hyperspectral data. VCA is a geometrical based method that extracts endmember signatures from large hyperspectral datasets without the use of any a priori knowledge about the constituent spectra. Many Hyperspectral imagery applications require a response in real time or near-real time. Thus, to met this requirement this paper proposes a parallel implementation of VCA developed for graphics processing units. The impact on the complexity and on the accuracy of the proposed parallel implementation of VCA is examined using both simulated and real hyperspectral datasets.

Virtual Power Player Using Demand Response to Deal with Unexpected Low Wind Power Generation

Demand response is assumed as an essential resource to fully achieve the smart grids operating benefits, namely in the context of competitive markets and of the increasing use of renewable-based energy sources. Some advantages of Demand Response (DR) programs and of smart grids can only be achieved through the implementation of Real Time Pricing (RTP). The integration of the expected increasing amounts of distributed energy resources, as well as new players, requires new approaches for the changing operation of power systems. The methodology proposed in this paper aims the minimization of the operation costs in a distribution network operated by a virtual power player that manages the available energy resources focusing on hour ahead re-scheduling. When facing lower wind power generation than expected from day ahead forecast, demand response is used in order to minimize the impacts of such wind availability change. In this way, consumers actively participate in regulation up and spinning reserve ancillary services through demand response programs. Real time pricing is also applied. The proposed model is especially useful when actual and day ahead wind forecast differ significantly. Its application is illustrated in this paper implementing the characteristics of a real resources conditions scenario in a 33 bus distribution network with 32 consumers and 66 distributed generators.

Designing a technology assessment post-graduation programme: experiences, limits and needs

The post-graduation in the field of Technology Assessment (TA) is recent and that are several and different ways to be organised. Most experiences are related with the Masters diplom level (2nd cycle of graduation in high education). Just one in PhD level is explicit in the field of TA, and some other PhD courses include also TA topics in their programme structure. In this chapter we will analyse the problems related with the design of a post-graduation (MA, MSc or PhD) programme in the field of TA using as reference some international experiences. Hereby, the main conclusion seems to address labour market needs in the specialised knowledge of TA, of technology management or technology innovation. In this sense TA should be included as “minor” into post-graduation courses which may range from engineering disciplines to social sciences. As a graduation programme it can fill an expertise gap between technicians, engineers, scientists and the strategic decision makers or policy makers.

Designing a technology assessment post-graduation programme: experiences, limits and needs

IET Working Papers Series No. WPS09/2010

Modelling of the kinetics of municipal solid waste composting in full-scale mechanical-biological treatment plants

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sanitary Engineering in the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the New University of Lisbon

Paralisia cerebral na Região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo : factores de risco : caracterização multidimensional : inclusão escolar

