In metallurgy it is important to know a cooling efficiency of a product as well as cooling efficiency of working rolls to maximize the quality of the product and to achieve the long life of working rolls. It is possible to examine this cooling efficiency by heat transfer coefficients and surface temperatures. The surface temperature is hardly measured during the cooling. It is better to compute it together with heat transfer coefficient by inverse heat conduction problem. The computation is not easy and it uses estimated values which are verified by direct heat conduction problem. The time-consuming of this task can be several days or weeks, depends on the complexity of the model. Thus there are tendencies to shorten the computational time. This doctoral thesis considers the possible way of the computing time shortening of inverse heat conduction problem, which is the parallelization of this task and its transfer to a graphic card. It has greater computing power than the central processing unit (CPU). One computer can have more compute devices. That is why the computing time on different types of devices is compared in this thesis. Next this thesis deals with obtaining of surface temperatures for the computation by infrared line scanner and using of inverse heat conduction problem for the computing of the surface temperature and heat transfer coefficient during passing of a test sample under cooling section and cooling by high pressure nozzles.

Le soudage du bois est une technique d'assemblage sans adhésif de deux pièces de bois, leur soudure étant produite par friction mécanique sous pression des deux pièces. Ce procédé, applicable à des pièces de bois plates, d'essences identiques ou différentes, se prête à la fabrication de meubles et à la menuiserie. Cependant, le joint obtenu n'est pas de classe "extérieur", ce qui le réserve à un usage "intérieur". En effet, un joint destiné à une utilisation extérieure ou en milieu à humidité variable doit présenter une résistance élevée à l'eau. L'objectif principal de cette thèse est d'étudier la résistance à l'eau du bois soudé. A cet effet, des méthodes d'essais complémentaires et non-destructrices ont été utilisées, comme le scanner ou l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM). L'influence des paramètres de soudage et des propriétés du bois sur, d'une part, la formation et la propagation des fissures dans la ligne de soudure, et sur, d'autre part, la densité et l'absorption d'eau de la soudure a été ainsi étudiée. Les expériences de cette thèse seront menées sur des échantillons de pin (Pinus sylvestris) de dimensions 200 mm x20 mm x 40 mm, coupés dans la direction longitudinale du fil du bois. La Norme Européenne EN 205 a servi de cadre pour déterminer la résistance des échantillons de pin en traction-cisaillement. Les méthodes d'essais (non-destructrices) ont été utilisées selon leur pertinence: le scanner a servi à étudier la formation et la propagation des fissures; l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) a permis quant à elle de caractériser la pénétration et l'infiltration d'eau dans le bois soudé.Le mécanisme d'adhérence du pin a été étudié grâce à la RMN MAS (spectrométrie à résonance magnétique nucléaire avec polarisation croisée et rotation à l?angle magique) du carbone13 et à la micro-densitométrie par rayons X. Ces différentes méthodes, non destructrices, offrent l'avantage d'une analyse non invasive et l'élimination de facteurs parasites liés à la préparation et à la coupe du bois. Voici en résumé les résultats obtenus les plus marquants: (1) Le scanner et l'imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) sont des méthodes de recherche particulièrement polyvalentes et adaptées à l'étude des bois soudés. (2) L'utilisation de bois de coeur, une pression de soudage de 1.3 Mpa et un temps de soudage de 1.5 s permettent d'augmenter la résistance à l'eau du pin soudé. (3) Des tests d'optimisation ont montré que la résistance du pin en traction-cisaillement est plus sensible aux variations de temps de soudage qu'au temps de refroidissement et qu'elle peut être optimisée à plus de 9.7 MPa en respectant une pression de 1.3 Mpa, un temps de soudage > 3.5 s et un temps de refroidissement < 60 s. (4) La résistance à l'eau du bois soudé peut être améliorée dans une certaine mesure en