In recent history there has been a steady increase in container traffic worldwide. As a result modern western Container Terminal ports are turning towards automation to raise their productivity, capacity and reliability. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are among the most commonly used solutions for horizontal transport within a container terminal. A more recent development in the automated container handling is the use of cassette based or C-AGVs. The latest generation of which provides a zero emission, all electric solution through the use of induction recharge points in the terminal area. The Multi-Agent System (MAS) based simulation model provides a method for evaluating dispatching strategies for this newest generation of C-AGVs. The location and number of recharge points, cassettes, yard and quay cranes as well as the paths containers have to travel are all included in the model. The NetLogo based simulator will be used to compare existing dispatching strategies, modified versions of them, or develop and test new ones. The simulator will also simulate different scenarios, which are described in the later chapters, and can thus be used to determine the best configuration and investment plan in a highly complex domain like a Container Terminal. / s_aliowais@hotmail.com, jan.milants@kahosl.be 0046735781720 ; 003252213865

Both artificial intelligence (AI) and database (DB) communities have advantages in incorporating features from each other's areas. From a DB view, handling of complexity in today's information systems can be aided by incorporating AI features, and database environments could gain in flexibility by entrusting some of their functionality to agent systems. Contemplated from the AI view, agent systems could gain in robustness by being based on DB-systems. By applying the semantics of database-transaction to interactions between agents in a multiagent-system, and analysing the consequences, this project endeavours to cross borders of the two research areas. In the project, states where drop-out of some agent is severe to the task fulfilment, of the system, have been identified, and examined after applying transaction semantics to the agent interactions. An existing system for multiagent applications, JADE, has been examined in order to investigate how problem situations are handled in practice. The result from this work shows the feasibility to contemplate both type of systems as very similar, but modelled and viewed in different ways.

Vascular disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world, and account for the 1 of every 3 death’s in the US, but a cure for vascular disease is yet to be realized. Hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) are mobilized from bone marrow and have the innate propensity to accelerate vascular repair by reendothelialization and revascularization of ischemic areas. The vasoreparative ability of HSPCs is largely due to their capacity to home to the areas of hypoxia and their sensitivity to hypoxia plays a critical role in the vasoreparative functions of these cells. The discovery of vasoreparative potential of HSPCs resulted in a breakthrough approach of cell-based therapies for the treatment of ischemic vascular diseases. However, success of this approach is essentially dependent on the number of cells that could be collected from an individual. Therefore, novel mechanism-based strategies are needed to enhance the outcomes of autologous cell-based therapies in poor mobilizers and older adults. Recent evidence of a potential role of the vasoprotective axis of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in HSPCs functions offers a breakthrough. Angiotensin-(1-7), the primary mediator of the protective functions which acts on Mas receptor (MasR), is generated by angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). In this study, we tested the effects of hypoxia on stimulation of vasoreparative potential of HSPCs and in upregulation of ACE2 and MasR. Importantly, we delineated the molecular mechanism of hypoxic exposure in regulation of ACE2 and MasR in a HIF1α- dependent manner and hypoxic exposure induced shedding of the membrane bound ACE2 in HSPCs. We used luciferase, a reporter assay, cell-based assays, gene/protein expression studies and pharmacological strategies in human and mouse HSPCs to test our hypotheses. To verify the biological significance of hypoxia, we performed in vivo studies in mice and humans, which recapitulated the in vitro observations on vascular protective axis of RAS in HSPCs. Collectively, these studies provided mechanistic insights into hypoxic regulation of vascular protective axis of RAS in HSPCs and also provided compelling evidence for the clinical use of hypoxia as a promising approach for enhancing the vasoreparative outcomes of cell-based therapies. / American Heart Association grant, 13SDG16960025 / National Institutes of Health, National institute of Aging (NIA), 1R01AG056881

This thesis deals with determination of content of vitamin C in various types of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Some basic information about Cornus mas L. and its various types are described in the literary part of this thesis. The summary of important components present at fruit and some possibilities of processing and utilization are described here too. Various methods of determination of vitamin C are presented at the end of the literary part. The main result of the experimental part of this thesis is the comparison of content of vitamin C in various types of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.). Reversed Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography was used as the main method. HPLC method of determination of vitamin C in various types of Cornus mas L. was completed with the orientation titration. Then total antioxidant capacity of fruit was evaluated by using of reaction of extracts of fruit with stable radical DPPH. The biggest amount of vitamin C was determined in the Fruchtal variety. The biggest total antioxidant capacity was determined in the Vydubecký variety.

