Développement et validation d'un modèle de simulation numérique personnalisé à une athlète de plongeon

Les entraîneurs en sports acrobatiques disposent de peu d’outils permettant d’améliorer leur compréhension des saltos vrillés et la performance des athlètes. L’objectif de ce mémoire était de développer un environnement graphique de simulation numérique réaliste et utile des acrobaties aériennes. Un modèle composé de 17 segments et de 42 degrés de liberté a été développé et personnalisé à une athlète de plongeon. Un système optoélectronique échantillonné à 300 Hz a permis l’acquisition de huit plongeons en situation réelle d’entraînement. La cinématique articulaire reconstruite avec un filtre de Kalman étendu a été utilisée comme entrée du modèle. Des erreurs quadratiques moyennes de 20° (salto) et de 9° (vrille) entre les performances simulées et réelles ont permis de valider le modèle. Enfin, une formation basée sur le simulateur a été offerte à 14 entraîneurs en sports acrobatiques. Une augmentation moyenne de 11 % des résultats aux questionnaires post-test a permis de constater le potentiel pédagogique de l’outil pour la formation.

Les navires vikings : conception géométrique et architecture traditionnelle au Moyen Âge scandinave.

Selon l’image reçue des Vikings, ce peuple incarne l'esprit d’une immense solidarité primitive ayant su résister rudement au joug du christianisme et à la domination du Latin en Europe occidentale. Cette image n’est pas sans ses contradictions et, s’il est vrai que l’écriture était encore inconnue en Scandinavie durant les premiers siècles de l’expansion viking, on sait maintenant que le commerce et la colonisation, autant que les célèbres raids, motivèrent l’irruption des peuples scandinaves sur la scène médiévale. Quant aux navires de ces marchands, colonisateurs, pêcheurs et guerriers, ils apparaissent, un peu à l’image des Vikings eux-mêmes, sur le grand tableau de l’histoire nautique sous l’enseigne d’une originalité et d’une technicité sans parallèle. Comment les Vikings construisaient-ils leurs navires, en leur donnant une symétrie, un équilibre et une finesse si achevés? Les premiers ethnologues qui se sont intéressés à cette question ont privilégié les idées issues d'une tradition acquise par des générations de constructeurs, et d'astuces simples pour équilibrer tribord et bâbord. Puis, ils se sont rapidement tournés vers les techniques inhérentes à la construction à clin : utilisation de planches fendues et non sciées et de rivets abondants témoignant d’une sidérurgie acquise depuis peu. Le problème que présentent ces navires, est que leur construction artisanale demeure conforme à l’image reçue des Vikings, mais que leur conception architecturale, réalisée selon des connaissances théoriques très exactes, brise la notion d’une Scandinavie médiévale illettrée et coupée des grands centres du savoir. Ce travail s’intéresse précisément à la conception architecturale des navires scandinaves du VIIIe au XIe siècle pour montrer comment ils s’insèrent dans un haut savoir européen dès leur apparition. Il explore ensuite les liens qui unissent ce savoir théorique aux aspects véritablement originaux des navires vikings, en l’occurrence leur construction à clin et leur homogénéité sur une grande région à travers plus de cinq siècles. Au terme de cette recherche, l'analyse réalisée sur le maître-couple de trois épaves vikings, une épave antique et une épave scandinave pré-viking, a permis de mettre en évidence plusieurs indices de l'utilisation du système de conception géométrique apparaissant pour la première fois dans les traités d'architecture navale de la Renaissance, et ce, sur chacune de ces épaves. Les résultats obtenus démontrent qu'il est possible d'employer un système transversal de conception pour des navires vraisemblablement construits bordé premier et assemblés à clin.

Implantation et validation d’un modèle Monte Carlo du Cyberknife dans un outil de calcul de dose clinique

Le travail de modélisation a été réalisé à travers EGSnrc, un logiciel développé par le Conseil National de Recherche Canada.

