GPU implementation of the simplex identification via split augmented Lagrangian

Hyperspectral imaging can be used for object detection and for discriminating between different objects based on their spectral characteristics. One of the main problems of hyperspectral data analysis is the presence of mixed pixels, due to the low spatial resolution of such images. This means that several spectrally pure signatures (endmembers) are combined into the same mixed pixel. Linear spectral unmixing follows an unsupervised approach which aims at inferring pure spectral signatures and their material fractions at each pixel of the scene. The huge data volumes acquired by such sensors put stringent requirements on processing and unmixing methods. This paper proposes an efficient implementation of a unsupervised linear unmixing method on GPUs using CUDA. The method finds the smallest simplex by solving a sequence of nonsmooth convex subproblems using variable splitting to obtain a constraint formulation, and then applying an augmented Lagrangian technique. The parallel implementation of SISAL presented in this work exploits the GPU architecture at low level, using shared memory and coalesced accesses to memory. The results herein presented indicate that the GPU implementation can significantly accelerate the method's execution over big datasets while maintaining the methods accuracy.

O regime fiscal cooperativo – análise crítica e desafios

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Contabilidade e Finanças, sob orientação de Doutora Deolinda Meira e Doutora Nina Aguiar

Parallel hyperspectral unmixing method via split augmented lagrangian on GPU

One of the main problems of hyperspectral data analysis is the presence of mixed pixels due to the low spatial resolution of such images. Linear spectral unmixing aims at inferring pure spectral signatures and their fractions at each pixel of the scene. The huge data volumes acquired by hyperspectral sensors put stringent requirements on processing and unmixing methods. This letter proposes an efficient implementation of the method called simplex identification via split augmented Lagrangian (SISAL) which exploits the graphics processing unit (GPU) architecture at low level using Compute Unified Device Architecture. SISAL aims to identify the endmembers of a scene, i.e., is able to unmix hyperspectral data sets in which the pure pixel assumption is violated. The proposed implementation is performed in a pixel-by-pixel fashion using coalesced accesses to memory and exploiting shared memory to store temporary data. Furthermore, the kernels have been optimized to minimize the threads divergence, therefore achieving high GPU occupancy. The experimental results obtained for the simulated and real hyperspectral data sets reveal speedups up to 49 times, which demonstrates that the GPU implementation can significantly accelerate the method's execution over big data sets while maintaining the methods accuracy.

Hyperspectral unmixing algorithm via dependent component analysis

This paper introduces a new method to blindly unmix hyperspectral data, termed dependent component analysis (DECA). This method decomposes a hyperspectral images into a collection of reflectance (or radiance) spectra of the materials present in the scene (endmember signatures) and the corresponding abundance fractions at each pixel. DECA assumes that each pixel is a linear mixture of the endmembers signatures weighted by the correspondent abundance fractions. These abudances are modeled as mixtures of Dirichlet densities, thus enforcing the constraints on abundance fractions imposed by the acquisition process, namely non-negativity and constant sum. The mixing matrix is inferred by a generalized expectation-maximization (GEM) type algorithm. This method overcomes the limitations of unmixing methods based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and on geometrical based approaches. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated using simulated data based on U.S.G.S. laboratory spectra and real hyperspectral data collected by the AVIRIS sensor over Cuprite, Nevada.

Via algaliada versus mudança de bitola dos eixos do material circulante

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil

Estudo exploratório da calendarização de múltiplos projectos pela cadeia crítica

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial

Kerionlike lesion of the scalp due to Acremonium kiliense in a noncompromised boy

We report a case of kerionlike lesion of the scalp due to Acremonium kiliense in a boy without underlying disease. Diagnosis was established by direct examination and cultures from pus and scrapings.

O sistema de planeamento territorial português: reflexão crítica e contributos para a superação das suas disfunções

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ordenamento do Território e Planeamento Ambiental

O discurso legitimador sobre a arte e o paradigma da justificação : análise da "crítica da faculdade de juízo estética" de Immanuel Kant

Dissertação de Mestrado em Ciências da Comunicação, área de especialização em Comunicação e Artes

Dois contos de Truman Capote : reflexão crítica sobre uma proposta de tradução

Tese de Mestrado em Tradução, especialização em Inglês

A gemelaridade entre a reportagem literária de Miguel Sousa Tavares e a literatura de viagens : a clarificação do Eu através da revelação do Outro como via de aquisição da experiência

Tese de Mestrado em Ciências da Comunicação, Estudos dos Media e Jornalismo

Análise da ocorrência de hidroplanagem num caso real

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau Mestre em Engenharia Civil,Perfil de Construção

Synthesis of biodiesel from wastes of food industry via direct transesterification with methanol/carbon dioxide mixtures

Dissertation presented at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia from Universidade Nova de Lisboa to obtain the degree of Master in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Programação cultural enquanto exercício do poder

Dissertação de Doutoramento em Ciências da Comunicação

Acetyl-L-Carnitine Prevents Methamphetamine-Induced Structural Damage on Endothelial Cells via ILK-Related MMP-9 Activity

Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent psychostimulant highly used worldwide. Recent studies evidenced the involvement of METH in the breakdown of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) integrity leading to compromised function. The involvement of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the degradation of the neurovascular matrix components and tight junctions (TJs) is one of the most recent findings in METH-induced toxicity. As BBB dysfunction is a pathological feature of many neurological conditions, unveiling new protective agents in this field is of major relevance. AcetylL-carnitine (ALC) has been described to protect the BBB function in different paradigms, but the mechanisms underling its action remain mostly unknown. Here, the immortalized bEnd.3 cell line was used to evaluate the neuroprotective features of ALC in METH-induced damage. Cells were exposed to ranging concentrations of METH, and the protective effect of ALC 1 mM was assessed 24 h after treatment. F-actin rearrangement, TJ expression and distribution, and MMPs activity were evaluated. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) knockdown cells were used to assess role of ALC in ILK mediated METHtriggered MMPs’ activity. Our results show that METH led to disruption of the actin filaments concomitant with claudin-5 translocation to the cytoplasm. These events were mediated by MMP-9 activation in association with ILK overexpression. Pretreatment with ALC prevented METH-induced activation of MMP-9, preserving claudin-5 location and the structural arrangement of the actin filaments. The present results support the potential of ALC in preserving BBB integrity, highlighting ILK as a new target for the ALC therapeutic use.