Gradient Enhanced Piezoelectric Actuators (GEPAC) are thin piezoelectric plates embedded between two composites layers having different thermal properties. Compared to standard unimorph bending actuators, GEPACs offer superior performances for operations at low frequencies. Potential applications are in the area of multifunctional aircraft skins. In practice, delaminations or debonding within the actuator itself can occur, and it is highly desirable to develop an ultrasonic nondestructive method to monitor the integrity of the actuator in real time. For this study, the composite material is unidirectional Kevlar-epoxy, with fibers oriented at 90 and 0 for the upper and lower layers to achieve different coefficient of thermal expansion. A thin PZT plate is inserted between the two layers, and extended copper foil is used for electrodes on the PZT. The first objective of the research is to demonstrate that, by using segmented electrodes, one can simultaneously launch an ultrasonic pulse (1 MHz) for NDE testing while the actuator is undergoing low frequency actuation (less than 100 Hz). The second objective is to show that the ultrasonic signal can be used to detect damage induced during fatigue testing of the actuator. The third objective is to use the technique to monitor the integrity of a composite plate containing several embedded GEPACs.

Considerable effort worldwide has gone into monitoring heat and mass transfer at active volcanoes, as this information may provide clues about changes in volcanic activity and impending eruptions. One method used is the self-potential (SP) method, which has been employed on volcanoes to map hydrothermal systems and structural features and to monitor changes in the hydrothermal system due to volcanic activity. Continuous monitoring of SP has been employed on a few volcanoes and has produced encouraging results. This study presents new time series data collected from continuous monitoring stations at Masaya and Telica, and spatial series data from Masaya, Telica, and Cerro Negro, three active volcanoes in Nicaragua. The primary goals of this study were to determine whether correlations between SP anomalies and CO2 flux exist and to investigate temporal variations in temperature, SP, rainfall, and barometric pressure. To achieve these goals, SP and CO2 flux surveys were conducted on Masaya, Telica, and Cerro Negro, and continuous monitoring stations were installed on Masaya and Telica. The continuous monitoring station on Masaya recorded temperature, SP, rainfall, and barometric pressure. The station on Telica recorded temperature and SP. Profiles collected on Masaya and Cerro Negro show broad correlation between SP and CO2 flux. However, profiles on Telica revealed virtually no SP anomaly or CO2 flux for the majority of the profile, at the time of data collection. Data collected from the continuous monitoring station at Masaya showed a persistent positive SP anomaly that fluctuated between 60 and 240 mV. Rainfall was seen to supress the anomaly for time scales of several hours to several days. Correlations between temperature, SP, and barometric pressure were also seen at Masaya. Curiously, no increases in SP were seen during two temperature transients that occurred during volcanic activity in June and October. Continuous monitoring data from Telica showed only decreases in temperature and SP, which coincided with rainfall. The continuous monitoring data collected in this study and others have begun to provide a better understanding of the nature of SP anomalies, which may aid in the development of the SP method as a volcano monitoring tool.

A dependência tecnológica das atividades e dos processos de negócios no mundo corporativo impulsionou o desenvolvimento de novas técnicas de auditoria para apurar possíveis falhas sistêmicas, que pudessem afetar os controles internos das companhias. Sendo assim, a necessidade de automação dos testes de auditoria motivou a elaboração do conceito e a implantação de projetos de auditoria contínua de dados no ambiente empresarial. Esta tese avalia os principais aspectos críticos para a construção da auditoria contínua de dados, considerando o uso da tecnologia da informação e das técnicas de auditoria com auxílio do computador. A partir da fundamentação teórica formularam-se quatro premissas básicas, as quais derivaram oito proposições e onze aspectos críticos, os quais foram colocados em prova de conceito, por meio de estudo de casos múltiplos no cenário empresarial brasileiro. A pesquisa afirma que os aspectos críticos para a construção da auditoria contínua de dados, originários da fundamentação teórica e corroborados pelo resultado do estudo de casos múltiplos, servirão como direcionadores para a inicialização de projetos de auditoria contínua, bem como para sua reestruturação. / The technology dependence of activities and business processes in corporate world driving the development of new audit techniques to investigate possible systemic failures, that could affect the internal controls of companies. Thus, the need for automation of auditing tests led to the development of the concept and implementation of projects for continuous auditing of data in the enterprise environment. This thesis evaluates the major critical issues for the construction of continuous auditing of data, considering the use of information technology and the computer assisted audit techniques. From the theoretical foundation formulated four basic premises, which were derived eight propositions and eleven critical aspects, which were placed in a proof of concept, through multiple case study in the Brazilian business scenario. The research argues that the critical aspects for the construction of continuous auditing of data, originated in theoretical foundation and corroborated by the results of multiple case study, will serve as drivers for the initialization of continuous auditing projects as well as for its restructuring.

