In this thesis, we consider optimal control problems arising in high-speed integrated communication networks with Quality of Service (QOS) constraints. Integrated networks are expected to carry a large variety of traffic sources with widely varying traffic characteristics and performance requirements. Broadly, the traffic sources fall into two categories: (a) real-time sources with specified performance criteria, like small end to end delay and loss probability (sources of this type are referred to as Type 1 sources below), and (b) sources that do not have stringent performance criteria and do not demand performance guarantees from the network - the so-called Best Effort Type sources (these are referred to as Type 2 sources below). From the network's point of view, Type 2 sources are much more "controllable" than Type 1 sources, in the sense that the Type 2 sources can be dynamically slowed down, stopped or speeded up depending on traffic congestion in the network, while for Type 1 sources, the only control action available in case of congestion is packet dropping. Carrying sources of both types in the same network concurrently while meeting the performance objectives of Type 1 sources is a challenge and raises the question of equitable sharing of resources. The objective is to carry as much Type 2 traffic as possible without sacrificing the performance requirements of Type 1 traffic. We consider simple models that capture this situation. Consider a network node through which two connections pass, one each of Types 1 and 2. One would like to maximize the throughput of the Type 2 connection while ensuring that the Type 1 connection's performance objectives are met. This can be set up as a constrained optimization problem that, however, is very hard to solve. We introduce a parameter b that represents the "cost" of buffer occupancy by Type 2 traffic. Since buffer space is limited and shared, a queued Type 2 packet means that a buffer position is not available for storing a Type 1 packet; to discourage the Type 2 connection from hogging the buffer, the cost parameter b is introduced, while a reward for each Type 2 packet coming into the buffer encourages the Type 2 connection to transmit at a high rate. Using standard on-off models for the Type 1 sources, we show how values can be assigned to the parameter b; the value depends on the characteristics of the Type 1 connection passing through the node, i.e., whether it is a Variable Bit Rate (VBR) video connection or a Continuous Bit Rate (CBR) connection etc. Our approach gives concrete networking significance to the parameter b, which has long been considered as an abstract parameter in reward-penalty formulations of flow control problems (for example, [Stidham '85]). Having seen how to assign values to b, we focus on the Type 2 connection next. Since Type 2 connections do not have strict performance requirements, it is possible to defer transmitting a Type 2 packet, if the conditions downstream so warrant. This leads to the question: what is the "best" transmission policy for Type 2 packets? Decisions to transmit or not must be based on congestion conditions downstream; however, the network state that is available at any instant gives information that is old, since feedback latency is an inherent feature of high speed networks. Thus the problem is to identify the best transmission policy under delayed feedback information. We study this problem in the framework of Markov Decision Theory. With appropriate assumptions on the arrivals, service times and scheduling discipline at a network node, we formulate our problem as a Partially Observable Controlled Markov Chain (PO-CMC). We then give an equivalent formulation of the problem in terms of a Completely Observable Controlled Markov Chain (CO-CMC) that is easier to deal with., Using Dynamic Programming and Value Iteration, we identify structural properties of an optimal transmission policy when the delay in obtaining feedback information is one time slot. For both discounted and average cost criteria, we show that the optimal policy has a two-threshold structure, with the threshold on the observed queue length depending, on whether a Type 2 packet was transmitted in the last slot or not. For an observation delay k > 2, the Value Iteration technique does not yield results. We use the structure of the problem to provide computable upper and lower bounds to the optimal value function. A study of these bounds yields information about the structure of the optimal policy for this problem. We show that for appropriate values of the parameters of the problem, depending on the number of transmissions in the last k steps, there is an "upper cut off" number which is a value such that if the observed queue length is greater than or equal to this number, the optimal action is to not transmit. Since the number of transmissions in the last k steps is between 0 and A: both inclusive, we have a stack of (k+1) upper cut off values. We conjecture that these (k + l) values axe thresholds and the optimal policy for this problem has a (k + l)-threshold structure. So far it has been assumed that the parameters of the problem are known at the transmission control point. In reality, this is usually not known and changes over time. Thus, one needs an adaptive transmission policy that keeps track of and adjusts to changing network conditions. We show that the information structure in our problem admits a simple adaptive policy that performs reasonably well in a quasi-static traffic environment. Up to this point, the models we have studied correspond to a single hop in a virtual connection. We consider the multiple hop problem next. A basic matter of interest here is whether one should have end to end or hop by hop controls. We develop a sample path approach to answer this question. It turns out that depending on the relative values of the b parameter in the transmitting node and its downstream neighbour, sometimes end to end controls are preferable while at other times hop by hop controls are preferable. Finally, we consider a routing problem in a high speed network where feedback information is delayed, as usual. As before, we formulate the problem in the framework of Markov Decision Theory and apply Value Iteration to deduce structural properties of an optimal control policy. We show that for both discounted and average cost criteria, the optimal policy for an observation delay of one slot is Join the Shortest Expected Queue (JSEQ) - a natural and intuitively satisfactory extension of the well-known Join the Shortest Queue (JSQ) policy that is optimal when there is no feedback delay (see, for example, [Weber 78]). However, for an observation delay of more than one slot, we show that the JSEQ policy is not optimal. Determining the structure of the optimal policy for a delay k>2 appears to be very difficult using the Value Iteration approach; we explore some likely policies by simulation.