faisant varier paramètres de soudage et propriétés des essences, mais dans tous les cas, le recours à un imperméabilisant naturel et écologique reste nécessaire. (5) Le pin soudé possède une résistance à l'eau et en traction-cisaillement inhabituellement élevée, cela pouvant s'expliquer par une teneur en composés extractifs augmentée. (6) Des essais sous IRM ont montré que les causes de rupture du joint varient suivant l'essence: faible résistance à l'eau de la ligne de soudure dans le cas du hêtre soudé, retrait et expansion du bois dans le cas du pin soudé. (7) Les extractifs du pin améliorent nettement la résistance à l'eau du joint soudé, mais à un niveau qui ne lui permet cependant pas la certification "extérieur" sans protection. En revanche, il peut être certifié "semi-extérieur" avec protection. / Wood welding is a mechanical friction process allowing the assembly of timber without any adhesives. The process consists of applying mechanical friction, under pressure, alternately to the two wood surfaces to be welded. This process can be applied to weld two flat pieces of timber, originating from the same or different tree species, and can be used in the manufacture of furniture and wood joinery. The only limitation is that the joint is not exterior-grade, but only suitable for interior joints. Exterior use, or use in an environment with varying humidity demands water resistance of the welded joints. The main objective of this thesis is to study the water resistance of the welded wood. This is complemented with special attention to non-destructive test methods such as X-ray Computed Tomography (CT-) scanning and Magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI). The influence of welding parameters and wood properties on crack formation and crack propagation in the weldline was investigated. The influence of these parameters on weldline density and water absorption in the weldline were also studied. Investigations in this thesis are based on welded samples of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) of the dimensions 200 mm × 20 mm × 40 mm which were cut in the longitudinal direction of the wood grain. The tensile-shear strength of the welded Scots pine samples were determined using European standard EN 205. Different non-destructive methods such as X-ray Computed Tomography (CT-) scanning to study crack formation and propagation, and magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI) to characterize water penetration and the distribution mechanism in welded wood were used. Solid state CPMAS 13C NMR spectrometry and X-ray microdensitometry investigations were carried out to study the mechanism of adhesion in Scots pine. These various non-destructive methods offer the advantage of non-invasive analysis and the elimination of any artifacts present due to preparation and sectioning. The most important results are summarized as follows: (1) X-ray Computed Tomography (CT-) scanning and Magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI) are versatile research methods applicable to investigations of welded woods. (2) Water resistance of welded Scots pine can be increased using heartwood, a welding pressure of 1.3 MPa, and a welding time of 1.5 s. (3) Optimization tests showed that the tensile-shear strength of Scots pine was more sensitive to welding time changes than holding time and could be optimized to more than 9.7 MPa using 1.3 MPa welding pressure, > 3.5 s welding time, and < 60 s holding time. (4) Changing welding parameters and wood properties can increase water resistance of welded wood to some extent, but treating the weldline with certain natural and environmentally-friendly water repellents is still necessary. (5) Welded Scots pine shows unusually high water resistance and tensile-shear strength. This may be explained by there being more extractives compounds in Scots pine. (6) MRI experiments showed that the origin of the joint failure in welded beech is poor water resistance of the weldline, while swelling and shrinkage of wood are the main reasons for joint failure of welded Scots pine. (7) Extractives in Scots pine dramatically improve water resistance of the welded joint, but not to a level to classify the joint as an unprotected exterior grade. However, it can qualify as a joint for protected semi-exterior application.

