Plataforma "Cloud Computing" per la comunicació entre pares i professors (Saas)

El projecte que es presenta a continuació és el resultat fruit de la detecció d’un problema de comunicació entre les escoles (sobretot de primària) i el pares dels alumnes que hi cursen els estudis, i la necessitat de trobar-hi una solució. Amb aquesta premissa, i tenint en compte que la tecnologia cada vegada ens ofereix més i millors eines per gestionar les nostres necessitats, es porta a terme la construcció d’un servei al núvol (Saas) capaç de cobrir aquestes necessitats i de fer-ho de la manera més senzilla i eficient possible. La plataforma Aula és un servei on tant professors com pares dels alumnes poden comunicar-se i consultar la informació referent als seus alumnes (en el cas del professors), i dels seus fills (en el cas dels pares/tutors). La solució adoptada ha de ser capaç de funcionar sobre qualsevol aparell (ordinador, tablet o mòbil) i en qualsevol lloc on hi hagi connexió a Internet. No s’ha de realitzar cap tipus d’instal·lació un cop el sistema estigui funcionant, i s’hi podran registrar tants centres com siguin necessaris, així com professionals i pares dels alumnes. També s’ha valorat el manteniment mínim del sistema i la seva escalabilitat, per poder fer front a diferents volums de dades. Així doncs, el projecte Aula es presenta com una solució per gestionar el dia a dia dels professors i alumnes, però que no pretén ser substitut de cap altre sistema de gestió que pugui tenir el centre.

Parallel declines in species and genetic diversity driven by anthropogenic disturbance: a multispecies approach in a French Atlantic dune system.

Numerous studies assess the correlation between genetic and species diversities, but the processes underlying the observed patterns have only received limited attention. For instance, varying levels of habitat disturbance across a region may locally reduce both diversities due to extinctions, and increased genetic drift during population bottlenecks and founder events. We investigated the regional distribution of genetic and species diversities of a coastal sand dune plant community along 240 kilometers of coastline with the aim to test for a correlation between the two diversity levels. We further quantify and tease apart the respective contributions of natural and anthropogenic disturbance factors to the observed patterns. We detected significant positive correlation between both variables. We further revealed a negative impact of urbanization: Sites with a high amount of recreational infrastructure within 10 km coastline had significantly lowered genetic and species diversities. On the other hand, a measure of natural habitat disturbance had no effect. This study shows that parallel variation of genetic and species diversities across a region can be traced back to human landscape alteration, provides arguments for a more resolute dune protection, and may help to design priority conservation areas.

Extension and evaluation of JXTA protocols for supporting reliable P2P distributed computing

Peer-reviewed

Efficient Peer Selection in P2P JXTA-Based Platforms

Peer-reviewed

Computing the diameter of Coxeter groups

This thesis addresses the problem of computing the minimal and maximal diameter of the Cayley graph of Coxeter groups. We first present and assert relevant parts of polytope theory and related Coxeter theory. After this, a method of contracting the orthogonal projections of a polytope from Rd onto R2 and R3, d ¸ 3 is presented. This method is the Equality Set Projection algorithm that requires a constant number of linearprogramming problems per facet of the projection in the absence of degeneracy. The ESP algorithm allows us to compute also projected geometric diameters of high-dimensional polytopes. A representation set of projected polytopes is presented to illustrate the methods adopted in this thesis.

Computing the persistent homology of range images with alpha shapes

Laser scanning is becoming an increasingly popular method for measuring 3D objects in industrial design. Laser scanners produce a cloud of 3D points. For CAD software to be able to use such data, however, this point cloud needs to be turned into a vector format. A popular way to do this is to triangulate the assumed surface of the point cloud using alpha shapes. Alpha shapes start from the convex hull of the point cloud and gradually refine it towards the true surface of the object. Often it is nontrivial to decide when to stop this refinement. One criterion for this is to do so when the homology of the object stops changing. This is known as the persistent homology of the object. The goal of this thesis is to develop a way to compute the homology of a given point cloud when processed with alpha shapes, and to infer from it when the persistent homology has been achieved. Practically, the computation of such a characteristic of the target might be applied to power line tower span analysis.

