Two-dimensional geometric textures are the geometric analogues of raster (pixel-based) textures and consist of planar distributions of discrete shapes with an inherent structure. These textures have many potential applications in art, computer graphics, and cartography. Synthesizing large textures by hand is generally a tedious task. In raster-based synthesis, many algorithms have been developed to limit the amount of manual effort required. These algorithms take in a small example as a reference and produce larger similar textures using a wide range of approaches. Recently, an increasing number of example-based geometric synthesis algorithms have been proposed. I refer to them in this dissertation as Geometric Texture Synthesis (GTS) algorithms. Analogous to their raster-based counterparts, GTS algorithms synthesize arrangements that ought to be judged by human viewers as “similar” to the example inputs. However, an absence of conventional evaluation procedures in current attempts demands an inquiry into the visual significance of synthesized results. In this dissertation, I present an investigation into GTS and report on my findings from three projects. I start by offering initial steps towards grounding texture synthesis techniques more firmly with our understanding of visual perception through two psychophysical studies. My observations throughout these studies result in important visual cues used by people when generating and/or comparing similarity of geometric arrangements as well a set of strategies adopted by participants when generating arrangements. Based on one of the generation strategies devised in these studies I develop a new geometric synthesis algorithm that uses a tile-based approach to generate arrangements. Textures synthesized by this algorithm are comparable to the state of the art in GTS and provide an additional reference in subsequent evaluations. To conduct effective evaluations of GTS, I start by collecting a set of representative examples, use them to acquire arrangements from multiple sources, and then gather them into a dataset that acts as a standard for the GTS research community. I then utilize this dataset in a second set of psychophysical studies that define an effective methodology for comparing current and future geometric synthesis algorithms.

Diploma thesis deals with the evaluation of results in global development education. It describes bases and content of global development education and its expected results. It compares quantitative and qualitative methods of measuring results considering their ability to measure real contribution of the evaluated activity. It highlights the need to demonstrate the validity and reliability of a measurement. It explains the role of values, criteria and indicators in the evaluation. Furthermore, the thesis deals with the measurement of contribution specifically in the area of global development education. It provides an overview of measurements made in global development education according to their validity. It also offers a list of quality criteria used in global development education. The research part of the thesis presents the results of an investigation which aimed to determine how selected Czech organizations dealing with global development education evaluate the results of their activities. It tries to determine what facilitates the evaluation of results and what represents a barrier to it. It results from a qualitative analysis of interviews and written materials provided by the organizations.

No contexto metodológico desse trabalho, foram desenvolvidas as tecnologias lógicas, baseadas em arquiteturas de sistemas inteligentes, que auxiliem nos diagnósticos de avarias em transformadores de transmissão. O sistema desenvolvido tem como dados de entrada os resultados de ensaios de isolação, de relação de transformação, do fator de potência da isolação, de ensaios de tensão induzida, além de outros e, por meio de técnicas de inferência, indicarão a existência de possíveis avarias que devem ser averiguadas (de forma mais detalhada) antes de se retornar o transformador ao serviço. A particularidade que caracteriza a inovação sobre este assunto está justamente na elaboração de um novo ferramental, a ser disponibilizado por meio de um software inteligente de suporte à decisão, o qual produzirá respostas que permitirão o completo diagnóstico de falhas e avarias em transformadores de transmissão submetidos a esforços eletromagnéticos severos. As respostas serão produzidas a partir da análise integrada de resultados advindos de módulos inteligentes incumbidos de apoiar os diversos ensaios a serem realizados no equipamento. Assim, será possível estimar, inclusive, qual o momento de se proceder com a manutenção preventiva no equipamento. / In methodological context of this work, the logical technologies were developed based on smart systems architectures, which help in diagnosis of faults in transmission transformers. The developed system has as data input the results of insulation tests, the transformation ratio of the insulation power factor of induced voltage test, and others, and by inference techniques, indicate the existence of possible faults that must be ascertained (in more detail) before the processor returns to service. The special featuring innovation on this subject is exactly in the drafting of a new tooling, to be made available through intelligent decision support software, which will produce answers that will allow the full fault diagnosis and failure in transmission submitted transformers the severe electromagnetic efforts. The answers will be produced from the integrated analysis of results arising from intelligent modules responsible for assisting the various tests to be performed on the equipment. Thus, you can estimate, even when it\'s time to proceed with preventive maintenance on the equipment.