本研究以雷射掃描儀作為掃描建築物之工具，採用三維球型覘標作為相鄰測站間之共軛覘標，探討雷射掃描儀對於不同尺寸之共軛覘標在不同掃描距離條件下之球心坐標精度；及利用檢校場之固定樁位，求得雷射掃描儀與各覘標之距離誤差量，並建立距離誤差量改正模式；最後，提出最佳之掃描方式。 本研究分別選定三個場地作為不同實驗區，先選定一處室內場，以三種尺寸之三維共軛球型覘標，規劃距離儀器原點5公尺至40公尺，以每5公尺之等距離方式分布，並依序掃描，以求得球心坐標精度；再選定台中國土測繪中心之距離標準基線場，以雷射掃描儀直接掃描三段距離，分別為5公尺、23公尺及31公尺，以求得掃描儀之距離誤差；最後選定一建物，以一般掃描及較佳掃描之方式各別進行建築物掃描，以分析兩者間之效益。 依成果顯示，於相同掃描距離下，三維共軛球型覘標尺寸越小，其球心坐標精度越差；相同三維共軛球型覘標之尺寸，其球心坐標精度將隨著掃描距離增加而越差。另外，透過距離檢校場，可得知該儀器之系統性誤差，並建立其距離誤差改正模式，用以改正所獲取之點雲之系統性誤差，以提升三維點雲模型之精度。 最後將較佳掃描之方式與一般掃描情況下，進行實際掃描並比較分析兩者之數據，依成果顯示，於一般掃描作業及較佳掃描作業情況下，直徑14.5公分之三維共軛球型覘標較直徑12公分之三維共軛球型覘標，皆節省25％之掃描時間。而兩者之點雲模型精度相仿，且皆符合建築掃描精度要求於1 cm內之精度，可以得知最佳掃描效益能夠縮短掃描作業時間，並提升點雲模型之精度。 / This research uses laser scanner as the scanning tool, and 3D sphere marker as the conjugated marker between neighborhood stations, to investigate the accuracy of sphere center coordinates of different-sized 3D sphere markers at different scanning distances; calculate the distance errors between laser scanner and every marker with the fixed survey stations in the calibration field and establish distance error correction formula. At last, propose the best way to scan buildings according to the experiment results. Three different fields are selected as experiment areas. First, choose an indoor field, and scan three different-sized conjugated 3D sphere markers. Every conjugated marker is scanned at distances of 5 to 40 m at an interval of 5 m. Second, choose the standard baseline field of National Land Surveying and Mapping Center in Taichung as the experiment area, and use laser scanner to measure the distances of 5, 23 and 31 m to calculate scanning distance errors. At last, choose a building as scanning target, scan it in general way and efficient way respectively, and analyze the differences between the two methods. According to experiment results, the smaller the conjugated 3D sphere marker is, the worse the accuracy of sphere center coordinate will be at the same scanning distance; as the scanning distance gets longer, the accuracy of sphere center coordinate will decrease with the same size conjugated 3D sphere marker. On the other hand, the systematic error of the instrument can be known through the distance calibration field. With a known systematic error, a distance correction formula is established to correct the systematic error of the point cloud, and hence improve the accuracy of 3D point cloud model. Eventually, compare and analyze the differences of the results getting by the most efficient way and the general way of scanning. The results show that both scanning methods save 25% scanning time using 14.5-cm-diameter conjugated 3D sphere marker compare to using 12-cm-diameter conjugated 3D sphere marker. And the data represent that the point cloud models in the two situations have similar accuracy, and the accuracy of each model is better than 1 cm, which means they both meet the precision requirement of building scanning. Consequently, the most efficient way of scanning mentioned in this research can shorten the time of scanning work and improve the accuracy of point cloud model.

