Persistent Scatterer Interferometric techniques are very powerful geodetic tools for land deformation monitoring that offer the typical advantages of the satellite remote sensing SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) systems : a wide coverage at a relatively high resolution. Those techniques are based on the analysis of a set of SAR images acquired over a given area. They overcome the decorrelation problem by identifying elements (in resolution cells) with a high quality returned SAR signal which remains stable in a series of interferograms. These techniques have been useful for the analysis of urban areas, where man-made objects produce good reflections that dominate over the background scattering, as well as in field areas where the density of infrastructures is more limited. Typically, PSI technique requires an approximate a priori temporal model for the detection of the deformation, even though characterizing the temporal evolution of a deformation is commonly one of the objectives of any study.This work is focused on a particular PSI technique, which is named Stable Point Network (SPN) and that it has been completely developed by Altamira Information in 2003. The work concisely outlines the main characteristics of this technique, and describes its main products: average deformation maps, deformation time series of the measured points, and the so-called maps of the residual topographic error, which are used to precisely geocode the PSI products. The main objectives of this PhD are the identification and analysis of the drawbacks of this processing chain, and the development of new tools and methodologies in order to overcome them. First, the performances of the SPN technique are examined and illustrated by means of practical cases (based on real test sites made with data coming from different sensors) and simulated scenarios.Thus, the main drawbacks of the technique are identified and discussed, such as the lack of automatic quality control parameters, the evaluation of the input data quality, the selection of good points for the measurements and the use of a functional model to unwrap the phases based on a linear deformation trend in time. Then, different enhancements are proposed. In particular, the automatic quality control of the coregistration procedure has been introduced through the analysis of the inter-pixel position of some natural point targets-like pixels identified within the images. The enhancements in the selection of the final points of measurements (the final PSI map) come by means of the analysis of the SAR signal signature of the strong targets presented within the image, in order to select only the center of the main lobe as point of measurement. The introduction of robustness within some critical steps of the technique is done by means of the analysis of the rotational of the estimates in close loops within a network of relative measurements, and by means of the implementation of a different integration methodology, which can be ran in parallel in order to compare it with the classical one. Finally, the main drawback of the technique, the use of a linear model for the detection of ground deformations, is addressed with the development of a new fitting methodology which allows possible change of trends within the analyzed time span. All those enhancements are evaluated with the use of real examples of applications and with simulated data. In particular, the new methodology for detecting non-linear ground deformations has been tested in the city of Paris, where a large stacking of ERS1/2 and ENVISAT SAR images are available. Those images are covering a very large time period of analysis at where some known non-linear ground deformations where occurring

The beginning of the 21 st century is characterised, among others, by the evolution in telecommunications. The rapid growth of mobile communications and the variety of applications proposed for the third generation (3G) systems require long operation time, low weight and cost for terminals, as well as improved link quality. For this reason a good efficiency and low profile antennas with low absorption losses by the user are desirable. The Planar Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA) is shown to result into low SAR values and high efficiency when operating in the proximity of the user. Despite these advantages, PIFA is also characterised by narrow bandwidth that limits its practical use. The first part of this work is dedicated to the measurements and evaluation of the radiation characteristics of the PIFA and other wire antennas both in the near and far fields. In addition, novel methods of PIFA tuning are presented. These include the repositioning of the shorting pin and modification of its capacitance. By using these techniques, the effective bandwidth of the PIFA can be increased to satisfy