This thesis aims to define software and hardware mechanisms helping in the management the Heterogeneous and dynamically Reconfigurable Systems-on-Chip (HRSoC). The heterogeneity is due to the presence of general processing units and reconfigurable IPs. Our objective is to provide to an application developer an abstracted view of this heterogeneity, regarding the task mapping on the available processing elements. First, we homogenize the user interface defining a hardware thread model. Then, we pursue with the homogenization of the hardware threads management. We implemented OS services permitting to save and restore a hardware thread context. Conception tools have also been developed in order to overcome the relocation issue. The last step consisted in extending the access to the distributed OS services to every thread running on the platform. This access is provided independently from the thread location and is is realized implementing the MRAPI API. With these three steps, we build a solid basis to, in future work, provide to the developer, a conception flow dedicated to HRSoC allowing to perform precise architectural space explorations. Finally, to validate these mechanisms, we realize a demonstration platform on a Virtex 5 FPGA running a dynamic tracking application.

In this thesis we develop several kinds of latent variable models in order to address three types of bio-statistical problem. The three problems are the treatment effect of carcinogens on tumour development, spatial interactions between plant species and motor unit number estimation (MUNE). The three types of data looked at are: highly heterogeneous longitudinal count data, quadrat counts of species on a rectangular lattice and lastly, electrophysiological data consisting of measurements of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) area and amplitude. Chapter 1 sets out the structure and the development of ideas presented in this thesis from the point of view of: model structure, model selection, and efficiency of estimation. Chapter 2 is an introduction to the relevant literature that has in influenced the development of this thesis. In Chapter 3 we use the EM algorithm for an application of an autoregressive hidden Markov model to describe longitudinal counts. The data is collected from experiments to test the effect of carcinogens on tumour growth in mice. Here we develop forward and backward recursions for calculating the likelihood and for estimation. Chapter 4 is the analysis of a similar kind of data using a more sophisticated model, incorporating random effects, but estimation this time is conducted from the Bayesian perspective. Bayesian model selection is also explored. In Chapter 5 we move to the two dimensional lattice and construct a model for describing the spatial interaction of tree types. We also compare the merits of directed and undirected graphical models for describing the hidden lattice. Chapter 6 is the application of a Bayesian hierarchical model (MUNE), where the latent variable this time is multivariate Gaussian and dependent on a covariate, the stimulus. Model selection is carried out using the Bayes Information Criterion (BIC). In Chapter 7 we approach the same problem by using the reversible jump methodology (Green, 1995) where this time we use a dual Gaussian-Binary representation of the latent data. We conclude in Chapter 8 with suggestions for the direction of new work. In this thesis, all of the estimation carried out on real data has only been performed once we have been satisfied that estimation is able to retrieve the parameters from simulated data. Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), carcinogens, hidden Markov models (HMM), latent variable models, longitudinal data analysis, motor unit disease (MND), partially ordered Markov models (POMMs), the pseudo auto- logistic model, reversible jump, spatial interactions.