This thesis deals with the determination of vitamin C in different varieties of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia). The theoretical part describes the botanical characteristics of both plants, the extension in the CZ and in the world, methods of reproduction, the content of meaningful health substances and the importance of both plants in food-processing industry. Attention is paid to vitamin C, which is in their fruits in high quantity. Conclusion of the theoretical part discusses various methods of determination of vitamin C. The aim of the experimental part was to comparison of the vitamin C content in different varieties cornelian cherry and mountain ash. The chosen method for the determination of vitamin C by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection was first tested on standards. Selected validation parameters of this method was then determined. Validated method was used to determine the content of vitamin C in nine varieties cornelian cherry and six varieties of the mountain ash. For comparison were also tested some samples of the determination of total vitamin C after reducing dehydroascorbic acid by using dithiothreitol (DTT).

The thesis introduces an innovative UAV detection system. The commercial UAV market is booming. Meanwhile, the risks and threats from improper UAV usages are also booming. CUAS is to protect the public and facilities. The problem is a lack of an intelligent platform which can adapt many sensors for UAV detection. The hypothesis is that, the system can track the UAV’s movement by applying the multi-agent system (MAS) to UAV route track. The experiment proves that the multi-agent system benefits for the UAV track. <br>

La simulation multi-agent représente une solution pertinente pour l’ingénierie et l’étude des systèmes complexes dans de nombreux domaines (vie artificielle, biologie, économie, etc.). Cependant, elle requiert parfois énormément de ressources de calcul, ce qui représente un verrou technologique majeur qui restreint les possibilités d'étude des modèles envisagés (passage à l’échelle, expressivité des modèles proposés, interaction temps réel, etc.).Parmi les technologies disponibles pour faire du calcul intensif (High Performance Computing, HPC), le GPGPU (General-Purpose computing on Graphics Processing Units) consiste à utiliser les architectures massivement parallèles des cartes graphiques (GPU) comme accélérateur de calcul. Cependant, alors que de nombreux domaines bénéficient des performances du GPGPU (météorologie, calculs d’aérodynamique, modélisation moléculaire, finance, etc.), celui-ci est peu utilisé dans le cadre de la simulation multi-agent. En fait, le GPGPU s'accompagne d’un contexte de développement très spécifique qui nécessite une transformation profonde et non triviale des modèles multi-agents. Ainsi, malgré l'existence de travaux pionniers qui démontrent l'intérêt du GPGPU, cette difficulté explique le faible engouement de la communauté multi-agent pour le GPGPU.Dans cette thèse, nous montrons que, parmi les travaux qui visent à faciliter l'usage du GPGPU dans un contexte agent, la plupart le font au travers d’une utilisation transparente de cette technologie. Cependant, cette approche nécessite d’abstraire un certain nombre de parties du modèle, ce qui limite fortement le champ d’application des solutions proposées. Pour pallier ce problème, et au contraire des solutions existantes, nous proposons d'utiliser une approche hybride (l'exécution de la simulation est partagée entre le processeur et la carte graphique) qui met l'accent sur l'accessibilité et la réutilisabilité grâce à une modélisation qui permet une utilisation directe et facilitée de la programmation GPU. Plus précisément, cette approche se base sur un principe de conception, appelé délégation GPU des perceptions agents, qui consiste à réifier une partie des calculs effectués dans le comportement des agents dans de nouvelles structures (e.g. dans l’environnement). Ceci afin de répartir la complexité du code et de modulariser son implémentation. L'étude de ce principe ainsi que les différentes expérimentations réalisées montre l'intérêt de cette approche tant du point de vue conceptuel que du point de vue des performances. C'est pourquoi nous proposons de généraliser cette approche sous la forme d'une méthodologie de modélisation et d'implémentation de simulations multi-agents spécifiquement adaptée à l'utilisation des architectures massivement parallèles. / Multi-Agent Based Simulations (MABS) represents a relevant solution for the engineering and the study of complex systems in numerous domains (artificial life, biology, economy, etc.). However, MABS sometimes require a lot of computational resources, which is a major constraint that restricts the possibilities of study for the considered models (scalability, real-time interaction, etc.).Among the available technologies for HPC (High Performance Computing), the GPGPU (General-Purpose computing on Graphics Processing Units) proposes to use the massively parallel architectures of graphics cards as computing accelerator. However, while many areas benefit from GPGPU performances (meteorology, molecular dynamics, finance, etc.). Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) and especially MABS hardly enjoy the benefits of this technology: GPGPU is very little used and only few works are interested in it. In fact, the GPGPU comes along with a very specific development context which requires a deep and not trivial transformation process for multi-agents models. So, despite the existence of works that demonstrate the interest of GPGPU, this difficulty explains the low popularity of GPGPU in the MAS community.In this thesis, we show that among the works which aim to ease the use of GPGPU in an agent context, most of them do it through a transparent use of this technology. However, this approach requires to abstract some parts of the models, what greatly limits the scope of the proposed solutions. To handle this issue, and in contrast to existing solutions, we propose to use a nhybrid approach (the execution of the simulation is shared between both the processor and graphics card) that focuses on accessibility and reusability through a modeling process that allows to use directly GPU programming while simplifying its use. More specifically, this approach is based on a design principle, called GPU delegation of agent perceptions, consists in making a clear separation between the agent behaviors, managed by the processor, and environmental dynamics, handled by the graphics card. So, one major idea underlying this principle is to identify agent computations which can be transformed in new structures (e.g. in the environment) in order to distribute the complexity of the code and modulate its implementation. The study of this principle and the different experiments conducted show the advantages of this approach from both a conceptual and performances point of view. Therefore, we propose to generalize this approach and define a comprehensive methodology relying on GPU delegation specifically adapted to the use of massively parallel architectures for MABS.

