Time-frequency analysis for non-linear and non-stationary signals is extraordinarily challenging. To capture the changes in these types of signals, it is necessary for the analysis methods to be local, adaptive and stable. In recent years, decomposition based analysis methods were developed by different researchers to deal with non-linear and non-stationary signals. These methods share the feature that a signal is decomposed into finite number of components on which the time-frequency analysis can be applied. Differences lie in the strategies to extract these components: by iteration or by optimization. However, considering the requirements of being local, adaptive and stable, neither of these decompositions are perfectly satisfactory. Motivated to find a local, adaptive and stable decomposition of a signal, this thesis presents Adaptive Local Iterative Filtering (ALIF) algorithm. The adaptivity is obtained having the filter lengths being determined by the signal itself. The locality is ensured by the filter we designed based on a PDE model. The stability of this algorithm is shown and the convergence is proved. Moreover, we also propose a local definition for the instantaneous frequency in order to achieve a completely local analysis for non-linear and non-stationary signals. Examples show that this decomposition really helps in both simulated data analysis and real world application.

A large number of studies have concentrated on golf swing biomechanics, ranging from planar rigid-link models to 3D kinematic analysis. A promising technique, instantaneous screw axis (ISA) theory, has not been covered in the literature and could provide a better true segment rotation approximation. The objectives of this study are to identify ISA location and orientation, as well as segment angular velocity, of the major body segments involved in the golf swing. For all subjects, it was found that the magnitude of maximum angular velocities increased from the most proximal segment (the pelvis) to the most distal segment (the left arm), in accordance with the summation of speeds principle. Furthermore, most subjects achieved their maximum angular velocities in the desired kinematic sequence, where the first maxima was achieved by the most proximal segment and followed by the more distal segments in the kinematic chain.

abstract: As global warming increases, sea levels continue to rise and world populations continue to grow; the Earth is nearing its tipping point. Human action, such as deforestation, mining, and industrialization, has had a profound effect on environments destroying wetlands, and the natural infrastructure needed to absorb rainfall and maintain vegetation. Due to extreme changes in climate and temperature, people all over the world are increasingly affected by natural disaster. Unable to sustain their livelihoods, these individuals, become environmental refugees and are forced to flee their land and homes to obtain security in another region or country. Currently, there are approximately 25 million environmental refugees worldwide. Despite the soaring numbers, environmental refugees are not legally recognized or protected by the United Nations, and thus do not receive the same rights or assistance as a traditional refugee. This thesis analyzes definitions and interpretations of Environmental Refugees (ERs) through the frameworks of environmental justice and human rights law and identifies possible avenues of discourse available. Furthermore, this thesis examines the current United Nations definition of refugee and identifies the pros and cons to expanding the current definition to include those affected by natural disaster. Through the case study of New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA), it is demonstrated how ERs are not only an issue facing developing countries, but also exist within developed nations. Hurricane Katrina in NOLA is an ethnographic example that demonstrates how during a time of natural disaster, a variety of past and present structural factors may contribute to the violation of human rights. This thesis then concludes with a discussion of possible categorizations of ERs and the concrete benefits of each category, and how lessons from NOLA can and should be applied to other ER situations in order to avoid human rights violations. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Social Justice and Human Rights 2010

Dynamic simulation of a large-scale electric power system involves solving a large number of differential algebraic equations (DAEs) every simulation time-step. With the ever-growing size and complexity of power grid, dynamic simulation becomes more and more time-consuming and computationally difficult using conventional sequential simulation techniques. This thesis presents a fully distributed approach intended for implementation on High Performance Computer (HPC) clusters. A novel, relaxation-based domain decomposition algorithm known as Parallel-General-Norton with Multiple-port Equivalent (PGNME) is proposed as the core technique of a two-stage decomposition approach to divide the overall dynamic simulation problem into a set of sub problems that can be solved concurrently. While the convergence property has traditionally been a concern for relaxation-based decomposition, an estimation mechanism based on multiple-port network equivalent is adopted as the preconditioner to enhance the convergence of the proposed algorithm. The algorithm is presented in detail and validated both in terms of accuracy and capability

