On the solution of mathematical programming problems with equilibrium constraints

Mathematical programming problems with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) are nonlinear programming problems where the constraints have a form that is analogous to first-order optimality conditions of constrained optimization. We prove that, under reasonable sufficient conditions, stationary points of the sum of squares of the constraints are feasible points of the MPEC. In usual formulations of MPEC all the feasible points are nonregular in the sense that they do not satisfy the Mangasarian-Fromovitz constraint qualification of nonlinear programming. Therefore, all the feasible points satisfy the classical Fritz-John necessary optimality conditions. In principle, this can cause serious difficulties for nonlinear programming algorithms applied to MPEC. However, we show that most feasible points do not satisfy a recently introduced stronger optimality condition for nonlinear programming. This is the reason why, in general, nonlinear programming algorithms are successful when applied to MPEC.

Modelo de otimização para seleção de árvores matrizes de Eucalyptus grandis

Individual data of basic density and volume of wood, pulp kappa number, soluble lignin, cost of pulping process as well as gravimetric gross yield of pulping process were used from 64 trees of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden from a commercial population at Lençóis Paulista, SP. The Eucalyptus grandis's seeds were originally from a Seed Production Area (SPA) of Duratex S/A at Botucatu, SP. Obtained data were quantified considering objective of maximization no-bleaching pulp and volume and mass wood restriction, mass of residual and soluble lignin, planted area and pulping process cost. it has also been aimed a selection method for matrix trees through mathematical programming techniques. Obtained strategy maximized the economical result, selected matrix trees and followed all limits of technological and organizing productivities imposed by the company. It also aimed the production of no-bleaching pulp within the planned time.

Dynamic programming approach for road centerline extraction from digital images

This paper presents a dynamic programming approach for semi-automated road extraction from medium-and high-resolution images. This method is a modified version of a pre-existing dynamic programming method for road extraction from low-resolution images. The basic assumption of this pre-existing method is that roads manifest as lines in low-resolution images (pixel footprint> 2 m) and as such can be modeled and extracted as linear features. On the other hand, roads manifest as ribbon features in medium- and high-resolution images (pixel footprint ≤ 2 m) and, as a result, the focus of road extraction becomes the road centerlines. The original method can not accurately extract road centerlines from medium- and high- resolution images. In view of this, we propose a modification of the merit function of the original approach, which is carried out by a constraint function embedding road edge properties. Experimental results demonstrated the modified algorithm's potential in extracting road centerlines from medium- and high-resolution images.

Educational Java applets get in power electronics labs

This paper presents Java applet programs for a WWW (world wide web)-HTML (hypertext markup language)-based multimedia course in basic power electronics circuits. These tools make use of the benefits of Java language to provide a dynamic and interactive approach to simulate steady-state idealized rectifiers (uncontrolled and controlled; single-phase and three-phase). In addition, this paper discusses the development and the use of the Java applet programs to assist the teaching of basics rectifier power electronics circuits, and to serve as a first design tool for basics power electronics circuits in the experiments of the laboratories. In order to validate the developed simulation applets, the results were confronted with results obtained from a well-know simulator package PSPICE. © 2005 IEEE.

Search for associated Higgs boson production WH→WWW *→l±νl′±ν′+X in pp̄ collisions at s=1.96TeV

We present a search for associated Higgs boson production in the process pp̄→WH→WWW*→l±νl′±ν′ +X in final states containing two like-sign isolated electrons or muons (e±e±, e±μ±, or μ±μ±). The search is based on D0 run II data samples corresponding to integrated luminosities of 360-380pb-1. No excess is observed over the predicted standard model background. We set 95% C.L. upper limits on σ(pp̄→WH) ×Br(H→WW*) between 3.2 and 2.8 pb for Higgs boson masses from 115 to 175 GeV. © 2006 The American Physical Society.

