In this study, the limitations of point-source stochastic simulations are investigated in terms of fundamental geophysical parameters. Within this context, a total of 6000 synthetic ground motions are generated for various magnitude (5.0 &amp / #8804 / Mw &amp / #8804 / 7.5), source-to-site distance (less than 100 km), faulting style (shallow dipping and strike-slip) and site class (soft, stiff and rock) bins. The simulations are performed in two main stages: (1) the acceleration time series at outcropping very hard rock sites are simulated based on the stochastic method proposed by Boore (1983, 2003) and (2) they are modified through 1-D equivalent linear site response analysis to generate the free-field motions at soft, stiff and rock sites. Thus, as a part of this study, a probability-based soil profile model that considers the random variation of S-wave slowness as a function of depth is derived. The synthetic ground motions are assessed with several recent empirical ground-motion models to constitute the limitations of the simulation procedure. It is believed that the outcomes of this study will realistically describe the limitations of stochastic point-source simulation approach that can be employed further for the studies on improvements of this simulation technique.

The title of this thesis Extra Ordinary is intentionally ambiguous. Depending on how you read it, it can refer to either the very ordinary or to that which is outside of the ordinary.The works described within these pages functions similarly. From person to person and with time they move from the ordinary to beyond and back again. How can something be both mysterious and understood at the same time? How can I as a painter create a space where diametrically opposed forces can coexist and what is the effect of viewing such an object? This thesis addresses these issues with personal anecdote and through description of artwork and the art making process

In dieser Dissertation wird ein Modell des visuellen Systems untersucht, basierend auf dem Prinzip des unüberwachten Langsamkeitslernens und des SFA-Algorithmus (Slow Feature Analysis). Dieses Modell wird hier für die invariante Objekterkennung und verwandte Probleme eingesetzt. Das Modell kann dabei sowohl die zu Grunde liegenden diskreten Variablen der Stimuli extrahieren (z.B. die Identität des gezeigten Objektes) als auch kontinuierliche Variablen (z.B. Position und Rotationswinkel). Dabei ist es in der Lage, mit komplizierten Transformationen umzugehen, wie beispielsweise Tiefenrotation. Die Leistungsfähigkeit des Modells wird zunächst mit Hilfe von überwachten Methoden zur Datenanalyse untersucht. Anschließend wird gezeigt, dass auch die biologisch fundierte Methode des Verstärkenden Lernens (reinforcement learning) die Ausgabedaten unseres Modells erfolgreich verwenden kann. Dies erlaubt die Anwendung des Verstärkenden Lernens auf hochdimensionale visuelle Stimuli. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wird versucht, das hierarchische Modell mit Top-down Prozessen zu erweitern, speziell für die Rekonstruktion von visuellen Stimuli. Dabei setzen wir die Methode der Vektorquantisierung ein und verbinden diese mit einem Verfahren zum Gradientenabstieg. Die wesentlichen Komponenten der für unsere Simulationen entwickelten Software wurden in eine quelloffene Programmbibliothek integriert, in das ``Modular toolkit for Data Processing'''' (MDP). Diese Programmkomponenten werden im letzten Teil der Dissertation vorgestellt. / This thesis examines a model of the visual system, which is based on the principle of unsupervised slowness learning and using Slow Feature Analysis (SFA). We apply this model to the task of invariant object recognition and several related problems. The model not only learns to extract the underlying discrete variables of the stimuli (e.g., identity of the shown object) but also to extract continuous variables (e.g., position and rotational angles). It is shown to be capable of dealing with complex transformations like in-depth rotation. The performance of the model is first measured with the help of supervised post-processing methods. We then show that biologically motivated methods like reinforcement learning are also capable of processing the high-level output from the model. This enables reinforcement learning to deal with high-dimensional visual stimuli. In the second part of this thesis we try to extend the model with top-down processes, centered around the task of reconstructing visual stimuli. We utilize the method of vector quantization and combine it with gradient descent. The key components of our simulation software have been integrated into an open-source software library, the Modular toolkit for Data Processing (MDP). These components are presented in the last part of the thesis.