<p> The objective of this investigation was to examine the potential of the point heat-flux meter in studying the dynamic heat transfer process in a scraped-surface heat exchanger.</p> <p> The heat-flux meters were an integral part of the copper heat exchanger which was steam-heated. Water was passed through the equipment as a thin film. The steam condensate was collected for measurement.</p> <p> Mathematical analysis related the transient differential temperature of the detector with the transient applied heat flux. A mathematical model was found that would estimate the instantaneous heat flux from the heat-flux-meter experimental temperature difference.</p> <p> Instantaneous and time-average local heat fluxes were measured by the heat-flux meter and the condensate respectively. The meter accuracy was -7000 Btu/hr sq ft.</p> <p> The heat-flux meter can be used in studying dynamic heat transfer processes.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

<p> Matrix diffusion from planar fractures was studied both mathematically and through physical model experiments. A conceptual model was developed based on previous work by Parker (1994) and Crank (1956). Mathematical models were developed to simulate diffusion from 2D and 3D instantaneous disk sources and a 3 D continuous disk source. The models were based on analytical solutions previously developed by Carslaw and Jaeger (1959). Analytical solution is not available for the total mass diffused into the porous matrix for a 3D continuous disk source, and it was therefore calculated through the summation of the iso-concentration lines, which were assumed to be a semi-spherical shape.</p> <p> The mathematical simulations indicated that the 2D scenario produces significantly different results from the 3D scenario, the time for mass disappearance is significantly larger for continuous sources than for instantaneous sources, the normalized concentration generally decreased over time for instantaneous sources while it increased over time for continuous sources, diffusion rates decrease significantly over time and space, and the normalized mass loss from the source zone never reaches 1 for continuous sources due to the semi-infinite integral. The simulations also showed that disappearance times increase exponentially with increasing source radii and matrix porosity, and decrease with increasing aqueous-phase NAPL solubilities.</p> <p> The observations from the physical model experiments were very close to the simulated data at z = 0, validating the 3D mathematical models for this elevation. A plot of the observed vs simulated data did not reveal any trends, indicating that the majority of the differences can be attributed to experimental error. The experimental concentrations were below the method detection limit at depths of 3 and 6 cm however, indicating that either the experiments should have been conducted over a longer time period or a more sensitive analytical method should have been employed, to enable model validation at these depths.</p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The effectiveness of exercise has been increasingly studied as exercise has been popular for the improvement of physical performance and rehabilitation of lumbar spine. A variety of exercises have been used to reduce back pain or spinal degeneration. However, there are no studies to determine effects of exercise on lumbar spine kinematics, including lumbar-pelvic coordination and instantaneous axis of rotation. The current study aimed to examine these lumbar spine kinematical changes due to exercise and therapy. We hypothesized that exercise and therapy will affect the changes of lumbar spine kinematics. Lumbar-Pelvic motions were recorded from 86 healthy subjects while performing lifting and lowering tasks of 10% and 25% of body weight. The influence of exercise was quantified from coefficients of curve-fitting for pelvic and lumbar angles. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) for the range of lumbar motion (distribution, D) between the control group and the cardiovascular exercise group after 12-week program. However, there was no significance for lumbar-pelvic coordination, C. A second study was performed to investigate the changes of instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR) at which trunk angle reached 25º. Results indicated that a superior-inferior location of IAR was significantly (p<0.05) modified by the cardiovascular exercise after 12 weeks, but there was no significant effectiveness of the physical therapy exercise. Finding of lumbar spine kinematics during lifting and lowering a weight which are the most popular manual handling activities may provide great understanding of the exercise effectiveness. Future studies are recommended to assess whether the changes of lumbar spine kinematics lead to the decrease instances of lumbar spine injuries or low back pain. / Master of Science

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-06-09Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:06:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 motoki_my_me_ilha.pdf: 675184 bytes, checksum: e172c8abc0127eb211d92ea44339f645 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Realiza-se neste trabalho um estudo da Teoria da Potência Complexa Instantânea aplicada na máquina de indução trifásica, onde são mostrados os vetores espaciais instantâneos (VEI´s), pois estes reduzem os parâmetros para estudo (o sistema trifásico é representado por um equivalente ortogonal). Através dos vetores espaciais instantâneos serão calculadas as grandezas de Buchholz-Goodhue para a determinação do aproveitamento da linha (melhoria do fator de potência) - que são recomendados pela norma IEEE 1459-2000. A máquina estará submetida a variadas condições de assimetria e desequilíbrio possibilitando a apresentação de novos parâmetros, que serão utilizadas para a compensação harmônica. / It takes place in this work a study of the Theory of the Instantaneous Complex Power applied will be accomplished in the three-phase induction machine, where the instantaneous space phasors are shown (ISP´s), because these reduce the parameters for study (the system three-phase is represented by an equivalent orthogonal). Through the instantaneous space phasors the parameters of Buchholz- Goodhue will be calculated for the determination of the use of the line (improvement of the power factor) - that are recommended by the norm IEEE 1459-2000. The machine will be submitted to varied asymmetry conditions and unbalance making possible the presentation of new parameters, which will be used for the harmonic compensation.