RESUMO - A Paralisia Cerebral (PC) deve ser olhada como uma patologia do neurodesenvolvimento: a infância é um período de actividade exploratória por essência, a restrição motora condiciona as várias áreas do desenvolvimento. Contextos, apoios, oportunidades e experiências de vida serão determinantes no desenvolvimento de todo o seu potencial. Objectivos/finalidade: Identificar, descrever, comparar e analisar factores de risco associados à PC, sua caracterização multidimensional e integração escolar aos 5 e 10 anos. Procurou‐se contribuir para a sua prevenção primária e secundária, e obter dados para planeamento e implementação dos programas de apoio. Métodos: Adoptou‐se a abordagem do Programa Nacional de Vigilância da Paralisia Cerebral (PNVPC) e da Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE). Analisaram‐se factores de risco, competências funcionais, défices associados, severidade e integração escolar de duas populações de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, (nascimento 1996/1997‐2001/2002 e prevalência aos 5 e 10 anos). Descreveram‐se os dados, efectuaram‐se correlações, aplicaram‐se testes de independência e compararam‐se com dados dos nadovivos, dados nacionais e europeus. Analisaram‐se os factores que influenciaram a integração escolar através de métodos de regressão logística. Resultados/Conclusões/Recomendações: 1,65‰ e 1,57‰ dos nadovivos desenvolveram PC; a prevalência aos 5 anos foi de 1,7‰ e de 1,48‰; 5,9% e 7,9% faleceram antes dos 5 anos. Em 2001/2002 verificou‐se aumento de: PC espástica bilateral‐2/3membros, prematuridade, causa pos‐neonatal, níveis funcionais ligeiros e graves; percentil estaturo‐ponderal <3 (5‐anos). Diminuição de: disquinésia, anóxia e alguns défices associados. Destacaram‐se as associação: prematuridade e PC espástica bilateral‐ 2/3membros; nascer de termo e anóxia, disquinésia, primíparas, défices associados e severidade; infecção pré‐natal e QI<50, epilepsia e severidade; causa pos‐neonatal e PC espástica bilateral‐4membros e múltiplos défices. Aos 5 anos, as variáveis explicativas para a não inclusão escolar foram: QI<50 e epilepsia; uma elevada percentagem de crianças com PC moderada/grave encontrava‐se integrada; 75% das que se encontravam desintegradas mantiveram‐se nesta situação aos 10. Nesta idade, as variáveis explicativas para a não inclusão escolar foram: QI<50 e motricidade fina; 35,1% encontrava‐se fora do ensino regular; 4,5%, embora em idade de escolaridade obrigatória, não frequentavam qualquer estabelecimento escolar. Informação sistematizada, abrangente, objectiva, simples e acessível, sobre novos casos de PC, factores de risco, prevalência em idades‐chave e caracterização multidimensional constitui uma ferramenta clínica e epidemiológica, que deve sustentar as políticas de saúde, educacionais e sociais, contribuindo para a permanência destas crianças no ensino regular, trazendo às crianças e famílias o suporte que as encorajem e sustentem nestes processos. ABSTRACT ------- Cerebral Palsy (CP) must be recognized as a neurodevelopmental disorder: childhood is, on its nature, a period for exploring the environment and therefore motor deficit interferes with all developmental areas. The context, support, opportunities and life experiences are determinants for the development of his full potential. Objective/Aim: To identify, describe, compare and analyze CP risk factors the multidimensional characterization and school integration levels at the age of 5 and 10 years. We aim to contribute to CP primary and secondary prevention and provide information for service planning and implementation of support programs. Methods: The approach of National Cerebral Palsy Surveillance Programme (NCPSP) and Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) were used. For two groups of children from Lisboa e Vale do Tejo region, birth data 1996/1997‐2001/2002 and prevalence at 5 and 10 years, were analyzed: CP risk factors, functional ability, associated impairments, severity and school integration settings. Data collected was described, analyzed using correlations, applied tests of independence and compared with new born data, national data and european data. To analyze the factors related to school inclusive settings, logistic regression was appealed. Results/Conclusions/Recommendations: 1,65% and 1,57‰ of the new‐born alive developed CP. The prevalence at 5 years was 1,7‰ and 1,48‰ 5,9% and 7,9% died before their 5th birthday. Bilateral spastic CP 2/3limb, preterm birth, cases of post‐neonatal origin, mild and sever functional impairment; weight and height percentile <3 at 5 years old Increased in 2001. Decreased dyskinetic CP, anoxia and some additional imparments. Were identified among other the association between prematurity and spastic bilateral CP‐2/3 members; born at term and anoxia, dyskinetic CP, first child, associated impairments and severity; prenatal infection and IQ<50, epilepsy and severity; post‐neonatal cause and spastic bilateral CP‐4 members and associated impairments. At 5‐years‐old the more explanatory variables for not be in a school inclusive settings were IQ<50 and epilepsy, a high percentage of children with moderate/severe CP was attending regular school, but most children who were out of inclusive settings at 5 years continue on this situations at 10‐years‐old. At this age the more explanatory variables for not be in a school inclusive settings were: IQ<50 and upper limb function; 35,1% were out of regular school; 4,5%, even in compulsory school age, are out of school. Standardized comprehensive, objective, simple and accessible information about CP new cases, risk factors, prevalence in the key‐age and children multidimensional characterization constitutes a clinical and epidemiological tool that should sustain health, educational and social policy. This would support the continuity of these children in regular schools, encouraging g them and their families in these processes.

Implementation of the RIF-PRD

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática