The motivation of this work is filtering of elongated curvilinear objects in digital images. Their narrowness presents difficulties for their detection. In addition, they are prone to disconnections due to noise, image acquisition artefacts and occlusions by other objects. This work is focused on thin objects detection and linkage. For these purposes, a hybrid second-order derivative-based and morphological linear filtering method is proposed within the framework of scale-space theory. The theory of spatially-variant morphological filters is discussed and efficient algorithms are presented. From the application point of view, our work is motivated by the diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up of vascular diseases. The first application is aimed at the assessment of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of cerebral vasculature. The small size and the complexity of the vascular structures, coupled to noise, image acquisition artefacts, and blood signal heterogeneity make the analysis of such data a challenging task. This work is focused on cerebral angiographic image enhancement, segmentation and vascular network analysis with the final purpose to further assist the study of cerebral AVM. The second medical application concerns the processing of low dose X-ray images used in interventional radiology therapies observing insertion of guide-wires in the vascular system of patients. Such procedures are used in aneurysm treatment, tumour embolization and other clinical procedures. Due to low signal-to-noise ratio of such data, guide-wire detection is needed for their visualization and reconstruction. Here, we compare the performance of several line detection algorithms. The purpose of this work is to select a few of the most promising line detection methods for this medical application

The geometrically nonlinear constant moment triangle based on the von Karman theory of thin plates is first described. This finite element, which is believed to be the simplest possible element to pass the totality of the von Karman patch test, is employed throughout the present work. It possesses the special characteristic of providing a tangent stiffness matrix which is accurate and without approximation. The stability of equilibrium of discrete conservative systems is discussed. The criteria which identify the critical points (limit and bifurcation), and the method of determination of the stability coefficients are presented in a simple matrix formulation which is suitable for computation. An alternative formulation which makes direct use of higher order directional derivatives of the total potential energy is also presented. Continuation along the stable equilibrium solution path is achieved by using a recently developed Newton method specially modified so that stable points are points of attraction. In conjunction with this solution technique, a branch switching method is introduced which directly computes any intersecting branches. Bifurcational buckling often exhibits huge structural changes and it is believed that the computation of the required switch procedure is performed here, and for the first time, in a satisfactory manner. Hence, both limit and bifurcation points can be treated without difficulty and with continuation into the post buckling regime. In this way, the ability to compute the stable equilibrium path throughout the load-deformation history is accomplished. Two numerical examples which exhibit bifurcational buckling are treated in detail and provide numerical evidence as to the ability of the employed techniques to handle even the most complex problems. Although only relatively coarse finite element meshes are used it is evident that the technique provides a powerful tool for any kind of thin elastic plate and shell problem. The thesis concludes with a proposal for an algorithm to automate the computation of the unknown parameter in the branch switching method.

本論文藉由動補語後方名詞，依理論架構重新分類趨向動補語Ｖ上，並探討其前後的搭配詞在分類底下與「上」之間的互動情形。首先，根據Talmy (2000) 所提出的動態事件理論區辨後方名詞，其乃是具有傳達出動態語意的名詞特徵。其次，並以V上的論旨角色作為分類，因而總共得出三種型態的V上：[ V上Ground]，[ V上Patient]，[ V上Extent]，藉此看到前方動詞和後方名詞與V上之間的緊密關係。除外並以認知語意學角度呈現其三種類型之間具有語意關連，表現出多義詞的演變型態，且符合語法化的過程。 / When the morpheme shang4 ‘up’ 上 is attached to a verb, it composes a V-shang constituent, which is a member of the group of ‘verb-complement’ marking directional motion of the action (Liu, 1983/1998). V-shang signifies the movement of an object through an action from a low position to a higher position within an upward orientation; for instance, a person moves from the ground to the top of a mountain. The previous studies have listed several extended meanings, besides the basic meaning of motion (Liu, 1998, Jiang, 2003; Pan, 2005; Yu, 2010). Most studies categorize V-shang by mixed criteria of semantic meanings and syntactic functions. Noting the lack of a theoretical basis in the classification of V-shang, this thesis depends on motion-event theory, in which an event is composed of Figure, Motion and Ground, to examine the motion event conducted by V-shang (Talmy, 2000) and Lexical Functional Grammar (Kaplan and Bresnan, 1982; Dowty, 1988; Bresnan and Zaenen, 1990; Bresnan, 2001; Her, 2009) to analyze the syntactic structures of the first verbs and shang4 in V-shang. By analyzing the noun phrases following V-shang, the study divides [V-shang NP] into three categories: [V-shang Ground], [V-shang Patient], [V-shang Extent] and observes the verb types in each pattern. There are the changes of semantic meanings from directional motion into resultative state and of orientation from vertical path into horizontal path. Within Lexical Functional Grammar, the verb types of the first verbs in V-shang change from the physical motion verbs which require thematic roles of Theme and Location to the transitive verbs which require thematic roles of Agent and Patient. [V-shang Extent] is the most abstract category of its semantic meaning, and the verb types of the first verbs are less restricted than the verb types in other two categories. The cognitive approach also explains the relationship of the extended meanings in V-shang and shang4 (Lu, 2011). Shang4 presents the features of polysemy.

