Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:48:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Luciano Aparecido Kempski.pdf: 1024512 bytes, checksum: 05341aec87667985a0d8254a3699a994 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-19 / The current work aimed the construction of a benches group for simulating displacement speeds of sowers. The speeds simulator was performed and was carried out in the mechanical trials laboratory located at UTFPR - campus Medianeira, and the assays of system´s evaluation were performed at the Agricultural Engineering Experimental Nucleous - AEEN, which belongs to West of the Paraná State University- campus Cascavel. The benches group of assay or speeds simulator is composed by two rolls: one of this set through a hydraulic engine brand TRW, and other one used as support for the wheels system of the sower. The hydraulical engine was connected to the hydraulical command of the tractor through fast connection, which become the coupling and withdraws of hoses easier when stationary assay of displacement speeds is performed. The assays were performed aiming the determination of the maximum rotation for the hydraulical engine without load and also with the sower on the rolls, in order to get ranges of displacement speeds in a fast and accurated form. The results obtained of the regulating valve´s opening and closing (A1 the A7) forms, in function of the hydraulic engine´s rotation and the displacement speed, are presented in figures, tables and relation ´s graphs. The tables present the average values and the hydraulical engine without load is presented by the comparision between the averages. For the hydraulical engine without load can be reach speeds ranged from 20 to 375 rpm in accordance to the results obtained, which is linked to the enough displacement speeds. The benches group essay was showed as functional and also presented compact structure, with the flowing rangel of speeds verified through the pairs of gear. Its versatility is evidenced by the use of the hydraulic circuit of the tractor as energy source for the speeds simulator.It was observed that the regulating valve of outflow was efficient for the regulation of the hydraulical engine´s speed when it was assayed with load; it means that, with the sower on the cylinders. The results obtained allow to present the following conclusions: it is a too much suitable resource, considering the easiness, quickness and the capacity for obtaining several regulations, allowing the simulation of displacement speeds from 3,23 to 13,89 km.h-1; it fits perfectly in sowers with pneumatic wheels; the weight and size allow the transport without difficulties, provide conditions to evaluate the distribuition mechanisms of the seeds or fertilizer, and avaluation the longitudinal distribution of seeds, in accordance to the evaluation criteria of performing in spacements: normal, double and defective. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo a construção de uma bancada para simulação de velocidades de deslocamento de semeadoras. O simulador de velocidades foi projetado e montado no laboratório de processos mecânicos da UTFPR - campus Medianeira. Os ensaios de avaliação do sistema foram realizados no Núcleo Experimental de Engenharia Agrícola - NEEA, pertencente à Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná campus Cascavel. A bancada de ensaio ou simulador de velocidades é formada por dois rolos: um acionado por meio de um motor hidráulico marca TRW e o outro utilizado como apoio para o rodado da semeadora. O motor hidráulico foi conectado ao comando hidráulico do trator por meio de engates rápidos, o que facilita o acoplamento e retirada das mangueiras, no momento da realização do ensaio estacionário de velocidades de deslocamento. Os ensaios foram realizados para a determinação da rotação máxima do motor hidráulico sem carga e com a semeadora sobre os rolos a fim de obter faixas de velocidade de deslocamento de forma precisa e rápida. Os resultados obtidos sobre a relação da abertura e fechamento da válvula reguladora (A1 a A7), em função da rotação do motor hidráulico e da velocidade de deslocamento, são apresentados em forma de figuras, tabelas e gráficos. As tabelas apresentam os valores médios e a comparação entre as médias está representada nos gráficos 21 e 22. Com o motor hidráulico sem carga podem-se alcançar velocidades desde 20 rpm até 375 rpm, conforme os resultados obtidos que se relacionam com as velocidades de deslocamento. A bancada de ensaio apresentou-se funcional e de estrutura compacta, com a faixa de escalonamento de velocidades verificada pelos pares de engrenagem. Sua versatilidade é evidenciada pelo uso do circuito hidráulico do trator como fonte de energia para acionamento do simulador de velocidades. Observou-se que a válvula reguladora de vazão foi eficiente na regulagem da velocidade do motor hidráulico quando ensaiado com carga, ou seja, com a semeadora sobre os cilindros. Os resultados obtidos permitem apresentar as seguintes conclusões: a bancada mostrou-se um recurso bastante adequado, considerando-se a facilidade, rapidez e a capacidade de conseguir várias regulagens, permitindo a simulação de velocidades de deslocamento de 3,23 a 13,89 km.h-1; adapta-se perfeitamente à semeadora com rodado pneumático, o peso e tamanho permitem o transporte sem dificuldades; fornece condições de avaliação de mecanismos distribuidores de sementes e fertilizantes; e avaliar a distribuição longitudinal de sementes, de acordo com os critérios de avaliação de desempenho em espaçamentos: normal, duplos e falhos.

