We focus on the two overlapping areas of preference queries and dataset summarization. A (linear) preference query specifies the relative importance of the attributes in a dataset and asks for the tuples that best match those preferences. Dataset summarization is the task of representing an entire dataset by a small, representative subset. Within these areas, we focus on three important sub-problems, significantly advancing the state-of-the-art in each. We begin with an investigation into a new formulation of preference queries, identifying a neglected and important subclass that we call threshold projection queries. While literature typically constrains the attribute preferences (which are real-valued weights) such that their sum is one, we show that this introduces bias when querying by threshold rather than cardinality. Using projection, rather than inner product as in that literature, removes the bias. We then give algorithms for building and querying indices for this class of query, based, in the general case, on geometric duality and halfspace range searching, and, in an important special case, on stereographic projection. In the second part of the dissertation, we investigate the monochromatic reverse top-k (mRTOP) query in two dimensions. A mRTOP query asks for, given a tuple and a dataset, the linear preference queries on the dataset that will include the given tuple. Towards this goal, we consider the novel scenario of building an index to support mRTOP queries, using geometric duality and plane sweep. We show theoretically and empirically that the index is quick to build, small on disk, and very efficient at answering mRTOP queries. As a corollary to these efforts, we defined the top-k rank contour, which encodes the k-ranked tuple for every possible linear preference query. This is tremendously useful in answering mRTOP queries, but also, we posit, of significant independent interest for its relation to myriad related linear preference query problems. Intuitively, the top-k rank contour is the minimum possible representation of knowledge needed to identify the k-ranked tuple for any query, without apriori knowledge of that query. We also introduce k-regret minimizing sets, a very succinct approximation of a numeric dataset. The purpose of the approximation is to represent the entire dataset by just a small subset that nonetheless will contain a tuple within or near to the top-k for any linear preference query. We show that the problem of finding k-regret minimizing sets—and, indeed, the problem in literature that it generalizes—is NP-Hard. Still, for the special case of two dimensions, we provide a fast, exact algorithm based on the top-k rank contour. For arbitrary dimension, we introduce a novel greedy algorithm based on linear programming and randomization that does excellently in our empirical investigation. / Graduate / 0984

The study of quadrupolar nuclei using NMR spectroscopy in the solid state significantly increased in popularity from the end of the 20th century, with the introduction of specific methods to acquire spectra free from the effects of the quadrupolar interaction, that results in broadened lineshapes that cannot be completely removed by spinning the sample at the magic angle (MAS), unlike most of the other interactions present in the solid state. The first technique which allows, without any specific hardware, the removal of this broadening has been the Multiple-Quantum MQMAS experiment. The method quickly gained a popularity within the NMR community, with numerous successful applications published. However, the multiple-quantum filtration step in this experiment relies on severely limits sensitivity, restricting application to the most sensitive nuclei. Extending the applicability of MQMAS to less receptive nuclei requires the use of signal improvement techniques. There are multiple examples of such approaches in the literature, but most of these require additional optimisation that may be time-consuming, or simply impossible, on less receptive nuclei. This work introduces a novel signal improvement technique for MQMAS, called FAM-N. Its optimisation is solely based on density matrix simulations using SIMPSON, implying no additional experimental optimisation is required, while improving the signal in MQMAS spectra by equivalent or higher amounts than other common methods. In order to prove the applicability of this method on virtually any system, FAM-N has been investigated by simulation, and tested experimentally using a number of model samples, as well as samples known to be challenging to study by NMR. This work also explores other aspects of NMR spectroscopy on quadrupolar nuclei. Adiabatic inversion of the satellite populations can be performed to improve the central transition signal in static or MAS spectra. A range of methods has been tested and compared, with particular attention given to hyperbolic secant-shaped pulses, for which its performance have been described. Finally, cross-polarisation from a spin I = 1/2 nucleus to a quadrupolar nucleus has been investigated. After reviewing the theory for the static case, simulations have been performed under MAS in order to identify the conditions for efficient magnetisation transfer, with applications in spectral editing or for the combination with MQMAS.