the GSM900 and DCS 1800 system bandwidth requirements. Dual-band and electronically tuned PIFA prototypes are also included. The effects of the handset size on the mass averaged Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), and antenna efficiency are investigated. The appropriate choice of handset can result in up to 30%-reduced peak SAR. The computed SAR values from PIFA are compared with those resulting from the use of a handset equipped with quarter wavelength monopole antenna. A new measure referred to as the 3dB SAR volume is proposed. This measure provides better understanding of the absorbed power distribution in the operator's head. Results obtained in the course of study show that low profile handset antennas, such as the PIFA, present in addition to dual resonance and low reflection losses, reduced SAR values, high efficiency and low 3dB SAR volume. Finally, SAR and 3dB SAR volume values from simulations on 5- and 10- years old child head models are compared with their equivalents for adult models from which appropriate conclusions are drawn.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2016-07-11T18:12:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JoseCarlosDosSantos_DISSERT.pdf: 7612237 bytes, checksum: 29cfc919ec9634affa60afdf9f993b00 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-07-19T18:32:17Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 JoseCarlosDosSantos_DISSERT.pdf: 7612237 bytes, checksum: 29cfc919ec9634affa60afdf9f993b00 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-19T18:32:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JoseCarlosDosSantos_DISSERT.pdf: 7612237 bytes, checksum: 29cfc919ec9634affa60afdf9f993b00 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-16 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Este trabalho tem como objetivo principal realizar um estudo interpretativo da obra para viola e piano intitulada Tr?s Pe?as, e da obra para viola solo intitulada Bilhete de um Jogral, do compositor brasileiro C?sar Guerra Peixe. Esse estudo ser? dividido em tr?s partes: A primeira trar? um breve hist?rico sobre o compositor com enfoque em sua passagem por Pernambuco no final da d?cada de 1940 e in?cio da d?cada de 1950; a segunda mostrar? a utiliza??o de elementos do regionalismo musical pernambucano utilizados pelo compositor nas pe?as citadas; a terceira apresentar? um conjunto de sugest?es interpretativas fundamentadas: na an?lise dos elementos musicais regionais identificados nessas obras; nos rudimentos t?cnicos utilizados na escrita para viola alusivos as arcadas, din?micas, dedilhados, articula??es, fraseados; e nas experi?ncias vivenciadas pelo autor desta pesquisa como int?rprete dessas obras. / This work is aimed at providing an interpretive study of the work for viola and piano titled Three Pieces, and work for solo viola titled Ticket of a Jogral, by Brazilian composer C?sar Guerra Peixe. This study will be divided into three parts: The first will bring a brief history of the composer focusing on his visit to Pernambuco in the late 1940s and early 1950s; the second shows the use of Pernambuco musical regionalism elements used by the composer in the aforementioned documents; the third will present a set of interpretive suggestions based: the analysis of regional musical elements identified in these works; the technical rudiments used in writing for viola depicting the arcades, dynamics, fingerings, articulations, phrasing; and the experiences lived by the author of this research as an interpreter of these works.

The upcoming new generation of autonomous vehicles for transporting materials in industrial environments will be more versatile, flexible and efficient than traditional Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV), which simply follow pre-defined paths. However, freely navigating vehicles can appear unpredictable to human workers and thus cause stress and render joint use of the available space inefficient. This work addresses the problem of providing information regarding a service robot’s intention to humans co-populating the environment. The overall goal is to make humans feel safer and more comfortable, even when they are in close vicinity of the robot. A spatial Augmented Reality (AR) system for robot intention communication by means of projecting proxemic information onto shared floor space is developed on a robotic fork-lift by equipping it with a LED projector. This helps in visualizing internal state information and intents on the shared floors spaces. The robot’s ability to communicate its intentions is evaluated in realistic situations where test subjects meet the robotic forklift. A Likert scalebased evaluation which also includes comparisons to human-human intention communication was performed. The results show that already adding simple information, such as the trajectory and the space to be occupied by the robot in the near future, is able to effectively improve human response to the robot. This kind of synergistic human-robot interaction in a work environment is expected to increase the robot’s acceptability in the industry.