Colonoscopy is the current standard for colorectal cancer screening. This procedure requires improvement since it causes patient pain and can even result in injury. Novel colonoscopy devices have to be evaluated to gain information about their performance. At the preclinical stage of the device development the evaluation is typically performed in laboratory experiments. For these experiments an artificial environment is required which can recreate the anatomical and biomechanical features of the colon. A colonoscopy simulator for the evaluation of colonoscopy devices was developed within the ERC funded CoDIR project (Colonic Disease Investigation by Robotic Hydrocolonoscopy). The here developed simulator had to provide a colon phantom with realistic biomechanical properties as well as a sensor setup to measure signals which can be used to quantify the performance of devices which are tested within the simulator. Related literature was reviewed and possible tissue mimicking materials were selected. The suitability of the selected materials was evaluated by testing the frictional and elastic properties of the materials and subsequently comparing the results to those of colon tissue. PVA cryogel was selected as the most suitable material as it exhibits comparable elasticity and coefficients of friction. The tissue mimicking materials were mould casted into phantoms which were designed to represent the anatomical features of the colon. A simulator environment was developed which integrates the phantom as well as force and pressure sensors into a functional system. The sensors measure mesenteric forces and intraluminal pressures which can be related to the performance of tested devices. The simulator allows the arrangement of the sensors and the phantoms in an adjustable, modular approach. The simulator environment was successfully applied in the evaluation of a novel colonoscopy device. The results indicate that PVA cryogels exhibit unique mechanical properties which can be compared to those of colon tissue. The developed colonoscopy simulator provides a promising tool which can aid the development of novel colonoscopy devices.

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Cette thèse porte sur l’adaptation de l’immersion lors de la simulation de conduite en fauteuil roulant. Il s’agit d’étudier le réalisme des retours sensoriels impliqués dans un environnement virtuel afin de pouvoir adapter l’immersion en fonction des préférences de l’utilisateur et de la tâche à accomplir. Ces travaux ont été effectués dans le cadre du projet AccesSim soutenu par la région Ile–de-France. L'objectif du projet est de développer un simulateur dynamique pour évaluer l'accessibilité d'environnement urbain et également, de procéder à l'entraînement à l’usage de fauteuils roulants.Dans le cadre de la conduite en fauteuil roulant, il est nécessaire que le comportement de conduite soit cohérent entre une situation réelle et une situation simulée. Pour cela, il faut que l’environnement virtuel et les retours sensoriels soient suffisamment immersifs et réalistes. Notre proposition est de spécifier une configuration immersive en adaptant les retours haptiques et visuels du simulateur. Nous avons validé cette hypothèse à l’aide du simulateur développé dans le cadre du projet AccesSim.Dans la première partie de la thèse, la contribution porte sur la conception du simulateur AccesSim. Cette conception porte sur l’environnement logiciel en charge des fonctionnalités innovantes : aide au diagnostic d’accessibilité et navigation 3D en fauteuil roulant à l’aide d’un modèle dynamique de fauteuil roulant. Pour permettre une navigation en fauteuil roulant, le simulateur est couplé à une plateforme robotique intégrant des retours haptiques et vestibulaires.La seconde partie de la thèse porte sur l’analyse du comportement de conduite des utilisateurs. Il s’agit de comparer la conduite en situation réelle et en situation virtuelle en fonction de la configuration du simulateur. Cette analyse montre la sensibilité des résultats vis-à-vis des profils des usagers et de l’immersion.Enfin, nous avons étudié les différents retours sensoriels participant à la qualité de l’immersion. Le premier retour concerne le sens vestibulaire. Il est dépendant des retours haptiques du simulateur robotique. Ce retour sensoriel supplémentaire doit permettre d’améliorer les performances de conduite de l’utilisateur. Nous avons évalué la perception de ce retour sur la base d’une tâche de descente d’une marche à l’aide d’un fauteuil roulant. Dans la thèse, nous avons montré les performances de notre solution ainsi que le besoin d’adapter ce retour haptique pour chaque utilisateur.Le second retour sensoriel étudié concerne les retours visuels. Nous avons proposé une configuration d’immersion visuelle modulable. Elle permet une immersion plus ou moins égocentrée. En analysant les trajectoires d’utilisateurs effectuées avec les différentes configurations d’immersion, nous pouvons évaluer la configuration la plus efficace en fonction de l’environnement et des préférences de chaque utilisateur.Ces deux études sur les retours sensoriels ont été basées sur des évaluations avec deux groupes d’utilisateurs : un groupe d’expert (thérapeutes et ergonomes) et un groupe de personnes en situation de handicap. / This thesis focuses on the adaptation of the immersion in a driving wheelchair simulation. This is the study of sensory feedback realism involved in a virtual environment in order to adapt the immersion according to user preferences and the task to perform. These works were performed within the AccesSim project supported by the Ile de France region. The project objective is to develop a dynamic simulator to evaluate the accessibility and also urban environment, to conduct training in the use of wheelchairs.In the context of wheelchair driving, it is necessary that the driving behavior is consistent between a real situation and a simulated situation. To do this, we need the virtual environment and the sensory feedback to be sufficiently realistic and immersive. Our proposal is to specify an immersive configuration adapting haptic and visual feedback from the simulator. We validated this hypothesis using the simulator developed within the AccesSim project.In the first part of the thesis, the contribution focuses on the design of the AccesSim simulator. This design focuses on the software environment responsible for the innovative features: assistance for accessibility diagnosis and 3D navigation with a wheelchair using a dynamic model. To enable navigation in a wheelchair, the simulator is coupled to a robotic platform integrating haptic and vestibular feedback.The second part of the thesis focuses on the analysis of driving behavior of users. It comes to comparing the driving in real and virtual situation depending on the configuration of the simulator. This analysis shows the sensitivity of results towards profiles of users and immersion.Finally, we studied the different sensory feedback involved in the quality of immersion. The first feedback concerns the vestibular sense. It depends on haptic feedback simulator. This additional sensory feedback should improve driving performance of the user. We evaluated the perception on the basis of a task consisting in going down a step using a wheelchair. In the thesis we have shown the performance of our solution and the need to adapt the haptic feedback for each user.The second sensory feedback investigated concerns visual feedback. We proposed a modular configuration of visual immersion. It allows immersion more or less egocentric. By analyzing the trajectories of users performed with the different configurations of immersion, we can evaluate the most efficient configuration depending on the environment and preferences of each user.These two studies on sensory feedback were based on evaluations with two groups of users: an expert group (therapists and ergonomists) and a group of people with disabilities.

