The performance modelling of large-scale systems using discrete-state approaches is fundamentally hampered by the well-known problem of state-space explosion, which causes exponential growth of the reachable state space as a function of the number of the components which constitute the model. Because they are mapped onto continuous-time Markov chains (CTMCs), models described in the stochastic process algebra PEPA are no exception. This thesis presents a deterministic continuous-state semantics of PEPA which employs ordinary differential equations (ODEs) as the underlying mathematics for the performance evaluation. This is suitable for models consisting of large numbers of replicated components, as the ODE problem size is insensitive to the actual population levels of the system under study. Furthermore, the ODE is given an interpretation as the fluid limit of a properly defined CTMC model when the initial population levels go to infinity. This framework allows the use of existing results which give error bounds to assess the quality of the differential approximation. The computation of performance indices such as throughput, utilisation, and average response time are interpreted deterministically as functions of the ODE solution and are related to corresponding reward structures in the Markovian setting. The differential interpretation of PEPA provides a framework that is conceptually analogous to established approximation methods in queueing networks based on meanvalue analysis, as both approaches aim at reducing the computational cost of the analysis by providing estimates for the expected values of the performance metrics of interest. The relationship between these two techniques is examined in more detail in a comparison between PEPA and the Layered Queueing Network (LQN) model. General patterns of translation of LQN elements into corresponding PEPA components are applied to a substantial case study of a distributed computer system. This model is analysed using stochastic simulation to gauge the soundness of the translation. Furthermore, it is subjected to a series of numerical tests to compare execution runtimes and accuracy of the PEPA differential analysis against the LQN mean-value approximation method. Finally, this thesis discusses the major elements concerning the development of a software toolkit, the PEPA Eclipse Plug-in, which offers a comprehensive modelling environment for PEPA, including modules for static analysis, explicit state-space exploration, numerical solution of the steady-state equilibrium of the Markov chain, stochastic simulation, the differential analysis approach herein presented, and a graphical framework for model editing and visualisation of performance evaluation results.

Widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) can help to achieve deep reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions; however, the degree to which this potential will be realized depends on consumers’ decisions to purchase these vehicles over conventional ones. To provide comprehensive insight into the psychological and contextual influences on consumer vehicle preferences, three studies were performed using a mixed-methods approach. Study 1 employed a survey and stated choice experiment to explore: 1) the explanatory power of the three psychological variables from Ajzen’s (1991; 2005) theory of planned behaviour in predicting PEV purchase intentions among new vehicle buyers from British Columbia, and 2) the influence of hypothetical variations in financial and non-financial incentives on estimated PEV preference, with the goal of informing the design of provincial policy measures. Vehicle preferences were most strongly influenced by purchase price and point-of-sale incentives – with a roughly 4% forecasted increase in PEV new vehicle market share under a $5,000 purchase rebate – as well as by attitudes about PEVs (especially concerning personally-relevant PEV benefits), perceived behavioural control, and social norms. In Study 2, a latent class choice model was used to integrate survey and choice experiment data to characterize consumer classes based on vehicle preferences, demographic characteristics, and psychological variables. Findings revealed profiles of five distinct preference-based segments and demonstrated that the inclusion of psychological covariates can improve the fit of such latent class models. Study 3 extended these findings through a controlled message framing experiment that evaluated the impact of psychological distance on PEV purchase intentions. Results demonstrated that messages emphasizing both personally-relevant and societally-relevant PEV benefits increased related purchase intentions compared to the control group. Taken together, these findings may be useful in the development of PEV policies as well as targeted marketing and communications strategies aimed at supporting a transition to PEVs within Canada. / Graduate / 0451 / 0621 / 0709 / christine.kormos@gmail.com