Error Modeling and Accuracy Analysis of a Novel Mobile Hybrid Parallel Robot

Over the last decades, calibration techniques have been widely used to improve the accuracy of robots and machine tools since they only involve software modification instead of changing the design and manufacture of the hardware. Traditionally, there are four steps are required for a calibration, i.e. error modeling, measurement, parameter identification and compensation. The objective of this thesis is to propose a method for the kinematics analysis and error modeling of a newly developed hybrid redundant robot IWR (Intersector Welding Robot), which possesses ten degrees of freedom (DOF) where 6-DOF in parallel and additional 4-DOF in serial. In this article, the problem of kinematics modeling and error modeling of the proposed IWR robot are discussed. Based on the vector arithmetic method, the kinematics model and the sensitivity model of the end-effector subject to the structure parameters is derived and analyzed. The relations between the pose (position and orientation) accuracy and manufacturing tolerances, actuation errors, and connection errors are formulated. Computer simulation is performed to examine the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.

A topical microemulsion for the prevention of allergic rhinitis symptoms: results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicentre, multinational clinical trial (Nares study)

Background: Since barrier protection measures to avoid contact with allergens are being increasingly developed, we assessed the clinical efficacy and tolerability of a topical nasal microemulsion made of glycerol esters in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods: Randomized, controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicentre, multinational clinical trial in which adult patients with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis due to sensitization to birch, grass or olive tree pollens received treatment with topical microemulsion or placebo during the pollen seasons. Efficacy variables included scores in the mini-RQLQ questionnaire, number and severity of nasal, ocular and lung signs and symptoms, need for symptomatic medications and patients" satisfaction with treatment. Adverse events were also recorded. Results: Demographic characteristics were homogeneous between groups and mini-RQLQ scores did not differ significantly at baseline (visit 1). From symptoms recorded in the diary cards, the ME group showed statistically significant better scores for nasal congestion (0.72 vs. 1.01; p = 0.017) and mean total nasal symptoms (0.7 vs. 0.9; p = 0.045). At visit 2 (pollen season), lower values were observed in the mini-RQLQ in the ME group, although there were no statistically significant differences between groups in both full analysis set (FAS) and patients completing treatment (PPS) populations. The results obtained in the nasal symptoms domain of the mini-RQLQ at visit 2 showed the highest difference (−0.43; 95% CI: -0.88 to 0.02) for the ME group in the FAS population. The topical microemulsion was safe and well tolerated and no major discomforts were observed. Satisfaction rating with the treatment was similar between the groups. Conclusions: The topical application of the microemulsion is a feasible and safe therapy in the prevention of allergic symptoms, particularly nasal congestion.

Parallel characterizations of a generalized shapley value and a generalized banzhaf value for cooperative games with level structure of cooperation

We present parallel characterizations of two different values in the framework of restricted cooperation games. The restrictions are introduced as a finite sequence of partitions defined on the player set, each of them being coarser than the previous one, hence forming a structure of different levels of a priori unions. On the one hand, we consider a value first introduced in Ref. [18], which extends the Shapley value to games with different levels of a priori unions. On the other hand, we introduce another solution for the same type of games, which extends the Banzhaf value in the same manner. We characterize these two values using logically comparable properties.

A Comparative Study of Desktop, Fishtank, and Cave Systems for the Exploration of Volume Rendered Confocal Data Sets

We present a participant study that compares biological data exploration tasks using volume renderings of laser confocal microscopy data across three environments that vary in level of immersion: a desktop, fishtank, and cave system. For the tasks, data, and visualization approach used in our study, we found that subjects qualitatively preferred and quantitatively performed better in the cave compared with the fishtank and desktop. Subjects performed real-world biological data analysis tasks that emphasized understanding spatial relationships including characterizing the general features in a volume, identifying colocated features, and reporting geometric relationships such as whether clusters of cells were coplanar. After analyzing data in each environment, subjects were asked to choose which environment they wanted to analyze additional data sets in - subjects uniformly selected the cave environment.

