A Methodology for GUI Layer Redefinition Through Virtualization and Computer Vision

Nowadays despite improvements in usability and intuitiveness users have to adapt to the proposed systems to satisfy their needs. For instance, they must learn how to achieve tasks, how to interact with the system, and fulfill system's specifications. This paper proposes an approach to improve this situation enabling graphical user interface redefinition through virtualization and computer vision with the aim of increasing the system's usability. To achieve this goal the approach is based on enriched task models, virtualization and picture-driven computing.

Computer-aided recognition of dental implants in X-ray images

Dental implant recognition in patients without available records is a time-consuming and not straightforward task. The traditional method is a complete user-dependent process, where the expert compares a 2D X-ray image of the dental implant with a generic database. Due to the high number of implants available and the similarity between them, automatic/semi-automatic frameworks to aide implant model detection are essential. In this study, a novel computer-aided framework for dental implant recognition is suggested. The proposed method relies on image processing concepts, namely: (i) a segmentation strategy for semi-automatic implant delineation; and (ii) a machine learning approach for implant model recognition. Although the segmentation technique is the main focus of the current study, preliminary details of the machine learning approach are also reported. Two different scenarios are used to validate the framework: (1) comparison of the semi-automatic contours against implant���s manual contours of 125 X-ray images; and (2) classification of 11 known implants using a large reference database of 601 implants. Regarding experiment 1, 0.97��0.01, 2.24��0.85 pixels and 11.12��6 pixels of dice metric, mean absolute distance and Hausdorff distance were obtained, respectively. In experiment 2, 91% of the implants were successfully recognized while reducing the reference database to 5% of its original size. Overall, the segmentation technique achieved accurate implant contours. Although the preliminary classification results prove the concept of the current work, more features and an extended database should be used in a future work.

Projecto de execu����o de funda����es e estruturas de uma ponte em bet��o armado pr��-esfor��ado

Este Trabalho refere-se ao Projecto de Execu����o de Funda����es e Estruturas de uma Ponte Rodovi��ria em bet��o armado pr��-esfor��ado, realizado no ��mbito do Trabalho Final de Mestrado em Engenharia Civil ��� Especializa����o em Estruturas, do Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa. O Projecto de Execu����o �� composto de Pe��as Escritas e Pe��as Desenhadas. Nas Pe��as Escritas est��o inclu��dos: Mem��ria Justificativa e Descritiva; C��lculos Justificativos e Anexos. A ponte �� composta por dois tabuleiros paralelos com 10,28m de largura cada um e afastados entre si de 0,10m. A obra �� constitu��da de 8 tramos; os tramos correntes com 31m de comprimento e os tramos extremos com 25 e 20m de comprimento, perfazendo um comprimento total de 231m. A obra foi parcialmente isolada dos sismos pela introdu����o, em todos os pilares, de aparelhos de apoio de elevado amortecimento s��smico do tipo HDRB (High Damping Rubber Bearings). Encontram-se particularmente discriminadas e detalhadas neste projecto as seguintes situa����es: - C��lculo do Pr��-esfor��o e respectivas perdas; - Ac����o das sobrecargas rodovi��rias; - Diferen��a de comportamento da obra na entrada em servi��o e no longo prazo; - An��lise s��smica e do isolamento s��smico; - Estudo dos efeitos diferidos: retrac����o e flu��ncia. Tendo as abordagens de c��lculo e as verifica����es de seguran��a seguido a regulamenta����o nacional em vigor, nomeadamente RSA e REBAP, foi no entanto feita uma aproxima����o ��s regras do ���Capacity Design��� previstas no EC8, em que se privilegia a actua����o do projectista sobre o comportamento da estrutura, procurando uma resposta n��o linear da mesma, visando garantir que: - A rotura n��o ocorrer�� nos elementos de funda����o; - Nos pilares a dissipa����o de energia se faz atrav��s de r��tulas pl��sticas, evitando-se roturas associadas a esfor��os transversos. A aplica����o destas regras neste Projecto demonstrou haver um agravamento substancial na defini����o dos esfor��os a que devem resistir alguns dos componentes da estrutura, designadamente os pilares e as funda����es, originando solu����es de sec����es de bet��o e armaduras bem mais exigentes do que aqueles que resultariam da simples verifica����o de seguran��a, pela compara����o entre esfor��os actuante e esfor��os resistentes ���sec����o a sec����o���, imposta pela actual regulamenta����o nacional.

