The field of low-dimensional quantum magnets has received lot of attention owing to the possibility of studying phenomena associated with the quantum nature of matter. Many materials that realize low-dimensional spin arrangements in their structure have been synthesized in the past twenty years due to the emergence and development of crystal growth techniques. These materials have been studied using various experiments in order to explore the wide range of interesting properties predicted theoretically for low-dimensional systems. In this pursuit, novel properties have been observed and many open questions have been raised. One such property that is typically observed in many low-dimensional quantum magnets is heat transport via magnetic excitations. Large magnitudes of magnetic heat conductivity has been found experimentally in materials belonging to this class in addition to the conventionally known phononic heat conduction, and interesting theoretical predictions like the divergence of heat conductivity in certain spin models exist, that have stimulated research in this field. This experimental work mainly deals with the crystal growth and heat transport properties of low-dimensional quantum magnets that include one-dimensional (1D) spin chain systems Sr$_2$CuO$_3$ and SrCuO$_2$, two-dimensional (2D) Heisenberg antiferromagnet La$_2$CuO$_4$, and a five-leg spin ladder La$_8$Cu$_7$O$_{19}$, with a view to understand propagating low-energy magnetic excitations and their interaction amongst themselves, other quasiparticles and impurities present in the systems. These interactions result in scattering processes that govern the magnitude and temperature dependence of heat conductivity. In spite of considerable theoretical and experimental work in the field of heat transport, a complete understanding of the scattering mechanisms is lacking. The work tries to add to the experimental knowledge about magnetic heat transport in such systems and presents cases which motivate the need for theoretical understanding of aspects of heat transport. The focus of this work was twofold. One part focusses on the single crystal growth using the travelling-solvent floating zone (TFSZ) method of materials which realize low-dimensional spin systems in their structure. The TFSZ method is indispensable for growing large single crystals of extraordinary purity, which can be used for investigations using neutrons and other techniques like heat conductivity measurements that probe anisotropic properties. The other part deals with the experimental results on heat transport and other thermodynamic properties of these materials. In order to study the behaviour of the magnetic heat conductivity at high temperatures, and the effect of small amount of magnetic and non-magnetic impurities on the heat transport of 2D Heisenberg antiferromagnet La$_2$CuO$_4$, single crystals of pure La$_2$CuO$_4$, and Ni- and Zn-doped versions, La$_2$Cu$_x$Ni$_{1-x}$O$_4$ and La$_2$Cu$_x$Zn$_{1-x}$O$_4$ for $x$ = 0.001 and 0.003, were grown using the TFSZ method. Heat transport in the pure compound was experimentally investigated for the first time up to very high temperatures of 813 K using two methods, namely the steady state method for low temperatures and the dynamic flash method for measuring high temperature conductivity. Analysis of the magnon mean-free path using empirical models based on semi-classical theories, and qualitative comparison to theoretical calculations seems to suggest that scattering between magnons might play an important role in addition to scattering of magnons with phonons and defects, and that the spin-spin correlation length could be crucial in limiting the mean free path of magnons at high temperatures. These experimental results and indications of probable scattering mechanisms based on non-rigorous analyses and comparisons, strongly motivate the need for theoretical studies. Heat conductivity measurements on the Ni- and Zn- doped versions of La$_2$CuO$_4$ are still incomplete and inconclusive, and hence have not been reported in this work. Heat transport experiments on Ni- and Ca-doped Sr$_2$CuO$_3$ were performed, with a motivation to investigate the role of disorder induced by impurities lying within the spin chains (Ni) and those lying outside the spin chains (Ca), on the heat transport in this system. In both the cases, the magnetic heat transport is observed to be strongly suppressed upon doping. Empirical analysis of the data seems to suggest that in the temperature regime of 100-300 K, the temperature dependence of the mean-free path of magnetic excitations for the Ni- and Ca-doped samples can be described by scattering with defects (Ni and Ca impurities) and phonons alone. However, surprisingly, a strong increase of phononic conductivity is observed perpendicular and parallel to the spin chains of the Ni-doped compounds compared to the pure compounds, whose explanation seems to lie in the existence of an additional dissipative scattering