O presente trabalho apresenta proposições para seleção de variáveis em avaliações sensoriais descritivas e de espectro infravermelho que contribuam com a indústria de alimentos e química através da utilização de métodos de análise multivariada. Desta forma, os objetivos desta tese são: (i) Estudar as principais técnicas de análise multivariada de dados, como são comumente organizadas e como podem contribuir no processo de seleção de variáveis; (ii) Identificar e estruturar técnicas de análise multivariada de dados de forma a construir um método que reduza o número de variáveis necessárias para fins de caracterização, classificação e predição dos produtos; (iii) Reduzir a lista de variáveis/atributos, selecionando aqueles relevantes e não redundantes, reduzindo o tempo de execução e a fadiga imposta aos membros de um painel em avaliações sensoriais; (iv) Validar o método proposto utilizando dados reais; e (v) Comparar diferentes abordagens de análise sensorial voltadas ao desenvolvimento de novos produtos. Os métodos desenvolvidos foram avaliados através da aplicação de estudos de caso, em exemplos com dados reais. Os métodos sugeridos variam com as características dos dados analisados, dados altamente multicolineares ou não e, com e sem variável dependente (variável de resposta). Os métodos apresentam bom desempenho, conduzindo a uma redução significativa no número de variáveis e apresentando índices de adequação de ajuste dos modelos ou acurácia satisfatórios quando comparados aos obtidos mediante retenção da totalidade das variáveis ou comparados a outros métodos dispostos na literatura. Conclui-se que os métodos propostos são adequados para a seleção de variáveis sensoriais e de espectro infravermelho. / This dissertation presents propositions for variable selection in data from descriptive sensory evaluations and near-infrared (NIR) spectrum analyses, based on multivariate analysis methods. There are five objectives here: (i) review the main multivariate analysis techniques, their relationships and potential use in variable selection procedures; (ii) propose a variable selection method based on the techniques in (i) that allows product prediction, classification, and description; (iii) reduce the list of variables/attributes to be analyzed in sensory panels identifying those relevant and non-redundant, such that the time to collect panel data and the fatigue imposed on panelists is minimized; (iv) validate methodological propositions using real life data; and (v) compare different sensory analysis approaches used in new product development. Proposed methods were evaluated through case studies, and vary according to characteristics in the datasets analyzed (data with different degrees of multicollinearity, presenting or not dependent variables). All methods presented good performance leading to significant reduction in the number of variables in the datasets, and leading to models with better adequacy of fit. We conclude that the methods are suitable for datasets from descriptive sensory evaluations and NIR analyses.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T16:05:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 jorge1.pdf: 2007593 bytes, checksum: 1b84a0d5b8a30b95277e0b0768a77b96 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-11 / The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of rural development of the population of municipalities in the west of Paraná, evaluating four aspects: population, social welfare, economic performance and environment, based on the indicators proposed by Kageyama (2004) and to identify the environmental awareness and consumption behavior of family farmers in the municipality of Marechal Cândido Rondon, state of Paraná, with the methodology VAPERCOM of Brandalise (2008). To reach the purpose, it was held an exploratory research, having as procedures the literature research for the secondary data collection. The primary data were obtained through adjustments of the model from Kageyama and Brandalise, with an approach to the problem by mixed methods. This study is justified by the fact that those already made on the subject don t dealt with the paranaense west region and there is a gap regarding the assessment of the environmental variable and on this, it was conducted an applied research with family farmers the city of Marechal Cândido Rondon, state of Paraná, intending to contribute to the academic community and the public sector, providing information that could help in the formulation of public policies and the evaluation of the goals of rural development. As a result, the 50 municipalities of the paranaense west, 13 have an high IDR, 12 municipalities a Medium IDR I, another 12 with Medium IDR II and finally, 13 municipalities with Low IDR. The degree of perception and behavior of consumption of family farmers in the municipality of Marechal Cândido Rondon, state of Paraná demonstrates an environmental concern at all stages of the product life cycle. It is considered that the methodology proposed at this study, fills the gap of Kageyama s study (2004), wherein, this method was adapted, as well as at VAPERCOM s model, from Brandalise (2008), consisting of an evolution from both methods. The