In today&amp / #8217 / s life, companies are faced with the problem of providing quality goods and services at competitive prices. Cost estimation is a very important process for a forging company, as each time a quote is sent to a customer, the company earns or loses money depending on the results of the particular estimate. However, determining pricing for customer quotes is a matter of time consuming, detailed number of tasks repeated each time. Cost estimation software might do those tedious calculations and assist the estimator step by step to reach to a cost estimate in relatively short time. In this study, an interactive cost estimation software named Forge Cost Estimator, which performs the early cost estimation for forgings, has been developed. The program is aimed to be used by the cost estimators in hot forging companies. The software has various databases, which include material, forging and machining equipment data. The cost items defined in the forging work breakdown structure can be estimated by using different modules of the software and summed up in an additive structure by using the bottom-up costestimation method. For calculating the forge volume quicker and easier, a new volume estimation system named Easy-Volume, which is based on the volume fragmentation method, is proposed. The software can also guide the user in selecting the convenient forging production line. The software is written in MS Visual Basic 6.0. The developed program has been tested in a forging company and satisfactory cost estimations for several forgings have been achieved.

Micropalaeontology, a discipline that contributes to climate research and hydrocarbon exploration, is driven by the taxonomic analysis of huge volumes of microfossils. Unfortunately, this repetitive analysis is a serious bottleneck to progress because it depends on the scarce time of experts. These issues propel research into computerized taxonomic analysis, including a promising new approach called computer-aided microfossil identification. However, the existing computer-aided system relies on image-based representations, which severely limits its ability to discriminate specimens. These limitations motivate using computer vision to support richer video and shape-based representations, which is the focus of this thesis. An important contribution is a scheme to localize, capture, and extract video and shape-based representations from large microfossil batches. These representations encapsulate information across multiple lighting conditions. In addition, the thesis describes a method based on photometric stereo to correct misalignments in images of the same object illuminated from different directions. Not only does this correction benefit the application at hand, but it can also benefit a variety of other applications. The thesis also introduces a visual-surface reconstruction method based on maximum likelihood estimation, which constructs usable depth maps even from extraordinarily noisy images. State of the art methods lack this capability. By freeing classification from the bounds imposed by images, these contributions significantly advance computerized microfossil identification toward the ultimate goal of a practical and reliable tool for high-throughput taxonomic analysis. / Digital Signals and Image Processing

Thesis (M.S.H.I.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Oct. 31, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 106-123).

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1990. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 24-29).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Vita. "July 2005." Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:28:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:57:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertacao (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Orientador: Jussara Marcondes Machado / Resumo: A Tomografia Computadorizada (TC) tem um importante valor na avaliação de pacientes com suspeita de patologias na glândula adrenal. A avaliação com exames por imagem da adrenal é importante em pacientes com e sem evidência clínica e bioquímica de distúrbios da função deste órgão. Neste estudo foram avaliadas, pela Tomografia Computadorizada, as adrenais em indivíduos sem tuberculose (G1) e com tuberculose (G2). A dimensão ântero-posterior, a espessura, e o comprimento das adrenais foram comparados em G1 e G2. Foi também avaliada a duração da doença com a ocorrência de alteração morfológica em G2, a distribuição segundo o sexo e idade em G1 e G2 e cor da pele em G1 e G2. Neste estudo, houve diferença nas dimensões ântero-posterior e espessura da adrenal direita entre G1 e G2, sendo G1 > G2. Observou-se uma maior ocorrência do sexo masculino e de indivíduos de pele branca em G2, e uma diferença de idade entre G1 e G2, sendo esta maior em G1 e um predomínio de brancos em G1 e G2. Não houve associação entre a duração da doença e a ocorrência de alteração morfológica em G2. Uma maior ocorrência de aumento das adrenais foi observada em G2. Os principais achados pela Tomografia Computadorizada nos pacientes com tuberculose foram o aumento da adrenal sem calcificação, o aumento da adrenal com calcificação puntiforme, e calcificação de aspecto residual da adrenal. A informação morfológica fornecida pela Tomografia Computadorizada, ainda que não nos permita um diagnóstico definitivo, pode ajudar de forma importante no diagnóstico da etiologia da insuficiência primária da adrenal. / Abstract: The Computerized Tomography is an important method for evaluating patients with suspicion of involvement of adrenal gland. The morphologic delineation through image of the adrenal is important for patients with and without clinical and biochemical evidence of function disturbances in this organ. In this study Computerized Tomography was used for evaluation of individuals without tuberculosis (G1) and with tuberculosis (G2). The antero-posterior dimension, the thickness, and length of adrenals were compared in G1 and G2. The duration of the disease with morphologic alteration in G2, the distribution according to the sex and age in G1 and G2 and skin color in G1 and G2 were also evaluated. The antero-posterior dimensions and thickness of right adrenal were higher in G1 patients. The frequency of male individuals was higher in G2. For G1, age limits were higher than for G2. The frequency of male individuals was higher in G2. In G1, the age limits were higher than in G2. In both groups, the white skinned was equally found. No association was observed between the duration of the disease and the occurrence of morphologic alteration in G2. A higher occurrence of enlargement of the adrenals was observed in G2. The main Computerized Tomography findings in patients with tuberculosis were enlargement of the adrenal without calcification, enlargement of the adrenal with punctiform calcification, and residual calcification gland. Although the morphologic information supplied by the Computerized Tomography doesn't permit a definitive diagnosis it may be of help in suggesting way in the etiology of the primary insufficiency of the adrenal. / Mestre