A proteólise é provavelmente o fenômeno mais importante que ocorre durante a maturação da maioria dos tipos de queijos e influencia fortemente suas características de aroma, sabor e textura. Neste trabalho estudou-se a aplicação de diferentes técnicas analíticas para extração e determinação dos compostos nitrogenados liberados durante a maturação do queijo Prato, compostos esses indicadores da extensão e da profundidade da maturação. Complementando esses estudos, utilizou-se métodos mais específicos como eletroforese em uréia-PAGE e RP-HPLC para avaliação dos peptídeos e aminoácidos formados. Os resultados mostraram que as frações nitrogenadas estudadas e os métodos utilizados na avaliação direta da proteólise se mostraram adequados para uso em análises de rotina. A determinação espectrofotométrica da tirosina e triptofano comprovou ser uma metodologia adequada para avaliação da intensidade de maturação, podendo ser usada como um método rápido alternativo ao de Kjeldahl. Os grupamentos amínicos livres analisados com TNBS ou ninidrina-cádmio também são técnicas mais rápidas e de fácil execução, além de fornecer informações que refletem melhor as degradações das proteínas durante a maturação. O acompanhamento da proteólise do queijo Prato ao longo da maturação indicou alto grau de associação entre os resultados obtidos em todos os métodos utilizados, sugerindo que todos podem ser empregados na sua avaliação e monitoramento. A avaliação instrumental da textura demonstrou a correlação dos atributos adesividade, elasticidade e coesividade com os outros índices usados na avaliação da proteólise, evidenciando que as alterações percebidas pelos consumidores podem ser medidas por parâmetros objetivos. A análise eletroforética demonstrou o aumento na concentração de peptídeos ao longo da maturação, sendo evidente o desdobramento gradual da αs1-caseína formando a fração αs1-I (f24-199) e da β-caseína, formando as frações γ1, γ2 e γ3. A análise por RP-HPLC também demonstrou um aumento no número de picos durante a maturação, com maior variação naqueles eluídos nas regiões intermediária e final da separação. / Proteolysis is probably the most important biochemical event which occurs during the ripening of most cheese varieties, with a major impact on flavour and texture. This work is about the application of different analytical techniques for extraction and determination of the nitrogen fractions liberated during the maturation of Prato cheese. These compounds are indicators of the extension and depth of maturation. Complementing these studies, more specific methods such as urea-PAGE electrophoresis and RP-HPLC were applied. The results showed that the nitrogen fractions studied and the methodology used in direct evaluation of the proteolysis are of potential for use in routine applications. The spectrophotometric determination of tyrosine and tryptophane confirmed that this procedure is good for estimating the extent of cheese ripening. Although they are considered gross indices, they could be used as an alternative fast method for Kjeldahl. Determinations of total free aminic groups by reaction with TNBS or ninhydrincadmium are also fast and easy. Proteolysis of Prato cheese during the maturation showed a high degree of correlation with the results obtained in all tested methods, suggesting that all of them can be used for its evaluation and monitoring. Instrumental measurement of texture indicated correlation of the attributes adhesiveness, elasticity and cohesiveness with the other indices used for proteolysis evaluation, meaning that the alterations noticed by the consumers can be measured by objective parameters. Electrophoretical analysis demonstrated an increase in peptides concentration as ripening progressed, revealing a gradual breakdown of αs1-casein to αs1-I (f24-199). There was a degradation of β-casein with a concomitant increase in concentration of γ-caseins. The RP-HPLC analysis also showed an increase in the number of peaks, with large variation in those eluted in the middle and final portion of the chromatogram.

The aim of this paper is to determine the objectified value of the company Tescan, a.s. based on publicly available information as of January 1, 2012. The methodology section describes the basic process of valuation, methods and procedures. Theoretical knowledge from this section is applied in the practival section. This includes strategic analysis, financial analysis, financial plan, setting the DCF valuation method in the variant FCFF and its use. The conclusion contains a statement of the value of the company.