Dans l’optique de refroidir les parois des chambres de combustion aéronautiques le plus efficacement possible, un intérêt particulier est aujourd’hui porté à la technologie de refroidissement par transpiration. L’air de refroidissement s’écoule au travers d’une paroi poreuse dans laquelle une grande quantité de chaleur est échangée par convection. L’éjection de l’air profite ensuite de la distribution des pores pour former une couche limite protectrice relativement homogène.Les matériaux métalliques obtenus à partir de poudres partiellement frittées sont de bons candidats pour former ces parois poreuses. Ce travail se focalise sur les échanges internes et consiste à développer une méthodologie permettant de dégager les architectures partiellement frittées les plus adaptées à ce type d’application.L’écoulement et les échanges de chaleur lors du refroidissement par transpiration sont régis par quelques propriétés effectives des matériaux qui sont fonction de l’architecture : la conductivité thermique effective, le coefficient de transfert convectif volumique et les propriétés de perméabilité. A l’aide de travaux expérimentaux ou d’études numériques sur des échantillons numérisés par tomographie aux rayons X, des relations simples entre les propriétés effectives des matériaux partiellement frittés et leurs paramètres architecturaux sont tout d’abord développées. La porosité, la surface spécifique et le type de poudre utilisé sont retenus pour prédire les paramètres effectifs.Ces relations sont finalement intégrées dans un modèle de transfert de chaleur prédisant la performance d’une solution dans les conditions de fonctionnement du moteur. Une optimisation "multi-objectifs" et une analyse des designs optimaux permettent alors de mettre en valeur quelques architectures montrant un fort potentiel pour des applications de refroidissement par transpiration. Des matériaux peu poreux formés à partir de larges poudres irrégulières semblent assurer le meilleur compromis entre tous les critères pris en compte. / In order to cool aero-engine combustion chambers as efficiently as possible, there is today a special interest given to transpiration cooling technology. The cooling air flows through a porous liner in which a large amount of heat can be exchanged by convection. The air injection could then take benefit of the pore distribution to form a more homogeneous protective boundary layer.Partially sintered metallic materials are potential candidates to form these porous liners. The present work focuses on internal heat transfers. It aims to develop a methodology capable of highlighting the most adapted partially sintered architectures to this kind of application.During transpiration cooling, flows and heat transfers are governed by some effective material properties which depends on the porous architecture: the effective solid phase thermal conductivity, the volumetric heat transfer coefficient and the permeability properties. Thanks to experimental works and numerical studies on samples digitized by X-ray tomography, simple relationships are first developed between the effective material properties of partially sintered materials and their architectural parameters. The porosity, the specific surface area and the powder type are selected to predict the effective properties.These relationships are finally integrated into a heat transfer model predicting the thermal performance of a design at working engine conditions. A multi-objective optimization and an analysis of the optimal designs highlight some architectures as being potentially interesting for transpiration cooling. Materials with a low porosity and made of large irregular powders seem to ensure the best trade-off among the different criteria taken into consideration.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Objectives: (1) Compare the effects of grinding on a Y-TZP ceramic executed by diamond discs and diamond burs (with similar grit sizes) in the micromorphology of surface, phase transformation (t®m), flexural strength and structural reliability (Weibull analysis), (2) evaluate the effect of LTD (low-temperature degradation) in the outcomes mentioned above. Methods: Three hundred and sixty discs (15mm x 1,2 mm) of Y-TZP were made according to ISO 6872 2008 for flexural strength determination on ceramic materials and sintered according to the manufacturer`s instructions, than they were divided into groups according to two factors in study: surface treatment - 5 levels (without treatment, extra-fine diamond bur, 600-grit diamond disc, coarse diamond bur and 120-grit diamond disc) and LTD on 2 levels (with and without). For grinding with diamond discs a polishing machine was employed, while for grinding with diamond burs a device was employed to assure the perpendicularity between diamond tip and abrading surface, that way the abrasion movements and the applied pressure were standardized. The LTD was induced in an autoclave at 134ºC under 2 bar for 20 hours. Results: Our findings support that LTD although promoted increase in mphase content and micromorphological alterations did not promoted decrease in zirconia s mechanical properties, grinding at a first moment did not affected