Mesurer l'apport unique de l'adhésion à la culture des gangs de rue à l'explication des conduites délinquantes chez les adolescents et les hommes contrevenants

L’apport disproportionné aux taux de criminalité des membres des gangs de rue est, nul doute, une proposition empirique robuste. De nombreuses études ont conclu que l’association aux gangs de rue est un facteur de risque supplémentaire à celui que constitue déjà la fréquentation de pairs délinquants au nombre des meilleurs prédicteurs de la délinquance avec les antécédents criminels et les traits antisociaux de la personnalité. Pourtant, la contribution spécifique de l’association aux gangs de rue à l’explication de la délinquance est largement méconnue. Au nombre des variables les plus souvent citées pour l’expliquer figure néanmoins le concept de l’adhésion à la culture de gang qui n’a toutefois jamais été spécifiquement opérationnalisé. Le but de la thèse est d’étudier la contribution spécifique de l’adhésion d’un contrevenant à la culture des gangs de rue à l’explication de la délinquance. Plus précisément, elle a comme objectifs de définir la culture des gangs de rue, d’opérationnaliser l’adhésion à la culture des gangs de rue, d’examiner la fidélité de la mesure de l’adhésion à la culture de gang et d’étudier sa relation avec la nature, la variété et la fréquence des conduites délinquantes de contrevenants placés sous la responsabilité des centres jeunesse et des services correctionnels du Québec. Trois articles scientifiques, auxquels un chapitre régulier est joint, ont servi la démonstration de la thèse. D’abord, le premier article présente les démarches relatives au développement de la première Mesure de l’adhésion à la culture de gang, la MACg. Plus précisément, l’article présente la recension des écrits qui a permis de proposer une première définition de la culture de gang et d’opérationnaliser le concept. Il fait aussi état de la démarche de la validation de la pertinence de son contenu et des données préliminaires qui révèlent la très bonne cohérence interne de la MACg. Cette première étude est suivie de la présentation, dans le cadre d’un chapitre régulier, des résultats de l’examen de la cotation des principaux indicateurs de la culture de gang. Cette démarche constitue un complément nécessaire à l’examen de la validité apparente de la MACg. Les résultats révèlent des degrés de concordance très satisfaisants entre les observations de divers professionnels des centres jeunesse et des services correctionnels du Québec qui ont été invités à coter les indicateurs de la culture de gang à partir de deux histoires fictives d’un contrevenant mineur et d’un second d’âge adulte. Puis, le deuxième article présente les résultats d’un premier examen de la fidélité de la MACg à l’aide du modèle de Rasch de la Théorie de la réponse aux items. Ses résultats soutiennent l’unidimensionnalité de la MACg et sa capacité à distinguer des groupes d’items et de personnes le long d’un continuum de gravité d’adhésion à la culture de gang. Par contre, le fonctionnement différentiel et le mauvais ajustement de certains items sont observés, ainsi que l’inadéquation de la structure de réponses aux items (de type Likert) privilégiée lors de l’élaboration de la MACg. Une version réaménagée de cette dernière est donc proposée. Enfin, le troisième et dernier article présente les résultats de l’examen de la relation entre la délinquance et l’adhésion d’un contrevenant à la culture de gang telle que mesurée par la MACg. Les résultats soutiennent l’apport unique de l’adhésion d’un contrevenant à la culture de gang à la diversité et à la fréquence des conduites délinquantes auto-rapportées par des contrevenants placés sous la responsabilité des centres jeunesse et des services correctionnels du Québec. Le score à l’échelle originale et réaménagée de la MACg s’avère, d’ailleurs, un facteur explicatif plus puissant que l’âge, la précocité criminelle, les pairs délinquants et la psychopathie au nombre des meilleurs prédicteurs de la délinquance. L’étude met aussi en lumière l’étroite relation entre une forte adhésion à la culture de gang et la présence marquée de traits psychopathiques annonciatrice de problèmes particulièrement sérieux. Malgré ses limites, la thèse contribuera significativement aux développements des bases d’un nouveau modèle explicatif de l’influence de l’association aux gangs de rue sur les conduites des personnes. La MACg pourra aussi servir à l’évaluation des risques des hommes contrevenants placés sous la responsabilité du système de justice pénale et à l’amélioration de la qualité des interventions qui leur sont dédiées.