Dangerous driving behaviors are influenced by multiple factors including cognitive processes such as impulse inhibition and attentiveness. Impulsiveness, inattention, and cognitive failures have been linked to other risky behaviors, but a comprehensive evaluation using multiple methods of measurement of these has never been conducted to analyze their impact on dangerous driving. The purpose of this study was to examine influences of attentional abilities, impulsiveness, and cognitive failures on reported and demonstrated dangerous driving behaviors. Seventy-five participants completed a self-report dangerous driving measure, a self-report ADHD measure, a self-report impulsiveness measure, a continuous performance task to measure behavioral impulsivity and inattention, a measure of cognitive failures, and a driving simulator task. Two hierarchical linear regressions with simultaneous entry into blocks were used to analyze contributions of impulsiveness, inattention, and cognitive failures assessments in predicting dangerous driving behavior. Results indicated these assessments accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in Dula Dangerous Driving Index (3DI) scores above and beyond the effects of age and sex, Adjusted R▓ = .20, F(6, 59) = 2.51, p < .05, but no significant individual predictors emerged. Scores on these measures were also found to account for a significant amount of the variance in risky driving as measured by the driving simulator, above and beyond the effects of age and sex, Adjusted R▓ = .15, F(6, 60) = 2.91, p < .05, and identified BIS-11 scores and ADHD-RS impulsiveness scores as significant individual predictors. It seems that despite multiple methods of assessment, it is still difficult to capture the assumed relationships between each of these factors and driving. Though each assessment measures different aspects of constructs related to dangerous driving, the lack of relationships and predictive abilities may indicate that impulsiveness, inattention, cognitive failures, and dangerous driving may be more complex and multifaceted than previously understood.

abstract: Researchers and practitioners have widely studied road network traffic data in different areas such as urban planning, traffic prediction and spatial-temporal databases. For instance, researchers use such data to evaluate the impact of road network changes. Unfortunately, collecting large-scale high-quality urban traffic data requires tremendous efforts because participating vehicles must install Global Positioning System(GPS) receivers and administrators must continuously monitor these devices. There have been some urban traffic simulators trying to generate such data with different features. However, they suffer from two critical issues (1) Scalability: most of them only offer single-machine solution which is not adequate to produce large-scale data. Some simulators can generate traffic in parallel but do not well balance the load among machines in a cluster. (2) Granularity: many simulators do not consider microscopic traffic situations including traffic lights, lane changing, car following. This paper proposed GeoSparkSim, a scalable traffic simulator which extends Apache Spark to generate large-scale road network traffic datasets with microscopic traffic simulation. The proposed system seamlessly integrates with a Spark-based spatial data management system, GeoSpark, to deliver a holistic approach that allows data scientists to simulate, analyze and visualize large-scale urban traffic data. To implement microscopic traffic models, GeoSparkSim employs a simulation-aware vehicle partitioning method to partition vehicles among different machines such that each machine has a balanced workload. The experimental analysis shows that GeoSparkSim can simulate the movements of 200 thousand cars over an extensive road network (250 thousand road junctions and 300 thousand road segments). / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Computer Engineering 2019