A especialidade de Prótese Buco-Maxilo-Facial é responsável por reconstruções complexas da face e do crânio. Entretanto, com a utilização de impressões convencionais, é difícil se alcançar uma adequada adaptação clínica para a reabilitação do paciente. Assim, algumas vêzes, faz-se necessária a obtenção de modelos tridimensionais (3D) que reproduzam a realidade clínica. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar os protótipos obtidos com diferentes protocolos de aquisição de imagem provenientes de distintos aparelhos de tomografia computadorizada com relação à rugosidade superficial, área reconstruída e dose de exposição gerada, procurando estabelecer o mais adequado para a confecção de protótipos de crânio. Para isso, nove protótipos de um fragmento craniofacial seco foram confeccionados. A comparação entre os protótipos quanto à lisura superficial e à área reconstruída foi realizada por meio da Análise de Variância (ANOVA). Nos casos em que a avaliação indicou diferença significativa, foi aplicado como complemento o Teste de Comparações Múltiplas de Tukey. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Em relação à análise de rugosidade as diferenças encontradas não demonstraram correlação com a área reconstruída. Já em relação aos diferentes protocolos, diferenças significativas foram observadas nos protótipos com respeito à área reconstruída e dose de radiação gerada. Pode-se concluir, frente aos resultados encontrados, que as imagens geradas pelos tomógrafos de feixe cônico e feixe em leque, utilizando os protocolos com as resoluções máximas estudadas, estão indicadas para a confecção de protótipos. Contudo, o que deve nortear a seleção do melhor protocolo tomográfico deve ser o propósito da indicação clínica correlacionado com o princípio ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). / Oral-maxillo-facial prosthodontics is the study of complex face and skull reconstructions. In view of the insufficient degree of adjustment of conventional impression to enable proper clinical rehabilitation, among other reasons, practitioners increasingly resort to 3D models that accurately reproduce the clinical reality. The aim of this study is to determine the optimal selection of imaging device and protocol for use in skull prototyping. The surface roughness and reconstructed area of nine prototypes obtained from a dried craniofacial specimen using different image acquisition protocols and CT devices were measured, in addition to measurements of the radiation dose potentially received by the patient. ANOVA of the surface roughness, reconstructed area and radiation dose data enabled statistical comparisons among the prototypes. Where significant differences were found, Tukey’s multiple-comparison test was conducted, using a significance level of 5%. No correlation was found between surface roughness and reconstructed area. However, significant differences in reconstructed area and radiation dose were found among the different protocols. These results support the use of images generated by CBCT or fan beam CT for the construction of prototypes, using the protocols with the highest resolution. Nevertheless, the selection of the most appropriate TC protocol should be based on the particular clinical indication along with the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle.