No contexto metodológico desse trabalho, foram desenvolvidas as tecnologias lógicas, baseadas em arquiteturas de sistemas inteligentes, que auxiliem nos diagnósticos de avarias em transformadores de transmissão. O sistema desenvolvido tem como dados de entrada os resultados de ensaios de isolação, de relação de transformação, do fator de potência da isolação, de ensaios de tensão induzida, além de outros e, por meio de técnicas de inferência, indicarão a existência de possíveis avarias que devem ser averiguadas (de forma mais detalhada) antes de se retornar o transformador ao serviço. A particularidade que caracteriza a inovação sobre este assunto está justamente na elaboração de um novo ferramental, a ser disponibilizado por meio de um software inteligente de suporte à decisão, o qual produzirá respostas que permitirão o completo diagnóstico de falhas e avarias em transformadores de transmissão submetidos a esforços eletromagnéticos severos. As respostas serão produzidas a partir da análise integrada de resultados advindos de módulos inteligentes incumbidos de apoiar os diversos ensaios a serem realizados no equipamento. Assim, será possível estimar, inclusive, qual o momento de se proceder com a manutenção preventiva no equipamento. / In methodological context of this work, the logical technologies were developed based on smart systems architectures, which help in diagnosis of faults in transmission transformers. The developed system has as data input the results of insulation tests, the transformation ratio of the insulation power factor of induced voltage test, and others, and by inference techniques, indicate the existence of possible faults that must be ascertained (in more detail) before the processor returns to service. The special featuring innovation on this subject is exactly in the drafting of a new tooling, to be made available through intelligent decision support software, which will produce answers that will allow the full fault diagnosis and failure in transmission submitted transformers the severe electromagnetic efforts. The answers will be produced from the integrated analysis of results arising from intelligent modules responsible for assisting the various tests to be performed on the equipment. Thus, you can estimate, even when it\'s time to proceed with preventive maintenance on the equipment.

Currently usability research and practice are facing a challenge. The focus of design concerns is expanding from predominantly functional aspects of IT systems to overall user experience, which has direct implications for the area of usability evaluation. The aim of the study reported in this thesis is to explore the potential of traditional usability evaluation approaches to deal with issues related to user experience, such as fun and entertainment. The empirical study reported in the thesis deals with fun and entertainment, employs concepts and methods of web usability, and specifically focuses on the so-called entertainment web sites (EWSs). Existing studies and the most relevant theories of fun and usability are examined to determine to which extent these can shed light on evaluation of fun and usability. Then apparently to establish if these theories can help operationalize fun and entertainment as aspects of web usability. . It is concluded that evaluation of fun and usability remains an open issue. In the study, traditional usability evaluation methods are applied on EWSs and based on these results the methods are revised. Finally, these revised methods are used in evaluations of EWSs once more. The results of the study indicate that traditional usability evaluation methods can be applied to evaluation of entertainment and fun in the context of web usability. More specifically, existing empirical evaluation and heuristic evaluation methods are found to produce relevant and potentially useful evidence when applied to evaluation of entertainment web sites. Therefore, the main conclusion of the thesis can be formulated as follows; while the underlying concepts and principles of web usability can be employed in evaluation of entertainment and fun, specific evaluation methods need to be revised.

Training is a powerful and required method to equip human resources with tools to keep their organizations competitive in the markets. Typically at the end of class, trainees are asked to give their feelings about or satisfaction with the training. Although there are various reasons for conducting training evaluations, the common theme is the need to continuously improve a training program in the future. Among training evaluation methods, post-training surveys or questionnaires are the most commonly used way to get trainees’ reaction about the training program and “the forms will tell you to what extent you’ve been successful.” (Kirkpatrick 2006) A higher satisfaction score means more trainees were satisfied with the training. A total of 40 prediction models grouped into 10-GIQs prediction models and 6-GIQs prediction models were built in this work to predict the total training satisfaction based on trainees’ general information which included a trainee’s desire to take training, a trainee’s attitude in training class and other information related to the trainee’s work environment and other characteristics. The best models selected from 10-GIQs and 6-GIQs prediction models performed the prediction work with the prediction quality of PRED (0.15) >= 99% and PRED (0.15) >= 98%, separately. An interesting observation discovered in this work is that the training satisfaction could be predicted based on trainees information that was not related to any training experience at all. The dominant factors on training satisfaction were the trainee’s attitude in training class and the trainee’s desire to take the training which was found in 10-GIQs prediction models and 6-GIQs prediction models, separately. / text