In this work we constructed an experimental system to realize a BEC of sodium atoms. In the first part of the work, we study two atomic sources in order to choose the most suitable for our system. The comparison between a Zeeman slower and a bidimensional magnetooptical trap (2D-MOT) was performed to evaluate the capacity of producing an appropiate flux of atoms in order to load a tridimensional magneto-optical trap (3D-MOT). The experimental results show that the 2D-MOT is as efficient as the Zeeman slower with the advantage of being more compact and easier to operate, and for these reasons we choose it as our source of cold atoms. After this, the experimental apparatus to produce a Bose-Einstein condensate was constructed and characterized. With this experimental system we realized all the required stages to achieve the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC). Initially, we characterized and compared the performance between the Bright-MOT and Dark-SPOT MOT of sodium atoms, observing the great advantages this last configuration offers. Afterward, we implemented the experimental sequence for the achivement of the BEC of sodium atoms. After the optical molasses process, the atoms are tranferred to an optically plugged quadrupole trap (OPT) where the process of evaporative cooling is performed. With this setup, we achive a sodium BEC with ∼ 5×105 atoms and a critical temperature of ∼ 1.1 μK. Finally, with the constructed and characterized machine, we started to perform experiments of cooperative absorption of two photons by two trapped atoms. With the new system, we wanted to take advantage of the higher densities in the magnetic trap and BEC to explore some features of this phenomenon in the classical and quantum regimes. We were interested in exploring some features of this nonlinear light-matter interaction effect. The idea of having two or more photons interacting with two or more atoms is the beginning of a new possible class of phenomena that we could call many photons-many body intercation. In this new possibity, photons and atoms will be fully correlated, introducing new aspects of interactions. / Neste trabalho, realizamos a construção de um sistema experimental para a realização de um condensado de Bose-Einstein de átomos de sódio. Na primeira parte do trabalho, realizamos o estudo de duas fontes átomicas com o intuito de escolher a mais adequada para nosso sistema experimental. A comparação foi realizada entre um Zeeman slower e uma armadilha magneto-óptica bidimensional (MOT-2D), que são técnicas usadas para fornecer um grande fluxo de átomos com distribuição de velocidades adequadas para serem capturados numa armadilha magneto-óptica tridimensional (MOT-3D). Os resultados experimentais da caracterização de ambos os sistemas mostra que o MOT-2D oferece um grande fluxo atômico da mesma ordem do Zeeman slower, mas com a vantagem de ser um sistema mais compacto em questão de tamanho, razão pela qual foi escolhido como fonte atômica no nosso sistema. A partir daqui, realizamos a construção do sistema experimental para a realização do condensado de sódio. Inicialmente realizamos o aprisionamento numa MOT-3D, realizando subsequentemente os passos de resfriamento sub-Doppler mediante o processo de molasses ópticas. Depois disto, os átomos são transferidos para uma armadilha magnética, que consiste de um par de bobinas em configuração anti-Helmholtz, as mesmas usadas para a MOT-3D mas com um gradiente de campo magnético ao redor de uma ordem de grandeza maior. Esta armadilha é combinada com um laser com dessintonia para o azul focado a 30 μm no centro da armadilha, onde o campo magnético é zero com o objetivo de evitar as perdas por majorana que acontecem nessa região. Com esta configuração, um condensado de ∼ 5 × 105 átomos é obtido a uma temperatura crítica de ∼ 1.1 μK. Por último, com a máquina construída e caracterizada, começamos re-explorar o experimento de absorção cooperativa de dois fótons por dois átomos aprisionados. Com nosso novo sistema, é possível explorar este efeito no regime clássico e quântico. Estamos interessados em explorar algumas características da interação não linear entre luz e matéria. A ideia de ter dois ou mais fótons interagindo com um ou mais átomos, é possivelmente o começo de uma nova classe de fenômenos que poderíamos chamar de interação de muitos fótons com muitos átomos.