mechanism present in the pure compounds that is lifted upon doping, possibly due to the presence of a spin gap in the doped compounds. The effect of Ni on the Sr$_2$CuO$_3$ and SrCuO$_2$ was also investigated by studying the low energy regime of the spin excitation spectrum using other microscopic probes like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS). Large single crystals of SrCu$_x$Ni$_{1-x}$O$_2$, with $x$ = 0.01 were grown and used in these experiments that observed the presence of a spin gap in the Ni-doped sample. Further theoretical investigations are however required to understand the possible role of the spin gap in influencing the spin-phonon scattering mechanism, and its relevance to the observed enhancement in phononic conduction. Although we observe that in the case of both 1D and 2D systems, a semi-classical kinetic model for heat transport along with empirical models of scattering processes describe the temperature dependence of the measured heat conductivity surprisingly well in the temperature regime up to 300 K and 800 K respectively, interpretations based on these analyses must be treated as only preliminary, and as a step towards understanding microscopically the scattering mechanisms involved in low-dimensional systems such as the ones discussed in this work. In the direction of exploratory research towards synthesis of novel low-dimensional materials, two cuprate compounds were synthesized in the form of single crystals using the floating zone method for the first time, namely, a five leg $S=tfrac{1}{2}$ antiferromagnetic spin ladder compound La$_8$Cu$_7$O$_{19}$ and an insulating delafossite LaCuO$_{2}$. A bulk 3D antiferromagnetic ordering is observed in La$_8$Cu$_7$O$_{19}$. Heat conductivity of La$_8$Cu$_7$O$_{19}$ is observed to be purely phononic and no contribution from magnetic excitations seem to exist, although the measurements indicates that there is a large anisotropy in heat transport. However, detailed diffraction experiments using x-rays and neutrons indicate that both the crystal and magnetic structures are complicated, and that the details of the structure prevent La$_8$Cu$_7$O$_{19}$ from being a perfect realization of a five-leg spin ladder.

In this thesis we used ESR to investigate magnetic properties of low D vandium and copper oxides in which small quantum spins are arranged in 1D chains and 2D layers. The thesis covers five different low dimensional spin systems. They turned out to be experimental reliazation of some of the most intersiting theoritical models in the field of quantum magnetism.

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.100-101).

This thesis is concerned with the robots' motion planning problem. In particular it is focused on the path planning and motion planning for Autonomously Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in well-structured, two-dimensional static and dynamic environments. Two algorithms are proposed for solving the aforementioned problems. The first algorithm establishes the shortest collision-semi-free path for an AGV from its start point to its goal point, in a two-dimensional static environment populated by simple polygonal obstacles. This algorithm constructs and searches a reduced visibility graph, within the AGV's configuration space, using heuristic information about the problem domain. The second algorithm establishes the time minimal collision-semi-free motion for an AGV, from its start point to is goal point, in a two-dimensional dynamic environment populated by simple polygonal obstacles. This algorithm considers the AGV's spacetime configuration space, thus reducing the dynamic motion planning problem to the static path planning problem. A reduced visibility graph is then constructed and searched using information about the problem domain, in the AGV's space-time configuration space in order to establish the time-minimal motion between the AGV's start and goal configurations. The latter algorithm is extended to solve more complicated instances of the dynamic motion planning problem, where the AGV's environment is populated by obstacles, which change their size as well as their position over time and obstacles, which have piecewise linear motion. The proposed algorithms can be used to efficiently and safely navigate AGVs in well structured environments. For example, for the navigation of an AGV, in industrial environments, where it operates as part of the manufacturing process or in chemical and nuclear plants, where the hostile environment is inaccessible to humans. The main contributions in this thesis are, the systematic study of the V*GRAPH algorithm and identification of its methodic and algorithmic deficiencies; recommendation of corrections and further improvements on the V* GRAPH algorithm, which in turn lead to the proposition of the V*MECHA algorithm for robot path planning; proposition of the D*MECHA algorithm for motion planning in dynamic environments; extension to the D*MECHA algorithm to solve more complicated instances of the dynamic robot motion planning problem; discussion of formal proofs of the proposed algorithms' correctness and optimality and critical comparisons with existing similar algorithms for solving the motion planning problem.