The diploma thesis is focused on the analysis of the development of the territory that is not involved in community-led development. The introduction provides an overview of the concepts related to rural development and the Local Action Groups (LAGs). Emphasis is placed on different approaches to LAG support in individual programming periods. Subsequently, the dynamics of municipalities outside the scope of the local action groups for the period 2003-2016 are captured. Furthermore, spatio-temporal differences between municipalities in LAGs and outside of them are examined according to selected socio-economic indicators. Based on the results obtained, the benefits of LAG membership for municipalities and possible reasons of municipalities for non-involvement in LAG are discussed.

Diploma thesis focuses on the possibilities of applying the regional brand in the area of LAG Brána Vysočiny. Theoretical part discusses relevant terms, such as endogenous development, local product, regional brand, local action group and territorial marketing. The region of mentioned LAG is introduced in the next part of thesis, primarily are researched the conditions for implementing regional brand. Main part of thesis deals with the most significant steps which should be considered while implementing new regional brand to the region. Personal interviews with regional brand coordinators were used as an information source for this part. Main part also includes suggestions on how to build regional brand in the circumstances of LAG Brána Vysočiny. It is also discussed the importance of regional brand as a tool of supporting tourism in the region. Thesis further analyses whether is possible to build regional brand under control of Association of Regional Brands or build it independently. Final chapter summarizes acquired findings, advantages and disadvantages of both implementing types are identified as well. Results showed that both implementing types are working on similar foundations but have several differences which can be crucial when deciding how to implement regional brand in the region of LAG.

<div>Enhancing the capability to control a tremendous range of physical actuators and sensors, combined with wireless technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), apparel technologies play a significant role in supporting safe, comfortable and healthy living, observing each customer’s conditions. Since apparel technologies have advanced to enable humans to work as a team with the clothing they wear, the interaction between a human and apparel is further enhanced with the introduction of sensors, wireless network, and artificially intelligent techniques. A variety of wearable technologies have been developed and spread to meet the needs of customers, however, some wearable devices are considered as non-practical tech-oriented, not consumer-oriented.</div><div>The purpose of this research is to develop an apparel system which integrates intelligent autonomous agents, human-based sensors, wireless network protocol, mobile application management system and a zipper robot. This research is an augmentation to the existing research and literature, which are limited to the zipping and unzipping process without much built in intelligence. This research is to face the challenges of the elderly and people with self-care difficulties. The intent is to provide a scientific path for intelligent zipper robot systems with potential, not only to help people, but also to be commercialized.</div><div>The research develops an intelligent system to control of zippers fixed on garments, based on the profile and desire of the human. The theoretical and practical elements of developing small, integrated, intelligent zipper robots that interact with an application by using a lightweight MQTT protocol for application in the daily lives of diverse populations of people with physical challenges. The system functions as intelligent automatized garment to ensure users could positively utilize a zipper robot device to assist in putting on garments which also makes them feel comfortable wearing and interacting with the system. This research is an approach towards the “future of fashion”, and the goal is to incentivize and inspire others to develop new instances of wearable robots and sensors that help people with specific needs to live a better life.</div>