too, but when ground Y-TZP was submitted to the LTD effects, the defects introduced by grinding could be detrimental to the material`s resistance. From a methodological point of view, diamond discs should not be employed to simulate clinical abrasion performed with diamond burs on Y-TZP ceramics. Conclusion: Thus grinding of zirconia should be avoided and when it was really necessary tools with low grit sizes should be employed. / Objetivos: (1) Comparar os efeitos do desgaste da cerâmica Y-TZP gerados por lixas e pontas diamantadas (com granulações semelhantes) na micromorfologia da superfície, na transformação de fase (t®m), na resistência à flexão biaxial e confiabilidade estrutural (análise de Weibull), (2) Avaliar o efeito da LTD nos desfechos citados acima. Métodos: Trezentos e sessenta discos (15 mm x 1,2 mm) de Y-TZP foram confeccionados segundo as instruções da ISO 6872 2008 para ensaios de flexão em material cerâmico e sinterizados de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante, posteriormente foram divididos em grupos, de acordo com dois fatores em estudo: tratamento de superfície da cerâmica - 5 níveis (sem tratamento, disco de granulação 120, ponta diamantada de granulação super grossa, disco de granulação 600, ponta diamantada extra fina) e LTD - 2 níveis (sem e com). Para abrasão com lixas de diferentes granulações foi utilizada uma politriz, enquanto que para a abrasão com as pontas diamantadas foi utilizado um dispositivo que garantiu a perpendicularidade da ponta diamantada à superfície da amostra, padronizando os movimentos de abrasão e a pressão aplicada. A LTD foi realizada em autoclave sob 134° C à 2 bar por 20 horas. Resultados: Nossos achados suportam que a LTD embora promovesse aumento de fase monoclínica e alterações micromorfológicas não causou perda de propriedades mecânicas da zircônia, o desgaste em primeiro momento também não promoveu, mas quando esta superfície foi submetida aos efeitos da LTD, os defeitos introduzidos pelo desgaste podem ser prejudiciais a resistência do material. Sob um ponto de vista metodológico o uso de discos diamantados não deve ser empregado para simular o desgaste executado clinicamente com pontas diamantadas. Conclusão: Dessa forma o desgaste da superfície da zircônia deve ser evitado e quando necessário deve ser realizado com instrumentos de menor granulação.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:09:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5850.pdf: 3492179 bytes, checksum: a8bf8363cbcbb501bfa5251bc969c178 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-16 / Despite the great use in most developed countries, the composite structures have been little exploited in Brazil, including rare records the use of composite columns of steel and concrete partially coated in industrial sheds. The low-use leaves the impression of this being a structural solution viable. The aim of this work is to insert the composite columns of steel and concrete partially coated alternatively to the pillars of steel and precast, solutions commonly used in the composition of the structural system of industrial sheds. The development work was done to study the behavior of the isolated element and sizing criteria applicable, analysis of the structural design of systems where it can be employed and the phases of project highlighting, still, some steps involved in constructive phase of the industrial sheds. We analyzed the elements of 108 sheds with variation in the span between 20 to 50 m and height of 8 to 12 m. the porticos were designed considering coverage using steel beams with profile type I and type I section steel pillars, pillars of precast concrete with rectangular section, composite columns of steel and concrete partially coated consisting of metallic profile type I with filling of concrete between the tables. The porticoes were analyzed in 2nd order and scaled according to the specific Brazilian standards by comparing the results obtained between structural systems. Costs despite the difficulties have been raised for the central region of the State of São Paulo, where, after the composition were made comparisons between the solutions. The results obtained can realize that the use of composite columns of steel and concrete partially coated are perfectly viable with visa point economic values quite surprising, for the fact of being a solution less maid. The use of composite columns of steel and concrete partially coated is obviously viable as an alternative to the usual structural systems used in industrial sheds, comes in to advance contribution of Civil construction in General. / Apesar da grande utilização em países mais desenvolvidos, as estruturas mistas têm sido pouco exploradas no Brasil, inclusive com raros registros da utilização de pilar parcialmente revestido em galpões industriais. A pouca utilização deixa a impressão de esta não ser uma solução estrutural viável. O objetivo deste trabalho é inserir o pilar misto parcialmente revestido como alternativa aos pilares de aço e pré-moldados de concreto, soluções comumente empregados na composição do sistema estrutural de galpões industriais. Para o desenvolvimento do trabalho foi feito o estudo