Analisador de vibra����es de dois canais baseado em computador

O presente trabalho teve como principal objectivo o desenvolvimento de um analisador de vibra����es de dois canais baseado em computador, para a realiza����o de diagn��stico no ��mbito do controlo de condi����o de m��quinas. Foi desenvolvida uma aplica����o num computador comum, no software LabVIEW, que atrav��s de transdutores de acelera����o do tipo MEMS conectados via USB, faz a recolha de dados de vibra����o e procede ao seu processamento e apresenta����o ao utilizador. As ferramentas utilizadas para o processamento de dados s��o ferramentas comuns encontradas em v��rios analisadores de vibra����es dispon��veis no mercado. Estas podem ser: gr��ficos de espectro de frequ��ncia, sinal no tempo, cascata ou valores de n��vel global de vibra����o, entre outras. Apesar do analisador desenvolvido n��o apresentar inova����o nas ferramentas de an��lise adoptadas, este pretende ser distinguido pelo baixo custo, simplicidade e car��cter did��ctico. Este trabalho vem evidenciar as vantagens, desvantagens e potencialidades de um analisador desta natureza. S��o tiradas algumas conclus��es quanto �� sua capacidade de diagn��stico de avarias, capacidades como ferramenta did��ctica, sensores utilizados e linguagem de programa����o escolhida. Como conclus��es principais, o trabalho revela que os sensores escolhidos n��o s��o os indicados para efectuar o diagn��stico de avarias em ambiente industrial, contudo s��o ideais para tornar este analisador numa boa ferramenta did��ctica e de treino.

Concep����o de uma pequena turbina e��lica destinada ao segmento dom��stico (simplifica����o e an��lise aerodin��mica das p��s)

O trabalho que se apresenta incide sobre o estudo aerodin��mico das p��s de uma turbina e��lica de pequeno porte, com vista �� simplifica����o geom��trica, de forma a que estas sejam baratas e de f��cil concep����o. A teoria da quantidade de movimento do elemento de p�� (BEMT), que �� o modelo de refer��ncia para o projecto e an��lise aerodin��mica das p��s das turbinas e��licas, foi utilizada neste trabalho de forma a projectar e analisar aerodinamicamente as p��s da turbina. Sendo assim, desenvolveu-se um programa computacional em MATLAB, denominado de ���Turbina���, de forma a implementar a teoria BEM. Introduzindo os dados dos par��metros de projecto no programa (pot��ncia requerida, o n��mero de p��s, velocidade do vento, a TSR e o tipo de perfil alar), obt��m-se os par��metros geom��tricos das p��s (distribui����o da corda ao longo da envergadura, o raio da p�� e a distribui����o da tor����o da p��), os par��metros aerodin��micos e de desempenho. Uma p�� ideal foi calculada e de seguida foi modificada de forma a obter-se uma p�� simples e menos carregada aerodinamicamente. Introduzidas as modifica����es na geometria da p�� ideal, obtiveram-se duas configura����es distintas. Uma configura����o linear, onde a distribui����o da corda e do ��ngulo de tor����o se tornam lineares, e outra configura����o bi-linear, onde a distribui����o da corda continua linear mas o ��ngulo de tor����o se torna bi-linear, isto ��, a p�� �� composta por dois tro��os onde cada tro��o apresenta uma distribui����o linear do ��ngulo de tor����o geom��trica. As conclus��es demonstram que a configura����o bi-linear �� uma boa alternativa a configura����o ideal, apresentando uma redu����o do desempenho do rotor de 2.8% para um aumento do raio da p�� em 1.41%, para se obter a mesma pot��ncia da configura����o ideal. A an��lise aos perfis alares, utilizados neste trabalho, foi efectuada a partir dos programas comerciais ICEM e FLUENT. De forma a automatizar a an��lise de CFD, tr��s programas foram desenvolvidos utilizando a linguagem de programa����o ���C���. Os programas s��o denominados de ���Malha2D���, ���Calcula_Coeficientes��� e ���Plot_Graficos���. Finalmente, um estudo param��trico foi feito de forma a avaliar a influ��ncias das vari��veis de projecto no desempenho geral da turbina.

Scheduling of head-dependent cascaded hydro systems: Mixed-integer quadratic programming approach

This paper is on the problem of short-term hydro, scheduling, particularly concerning head-dependent cascaded hydro systems. We propose a novel mixed-integer quadratic programming approach, considering not only head-dependency, but also discontinuous operating regions and discharge ramping constraints. Thus, an enhanced short-term hydro scheduling is provided due to the more realistic modeling presented in this paper. Numerical results from two case studies, based on Portuguese cascaded hydro systems, illustrate the proficiency of the proposed approach.