research instrument created for this purpose, meets these criteria, it assesses in greater detail each step of the product life cycle, that is, from production to disposal / O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o grau de desenvolvimento rural da população dos municípios do oeste paranaense, avaliando quatro aspectos: população, bem-estar social, desempenho econômico e meio ambiente, com base nos indicadores propostos por Kageyama (2004), e identificar a percepção ambiental e comportamento de consumo dos agricultores familiares do município de Marechal Cândido Rondon, estado do Paraná, com base no modelo VAPERCOM, de Brandalise (2008). Para o alcance do objetivo, realizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória, tendo como procedimentos a pesquisa bibliográfica para o levantamento dos dados secundários. Os dados primários foram obtidos por meio de adaptações dos modelos de Kageyama e de Brandalise, com uma abordagem ao problema a partir de métodos mistos. Justifica-se o presente estudo pelo fato de que os já realizados sobre a temática não trataram da região oeste paranaense e, há uma lacuna existente no que tange à avaliação da variável ambiental e sobre este aspecto, realizou-se uma pesquisa aplicada com os agricultores familiares do município de Marechal Cândido Rondon, estado do Paraná, pretendendo contribuir com a comunidade acadêmica e para o poder público, fornecendo informações que pudessem auxiliar na formulação de políticas públicas, bem como na avaliação das metas do desenvolvimento rural. Como resultado, dos 50 municípios do oeste paranaense, 13 possuem um IDR Alto, 12 municípios um IDR Médio I, outros 12 com IDR Médio II e, finalmente, 13 municípios com IDR Baixo. O grau de percepção e o comportamento de consumo dos agricultores familiares do município de Marechal Cândido Rondon, estado do Paraná demonstra uma preocupação ambiental em todas as etapas do ciclo de vida do produto. Considerou-se que o modelo proposto nesta dissertação, preencheu a lacuna existente no estudo de Kageyama (2004), método adaptado para este estudo, assim como no modelo VAPERCOM, de Brandalise (2008), resultando em uma evolução de ambos os métodos. O instrumento de pesquisa criado para esta finalidade, atende a estes critérios, pois avalia de forma mais minuciosa cada etapa do ciclo de vida do produto, ou seja, desde a sua produção até o seu descarte.

[pt] Uma metodologia eficiente e segura é proposta para prever a propagação de trincas de fadiga sob carregamento complexo em estruturas bidimensionais com geometria genérica. Primeiro, o caminho da trinca (em geral curvo) e os fatores de intensidade de tensão KI(a) e KII(a) ao longo do comprimento da trinca a são calculados num programa de elementos finitos especialmente desenvolvido para este fim, o Quebra2D. Estes cálculos são feitos usando pequenos incrementos especificáveis no tamanho da trinca e técnicas de remalhamento automatizadas. Os valores de KI(a) são usados como dados de entrada num programa de previsão de vida à fadiga, o ViDa. Esse programa foi desenvolvido para prever a iniciação e a propagação de trincas 1D e 2D sob carregamento complexo por todos os métodos clássicos, incluindo SN, eN e IIW (estruturas soldadas) para a iniciação da trinca, e o método da/dN para a propagação. Em particular, o módulo que propaga a trinca aceita qualquer expressão de KI(a) e qualquer regra da/dN, e usa o método DKrms ou CCC (crescimento ciclo-a-ciclo) para prever a propagação de trincas uni e bidimensionais sob carregamento complexo. A análise numérica proposta foi verificada através de vários experimentos representativos, cuja metodologia experimental é discutida em detalhes. / [en] A reliable and cost effective two-phase methodology is proposed to predict fatigue crack propagation in generic two-dimensional structural components under complex loading. First, the fatigue crack path and its stress intensity factor are calculated in a specialized finite- element software, using small crack increments. Numerical methods are used to calculate the crack propagation path, based on the computation of the crack incremental direction, and the stress-intensity factors KI, from the finite element response. Then, an analytical expression is adjusted to the calculated KI(a) values, where a is the length along the crack path. This KI(a) expression is used as an input to a powerful general purpose fatigue design software based on the local approach, developed to predict both initiation and propagation fatigue lives under complex loading by all classical design methods, including the SN, the eN and the IIW (for welded structures) to deal with crack initiation, and the da/dN to treat propagation problems. In particular, its crack propagation module accepts any KI expression and any da/dN rule, using the DKrms or the cycle-by-cycle propagation methods to deal with one and twodimensional crack propagation under complex loading. If requested, this latter method may include overload-induced crack retardation effects. This two-phase methodology is experimentally validated by fatigue tests on compact tension and bending single edge notch specimens, modified with holes positioned to attract or to deflect the cracks.