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2017-06-29T13:25:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 PRISCILLA BORGES DE FREITAS RODRIGUES.pdf: 3855875 bytes, checksum: 11d800e90a7d8e85c9925dfdaa032c34 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-29T13:25:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PRISCILLA BORGES DE FREITAS RODRIGUES.pdf: 3855875 bytes, checksum: 11d800e90a7d8e85c9925dfdaa032c34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-23 / This research had as main point to use the Building Information Modeling (BIM), as an integrated form with the logic of the Last Planner system in relation to the planning and control of the production in companies of the civil construction sector and, with that, a model that promotes this integration in order to improve efficiency in medium and short term planning, where the construction of the integration model involves the development of a plug-in for Revit®, capable of making the information available in a database also fed by other software, here titled “L7”, through which it becomes possible to insert the analytic structure of a work and other information about the consumption of the inputs and, thus, make it possible to establish the relation between each geometric element and their needs for manpower and material, making explicit the restrictions when training the Lookahead through visual management. The methodological approach adopted was Design Science Research, whose main objective is to develop an artifact capable of solving a real and relevant problem and, thus, to promote the advance of the theoretical knowledge about the subject and to contribute to the operation within the companies. The evaluation of the constructed model was made through an empirical study in a work into a mall of a construction company in Goiás, followed by two services in the formation of the Lookahead of the month of January and the work week plan of the four weeks. It was possible, through visual color management, to check tasks that had material and/or labor constraints, facilitating the formatting of medium-term planning and improving the efficiency of short-term planning. / Esta pesquisa envolveu-se com a utilização da modelagem da informação da construção (BIM) de maneira integrada à lógica do Last Planner no planejamento e controle da produção em empreendimentos do setor da construção civil. Para isso, a investigação teve como objetivo principal construir um modelo BIM integrador, de forma a atuar na melhoria do planejamento de médio e curto prazo. A construção do modelo de integração passou pelo desenvolvimento de um plug-in para o software Revit®, capaz de disponibilizar informações em um banco de dados alimentado por outro software de planejamento. O modelo BIM estruturado tornou possível estabelecer a relação entre cada elemento geométrico do projeto arquitetônico e suas necessidades de materiais, mão-deobra e especificações de projeto. A abordagem metodológica adotada na pesquisa foi a Design Science Research. A avaliação do modelo construído foi feita em um estudo empírico em obra de grande porte do setor de edificações. Foi possível, através da gestão visual, verificar as tarefas que possuíam restrições em relação a materiais, mão-de-obra e detalhamento de projeto, facilitando a elaboração do planejamento de médio prazo e melhorando a eficiência do planejamento de curto prazo.

Complex software systems are difficult to understand and very hard to debug. Programmers trying to understand or debug these systems must read through source code which may span over thousands of files. Software Visualization tries to ease this burden by using graphics and animation to convey important information about the program to the user, which may be used either for understanding the behavior of the program or for detecting any defects within the code. SoftViz is one such software visualization system, developed by Ben Kurtz under the guidance of Prof. George T. Heineman at WPI. We carry forward the work initiated with SoftViz. Our preliminary study showed various avenues for making the system more effective and user-friendly. Specifically I completed the unfinished work, made optimizations, implemented new functionality and added new visualization plug-ins, all aimed at making the system a more versatile and user-friendly debugging framework. We built a solid core functionality that would be able to support various functionalities and created new plug-ins that would make understanding and bug-detection easier. Further we integrated SoftViz with the Eclipse development environment, making the system easily accessible and potentially widely used. We created an error classification framework relating the common error classes and the visualizations that could be used to detect them. We believe this will be helpful in both selecting the right visualization options as well as constructing new plug-ins.

