The thesis describes a method for the design and implementation of manufacturing control software using structured Petri nets. An earlier design method is presented from which a more formal approach is developed, and a definition for structured Petri nets is given. This definition is then compared to other classes of Petri net found in the literature. A comparison is also made between the proposed design method and other methods described in the literature. The structured Petri nets are then used to create a control structure, which is shown to have properties that allow the detection and diagnosis of faults originating both in the hardware and the software of the system. A detailed discussion is also presented concerning the implementation of structured Petri nets on various types of manufacturing controller and on general-purpose computers. In particular, results are presented from experiments with various implementation methods on programmable logic controllers. Conclusions are then drawn on the various aspects of the work and details of further research possibilities are described.

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a useful tool to diagnose endocrine, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, rheumatic and other diseases. Diagnoses are made on the presence or absence of certain types of capillary loops which are classified according to their shape. We have surveyed six clinicians, asking them to classify 217 capillary loops, in order to establish quantitative nailfold capillary loop classification criteria. The participating clinicians were not unanimous about the classification of any capillary, and there was no consensus about the class of 17% of the capillary loops. Some of the clinicians classified two occurrences of the same shape differently. This clearly demonstrates the need for well established classification criteria. Nailfold capillary loop classes can be divided into two major groups: Descriptive Classes (DC); "cuticulis", "open", "tortuous", "crossed", "bizarre" and "bushy", and Label Classes; "enlarged", "elongated" and "giant". Furthermore label classes can be divided into two groups, Width Anomaly Classes (WAC); "enlarged" and "giant", and Length Anomaly Class (LAC), "elongated". While descriptive classes give information about the shape of a loop, label classes emphasise dimensional anomalities of a loop. Assignment of a loop with one the descriptive or label classes causes information loss about the dimensions or shape, respectively. In order to preserve as much information as possible within a class, we propose a new class system that contains 17 classes which are the combination of WAC, LAC and DC. We propose quantitative classification criteria for commonly used classes: "cuticulis", "open", "tortuous", "elongated" and "giant". Although the class "enlarged" can be expressed quantitatively, inappropriate assignments of "enlarged" by the paricipating clinicians have not allowed us to set quantitative classification criteria. While definition of the class "crossed" is purely qualitative, a classification mechanism that is neither qualitative nor quantitative is proposed for "bizarre" and "bushy" loops. We propose the use of pattern recognition algorithms that are based on the evaluation of the capillary shape parameters such as loop length, loop width, limb width, the curvature, orientation, etc., to classify capillaries. By the use of mathematical morphology, skeletonization, topological relations, feature vectors, in an hierarchical structure, the software TANCCAS (The Automated Nailfold Capillary Classification and Analysis System) has been developed to calculate the shape parameters and to classify the capillary loops. These algorithms have been implemented on a Pentium PC and have resulted in an 88% accuracy level which is compared to participating clinicians' overall classifications of the test images.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / This thesis describes a multi-disciplinary collaboration towards iterative development of a mobile communication tool to support a Deaf person in understanding usage directions for medication dispensed at a pharmacy. We are improving usability and correctness of the user interface. The tool translates medicine instruction given in English text to South African Sign Language videos, which are relayed to a Deaf user on a mobile phone. Communication between pharmacists and Deaf patients were studied to extract relevant exchanges between the two users. We incorporated the common elements of these dialogues to represent content in a veri able manner to ensure that the mobile tool relays the correct information to the Deaf user. Instructions are made available for a Deaf patient in sign language videos on a mobile device. A pharmacy setup was created to conduct trials of the tool with groups of end users, in order to collect usability data with recorded participant observation, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Subsequently, pre-recorded sign language videos, stored on a phone's memory card, were tested for correctness. Lastly we discuss the results and implications of the study and provide a conclusion to our research.

Submitted by Daniele Santos (danielesantos.htl@gmail.com) on 2017-01-18T19:26:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Martin Cottard, v28 (1).docx: 628181 bytes, checksum: 5982513672c7342dff2d897820eb08f0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2017-02-23T17:42:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Martin Cottard, v28 (1).docx: 628181 bytes, checksum: 5982513672c7342dff2d897820eb08f0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-24T18:41:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Martin Cottard, v28 (1).docx: 628181 bytes, checksum: 5982513672c7342dff2d897820eb08f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-11-11 / The currency markets are dominated by the few greatest currencies (as $, €, ¥, £ …). Their strong influence is gathering many currencies around them. From the outside, it looks like a large group of correlated currencies. - How many large groups of correlated currencies exists? What currencies are included? When considering all the currencies of the world, there are thousands of possible influences. This means a huge number of correlations to study. This is not convenient. - Is there a visual tool that can helps us to find our way, among all the numerous correlations? We propose here a simple tool to answer to those questions: the currency map. This map is a plot of more than 100 currencies. It’s easy to locate a specific currency and to find its close neighbors. And close neighbors often have similar fluctuations. We provide several examples of using this map: - An example explains how to share equally the currency risks between parties, in an import/export business. - An example explains how to create an optimum currency basket, which perfectly minimized the fluctuations over the last 10 Years. - An example to inform about the risks of contagion, in case of a local currency crisis.