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

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

Proposal of convergence of e-Learning systems for t-Learning

This article presents considerations about viability on reutilize existing web based e-Learning systems on Interactive Digital TV environment according to Digital TV standard adopted in Brazil. Considering the popularity of Moodle system in academic and corporative area, such system was chosen as a foundation for a survey into its properties to create a specification of an Application Programming Interface (API) for convergence to t-Learning characteristics that demands efforts in interface design area due the fact that computer and TV concepts are totally different. This work aims to present studies concerning user interface design during two stages: survey and detail of functionalities from an e-Learning system and how to adapt them for the Interactive TV regarding usability context and Information Architecture concepts.

Catálogo de publicaciones, 1988-1998 de la Dirección de Proyectos y Programación de Inversiones del ILPES = Publications catalogue, 1988-1998 of Projects and Investments Programming Division

Títulos de documentos en español y/o inglés

Catálogo de publicaciones, 1988-1999, de la Dirección de Proyectos y Programación de Inversiones del ILPES = Publications catalogue, 1988-1999, of Projects and Investments Programming Division

Títulos de documentos en español y/o inglés

A multi-objective programming approach for the optimal operation of distributed generation considering uncertainty

Due to the renewed interest in distributed generation (DG), the number of DG units incorporated in distribution systems has been rapidly increasing in the past few years. This situation requires new analysis tools for understanding system performance, and taking advantage of the potential benefits of DG. This paper presents an evolutionary multi-objective programming approach to determine the optimal operation of DG in distribution systems. The objectives are the minimization of the system power losses and operation cost of the DG units. The proposed approach also considers the inherent stochasticity of DG technologies powered by renewable resources. Some tests were carried out on the IEEE 34 bus distribution test system showing the robustness and applicability of the proposed methodology. © 2011 IEEE.

Challenges of programming apprentice

The present article describes the challenges programming apprentices face and identifies the elements and processes that set them apart from experienced programmers. And also explains why a conventional programming languages teaching approach fails to map the programming mental model. The purpose of this discussion is to benefit from ideas and cognitive philosophies to be embedded in programming learning tools. Cognitive components are modeled as elements to be handled by the apprentices in tutoring systems while performing a programming task. In this process a mental level solution (the mental model of the program) and an implementation level solution (the program) are created. The mapping between these representations is a path followed by the student explicitly in this approach. © 2011 IEEE.

NCAP embedded using structured programming

This paper presents a network node embedded based on IEEE 1451 standard developed using structured programming to access the transducers in the WTIM. The NCAP was developed using Nios II processor and uClinux, a embedded operating system developed to features restricted hardware. Both hardware and software have dynamics features and they can be configured based in the application features. Based in this features, the NCAP was developed using the minimum components of hardware and software to that being implemented in remote environment like central point of data request. Many NCAP works are implemented with an object oriented structure. This is different from the surrounding implementations. In this project the NCAP was developed using structured programming. The tests of the NCAP were made using a ZigBee interface between NCAP and WTIM and the system demonstrated in areas of difficult access for long period of time due to need for low power consumption. © 2012 IEEE.

Introducción a la técnica de programación = Introduction to the technique of programming

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Optimal reactive power dispatch using stochastic chance-constrained programming

Deterministic Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch problem has been extensively studied, such that the demand power and the availability of shunt reactive power compensators are known and fixed. Give this background, a two-stage stochastic optimization model is first formulated under the presumption that the load demand can be modeled as specified random parameters. A second stochastic chance-constrained model is presented considering uncertainty on the demand and the equivalent availability of shunt reactive power compensators. Simulations on six-bus and 30-bus test systems are used to illustrate the validity and essential features of the proposed models. This simulations shows that the proposed models can prevent to the power system operator about of the deficit of reactive power in the power system and suggest that shunt reactive sourses must be dispatched against the unavailability of any reactive source. © 2012 IEEE.

Conceptos y métodos de la programación por zonas para el desarrollo de la comunidad = Concepts and methods of area programming for community development

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