Non invasive classification system of scoliosis curve types using least-squares support vector machines

Objective To determine scoliosis curve types using non invasive surface acquisition, without prior knowledge from X-ray data. Methods Classification of scoliosis deformities according to curve type is used in the clinical management of scoliotic patients. In this work, we propose a robust system that can determine the scoliosis curve type from non invasive acquisition of the 3D back surface of the patients. The 3D image of the surface of the trunk is divided into patches and local geometric descriptors characterizing the back surface are computed from each patch and constitute the features. We reduce the dimensionality by using principal component analysis and retain 53 components using an overlap criterion combined with the total variance in the observed variables. In this work, a multi-class classifier is built with least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM). The original LS-SVM formulation was modified by weighting the positive and negative samples differently and a new kernel was designed in order to achieve a robust classifier. The proposed system is validated using data from 165 patients with different scoliosis curve types. The results of our non invasive classification were compared with those obtained by an expert using X-ray images. Results The average rate of successful classification was computed using a leave-one-out cross-validation procedure. The overall accuracy of the system was 95%. As for the correct classification rates per class, we obtained 96%, 84% and 97% for the thoracic, double major and lumbar/thoracolumbar curve types, respectively. Conclusion This study shows that it is possible to find a relationship between the internal deformity and the back surface deformity in scoliosis with machine learning methods. The proposed system uses non invasive surface acquisition, which is safe for the patient as it involves no radiation. Also, the design of a specific kernel improved classification performance.

Performance of Gabion Faced Reinforced Earth Retaining Walls

Gabion faced re.taining walls are essentially semi rigid structures that can generally accommodate large lateral and vertical movements without excessive structural distress. Because of this inherent feature, they offer technical and economical advantage over the conventional concrete gravity retaining walls. Although they can be constructed either as gravity type or reinforced soil type, this work mainly deals with gabion faced reinforced earth walls as they are more suitable to larger heights. The main focus of the present investigation was the development of a viable plane strain two dimensional non linear finite element analysis code which can predict the stress - strain behaviour of gabion faced retaining walls - both gravity type and reinforced soil type. The gabion facing, backfill soil, In - situ soil and foundation soil were modelled using 20 four noded isoparametric quadrilateral elements. The confinement provided by the gabion boxes was converted into an induced apparent cohesion as per the membrane correction theory proposed by Henkel and Gilbert (1952). The mesh reinforcement was modelled using 20 two noded linear truss elements. The interactions between the soil and the mesh reinforcement as well as the facing and backfill were modelled using 20 four noded zero thickness line interface elements (Desai et al., 1974) by incorporating the nonlinear hyperbolic formulation for the tangential shear stiffness. The well known hyperbolic formulation by Ouncan and Chang (1970) was used for modelling the non - linearity of the soil matrix. The failure of soil matrix, gabion facing and the interfaces were modelled using Mohr - Coulomb failure criterion. The construction stages were also modelled.Experimental investigations were conducted on small scale model walls (both in field as well as in laboratory) to suggest an alternative fill material for the gabion faced retaining walls. The same were also used to validate the finite element programme developed as a part of the study. The studies were conducted using different types of gabion fill materials. The variation was achieved by placing coarse aggregate and quarry dust in different proportions as layers one above the other or they were mixed together in the required proportions. The deformation of the wall face was measured and the behaviour of the walls with the variation of fill materials was analysed. It was seen that 25% of the fill material in gabions can be replaced by a soft material (any locally available material) without affecting the deformation behaviour to large extents. In circumstances where deformation can be allowed to some extents, even up to 50% replacement with soft material can be possible.The developed finite element code was validated using experimental test results and other published results. Encouraged by the close comparison between the theory and experiments, an extensive and systematic parametric study was conducted, in order to gain a closer understanding of the behaviour of the system. Geometric parameters as well as material parameters were varied to understand their effect on the behaviour of the walls. The final phase of the study consisted of developing a simplified method for the design of gabion faced retaining walls. The design was based on the limit state method considering both the stability and deformation criteria. The design parameters were selected for the system and converted to dimensionless parameters. Thus the procedure for fixing the dimensions of the wall was simplified by eliminating the conventional trial and error procedure. Handy design charts were developed which would prove as a hands - on - tool to the design engineers at site. Economic studies were also conducted to prove the cost effectiveness of the structures with respect to the conventional RCC gravity walls and cost prediction models and cost breakdown ratios were proposed. The studies as a whole are expected to contribute substantially to understand the actual behaviour of gabion faced retaining wall systems with particular reference to the lateral deformations.