Distribuição dos Hydrozoa até agora conhecidos nas costas do Brasil

This work was done with the aim of computing all the species of Hydrozoa (Siphonophora excluded) that have been collected on the Brazilian coast, or in the pelagial, near the coast (some of the "Meteor" Stations). Nutting's (1900, 1904, 1915) and Mayer's (1910) monographs were taken as starting points and later papers and the Zoological Record used to check posterior findings. As a whole, 116 different valid names, among species and forms, have been mentioned from the Brazilian coast, distributed among 60 genera. Of the 116 species, 82 are represented by hydropolyps, 30 by hydromedusae (11 of which belong to the Trachylina and therefore lack a polypoid generation) and finally, by 4 species of which are known both polypoid and medusoid generations. The subdivision of the coast has been made at random, on account of the scarcity of the findings, except for the best known district, that goes from the latitude of Vitoria (State of Espirito Santo, at about 20ºlat.S.) to the bay of Santos (State of São Paulo, about 24ºlat.S.). The latitude of Cabo Frio (23ºlat.S.) was considered as a possible natural barrier, and the results of the global counting of the distribution of the hydropolyps North and South of 23ºlat.S. is the following: 29 species are known only North of Cabo Frio, 26 only from the same latitude (see direction of the coast, along parallel 23ºS.) or further South and 28 species are known both North and South of the coast (of these, 5 species are "cosmopolitan"). Therefore it seems quite possible that Cabo Frio really is a barrier to the distribution of 55 species. 26 species are endemic to the Brazilian coast, of these, only 5 are found both North and South of the Cape, while-14 are found only North and 7 only South. No studies can be done, on the bathymetric distribution in relation to the latitude. These results must be considered as provisory since more extensive researches will probably alter these figures. However, I believe that they are significative as a mean index of the condition of the hydrozoan fauna of the Brazilian coast. A tentative working hypothesis is presented as to the possible factors that confer such a zoogeographic importance to the region of Cabo Frio, a fact that has been foreseen by Ekman (1935, p. 73). Geographic position, currents, latitude and nature of the sea bottom between the continent and the oceanic island of Trindade have been taken in consideration, and all of them seem to be possible eficient factors of separation. Furthermore, according to the data obtained by the "Meteor" Expedition in July 2, 1926, at station 164 (23º8'lat.S. - 42º5'long.W.) and station 165 (23º35'lat.S. - 40º52'long.W.) and by what is known by hearsay and local experience of the region (exact continued study is urgently needed), it seems possible that, off from the sharp curve that the coast has at Cabo Frio, there may be an irregularity of the general scheme of the current and local upwelling may be present that would explain the local low temperature, low salinity and high density of the superficial layers as well as the abundance of fishes; these factors might contribute towards the establishement of a zoogeographical barrier. Further work is needed and nothing more than an hypothesis can be presented for the moment.

Parallel-Operating Three-Phase Voltage Source Inverters – Circulating CurrentModeling, Analysis and Mitigation

The maximum realizable power throughput of power electronic converters may be limited or constrained by technical or economical considerations. One solution to this problemis to connect several power converter units in parallel. The parallel connection can be used to increase the current carrying capacity of the overall system beyond the ratings of individual power converter units. Thus, it is possible to use several lower-power converter units, produced in large quantities, as building blocks to construct high-power converters in a modular manner. High-power converters realized by using parallel connection are needed for example in multimegawatt wind power generation systems. Parallel connection of power converter units is also required in emerging applications such as photovoltaic and fuel cell power conversion. The parallel operation of power converter units is not, however, problem free. This is because parallel-operating units are subject to overcurrent stresses, which are caused by unequal load current sharing or currents that flow between the units. Commonly, the term ’circulatingcurrent’ is used to describe both the unequal load current sharing and the currents flowing between the units. Circulating currents, again, are caused by component tolerances and asynchronous operation of the parallel units. Parallel-operating units are also subject to stresses caused by unequal thermal stress distribution. Both of these problemscan, nevertheless, be handled with a proper circulating current control. To design an effective circulating current control system, we need information about circulating current dynamics. The dynamics of the circulating currents can be investigated by developing appropriate mathematical models. In this dissertation, circulating current models aredeveloped for two different types of parallel two-level three-phase inverter configurations. Themodels, which are developed for an arbitrary number of parallel units, provide a framework for analyzing circulating current generation mechanisms and developing circulating current control systems. In addition to developing circulating current models, modulation of parallel inverters is considered. It is illustrated that depending on the parallel inverter configuration and the modulation method applied, common-mode circulating currents may be excited as a consequence of the differential-mode circulating current control. To prevent the common-mode circulating currents that are caused by the modulation, a dual modulator method is introduced. The dual modulator basically consists of two independently operating modulators, the outputs of which eventually constitute the switching commands of the inverter. The two independently operating modulators are referred to as primary and secondary modulators. In its intended usage, the same voltage vector is fed to the primary modulators of each parallel unit, and the inputs of the secondary modulators are obtained from the circulating current controllers. To ensure that voltage commands obtained from the circulating current controllers are realizable, it must be guaranteed that the inverter is not driven into saturation by the primary modulator. The inverter saturation can be prevented by limiting the inputs of the primary and secondary modulators. Because of this, also a limitation algorithm is proposed. The operation of both the proposed dual modulator and the limitation algorithm is verified experimentally.