do comportamento do elemento isolado e dos critérios de dimensionamento aplicáveis, a análise da concepção estrutural dos sistemas onde possa ser empregado e das fases de projeto destacando, ainda, algumas etapas envolvidas na fase construtiva dos galpões. Foram analisados os elementos de 108 pórticos de galpão com variação do vão de 20 a 50 m e da altura de 8 a 12 m. Os pórticos foram projetados considerando cobertura utilizando-se vigas metálicas com perfil tipo I e, pilares metálicos de seção tipo I, pilares de concreto pré fabricado de seção retangular e, pilar misto parcialmente revestido constituído de perfil metálico tipo I com preenchimento de concreto entre as mesas. Os pórticos foram analisados em 2ª ordem e dimensionados de acordo com as normas brasileiras especificas comparando os resultados obtidos entre sistemas estruturais. Os custos apesar das dificuldades foram levantados para a região central do estado de São Paulo, onde, após a composição foram feitas as comparações entre as soluções. Pelos resultados obtidos pode-se perceber que a utilização dos pilares mistos de aço e concreto são perfeitamente viáveis com valores do ponto de visto econômico bastante surpreendentes pelo fato de ser uma solução pouco empregada. A utilização de pilares mistos de aço e concreto parcialmente revestidos é evidentemente viável como alternativa aos sistemas estruturais usuais utilizados em galpões industriais, vem contribuir em muito para o avanço da Construção Civil em geral.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Conventional structural analysis of buildings in reinforced concrete is performed considering beam-column connections as rigid. However, experimental results prove the existence of relative rotations in beam-column connections of reinforced concrete structures, showing the partial transfer of bending moment. In this study the influence of the stiffness of beam-column connections on the structural behavior of multi-storey buildings in reinforced concrete was investigated. On a first stage, the value of the rotation restriction of connections was varied, observing the impact on horizontal displaceability of the structure, on the γz coefficient, on the negative and positive moments of the beams and on the longitudinal reinforcement of the pillars. This analysis was performed for buildings with 05, 10, 15 and 19 floors. The results show that the reduction of the rotation restriction of connections increases the values of the horizontal displacements, of the γz coefficient, of the positive moments and of the reinforcement of the pillars. The increases that occur on the values of the analyzed parameters become larger as the number of floors of buildings increases. On a second stage, the same building was calculated with rigid connections and deformable connections. In order to determine the factor αR of deformable connections, two analytical models available in literature were used, and a comparison between the results obtained by each analytical model was also performed. Based on the results, it is concluded that neglecting the influence of the stiffness of the beam-column connections on the analysis of monolithic reinforced concrete structures may result in different solutions compared to the real behavior of the structure. The stiffness values obtained with the analytical models that were used differ considerably from the condition of rigid connections, suggesting an adjustment on the standard consideration of rigid connections adopted by the computer programs of structural calculation. / A análise estrutural convencional de edificações em concreto armado é realizada considerando as ligações viga-pilar como rígidas. Entretanto, resultados experimentais comprovam a existência de rotações relativas nas ligações viga-pilar de estruturas de concreto armado, evidenciando a transmissão parcial de momento fletor. Neste trabalho foi investigada a influência da rigidez das ligações viga-pilar no comportamento estrutural de edificações de múltiplos pavimentos em concreto armado. Em uma primeira etapa, variou-se o valor de restrição à rotação das ligações observando os impactos na deslocabilidade horizontal da estrutura, no coeficiente γz, nos momentos negativos e positivos das vigas e nas armaduras longitudinais dos pilares. Esta análise foi realizada para edificações com 05, 10, 15 e 19 pavimentos. Observou-se por meio dos resultados que a redução da rigidez à rotação das ligações provoca aumento nos valores dos deslocamentos horizontais, do coeficiente γz, dos momentos positivos das vigas e das armaduras dos pilares. Os acréscimos ocorridos nos valores dos parâmetros analisados são maiores à medida em que se aumentam o número de pavimentos das edificações. Em uma segunda etapa, calculou-se uma mesma edificação com ligações rígidas e com ligações deformáveis. Para determinação da restrição à rotação das ligações deformáveis, utilizaram-se dois modelos analíticos disponíveis na literatura, realizando-se, também, uma comparação entre os resultados obtidos pelos modelos. Com base nos resultados, conclui-se que negligenciar a influência da rigidez das ligações viga-pilar na análise de estruturas monolíticas em concreto armado pode gerar soluções muito diferentes do comportamento real da estrutura na prática. Os valores de rigidez obtidos pelos modelos analíticos utilizados divergem consideravelmente da condição de ligações rígidas, sugerindose a adequação na consideração padrão de ligações rígidas adotada pelos programas computacionais de cálculo estrutural. / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

