Master of Science / Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Todd W. Easton / Integer programs (IPs) are mathematical models that can provide an optimal solution to a variety of different problems. They have been used to reduce costs and optimize organizations. Additionally, IPs are NP-complete resulting in many IPs that cannot be solved. Cutting planes or valid inequalities have been used to decrease the time required to solve IPs. Lifting is a technique that strengthens existing valid inequalities. Lifting inequalities can result in facet defining inequalities, which are the theoretically strongest valid inequalities. Because of these properties, lifting procedures are used in software to reduce the time required to solve an IP. The thesis introduces a new algorithm for exact synchronized simultaneous uplifting over an arbitrary initial inequality for knapsack problems. Synchronized Simultaneous Lifting (SSL) is a pseudopolynomial time algorithm requiring O(nb+n[superscript]3) effort to solve. It exactly uplifts two sets simultaneously into an initial arbitrary valid inequality and creates multiple inequalities of a particular form. This previously undiscovered class of inequalities generated by SSL can be facet defining. A small computational study shows that SSL is quick to execute, requiring on average less than a quarter of a second. Additionally, applying SSL inequalities to a knapsack problem enabled commercial software to solve problems that it could not solve without them.

Master of Science / Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Todd W. Easton / Graph Theory is a widely studied topic. A graph is defined by two important features: nodes and edges. Nodes can represent people, cities, variables, resources, products, while the edges represent a relationship between two nodes. Using graphs to solve problems has played a major role in a diverse set of industries for many years. Integer Programs (IPs) are mathematical models used to optimize a problem. Often this involves maximizing the utilization of resources or minimizing waste. IPs are most notably used when resources must be of integer value, or cannot be split. IPs have been utilized by many companies for resource distribution, scheduling, and conflict management. The node packing or independent set problem is a common combinatorial optimization problem. The objective is to select the maximum nodes in a graph such that no two nodes are adjacent. Node packing has been used in a wide variety of problems, which include routing of vehicles and scheduling machines. This thesis introduces several new graph structures, cliqued hole, odd bipartite hole, and odd k-partite hole, and their corresponding valid inequalities for the node packing polyhedron. These valid inequalities are shown to be new valid inequalities and conditions are provided for when they are facet defining, which are known to be the strongest class of valid inequalities. These new valid inequalities can be used by practitioners to help solve node packing instances and integer programs.

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-concepts and body cathexis of both males and females engaged in an eleven week weight training course and to examine if differences in gender role would influence the relationship of strength to self-concept and body cathexis. Each group (weight trainers versus controls) was administered the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, Bem Sex-Role Inventory, Eysenck Personality Inventory, and the Body Cathexis Scale. Strength measures were obtained. Group by gender ANOVA and ANCOVA examined differences between and among the groups and genders. Gender role by gender ANOVA and ANCOVA examined differences between and among the androgynous and masculine typed males and females. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship of strength to body cathexis and self-concept. Results indicated pre- and post differences between and among the groups and genders and the genders and the gender roles.

O objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver uma ferramenta de automatização de cálculo para projeto estrutural de pórticos rolantes. Com o apoio da geração automática de um modelo de elementos finitos e um memorial de cálculo, o projeto estrutural desses equipamentos pode ser rapidamente verificado quanto ao limite de escoamento do material e resistência à flambagem. Optou-se pela utilização do método dos elementos finitos para o cálculo estrutural, pois se trata de uma ferramenta de cálculo moderna, que permite avaliar soluções para as quais não há ferramentas analíticas disponíveis. Porém, o tempo para geração de modelos de cálculo pode ser longo em relação ao cronograma do projeto, principalmente se houver a necessidade de se alterar a geometria inicial ou se existirem várias condições de carregamento a serem analisadas. A utilização de um pré-processador permite que várias alternativas sejam analisadas para escolha da que melhor atenda aos requisitos de projeto e de custo. Assim como ocorre com outras estruturas de engenharia, não existe uma equação de dimensionamento, mas sim de verificação; as estruturas ótimas são procuradas por tentativa e erro com base na experiência do projetista. Para facilitar a busca de uma estrutura ótima, implementou-se também uma rotina para otimizar as estruturas metálicas do pórtico. Adotou-se como função objetivo nesta implementação a minimização da massa, o que no caso dos pórticos implica em redução da área da seção transversal das vigas. Como restrições a esta redução adotaram-se o limite de escoamento do material e limite de estabilidade da estrutura (flambagem). Foram utilizados os aplicativos Excel (Microsoft), Ansys (Ansys Inc.) e Mathcad (Mathsoft) de maneira integrada a fim de se obter uma interface amigável, uma análise estrutural confiável e a elaboração automática de um memorial de cálculo. / The objective of this work is to develop a tool to generate an automatic structural design of gantry cranes. With an automatic generation of finite element models and also a design report, this routine allows a fast verification against yield of material and structural instability. The use of the finite element method was chosen for the structural design because it is a modern analysis tool that permits the evaluation of geometric configurations for which there are no analytical formulations available. However, the time necessary to build these models may be high, especially if there are changes in the initial geometry and many load cases. The use of a pre-processor allows the evaluation of a series of geometric alternatives, within which would be chosen the one with the lowest cost that attends the client’s specifications. Like many other engineering problems, there are no direct equations to find an adequate structure; there are only verification procedures available; the optimum structures are searched by trial and error, based on the designers’ experience. To accelerate this search process, an optimization routine was developed. Mass reduction was adopted as the objective function, which leads to reduction of the cross section area of the beams. Yield strength and buckling were adopted as restrictions to this optimization. Excel (Microsoft), Ansys (Ansys Inc) and Mathcad (Mathsoft) software were integrated to provide an user-friendly interface, reliable structural analysis and an automatic report generation.