Orientador: Alexandre César Rodrigues da Silva / Resumo: Neste trabalho foram programados dois algoritmos descritos na literatura denominados de XOR e MDM que realizam a síntese de circuitos reversíveis a partir da tabela verdade. Programou-se também algoritmos relacionados com a otimização pós-síntese, denominados Greedy, Simulated Annealing e Variable Neighbourhood Descent, que empregam métodos heurísticos e regras de reescrita, cujo objetivo é reduzir a quantidade de portas lógicas reversíveis do circuito sintetizado. A contribuição deste trabalho foi o emprego do método Divisão que divide o circuito sintetizado em vizinhanças e aplica o método Simulated Annealing ou Variable Neighbourhood Descent nas partes do circuito. Os métodos de otimização implementados foram comparados utilizando como testes 42 circuitos. Constatou-se que os métodos Simulated Annealing e Variable Neighbourhood Descent em conjunto com o método Divisão geraram circuitos menores. Além disso, o algoritmo que aplica a meta-heurística Simulated Annealing comparado ao Variable Neighbourhood Descent obteve menor quantidade de portas em 7 dos 42 circuitos, mesmo custo em 29 circuitos e pior custo em 6. / Abstract: In this work, two algorithms described in the literature denominated of XOR and MDM are programmes that realize the synthesis of reversible circuits from the truth table. It has been programmed also algorithms related to the post-synthesis optimization, called Greedy, Simulated Annealing and Variable Neighbourhood Descent, which use heuristic methods and rewriting rules, whose objective is to reduce the number of reversible logic gates of the synthesized circuit. The contribution of this work was the use of the Division method that divides the synthesized circuit into neighborhoods and applies the Simulated Annealing or Variable Neighbourhood Descent method in the circuit parts. The implemented optimization methods were compared using 42 circuits as a test. It was found that the Simulated Annealing and Variable Neighborhood Descent methods together with the Division method generated smaller circuits. Furthermore, the algorithm that applies the Simulated Annealing meta-heuristic compared to the Variable Neighbourhood Descent obtained the lowest number of gates in 7 of the 42 circuits, even cost in 29 circuits and the worst cost in 6. / Mestre

Na imunodeficiência comum variável (ICV) têm sido descritas alterações de linfócitos T, incluindo a produção diminuída da interleucina-2 (IL-2). Desde que a IL-2 pode promover a produção de imunoglobulinas in vitro, nosso principal objetivo foi investigar os efeitos in vivo do tratamento com IL-2 recombinante (IL-2r) em pacientes com ICV. Foram selecionados 4 pacientes que apesar de tratamento adequado com imunoglobulina EV apresentavam infecções recorrentes. Após um período de observação de 12 meses, os pacientes receberam doses crescentes de IL-2r durante 16 semanas com reposição de imunoglobulina apenas se a IgG sérica atingisse níveis menores do que 400mg/dL. A seguir, permaneceram em observação por mais 12 meses recebendo imunoglobulina . A gravidade das infecções foi avaliada segundo um \"score\" numa escala de 3 a 10. A avaliação in vitro incluiu: quantificação dos níveis de IgG, IgA e IgM séricas; resposta linfoproliferativa à PHA; populações linfocitárias CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ e CD25+ no sangue periférico. As reações adversas à IL-2r foram leves e localizadas. Houve redução aparente do número e gravidade das infecções durante os 12 meses subseqüentes ao término da IL-2r. Os níveis da IgG sérica e das células CD4+, CD8+ e CD19+ mantiveram-se estáveis durante todo o estudo. Em 3 pacientes houve relação entre melhora clínica e aumento da proporção de linfócitos T CD25+. Isto permite supor que a remissão de infecções em alguns pacientes com ICV , sob terapêutica com IL-2r associada ou não à imunoglobulina EV, esteja parcialmente relacionada à melhora da imunidade celular. Adicionalmente, nossos dados indicam que a IL-2r pode ser utilizada de modo seguro nas dosagens e período utilizados como terapêutica adjuvante em alguns pacientes com ICV que apresentam infecções recorrentes e má resposta terapêutica à imunoglobulina endovenosa / In Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) T cell function may be impaired and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production diminished. Since IL-2 stimulates immunoglobulin production in vitro, the aim of this study was to determine the in vivo effects of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) in patients with CVID. We selected four CVID patients, who despite intravenous immunoglobulin infusion (IVIG) had recurrent infections. After a twelve-month run-in period, escalating dosages of rIL-2 were administered during 16 weeks, during which rescue IVIG treatment was performed whenever serum IgG levels dropped below 400 mg/dL. During follow-up (12 months), patients were observed and treated with IVIG. Infection severity was assessed using a 3 to 10 infection score. In vitro analysis included: measurement of serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM; lymphocyte