O presente trabalho propõe um processo para auxiliar a tarefa de implantação de controles de Cadeia Logística Segura para a importação e exportação de cargas conteinerizadas, transportadas pelo modal rodoviário. Está em consonância com a legislação brasileira atual, no que se refere à Receita Federal do Brasil e demais Órgãos Anuentes. Além disso, inclui, também, as novas diretrizes do Programa Brasileiro de Operador Econômico Autorizado que teve seu início na primeira quinzena de Dezembro de 2014, bem como os aspectos principais do quadro SAFE, da Organização Mundial das Aduanas (OMA) e do programa americano Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). O processo proposto no trabalho contempla a instrumentação dos controles e seus principais pontos de integração de dados, estágio em que grande parte dos operadores econômicos atuais se encontra. A proposta justifica-se pela complexidade dos processos de cadeias logísticas, sua importância para o comércio exterior e, portanto, para a economia do país, que exigem um aperfeiçoamento constante para atender à competitividade crescente dos mercados, controlar e gerenciar riscos e incertezas dos tempos da globalização. A metodologia do trabalho de pesquisa constou de estudos sobre o significado de cadeia logística segura, legislações e normatizações existentes, principais tecnologias utilizadas no Brasil e no mundo e suas estratégias de integração de sistemas, com enfoque em alguns projetos de gestão já existentes no país. O porto de Santos foi tomado como campo principal de pesquisa. O trabalho evidenciou a importância da presença de três características fundamentais em um processo de cadeia logística segura: ser instrumentado, integrado e inteligente. Considera-se que, a partir do processo proposto, será possível aumentar o grau de inteligência de uma cadeia logística, de forma a gerenciar e mitigar os potenciais riscos de forma mais racional. / This assay proposes a process to assist the task of implantation of controls of Secure Supply Chain to importation and exportation of containerized cargo, transported by road. It is pursuant to the current Brazilian laws, as it concerns Receita Federal do Brasil and other consenting authorities. In addition, it also includes the new guidelines of the Brazilian Authorized Economic Operator Program, which began on the first fortnight of December 2014, as well as the main aspects of the SAFE Framework, from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the C-TPAT program (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism). The proposal is justified by the complexity of the supply chain processes, their importance to the foreign trade and therefore, to the countrys economy, which require constant improvement in order to meet the growing competitiveness within markets and to control and manage risks and uncertainties of globalization times. The methodology of this assay consists of studies on the meaning of secure supply chain, existing laws and standards, main technologies used in Brazil and throughout the world and their strategies of system integration, focusing on some management projects already existing in the country. The Port of Santos was taken as main research field. This assay provides evidence of the importance of three fundamental characteristics in a secure supply chain process: to be instrumented, integrated and intelligent. The proposed methodology contemplates instrumentation of the processes and their key points of integration, a stage in which great part of the existing economic operators can be found currently. From this point on, it will be possible to increase its degree of intelligence in such a way as to manage and mitigate risks more rationally.

Mit der vorliegenden Dissertation soll ein Beitrag zur Steigerung der Genauigkeit und Zuverlässigkeit einer sensorgestützten Objekterkennung im Fahrzeugumfeld geleistet werden. Aufbauend auf einem Erfassungssystem, bestehend aus einer Stereokamera und einem Mehrzeilen-Laserscanner, werden teils neu entwickelte Verfahren für die gesamte Verarbeitungskette vorgestellt. Zusätzlich wird ein neuartiges Framework zur Fusion heterogener Sensordaten eingeführt, welches über eine Zusammenführung der Fusionsergebnisse aus den unterschiedlichen Verarbeitungsebenen in der Lage ist, die Objektbestimmung zu verbessern. Nach einer Beschreibung des verwendeten Sensoraufbaus werden die entwickelten Verfahren zur Kalibrierung des Sensorpaares vorgestellt. Bei der Segmentierung der räumlichen Punktdaten werden bestehende Verfahren durch die Einbeziehung von Messgenauigkeit und Messspezifik des Sensors erweitert. In der anschließenden Objektverfolgung wird neben einem neuartigen berechnungsoptimierten Ansatz zur Objektassoziierung ein Modell zur adaptiven Referenzpunktbestimmung und –Verfolgung beschrieben. Durch das vorgestellte Fusions-Framework ist es möglich, die Sensordaten wahlweise auf drei unterschiedlichen Verarbeitungsebenen (Punkt-, Objekt- und Track-Ebene) zu vereinen. Hierzu wird ein sensorunabhängiger Ansatz zur Fusion der Punktdaten dargelegt, der im Vergleich zu den anderen Fusionsebenen und den Einzelsensoren die genaueste