Monitoring of engineered systems consists of characterizing the normal behavior of the system and tracking departures from it. Techniques to monitor a system can be split into two classes based on their use of inputs and outputs of the system. Systems-based monitoring refers to the case when both inputs and outputs of a system are available and utilized. Conversely, symptomatic monitoring refers to the case when only outputs of the system are available. This thesis extended symptomatic and systems-based monitoring of biomedical systems via the use of non-stationary signal processing and advanced monitoring methods. Monitoring of various systems of the human body is encumbered by several key hurdles. First, current biomedical knowledge may not fully comprehend the extent of inputs and outputs of a particular system. In addition, regardless of current knowledge, inputs may not be accessible and outputs may be, at best, indirect measurements of the underlying biological process. Finally, even if inputs and outputs are measurable, their relationship may be highly nonlinear and convoluted. These hurdles require the use of advanced signal processing and monitoring approaches. Regardless of the pursuit of symptomatic or system-based monitoring, the aforementioned hurdles can be partially overcome by using non-stationary signal analysis to reveal the way frequency content of biomedical signals change over time. Furthermore, the use of advanced classification and monitoring methods facilitated reliable differentiation between various conditions of the monitored system based on the information from non-stationary signal analysis. The human brain was targeted for advancement of symptomatic monitoring, as it is a system responding to a plethora internal and external stimuli. The complexity of the brain makes it unfeasible to realize system-based monitoring to utilize all the relevant inputs and outputs for the brain. Further, measurement of brain activity (outputs), in the indirect form of electroencephalogram (EEG), remains a workhorse of brain disorder diagnosis. In this thesis, advanced signal processing and pattern recognition methods are employed to devise and study an epilepsy detection and localization algorithm that outperforms those reported in literature. This thesis also extended systems-based monitoring of human biomedical systems via advanced input-output modeling and sophisticated monitoring techniques based on the information from non-stationary signal analysis. Explorations of system-based monitoring in the NMS system were driven by the fact that joint velocities and torques can be seen NMS responses to electrical inputs provided by the central nervous system (CNS) and the electromyograph (EMG) provides an indirect measurement of CNS excitations delivered to the muscles. Thus, both inputs and outputs of this system are more or less available and one can approach its monitoring via the use of system-based approaches. / text

In this research, an autonomous vehicle function management methodology is studied. In accordance with the traffic situation, the decision making level chooses the optimal function that guarantees safety and minimizes fuel consumption while the control level is implemented via neuromorphic strategy based on the brain limbic system. To realize the decision making strategy, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used by considering driving safety, driving speed, and fuel efficiency as the objectives. According to the traffic situation and predefined driving mode, Lane Change Maneuver (LCM) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are chosen as the alternative functions in the AHP framework. The adaptive AHP is utilized to cope with dynamically changing traffic environment. The proposed adaptive AHP algorithm provides an optimal relative importance matrix that is essential to make decisions under a varying traffic situation and driving modes. The simulation results show that proposed autonomous vehicle function management structure produces optimal decisions that satisfy the driving preference. The stability of BLS based control is also investigated via Cell-to-Cell Mapping. In this research, autonomous vehicle functions such as Lane change maneuver and Adaptive cruise control are developed by means of BLS based control. The simulation results considered various traffic situations that an autonomous vehicle can encounter. To demonstrate the suggested control method Cell-to-Cell Mapping is utilized. Subsequently, the autonomous vehicle function management strategy is developed by Applying AHP and an adaptive AHP strategy is developed to cope with various traffic situations and driving modes. The suggested method is verified numerical simulations.

The trends for analysis and design of steel frames are indicated in this dissertation. The current practice consists of applying the first-order elastic analysis with amplification factors or second-order elastic analysis in combination with the AISC-LRFD interaction equations. Determination of the effective length factors and individual member capacity checks are necessary to select adequate structural member sizes. The direct analysis method is a second-order elastic analysis approach that eliminates the determination of effective length factors from the current AlSC-LRFD method. Unsupported member length is used to calculate the axial strength of a member. Equivalent notional loads and/or modified stiffness are applied together with the external loads to account for the effects of initial out-of-plumbness and inelastic softening. For both AlSC-LRFD and direct analysis methods, a structure is analyzed as a whole, but the axial and flexural strength of each member is examined individually. Inelastic redistribution of internal forces in the structural system cannot be considered. As a result, determined member forces are not correct and more conservative member sizes will be obtained. Moreover, member-based approaches cannot predict structural behaviors such as failure mode and overstength factor. The advanced analysis method considered in this work is a second-order refined plastic hinge analysis in which both effective length factors and individual member capacity checks are not required. In addition, advanced analysis is a structure systembased analysis/design method that can overcome the difficulties of using member-based design approaches. Thus, advanced analysis is a state-of-the-art method for steel structure design. Several numerical examples are provided to show the design details of all three methods. The design requirements corresponding to each analysis approach are illustrated in these examples. The pros and cons of each method are discussed by comparing the design results. Advanced analysis is also a computer-based analysis and design procedure consistent with the features of performance-based design. Applying advanced analysis to performance-based fire resistance and seismic design are proposed. This dissertation shows advanced analysis is efficient in predicting the duration that structures could support load under elevated temperature and capable of determining the performance level of a structure subjected to seismic forces.