The ability to detect and prevent a network from DDoS attack and to ensure the high quality infrastructure is a back bone of today’s network security issues. In this thesis, we have successfully validated an algorithm using OmNet++ Ver. 4.0 simulation to show how a DDoS attack can be detected and how the nodes can be protected from such an attack using GOSSIP protocol.

This diploma thesis deals with the project proposal to install continuous monitoring on company’s travel and expense, which will be performed by internal audit department. It contains an analysis of the current state of the company, based on which the project is designed using project management methods.

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The use of real-time control (RTC) as an adaptation technique for improving existing stormwater systems has been gaining attention in recent years for its ability to enhance water quality and quantity treatment. A case study RTC retrofit of seven existing detention basins was simulated for a small (162 ha), urbanized watershed in Blacksburg, VA. Two heuristic, reactive control algorithms were tested and compared for their ability to improve hydraulic conditions at each detention basin and the watershed outlet through manipulation of an actuated valve, under various permutations of RTC retrofitting (single facility, multiple facilities, etc.). Change in peak flow during 24-hour design storms was assessed. RTC only reduced peak flows at some of the facilities for storms with a return period of 2 years or less. For larger storms, RTC maintained or increased peak flow rates. During a 15-year simulation with historic precipitation data, total duration of erosive flows was reduced for most facility retrofit simulations; however, the duration of high intensity flows increased, or remained unchanged. This result was also reflected at the watershed outlet. / Master of Science / Stormwater management helps protect natural waterways from the harmful impacts of human development. A growing field of research is investigating the potential for “smart” technologies to improve the efficiency of existing stormwater facilities. This study investigates the application of a “smart” stormwater retrofit, known as real-time control (RTC), to existing stormwater management facilities located in a small case study watershed. The RTC system is composed of hypothetical internet-connected sensors and control valves which control flows at several points within the test watershed. Two control algorithms were tested, and compared to the current conditions (scenario with no RTC), for a large range of storm events. Results of this study found that RTC would lead to improved stream health for most rainfall events, but could potentially worsen conditions for the largest, most rare storm events. In addition, RTC was found to be much more effective at some points in the watershed than other points. Prediction of where RTC will be most effective should be the focus of future research.

Os sistemas de monitoração contínua da glicose (SMCG) foram desenvolvidos para monitorar as concentrações intersticiais de glicose em pacientes diabéticos, eliminando a necessidade de repetidas coletas de sangue. Vários estudos em humanos e animais indicam que a glicose intersticial possui correlação com a glicose sanguínea, mas poucos estudos abordam o uso clínico em equinos e há poucos aparelhos padronizados na espécie. O presente estudo teve como objetivo padronizar um novo SMCG intersticial (FreeStyle Libre) em cavalos hígidos e obesos, avaliar a fixação do sensor na pele do cavalo, e avaliar a eficácia do dispositivo no auxílio ao diagnóstico de resistência à insulina durante o teste combinado de glicose e insulina. Para isso foram usados 10 equinos adultos. O sensor foi fixado na região dorsolateral do terço inicial do pescoço de todos os animais. A dosagem de glicemia laboratorial e pelo aparelho foram comparadas em vários tempos. Em cinco cavalos (com escore corporal de 5 a 6) foram apenas realizadas essas dosagens e o acompanhamento por 7 dias da fixação do sensor. Nos outros cinco animais (com escore corporal acima de 7), foi realizado também o teste combinado de glicose e insulina. O aparelho permaneceu fixado entre 3 e 7 dias em 6 dos 10 animais. Houve ótima concordância entre os valores de glicose nos dois sistemas, ocorrendo apenas um pequeno atraso na detecção de variações bruscas de glicemia pelo aparelho testado. Assim conclui-se que o sistema de monitoramento contínuo da glicose FreeStyle Libre pode ser utilizado para avaliação indireta da glicemia por meio da glicose intersticial em cavalos adultos hígidos e obesos, inclusive durante o teste combinado de glicose e insulina. / Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) have been developed to monitor interstitial glucose concentrations in diabetic patients, eliminating the need for repeated blood sampling. Several studies in humans and animals indicate that interstitial glucose correlates with blood glucose, but few studies address clinical use in horses and there are few standardized devices in the species. The present study aimed to standardize a new interstitial CGMS (FreeStyle Libre) on healthy and obese horses, to evaluate the fixation of the sensor on horse skin, and to evaluate the efficacy of the device in aiding the diagnosis of insulin resistance during the combined test of glucose and insulin. For this, 10 adult horses were used. The sensor was attached to the dorsolateral region of the initial third of the neck of all animals. Dosage of laboratory blood glucose and by the device were compared at various times. In five horses (with a body score of 5 to 6), these measurements were only performed and the 7-day follow-up of the sensor fixation was performed. In the other five animals (with body score above 7), the combined glucose and insulin test was also performed. The device remained fixed for 3 to 7 days in 6 of the 10 animals. There was excellent agreement between the glucose values in both systems, with only a slight delay in the detection of abrupt changes in glycemia by the tested device. Thus, it can be concluded that the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system can be used for indirect evaluation of glycemia through interstitial glucose in healthy and obese adult horses, including during the combined glucose and insulin test.