Orientador: John Fredy Franco Baquero / Resumo: Nesta dissertação é proposta a aplicação do algoritmo genético de chaves aleatórias viciadas para a solução do problema de reconfiguração de sistemas de distribuição. Esse problema de otimização consiste em encontrar a configuração radial que apresenta perdas mínimas, satisfazendo as restrições topológicas e as restrições operacionais, sendo modelado como um problema de Programação Não Linear Inteira Mista. O método proposto utiliza o algoritmo de Prim na geração de configurações radiais e emprega um algoritmo de fluxo de carga de varredura para avaliar cada proposta de solução. O algoritmo genético de chaves aleatórias viciadas foi desenvolvido na linguagem de programação FORTRAN e foi testado em quatro sistemas de distribuição da literatura especializada (14 barras, 33 barras, 84 barras e 136 barras). Os resultados obtidos da aplicação do algoritmo permitem avaliar o seu desempenho e eficiência em comparação com a melhor solução encontrada na literatura especializada. / Abstract: The application of the biased random-key genetic algorithm for the reconfiguration of distribution systems is proposed in this Dissertation. The problem of reconfiguration in distribution systems consists of finding the radial configuration that presents the minimum losses, satisfying topological and operating constraints and is commonly modeled as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. The proposed method uses the Prim's algorithm to generate radial configurations that are evaluated through a backward/forward sweep power flow method. The biased random-key genetic algorithm used was developed in the programming language FORTRAN and was tested in four systems (14-bus, 33-bus, 84-bus and 136-bus). The obtained results show the performance and efficiency of the proposed method in comparison to the best solution found in the specialized literature. / Mestre

Submitted by Rommel Gregorio Vargas Peralta (rgvp88@gmail.com) on 2018-07-11T22:12:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Mestrado - Rommel Gregorio Vargas Peralta.pdf: 3543837 bytes, checksum: 233f1b03c9cd16d58a1c981ab331ee0f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Cristina Alexandra de Godoy null (cristina@adm.feis.unesp.br) on 2018-07-12T20:17:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 vargasperalta_rg_me_ilha.pdf: 3732403 bytes, checksum: eb45069beb69cdfd8b2cc75bf47668bf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-12T20:17:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 vargasperalta_rg_me_ilha.pdf: 3732403 bytes, checksum: eb45069beb69cdfd8b2cc75bf47668bf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Nesta dissertação é proposta a aplicação do algoritmo genético de chaves aleatórias viciadas para a solução do problema de reconfiguração de sistemas de distribuição. Esse problema de otimização consiste em encontrar a configuração radial que apresenta perdas mínimas, satisfazendo as restrições topológicas e as restrições operacionais, sendo modelado como um problema de Programação Não Linear Inteira Mista. O método proposto utiliza o algoritmo de Prim na geração de configurações radiais e emprega um algoritmo de fluxo de carga de varredura para avaliar cada proposta de solução. O algoritmo genético de chaves aleatórias viciadas foi desenvolvido na linguagem de programação FORTRAN e foi testado em quatro sistemas de distribuição da literatura especializada (14 barras, 33 barras, 84 barras e 136 barras). Os resultados obtidos da aplicação do algoritmo permitem avaliar o seu desempenho e eficiência em comparação com a melhor solução encontrada na literatura especializada. / The application of the biased random-key genetic algorithm for the reconfiguration of distribution systems is proposed in this Dissertation. The problem of reconfiguration in distribution systems consists of finding the radial configuration that presents the minimum losses, satisfying topological and operating constraints and is commonly modeled as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. The proposed method uses the Prim's algorithm to generate radial configurations that are evaluated through a backward/forward sweep power flow method. The biased random-key genetic algorithm used was developed in the programming language FORTRAN and was tested in four systems (14-bus, 33-bus, 84-bus and 136-bus). The obtained results show the performance and efficiency of the proposed method in comparison to the best solution found in the specialized literature.