Effectiveness Of Feature Detection Operators On The Performance Of Iris Biometric Recognition System

Iris Recognition is a highly efficient biometric identification system with great possibilities for future in the security systems area.Its robustness and unobtrusiveness, as opposed tomost of the currently deployed systems, make it a good candidate to replace most of thesecurity systems around. By making use of the distinctiveness of iris patterns, iris recognition systems obtain a unique mapping for each person. Identification of this person is possible by applying appropriate matching algorithm.In this paper, Daugman’s Rubber Sheet model is employed for irisnormalization and unwrapping, descriptive statistical analysis of different feature detection operators is performed, features extracted is encoded using Haar wavelets and for classification hammingdistance as a matching algorithm is used. The system was tested on the UBIRIS database. The edge detection algorithm, Canny, is found to be the best one to extract most of the iris texture. The success rate of feature detection using canny is 81%, False Accept Rate is 9% and False Reject Rate is 10%.

A study on the performance of flexible pavements on mature soil subgrades

The country has witnessed tremendous increase in the vehicle population and increased axle loading pattern during the last decade, leaving its road network overstressed and leading to premature failure. The type of deterioration present in the pavement should be considered for determining whether it has a functional or structural deficiency, so that appropriate overlay type and design can be developed. Structural failure arises from the conditions that adversely affect the load carrying capability of the pavement structure. Inadequate thickness, cracking, distortion and disintegration cause structural deficiency. Functional deficiency arises when the pavement does not provide a smooth riding surface and comfort to the user. This can be due to poor surface friction and texture, hydro planning and splash from wheel path, rutting and excess surface distortion such as potholes, corrugation, faulting, blow up, settlement, heaves etc. Functional condition determines the level of service provided by the facility to its users at a particular time and also the Vehicle Operating Costs (VOC), thus influencing the national economy. Prediction of the pavement deterioration is helpful to assess the remaining effective service life (RSL) of the pavement structure on the basis of reduction in performance levels, and apply various alternative designs and rehabilitation strategies with a long range funding requirement for pavement preservation. In addition, they can predict the impact of treatment on the condition of the sections. The infrastructure prediction models can thus be classified into four groups, namely primary response models, structural performance models, functional performance models and damage models. The factors affecting the deterioration of the roads are very complex in nature and vary from place to place. Hence there is need to have a thorough study of the deterioration mechanism under varied climatic zones and soil conditions before arriving at a definite strategy of road improvement. Realizing the need for a detailed study involving all types of roads in the state with varying traffic and soil conditions, the present study has been attempted. This study attempts to identify the parameters that affect the performance of roads and to develop performance models suitable to Kerala conditions. A critical review of the various factors that contribute to the pavement performance has been presented based on the data collected from selected road stretches and also from five corporations of Kerala. These roads represent the urban conditions as well as National Highways, State Highways and Major District Roads in the sub urban and rural conditions. This research work is a pursuit towards a study of the road condition of Kerala with respect to varying soil, traffic and climatic conditions, periodic performance evaluation of selected roads of representative types and development of distress prediction models for roads of Kerala. In order to achieve this aim, the study is focused into 2 parts. The first part deals with the study of the pavement condition and subgrade soil properties of urban roads distributed in 5 Corporations of Kerala; namely Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode. From selected 44 roads, 68 homogeneous sections were studied. The data collected on the functional and structural condition of the surface include pavement distress in terms of cracks, potholes, rutting, raveling and pothole patching. The structural strength of the pavement was measured as rebound deflection using Benkelman Beam deflection studies. In order to collect the details of the pavement layers and find out the subgrade soil properties, trial pits were dug and the in-situ field density was found using the Sand Replacement Method. Laboratory investigations were carried out to find out the subgrade soil properties, soil classification, Atterberg limits, Optimum Moisture Content, Field Moisture Content and 4 days soaked CBR. The relative compaction in the field was also determined. The traffic details were also collected by conducting traffic volume