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Opposition-based learning (OBL) was recently proposed to extend di erent machine learning algorithms. The main idea of OBL is to consider opposite estimates, actions or states as an attempt to increase the coverage of the solution space and to reduce exploration time. OBL has already been applied to reinforcement learning, neural networks and genetic algorithms. This thesis explores the application of OBL to ant algorithms. Ant algorithms are based on the trail laying and following behaviour of ants. They have been successfully applied to many complex optimization problems. However, like any other technique, they can benefit from performance improvements. Thus, this work was motivated by the idea of developing more complex pheromone and path selection behaviour for the algorithm using the concept of opposition. This work proposes opposition-based extensions to the construction and update phases of the ant algorithm. The modifications that focus on the solution construction include three direct and two indirect methods. The three direct methods work by pairing the ants and synchronizing their path selection. The two other approaches modify the decisions of the ants by using opposite-pheromone content. The extension of the update phase lead to an approach that performs additional pheromone updates using opposite decisions. Experimental validation was done using two versions of the ant algorithm: the Ant System and the Ant Colony System. The di erent OBL extensions were applied to the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) and to the Grid World Problem (GWP). Results demonstrate that the concept of opposition is not easily applied to the ant algorithm. One pheromone-based method showed performance improvements that were statistically significant for the TSP. The quality of the solutions increased and more optimal solutions were found. The extension to the update phase showed some improvements for the TSP and led to accuracy improvements and a significant speed-up for the GWP. The other extensions showed no clear improvement. The proposed methods for applying opposition to the ant algorithm have potential, but more investigations are required before ant colony optimization can fully benefit from opposition. Most importantly, fundamental theoretical work with graphs, specifically, clearly defining opposite paths or opposite path components, is needed. Overall, the results indicate that OBL ideas can be beneficial for ant algorithms.

Opposition-based learning (OBL) was recently proposed to extend di erent machine learning algorithms. The main idea of OBL is to consider opposite estimates, actions or states as an attempt to increase the coverage of the solution space and to reduce exploration time. OBL has already been applied to reinforcement learning, neural networks and genetic algorithms. This thesis explores the application of OBL to ant algorithms. Ant algorithms are based on the trail laying and following behaviour of ants. They have been successfully applied to many complex optimization problems. However, like any other technique, they can benefit from performance improvements. Thus, this work was motivated by the idea of developing more complex pheromone and path selection behaviour for the algorithm using the concept of opposition. This work proposes opposition-based extensions to the construction and update phases of the ant algorithm. The modifications that focus on the solution construction include three direct and two indirect methods. The three direct methods work by pairing the ants and synchronizing their path selection. The two other approaches modify the decisions of the ants by using opposite-pheromone content. The extension of the update phase lead to an approach that performs additional pheromone updates using opposite decisions. Experimental validation was done using two versions of the ant algorithm: the Ant System and the Ant Colony System. The di erent OBL extensions were applied to the Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) and to the Grid World Problem (GWP). Results demonstrate that the concept of opposition is not easily applied to the ant algorithm. One pheromone-based method showed performance improvements that were statistically significant for the TSP. The quality of the solutions increased and more optimal solutions were found. The extension to the update phase showed some improvements for the TSP and led to accuracy improvements and a significant speed-up for the GWP. The other extensions showed no clear improvement. The proposed methods for applying opposition to the ant algorithm have potential, but more investigations are required before ant colony optimization can fully benefit from opposition. Most importantly, fundamental theoretical work with graphs, specifically, clearly defining opposite paths or opposite path components, is needed. Overall, the results indicate that OBL ideas can be beneficial for ant algorithms.