This dissertation explores the potential of EMD as analyzing tool for audio and speech processing. This signal expansion into IMFs is adaptive and without any prior assumptions (stationarity and linearity) on the signal to be analyzed. Salient properties of EMD such as dyadic filter bank structure, quasi-symmetry of IMF and fully description of IMF by its extrema, are exploited for denoising, coding and watermarking purposes. In speech signals denoising, we initially proposed a technique based on IMFs thresholding. A comparative analysis of performance of this technique compared to the denoising technique based on the wavelet. Then, to remedy the problem of the MMSE filters which requires an estimation of the spectral properties of noise, we introduced the ACWA filter in the denoising procedure. The proposed approach is consisted to filter all IMFs of the noisy signal by ACWA filter. This filtering approach is implemented in the time domain, and also applicable in the context of colored noise. Finally, to handle the case of hybrid speech frames, that is composed of voiced and unvoiced speech, we introduced a stationarity index in the denoising approach to detect the transition between the mixture of voiced and unvoiced sounds. In audio signals coding, we proposed four compression approaches. The first two approaches are based on the EMD, and the other two approaches exploit the EMD in association with Hilbert transform. In particular, we proposed to use a predictive coding of the instantaneous amplitude and frequency of the IMFs Finally, we studied the problem of audio signals watermarking in context of copyright protection. The number of IMFs can be variable depending on the attack type. The proposed approach involves inserting the mark in the extrema of last IMFs. In addition, we introduced a synchronization code in the procedure in order to facility the extraction of the mark. These contributions are illustrated on synthetic and real data and results compared to well established methods such as MMSE filter, wavelets approach, MP3 and AAC coders showing the good performances of EMD based signal processes. These findings demonstrate the real potential of EMD as analyzing tool (in adaptive way) in speech and audio processing.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-11-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:08:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 semensato_m_me_ilha.pdf: 1302035 bytes, checksum: 43c8881f259cd513c7fc585dd25d1307 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Este trabalho tem o objetivo de abordar a Teoria da Potência Complexa Instantânea, a qual utiliza vetores espaciais instantâneos, e mostrar sua utilidade através de duas aplicações para cargas do sistema trifásico: A ponte retificadora trifásica de seis pulsos e o transitório de partida de um motor de indução trifásico. Os resultados obtidos são comparados com as grandezas de Buchholz-Goodhue no cálculo da potência aparente e do fator de potência, grandezas estas definidas na norma IEEEStd 1459/2000, para sistemas trifásicos operando em regime permanente em condições de desequilíbrio e com formas de onda não-senoidais. Mostra-se a sua utilidade para a análise destes dois sistemas e lança-se um pouco mais de entendimento da relação existente entre estas duas abordagens. A ponte retificadora trifásica é analisada em condições equilibradas, facilitando-se, portanto, a comparação com a teoria convencional para regimes equilibrados e não-senoidais. Com relação ao transitório de partida do motor de indução, fica evidenciado que este pode ser tratado como se estivesse operando em regime para cada valor do escorregamento, durante o período do transitório eletromecânico. / This work aims to show The Instantaneous Complex Power approach, which uses instantaneous space vectors, showing its usefulness through two applications: The six pulse three-phase bridge rectifier and the starting transient of an induction motor. The results are compared to the Buchholz-Goodhue quantities, as defined in IEEE-Std 1459/2000, which deals with three-phase power systems under non-sinusoidal and unbalanced conditions. In this way it is possible to improve our understanding of the theory and the Buchholz- Goodhue approach. As the three-phase bridge rectifier is analyzed under balanced conditions, it facilitates the comparison of these two approaches with the conventional power theory for this case. Concerning the induction motor, it is shown that it can be treated as operating on steady-state sinusoidal conditions for every value of its slip during the electromechanical period of the starting process.