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.

O radiojornalismo em Portugal

A presente disserta����o de mestrado incide sobre o radiojornalismo portugu��s. Para a concretizar foi feito um estudo comparativo entre as tr��s r��dios de car��cter informativo de Portugal: Antena 1, R��dio Renascen��a e TSF. No sentido de melhor clarificar esta tese, s��o analisadas as grelhas de programa����o do programa da manh�� destas esta����es. Est�� igualmente patente neste trabalho uma considera����o sobre a hist��ria destas tr��s emissoras e s��o evidenciados marcos que representam um verdadeiro e not��rio contributo para o jornalismo de r��dio feito em Portugal. Para tal foi usada uma metodologia em que se fez um levantamento ��� a cada cinco anos - de todos os programas da manh�� desde h�� trinta anos at�� hoje, no sentido de compreender as suas evolu����es e comparar as diferen��as das apostas de cada uma das r��dios. As conclus��es deste estudo apontam para o facto de as manh��s da r��dio serem um per��odo onde as not��cias t��m grande import��ncia, bem como um per��odo em que se tratam assuntos relativos �� sociedade. Na Antena 1 e na TSF a inclus��o de programas como ���Antena Aberta��� ou ���F��rum TSF��� faz com que a tem��tica da sociedade, que engloba um grande n��mero de temas e assuntos sejam a predominante. Na R��dio Renascen��a, apesar do seu cariz informativo, o entretenimento tem mais destaque. Uma observa����o not��ria foi tamb��m o evoluir da programa����o de 1985 a 2015, onde houve altera����es consider��veis, tais como o aumento dos espa��os dedicados a not��cias e naturalmente assuntos sociais, dado que em 1985 n��o existia nenhum programa de opini��o p��blica. Estes espa��os foram sem d��vida, algo que marcou e fez uma mudan��a de paradigma no radiojornalismo portugu��s.

Designing competitive international compensation programs

Over the past 25 years, expatriate managers have voiced increased disenchantment with their compensation packages wh��le abroad. This paper takes a prescriptive approach, outl��ning severa I elements of a successful human resources strategy and stressing key ingredients of effective international compensation programs. Particular ettention is given to the adherence of cultural values and distrlbutive justice when working across nations and cultures.

The undergraduate level (1st study cycle) as a fundamental platform/standard for the development of Urban and Regional Planning in higher education programs

LUDA is a research project of Key Action 4 "City of Tomorrow & Cultural Heritage" of the programme "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development" within the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Commission

Supplementary feeding programs: a critical analysis

A critical analysis of the Supplementary Feeding Programs which have been undertaken around the world is presented. Although only a few programs have been rigorously evaluated it seems that in relation to their main objectives, most of them have not proved to be successful. Some suggestions for improvement are put forward and the particular case of the Brazilian programs is assessed in detail.

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.

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.

Prefer��ncias no exerc��cio f��sico em mulheres portuguesas sobreviventes de cancro da mama