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2018-04-11T19:30:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 KassiaKamillaDeMoura_TESE.pdf: 1623086 bytes, checksum: f4d1faf92dfeb22e2290910f059c67be (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-04-12T20:59:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 KassiaKamillaDeMoura_TESE.pdf: 1623086 bytes, checksum: f4d1faf92dfeb22e2290910f059c67be (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-12T20:59:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 KassiaKamillaDeMoura_TESE.pdf: 1623086 bytes, checksum: f4d1faf92dfeb22e2290910f059c67be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-12-08 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Considerando os pressupostos te?rico-metodol?gicos da Sociolingu?stica Variacionalista (WEINREICH, LABOV, HERZOG, [1968] 2006) e Sociolingu?stica Hist?rica (CONDE SILVESTRE, 2007), descrevemos e analisamos o processo de varia??o / mudan?a envolvendo formas pronominais de segunda pessoa do singular (P2), na posi??o de complemento verbal, nas fun??es acusativas, dativas e obl?quas, em sete conjuntos de cartas pessoais escritas por norte-rio-grandenses ao longo do s?culo XX. Apresentamos uma an?lise quantitativa / qualitativa com o objetivo de identificar quais fatores lingu?sticos e / ou extralingu?sticos influenciam o processo de mudan?a observado no paradigma pronominal no Portugu?s Brasileiro (PB). Tomamos por base estudos anteriores sobre o sistema pronominal no PB, que registram a produtividade das formas pronominais, te, o, a, contigo, prep. + Ti, prep. + Voc?, ?, na posi??o de complemento verbal. Esses estudos atestam o seguinte cen?rio: uma descri??o dos ambientes morfossint?ticos favor?veis ao uso das formas associadas ao voc?, sendo mais recorrentes em contextos com formas verbais imperativas, sujeitos expl?citos e pronomes preposicionais. Os resultados obtidos nesta tese confirmam, em parte, as declara??es defendidas pelos estudos anteriores: i) produtividade significativa das formas pronominais 'te / lhe', a primeira associada ao tu e a segunda ao voc?; ii) uso expressivo das formas associadas ao pronome inovador, voc?, especialmente nas constru??es do tipo: Suj + V + OD + OI, Suj + V + OI, nas constru??es com complementos preposicionais; iii) incid?ncias de uso das formas de complemento associadas ao voc? em contextos com menos grau de formalidade; iv) prefer?ncia significativa para constru??es com um objeto lexicamente expl?cito; v) ratifica??o do progn?stico j? apresentado por Moura (2013) quanto ?s formas de prefer?ncia associadas ao voc?, nas cartas pessoais do Rio Grande do Norte (RN), desde as primeiras d?cadas do s?culo XX (1916). Os resultados desta tese mostram que as formas de complemento associadas ao voc?, bem como as constru??es com o objeto expl?cito, t?m prefer?ncia quase majorit?ria nas cartas do RN. / Considering the theoretical methodological presuppositions of Variationist Sociolinguistics (WEINREICH, LABOV, HERZOG, [1968] 2006) and Historical Sociolinguistics (CONDE SILVESTRE, 2007), we describe and analyze the process of variation/change involving pronominal forms of second person of the singular (P2), in the position of verbal complement, in the accusative, dative and oblique functions, in seven sets of personal letters written by people from Rio Grande do Norte(RN) along thethe 20th century. We present a quantitative / qualitative analysis with the objective of identifying which linguistic and / or extralinguistic factors influence the process of change observed in the pronominal paradigma in Brazilian Portuguese (BP). We are based on previous studies about the pronominal system in BP, wich register the productivity of pronominal forms te, lhe, voc?, o/a, contigo, prep.+ ti, prep.+ voc?, ?, in the position of verbal complemente. These studies attesd the following situationa lso showed a delineation of the morphosyntactic environments favorable to the use of the forms associated to voc?, these being more recurrent in contexts with imperative verbal forms, the explicit subjects and prepositional complements pronouns. The results got in this thesis confirm, partially, the statements defended by the previous studies: i) significant productivity of the pronominal forms 'te / lhe' the first being associated with the tu and the second with voc?; ii) expressive use of the forms associated with the innovative pronoun voc?, especially in constructions of the type: Suj + V + OD + OI, Suj + V + OI, in the constructions with prepositional complements; iii) incidences of use of the forms of complement associated to voc? in contexts with less degree of formality; iv) significant preference for constructions with a explicit lexically object; v) ratification of the prognosis already presented by Moura (2013) regarding the preference forms associated with voc?, in the personal letters of RN, since the first decades of the 20th century (1916). The results of this thesis show that the forms of complement associated with you, as well as the constructions with the object explicit have almost majority preference in the letters of RN.