O constituinte reformador decidiu tratar do problema da morosidade da justiça, à semelhança de outros países e de diversos tratados internacionais a respeito. A presente dissertação tem por fulcro a análise do novo inciso LXXVIII do art. 5º da Constituição Federal que instituiu a celeridade processual como direito fundamental. É feita cuidadosa abordagem de todos os princípios constitucionais pertinentes à matéria, especialmente o devido processo legal, desde o seu surgimento, na common law inglesa, com a Magna Carta de 1215, evoluindo pela interpretação da Suprema Corte nos Estados Unidos, de modo a conhecer sua vertente substantiva, até ser consagrado no Brasil, de modo expresso, cerca de 200 anos depois, pela Constituição de 1988. Outros princípios apresentam-se igualmente de grande relevância, como o acesso à justiça, eficiência e igualdade. Constata-se que não era imprescindível a positivação de regra específica para que a Justiça estivesse jungida ao dever de julgar com rapidez. Revela-se, porém, profícua a abordagem do tema na Constituição, dentre os direitos fundamentais. Verifica-se a ocorrência de eventuais conflitos no plano concreto envolvendo a celeridade processual e os princípios do contraditório e da ampla defesa, bem como a segurança jurídica. Dedica-se especial atenção ao papel da Emenda Constitucional n. 45, de 2004 e diversos institutos por ela trazidos no intento de se obter um Poder Judiciário mais célere e organizado de modo mais eficaz e uniforme, embora se constate a necessidade de mudanças que se sobressaem à atuação do legislador. Realiza-se pesquisa histórica e descritiva com supedâneo na doutrina brasileira e no direito comparado, especialmente nas literaturas jurídicas francesa, inglesa, portuguesa e estadunidense. Ao se analisar a repercussão do dispositivo à luz do direito constitucional, nota-se a necessidade de muitas outras alterações para que a Reforma atinja seu desiderato. Constata-se que o Poder Judiciário possui papel preponderante na salvaguarda dos direitos fundamentais, de modo que, atuando a contento, a celeridade processual pode se tornar poderoso instrumento de efetividade de tais direitos e da própria Constituição Federal. / The constituent reformer decided to face the problem of the delays of Justice, likewise that in other countries and various international treaties of the subject. This dissertation focuses on the analysis of the new item LXXVIII of article 5th of the Federal Constitution which set the celerity of procedure as a fundamental right. A careful approach is made from all constitutional principles relevant to the subject, especially the due process of law, since its emergence in the English common law, with the Magna Carta of 1215, evolving through United States Supreme Courts interpretation, in order to meet its substantive aspect, to be explicitly devoted in Brazil, about 200 years later, by the Constitution of 1988. Other principles also have great relevance, such as access to justice, efficiency and equality. It appears to be unessential to insert a specific rule by which the Justice would be bound by duty to judge rapidly. However, it is useful to approach the subject in the Constitution, among the fundamental rights. Possible conflicts are analyzed in concrete plan involving the speedy trial clause and the principles of adversarial and legal defense, as well legal certainty. Proper attention is paid to the role of the 45th Amendment of 2004 and various institutes brought by it, in the attempt to achieve a faster and more uniform and well organized Justice, although evidences the need of changes that overcome the role of the legislator. Takes place a historical and descriptive research takes place in Brazilian doctrine and comparative law, especially in French, English, Portuguese and American legal literature. By analyzing of the clauses effect under the constitutional law, its notice the demand of many other changes to the Reform reach your goal. Its seen that the Judiciary has a predominant role in safeguarding the fundamental rights, so that, working properly, speedy trial clause may become a powerful tool of effectiveness of such rights and of the own Constitution.

In dieser Arbeit werden - basierend auf dem Langsamkeitsprinzip - Modelle und Algorithmen für das auditorische System entwickelt. Verschiedene experimentelle Ergebnisse, sowie die erfolgreichen Ergebnisse im visuellen System legen nahe, dass, trotz der unterschiedlichen Beschaffenheit visueller und auditorischer sensorischer Signale, das Langsamkeitsprinzip auch im auditorischen System eine bedeutsame Rolle spielen könnte, und vielleicht auch im Kortex im Allgemeinen. Es wurden verschiedene Modelle für unterschiedliche Repräsentationen des auditorischen Inputs realisiert. Es werden die Beschränkungen der jeweiligen Ansätze aufgezeigt. Im Bereich der Signalverarbeitung haben sich das Langsamkeitsprinzip und dessen direkte Implementierung als Signalverarbeitungsalgorithmus, Slow Feature Analysis, über die biologisch inspirierte Modellierung hinaus als nützlich erwiesen. Es wird ein neuer Algorithmus für das Problem der nichtlinearen blinden Signalquellentrennung beschrieben, der auf einer Kombination von Langsamkeitsprinzip und dem Prinzip der statistischen Unabhängigkeit basiert, und der anhand von künstlichen und realistischen Audiosignalen getestet wird. Außerdem wird die Open Source Software Bibliothek Modular toolkit for Data Processing vorgestellt. / In this thesis we develop models and algorithms based on the slowness principle in the auditory domain. Several experimental results as well as the successful results in the visual domain indicate that, despite the different nature of the sensory signals, the slowness principle may play an important role in the auditory domain as well, if not in the cortex as a whole. Different modeling approaches have been used, which make use of several alternative representations of the auditory stimuli. We show the limitations of these approaches. In the domain of signal processing, the slowness principle and its straightforward implementation, the Slow Feature Analysis algorithm, has been proven to be useful beyond biologically inspired modeling. A novel algorithm for nonlinear blind source separation is described that is based on a combination of the slowness and the statistical independence principles, and is evaluated on artificial and real-world audio signals. The Modular toolkit for Data Processing open source software library is additionally presented.