In this work we constructed an experimental system to realize a BEC of sodium atoms. In the first part of the work, we study two atomic sources in order to choose the most suitable for our system. The comparison between a Zeeman slower and a bidimensional magnetooptical trap (2D-MOT) was performed to evaluate the capacity of producing an appropiate flux of atoms in order to load a tridimensional magneto-optical trap (3D-MOT). The experimental results show that the 2D-MOT is as efficient as the Zeeman slower with the advantage of being more compact and easier to operate, and for these reasons we choose it as our source of cold atoms. After this, the experimental apparatus to produce a Bose-Einstein condensate was constructed and characterized. With this experimental system we realized all the required stages to achieve the Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC). Initially, we characterized and compared the performance between the Bright-MOT and Dark-SPOT MOT of sodium atoms, observing the great advantages this last configuration offers. Afterward, we implemented the experimental sequence for the achivement of the BEC of sodium atoms. After the optical molasses process, the atoms are tranferred to an optically plugged quadrupole trap (OPT) where the process of evaporative cooling is performed. With this setup, we achive a sodium BEC with ∼ 5×105 atoms and a critical temperature of ∼ 1.1 μK. Finally, with the constructed and characterized machine, we started to perform experiments of cooperative absorption of two photons by two trapped atoms. With the new system, we wanted to take advantage of the higher densities in the magnetic trap and BEC to explore some features of this phenomenon in the classical and quantum regimes. We were interested in exploring some features of this nonlinear light-matter interaction effect. The idea of having two or more photons interacting with two or more atoms is the beginning of a new possible class of phenomena that we could call many photons-many body intercation. In this new possibity, photons and atoms will be fully correlated, introducing new aspects of interactions. / Neste trabalho, realizamos a construção de um sistema experimental para a realização de um condensado de Bose-Einstein de átomos de sódio. Na primeira parte do trabalho, realizamos o estudo de duas fontes átomicas com o intuito de escolher a mais adequada para nosso sistema experimental. A comparação foi realizada entre um Zeeman slower e uma armadilha magneto-óptica bidimensional (MOT-2D), que são técnicas usadas para fornecer um grande fluxo de átomos com distribuição de velocidades adequadas para serem capturados numa armadilha magneto-óptica tridimensional (MOT-3D). Os resultados experimentais da caracterização de ambos os sistemas mostra que o MOT-2D oferece um grande fluxo atômico da mesma ordem do Zeeman slower, mas com a vantagem de ser um sistema mais compacto em questão de tamanho, razão pela qual foi escolhido como fonte atômica no nosso sistema. A partir daqui, realizamos a construção do sistema experimental para a realização do condensado de sódio. Inicialmente realizamos o aprisionamento numa MOT-3D, realizando subsequentemente os passos de resfriamento sub-Doppler mediante o processo de molasses ópticas. Depois disto, os átomos são transferidos para uma armadilha magnética, que consiste de um par de bobinas em configuração anti-Helmholtz, as mesmas usadas para a MOT-3D mas com um gradiente de campo magnético ao redor de uma ordem de grandeza maior. Esta armadilha é combinada com um laser com dessintonia para o azul focado a 30 μm no centro da armadilha, onde o campo magnético é zero com o objetivo de evitar as perdas por majorana que acontecem nessa região. Com esta configuração, um condensado de ∼ 5 × 105 átomos é obtido a uma temperatura crítica de ∼ 1.1 μK. Por último, com a máquina construída e caracterizada, começamos re-explorar o experimento de absorção cooperativa de dois fótons por dois átomos aprisionados. Com nosso novo sistema, é possível explorar este efeito no regime clássico e quântico. Estamos interessados em explorar algumas características da interação não linear entre luz e matéria. A ideia de ter dois ou mais fótons interagindo com um ou mais átomos, é possivelmente o começo de uma nova classe de fenômenos que poderíamos chamar de interação de muitos fótons com muitos átomos.