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The genera Corymbia and Eucalyptus although used by industries face limitations such as high levels of growth stresses, drying problems and high shrinkage. Thus, methods such as heat treatment are studied to improve these properties. The objective of this research was to study the effect of heat treatment on physical and mechanical properties of wood of Corymbia citriodora and Eucalyptus saligna. From each species 3 trees were sampled, with approximately 40 years of age, which were sectioned with the first two logs in lengths of 3 meters each. The heat treatment was applied with final temperature of 140 º C, 160 º C and 180 º C for 2.5 hours using an oven with forced air circulation. To determine the physical and mechanical properties there were used the procedures of ASTM D 143-94 (ASTM, 2000) and NBR 7190 (ABNT, 1997). The physical properties analyzed were the equilibrium moisture content, weight reduction, loss of density, swelling coefficient, total (linear and volumetric) and coefficient of anisotropy. Mechanical properties evaluated were modulus of elasticity (MOE) and rupture (MOR) in bending, compression parallel to grain and impact resistance. The results, in general, demonstrated for all physical properties that the heat treatment is effective in reducing the hygroscopicity and increasing dimensional stability of both species, with best results in treatments with higher temperatures. The results of the mechanical properties have shown that impact resistance for both species was reduced compared to control in all treatments. The test results static bending, for both species, increased in temperature of 140 ° C and decreased at temperatures of 160 º C and 180 º C. Compression parallel to the grain in wood of Corymbia citriodora increased with heat treatment at temperature of 140 ° C and presented a reduction at other temperatures. The wood of Eucalyptus saligna, the evaluation of compression parallel to the grain, presented a decrease in strength with increasing temperature. In accordance with the results of the study the thermally treated material can be used in places where humidity is higher, however it is not suitable for structural use, because its strength is reduced with increasing temperature. / Os gêneros de Corymbia e Eucalyptus apesar de utilizados pelas indústrias enfrentam limitações como altos níveis de tensões de crescimento, problemas de secagem e alta retratibilidade. Dessa forma, métodos como o tratamento térmico são estudados para melhorar essas propriedades. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar o efeito do tratamento térmico nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas da madeira de Corymbia citriodora e Eucalyptus saligna. Foram amostradas 3 árvores de cada espécie, com aproximadamente 40 anos de idade, as quais foram seccionadas as duas primeiras toras com comprimento de 3 metros cada. Para o tratamento térmico foram aplicadas temperaturas finais de 140ºC, 160ºC e 180ºC, durante 2,5 horas, utilizando estufa com circulação de ar forçada. Para a determinação das propriedades físicas e mecânicas foram utilizados os procedimentos estabelecidos nas normas ASTM D 143-94 (ASTM, 2000) e NBR 7190 (ABNT, 1997). As propriedades físicas avaliadas foram umidade de equilíbrio, redução de massa, perda de massa específica, coeficiente de inchamento total (linear e o volumétrico) e coeficiente de anisotropia. As avaliações de resistência mecânica foram realizadas pelo módulo de elasticidade (MOE) e ruptura (MOR) em flexão estática, compressão paralela às fibras e resistência máxima ao impacto. Os resultados, em linhas gerais, demonstraram para todas as propriedades físicas avaliadas que o tratamento térmico é eficiente na redução da higroscopicidade e aumento da estabilidade dimensional de ambas as espécies, com melhores resultados, nos tratamentos com maiores temperaturas. Os resultados das propriedades mecânicas demonstraram que a máxima resistência ao impacto, para ambas as espécies, foi reduzida em relação à testemunha em todos os tratamentos. Os resultados do ensaio de flexão estática, para as duas espécies, teve um aumento na temperatura de 140ºC e diminuiu nas temperaturas de 160ºC e 180ºC. Para a compressão paralela as fibras a espécie Corymbia citriodora teve aumento na temperatura de 140ºC, reduzindo nas demais temperaturas. A espécie de Eucalyptus saligna, na avaliação da compressão paralela as fibras, reduziu com o aumento da temperatura. De acordo, com os resultados do estudo o material tratado termicamente pode ser utilizado em locais com umidade mais elevadas, entretanto não sendo indicado para uso estrutural, pois sua resistência é reduzida com o aumento da temperatura.