Objektbeschreibung liefert. Für die oberen Fusionsebenen wurden unter Ausnutzung der konkurrierenden Sensorinformationen neuartige Verfahren zur Bestimmung und Reduzierung der Detektions- und Verarbeitungsfehler entwickelt. Abschließend wird beschrieben, wie die fehlerreduzierenden Verfahren der oberen Fusionsebenen mit der optimalen Objektbeschreibung der unteren Fusionsebene für eine optimale Objektbestimmung zusammengeführt werden können. Die Effektivität der entwickelten Verfahren wurde durch Simulation oder in realen Messszenarien überprüft. / With the present thesis a contribution to the increase of the accuracy and reliability of a sensor-supported recognition and tracking of objects in a vehicle’s surroundings should be made. Based on a detection system, consisting of a stereo camera and a laser scanner, novel developed procedures are introduced for the whole processing chain of the sensor data. In addition, a new framework is introduced for the fusion of heterogeneous sensor data. By combining the data fusion results from the different processing levels the object detection can be improved. After a short description of the used sensor setup the developed procedures for the calibration and mutual orientation are introduced. With the segmentation of the spatial point data existing procedures are extended by the inclusion of measuring accuracy and specificity of the sensor. In the subsequent object tracking a new computation-optimized approach for the association of the related object hypotheses is presented. In addition, a model for a dynamic determination and tracking of an object reference point is described which exceeds the classical tracking of the object center in the track accuracy. By the introduced fusion framework it is possible to merge the sensor data at three different processing levels (point, object and track level). A sensor independent approach for the low fusion of point data is demonstrated which delivers the most precise object description in comparison to the other fusion levels and the single sensors. For the higher fusion levels new procedures were developed to discover and clean up the detection and processing mistakes benefiting from the competing sensor information. Finally it is described how the fusion results of the upper and lower levels can be brought together for an ideal object description. The effectiveness of the newly developed methods was checked either by simulation or in real measurement scenarios.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-22T17:26:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wagner Guimaraes Al-Alam.pdf: 2995290 bytes, checksum: 9902eafe02c0b5318a99f1e796dc399f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-01-15 / Companies working with bulk materials have appropriate locations for storage during the development of the production and storage of the final product, known as warehouses or storehouses. The values of stocks need to be periodically validated by comparing the control of receipts the and the physical situation (removal of the volume stored in the company). In this context, the calculation of physical inventory as the volume of bulk present in the warehouses is usually done manually with low credibility and prone to errors. The current audit procedures on the contents of warehouses involve inaccurate estimates, and often require emptying the warehouse. Considering the use of technologies which enable the electronic measurement of distances, angles, and automatic controls on actuators enabling mechanical movements on the supporting structures, we sought to develop a system capable of providing both computing solutions, and technology for the problem of calculation of irregular relief (products stocked in warehouses). The Automated Auditing Warehouse SisA3 intends to make this process automatic, fast and precise, without the need for emptying warehouses or having contact the products. To achieve this goal, we developed an integrated system composed of: (i) a scanner equipment, consoling the hybrid prototype of hardware and software called DigSisA3, in order to the measurement of points of relief non-uniform, formed by the products in stock, and (ii) a method for calculating the volume iCone, which combines techniques of scientific visualization, numerical interpolation points and iterative calculation of volume. The parallelization of the prototype iCone was also developed in order to satisfy the test of agility and performance of the method iCone in the audit process. The development for multiprocessor, multi-core, and distributed architectures was done over the DGM (Geometric Distributed Machine), which provides the formalities to ensure creation, management and application processing parallel and / or distributed scientific computing, with emphasis on the exploitation of data parallelism and synchronization steps. The prototype of software iCone was functionally validated, including analysis of error in the method. The analysis of performance in the prototype p-iCone showed satisfactory results. The development of this work strengthens the system SisA3, enabling automatic and reliable measurement of