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-10-23T17:15:13Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Karlla Gonçalves Macedo - 2014.pdf: 3559333 bytes, checksum: be77b4325f787c0048a0c9a15e8c800b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-10-23T17:16:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Karlla Gonçalves Macedo - 2014.pdf: 3559333 bytes, checksum: be77b4325f787c0048a0c9a15e8c800b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-23T17:16:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Karlla Gonçalves Macedo - 2014.pdf: 3559333 bytes, checksum: be77b4325f787c0048a0c9a15e8c800b (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-05 / Drug discovery and development process requires high investments of both time and money. Strategies for drug design aided by computers, CADD (Computer-Aided Drug Design) have gained prominence over the last decades, in order to minimize the impact of those costs. CADD techniques also allow the exploration of a greater number of biological targets and promising molecules. Malaria is an endemic disease in Africa and in South American caused by the protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. In 2012, 207 million cases and 627,000 deaths were estimated, according to the World Health Organization. The enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) catalyzes the fourth step of the pyrimidine biosynthesis, and consists in a validated target for the design of new antimalarial agents. The aim of this study was to develop structure-activity relationships (SAR) rules and to generate quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) models using a set of triazolopyrimidines described in the literature as inhibitors of DHODH from P. falciparum (PfDHODH). SAR rules were established using methods of clustering, activity cliffs and activity landscapes. In addition, several models of 2D-QSAR and hologram QSAR (HQSAR) were developed and validated. The SAR analyses allowed the understanding of the basic structural requirements for the antimalarial activity of triazolopyrimidines, like alkyl halides substituents on the triazolopimidinic ring, hydrophobic substituents in the para position on the benzene ring, all in agreement with the chemical space inside the active site of the PfDHODH. The HQSAR and 2D-QSAR models showed good statistical parameters and good predictive ability. The HQSAR contour maps were also consistent with the chemical space of the active site of the enzyme. The results of this study could serve as guide for the design of new antimalarials with higher potency. / O processo de planejamento e desenvolvimento de novos fármacos é um trabalho complexo, que demanda elevados investimentos de tempo e dinheiro. Estratégias de planejamento de fármacos auxiliadas por computador, CADD (Computer-Aided Drug Design) vêm se destacando, pois minimizam gastos e tempo, além de poder explorar um número maior de alvos biológicos e moléculas promissoras. A malária é uma doença endêmica grave na África e América do Sul, causada por protozoários do gênero Plasmodium. Em 2012 foram estimados 207 milhões de casos e 627.000 mortes, de acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde. A enzima diidroorotato desidrogenase (DHODH) atua na quarta etapa da biossíntese de pirimidinas, é um alvo validado para o planejamento de novos agentes antimaláricos. O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi desenvolver regras de relação entre estrutura e atividade (SAR) e modelos robustos e preditivos de relações quantitativas entre estrutura e atividade bidimensionais (QSAR-2D), utilizando um conjunto de triazolopirimidinas descritas na literatura como inibidores da DHODH de P. falciparum (PfDHODH). Foram desenvolvidas regras de SAR utilizando os métodos de análise de agrupamentos, cliffs de atividade e landscapes de atividade. Além disso, desenvolveu-se e validou-se vários modelos de QSAR–2D e de holograma QSAR (HQSAR). As análises de SAR, permitiram estabelecer requisitos estruturais essenciais para a atividade antimalárica das triazolopirimidinas, como substituintes haletos de alquila no anel triazolopimidínico, substituintes hidrofóbicos na posição para no anel benzênico, todos de acordo com o espaço químico da cavidade de interação da PfDHODH. Os modelos de HQSAR e QSAR-2D apresentaram bons parâmetros estatísticos e boa capacidade preditiva. Os mapas de contribuição de HQSAR também estão de acordo com o espaço químico da cavidade de interação da PfDHODH. Os dados obtidos servem como guia para o planejamento de novos antimaláricos com maior potência.