Der Fokus dieser Dissertation liegt auf den Verbindungen zwischen ICA (Independent Component Analysis - Unabhängige Komponenten Analyse) und SFA (Slow Feature Analysis - Langsame Eigenschaften Analyse). Um einen Vergleich zwischen beiden Methoden zu ermöglichen wird CuBICA2, ein ICA Algorithmus basierend nur auf Statistik zweiter Ordnung, d.h. Kreuzkorrelationen, vorgestellt. Dieses Verfahren minimiert zeitverzögerte Korrelationen zwischen Signalkomponenten, um die statistische Abhängigkeit zwischen denselben zu reduzieren. Zusätzlich wird eine alternative SFA-Formulierung vorgestellt, die mit CuBICA2 verglichen werden kann. Im Falle linearer Gemische sind beide Methoden äquivalent falls nur eine einzige Zeitverzögerung berücksichtigt wird. Dieser Vergleich kann allerdings nicht auf mehrere Zeitverzögerungen erweitert werden. Für ICA lässt sich zwar eine einfache Erweiterung herleiten, aber ein ähnliche SFA-Erweiterung kann nicht im originären SFA-Sinne (SFA extrahiert die am langsamsten variierenden Signalkomponenten aus einem gegebenen Eingangssignal) interpretiert werden. Allerdings kann eine im SFA-Sinne sinnvolle Erweiterung hergeleitet werden, welche die enge Verbindung zwischen der Langsamkeit eines Signales (SFA) und der zeitlichen Vorhersehbarkeit desselben verdeutlich. Im Weiteren wird CuBICA2 und SFA kombiniert. Das Resultat kann aus zwei Perspektiven interpretiert werden. Vom ICA-Standpunkt aus führt die Kombination von CuBICA2 und SFA zu einem Algorithmus, der das Problem der nichtlinearen blinden Signalquellentrennung löst. Vom SFA-Standpunkt aus ist die Kombination eine Erweiterung der standard SFA. Die standard SFA extrahiert langsam variierende Signalkomponenten die untereinander unkorreliert sind, dass heißt statistisch unabhängig bis zur zweiten Ordnung. Die Integration von ICA führt nun zu Signalkomponenten die mehr oder weniger statistisch unabhängig sind. / Within this thesis, we focus on the relation between independent component analysis (ICA) and slow feature analysis (SFA). To allow a comparison between both methods we introduce CuBICA2, an ICA algorithm based on second-order statistics only, i.e.\ cross-correlations. In contrast to algorithms based on higher-order statistics not only instantaneous cross-correlations but also time-delayed cross correlations are considered for minimization. CuBICA2 requires signal components with auto-correlation like in SFA, and has the ability to separate source signal components that have a Gaussian distribution. Furthermore, we derive an alternative formulation of the SFA objective function and compare it with that of CuBICA2. In the case of a linear mixture the two methods are equivalent if a single time delay is taken into account. The comparison can not be extended to the case of several time delays. For ICA a straightforward extension can be derived, but a similar extension to SFA yields an objective function that can not be interpreted in the sense of SFA. However, a useful extension in the sense of SFA to more than one time delay can be derived. This extended SFA reveals the close connection between the slowness objective of SFA and temporal predictability. Furthermore, we combine CuBICA2 and SFA. The result can be interpreted from two perspectives. From the ICA point of view the combination leads to an algorithm that solves the nonlinear blind source separation problem. From the SFA point of view the combination of ICA and SFA is an extension to SFA in terms of statistical independence. Standard SFA extracts slowly varying signal components that are uncorrelated meaning they are statistically independent up to second-order. The integration of ICA leads to signal components that are more or less statistically independent.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:47:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JULIANO SANTANA SILVA.pdf: 901525 bytes, checksum: b109bfc18c5ec6d81c4b532b3aab8fb7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-07 / This paper examines the fundamental right to reasonable length of proceedings, expressly inserted in item LXXVIII of Article 5 of the Constitution of 1988 by Constitutional Amendment 45 and later, in the same vein, reaffirmed in infraconsticional legislation through Article 4 of new Civil Procedure Code 2015, guaranteeing everyone the right to reasonable length of proceedings. It also analyzes the mechanisms that can assist the procedure within a reasonable time in order to contribute to overcoming existing delays in the Brazilian legal system. The paper also discusses the outlook for the postulate that with the entry into force of the new Civil Procedure Code. It is observed that the issue is of great importance, since the positivization reasonable procedural length as a constitutional principle rescues a state s commitment to its jurisdictional, aiming to give effectiveness gain to the process and ensure everyone a state response