count survey and axle load survey. From the data thus collected, the strength of the pavement was calculated which is a function of the layer coefficient and thickness and is represented as Structural Number (SN). This was further related to the CBR value of the soil and the Modified Structural Number (MSN) was found out. The condition of the pavement was represented in terms of the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) which is a function of the distress of the surface at the time of the investigation and calculated in the present study using deduct value method developed by U S Army Corps of Engineers. The influence of subgrade soil type and pavement condition on the relationship between MSN and rebound deflection was studied using appropriate plots for predominant types of soil and for classified value of Pavement Condition Index. The relationship will be helpful for practicing engineers to design the overlay thickness required for the pavement, without conducting the BBD test. Regression analysis using SPSS was done with various trials to find out the best fit relationship between the rebound deflection and CBR, and other soil properties for Gravel, Sand, Silt & Clay fractions. The second part of the study deals with periodic performance evaluation of selected road stretches representing National Highway (NH), State Highway (SH) and Major District Road (MDR), located in different geographical conditions and with varying traffic. 8 road sections divided into 15 homogeneous sections were selected for the study and 6 sets of continuous periodic data were collected. The periodic data collected include the functional and structural condition in terms of distress (pothole, pothole patch, cracks, rutting and raveling), skid resistance using a portable skid resistance pendulum, surface unevenness using Bump Integrator, texture depth using sand patch method and rebound deflection using Benkelman Beam. Baseline data of the study stretches were collected as one time data. Pavement history was obtained as secondary data. Pavement drainage characteristics were collected in terms of camber or cross slope using camber board (slope meter) for the carriage way and shoulders, availability of longitudinal side drain, presence of valley, terrain condition, soil moisture content, water table data, High Flood Level, rainfall data, land use and cross slope of the adjoining land. These data were used for finding out the drainage condition of the study stretches. Traffic studies were conducted, including classified volume count and axle load studies. From the field data thus collected, the progression of each parameter was plotted for all the study roads; and validated for their accuracy. Structural Number (SN) and Modified Structural Number (MSN) were calculated for the study stretches. Progression of the deflection, distress, unevenness, skid resistance and macro texture of the study roads were evaluated. Since the deterioration of the pavement is a complex phenomena contributed by all the above factors, pavement deterioration models were developed as non linear regression models, using SPSS with the periodic data collected for all the above road stretches. General models were developed for cracking progression, raveling progression, pothole progression and roughness progression using SPSS. A model for construction quality was also developed. Calibration of HDM–4 pavement deterioration models for local conditions was done using the data for Cracking, Raveling, Pothole and Roughness. Validation was done using the data collected in 2013. The application of HDM-4 to compare different maintenance and rehabilitation options were studied considering the deterioration parameters like cracking, pothole and raveling. The alternatives considered for analysis were base alternative with crack sealing and patching, overlay with 40 mm BC using ordinary bitumen, overlay with 40 mm BC using Natural Rubber Modified Bitumen and an overlay of Ultra Thin White Topping. Economic analysis of these options was done considering the Life Cycle Cost (LCC). The average speed that can be obtained by applying these options were also compared. The results were in favour of Ultra Thin White Topping over flexible pavements. Hence, Design Charts were also plotted for estimation of maximum wheel load stresses for different slab thickness under different soil conditions. The design charts showed the maximum stress for a particular slab thickness and different soil conditions incorporating different k values. These charts can be handy for a design engineer. Fuzzy rule based models developed for site specific conditions were compared with regression models developed using SPSS. The Riding Comfort Index (RCI) was calculated and correlated with unevenness to develop a relationship. Relationships were developed between Skid Number and Macro Texture of the pavement. The effort made through this research work will be helpful to highway engineers in understanding the behaviour of flexible pavements in Kerala conditions and for arriving at suitable maintenance and rehabilitation strategies. Key Words: Flexible Pavements – Performance Evaluation – Urban Roads – NH – SH and other roads – Performance Models – Deflection – Riding Comfort Index – Skid Resistance – Texture Depth – Unevenness – Ultra Thin White Topping