Os sistemas de monitoração contínua da glicose (SMCG) foram desenvolvidos para monitorar as concentrações intersticiais de glicose em pacientes diabéticos, eliminando a necessidade de repetidas coletas de sangue. Vários estudos em humanos e animais indicam que a glicose intersticial possui correlação com a glicose sanguínea, mas poucos estudos abordam o uso clínico em equinos e há poucos aparelhos padronizados na espécie. O presente estudo teve como objetivo padronizar um novo SMCG intersticial (FreeStyle Libre) em cavalos hígidos e obesos, avaliar a fixação do sensor na pele do cavalo, e avaliar a eficácia do dispositivo no auxílio ao diagnóstico de resistência à insulina durante o teste combinado de glicose e insulina. Para isso foram usados 10 equinos adultos. O sensor foi fixado na região dorsolateral do terço inicial do pescoço de todos os animais. A dosagem de glicemia laboratorial e pelo aparelho foram comparadas em vários tempos. Em cinco cavalos (com escore corporal de 5 a 6) foram apenas realizadas essas dosagens e o acompanhamento por 7 dias da fixação do sensor. Nos outros cinco animais (com escore corporal acima de 7), foi realizado também o teste combinado de glicose e insulina. O aparelho permaneceu fixado entre 3 e 7 dias em 6 dos 10 animais. Houve ótima concordância entre os valores de glicose nos dois sistemas, ocorrendo apenas um pequeno atraso na detecção de variações bruscas de glicemia pelo aparelho testado. Assim conclui-se que o sistema de monitoramento contínuo da glicose FreeStyle Libre pode ser utilizado para avaliação indireta da glicemia por meio da glicose intersticial em cavalos adultos hígidos e obesos, inclusive durante o teste combinado de glicose e insulina. / Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) have been developed to monitor interstitial glucose concentrations in diabetic patients, eliminating the need for repeated blood sampling. Several studies in humans and animals indicate that interstitial glucose correlates with blood glucose, but few studies address clinical use in horses and there are few standardized devices in the species. The present study aimed to standardize a new interstitial CGMS (FreeStyle Libre) on healthy and obese horses, to evaluate the fixation of the sensor on horse skin, and to evaluate the efficacy of the device in aiding the diagnosis of insulin resistance during the combined test of glucose and insulin. For this, 10 adult horses were used. The sensor was attached to the dorsolateral region of the initial third of the neck of all animals. Dosage of laboratory blood glucose and by the device were compared at various times. In five horses (with a body score of 5 to 6), these measurements were only performed and the 7-day follow-up of the sensor fixation was performed. In the other five animals (with body score above 7), the combined glucose and insulin test was also performed. The device remained fixed for 3 to 7 days in 6 of the 10 animals. There was excellent agreement between the glucose values in both systems, with only a slight delay in the detection of abrupt changes in glycemia by the tested device. Thus, it can be concluded that the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system can be used for indirect evaluation of glycemia through interstitial glucose in healthy and obese adult horses, including during the combined glucose and insulin test.