in fair weather . This conclusion was obtained using the literature, case law and minunciosa analysis of pertinent legislation, and converging on assumptions which support the applicability of that principle, from a historical and evaluative analysis. As a result, it is clear that it is not just designing laws that creates conditions for a dynamic process that achieves a proper adjudication, within a reasonable time span and with a satisfactory result, but, yes, among other things, providing structural support, by sufficient financial transfers to the Judiciary. / O presente trabalho examina o direito fundamental à razoável duração do processo, inserido expressamente no inciso LXXVIII, do artigo 5º, da Constituição de 1988, pela Emenda Constitucional nº 45 e posteriormente, neste mesmo diapasão, reafirmado na legislação infraconsticional por meio do artigo 4º do novo Codigo de Processo Civil de 2015, garantindo a todos, o direito à razoável duração do processo. Analisa, ainda, os mecanismos que podem auxiliar na tramitação processual em tempo razoável como forma de contribuir para a superação da morosidade existente no sistema processual brasileiro. O trabalho também aborda as perspectivas em relação a esse postulado com a entrada em vigor do novo Código de Processo Civil. Observa-se que o tema é de grande relevância, já que a positivação da razoável duração processual como princípio constitucional resgata um compromisso do Estado para com seus jurisdicionados, objetivando dar um ganho de efetividade ao processo e assegurar a todos uma resposta estatal em tempo justo. Tal conclusão foi obtida utilizando-se de pesquisa bibliográfica, jurisprudencial e análise minunciosa da legislação pertinente ao tema, e convergindo para pressupostos que sirvam de suporte à aplicabilidade do referido princípio, a partir de uma análise histórica e valorativa. Como resultados, evidencia-se que não é apenas elaborando leis que se cria condições para uma dinâmica processual que alcance uma prestação jurisdicional adequada, dentro de um lapso temporal razoável e com resultado satisfatório, mas, sim, dentre outras coisas, propiciando suporte estrutural, por meio de repasse financeiro suficiente ao Poder Judiciário.

Du supin latin « substituere », la substitution désigne le fait de « mettre une personne ou une chose à la place d’une autre pour lui faire jouer le même rôle ». Utilisé dans de nombreux domaines, juridiques ou non, le mécanisme est actuellement intéressant en matière de lutte contre la surpopulation carcérale et la lenteur de la procédure pénale. Aussi, concernant le prononcé des peines, la substitution substantielle parfaite permet au juge pénal de remplacer la peine d’emprisonnement encourue par une peine non privative de liberté. Celle imparfaite octroie au juge le droit de prononcer un aménagement de peine, un sursis avec mise à l’épreuve ou un sursis avec obligation d’accomplir un travail d’intérêt général. Quant au procès pénal, la substitution procédurale parfaite conduit à l’évitement de ce procès par la mise en œuvre d’alternatives aux poursuites. Celle imparfaite consiste enfin à modifier certaines règles relatives au procès pénal afin d’accélérer la procédure et de renforcer son efficacité. Malgré ses avantages, la substitution, en matière pénale, n’est pas suffisamment connue ni maîtrisée par les professionnels et théoriciens. Ceux-ci dénoncent le manque de clarté et de précisions dans les règles relatives au mécanisme. Les ambiguïtés existantes nuisent à sa pertinence. Il est donc intéressant de s’interroger sur la possibilité de définir la substitution et d’en établir une théorie générale. / From the Latin supine « substituere », substitution means to « replace someone (or something) by another one (or thing) to make him (or it) play the same role ». Used in several fields, legal or not, the mechanism is currently interesting regarding fight against prison overpopulation and slowness in criminal procedure. By the way, concerning the punishments, the « perfect » substantial substitution allows the penal judge to replace the prison term by a noncustodial sentence. With the « imperfect » substitution, the judge can give the delinquent a sentencing reduction, a suspended sentence with probation or a suspended sentence with community services. As for the penal trial, the « perfect » procedural substitution allows to avoid it. Alternative to judicial proceedings accelerate the procedure. The « imperfect » substitution allows to modify some rules related to the penal trial in order to strengthen its efficiency. In spite of its advantages, the substitution is not known and mastered enough by the professionals and the theorists. They denounce the lack of clarity and precision in rules relating to substitution. The current ambiguities damage its suitability. It is thus interesting to wonder about defining and establishing a general theory of substitution in penal case.