Orientador: Elenice Deffune / Banca: José Morceli / Banca: João Paulo Kawaoca Mitsushita / Resumo: A Infiltração gordurosa hepática (IGH) ou esteatose hepática (EH) não é condição benigna na medida em que muitos pacientes, além de acúmulo de gordura nos hepatócitos, desenvolvem alterações necro-inflamatórias do fígado e apresentam evidências de injúria hepatocelular chamada de esteatohepatite, cerca de 20% destes pacientes evoluem para cirrose 1. A IGH é identificada por biópsias e estudos de imagem. Quando a infiltração gordurosa tem distribuição focal ou o fígado esteatótico tem áreas poupadas podem simular pseudotumores. A análise da tomografia computadorizada (TC) tem a característica de baixa atenuação da gordura em relação ao parênquima hepático normal. A quimioterapia pode ser causa de IGH e neste trabalho estudamos a IGH em pacientes em tratamento com quimoterápicos para linfoma. Os linfomas são doenças malignas originárias de proliferação sem controle de células linfáticas, a incidência anual de Linfoma é de 12 a 19 casos por 100.000 pessoas e o tratamento se baseia predominantemente em esquemas de quimioterapia. Não existe até o momento trabalho que avalie aspectos da IGH e que os relacione aos esquemas de quimioterapia para linfoma. Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar e caracterizar a IGH, através da TC de abdome sem contraste, associada ao uso de esquemas quimioterápicos para !infoma. Casuística e Métodos: 115 prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de linfoma e suas respectivas tomografias de abdome foram revisados. As tomografias analisadas foram aquelas realizadas antes, durante e após o início da quimioterapia, acompanhando a progressão da esteatose hepática no decorrer dos ciclos de quimioterapia. Os tipos de esquema de quimioterapia, número de ciclos e esquemas, exames laboratoriais foram caracterizados e discutidos. Resultados: A incidência de IGH entre os pacientes estudados foi 27,8%... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Hepatic fat infiltration (HFI) or hepatic steatosis (HS) is not a benign condition as many patients, through fat accumulation in hepatocytes, develop necro-inflammatory alterations of the liver and present evidence of hepatocellular injury called steatohepatitis, of which about 20% of patients progress to cirrhosis 1. HFI is identified by biopsies and imaging. In diffuse fat infiltration lesions can be focally distributed or in undamaged areas of the steatotic liver, which can simulate pseudo-tumours. With Computerized Tomography fat appears with low attenuation characteristic in relation to normal hepatic parenchyma. Chemotherapy can cause HFI. In this work we studied HFI in patients on chemotherapy for Iymphoma. Lymphomas are malignant diseases derived from uncontrolled proliferation of Iymphatic cells. The annual incidence of Iymphoma is between 12 and 19 cases per 100,000, and treatment is predominantly based on chemotherapy regimes. At this time there are no studies evaluating the aspects of HFI which are related to chemotherapy regimes for Iymphoma. The objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize HFI using abdominal CT without contrast, associated to the use of chemotherapy in Iymphoma. Patients & Methods: medical records from 115 patients diagnosed with Iymphoma and their respective abdominal tomographies were reviewed. Tomographies were from before, during and after the start of chemotherapy, following the progress of hepatic steatosis through the chemotherapy cycles. Chemotherapy regime type, number of cycles and types, and laboratory examinations were characterized and discussed. Results: The incidence of HFI in this population was 27.8%. The relationship between increased cycles and increased HFI was significant; so was the relationship between number of regimes and HFI incidence... (Complete abstract, click eletronic address below) / Mestre

Resumo: O crescimento do setor agrícola no Brasil sinaliza a crescente demanda por novas ferramentas tecnológicas para aplicação em campo ou na pesquisa. Na pesquisa, o objetivo continuo é melhorar a qualidade e confiabilidade dos dados obtidos através de ensaios ou experimentos. Nesse contexto o objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um programa computacional destinado a aquisição, processamento e armazenamento dos dados provenientes do ensaio de tração de tratores. Para o desenvolvimento do aplicativo foi utilizada a linguagem de programação Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, e como base de dados o Microsoft Access 2003. Os dados foram gerados através de sensores de pulsos, fluxômetros e célula de carga, instalados no trator e/ou na Unidade Móvel de Ensaio de Tração - UMEB, pertencente a FCA/UNESP de Botucatu. Os cabos dos sensores foram conectados ao Controlador Lógico Programável - CLP, que realizou a conversão dos sinais analógicos, gerados pelos sensores eletrônicos, para sinais digitais, possibilitando a sua interpretação pelo microcomputador. O sistema computacional foi denominado "Aplicativo para Ensaio de Tração - AET", e realizou a aquisição, processamento e armazenamento dos, e possibilitando a visualização dos dados processados em tempo real de maneira simples e rápida, além de, 2 representar significativa economia de tempo para o usuário ao gerar automaticamente os relatórios de ensaio na barra de tração. / Abstract: The Brazil agricultural development demonstrates the increasing demand for new technological tools for application in field work or research. The continuous objective in research is to improve quality and assurance of data obtained through experiments or test. In this context the objective of this research was to develop a software to acquire, process and storage data from tractor drawbar test. For the development of the software was used the Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 and Microsoft Access 2003 as database. The data was generated through encoders, flow meter and load cell installed in the tractor or in the UMEB - Mobile Drawbar Test Unit, that belongs to the College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sao Paulo State - Botucatu. The encoders wires was connected to the PLC - Programmable Logic Controller, that carry out the conversion of analogical signs, generated by the electronic encoders, into digital signs, making possible it interpreting by any computer. The software was named "A.E.T. - Drawbar Test Software", and it made the data acquire, process and storage and made possible the visualization in real time of processed data in a simply and fast way, besides represents significant time economy for the user by generating automatically the Drawbar test repor. / Orientador: Saulo Philipe Sebastião Guerra / Coorientador: kléber pereira lanças / Banca: Osmar de Carvalho Bueno / Banca: Maria Aparecida Anselmo Tarsitano / Mestre