proliferative responses to phytohaemaglutinin (PHA); CD4+, CD8+,CD19+ and CD25+ lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood. Few local side-effects were observed in 2 patients. In the follow-up period after rIL-2 treatment, patients experienced reduction of the number and severity of infections. Levels of serum IgG, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ were stable throughout the study. In 3 patients we observed a relation between improvement of clinical parameters and number of T CD25+ cells. These findings suggest that remission of infections in some CVID patients treated with rIL-2, in combination or not with IVIG is, in part, associated with the improvement of cell immunity. Additionally, our results indicate that rIL-2 administration is safe and may serve as adjuvant therapy in some CVID patients with recurrent infections and poor response to IVIG treatment

Nessa tese apresentamos uma nova classe de modelos, os processos de saltos com memória de alcance variável, uma generalização a tempo contínuo do processo introduzido em Galves e Löcherbach (2013). Desenvolvemos um novo estimador para a árvore de contexto imersa no processo de salto com memória de alcance variável, considerando mais parâmetros fornecidos pela amostra. Obtivemos também uma cota superior da taxa de convergência da árvore estimada para árvore real, provando a convergência quase certa do estimador. / In this work we deal with a new class of models: the jump processes with variable length memory. This is a continuous-time generalization of the process introduced in Galves and Löcherbach (2013). We present a new estimator for the tree context embedded in this process, considering all information provided by the sample. We also present an exponential upper bound for the rate of convergence, proving then the almost sure convergence of the estimator.

Um sistema de filtração rápida com taxa declinante variável devidamente projetado e operado pode funcionar como uma alternativa econômica e prática uma vez que este tipo de sistema dispensa equipamentos de controle de vazão e de nível, diminuindo o custo da obra e simplificando a operação. Várias são as formas encontradas por pesquisadores para o estudo de sistemas, mas a grande maioria os pesquisou em escala piloto; alguns modelaram a hidráulica do sistema tentando obter parâmetros de projeto, outros utilizaram métodos gráficos que permitem visualizar o que acontece teoricamente nesses sistemas, mas poucos são os trabalhos desenvolvidos em escala real. O sistema de filtração com taxa declinante variável, na realidade, é bastante simples, mas, na maior parte das vezes, uma implantação inadequada pode dificultar a operação e por consequência tornar o processo complexo e pouco eficiente. Este trabalho consistiu em desenvolver uma metodologia de trabalho que permite estudar esses sistemas em escala real por meio de simulações numa instalação piloto com características similares à de instalação em escala real com o intuito de se obterem as condições mais adequadas de operação do sistema. O trabalho ressalta as dificuldades encontradas numa instalação com filtração direta descendente e taxa declinante variável em escala real, quando seu funcionamento ocorre sem uma operação prévia, na qual os equipamentos e o sistema deveriam ter sido devidamente ajustados.O desenvolvimento desse trabalho resultou em uma metodologia que permite obter parâmetros de projeto de um sistema com taxa declinante variável a partir de uma instalação piloto constituída de um único filtro, levando-se em conta a área de armazenamento a montante dos filtros. / A variable declining rate filtration system, designed and operated with care, can be an economical and practical alternative for water treatment as this type of system requires no control equipment for discharge and head. There are various ways to study such systems but most of them employed pilot scale tests; some either modelled the hydraulic of the system mathematically trying to obtain project parameters; others made use of graphical methods to visualise what occurs within these systems. Very few studies have been conducted at full scale. Although declining rate filtration systems are rather simple, their inadequate implantation can pose difficulties in operation, thus making the process complex and less efficient. This work consisted of developing a methodology of investigation that permits the study of full scale rate filtration systems by means of simulations in a pilot installation with the same characteristics as the real system, in order to determine the most adequate operational conditions. This research reveals the difficulties associated with the study of an actual direct down flow and a variable declining rate filtration system, when it functions without a previous experimental operation in which the system and its equipment are adequately adjusted. The development of this work has led to a methodology that allows for obtaining project parameters of a declining variable rate system by means of a pilot installation comprising one single filter, talking into account the storage upstream the filters.