O exercício resistido dinâmico é recomendado para hipertensos, mas a pressão arterial (PA) se eleva muito durante sua execução. Este estudo investigou o efeito do antagonista do canal de cálcio diidropiridínico, anlodipina, sobre a resposta da PA ao exercício resistido de diferentes intensidades. Onze hipertensos essenciais foram estudados após 4 semanas de uso de placebo e anlodipina, num desenho aleatório e duplo cego. Os voluntários realizaram o exercício de extensão de joelhos até a exaustão, seguindo os seguintes protocolos: a) 1 série em 100% de 1RM, b) 3 séries em 80% de 1RM; e c) 3 séries em 40% de 1RM. Antes e durante os exercícios, a PA foi medida diretamente na artéria radial. A anlodipina reduziu os valores absolutos da PA sistólica (225±6 vs 207±6 mmHg em 100%, 289±8 vs 273±10 mmHg em 80% e 289±10 vs 271±11 mmHg em 40%) e da PA diastólica (141± 3 vs 130±6 mmHg em 100%, 178±5 vs 169±6 mmHg em 80% e 176±8 vs 154±6 mmHg em 40%) em todas as intensidades. Ela também minimizou o aumento da PA diastólica que ocorreu na 2ª e 3ª séries do exercício realizado em 40% de 1 RM. Em conclusão, anlodipina é capaz de diminuir os valores máximos da PA atingidos durante a realização de exercícios resistidos de diferentes intensidades e minimizar o aumento progressivo da PA diastólica em exercícios mais prolongados.Estes efeitos podem reduzir o risco cardiovascular durante a execução de esforços resistidos em hipertensos / Dynamic resistance exercise is recommended for hypertensives. However, during its execution blood pressure (BP) presents a huge increase. This study investigated the effects of dyhidropyridine calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine, on BP responses during resistance exercises executed at different intensities. Eleven essential hypertensives were studied after 4 weeks of placebo and amlodipine administered at a random double blinded order. Volunteers were evaluated during the execution of the knee extension exercise performed with three different protocols: a) 1 set at 100% of 1RM (repetition maximum), b) 3 sets at 80% of 1RM, and c) 3 sets at 40% of 1RM. Before and during exercise, BP was directly measured at the radial artery. Amlodipine reduced the absolute values of systolic BP (225±6 vs 207±6 mmHg at 100%, 289±8 vs 273±10 mmHg at 80% e 289±10 vs 271±11 mmHg at 40%) and diastolic BP (141± 3 vs 130±6 mmHg at 100%, 178±5 vs 169±6 mmHg at 80% e 176±8 vs 154±6 mmHg at 40%) during all the exercise intensities. In addition, it mitigated diastolic BP increase that happened at the second and third sets of the exercise at 40% of 1 RM. In conclusion, amlodipine was able to decrease BP maximal values achieved during resistance exercise at different intensities, and minimizes diastolic BP increase in prolonged resistance exercises. These effects may confer some cardiovascular protection for hypertensives during the execution of resistance efforts