Introdu����o ��� Os benef��cios do exerc��cio f��sico em sobreviventes de cancro da mama t��m sido reportados; contudo, a sua pr��tica permanece baixa, tornando importante o conhecimento dos fatores que promovam a motiva����o e ades��o ao exerc��cio nesta popula����o. Objetivos ��� Identificar as prefer��ncias quanto �� programa����o e aconselhamento do exerc��cio f��sico de uma amostra da popula����o de mulheres portuguesas sobreviventes de cancro da mama e averiguar a influ��ncia das vari��veis demogr��ficas e m��dicas nestas prefer��ncias. M��todo ��� Foi aplicado um question��rio a uma amostra n��o probabil��stica sequencial de 26 mulheres sobreviventes de cancro da mama. Resultados ��� A amostra era maioritariamente constitu��da por mulheres entre os 45 e os 62 anos, casadas ou em uni��o de facto, com ensino b��sico, empregadas e com ��ndice de Massa Corporal (IMC) > 24,4. Maioritariamente tinham realizado cirurgia radical h�� um m��s ou mais, apresentavam estadio I do tumor, efetuavam quimioterapia como tratamento adjuvante e algumas realizavam classes de fisioterapia. A maioria das participantes demonstrava interesse em receber aconselhamento, sentia-se apta a participar num programa de exerc��cio, preferia receber aconselhamento face-a-face no hospital e acompanhada por outros doentes oncol��gicos. O exerc��cio deveria ser supervisionado e com intensidade moderada, sendo as caminhadas o tipo de exerc��cio preferido. N��o foi estatisticamente poss��vel realizar a associa����o entre as vari��veis demogr��ficas e m��dicas e as prefer��ncias. Conclus��o ��� Alguns resultados obtidos est��o em concord��ncia com estudos pr��vios; contudo, outros divergem destes. Os resultados obtidos podem fornecer informa����es importantes para a constru����o futura de programas de exerc��cio para esta popula����o. ABSTRACT - Introduction ��� The benefits of physical exercise in cancer survivors have been reported, although it���s practice remains low, becoming important the acknowledgement of the factors that promote the motivation and adhesion of physical exercise in this population. Objectives ��� To identify the preferences about programming and counseling of physical exercise inside a population-based sample of Portuguese women who have survived breast cancer. We also intend to investigate the influence of demographic and medical variables in those preferences. Method ��� A questionnaire was applied to a non-probabilistic sequential sample of 26 women that have survived breast cancer. Results ��� Our sample was mainly composed by women aged between 45 and 62, married or in a cohabitation state, with basic instruction, employed and with a Body Mass Index (BMI)> 24.4. Most of them have had radical mastectomy for at least one month, had the Stage I of the tumor, and had done chemotherapy as an adjuvant treatment and some of them were practicing post-surgery physical therapy. The majority of participants showed interest in receiving counseling, felt able to participate in an exercise program, preferred receiving face-to-face counseling, at the hospital and with other cancer patients. The exercise should be supervised and with a moderate intensity. Walking was their preferred choice of exercise. It was not statistically possible to establish the relationship between demographic and medical variables and those preferences. Conclusion ��� Some results are in agreement with previous studies; however, others diverge from these. The results obtained can provide important information for future construction of exercise programs for this population.

Virtual power players demand response programs management based on locational marginal prices

Power systems have been suffering huge changes mainly due to the substantial increase of distributed generation and to the operation in competitive environments. Virtual power players can aggregate a diversity of players, namely generators and consumers, and a diversity of energy resources, including electricity generation based on several technologies, storage and demand response. Resource management gains an increasing relevance in this competitive context, while demand side active role provides managers with increased demand elasticity. This makes demand response use more interesting and flexible, giving rise to a wide range of new opportunities.This paper proposes a methodology for managing demand response programs in the scope of virtual power players. The proposed method is based on the calculation of locational marginal prices (LMP). The evaluation of the impact of using demand response specific programs on the LMP value supports the manager decision concerning demand response use. The proposed method has been computationally implemented and its application is illustrated in this paper using a 32 bus network with intensive use of distributed generation.

A simulation tool for demand response programs implementation

The design and development of simulation models and tools for Demand Response (DR) programs are becoming more and more important for adequately taking the maximum advantages of DR programs use. Moreover, a more active consumers��� participation in DR programs can help improving the system reliability and decrease or defer the required investments. DemSi, a DR simulator, designed and implemented by the authors of this paper, allows studying DR actions and schemes in distribution networks. It undertakes the technical validation of the solution using realistic network simulation based on PSCAD. DemSi considers the players involved in DR actions, and the results can be analyzed from each specific player point of view.

Distributed energy resource short-term scheduling using signaled particle swarm optimization

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) scheduling in smart grids presents a new challenge to system operators. The increase of new resources, such as storage systems and demand response programs, results in additional computational efforts for optimization problems. On the other hand, since natural resources, such as wind and sun, can only be precisely forecasted with small anticipation, short-term scheduling is especially relevant requiring a very good performance on large dimension problems. Traditional techniques such as Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) do not cope well with large scale problems. This type of problems can be appropriately addressed by metaheuristics approaches. This paper proposes a new methodology called Signaled Particle Swarm Optimization (SiPSO) to address the energy resources management problem in the scope of smart grids, with intensive use of DER. The proposed methodology���s performance is illustrated by a case study with 99 distributed generators, 208 loads, and 27 storage units. The results are compared with those obtained in other methodologies, namely MINLP, Genetic Algorithm, original Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Evolutionary PSO, and New PSO. SiPSO performance is superior to the other tested PSO variants, demonstrating its adequacy to solve large dimension problems which require a decision in a short period of time.

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.