Irrigated agriculture is the primary consumer of limited worldwide freshwater resources. Drought, growing world populations, and environmental demands compete with irrigation for freshwater resources"”threatening sustainable global food, fuel, and fiber production. This escalating global crisis demands that agriculture produce more food using less water. Traditional irrigation management has used technology to apply uniform irrigation rates across landscapes"”ignoring natural environmental variation. This provides inherent inefficiencies of over- or under- irrigation within individual fields. Variable-rate irrigation (VRI) is modern technology that employs global positioning systems and geographic information systems to match irrigation to spatially variable crop water demands within a field. Although commercially available, VRI lacks scientifically validated decision support systems to determine spatially and temporally variable crop water demand. The purpose of this research is to explore spatial and temporal variations in crop water demand to inform growers utilizing VRI. This research consists of four seasons of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production on a commercial farm in Idaho that employs a VRI system. In Chapter 1, the spatial variation of crop water productivity (CWP, the grain produced per unit of water consumed), is characterized for two seasons (2016-2017) and we propose a unique conceptual strategy for VRI management targeted at CWP. Observed CWP ranged from 4.1-21 kg ha-1 mm-1 with distinct spatial variation that, when considered together with grain yield, were shown to be useful for VRI management. During the 2017 growing season, VRI zones conserved 25% of irrigation compared to traditional uniform irrigation management. In the second chapter the spatial variation of soil water holding capacity (SWHC) was measured at 90 sampling points throughout the field. Then, during the 2016-2017 growing seasons, the spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture were modelled to characterize crop stress and its influence on grain yield. Soil within the field showed large spatial variation of SWHC, ranging from 147-369 mm. Under uniform irrigation in 2016, the natural variation of TAW created 21 day variation in the onset of crop stress throughout the field and under VRI in 2017 the onset of crop stress spanned 56 d. Surprisingly the variations in TAW did not statistically influence yield in 2016, and in 2017 the rate of irrigation predicted yield and TAW again did not statistically predict yield. This suggests that other environmental variables should be included when delineating irrigation zones and rates for VRI.

Utilizing data from the Kepler Mission, we analyze a flickering phenomenon in the symbiotic variable star CH Cygni. We perform a spline interpolation of an averaged lightcurve and subtract the spline to acquire residual data. This allows us to analyze the deviations that are not caused by the Red Giant’s semi-regular periodic variations. We then histogram the residuals and perform moment calculations for variance, skewness, and kurtosis for the purpose of determining the nature of the flickering. Our analysis has shown that we see a much smaller scale flickering than observed in the previous literature. Our flickering scale is on the scale of fractions of a percent of the luminosity. Also, from our analysis, we are very confident that the flickering is a product of the accretion disc of the White Dwarf.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / ‘Hass’ avocado fruit changes skin colour from green to purple and then black during ripening. However, markets importing South African avocado fruit have been complaining about the ‘Hass’ skin colour not changing to purple/black during ripening. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the effect of tree girdling, harvest time and ripening temperature on ‘Hass’ avocado fruit skin colour development during ripening. The mature ‘Hass’ avocado fruit were harvested from girdled and non-girdled trees during early (April), mid- (May) and late (June) harvest times. Upon arrival, in the laboratory fruit were cold stored at 5.5°C for 28 days. After storage, fruit were ripened at 25, 21 and 16°C for 8, 6 and 4 days, respectively. After withdrawal from clod storage fruit were evaluated for skin colour development, ripening and physiological disorders (chilling injury). Fruit from girdled trees showed high maturity (low moisture content) when compared with fruit from non-girdled trees during early and mid-harvest. With respect to skin colour development, the results indicate that skin eye colour development of fruit from girdled and non-girdled trees minimally increased from emerald green (1) to olive green (3) across all harvest times, ripening temperature and ripening duration. However, late season fruit from non-girdled trees improved to purple (4) when ripened at 21°C when compared with fruit from girdled trees. In terms of objective colour, lightness, hue angle and chroma decreased for fruit from girdled and non-girdled trees, across all harvest times, ripening temperature and ripening duration. Lightness and hue angle of fruit from girdled trees were slightly reduced when compared with fruit from non-girdled trees, throughout all harvest times, ripening temperature and duration. Early and mid-season fruit harvested from girdled trees showed rapid decrease of chroma when compared with fruit from non-girdled trees, throughout ripening temperature and x duration. In terms of softening, fruit from girdled trees showed higher firmness loss and ripening percentage within 6 (16°C) and 4 (21 and 25°C) days when compared with fruit from non-girdled trees during early and mid-harvest, whereas, late harvest fruit from girdled trees reached higher ripening percentage and firmness loss within 4 days throughout ripening temperatures. With respect to cold damage, late harvested fruit from girdled trees showed higher external chilling injury when compared with non-girdled trees, throughout ripening temperature. In general, girdling treatment improved fruit maturity, ripening rate and firmness loss. However, the incidence of variable skin colouring of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit during ripening was also prevalent in early harvested fruit from girdled tree, irrespective of ripening temperature. Keywords: girdling, harvest time, physiological disorder, ripening temperature, variable colouring