Peat moorlands represent a nationally significant carbon store. Wildfires in peat moorlands release CO2 into the atmosphere, reducing the carbon store and burn into the seed bank preventing vegetation recovery. Burned areas of bare peat remain, known as ‘burn scars’ which are eroded by freeze thaw and desiccation, then weathered by precipitation and wind to cause discolouration of the water supply. A technique for the systematic monitoring of peat moorland burn scars is essential for informing land management and moorland restoration. Satellite data enables peat moorland burn scars to be monitored at the landscape scale for operational services e.g. European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS). However, in the UK cloud is highly problematic for optical satellites and thermal data provides only a short window of opportunity for active fire detection. This thesis provides a unique line of enquiry by exploring the potential of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) intensity and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) coherence for burn scar characterisation and persistence, using a multi-temporal and multi-sensor approach for degraded peat moorland. The Peak District National Park (PDNP) was selected because it is a marginal moorland environment, which experiences high rates of peat erosion and will experience more wildfires, based on future projections of increased temperature, due to global warming. Initial SAR intensity results for the Bleaklow 2003 burn scar showed a clear post-fire increase of 7 dB for burned peat bog when acquired under wet conditions. Post-fire, dry − wet InSAR pairs were characterised by vegetation removal caused by combustion within the burn scar area, whereas wet − wet InSAR pairs characterised the burn scar, but also degraded peat moorland caused by previous wildfires blurring the new burn scar perimeter. Intensity differed significantly with slope for the PDNP 2003 wildfires, reducing the effectiveness of the technique for characterising burn scars on slopes facing away from the sensor, although these wildfires showed no significant difference on coherence for the inland bare ground class. When using coherence as a burn scar discriminator, this research found that it is essential to acquire InSAR pairs immediately post-fire with B⊥ < 550 m. Using a combination of intensity and coherence data a multi-difference colour composite was produced and an ISODATA classification applied. Results were reclassified to produce a burned area map with an overall map accuracy of 94% and Kappa Coefficient of 0.69 covering the Bleaklow and Kinder 2003 burn scars. Burn scars < 6 km2 provided a persistently higher burned area intensity signal for up to six months after the wildfire but only 2 − 3 months for coherence. The smaller Edale burn scar (0.10 km2) was characterised by 2 − 3 dB greater intensity for the burned area over a year after the wildfire. The Edale 2008 case study showed that L-band PALSAR data is less sensitive to characterising peat moorland burn scars compared to C-band data. This study therefore strongly recommends C-band data for peat moorland burn scar characterisation and monitoring. Future research will explore the new C-band Sentinel-1 data which offers improved spatial resolution and repeat-pass time.

In this paper, a new millimeter wave 3D imaging radar is proposed. The user just needs to move the radar along a circular track, and high resolution 3D imaging can be generated. The proposed radar uses the movement of itself to synthesize a large aperture in both the azimuth and elevation directions. It can utilize inverse Radon transform to resolve 3D imaging. To improve the sensing result, the compressed sensing approach is further investigated. The simulation and experimental result further illustrated the design. Because a single transceiver circuit is needed, a light, affordable and high resolution 3D mmWave imaging radar is illustrated in the paper.

Le suivi des petits animaux utilisés dans le cadre de tests de laboratoire et l'analyse de leur comportement à distance, à faible coût et en temps réel suscitent depuis longtemps l’intérêt des chercheurs. Ceux-ci peuvent se faire par l’implantation de capteurs sans fils miniatures qui nécessitent des composants vitaux dont le plus problématique est l’antenne. En effet, la principale difficulté dans la conception d'antennes pour les dispositifs de communication bio-implantables est de fournir une structure rayonnante efficace et ce, malgré les contraintes de volume et le fort impact des tissus biologiques qui l’entourent. Si de nombreuses études ont porté sur l’utilisation d'antennes implantées dans la bande MICS (Medical Implant Communications Service) (402-405 MHz), il faut noter qu’à ces fréquences, la taille des antennes peut être un inconvénient réel dans le cas de petits animaux, d’où une recherche de miniaturisation. Une alternative consiste en l’utilisation de la technologie RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) dans la bande UHF à 868 MHz. En effet, elle présente deux avantages primordiaux : elle facilite l'implantation du tag et ne nécessite pas l’ajout d'une batterie pour alimenter le périphérique implanté. Ce travail de thèse fait suite à un projet collaboratif financé par l’ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche) dans le cadre du Labex UCN@Sophia et qui a pour objectif la conception d’un système sans fils incluant aussi bien les tags RFID implantables, les antennes du lecteur et le lecteur connecté