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo o design e a fabricação de superfícies tácteis a partir de padrões modulares encaixáveis. Estas superfícies foram construídas em diferentes materiais naturais (minerais e madeiras) e em distintos processos de fabricação inovadores (usinagem por jato de água, usinagem por controle numérico computadorizado ou CNC e corte a laser). A intenção foi desenvolver uma metodologia de design & tecnologia para aplicá-la em painéis de revestimento que possam ser produzidos em baixa escala de forma semi-industrial. A grande variedade de materiais naturais encontrados no estado do Rio Grande do Sul; a carência de design associado a estes materiais quando do produto final e o volume de rejeitos oriundos deste beneficiamento, foram os principais motivadores para a utilização destas matérias primas. O estudo de diferentes técnicas de design de superfície auxilia na transformação destes materiais, para que os mesmos passem a ter o formato de módulo. Dentro deste contexto, foram estudadas as técnicas desenvolvidas pelo artista Maurits Cornelis Escher. Ele dedicou boa parte de sua vida profissional à composição de desenhos que, justamente, partem da utilização da simetria, modularidade, continuidade e encaixe. Neste sentido, após a compreensão das técnicas utilizadas por Escher, alguns de seus desenhos foram aplicados nos materiais selecionados através dos processos de fabricação adequados, possibilitando a construção das diferentes superfícies tácteis. Os resultados obtidos identificam que a utilização de processos de fabricação inovadores para interferência nos materiais naturais são ferramentas importantes para a promoção de uma nova geração de produtos locais. Conclui-se que estas interferências viabilizam a fabricação de produtos com maior valor estético, social e econômico. / This work aims at the design and the manufacturing of tactile surfaces from modular plug patterns. These surfaces were built in different natural materials (mineral and wood) and in distinct innovative manufacturing processes (waterjet machining, computerized numerical control machining or CNC and laser cutting). The objective was to develop a design & technology methodology for applying it in coating panels that can be produced on a semiindustrial small scale. The huge variety of natural materials found in Rio Grande do Sul State, the lack of design associated to these materials as to the final product and the volume of waste from this processing were the main motivators for the use of these raw materials. The study of these different techniques of surface design helps the transformation of these materials in order that they start to have the modular format. Within this context, the techniques developed by the artist Maurits Cornelis Escher were studied. He devoted much of his professional life to the composition of drawings beginning exactly with the use of symmetry, modularity continuity and joint. In this sense, after understanding the techniques used by Escher, some of his drawings were applied in the materials selected through suitable manufacturing processes, enabling the construction of different tactile surfaces. The results obtained identify that the utilization of innovative manufacturing processes to interfere in the natural materials are important tools for the promotion of a new generation of local products. It is conclude that these interferences enable the manufacture of products with greater aesthetic, social and economic value.

Le challenge de ces prochaines années est de réduire le plus possible les émissions de CO2 qui la première cause du réchauffement climatique. L’émission de CO2 est principalement due à l’utilisation du moteur thermique dans le milieu du transport. Pour diminuer cette émission, la solution réside à utiliser des véhicules électriques qui sont non polluants et rechargés par des sources émettant le moins possible de CO2. Mais cela impliquerait une production supplémentaire d’énergie. Aujourd’hui l’énergie électrique est produite principalement par des centrales thermiques au niveau mondial, des centrales nucléaires enFrance et des centrales hydrauliques au Québec. Les pics d’utilisations et de productions restant une problématique posant encore beaucoup de problèmes.Une utilisation croissante de véhicules électriques ou hybrides rechargeables permettrait de pouvoir disposer de systèmes de stockage d’énergie, permettant à la fois d’alimenter le moteur électrique du véhicule ou d’aider le réseau électriques. Ce flux est appelé Vehicle-to-Grid ou plus précisément dans le travail présenté ici, ce flux s’appelle Vehicle-to-Home. Alimenter la maison via la batterie du véhicule, permet de diminuer le pic de consommation du foyer. De plus, la batterie du véhicule peut être chargée durant la nuit lorsque la production d’énergie est au plus bas et la moins chère.Ce document présente une optimisation offline du système qui inclut les différents flux d’énergie. Cette optimisation a été réalisée à l’aide de la programmation dynamique. L’objectif de cette optimisation est de minimiser le coût de l’énergie que ce soit le coût de l’essence ou de l’électricité ou encore des énergies renouvelables installées localement.Ensuite