A análise de textura é uma das mais básicas e famosas áreas de pesquisa em visão computacional. Ela é também de grande importância em muitas outras disciplinas, tais como ciências médicas e biológicas. Por exemplo, uma tarefa comum de análise de textura é a detecção de tecidos não saudáveis em imagens de Ressonância Magnética do pulmão. Nesta dissertação, nós propomos um método novo de caracterização de textura baseado nas medidas de complexidade tais como o expoente de Hurst, o expoente de Lyapunov e a complexidade de Lempel-Ziv. Estas medidas foram aplicadas sobre amostras de imagens no espaço de frequência. Três métodos de amostragem foram propostas, amostragem: radial, circular e por caminhadas determinísticas parcialmente auto- repulsivas (amostragem CDPA). Cada método de amostragem produz um vetor de características por medida de complexidade aplicada. Esse vetor contem um conjunto de descritores que descrevem a imagem processada. Portanto, cada imagem será representada por nove vetores de características (três medidas de complexidade e três métodos de amostragem), os quais serão comparados na tarefa de classificação de texturas. No final, concatenamos cada vetor de características conseguido calculando a complexidade de Lempel-Ziv em amostras radiais e circulares com os descritores obtidos através de técnicas de análise de textura tradicionais, tais como padrões binários locais (LBP), wavelets de Gabor (GW), matrizes de co-ocorrência en níveis de cinza (GLCM) e caminhadas determinísticas parcialmente auto-repulsivas em grafos (CDPAg). Este enfoque foi testado sobre três bancos de imagens: Brodatz, USPtex e UIUC, cada um com seus próprios desafios conhecidos. As taxas de acerto de todos os métodos tradicionais foram incrementadas com a concatenação de relativamente poucos descritores de Lempel-Ziv. Por exemplo, no caso do método LBP, o incremento foi de 84.25% a 89.09% com a concatenação de somente cinco descritores. De fato, simplesmente concatenando cinco descritores são suficientes para ver um incremento na taxa de acerto de todos os métodos tradicionais estudados. Por outro lado, a concatenação de un número excessivo de descritores de Lempel-Ziv (por exemplo mais de 40) geralmente não leva a melhora. Neste sentido, vendo os resultados semelhantes obtidos nos três bancos de imagens analisados, podemos concluir que o método proposto pode ser usado para incrementar as taxas de acerto em outras tarefas que envolvam classificação de texturas. Finalmente, com a amostragem CDPA também se obtém resultados significativos, que podem ser melhorados em trabalhos futuros. / Texture analysis is one of the basic and most popular computer vision research areas. It is also of importance in many other disciplines, such as medical sciences and biology. For example, non-healthy tissue detection in lung Magnetic Resonance images is a common texture analysis task. We proposed a novel method for texture characterization based on complexity measures such as Lyapunov exponent, Hurst exponent and Lempel-Ziv complexity. This measurements were applied over samples taken from images in the frequency domain. Three types of sampling methods were proposed: radial sampling, circular sampling and sampling by using partially self-avoiding deterministic walks (CDPA sampling). Each sampling method produce a feature vector which contains a set of descriptors that characterize the processed image. Then, each image will be represented by nine feature vectors which are means to be compared in texture classification tasks (three complexity measures over samples from three sampling methods). In the end, we combine each Lempel-Ziv feature vector from the circular and radial sampling with descriptors obtained through traditional image analysis techniques, such as Local Binary Patterns (LBP), Gabor Wavelets (GW), Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) and Self-avoiding Deterministic Walks in graphs (CDPAg). This approach were tested in three datasets: Brodatz, USPtex and UIUC, each one with its own well-known challenges. All traditional methods success rates were increased by adding relatively few Lempel-Ziv descriptors. For example in the LBP case the increment went from 84.25% to 89.09% with the addition of only five descriptors. In fact, just adding five Lempel-Ziv descriptors are enough to see an increment in the success rate of every traditional method. However, adding too many Lempel-Ziv descriptors (for example more than 40) generally doesnt produce better results. In this sense, seeing the similar results we obtain in all three databases, we conclude that this approach may be used to increment the success rate in a lot of others texture classification tasks. Finally, the CDPA sampling also obtain very promising results that we can improve further on future works.