inventories, including broad market application / Empresas que trabalham com produtos a granel possuem locais para estocagem, durante o desenvolvimento do processo produtivo e no armazenamento do produto final, denominados armaz´ens ou silos. Os valores dos estoques devem ser validados periodicamente atrav´es da comparac¸ ao dos estoques fiscal (controle das notas fiscais) e f´&#305;sico (levantamento do volume estocado na empresa). Neste contexto, o c´alculo do estoque f´&#305;sico, ou seja, o volume de gran´eis presentes nos armaz´ens, ´e geralmente efetuado de forma manual e com baixa credibilidade, desta forma com propens ao a erros. Os atuais processos de auditoria no conte´udo de silos, al´em de envolverem estimativas inexatas, est ao frequentemente baseados no esvaziamento do silo. Considerando o uso de tecnologias que viabilizam a medic¸ ao eletr onica de dist ancias, angulos, e controles autom´aticos sobre atuadores que possibilitam movimentos mec anicos sobre estruturas de suporte, buscou-se o desenvolvimento de um sistema capaz de prover tanto soluc¸ oes computacionais, quanto tecnol´ogicas para o problema de c´alculo do volume de relevos irregulares, no caso dos produtos estocados nos armaz´ens. O Sistema Automatizado de Auditoria em Armaz´ens (SisA3) pretende tornar este processo autom´atico, r´apido e preciso, sem a necessidade de esvaziamento ou contato com os produtos. Para alcanc¸ar este objetivo, tem-se um sistema integrado composto de: (i) um equipamento digitalizador, consolidando o prot´otipo h´&#305;brido de hardware e software denominado Dig-SisA3 , para a medic¸ ao de pontos do relevo n ao-uniforme, formado pelos produtos estocados; e (ii) m´etodo para o c´alculo do volume (iCone), que combina t´ecnicas de visualizac¸ ao cient´&#305;fica, interpolac¸ ao num´erica de pontos e c´alculo iterativo de volume. Al´em disto, introduz-se a paralelizac¸ ao do prot´otipo iCone, para diminuir o tempo da obtenc¸ ao dos resultados do m´etodo iCone no processo de auditoria. A an´alise sobre as perspectivas em arquiteturas multiprocessadas, multi-core e paralela distribu´&#305;da, utiliza o ambiente D-GM (Distributed Geometric Machine), a qual prov e os formalismos para garantir criac¸ ao, gerenciamento e processamento de aplicac¸ oes paralelas e/ou distribu´&#305;das da computac¸ ao cient´&#305;fica, com enfase na explorac¸ ao do paralelismo de dados e nas etapas de sincronizac¸ oes. O prot´otipo de software iCone apresenta-se funcionalmente validado, incluindo an´alise de erro na execuc¸ ao do m´etodo. As an´alises de desempenho no prot´otipo p-iCone apresentaram resultados satisfat´orios. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho consolida o sistema SisA3, viabilizando aferic¸ ao autom´atica e confi´avel de estoques, incluindo ampla aplicac¸ ao no mercado

O presente trabalho propõe um processo para auxiliar a tarefa de implantação de controles de Cadeia Logística Segura para a importação e exportação de cargas conteinerizadas, transportadas pelo modal rodoviário. Está em consonância com a legislação brasileira atual, no que se refere à Receita Federal do Brasil e demais Órgãos Anuentes. Além disso, inclui, também, as novas diretrizes do Programa Brasileiro de Operador Econômico Autorizado que teve seu início na primeira quinzena de Dezembro de 2014, bem como os aspectos principais do quadro SAFE, da Organização Mundial das Aduanas (OMA) e do programa americano Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). O processo proposto no trabalho contempla a instrumentação dos controles e seus principais pontos de integração de dados, estágio em que grande parte dos operadores econômicos atuais se encontra. A proposta justifica-se pela complexidade dos processos de cadeias logísticas, sua importância para o comércio exterior e, portanto, para a economia do país, que exigem um aperfeiçoamento constante para atender à competitividade crescente dos mercados, controlar e gerenciar riscos e incertezas dos tempos da globalização. A metodologia do trabalho de pesquisa constou de estudos sobre o significado de cadeia logística segura, legislações e normatizações existentes, principais tecnologias utilizadas no Brasil e no mundo e suas estratégias de integração de sistemas, com enfoque em alguns projetos de gestão já existentes no país. O porto de Santos foi tomado como campo principal de pesquisa. O trabalho evidenciou a importância da presença de três características fundamentais em um processo de cadeia logística segura: ser instrumentado, integrado e inteligente. Considera-se que, a partir do processo proposto, será possível aumentar o grau de inteligência de uma cadeia logística, de forma a gerenciar e mitigar os potenciais riscos de forma mais racional. / This assay proposes a process to assist the task of implantation of controls of Secure Supply Chain to importation and exportation of containerized cargo, transported by road. It is pursuant to the current Brazilian laws, as it concerns Receita Federal do Brasil and other consenting authorities. In addition, it also includes the new guidelines of the Brazilian Authorized Economic Operator Program, which began on the first fortnight of