Kdd, semma crisp-dm: a parallel overviee

In the last years there has been a huge growth and consolidation of the Data Mining field. Some efforts are being done that seek the establishment of standards in the area. Included on these efforts there can be enumerated SEMMA and CRISP-DM. Both grow as industrial standards and define a set of sequential steps that pretends to guide the implementation of data mining applications. The question of the existence of substantial differences between them and the traditional KDD process arose. In this paper, is pretended to establish a parallel between these and the KDD process as well as an understanding of the similarities between them.

KDD, SEMMA and CRISP-DM: a parallel overview

In the last years there has been a huge growth and consolidation of the Data Mining field. Some efforts are being done that seek the establishment of standards in the area. Included on these efforts there can be enumerated SEMMA and CRISP-DM. Both grow as industrial standards and define a set of sequential steps that pretends to guide the implementation of data mining applications. The question of the existence of substantial differences between them and the traditional KDD process arose. In this paper, is pretended to establish a parallel between these and the KDD process as well as an understanding of the similarities between them.

Addressing the facilities layout design problem through constraint logic programming

One of the most difficult problems that face researchers experimenting with complex systems in real world applications is the Facility Layout Design Problem. It relies with the design and location of production lines, machinery and equipment, inventory storage and shipping facilities. In this work it is intended to address this problem through the use of Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) technology. The use of Genetic Algorithms (GA) as optimisation technique in CLP environment is also an issue addressed. The approach aims the implementation of genetic algorithm operators following the CLP paradigm.

Hybrid fuzzy Monte Carlo and logic programming model for distribution network reconfiguration in the presence of outages

This paper presents a methodology for distribution networks reconfiguration in outage presence in order to choose the reconfiguration that presents the lower power losses. The methodology is based on statistical failure and repair data of the distribution power system components and uses fuzzy-probabilistic modelling for system component outage parameters. Fuzzy membership functions of system component outage parameters are obtained by statistical records. A hybrid method of fuzzy set and Monte Carlo simulation based on the fuzzy-probabilistic models allows catching both randomness and fuzziness of component outage parameters. Once obtained the system states by Monte Carlo simulation, a logical programming algorithm is applied to get all possible reconfigurations for every system state. In order to evaluate the line flows and bus voltages and to identify if there is any overloading, and/or voltage violation a distribution power flow has been applied to select the feasible reconfiguration with lower power losses. To illustrate the application of the proposed methodology to a practical case, the paper includes a case study that considers a real distribution network.

Logic programming and fuzzy Monte Carlo for distribution network reconfiguration

This paper present a methodology to choose the distribution networks reconfiguration that presents the lower power losses. The proposed methodology is based on statistical failure and repair data of the distribution power system components and uses fuzzy-probabilistic modeling for system component outage parameters. The proposed hybrid method using fuzzy sets and Monte Carlo simulation based on the fuzzyprobabilistic models allows catching both randomness and fuzziness of component outage parameters. A logic programming algorithm is applied, once obtained the system states by Monte Carlo Simulation, to get all possible reconfigurations for each system state. To evaluate the line flows and bus voltages and to identify if there is any overloading, and/or voltage violation an AC load flow has been applied to select the feasible reconfiguration with lower power losses. To illustrate the application of the proposed methodology, the paper includes a case study that considers a 115 buses distribution network.

Optimal scheduling of a renewable micro-grid in an isolated load area using mixed-integer linear programming

In the energy management of the isolated operation of small power system, the economic scheduling of the generation units is a crucial problem. Applying right timing can maximize the performance of the supply. The optimal operation of a wind turbine, a solar unit, a fuel cell and a storage battery is searched by a mixed-integer linear programming implemented in General Algebraic Modeling Systems (GAMS). A Virtual Power Producer (VPP) can optimal operate the generation units, assured the good functioning of equipment, including the maintenance, operation cost and the generation measurement and control. A central control at system allows a VPP to manage the optimal generation and their load control. The application of methodology to a real case study in Budapest Tech, demonstrates the effectiveness of this method to solve the optimal isolated dispatch of the DC micro-grid renewable energy park. The problem has been converged in 0.09 s and 30 iterations.

Comparison between deterministic and meta-heuristic methods applied to ancillary services dispatch

This paper proposes two meta-heuristics (Genetic Algorithm and Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization) for solving a 15 bid-based case of Ancillary Services Dispatch in an Electricity Market. A Linear Programming approach is also included for comparison purposes. A test case based on the dispatch of Regulation Down, Regulation Up, Spinning Reserve and Non-Spinning Reserve services is used to demonstrate that the use of meta-heuristics is suitable for solving this kind of optimization problem. Faster execution times and lower computational resources requirements are the most relevant advantages of the used meta-heuristics when compared with the Linear Programming approach.