nÃo hà / The greater extent of Cearà State (about 90% of its territory) is supplied by winds of the order of 3.5 to 5m / s. On the same extent of territory lie the settlements of farmers (responsible for producing most of the food consumed in our territory) are located in these same regions and possess not support the industries in developing specific equipment to meet the demand energy of these, since the application of wind turbines for power generation is not appropriate. We could use for this purpose, small generators that mostly have curves also not appropriate to these sites. This paper presents a model for designing blades for wind turbines with a view to use in areas characterized as low wind using camber profile. A mathematical model was developed for the design and modeling of the blades of a rotor starting data of wind speeds characteristic of regions of settlements of farmers, potency and specific characteristics required for the installation site generating dimensional parameters enabling the manufacture of rotor blades . The validation model used academic software for comparative data generated by the model. As a way to refine the model, we propose preparation of prototype scale using the methodology presented dimensional analysis coefficients Pi-terms for this purpose. / Grande extensÃo do Estado do Cearà (cerca de 90% de seu territÃrio) à suprida por ventos com velocidade de 3,5 a 5m/s. Nesta mesma extensÃo do territÃrio, encontram-se os assentamentos de agricultores familiares que sÃo responsÃveis pela produÃÃo da maior parte dos alimentos consumidos em nosso territÃrio. Poder-se-ia utilizar para este fim, aerogeradores comerciais de pequeno porte. PorÃm em sua maioria, possuem curvas caracterÃsticas nÃo adequadas (visto nÃo ser para regiÃes com baixas velocidades de vento). Por nÃo possuirem apoio das indÃstrias no desenvolvimento de equipamentos especÃficos para o atendimento da demanda em energia elÃtrica a estes locais, este trabalho apresenta uma modelagem para projeto de pÃs para aerogeradores com vistas a utilizaÃÃo em regiÃes caracterizadas como baixo vento utilizando perfil cambado. Um modelo matemÃtico foi elaborado para o dimensionamento e modelagem das pÃs de um rotor apartir de dados de velocidades de vento caracterÃsticos das regiÃes de assentamentos de agricultores, potÃncia requerida e caracterÃsticas especificas do local de instalaÃÃo gerando parÃmetros dimensionais que permitam a fabricaÃÃo das pÃs do rotor. A validaÃÃo do modelo utilizou o software FoilSim para comparativo dos dados gerados pelo modelo. Como forma de refinamento do modelo, propÃs-se elaboraÃÃo de protÃtipo em escala com uso da metodologia de anÃlise dimensional apresentando coeficientes Pi-termos para este propÃsito.

A presente pesquisa é proveniente da necessidade de conhecer os mecanismos de controle de peças sinterizadas, tendo como objetivo a melhoria da produção. Esse gerenciamento representa uma grande influência no preço da tecnologia. Mais especificamente o estudo de caso é relacionado ao controle dimensional de um calço sinterizado. Essa peça de geometria simples, um disco, deve ter o seu diâmetro e acima de tudo a sua altura controlados. O diâmetro é controlado pelas dimensões estabelecidas, as características da mistura de pós e o forno de sinterização. Uma vez esses parâmetros estejam corretamente estabelecidos, o diâmetro do calço pode não variar substancialmente. Entretanto, o controle de altura da peça é um passo crítico. A precisão requerida pode ser na ordem de 0.05 mm para cada categoria que os calços são divididos, o que é difícil de ser atingido em grande números em baixa dispersão. Sempre haverá uma variação em torno de um valor significativo. Nesse estudo, utilizando o processo de controle estatístico como um instrumento de decisão é encontrada sob qual condição a produção é melhor estabelecida. Além disso, o estudo permite o estabelecimento de quantas partes serão fabricadas para a obtenção de uma altura particular e quantas partes serão reclassificadas. Toda essa informação implica diretamente no controle de custo de produção. / The proposition for this work comes to the necessity of the knowledge of mechanisms controls for sintered parts, aiming the improvement of the production. This management means a great influence in the technology price. More specifically the case study is related to the dimensional control of a sintered shim. This part of simple geometry, i.e., a disk, has to have its diameter and above of all the height accurately controlled. The diameter is controlled by the die set dimensions, powders mixture characteristics and sintering furnaces. Once these parameters are correctly set, the shim diameter may not vary substantially. However, the part height control is a critical step. The required precision may be in the order of 0.05 mm for each class that are divided the shims, which is difficult to be attained in large numbers at small dispersion. There will be always a variation around a mean value. In this study, using the statistical process control as a decision-taking instrument it is found under which condition the best yield is set. Moreover, the study allows the establishment of how many parts are to be fabricated for the obtention of a particular height class and how many parts will be reclassified. All this information directly implicate in production cost control.