Modelling and simulation of a photovoltaic fuel cell hybrid system

A stand-alone power system is an autonomous system that supplies electricity to the user load without being connected to the electric grid. This kind of decentralized system is frequently located in remote and inaccessible areas. It is essential for about one third of the world population which are living in developed or isolated regions and have no access to an electricity utility grid. The most people live in remote and rural areas, with low population density, lacking even the basic infrastructure. The utility grid extension to these locations is not a cost effective option and sometimes technically not feasible. The purpose of this thesis is the modelling and simulation of a stand-alone hybrid power system, referred to as “hydrogen Photovoltaic-Fuel Cell (PVFC) hybrid system���. It couples a photovoltaic generator (PV), an alkaline water electrolyser, a storage gas tank, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and power conditioning units (PCU) to give different system topologies. The system is intended to be an environmentally friendly solution since it tries maximising the use of a renewable energy source. Electricity is produced by a PV generator to meet the requirements of a user load. Whenever there is enough solar radiation, the user load can be powered totally by the PV electricity. During periods of low solar radiation, auxiliary electricity is required. An alkaline high pressure water electrolyser is powered by the excess energy from the PV generator to produce hydrogen and oxygen at a pressure of maximum 30bar. Gases are stored without compression for short- (hourly or daily) and long- (seasonal) term. A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is used to keep the system���s reliability at the same level as for the conventional system while decreasing the environmental impact of the whole system. The PEM fuel cell consumes gases which are produced by an electrolyser to meet the user load demand when the PV generator energy is deficient, so that it works as an auxiliary generator. Power conditioning units are appropriate for the conversion and dispatch the energy between the components of the system. No batteries are used in this system since they represent the weakest when used in PV systems due to their need for sophisticated control and their short lifetime. The model library, ISET Alternative Power Library (ISET-APL), is designed by the Institute of Solar Energy supply Technology (ISET) and used for the simulation of the hybrid system. The physical, analytical and/or empirical equations of each component are programmed and implemented separately in this library for the simulation software program Simplorer by C++ language. The model parameters are derived from manufacturer’s performance data sheets or measurements obtained from literature. The identification and validation of the major hydrogen PVFC hybrid system component models are evaluated according to the measured data of the components, from the manufacturer’s data sheet or from actual system operation. Then, the overall system is simulated, at intervals of one hour each, by using solar radiation as the primary energy input and hydrogen as energy storage for one year operation. A comparison between different topologies, such as DC or AC coupled systems, is carried out on the basis of energy point of view at two locations with different geographical latitudes, in Kassel/Germany (Europe) and in Cairo/Egypt (North Africa). The main conclusion in this work is that the simulation method of the system study under different conditions could successfully be used to give good visualization and comparison between those topologies for the overall performance of the system. The operational performance of the system is not only depending on component efficiency but also on system design and consumption behaviour. The worst case of this system is the low efficiency of the storage subsystem made of the electrolyser, the gas storage tank, and the fuel cell as it is around 25-34% at Cairo and 29-37% at Kassel. Therefore, the research for this system should be concentrated in the subsystem components development especially the fuel cell.