Networks of small, often mobile, polarimetric radars are gaining popularity in the hydrometeorology community due to their rainfall observing capabilities and relative low purchase cost. In recent years, a number of installations have become operational around the globe. The problem of signal attenuation by intervening rainfall has been recognized as the major source of error in rainfall estimation by short-wavelength (C-, X, K-band) radars. The simultaneous observation of precipitation by multiple radars creates new prospects for better and more robust attenuation correction algorithms and, consequently, yields more accurate rainfall estimation. The University of Iowa hydrometeorology group's acquisition of a network of four mobile, polarimetric, X-band radars has resulted in the need for a thoughtful evaluation of the instrument. In this work, we use computer simulations and the data collected by The University of Iowa Polarimetric Radar Network to study the performance of attenuation correction methods in single-radar and network-based arrangements. To support the computer simulations, we developed a comprehensive polarimetric radar network simulator, which replicates the essential aspects of the radar network rainfall observing process. The simulations are based on a series of physics- and stochastic-based simulated rainfall events occurring over the area of interest. The characteristics of the simulated radars are those of The University of Iowa Polarimetric Radar Network. We assess the correction methods by analyzing the errors in reflectivity and rainfall rate over the area of interest covered by the network's radars. To enable the implementation of the attenuation correction methods to the data collected by The University of Iowa Polarimetric Radar Network, we first developed a set of utilities to assist with efficient data collection and analysis. Next, we conducted a series of calibration tests to evaluate the relative calibration and channel balance of the 2 network's radars. Finally, in an attempt to verify the results obtained via computer simulations, we applied the set of attenuation correction algorithms to the data collected by The University of Iowa Polarimetric Radar Network.

A small satellite simulator with attitude determination and control was designed and implemented in hardware. The simulator consists of inertial sensors for attitude determination and a pyramidal four-wheel momentum exchange system as the control actuators. A linearized PV controller with trajectory generation and feedback linearization was implemented, with the focus on controlling yaw. The simulator was tested on a spherical air bearing platform to allow three-degree-of-freedom operation. The simulator software was developed to read measurements from the sensors, apply the control algorithm, and send commands to the actuators. A data processing routine was developed. Electromechanical testing for the system as well as test results are presented.

In the wake of recent corporate accounting scandals, auditors are encouraged to improve their method of fraud detection. Although Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 99 does not change the responsibility of the auditor for detecting fraud, it does provide new procedural requirements for assessing fraud risk, such as brainstorming among key team members about the potential for fraud. Using audit interns and internal auditors, this study empirically examines two interventions hypothesized to improve the quality of ideas generated by audit interns and internal auditors. In the first intervention, auditors use a computer-based group support system to brainstorm either non-anonymously or anonymously. For the second intervention, auditors were either trained to use a paradigm-modifying creativity technique or not trained. Additionally, it is hypothesized that the creativity training will have the greatest impact on brainstorming effectiveness when auditors brainstorm anonymously. However, the results suggest that audit interns working non-anonymously generated the greatest number of fraud ideas and also the greatest number of original ideas. Audit interns who received training on a paradigm-modifying creativity training technique generated the greatest number of unique ideas and received, on average, the highest usefulness to the audit process score.

This study was conducted to replicate and extend previous research on infant caregiver behavior by demonstrating negative reinforcement of infant caregiver behavior in response to crying and teaching appropriate care responses under conditions of inconsolable crying. A computerized infant simulator was used to create a laboratory simulation of infant caregiving. In Study 1, participants were exposed to negative reinforcement conditions and an extinction condition. In the negative reinforcement condition, participants engaged in caregiving responses to escape from the cry. In the extinction condition, the cry was inescapable and two of three participants stopped engaging in the previously reinforced caregiving response. Data was collected on cumulative duration of caregiving responses. In Study 2, participants were taught a task analysis of appropriate care responses under conditions of inconsolable crying using behavior skills training. Data were collected on percentage of completed appropriate care responses. Results showed acquisition of appropriate care responses following training.