December 2014, as well as the main aspects of the SAFE Framework, from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the C-TPAT program (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism). The proposal is justified by the complexity of the supply chain processes, their importance to the foreign trade and therefore, to the countrys economy, which require constant improvement in order to meet the growing competitiveness within markets and to control and manage risks and uncertainties of globalization times. The methodology of this assay consists of studies on the meaning of secure supply chain, existing laws and standards, main technologies used in Brazil and throughout the world and their strategies of system integration, focusing on some management projects already existing in the country. The Port of Santos was taken as main research field. This assay provides evidence of the importance of three fundamental characteristics in a secure supply chain process: to be instrumented, integrated and intelligent. The proposed methodology contemplates instrumentation of the processes and their key points of integration, a stage in which great part of the existing economic operators can be found currently. From this point on, it will be possible to increase its degree of intelligence in such a way as to manage and mitigate risks more rationally.

This thesis explores whether scanner data can be used to inform Consumer Price Index (CPI) construction, with particular reference to the issues of substitution bias and choice of aggregation dimensions. The potential costs and benefits of using scanner data are reviewed. Existing estimates of substitution bias are found to show considerable variation. An Australian scanner data set is used to estimate substitution bias for six different aggregation methods and for fixed base and superlative indexes. Direct and chained indexes are also calculated. Estimates of substitution bias are found to be highly sensitive to both the method of aggregation used and whether direct or chained indexes were used. The ILO (2004) recommends the use of dissimilarity indexes to determine the issue of when to chain. This thesis provides the first empirical study of dissimilarity indexes in this context. The results indicate that dissimilarity indexes may not be sufficient to resolve the issue. A Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) index provides an approximate estimate of substitution-bias-free price change, without the need for current period expenditure weights. However, an elasticity parameter is needed. Two methods, referred to as the algebraic and econometric methods, were used to estimate the elasticity parameter. The econometric approach involved the estimation of a system of equations proposed by Diewert (2002a). This system has not been estimated previously. The results show a relatively high level of substitution at the elementary aggregate level, which supports the use a Jevons index, rather than Carli or Dutot indexes, at this level. Elasticity parameter estimates were found to vary considerably across time, and statistical testing showed that elasticity parameter estimates were significantly different across estimation methods. Aggregation is an extremely important issue in the compilation of the CPI. However, little information exists about 'appropriate' aggregation methods. Aggregation is typically recommended over 'homogenous' units. An hedonic framework is used to test for item homogeneity across four supermarket chains and across all stores within each chain. This is a novel approach. The results show that treating the same good as homogenous across stores which belong to the same chain may be recommended.

<p>This report describes an annual line detection algorithm for the WoodEye quality control system. The goal with the algorithm is to find the positions of annual lines on the four surfaces of a board. The purpose is to use this result to find the inner annual ring structure of the board. The work was done using image processing techniques to analyze images collected with WoodEye. The report gives the reader an insight in the requirements of quality control systems in the woodworking industry and the benefits of automated quality control versus manual inspection. The appearance and formation of annual lines are explained on a detailed level to provide insight on how the problem should be approached. A comparison between annual rings and fingerprints are made to see if ideas from this area of pattern recognition can be adapted to annual line detection. This comparison together with a study of existing methods led to the implementation of a fingerprint enhancement method. This method became a central part of the annual line detection algorithm. The annual line detection algorithm consists of two main steps; enhancing the edges of the annual rings, and tracking along the edges to form lines. Different solutions for components of the algorithm were tested to compare performance. The final algorithm was tested with different input images to find if the annual line detection algorithm works best with images from a grayscale or an RGB camera.</p>