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Fatigue cracking is one of the most common distresses in flexible pavements in Brazil and in the world. Fatigue damage in asphalt mixtures originates as a small scale phenomenon. Recently, some authors have used the fine portion of the asphalt mixtures, called Fine Aggregates Matrix (FAM), as an intermediate step to estimate the hot mix asphalt (HMA) behavior. By definition, the FAM is composed of fine aggregates, mineral filler and asphalt binder. There are many volumetric issues of these kind of mixtures. In Brazil, the developed research regarding FAM uses sieve #10 (2.00mm) in the FAM sample preparation, since the #16 sieve (most used in the literature) does not belong to the set of national standardized sieves. Recently, some authors have used the concept of continuum damage mechanics in viscoelastic media in order to quantify the damage during the fatigue testing. In this theory the cracks are considered homogeneous dispersed in the medium, and are represented from internal state variables, determined experimentally. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the variation of one of the FAM constituents, the aggregates, by varying its Maximum Nominal Size (MNS), on damage resistance of these asphalt mixtures. To achieve the objective, Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) and time sweep (TS) tests at controlled stress and controlled strain modes of loading were performed on the mixtures and the results were analyzed using the simplified viscoelastic continuum damage (S-VECD) methodology creating C vs S curves. Through the results and a failure criterion based on energy, cyclic tests can be simulated at different loading conditions for WÃhlerâs curves construction. The FAM dynamic moduli obtained are very similar to the frequency used to induce damage. However, for lower frequency, the intermediate FAM presented lower stiffness value. It was concluded that FAM with different MNS present very distinct damage performance, and the decrease in the MNS results in an increase in the mixture damage performance for low strain amplitudes. Also, the LAS testing protocol does not allow failure prediction due to the absence of failure in this type of test for FAM. / O Trincamento por fadiga à um dos problemas mais comuns em pavimentos flexÃveis no Brasil e no mundo. Danos por fadiga em misturas asfÃlticas se origina como um fenÃmeno de pequena escala. Recentemente, alguns autores tÃm utilizado a porÃÃo fina das misturas asfÃlticas, chamado Matriz de Agregados Finos (MAF), como um passo intermediÃrio para estimar o comportamento do Concreto AsfÃltico (CA). Por definiÃÃo, a MAF à composta de agregados finos, fÃler mineral e ligante asfÃltico. Hà muitas questÃes volumÃtricas neste tipo de mistura. No Brasil, a pesquisa desenvolvida sobre MAF usa peneira #10 (2,00mm) na preparaÃÃo de amostras, uma vez que a peneira #16 (mais utilizado na literatura) nÃo pertence ao conjunto de peneiras normatizadas nacionalmente. Recentemente, alguns autores tÃm utilizado o conceito de mecÃnica do dano contÃnuo em meios viscoelÃsticos, a fim de quantificar o dano durante o ensaio de fadiga. Nesta teoria as trincas sÃo consideradas homogÃneas dispersa no meio, e sÃo representados como variÃveis ​internas ​de estado determinadas experimentalmente. O objetivo deste estudo à avaliar a influÃncia da variaÃÃo de um dos constituintes da MAF, os agregados, variando seu tamanho mÃxima nominal (TMN), na resistÃncia ao dano destas misturas asfÃlticas. Para alcanÃar o objetivo, ensaios de Linear Amplitude Sweep (LAS) e Time Sweep (TS) à tensÃo controlada e à deformaÃÃo controlada foram realizadas nas misturas e os resultados foram analisados ​​usando o mÃtodo simplified viscoelastic continuum damage (S-VECD) para a criaÃÃo de curvas C vs S. AtravÃs dos resultados e um critÃrio de falha com base em energia, os testes cÃclicos podem ser simulados em diferentes condiÃÃes de carregamento para a construÃÃo da curva de WÃhler. Os mÃdulos dinÃmicos obtidos das MAFs sÃo muito semelhantes aos da frequÃncia utilizada para induzir danos. No entanto, para menor freqÃÃncia, a MAF intermediÃria apresentou menor valor de rigidez. Concluiu-se que as MAFs com diferentes TMNs apresentaram desempenhos de dano muito distintos, e à diminuiÃÃo do TMN da mistura resulta em um aumento da resistÃncia ao dano para baixas amplitudes de deformaÃÃo. AlÃm disso, o protocolo de teste LAS nÃo permite a previsÃo de falha, devido à ausÃncia de falha neste tipo de ensaio para MAF.