Além da secagem convencional, a aplicação de tratamentos térmicos a altas temperaturas é um dos processos mais empregados para potencializar a estabilidade da madeira, porém necessitam de estrutura e equipamentos próprios. Diante disto, a proposta desta pesquisa fundamenta-se no estudo da aplicação de tratamentos estabilizadores para redução da higroscopicidade do material madeira, mediante temperaturas mais brandas (abaixo de 150°C) e que permitam a aplicação prática em equipamentos de secagem utilizados na indústria nacional. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos estabilizadores nas propriedades físicas e componentes químicos da madeira para sua viabilização prática. O trabalho consistiu em duas etapas, na primeira: foram utilizadas três espécies de folhosas: Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum), Tachi preto (Tachigali myrmecophyla) e Itaúba amarela (Mezilaurus itauba), foi realizada a caracterização anatômica das espécies utilizando Microscopia Ótica e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), e análise da composição química e propriedades físicas. As amostras destinadas aos tratamentos estabilizadores, inicialmente, foram secas em estufa convencional e em seguida passaram pelos tratamentos estabilizadores em autoclave a 90°C (24 e 96h) e 120°C (2h e 8h). Em seguida, foram realizados os condicionamentos higroscópicos (adsorção e dessorção) nas umidades relativas de 30, 60 e 90% para avaliação do potencial higroscópico e das variações dimensionais. Na segunda etapa, a partir dos resultados obtidos na primeira etapa, foi possível aplicar o tratamento propriamente dito, o piloto em escala industrial, utilizando uma estufa de secagem convencional (90°C por 24 horas); e em escala laboratorial (90°C por 24 e 96 horas), em uma câmara de climatização simulando um secador convencional. Para o tratamento piloto, foi levado em consideração a disponibilidade de matéria prima da empresa e tendo como foco o trabalho concomitante entre laboratório e aplicação industrial, a espécie utilizada foi o Cumarú (Dipterix sp), uma vez que essa espécie é considerada pela indústria como uma das mais problemáticas e, portanto, uma das espécies prioritárias para receber um tratamento que contribua para reduzir a variação dimensional após secagem. Os principais resultados permitiram observar que os tratamentos estabilizadores na forma em que foram aplicados na presente pesquisa, não causaram alterações na composição química na madeira das espécies e quando realizados em ambiente com alta umidade relativa, não apresentam redução significativa da higroscopicidade e da variação dimensional na maioria dos condicionamentos. Com aplicação do tratamento piloto foi possível observar que com o controle da umidade relativa do ar, tanto no início quanto no final do processo, é possível reduzir o potencial higroscópico da madeira mediante aplicação de tratamentos estabilizadores. / Besides conventional drying, the application of heat treatment at high temperatures is one of the processes employed to improve the stability of wood, however they require its own structure and equipment. Therefore, the purpose of this research is based on the application of the stabilizers treatments studies of wood material hygroscopicity reduction, using low temperatures (below 150°C) and that allows practical application in drying equipment used in the domestic industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of stabilizing treatments on the physical properties and chemical components of wood for its practical feasibility. The research was comprised for two steps, the first: a total of three species of hardwoods had been used: Cedrinho (Erisma uncinatum), Tachi preto (Tachigali myrmecophyla) e Itaúba amarela (Mezilaurus itauba). The characterization of this three species was made by anatomical description, using Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the chemical composition analysis and the physical properties. Samples of the stabilizing treatment, initially, were dried in a conventional kiln dryer and then the stabilizing treatment was applied in an autoclave at 90°C (24 e 96h) e 120°C (2h e 8h). Next, the hygroscopic conditioning were conducted (adsorption and desorption) in relative humidity (RH) of 30, 60 and 90% for evaluation of hygroscopic potential and dimensional changes. In the second stage, from the results obtained in the first step, it was possible to apply the treatment itself, the industrial scale pilot, using a conventional kiln dryer (90°C for 24 hours); and laboratory scale (90°C for 24 and 96 hours) in a climate chamber simulating a conventional dryer. For the pilot treatment, the availability of raw materials in the company was taken into account and focusing on the concurrent work between laboratory and industrial application, the selected specie was Cumarú (Dipterix sp), considered by the industry as one of the most problematic and, therefore a priority species to receive a treatment that can help to reduce the dimensional change after drying. The main results allowed to observe that the stabilizing treatments in the way that were applied in this study, did not cause changes in the chemical composition and when performed in an environment with high relative humidity, show no significant reduction of hygroscopicity and dimensional variation in most of conditionings. From the implementation of pilot treatment was observed that adopting the control of relative humidity, both in the beginning and the end of the process, is possible to reduce hygroscopic potential of wood by applying stabilizers treatments.