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:16:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DeniseDA_DISSERT.pdf: 659589 bytes, checksum: a95e9f3f95d4524998e52ab9a5dd9577 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-04-13 / Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is described as anterior or retropatellar pain knee in the absence of other pathologies and is frequently associated with dysfunction of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO). However, several studies have demonstrated the inability to selectively activate this muscle through exercise. To evaluate the effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) selective VMO in women with syndrome. We evaluated thirty-eight women: twenty in the control group (24.15 ? 2.60 years) and eighteen diagnosed with PFPS (25.56 ? 3.55 years). Both groups were evaluated before and after a protocol of electro stimulation. To measure for comparing groups before and after treatment, we assessed the extensor torque concentric and eccentric knee through an isokinetic dynamometer, the intensity (Root Mean Square - RMS) and the onset of activation (onset) of VMO compared to the vastus lateralis (VL) in two types of exercise: open and closed kinetic chain. . Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Our data showed an increase in the intensity of activation (RMS) of the VMO muscle after NMES in both study groups. During concentric contraction the RMS of the VMO before the NMES was 105.69 ? 32.26 μV and after a single intervention was 122.10 ? 39.62 μV (p = 0.048) for the control group. In the group with PPS, we found a similar behavior, with RMS of the VMO before NMES of 96.25 ? 18.83 μV and 139.80 ? 65.88 μV after the intervention (p = 0.0001). However, there was no evidence in the RMS value of VL muscle. The onset was calculated by subtracting the onset of VL by the onset of VMO. For the group with PFPS, the onset before the intervention was -0.007 ? 0.14 ms, indicating a delay of the VMO relative to VL, and after NMES was 0.074 ? 0.09 ms (p = 0.016), showing an activation previous VMO to VL. The same occurred for the control group. We also observed that NMES increased knee extensor power during the concentric contraction in both groups. Before the intervention the mean power was 28.97 ? 9.01 W for the PPS group and after NMES was 34.38 ? 7.61 W (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: We observed an increase in electromyographic activity of the VMO and also an anticipatory effect of this muscle / A S?ndrome da Dor Femoropatelar (SDFP) ? freq?entemente associada ? disfun??o do Vasto Medial Obl?quo (VMO). Diversos estudos t?m demonstrado a impossibilidade de ativar seletivamente este m?sculo por meio de exerc?cios. Avaliar os efeitos de uma ?nica sess?o de Estimula??o El?trica Neuromuscular (EENM) seletiva do m?sculo VMO, em sujeitos com SDFP. Foram avaliadas 38 mulheres sendo 20 pertencentes ao grupo controle (24,15 ? 2,60 anos) e 18 com diagn?stico de SDFP (25,56 ? 3,55 anos). Ambos avaliados antes e ap?s um protocolo de eletroestimula??o. Para medida de compara??o dos grupos antes e depois do tratamento, foram avaliados, o desempenho isocin?tico, a intensidade de ativa??o muscular (Root Mean Square RMS) e o in?cio da ativa??o (onset) do VMO comparado ao vasto lateral (VL). Para an?lise estat?stica foi utilizado o programa SPSS 15.0, com um n?vel de signific?ncia de 5%. Resultados: Nossos dados mostraram um aumento na intensidade de ativa??o (RMS) do m?sculo VMO ap?s a EENM, em ambos os grupos de estudo. Durante a contra??o conc?ntrica o RMS do VMO antes da EENM foi 105,69 ? 32,26 μV e depois de uma ?nica interven??o foi de 122,10 ? 39,62 μV (p=0,048) para o grupo controle. No grupo com SDFP, encontramos um comportamento semelhante, com RMS do VMO antes da EENM de 96,25 ? 18,83 μV e 139,80 ? 65,88 μV depois da interven??o (p=0,0001). Entretanto, n?o foi evidenciada altera??o no valor RMS do m?sculo VL. O onset foi calculado atrav?s da subtra??o do onset do VL pelo onset do VMO. Para o grupo com SDFP, o onset antes da interven??o foi de -0,007 ? 0,14 ms, evidenciando um atraso do VMO em rela??o ao VL, e ap?s a EENM foi 0,074 ? 0,09 ms (p=0,016), mostrando uma ativa??o do VMO anterior ao VL. O mesmo ocorreu para o grupo controle. Observamos tamb?m que a EENM aumentou a pot?ncia extensora do joelho, durante a contra??o conc?ntrica em ambos os grupos. Antes da interven??o a m?dia da pot?ncia era de 28,97 ? 9,01 W para o grupo SDFP e depois da EENM foi de 34,38 ? 7,61 W (p=0,0001). Conclus?o: Observou-se um aumento na atividade eletromiogr?fica do VMO ap?s a eletroestimula??o, al?m de um efeito antecipat?rio deste m?sculo