Submitted by Maria Eneide de Souza Araujo (mearaujo@ipen.br) on 2017-03-10T14:39:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 22066.pdf: 9119613 bytes, checksum: 0b28a0c36e553b4d7b70c8a8a0d8d601 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-10T14:39:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 22066.pdf: 9119613 bytes, checksum: 0b28a0c36e553b4d7b70c8a8a0d8d601 (MD5) / O polímero Acrilonitrila Butadieno Estireno (ABS) é um dos polímeros mais versáteis disponíveis nos dias de hoje. Atualmente o Brasil não produz o ABS, o que limita a indústria brasileira de plásticos a utilizar as variações deste polímero importadas, ofertadas no mercado nacional por distribuidores locais. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da adição das argilas Cloisite Na® e Branca de Cubati na matriz polimérica ABS e também os efeitos decorrentes do tratamento por radiação ionizante no ABS e nos compósitos ABS/Argila como formas de modificação de um ABS convencional. Visando avaliar a diferença entre uma argila organofílica e uma organofóbica, a argila Branca de Cubati foi organofilizada e a argila Cloisite Na® foi utilizada como recebida. Foram preparados, utilizando uma extrusora dupla rosca, concentrados a 30 % em massa da argila Branca de Cubati, previamente organofilizada e da Cloisite Na® em Estireno Acrilonitrila (SAN). Os concentrados foram adicionados ao ABS a 1, 3 e 5 % em massa das argilas e foram injetados corpos de prova. Parte dos corpos de prova foi submetida à irradiação por feixe de elétrons à uma dose de 600 kGy. Os compósitos irradiados e não irradiados foram caracterizados por meio de ensaios de resistência a tração, resistência a flexão, resistência ao impacto, temperatura de distorção térmica, ponto de amolecimento Vicat, análise de termogravimétrica (TG), difração de raios X e microscopia eletrônica de varredura com emissão de campo (MEVFEG) e a correlação entre os resultados foi discutida. Foram observadas melhorias nas propriedades mecânicas, exceto resistência ao impacto, nos materiais aditivados com as argilas, sendo os melhores resultados obtidos com a argila Branca de Cubati. O tratamento por radiação ionizante favoreceu o processo de reticulação do ABS. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

La presente investigación denominada “Propuesta de reducción del costo de despacho de cereales a granel” tiene el objetivo de determinar una propuesta de reducción del costo de despacho de cereales a granel de la empresa objeto de estudio. Se realizó un estudio de causa - efecto, análisis de datos cuantitativos y observaciones instantáneas para identificar la actividad donde se tiene un sobre costo en el servicio de despacho. Identificando como problemas los altos costos que significan las actividades de liberación de paneles y barredura de silos metálicos que se realizan de manera manual. Se presentó el estudio económico de dos propuestas de solución, de las cuales se optó que la mejor propuesta tiene una inversión que asciende a S/.232,700.49 nuevos soles; el cual será asumido al 100% por la misma empresa. La evaluación económica muestra un Valor Actual Neto (VAN) mayor a cero y una Tasa Interna de Retorno (TIR) mayor al costo de oportunidad del accionista por lo que se concluye que el proyecto genera valor y es económicamente viable, al implementar dicha propuesta las actividades de liberación de paneles y barredura de silos metálicos se realizaran de manera semiautomática. This research entitled "Proposal for reducing the cost of bulk grain exports" aims to determine a method for reducing the cost of bulk grain dispatch of the company under study. A cause and effect study was conducted using quantitative analysis of data and instant feedback to identify where the activity has a cost overrun on the dispatch service. As problems identifying significant than the high costs brought Activities Liberation panels and metal silo sweep carried out manually. An economic study of two proposed solutions, of which it was decided that the best proposal is an investment amounting to S/. 232,700.49 was presented; which shall be provided 100% by the same company. The economic assessment shows a higher Net Present Value (NPV) of zero and a Internal Rate of Return (IRR) greater than the opportunity cost of shareholders. Therefore, it is concluded that the project creates value and is economically feasible to implement this proposal, the proposal to implement activities and sweep release panels were held metal silo semi-automatically.