Os problemas de corte de estoque consistem em cortar um conjunto de objetos dispon´veis em estoque para produzir um conjunto de itens em quantidades e tamanhos especificados, de modo a otimizar uma fun¸cao objetivo. Tais problemas tem in´umeras aplica¸coes industriais e tem sido bastante estudados na literatura. Tipicamente, problemas de corte tem como principal objetivo a minimiza¸cao das sobras. Entretanto, como a qualidade dos padroes de corte depende diretamente dos tamanhos e quantidades dos itens a serem produzidos, nesta tese, consideramos que se a demanda presente gerar sobras indesej´aveis (nem tao grandes para serem aproveit´aveis, nem tao pequenas para serem perdas aceit´aveis), entao conv´em gerar retalhos (nao comput´aveis como perda) que serao utilizados para produzir itens de demandas futuras. Desta forma, algumas caracter´sticas desej´aveis para uma boa solu¸cao sao definidas e altera¸coes em m´etodos heur´sticos cl´assicos sao apresentadas, de modo que os padroes de corte com sobras indesej´aveis sao alterados. Para os problemas de corte unidimensionais, desenvolvemos procedimentos heur´sticos que consideram o aproveitamento de sobras, mantendo como o principal objetivo a minimiza ¸cao das perdas. Outra abordagem para este problema, considera o caso em que al´em da minimiza¸cao das perdas, os retalhos dispon´veis em estoque devem ter prioridade de uso em rela¸cao aos demais objetos durante o processo de corte. A an´alise do desempenho dos procedimentos heur´sticos propostos quando somente a minimiza¸cao das perdas ´e considerada, ´e realizada com base em exemplos da literatura, exemplos pr´aticos e exemplares gerados aleatoriamente. Para os procedimentos heur´sticos que priorizam o corte dos retalhos do estoque, al´em de exemplares da literatura, simulamos uma situa¸cao em m´ultiplos per´odos na qual problemas de corte de estoque em sucessivos per´odos sao resolvidos. A cada per´odo, um problema para o per´odo seguinte ´e gerado considerando atualiza¸coes do estoque, os retalhos gerados nos per´odos anteriores e uma nova demanda de itens que ´e v gerada aleatoriamente. No caso bidimensional, tamb´em consideramos problemas em que, al´em da perda m´nima, os retalhos dispon´veis em estoque devem ter prioridade de corte em rela¸cao aos demais objetos. Para resolver este problema, altera¸coes foram realizadas na abordagem grafo E/OU e em procedimentos heur´sticos da literatura. A an´alise do desempenho dos procedimentos heur´sticos propostos considera problemas pr´aticos retirados da carteira de pedidos de uma pequena empresa de esquadrias met´alicas. Devido `a dificuldade na an´alise dos procedimentos heur´sticos desenvolvidos que consideram o aproveitamento de sobras (as solu¸coes apresentam caracter´sticas importantes e conflitantes), tamb´em apresentamos neste trabalho uma estrat´egia fuzzy para facilitar a analise das solu¸coes obtidas. Os testes computacionais sao realizados considerando os procedimentos heur´sticos desenvolvidos para os problemas de corte unidimensionais com sobras aproveit´aveis e problemas gerados aleatoriamente / Cutting stock problems consist of cutting a set of available objects in order to produce ordered items in specified amounts and sizes, in such way to optimize an objective function. Such problems have a great number of industrial applications and are widely studied in the literature. Typically, cutting problems have as main objective the minimization of the leftovers. However, since the cutting patterns quality depends directly of the sizes and amounts of the items that will be produced, in this tesis, we consider that if the present demand to generate undesirable waste (not large enough to be used, nor too small to be acceptable waste), then it is better to generate retails (not computed as waste) that will be used to produce items to meet future demands. In this way, some desirable characteristics for a good solution are defined and alterations in classical heuristic methods are presented, such that the cutting patterns with undesirable waste are altered. To the one-dimensional cutting stock problems, we developed heuristic procedures that consider the usable leftovers and preserve as main objective the minimization of the waste. Other approach for this problem considers the case in witch, beside minimal waste, the available retails in stock must be used with priority in relation to the other objects during the cutting process. The performance of the