deux contrôleurs flous localisés dans le véhicule et dans la maison ont été dimensionnés, testés par simulation (simulation online) et validés expérimentalement.Finalement cette recherche a mis en avant deux cas d’études: un en hivers et l’autre en été. Le cas d’hiver présente une réduction budgétaire de 40% dans la simulation offline, 27% dans la simulation online et 29% en expérimentation. D’autre part, le cas d’été montre une réduction budgétaire de 62% dans la simulation offline, 60% dans la simulation online et 64% en expérimentation. / The challenge for the next few years is to reduce CO2 emissions, which are the cause of global climate warming. CO2 emissions are mainly due to thermal engines used in transportation. To decrease this emission, a viable solution lies in using non-polluting electric vehicles recharged by low CO2 emission energy sources. New transportation penetration has effected on energy production. Energy production has already reached peaks. At the same time, load demand has drastically increased. Hence, it has become imperative to increase daily energy production. It is well-known that world energy production is mainly produced thermal pollutant power plants, except in Québec, where energy is produced by hydro power plants.The more recent electricity utility trend is that electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EV, PHEV) could allow storage and/or production of energy. EV/PHEV batteries can supply the electric motor of the vehicle, and act as an energy storage that assists the grid to supply household loads. This power flow is called vehicle-to-grid, V2G. In this dissertation, the V2G power flow is specifically called vehicle-to-home, V2H. That is battery is used during peak. Moreover, the EV battery is charged during the night, when energy production is low and cheap. This important aspect of V2H is that the vehicle battery is not connected to the grid, but is a part of a house micro-grid.This dissertation presents an offline optimization technique, which includes different energy flows, between the home, EV/PHEV, and a renewable energy source (such as photovoltaic - PV and/or wind) which forms the micro-grid. This optimization has been realized through the dynamic programming algorithm. The optimization objective is to minimize energy cost, including fuel cost, electricity cost, and renewable energy cost.Two fuzzy logic controllers, one located in the vehicle and the second one in the house, have been designed, tested by simulation (online simulation) and validated by experiments.The research analyses two seasonal case studies: one in winter and the other one in summer. In the winter case, a cost reduction of 40% for the offline simulation, 27% for the online simulation and 29% for the experiment is realized whereas in the summer case a cost reduction of 62% for the offline simulation, 60% for the online simulation and 64% for the experiment is presented.

<p>The Gravity Control for Maya will be extraordinary</p><p>beneficial to an animator trying to create realistic</p><p>animation, by calculating the center of gravity and area</p><p>of balance. This control will provide the animator with</p><p>the ability to rotate around the center of gravity and</p><p>keep the character in a balanced pose. With that ability,</p><p>the animator can easily create accurate poses and</p><p>animation, such as mid-air flips. The system also</p><p>supports a vast number of characters with different</p><p>shapes, sizes and number of limbs.</p>

Cette thèse introduit tout d'abord une formule générale qui englobe toutes les mesures de pauvreté uni-dimensionnelles basées sur le revenu. Nous proposons ensuite deux types d'estimateurs non-paramétriques (à noyau et de type "plug-in") pour cet indice général de pauvreté, tout en étudiant leurs propriétés asymptotiques. Notre méthodologie, basée essentiellement sur la théorie moderne du processus empirique indexé des fonctions, offre un cadre global et rigoureux qui permet d'étudier, avec la même approche, le comportement asymptotique de tous les indices de pauvreté encore disponibles jusqu'ici dans la littérature. Nous obtenons la consistance forte uniforme d'une très large classe de mesures de pauvreté incluant presque tous les modèles d'indices proposés par les économistes, décomposables comme non-décomposables. Ce résultat est utilisé pour construire des intervalles de confiance simultanés, de niveau asymptotiquement optimal (100%). Un théorème central limite uniforme fonctionnel est également établi pour cette large classe d'indicateurs de pauvreté. Comme conséquence, des procédures d'inférence robustes, basées sur le noyau de covariance et utilisant un test de Wald, sont développées afin de comparer de façon non-ambiguë la pauvreté entre deux populations différentes.