This project consists of the design of a concept for a portable assistive seat in collaboration with IKEA. The aim of the project is to create a solution that fits within the Omtänksam family of products and shares the company’s values of what is so-called Democratic Design: Form - Quality - Low Price - Function – Sustainability The Omtänksam Family is focused on products that can help the elderly to have a more comfortable life while blending with the home environment. A portable assistive Lifting Seat is a real need for many people that require some extra help when standing up or sitting down. The main goal of this project is to design a cheap, safe, simple and light product that can assist people for reducing the effort that is required from them. The product must be comfortable, easy to transport and friendly to interact with. Considering a mass manufacturing perspective is very important to meet the previously formulated requirements. The force that the assistive seat releases must keep performing efficiently during the product service life. A locking system must be provided for avoiding the lifting force to act when the user is sitting, assisting only when it is demanded. This Thesis describes the process of designing a concept for a Portable AssistiveLifting Seat involving different areas such as ergonomics, semantics, manufacturing, mechanical engineering and materials science. The design approach in this case is driven by the Democratic Design Principles combining the human-centered design with a market perspective. The result takes advantage of form and material for avoiding the need for any extra lifting mechanism. This solution is way simpler than any other one existing in the market and it integrates the solution for many different problems in one single piece. This simplification of the problem allows reducing the production cost and helps to meet the intended requirements creating an innovative product for the market.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:23:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Martins Da Silva.pdf: 1253605 bytes, checksum: b4ba872ba92b7e62871520e248de1c2c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-28 / This paper intends to analyse the possibility of applying the lifting of the corporate veil theory to the tax Law. Starting at the basic definitions, the paper‟s objective is to demonstrate the main aspects and fundaments of this theory in order to apply and test them in the subsystem of tax Law, considering its material and procedural particularities. Concluding that it is possible to apply the lifting of the corporate veil to the tax Law, after analysing and conjugating various doctrinaire and jurisdictional understandings, this paper finally aims at offering a critical and comparative analysis between the lifting of the corporate veil and similar institutions. It constitutes a multidisciplinary paper that aggregates institutions and doctrinaire concepts belonging to various Law subsystems, such as the civil, the commercial, the procedural, and mainly, the tax Law, confronting them with decisions taken by Brazilian courts, specially the Superior Court of Justice / O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a possibilidade de aplicação da teoria da desconsideração da personalidade jurídica no direito tributário. Partindo de definições básicas, visa demonstrar os principais aspectos e fundamentos dessa teoria para aplicá-los e testá-los no subsistema do direito tributário, considerando, para tanto, as particularidades materiais e processuais desse subsistema. Concluindo pela possibilidade de aplicação da teoria da desconsideração da personalidade jurídica no direito tributário, após analisar e conjugar diferentes entendimentos doutrinários e jurisprudenciais sobre o tema, visa oferecer, por fim, uma análise crítica e comparativa entre a desconsideração da personalidade jurídica e institutos semelhantes. É um trabalho multidisciplinar, que agrega institutos e conceitos doutrinários pertencentes a diversos subsistemas do direito, como o civil, comercial, empresarial, processual e, principalmente, o tributário, confrontando-os com decisões dos tribunais brasileiros, principalmente os superiores

Yeung Sai Mo, Simon. / "June 2002." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 255-278). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

L'évolution de l'infographie et des techniques de numérisation a récemment ouvert la voie à une modélisation tridimensionnelle du monde qui nous entoure. Afin de s'adapter à l'hétérogénéité des ressources et médias manipulant ces objets 3D, des techniques basées sur l'analyse multirésolution sont généralement utilisées car elles fournissent une représentation "scalable" de ces modèles géométriques. C'est dans ce cadre de compression et de transmission progressive d'objets 3D (modélisées sous forme de maillages surfaciques) que se situe ce travail de thèse, réalisé dans le cadre du projet "CoSurf" (collaboration entre le laboratoire LIRIS et France Télécom R&D Rennes). Nous proposons ainsi une nouvelle méthode de compression hiérarchique s'appuyant sur une décomposition en ondelettes, outil d'analyse performant et robuste qui a fait ses preuves en termes de compression d'images et de vidéos. Notre méthode se démarque des techniques existantes, puisqu'elle s'appuie sur une segmentation préalable de la surface en régions d'amplitudes fréquentielles variables. Les partitions résultantes peuvent ainsi être traitées indépendamment durant les phases d'analyse multirésolution, de quantification et d'allocation binaire, de façon à s'adapter aux caractéristiques surfaciques locales des maillages et ainsi réduire les informations à coder. La contribution visuelle de chacune des partitions à l'ensemble de la surface est également un point important à considérer dans la phase d'optimisation des bits alloués à celles-ci, notamment pour des applications comme la transmission et la visualisation sélectives. D'autres applications telles que le tatouage, le filtrage ou le débruitage adaptatifs, l'indexation ou enfin la correction d'erreurs après transmission sur un canal bruité, pourraient bénéficier de ce concept générique que nous avons proposé.

La plupart des programmes informatiques sont concurrents : ils doivent effectuer plusieurs tâches en même temps. Les threads et les événements sont deux techniques usuelles d'implémentation de la concurrence. Les événements sont généralement plus légers et efficaces que les threads, mais aussi plus difficiles à utiliser. De plus, ils sont souvent trop limités ; il est alors nécessaire d'écrire du code hybride, encore plus complexe, utilisant à la fois des threads ordonnancés préemptivement et des événements ordonnancés coopérativement. Nous montrons dans cette thèse que des programmes concurrents écrits dans un style à threads sont traduisibles automatiquement en programmes à événements équivalents et efficaces par une suite de transformations source-source prouvées. Nous proposons d'abord Continuation-Passing C, une extension du langage C pour l'écriture de systèmes concurrents qui offre des threads très légers et unifiés (coopératifs et préemptifs). Les programmes CPC sont transformés par le traducteur CPC pour produire du code à événements séquentialisé efficace, utilisant des threads natifs pour les parties préemptives. Nous définissons et prouvons ensuite la correction de ces transformations, en particulier le lambda lifting et la conversion CPS, pour un langage impératif. Enfin, nous validons la conception et l'implémentation de CPC en le comparant à d'autres bibliothèques de threads et en exhibant notre seeder BitTorrent Hekate. Nous justifions aussi notre choix du lambda lifting en implémentant eCPC, une variante de CPC utilisant les environnements, et en comparant ses performances à celles de CPC.