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine for Parallel Hybrid Vehicle

The aim of this thesis is to describe hybrid drive design problems, the advantages and difficulties related to the drive. A review of possible hybrid constructions, benefits of parallel, series and series-parallel hybrids is done. In the thesis analytical and finite element calculations of permanent magnet synchronous machines with embedded magnets were done. The finite element calculations were done using Cedrat’s Flux 2D software. This machine is planned to be used as a motor-generator in a low power parallel hybrid vehicle. The boundary conditions for the design were found from Lucas-TVS Ltd., India. Design Requirements, briefly: • The system DC voltage level is 120 V, which implies Uphase = 49 V (RMS) in a three phase system. • The power output of 10 kW at base speed 1500 rpm (Torque of 65 Nm) is desired. • The maximum outer diameter should not be more than 250 mm, and the maximum core length should not exceed 40 mm. The main difficulties which the author met were the dimensional restrictions. After having designed and analyzed several possible constructions they were compared and the final design selected. Dimensioned and detailed design is performed. Effects of different parameters, such as the number of poles, number of turns and magnetic geometry are discussed. The best modification offers considerable reduction of volume.

Supermatrix-hankkeen vahvuudet, heikkoudet, mahdollisuudet ja uhat

Supermatrix on Finnet-liitto ry:n jäsenyritysten hanke, joka tuo nopeiden valokuituyhteyksien avulla erilaisia sähköisiä palveluita kuluttajien koteihin ja yritysten toimipisteisiin. Näitä palveluita ovat mm. virtualisoidut henkilö-kohtaiset tietokoneet, tiedon tallennuspalvelut ja multimediasisältö, kuten teräväpiirtotelevisio. Tässä diplomityössä arvioidaan Supermatrixin palveluiden toteutumis-mahdollisuuksia sekä teknologian, että markkinoiden kannalta. Työn tarkoituksena oli myös laskea virtualisoitujen tietokoneiden avulla tuotetun työpöytäpalvelun tuotantokustannus. Kustannuslaskentaa varten testattiin useiden valmistajien teknologioita, ja parhaimmista vaihtoehdoista laskettiin tuotantokustannukset. Tulevia Supermatrix-operaattoreita varten kehitettiin työkalu, jolla työpöytäpalvelun vaatimien investointien kannattavuus saadaan nopeasti selville. Tuotantohintojen laskelmat osoittavat, että työpöytäpalvelua on taloudelli-sesti mahdollista tuottaa luomaan lisäarvoa nopeille laajakaistayhteyksille. Yrityksissä työpöytien virtualisointi on jo tämän päivän teknologiaa, mutta kuluttaja-asiakkaiden innostuminen palvelusta vaatii uuden markkinan luomisen. Uhkana on, että kuluttajien ostokäyttäytymisen muuttaminen ei onnistu, koska Supermatrix ei tuota fyysisen tuotteen ostamisen tarjoamaa mielihyvää.