Level sets are extensively used for the visualization of scalar fields. The Reeb graph of a scalar function tracks the evolution of the topology of its level sets. It is obtained by mapping each connected component of a level set to a point. The Reeb graph and its loop-free version called the contour tree serve as an effective user interface for selecting meaningful level sets and for designing transfer functions for volume rendering. It also finds several other applications in the field of scientific visualization. In this thesis, we focus on designing algorithms for efficiently computing the Reeb graph of scalar functions and using the Reeb graph for effective visualization of scientific data. We have developed three algorithms to compute the Reeb graph of PL functions defined over manifolds and non-manifolds in any dimension. The first algorithm efficiently tracks the connected components of the level set and has the best known theoretical bound on the running time. The second algorithm, utilizes an alternate definition of Reeb graphs using cylinder maps, is simple to implement and efficient in practice. The third algorithm aggressively employs the efficient contour tree algorithm and is efficient both theoretically, in terms of the worst case running time, and practically, in terms of performance on real-world data. This algorithm has the best performance among existing methods and computes the Reeb graph at least an order of magnitude faster than other generic algorithms. We describe a scheme for controlled simplification of the Reeb graph and two different graph layout schemes that help in the effective presentation of Reeb graphs for visual analysis of scalar fields. We also employ the Reeb graph in four different applications – surface segmentation, spatially-aware transfer function design, visualization of interval volumes, and interactive exploration of time-varying data. Finally, we introduce the notion of topological saliency that captures the relative importance of a topological feature with respect to other features in its local neighborhood. We integrate topological saliency with Reeb graph based methods and demonstrate its application to visual analysis of features.

This thesis contributes to a development of a method for rheological characterization of microfibrillated cellulose. The intended use of the method is to be able to distinguish between different grades of microfibrillated cellulose. The method that was developed had preparation procedure of suspensions, pH, dry content and conductivity as well as measuring geometry and measuring sequence in mind. The method resulted in using a propeller mixer for sample preparation and the most suitable properties of the samples for comparison of different qualities of microfibrillated cellulose was evaluated to be pH 8 with a dry content of 2.0 wt% and a conductivity of 110 µS/cm. The rheology of the microfibrillated cellulose suspensions was examined by using a dynamic rotational rheometer and a splined bob and cup (C25G/PC25G). The complex viscosity from amplitude sweeps is used as the parameter to distinguish between different grades of 2 wt% microfibrillated cellulose suspensions. At 1.0 wt% the pH of the suspensions appeared to have a very small impact on the results from rheological measurements while an increased conductivity of the suspensions resulted in an increased complex viscosity. The dry content dependency appeared to be exponential in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 wt% and it was thus easier to distinguish between different grades of microfibrillated cellulose when the dry content is 2.0 wt% compared to 1.0 or 1.5 wt%.

At first this thesis is dealing with the basic principles of network analyzers and afterwards goes to propose conception of a polyscope, as a special type of the scalar network analyzer, designed for magnitude frequency response measurement of two-port devices. As a result of this part of the thesis is the polyscope's block circuit diagram and also selection of key integrated circuits for sweep generator, logarithmic detector and control circuits. As the following part of the thesis is a design of the all basic analyzer's circuits resulting in their schematics diagrams and printed circuit boards, do assembly of all modules and mechanical construction of the instrument and look of the front panel. Some of the tasks is implementation of the firmware and personal computer application able to download measured data from the circuit analyzer via USB and generate chart in Microsoft Office Excel book.