Two-dimensional geometric textures are the geometric analogues of raster (pixel-based) textures and consist of planar distributions of discrete shapes with an inherent structure. These textures have many potential applications in art, computer graphics, and cartography. Synthesizing large textures by hand is generally a tedious task. In raster-based synthesis, many algorithms have been developed to limit the amount of manual effort required. These algorithms take in a small example as a reference and produce larger similar textures using a wide range of approaches. Recently, an increasing number of example-based geometric synthesis algorithms have been proposed. I refer to them in this dissertation as Geometric Texture Synthesis (GTS) algorithms. Analogous to their raster-based counterparts, GTS algorithms synthesize arrangements that ought to be judged by human viewers as “similar” to the example inputs. However, an absence of conventional evaluation procedures in current attempts demands an inquiry into the visual significance of synthesized results. In this dissertation, I present an investigation into GTS and report on my findings from three projects. I start by offering initial steps towards grounding texture synthesis techniques more firmly with our understanding of visual perception through two psychophysical studies. My observations throughout these studies result in important visual cues used by people when generating and/or comparing similarity of geometric arrangements as well a set of strategies adopted by participants when generating arrangements. Based on one of the generation strategies devised in these studies I develop a new geometric synthesis algorithm that uses a tile-based approach to generate arrangements. Textures synthesized by this algorithm are comparable to the state of the art in GTS and provide an additional reference in subsequent evaluations. To conduct effective evaluations of GTS, I start by collecting a set of representative examples, use them to acquire arrangements from multiple sources, and then gather them into a dataset that acts as a standard for the GTS research community. I then utilize this dataset in a second set of psychophysical studies that define an effective methodology for comparing current and future geometric synthesis algorithms.

Técnicas de visualização de informações multidimensionais têm o potencial de auxiliar na análise visual e exploração de grandes conjuntos de dados, através do emprego de mecanismos que buscam tanto representar visualmente os dados quanto permitir ao usuário a interação com estas representações. Neste contexto, diversas técnicas têm sido desenvolvidas, muitas delas sem uma avaliação detalhada e aprofundada tanto de eficiência como de utilidade no suporte às necessidades dos usuários. Contudo, há relativamente pouco tempo começaram a ser publicados trabalhos abordando as diversas questões relacionadas à avaliação de usabilidade de sistemas ou das aplicações que implementam estas técnicas como forma de promover sua eficiente e efetiva utilização. A avaliação de usabilidade de interfaces de sistemas de visualização representa um desafio de pesquisa uma vez que elas apresentam significativas diferenças com relação a outros tipos de interface. Neste sentido, existe uma carência de sistematização (incluindo o uso de métodos e técnicas de avaliação de usabilidade) que explore e considere as características deste tipo de interface de maneira adequada. Esta tese investiga soluções viáveis para o desenvolvimento de uma abordagem sistemática para avaliação de usabilidade de técnicas de visualização de informações multidimensionais e apresenta as seguintes soluções ao problema em estudo: 1) determinação de uma taxonomia de tarefas específica relacionada ao uso de visualizações multidimensionais no processo de análise de dados e 2) adaptação de técnicas e métodos de avaliação de usabilidade, com o objetivo de torná-los mais efetivos ao contexto de sistemas de visualização de informações multidimensionais. / Multidimensional visualization techniques have the potential of supporting the visual analysis and exploration of large datasets, by means of providing visual representations and interaction techniques which allow users to interact with the data through their graphical representation. In this context, several techniques have been developed, most of them being reported without a broad and deep evaluation both regarding their efficiency and utility in supporting users tasks. Few years ago, thus quite recently, several works have been published reporting many issues related to the evaluation of visualization systems and applications, as a means of promoting their efficiency and effective use. In spite of these works, the usability evaluation of visualization systems’ graphical interfaces remains a challenge because of the significant differences between these interfaces and those of other systems. This way, there is a need of finding a systematic approach for such evaluations, including the definition of which usability methods and techniques are best suited for this kind of interfaces. This thesis reports our investigation of viable solutions for the development of a systematic approach for the usability evaluation of multidimensional information visualizations. We have conducted several case studies and experiments with users and have achieved the following contributions: 1) a taxonomy of visualization tasks, that is related to the use of interactive visualization techniques for the exploration and analysis of multidimensional datasets and 2) adaptation of usability evaluation techniques with the goal of making them more effective in the context of multidimensional information visualizations.