Title: Working with text and development of reading knowledge in minorit groups Michal Vejlupek My diploma theme with title, Working with text and development of reading knowledge in minorit groups is about reading and reading literacy. It was concerned with the definition of these conceptions with an outline of its development. Described the historical evolution of the education methods of the first reading focused on understanding. From minority groups concentrates on Vietnamese ethnic group and on their day-to-day problems in Czech Republic emphasized on their different communication. Approaching issues of the children with different mother tongues and the education methods in Czech Republic related to this dissimilarity (OBL) which is at the beginning. In practice part of my diploma there is a research of differences between Vietnamese and Czech students. My results confirm no differences between them. Vietnamese children are worse than Czech in understanding but deficiency is low. Results of reading questionnaire show no big differences also.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-13T17:08:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AndreJPCB_DISSERT.pdf: 4384821 bytes, checksum: f23022c7fe9a0e10cf6b38d62f412fc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-17 / The physical structural modeling tool is being increasingly used in geology to provide information about the evolutionary stages (nucleation, growth) and geometry of geological structures at various scales. During the simulations of extensional tectonics, modeling provides a better understanding of fault geometry and evolution of the tectonic-stratigraphic architecture of rift basins. In this study a sandbox type apparatus was used to study the nucleation and development of basins influenced by previous structures within the basement, variably oriented as regards to the main extensional axis. Two types of experiments were conducted in order to: (i) simulate the individual (independent) development of half-grabens oriented orthogonal or oblique to the extension direction; (ii) simulate the simultaneous development of such half-grabens, orthogonal or oblique to the extension direction. In both cases the same materials (sand mixed with gypsum) were used and the same boundary conditions were maintained. The results were compared with a natural analogue represented by the Rio do Peixe Basin (one of the eocretaceous interior basins of Northeast Brazil). The obtained models allowed to observe the development of segmented border faults with listric geometry, often forming relay ramps, and the development of inner basins faults that affect only the basal strata, like the ones observed in the seismic sections of the natural analogue. The results confirm the importance of basement tectonic heritage in the geometry of rift depocenters / A modelagem estrutural f?sica ? uma ferramenta cada vez mais usada na geologia para fornecer informa??o sobre os diversos est?gios evolutivos (nuclea??o, desenvolvimento) e geometria de estruturas geol?gicas em v?rias escalas. No caso particular da simula??o da tect?nica distensional, a modelagem proporciona uma melhor compreens?o da geometria e evolu??o de falhas e da arquitetura tectonoestratigr?fica de bacias rifte. Neste trabalho foi utilizado um aparato tipo caixa de areia para estudar a nuclea??o e desenvolvimento de bacias influenciadas por estruturas pr?vias no embasamento, com trend vari?vel em rela??o ? dire??o de distens?o. Para tal, foram realizados dois tipos de experimentos para: (i) simular o desenvolvimento individual (independente) de semigr?ben com abertura ortogonal ou obl?qua ? dire??o de distens?o; (ii) simular o desenvolvimento simult?neo desses semigr?ben ortogonais ou obl?quos ? dire??o de distens?o. Em ambos os casos foi utilizado o mesmo material (mistura de areia e gesso) e mantidas as condi??es de contorno. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com um an?logo natural representado pela Bacia do Rio do Peixe (uma das bacias interiores eocret?ceas do Nordeste do Brasil). Os modelos permitiram observar o desenvolvimento segmentado das falhas de borda, com geometria l?strica, frequentemente formando rampas de revezamento, al?m do desenvolvimento de falhas internas ?s bacias localizadas nas suas por??es mais basais, similares ?quelas observadas nas se??es s?smicas do an?logo natural. Os resultados confirmam a influ?ncia da heran?a tect?nica do embasamento na geometria dos depocentros rifte