modified heuristics procedures, when only the minimal waste is considered, is observed by solving instances from the literature, practical instances and randomly generated instances. For heuristic procedures that prioritize the cut of retails of the stock, beside the instances from the literature, we simulated a situation in multiple periods in that cutting stock problems in successive periods are solved. In each period, a problem to the next period is generated considering updating of the stock, the retails generated in previous periods and a new demand of items that is randomly generated. For the two-dimensional cutting problems, we also consider problems in that, beside minimization of the waste, the available retails in stock must be used with priority vii in relation to the other objects. To solve this problem, alterations were realized in an AND/OR graph approach and in heuristic procedures of the literature. The performance of the proposed heuristics procedures is observed by solving practical instances provided by a small metallic frameworks industry. Due to difficulty in analyze the heuristic procedures developed for the cutting stock problem with usable leftover (the solutions present important and conflicting characteristics), we also present a fuzzy strategy to facilitate the analysis of the obtained solutions. The computational results are realized considering the developed heuristic procedures to the one-dimensional cutting stock problem with usable leftover and randomly generated instances

Estratificar o risco de morte súbita é um grande desafio no manejo da cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH). Os fatores de risco existentes atualmente apresentam baixo valor preditivo positivo e a estratégia para prevenção primária de morte súbita, que é o implante do cardiodesfibrilador implantável (CDI), baseia-se nesses fatores. Estudos que validem novos marcadores de risco são necessários, objetivando identificar pacientes com maior risco de morte súbita. A avaliação da deformação miocárdica (strain) por meio do Speckle Tracking na ecocardiografia bidimensional determina a função regional e global do ventrículo esquerdo, e, ainda, pode se correlacionar à fibrose miocárdica. Objetivo: Avaliar, em portadores de CMH e CDI, se a deformação miocárdica avaliada pelo Speckle Tracking, correlaciona-se com a ocorrência de taquiarritmias ventriculares registradas no monitor de eventos do CDI. Métodos: Foram incluídos 49 pacientes (43,5±15,8 anos; 59% mulheres) portadores de CMH e CDI acompanhados nos ambulatórios de Eletrofisiologia e Miocardiopatias do Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação ecocardiográfica convencional padrão e análise do strain miocárdico pelo Speckle Tracking bidimensional. Foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo A, composto por aqueles que receberam terapia apropriada pelo CDI ou tiveram apenas a documentação de taquicardia ventricular não sustentada pelo CDI; e grupo B, composto por pacientes sem documentação de arritmias ventriculares no monitor de eventos. As variáveis contínuas foram comparadas utilizando-se testes t de Student pareado ou Mann-Whitney; para as categóricas o teste do x2 ou testes exatos de Fisher. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se o programa SPSS. Valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados: Em 93,9% da população, a indicação do CDI foi por prevenção primária. Quinze pacientes (30,6%) compuseram o grupo A, 10 pacientes, por apresentarem taquicardia ventricular não sustentada (TVNS) e 5 por taquicardia ventricular sustentada (TVS). Os parâmetros ecocardiográficos convencionais não foram diferentes entre os grupos, com exceção do diâmetro da raiz aórtica, maior no grupo A (33,6 ± 4,4 e 29,4 ± 3,5, p = 0,001). Os valores do strain bidimensional longitudinal global, circunferencial global e radial global estavam reduzidos na população, porém não foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os grupos A e B. Pacientes do grupo A tiveram redução significante do strain circunferencial médio ao nível da valva mitral (SC médio VM) e do strain circunferencial no segmento ântero-septal ao nível da valva mitral (SC ântero-septal VM), em relação aos pacientes do grupo B (-12,3 ± 3,2 e -16 ± 3,9, p = 0,041 e -13,6 ± 6,6 e -18,7 ± 7,2, p = 0,039, respectivamente). O SC médio VM >= -14,2% apresentou 84,6% de sensibilidade e 70% de especificidade para predizer a ocorrência de taquicardias