Thesis (MComm (Logistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The current subsidy system, designed to make South Africa’s public transport more affordable, has instead contributed to a worsening of the existent neglected state of affairs. Although subsidy policies are in place, misdirected allocation renders them mostly ineffective. The implementation of the new integrated public transport systems for metropolitan areas affords an opportunity to adopt a broad spectrum approach and initiate a redesigned and improved subsidy system. The purpose of this study is to assess the South African urban public transport industry with the aim of finding by means of a system-based process a subsidy approach that will overcome the remaining inequalities of the past. This study will consequently evaluate different subsidy theories and determine which one(s) will be best suited to the demands of a specific period. The final objective is to design a product which offers government a systembased process that will help it determine, every few years, whether the subsidy regime being applied at that juncture is still relevant to the requirements of the market and/or what (new) approach is necessary to achieve social and economic wellbeing. Commuter transport in South Africa is currently in a transition phase where new public transport infrastructure is being implemented in the metropolitan cities. The current economic recession (making people’s demand more elastic to prices) present a good time to conduct the system-based process necessary for transition of the public transport system and determine an optimal subsidy approach for the new system. The first step in the system-based process was to determine the scope of work and the overall objectives that should be reached. The main public transport shortcomings are the lack of accessibility to affordable transport for the poor and increasing private transport ownership by the rich, which increases congestion and forms the second step of the systembased process. The third step stated the action plan of strategies on how the objectives could be reached. These three steps also form the basic measurement criteria against which the different subsidy approaches needed to be tested. The fourth step in the system-based process to a better subsidy approach was to evaluate different theoretical subsidy approaches. The review of different subsidy approaches has indicated that some approaches work better than others, but an optimal subsidy system is almost never found.

Este trabalho apresenta um modelo de inspeção sanitária, utilizando lógica fuzzy, sobre gerenciamento de resíduos de serviços de saúde, construído com as informações e experiência de especialista, baseadas nas inspeções de estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A partir da estruturação de regras utilizadas na inspeção sanitária sobre Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde (RSS), e do regulamento técnico sobre gerenciamento de RSS, a RDC 306/04 da ANVISA, foi construído um modelo que simula a atuação de um agente especialista da vigilância sanitária, contemplando os elementos difusos que compõem os fatores analisados na inspeção sanitária. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um instrumento, estruturado com base na prática da inspeção sanitária sobre gerenciamento de RSS, utilizando a lógica fuzzy, capaz otimizar a inspeção, gerar indicadores de controle sanitário que permitam monitorar a condição satisfatória do gerenciamento destes resíduos, dar aporte ao planejamento das ações de vigilância sanitária sobre os RSS e acima de tudo propor um instrumento que possa reverter-se em mecanismo eficiente de fiscalização sanitária. O modelo fuzzy foi desenvolvido com uso do software Matlab 2007b, sendo testado com dados de 10 relatórios de inspeções realizadas no período de maio a novembro de 2009. / This study shows a health inspections model of waste management of health establishments in Rio de Janeiro state. The model was built by fuzzys logic and with experts information. It was based in ANVISA rules about waste management in health services: RSS, a RDC 306/04. It makes a simulation of an expert actuation with the diffuse elements of health inspection. The objective of this study is to show a health inspection management waste practice structured instrument, using fuzzys logic, able to optimize the inspection, produce indicators of health control to monitor the satisfactory condition of healh services waste management and guide the planning actions. The fuzzy model was developed with Matlab software and tasted with 10 inspection reports dated of 2009, between may and november.

Este trabalho apresenta um modelo de inspeção sanitária, utilizando lógica fuzzy, sobre gerenciamento de resíduos de serviços de saúde, construído com as informações e experiência de especialista, baseadas nas inspeções de estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. A partir da estruturação de regras utilizadas na inspeção sanitária sobre Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde (RSS), e do regulamento técnico sobre gerenciamento de RSS, a RDC 306/04 da ANVISA, foi construído um modelo que simula a atuação de um agente especialista da vigilância sanitária, contemplando os elementos difusos que compõem os fatores analisados na inspeção sanitária. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar um instrumento, estruturado com base na prática da inspeção sanitária sobre gerenciamento de RSS, utilizando a lógica fuzzy, capaz otimizar a inspeção, gerar indicadores de controle sanitário que permitam monitorar a condição satisfatória do gerenciamento destes resíduos, dar aporte ao planejamento das ações de vigilância sanitária sobre os RSS e acima de tudo propor um instrumento que possa reverter-se em mecanismo eficiente de fiscalização sanitária. O modelo fuzzy foi desenvolvido com uso do software Matlab 2007b, sendo testado com dados de 10 relatórios de inspeções realizadas no período de maio a novembro de 2009. / This study shows a health inspections model of waste management of health establishments in Rio de Janeiro state. The model was built by fuzzys logic and with experts information. It was based in ANVISA rules about waste management in health services: RSS, a RDC 306/04. It makes a simulation of an expert actuation with the diffuse elements of health inspection. The objective of this study is to show a health inspection management waste practice structured instrument, using fuzzys logic, able to optimize the inspection, produce indicators of health control to monitor the satisfactory condition of healh services waste management and guide the planning actions. The fuzzy model was developed with Matlab software and tasted with 10 inspection reports dated of 2009, between may and november.