à un ordinateur se chargeant de la gestion centralisée des informations sur un serveur pour le suivi et la collecte de données de souris de laboratoire. Ce mémoire présente la conception d’antennes implantées pour tags RFID dans un modèle homogène représentant le corps d’une souris. Après l’analyse d’un bilan de liaison permettant de calculer les performances minimales de l’antenne implantée à concevoir pour une communication fiable et efficace, des antennes tags RFID passifs en 2D et en 3D ont été optimisées par différentes techniques pour atteindre des structures finales implantables ou injectables au dos d’une souris. Une caractérisation des solutions proposées en termes d’impédance, de champs E et H et de DAS (Débit d'Absorption Spécifique) a ensuite été effectuée dans un fantôme homogène. Enfin, un système d’interrogation permettant d’estimer la position de l’animal via la récupération du RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) est présenté. / The monitoring of small animals in laboratory tests and the remote analysis of their behavior, with low cost and in real time interest researchers for a long time. This can be done by implanting miniature wireless sensors requiring vital components among which the most challenging is the antenna. Indeed, the main difficulty in designing antennas for bio-implantable communication devices is to provide an effective radiating structure, despite the volume constraints and the high impact of the surrounding biological tissues. Although many studies have focused on the use of implanted antennas dedicated to the MICS band (402405 MHz), it should be noted that at these frequencies, the size of the antennas can be a real disadvantage in the case of small animals, requiring miniaturization structures. Another solution consists in the using RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology in the UHF band at 868 MHz. Indeed, it has two major advantages: it facilitates the implementation of the tag and does not require the addition of a battery to power the implanted device. This thesis funded by the ANR (French National Research Agency) within the framework of the Labex UCN@Sophia aims at designing a wireless system, including implantable RFID tags, reader's antennas and the reader connected to a computer that is responsible for the centralized management of information on a server for monitoring and collecting the data of laboratory mice. This thesis presents the design of implanted antennas for RFID tags in a homogeneous model representing the body of a mouse. After an analysis of a link budget allowing to determine the minimum performance of the implanted antenna to be designed for a reliable and an efficient communication, two RFID passive tag antenna designs have been optimized to obtain final structures able to be implanted or injected in the back of a mouse. A characterization of the proposed solutions in terms of impedance, E and H fields and SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) was then performed in a homogeneous phantom. Finally, an interrogation system capable to estimate the position of several animals placed in a cage thanks to the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) levels is presented.

No description available.

Volcanic subsidence, caused by partial emptying of magma in the subsurface reservoir has long been observed by spaceborne radar interferometry. Monitoring long-term crustal deformation at the most notable type of volcanic subsidence, caldera, gives us insights of the spatial and hazard-related information of subsurface reservoir. Several subsiding calderas, such as volcanoes on the Galapagos islands have shown a complex ground deformation pattern, which is often composed of a broad deflation signal affecting the entire edifice and a localized subsidence signal focused within the caldera floor. Although numerical or analytical models with multiple reservoirs are proposed as the interpretation, geologically and geophysically evidenced ring structures in the subsurface are often ignored. Therefore, it is still debatable how deep mechanisms relate to the observed deformation patterns near the surface. We aim to understand what kind of activities can lead to the complex deformation. Using two complementary approaches, we study the three-dimensional geometry and kinematics of deflation processes evolving from initial subsidence to later collapse of calderas. Firstly, the analog experiments analyzed by structure-from-motion photogrammetry (SfM) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) helps us to relate the surface deformation to the in-depth structures. Secondly, the numerical modeling using boundary element method (BEM) simulates the characteristic deformation patterns caused by a sill-like source and a ring-fault. Our results show that the volcano-wide broad deflation is primarily caused by the emptying of the deep magma reservoir, whereas the localized deformation on the caldera floor is related to ring-faulting at a shallower depth. The architecture of the ring-fault to a large extent determines the deformation localization on the surface. Since series evidence for ring-faulting at several volcanoes are provided, we highlight that it is vital to include ring-fault activity in numerical or analytical deformation source formulation. Ignoring the process of ring-faulting in models by using multiple point sources for various magma reservoirs will result in erroneous, thus meaningless estimates of depth and volume change of the magmatic reservoir(s).