A vibration isolator is designed to reduce the vibration and structure borne noise transmitted from a vibratory source, such as machinery and equipment, to the supporting structure. The vibration and structure borne noise transmitted depends upon the dynamic properties of the foundation, the source mounting point and the vibration isolator. Therefore knowledge of the frequency dependent dynamic properties of vibration isolators is a necessary part of the acoustic prediction and control/reduction process. Vibration isolators may be characterised by measuring their four-pole parameters. A measurement procedure is proposed that employs the floating mass method, measures the direct forces and corrects for the errors introduced by the direct force measurement. Compared to the basic method, it extends the frequency limits of measurement in both directions. The development of a novel vibration isolator test facility that implements the proposed measurement procedure is described, and its satisfactory operation is experimentally demonstrated. The vibration isolator test facility is capable of characterizing vibration isolators commonly used in industrial and maritime applications, under service conditions. A method is proposed for measuring the four-pole parameters of a uni-directional asymmetrical vibration isolator under static load. The method is called the two masses method, and is suitable for determining the four???pole parameters of active vibration isolators with feedback control. The method is also applicable to uni-directional symmetrical and bi-directional symmetrical and bi-directional asymmetrical vibration isolators. It may be regarded as a universal method for characterising vibration isolators. Experimental data is presented and the method is validated. Modelling of vibration isolators is complicated by the highly non-linear nature of their rubber elements. The notion of an effective rubber cylinder is proposed to account for the barrelling of rubber elements under static load. Consequently, a general static compression model is proposed that applies to vibration isolators having unfilled and filled rubber elements of regular prismatic shapes. The model predicts the dependence of the four-pole parameters on the compression ratio of the rubber element. The predictions derived from the effective rubber cylinder and general static compression model agree excellently with experimental work of this study and other researchers.

The Roobots are a robot soccer team which participated in the RoboCup small-sized robot league competition in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, when they finished in fourth place. This thesis describes the design of the robots in the 2002 team. Design issues for mobile robots in the RoboCup small-sized robot league are reviewed. The design decisions are presented. Finally, some lessons learnt for system design and project management from the three years of competition are presented.

Thesis, (M.E.?)-- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Engineering, 1958. / Typewritten.