Sensor-based Control of Chewing and Rumination Behavior of Dairy Cows

The measurement of feed intake, feeding time and rumination time, summarized by the term feeding behavior, are helpful indicators for early recognition of animals which show deviations in their behavior. The overall objective of this work was the development of an early warning system for inadequate feeding rations and digestive and metabolic disorders, which prevention constitutes the basis for health, performance, and reproduction. In a literature review, the current state of the art and the suitability of different measurement tools to determine feeding behavior of ruminants was discussed. Five measurement methods based on different methodological approaches (visual observance, pressure transducer, electrical switches, electrical deformation sensors and acoustic biotelemetry), and three selected measurement techniques (the IGER Behavior Recorder, the Hi-Tag rumination monitoring system and RumiWatchSystem) were described, assessed and compared to each other within this review. In the second study, the new system for measuring feeding behavior of dairy cows was evaluated. The measurement of feeding behavior ensues through electromyography (EMG). For validation, the feeding behavior of 14 cows was determined by both the EMG system and by visual observation. The high correlation coefficients indicate that the current system is a reliable and suitable tool for monitoring the feeding behavior of dairy cows. The aim of a further study was to compare the DairyCheck (DC) system and two additional measurement systems for measuring rumination behavior in relation to efficiency, reliability and reproducibility, with respect to each other. The two additional systems were labeled as the Lely Qwes HR (HR) sensor, and the RumiWatchSystem (RW). Results of accordance of RW and DC to each other were high. The last study examined whether rumination time (RT) is affected by the onset of calving and if it might be a useful indicator for the prediction of imminent birth. Data analysis referred to the final 72h before the onset of calving, which were divided into twelve 6h-blocks. The results showed that RT was significantly reduced in the final 6h before imminent birth.

Site Controller: A System for Computer-Aided Civil Engineering and Construction

A revolution\0\0\0 in earthmoving, a $100 billion industry, can be achieved with three components: the GPS location system, sensors and computers in bulldozers, and SITE CONTROLLER, a central computer system that maintains design data and directs operations. The first two components are widely available; I built SITE CONTROLLER to complete the triangle and describe it here. SITE CONTROLLER assists civil engineers in the design, estimation, and construction of earthworks, including hazardous waste site remediation. The core of SITE CONTROLLER is a site modelling system that represents existing and prospective terrain shapes, roads, hydrology, etc. Around this core are analysis, simulation, and vehicle control tools. Integrating these modules into one program enables civil engineers and contractors to use a single interface and database throughout the life of a project.

An Interpolative Analytical Cache Model with Application to Performance-Power Design Space Exploration

Caches are known to consume up to half of all system power in embedded processors. Co-optimizing performance and power of the cache subsystems is therefore an important step in the design of embedded systems, especially those employing application specific instruction processors. In this project, we propose an analytical cache model that succinctly captures the miss performance of an application over the entire cache parameter space. Unlike exhaustive trace driven simulation, our model requires that the program be simulated once so that a few key characteristics can be obtained. Using these application-dependent characteristics, the model can span the entire cache parameter space consisting of cache sizes, associativity and cache block sizes. In our unified model, we are able to cater for direct-mapped, set and fully associative instruction, data and unified caches. Validation against full trace-driven simulations shows that our model has a high degree of fidelity. Finally, we show how the model can be coupled with a power model for caches such that one can very quickly decide on pareto-optimal performance-power design points for rapid design space exploration.