Entre os diversos elementos estruturais, um que apresenta certas carências de conhecimento é o bloco de fundação. Os poucos estudos referentes a este elemento se limitam ao caso de blocos com força centrada e blocos sem elementos de ligação. Assim este trabalho tem como objetivo esclarecer algumas dúvidas a respeito do comportamento de blocos de fundação sobre quatro estacas, com cálice parcialmente embutido e solicitado por momentos nas duas direções. Estudou-se por meio de análise numérica não linear o comportamento de dois blocos que fazem parte de edifícios industriais e comerciais tomados como modelos. Para verificar a representatividade do modelo numérico adotado, foi simulado um bloco sobre quatro estacas submetido à força centrada e dois modelos de colarinho, um com ligação rugosa e outro com ligação lisa; os resultados da análise numérica foram comparados com resultados experimentais obtidos por outros pesquisadores. As variações realizadas nos dois modelos foram relacionadas às armaduras adotadas e ao tipo de ligação entre pilar e colarinho. A análise dos resultados teve como norteadoras a verificação da força última, as tensões no concreto e nas barras de aço, a fissuração e as reações nas estacas. Os resultados indicaram que para o caso de ligação rugosa, ocorreu a formação de bielas que se formam a partir do topo do colarinho. Entretanto o modelo espacial e o método das bielas não descrevem com precisão o seu comportamento, pois há uma tendência das bielas se formarem com grandes ângulos de inclinações e, assim, as forças são transmitidas diretamente para as estacas. Já para o caso de ligação lisa, observou-se que a transferência das ações atuantes no pilar para o bloco ocorre por meio da força de atrito das paredes do pilar com o colarinho e principalmente pelo contato da base do pilar com o bloco. / There is a lack of knowledge about pile caps. Studies concerning these elements are limited to the case of pile-caps subjected to centered forces without connection elements. In this context this research aims to clarify some doubts about the behavior of pile caps under centered forces and bending moment. The behavior of four pile-caps with partially embedded socket subjected to moment in two directions was studied. A nonlinear numerical study was conducted to analyze two pile-caps models designed as part of industrial and commercial buildings. To verify the representativeness of the numerical model adopted, comparative analyze were performed using numerical and experimental data found in previous researches. The reinforcement and connection type were the variable parameters in the analysis of the two pile-caps. The results have shown that in the case of rough connection there occurs the formation of struts from the top of the socket wall. In the case of smooth connection, the transfer of forces from the column to pile-cap occurs through friction forces in the socket/column connection.