Thesis (MScFor (Dept. of Forest and Wood Science)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to quantify the benefits of implementing an operational harvesting plan in forest harvesting operations. This is to be achieved by comparing productivity and costs from unplanned and planned harvesting operations. The study was conducted on a Pinus radiata plantation owned by Mountain to Ocean Forestry Company (Pty) Ltd (MTO) located near the town of Grabouw in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. MTO conducts harvesting operations using semi-mechanised tree-length harvesting systems. A wheeled H67 Clark Ranger cable skidder is used to extract tree-lengths from infield to the landing. Data was obtained both manually (work study) and from GPS tracking. Choking and dechoking data was obtained through time and method studies. GPS tracking was used to measure travel loaded and travel empty times, as well as travel distances and travel speeds. The aim of using both manual techniques and GPS tracking was to obtain detailed and spatially accurate information about the operation. The operating costs were estimated using South African Harvesting and Transport Costing Model. Productivity of the newly introduced tagline system (45.97 m³/pmh) exceeded that of mainline system (37.85 m³/pmhh) by 26%. The unit production cost of using tagline system (R20.21/m³) was 10% lower than the unit production cost of using mainline system (R22.54/³3). There were no benefits to be gained from improving the level of skid trail construction by removal of logging residue or cutting down stumps to as near the ground level as possible. A combination of manual (time and method studies) data collection and GPS tracking provided more detailed and accurate information on the semi-mechanised harvesting system. / AFRKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beoog om die voordele van die uitvoering van 'n operasionele inoestingsplan te kwantifiseer. Dit word bereik deur produktiwiteit en kostes van beplande en onbeplande inoestingswerksaamhede te vergelyk. Die studie is gedoen in Pinus radiata opstande van Mountain to Ocean Forestry Company (Pty) Ltd (MTO) naby Grabouw in die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid Afrika. MTO gebruik semi-gemeganiseerde boomlengte inoestingstelsels in hul inoestingswerksaamhede. . H67 Clark Ranger wielsleeptrekker met kabel en wenas is gebruik om boomlengtes van die veld na die pad te sleep. Data is versamel deur van beide hand (werkstudie) en GPS-opsporing gebruik te maak. Afhaak en aanhaak data is verkry deur van tyd- en metodestudies gebruik te maak. Gelaaide en ongelaaide tyd, spoed en afstande is met behulp van die GPS gemeet. Deur van beide hand en GPS versamelingsmetodes gebruik te maak, kon omvattende sowel as ruimtelik akkurate inligting oor die werksaamhede verkry word. Die bedryfskostes is verkry van die South African Harvesting and Transport Costing Model. Produktiwiteit van die nuut ingestelde verbindingslynstelsel (45.97 m³/pmh) het die hooflynstelsel (37.85 m³/pmh) met 26% oorskry. Die eenheidsproduksiekoste van die verbindingslynstelsel (R20.21/m³) was 10% laer as die eenheidsproduksiekoste van die hooflynstelsel (R22.54/m³). Daar was geen voordeel in die verbetering van die sleeppad konstruksie deur afval te verwyder of stompe nader aan die grondvlak af te sny nie. 'n Kombinasie van hand (tyd- en metodestudies) dataversameling en GPS-opsporing het meer akkurate en omvattende inligting oor die semi-gemeganiseerde inoestingstelsel verskaf.

Submitted by Leonardo Cavalcante (leo.ocavalcante@gmail.com) on 2018-06-04T11:08:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 4740766 bytes, checksum: d645cbc9287ef5f4bd7672bcbfdaa031 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-04T11:08:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arquivototal.pdf: 4740766 bytes, checksum: d645cbc9287ef5f4bd7672bcbfdaa031 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-31 / The relevance of the analysis and risk management in horizontal directional drilling projects are sedimented in the work developed based on tacit knowledge capture experts and builders of experience in order to model this knowledge from conceptual premises, a mathematical model capable to replicate efficiently the conceptual frameworks of the opinion of experts. Historical data of the failure modes that appear in HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) projects, allow us to add a simple set of qualitative techniques to manage and anticipate the occurrence of damage that result in financial, economic and social losses, security, productivity or quality. These techniques are easy to implement and eliminate the need for skilled labor to validate the results. The failures of historical data in prior projects, can provide the basic elements for modeling knowledge through a learning tool. For quantitative effect, the tool used was the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). The variables that indicate the failure modes are taken from the existing knowledge database in the literature and applied to a set of 40 projects. The application of qualitative tools represented a significant reduction of accidents in the research organization. The SIF model (fuzzy inference system) proposed is able to predict based on expert opinion the risk of a project building on 05 key variables. The result of the inference of the quantitative model involves the quantification of the overall risk of a given project, on a scale of 1 to 10. The proposed interface simplifies quantification operation, providing agile the overall risk of the interest of project building on the conceptual indication 05 this risk input variables. The calculated risk be inferred about the risks associated with the project, facilitating the decisionmaking process of managers and builders. / A relevância da análise e gerenciamento de riscos em projetos de perfuração direcional horizontal está sedimentada nos trabalhos desenvolvidos com base na captação de conhecimento tácito de especialistas e na experiência de construtores com o objetivo de modelar esse conhecimento, proveniente de premissas conceituais, num modelo matemático capaz de replicar com eficiência as estruturas conceituais da opinião de experts. Os dados históricos dos modos de falha que se apresentam nos projetos HDD (Perfuração horizontal direcional) permitem agregar um conjunto simples de técnicas qualitativas, para gerenciar e antecipar a ocorrência de danos que impliquem em perdas financeiras, econômicas, sociais, de segurança, produtividade ou qualidade. Essas técnicas são de fácil implementação e dispensam a necessidade de mão de obra especializada para validação dos resultados. Os dados históricos de falhas ocorridas em projetos anteriores podem fornecer os elementos básicos para a modelagem do conhecimento através de uma ferramenta de aprendizagem. Para efeito quantitativo, a ferramenta utilizada neste trabalho foi o Sistema de Inferência Fuzzy (SIF). As variáveis que indicam os modos de falha foram extraídas da base de dados de conhecimento existente na literatura e aplicada sobre um conjunto de 40 projetos. A aplicação das ferramentas qualitativas representou uma redução significativa de acidentes na organização pesquisada. O modelo SIF (sistema de inferência fuzzy) proposto é capaz de prever com base na opinião especializada os riscos de um determinado projeto tomando por base 05 variáveis principais. O resultado da inferência do modelo quantitativo implica na quantificação do risco global de determinado projeto, numa escala de 1 a 10. A interface proposta simplifica a operação de quantificação, fornecendo de forma ágil o risco global do projeto de interesse tomando por base a indicação conceitual do risco presente em 05 variáveis de entrada. O risco calculado permite inferir sobre os riscos associados ao projeto, facilitando o processo decisório de gestores e construtores.