The aim of this paper is to characterize software solution of CRM system BlueJet, product of the Compekon software company and evaluate its benefits for business companies which are using it. The next aim was to find out problems of these companies which were solved by using the system, conduct cost-benfit analysis in selected company and propose some recomendation for extending the profit of Compekon company.These objectives have been met.

Master of Science / Department of Computer Science / Eugene Vasserman / Since 2014 there have been over 120 million new malicious programs registered every year. Due to the amount of new malware appearing every year, analysts have automated large sections of the malware reverse engineering process. Many automated analysis systems are created by re-implementing analysis techniques rather than automating existing tools that utilize the same techniques. New implementations take longer to create and do not have the same proven quality as a tool that evolved alongside malware for many years. The goal of this study is to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of using existing tools for the application of automated malware analysis. This study focuses on the problem of discovering how malware persists on an infected system. Six tools are chosen based on their usefulness in manual analysis for revealing different persistence techniques employed by malware. The functions of these tools are automated in a fashion that emulates how they can be manually utilized, resulting in information about a tested sample. These six tools are tested against a collection of actual malware samples, pulled from malware families that are known for employing various persistence techniques. The findings are then scanned for indicators of persistence. The results of these tests are used to determine the smallest tool subset that discovers the largest range of persistence mechanisms. For each tool, implementation difficulty is compared to the number of indicators discovered to reveal the effectiveness of similar tools for future analysis applications. The conclusion is that while the tools covered a wide range of persistence mechanisms, the standalone tools that were designed with scripting in mind were more effective than those with multiple system requirements or those with only a graphical interface. It was also discovered that the automation process limits functionality of some tools, as they are designed for analyst interaction. Regaining the tools’ functionality lost from automation to use them for other reverse engineering applications could be cumbersome and could require necessary implementation overhauls. Finally, the more successful tools were able to detect a broader range of techniques, while some less successful tools could only detect a portion of the same techniques. This study concludes that while an analysis system can be created by automating existing tools, the characteristics of the tools chosen impact the workload required to automate them. A well-documented tool that is controllable through a command line interface that offers many configuration options will require less work for an analyst to automate than a tool with little documentation that can only be controlled through a graphical interface.

The square shank tool holder is one of Sandvik Coromants most common products. The tool holder has been manufactured the same way for 25 years without changing tolerances. However, it is predicted that tighter tolerances will be required in the future to maintain competitiveness.   The purpose of the thesis was to study how today's square shank tool holders can be made straighter and to what price it can be done. The tolerances allow too much convexity and concavity which might lead to unstable products. To find where in the current production flow the greatest impact occurs, the production flow was studied and then a common square shank tool holder with high production volume was followed through the production flow.   The tool holders were measured with a CMM after each station and analysis showed that the hardening station has the largest impact on the tolerances. This lead to six experiments using different manufacturing methods and the results were compared to see what production flow that allowed the best tolerances and lowest cost.   The results lead to two optional ways of manufacturing since they showed better results with a production economic perspective. Option 1 includes manufacturing in hardened material and Option 2 includes a grinding process.   The production flow for Option 1 is to first harden the blank followed by the manufacturing processes. By moving the hardening processes to the beginning of the production flow, the shape changing is prevented and the final product becomes straighter and obtains a smooth and aesthetic surface since the hardening process creates a rough surface. The production time is increased by CON% and the production cost is increased by CON%. The bottom side flatness tolerance of the final product is reduced by CON%.   The production flow for Option 2 is to first manufacture the shank followed by hardening. After the hardening process the tools get surface grounded on the bottom side and the outside. By grinding the tool holder, it becomes straight and the surface flatness obtains a tolerance of CON mm. The production time is increased by CON% and the production cost is increased by CON%. The bottom surface flatness tolerance of the final product is reduced by CON%.   The advantages of Option 1 are that the final product becomes better and it is easy to apply in the current production flow. The advantages of Option 2 the surface becomes very flat and the tool holder is more competitive.   By choosing any of these two options, Sandvik Coromant will achieve a straighter and more competitive final product.