Neste trabalho de doutorado utilizou-se um reator anaeróbio em batelada seqüencial contendo biomassa imobilizada em matrizes cúbicas de espuma de poliuretano e agitação mecânica, com volume total de 5.5 L e volume útil de 4.5 L. A agitação do meio líquido foi realizada com quatro tipos de impelidores (turbina tipo hélice, lâminas planas, lâminas planas inclinadas e lâminas curvas, testados individualmente, sempre em número de 3), com 6 cm de diâmetro. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro etapas experimentais. A etapa 1 objetivou determinar o tempo de mistura no reator para cada tipo de impelidor, ou seja, o tempo necessário para que o meio líquido ficasse totalmente homogêneo. A etapa 2 objetivou selecionar o tipo de impelidor e a respectiva intensidade de agitação que garantisse a minimização da resistência à transferência de massa externa no sistema. As intensidades de agitação testadas variaram de 200 a 1100 rpm, dependendo do tipo de impelidor. A etapa 3 foi realizada com tipo de impelidor e intensidade de agitação definidos na etapa 2, mas variando-se o tamanho da biopartícula (0,5, 1,0, 2,0 e 3,0 cm de aresta). O objetivo desta etapa foi selecionar o tamanho de biopartícula que minimizasse a resistência à transferência de massa interna. De posse das condições operacionais otimizadas (tipo de impelidor, intensidade de agitação e tamanho de partícula de suporte), a etapa 4 constituiu na aplicação das mesmas para o tratamento de um resíduo real, sendo escolhida água residuária de suinocultura. Na etapa 1, os resultados mostraram que os tempos de mistura para todos os tipos de impelidores foram desprezíveis em relação ao tempo total de ciclo. A etapa 2 revelou tempos de partida muito curtos (cerca de 20 dias), em todas as condições testadas, sendo atingidas remoções de DQO próximas de 70%. Além disso, o tipo de impelidor exerceu grande influência na qualidade final do efluente, fato este claramente constatado quando as frações de DQO foram consideradas separadamente (filtrada e suspensa). De acordo com os resultados obtidos na etapa 3, o tamanho da biopartícula teve influência decisiva no desempenho do sistema, nas condições testadas. As velocidades de dissolução foram aparentemente influenciadas pelo empacotamento do leito de espuma, enquanto que o consumo da fração de DQO correspondente às amostras filtradas foi provavelmente influenciado por fatores mais complexos. Finalmente, o teste realizado com resíduo diluído de suinocultura demonstrou que a operação do reator em estudo para o tratamento deste tipo de água residuária é possível. Os dados operacionais mostraram que o reator permaneceu estável durante o período testado. A agitação mecânica provou ser eficiente para melhorar a degradação da DQO suspensa, um dos maiores problemas no tratamento deste tipo de água residuária. Sendo assim, de acordo com os dados experimentais obtidos ao longo do trabalho, pode-se afirmar que a agitação em reatores em batelada mostrou-se importante não somente para proporcionar boas condições de mistura ou melhorar a transferência de massa na fase líquida, mas também para melhorar a solubilização da matéria orgânica particulada, melhorando as velocidades de consumo de matéria orgânica. / The bench-scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactor containing immobilized biomass and provided with mechanical stirring employed in this work had total and useful volumes of 5.5 and 4.5 L, respectively. The biomass was immobilized on cubic polyurethane foam matrices, and the agitation of the liquid medium was provided by four types of impellers (propeller, flat-blade, pitched-blade and curved-blade turbines, individually tested, always in a set of three), with 6 cm of diameter. The research was divided into 4 experimental steps. The first one aimed at determining the mixing time in the reactor for each sort of impeller, i.e., the time necessary for the system to be completely homogeneized. As for the second step, its objective was to choose the sort of impeller and the agitation rate suitable for minimizing the external mass-transfer resistance. The agitation rates tests ranged from 200 to 1100 rpm, depending on the impeller type. The step 3 was carried out utilizing the chosen impeller and agitation rate, but varying the bioparticle size (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 cm of side). The aim of these experiments was to determine the bioparticle size that minimized the solid-phase mass transfer. Using these optimized operational conditions (type of impeller and bioparticle size), the step 4 consisted of the utilization of them in the treatment of a real wastewater (diluted swine manure). As for the results, step 1 showed the mixing times were very low compared to the total cycle times employed in the experiments (8 and 24 h). Very short start-up periods were revealed by the second experimental part (about 20 days in average) for all conditions tested, and the removal efficiencies reached approximately 70%. Besides that, the impeller type exerted great influence on the final quality of the effluent, fact clearly observed when the COD fractions were analyzed separately (filtered and suspended). According to the data obtained in the step 3, the bioparticle size influenced decisively on the performance of the system, in the conditions tested. The bed packing apparently influenced the dissolution rates, whereas the consumption of the COD correspondent to the filtered samples was defined by more complex factors. Finally, the test with the diluted swine manure demonstrated that the operation of this reactor with this type of wastewater is feasible, as the operational data showed the reactor remained stable during all the period tested. The mechanical stirring proved to be efficient to improve the degradation of the suspended COD, one of the major problems in the treatment of this type of wastewater. In this sense, according to the experimental data obtained in this work, it can be affirmed the mechanical stirring in anaerobic sequencing batch reactors showed to be not only important to provide good mixing conditions and improve the liquid phase mass transfer, but also to improve the solubilization of the particulate organic matter and increase the overall organic matter consumption rates.