abstract: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a growing and expanding trenchless method utilized to install pipelines from 2 to 60 inch diameters for lengths over 10,000 foot. To date, there are not many public documents where direct costs and bid prices incurred by HDD installations are available and analyzed. The objective is to provide a better understanding of the factors affecting the bid prices of these projects. The first section of the thesis analyzes how project parameters such as product diameter, bore length and soil conditions affect the bid price of water and wastewater pipeline installations using HDD. Through multiple linear regressions, the effect of project parameters on bid prices of small, medium and large rigs projects is extracted. The results were further investigated to gain a better understanding of bid factors that influence the relationship between total cost and the project parameters. The second section uses unit cost, based on bid prices, to compare the costs incurred by defined categories. Parameters such as community type, product type, soil conditions, and geographical region were used in the analysis. Furthermore, using average unit cost from 2001 to 2009, HDD project cost trends are briefly analyzed against the main variations of the US economy from the same time horizon by using economic indicators. It was determined that project geometric factors influence more the bid price of small rig projects than large rig projects because external factors including market rates and economic situation have an increasing impact on bid prices when rig size increases. It was observed that bid price variation of HDD projects over years followed the same trend as the US economic variation described by economic indicators. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Construction 2010

This thesis has contributed to the design of suitable decision-making techniques for energy management in the smart grid with emphasis on energy efficiency and uncertainty analysis in two smart grid applications. First, an energy trading model among distributed microgrids (MG) is investigated, aiming to improve energy efficiency by forming coalitions to allow local power transfer within each coalition. Then, a more specific scenario is considered that is how to optimally schedule Electric Vehicles (EV) charging in a MG-like charging station, aiming to match as many as EV charging requirements with the uncertain solar energy generation. The solutions proposed in this thesis can give optimal coalition formation patterns for reduced power losses and achieve optimal performance for the charging station. First, several algorithms based on game theory are investigated for the coalition formation of distributed MGs to alleviate the power losses dissipated on the cables due to power transfer. The seller and buyer MGs can make distributed decisions whether to form a coalition with others for energy trading. The simulation results show that game theory based methods that enable cooperation yield a better performance in terms of lower power losses than a non-cooperative approach. This is because by forming local coalitions, power is transferred within a shorter distance and at a lower voltage. Thus, the power losses dissipated on the transmission lines and caused by power conversion at the transformer are both reduced. However, the merge-and-split based cooperative games have an inherent high computational complexity for a large number of players. Then, an efficient framework is established for the power loss minimization problem as a college admissions game that has a much lower computational complexity than the merge-and-split based cooperative games. The seller and buyer MGs take the role of colleges and students in turn and apply for a place in the opposite set following their preference lists and the college MGs’ energy quotas. The simulation results show that the proposed framework demonstrates a comparable power losses reduction to the merge-and-split based algorithms, but runs 700 and 18000 times faster for a network of 10 MGs and 20 MGs, respectively. Finally, the problem of EV charging using various energy sources is studied along with their impact on the charging station’s performance. A multiplier k is introduced to measure the effect of solar prediction uncertainty on the decision-making process of the station. A composite performance index (the Figure of Merit, FoM) is also developed to measure the charging station’s utility, EV users charging requirements and the penalties for turning away new arrivals and for missing charging deadlines. A two-stage admission and scheduling mechanism is further proposed to find the optimal trade-off between accepting EVs and missing charging deadlines by determining the best value of the parameter k under various energy supply scenarios. The numerical evaluations give the solution to the optimization problem and show that some of the key factors such as shorter and longer deadline urgencies of EVs charging requirements, stronger uncertainty of the prediction error, storage capacity and its initial state will not affect significantly the optimal value of the parameter k.