ventriculares em portadores de CMH com uma área sob a curva de 0,76 e nível de significância de 0,005; e O SC ântero-septal VM >= -17,9% apresentou 77% de sensibilidade e 60% de especificidade para predizer a ocorrência de taquicardias ventriculares em portadores de CMH com uma área sob a curva de 0,68 e nível de significância de 0,044. Conclusões: A presença de SC médio VM > -14,2% e SC ântero-septal VM > -17,9% correlacionaram-se com a presença de arritmias ventriculares malignas. Houve correlação positiva entre a presença de arritmias ventriculares malignas e o diâmetro da raiz da aorta. / Risk stratification for sudden cardiac death is still a challenging in the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The existing risk factors present low positive predictive value, and the strategy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death, that is the implantable cardioverter-defibrillation (ICD), is based on these factors. Studies to validate new risk markers are necessaries to identify patients with higher sudden cardiac death risk. The evaluation of myocardial deformation (strain) through Speckle Tracking in two-dimensional echocardiography determines the regional and global function of the left ventricle, and still correlate with myocardial fibrosis. Objective: To evaluate, in patients with HCM and ICD, if the myocardial deformation evaluated through the Speckle Tracking correlates with the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias recorded in the monitor of implantable cardioverter-defribillation events. Methods: Forty-nine patients (mean age, 43,5 ± 15,8; 59% women) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and implantable cardioverter-defibrillation followed in Eletrophysiology and Cardiomyopathies Divisions at Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology were included in the study. All patients underwent standard conventional echocardiographic evaluation and analysis of myocardial strain through two-dimensional Speckle Tracking. Patients were divided in two groups: group A, composed of those who received appropriate therapy by the ICD or had only the documentation of ventricular tachycardia not sustained by the ICD; group B, composed of patients without documented ventricular arrhythmias in the event monitor. Continuous variables were compared using paired t-Student test or Mann-Whitney. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square test or Fisher exact test. For data analysis, the SPSS program was used. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Forty-nine patients (mean age, 43,5 ± 15,8; 59% women) were evaluated. 93.9% in the ICD was for Primary Prevention. Fifteen patients comprised the group A, ten patients for presenting Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia (NSVT) and five for Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia (SVT). Conventional echocardiographic parameters were not different between the groups, except for the aortic root diameter, higher in group A (33,6 ± 4,4 and 29,4 ± 3,5; p= 0,001). The values of global longitudinal, global circumferential and global radial two-dimensional strain were reduced in the population, but not statistically significant between groups A and B. Patients in group A had a significant reduction of the mean circumferential strain at the level of the mitral valve (mean SC MV) and the circumferential strain at the anteroseptal segment at the level of the mitral valve (anteroseptal MV SC), compared to the patients in group B (-12.3 ± 3.2 and -16 ± 3.9, p = 0.041 and -13.6 ± 6.6 and -18.7 ± 7.2, p = 0.039, respectively). The mean MV SC >= -14.2% presented 84.6% sensitivity and 70% specificity to predict the occurrence of ventricular tachycardias in patients with HCM with an area under the curve of 0.76 and a level of significance of 0.005 and Anteroposterior MV >= -17.9% presented 77% sensitivity and 60% specificity to predict the occurrence of ventricular tachycardias in patients with HCM with an area under the curve of 0.68 and a level of significance of 0.044. Conclusions: The presence of mean circumferential strain at the level of the mitral valve > -14,2% and anteroseptal circumferential strain at the level of the mitral valve > -17,9% correlated with the presence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. There was a positive correlation between the presence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and the aortic root diameter.