The swindle crime: a necessary normative construction of its elements

The present work exposes a review about the performance of the “traditional” thesis(Naturalistic) of the swindle crime in front of the needs of the present’s Political Policy.For this system, the various frauds’ elements require a causal relationship. Today itmight be wondered whether this solution is desirable, i.e. whether respond efficientlyto the problematic assumptions that the contemporary business practices raises.

Performance indicators for the physical therapy program’s field academic programs at the Universidad del Rosario for 2004-2007.

Introducción: El programa de Fisioterapia de la Universidad del Rosario, en su responsabilidad social de generar un impacto positivo en la comunidad y en su propósito de formar profesionales, cuenta con los Programas Académicos de Campo (PAC) que se consideran una fuerte estrategia de extensión de la Universidad. Los PAC contribuyen a la adquisición de competencias para el desarrollo de procesos de acción-actuación-creación en los estudiantes para que resuelvan problemas en un espacio real de ejercicio profesional. Bajo esta perspectiva los PAC del programa de Fisioterapia muestran su comportamiento a través de la medición de indicadores de proceso y resultados propuestos desde el Programa con el fin de proveer información útil para la reorientación y permanente actualización de los contenidos programáticos en las asignaturas y en los mismos PAC. Materiales y métodos: En el siguiente artículo se presenta un análisis de los indicadores de demanda por género, régimen de Seguridad Social en Salud, procedimiento y morbilidad de los Programas Académicos de Campo Integral Pediátrico, Integral de Adultos y Rehabilitación cardíaca y/o pulmonar, con el fin de establecer las características de la población objeto de la prestación de los servicios y procurar información verificable que dé soporte para la construcción de procesos de cambio dentro de la dinámica de mejoramiento continuo que debe tener cualquier institución. Este seguimiento es útil para la toma de decisiones de planeación académica que contribuye a mejorar los procesos de planeación y a facilitar el cumplimiento de los propósitos de formación para cada práctica, y de esta manera ayuda a ser elemento de análisis para directivas, instructores y estudiantes en la orientación del proceso de gestión académico-administrativo, y a retroalimentar los procesos de planeación y programación académica. Resultados: Los resultados arrojados en el análisis de los datos de la morbilidad en los programas académicos de campo muestran el siguiente comportamiento durante los años 2004, 2005, 2006 y 2007. Conclusiones: En el PAC pediátrico la mayor incidencia es de asma con un 37,2% y la más baja incidencia es para luxación congénita de cadera y enfermedad mental de origen central con un 0,1%. El 58% de los usuarios es de género masculino, y el 81% del total pertenece al régimen contributivo. En la morbilidad del PAC de adultos la mayor incidencia es de EPOC, con un 23,2%, y la menor incidencia es de lumbalgia, con un 2,4%. La mayoría de usuarios atendidos (58%) son hombres, y el 58% de los usuarios pertenece al régimen contributivo. En el PAC de rehabilitación cardíaca y/o pulmonar la mayor incidencia fue de EPOC, con un 40%; seguido de neumonía, con 17%; y con una menor incidencia para asma, con un 2%. El 54% de los usuarios son hombres y el 91% del total pertenece al régimen subsidiado.

Inteligencia emocional y afrontamiento del estrés

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es realizar una revisión teórica de los estudios que han elaborado un análisis acerca de la Inteligencia Emocional con la capacidad para afrontar situaciones generadoras de estrés. Los diferentes estudios muestran que niveles altos en Inteligencia Emocional se relacionan con estrategias de afrontamiento basadas en el análisis y resolución de conflictos, mientras que niveles bajos de inteligencia emocional se relacionan con estrategias de afrontamiento basadas en la evitación, la superstición, y la resistencia al cambio. La evidencia que arrojan los estudios indican que la inteligencia emocional es fundamental en el autocontrol emocional y en la habilidad de adaptación de los individuos para afrontar situaciones generadoras de estrés.