O constituinte reformador decidiu tratar do problema da morosidade da justiça, à semelhança de outros países e de diversos tratados internacionais a respeito. A presente dissertação tem por fulcro a análise do novo inciso LXXVIII do art. 5º da Constituição Federal que instituiu a celeridade processual como direito fundamental. É feita cuidadosa abordagem de todos os princípios constitucionais pertinentes à matéria, especialmente o devido processo legal, desde o seu surgimento, na common law inglesa, com a Magna Carta de 1215, evoluindo pela interpretação da Suprema Corte nos Estados Unidos, de modo a conhecer sua vertente substantiva, até ser consagrado no Brasil, de modo expresso, cerca de 200 anos depois, pela Constituição de 1988. Outros princípios apresentam-se igualmente de grande relevância, como o acesso à justiça, eficiência e igualdade. Constata-se que não era imprescindível a positivação de regra específica para que a Justiça estivesse jungida ao dever de julgar com rapidez. Revela-se, porém, profícua a abordagem do tema na Constituição, dentre os direitos fundamentais. Verifica-se a ocorrência de eventuais conflitos no plano concreto envolvendo a celeridade processual e os princípios do contraditório e da ampla defesa, bem como a segurança jurídica. Dedica-se especial atenção ao papel da Emenda Constitucional n. 45, de 2004 e diversos institutos por ela trazidos no intento de se obter um Poder Judiciário mais célere e organizado de modo mais eficaz e uniforme, embora se constate a necessidade de mudanças que se sobressaem à atuação do legislador. Realiza-se pesquisa histórica e descritiva com supedâneo na doutrina brasileira e no direito comparado, especialmente nas literaturas jurídicas francesa, inglesa, portuguesa e estadunidense. Ao se analisar a repercussão do dispositivo à luz do direito constitucional, nota-se a necessidade de muitas outras alterações para que a Reforma atinja seu desiderato. Constata-se que o Poder Judiciário possui papel preponderante na salvaguarda dos direitos fundamentais, de modo que, atuando a contento, a celeridade processual pode se tornar poderoso instrumento de efetividade de tais direitos e da própria Constituição Federal. / The constituent reformer decided to face the problem of the delays of Justice, likewise that in other countries and various international treaties of the subject. This dissertation focuses on the analysis of the new item LXXVIII of article 5th of the Federal Constitution which set the celerity of procedure as a fundamental right. A careful approach is made from all constitutional principles relevant to the subject, especially the due process of law, since its emergence in the English common law, with the Magna Carta of 1215, evolving through United States Supreme Courts interpretation, in order to meet its substantive aspect, to be explicitly devoted in Brazil, about 200 years later, by the Constitution of 1988. Other principles also have great relevance, such as access to justice, efficiency and equality. It appears to be unessential to insert a specific rule by which the Justice would be bound by duty to judge rapidly. However, it is useful to approach the subject in the Constitution, among the fundamental rights. Possible conflicts are analyzed in concrete plan involving the speedy trial clause and the principles of adversarial and legal defense, as well legal certainty. Proper attention is paid to the role of the 45th Amendment of 2004 and various institutes brought by it, in the attempt to achieve a faster and more uniform and well organized Justice, although evidences the need of changes that overcome the role of the legislator. Takes place a historical and descriptive research takes place in Brazilian doctrine and comparative law, especially in French, English, Portuguese and American legal literature. By analyzing of the clauses effect under the constitutional law, its notice the demand of many other changes to the Reform reach your goal. Its seen that the Judiciary has a predominant role in safeguarding the fundamental rights, so that, working properly, speedy trial clause may become a powerful tool of effectiveness of such rights and of the own Constitution.

lavare lente | a place for slow washing | alexandria, virginia the proposal is for a slow laundering facility for alexandria, virginia. the building is intended to be slow and deliberate in its construction and inhabitation. without conventional machines, the architecture and the individual must take on increased roles in the process of washing. ideas about how slowness relates to memory, drawing and construction, and about how we might ground ourselves in a manageably paced lifestyle are at the root of the thesis. / Master of Architecture