Esta tese tem por objetivo estudar a precisão de uma nova estrutura robótica para operações de fresamento, em substituição às convencionais maquinas-ferramentas seriais, especialmente as fresadoras e os centros de usinagem CNC. A estrutura proposta está baseada no conceito da cinemática paralela, tendo a análise da precisão sido realizada em função do mapeamento dos erros de posicionamento da ferramenta de corte dentro do espaço de trabalho disponível, durante operação de fresamento de acabamento, aplicando modelagem matemática. A motivação está na busca por altos desempenhos e as estruturas robóticas paralelas possuem diversas vantagens perante as estruturas seriais: construção modular, massa reduzida, altas velocidades/acelerações. Por outro lado, há ainda problemas a serem solucionados, como: garantia da precisão, otimização do espaço de trabalho e redução/eliminação de singularidades. A metodologia aplicada no desenvolvimento deste trabalho compreende quatro etapas: a proposta de uma nova estrutura robótica desenvolvida a partir de métodos de síntese existentes; o desenvolvimento de modelos matemáticos para caracterizar o seu comportamento cinemático; a identificação das fontes de erro que influenciam no desvio de posição da ferramenta; a elaboração de modelos matemáticos e algorítmos computacionais para analisar o grau de influência de cada fonte de erro identificada. Desenvolvemos uma estrutura robótica de topologia assimétrica 2UPS+PRP, com as seguintes características: mobilidade 3 com três translações no espaço, reduzido número de componentes e movimento na direção z independente dos movimentos nas direções x e y. Apresentamos os algoritmos computacionais para mapear os erros cinemáticos, geométricos e elásticos através da discretização do espaço de trabalho disponível, baseado nas matrizes Jacobianas e no princípio do trabalho virtual. Com relação aos mapeamentos dos desvios de posição da ferramenta obtidos, chegamos a algumas conclusões. Os maiores erros cinemáticos ocorreram quando as imprecisões impostas aos dois membros motores laterais tinham sinais contrários. Os erros geométricos com tolerâncias dimensionais na classe de trabalho IT5, foram os mais relevantes dentre os erros considerados. Os erros elásticos, considerando forças de usinagem de acabamento, foram os menos relevantes entre os erros considerados, sendo expressiva a influência da rigidez das juntas universais e esféricas. A utilização do princípio do trabalho virtual, com parâmetros de rigidez concentrados, mostrou ser eficaz e eficiente, comparado ao SMA (análise da matriz estrutural) e ao FEM (método dos elementos finitos), devido ao menor trabalho para o desenvolvimento da sua formulação e ao tempo computacional reduzido para o seu processamento. / This thesis has the purpose to study the precision of a new robotic structure for milling operations, in substitution to the conventional serial machine-tools, specialy the CNC milling machines and cutting centers. The proposed structure is based on the parallel kinematics concept and the precision analysis was realized, applying mathematical models, to obtain the positioning errors mapping of the cutting tool in the available workspace, during finishing milling operations. The motivation is on the search higher performances and the parallel robotic structures have several advantages to the serial structures: modular construction, lightness, high velocities/acelerations. Otherwise, there are still problems to be solved, like: guaranty of precision, workspace optimization and reduction/elimination of singularities. The methodology applied for the development of this work involves four steps: the proposal of a new robotic structure developed using existing synthesis methods; the development of mathematical models to characterize its kinematic behavior; the error sources identification that influences the deviation of the tool position; the elaboration of mathematical models and computer algorithms to analyse the influence level of each identified error source. We developed one assymmetric robotic structure 2UPS+PRP, with the following characteristics: mobility 3 with three translations in the space, reduced number of componentes and displacement in z direction independent from the displacents in the x and y directions. We presented the computer algorithms to map the kinematic, geometric and elastic errors, throw the discretization of the available workspace, based on the Jacobian matrices and the virtual work principle. With regard to the tool position deviation mappings obtained, we reach to some conclusions. The major kinematic errors occurred when the imprecisions imposed to the two lateral actuatores had opposed signals. The geometric errors with dimensional tolerances in the IT5 work class, were the more relevant among the considered errors. The elastic errors, considering finishing manufacturing forces, were the less relevent among the considered errors, being expressive the influence of the rigidity of the universal and spherical jounts. The utilization of the virtual work principle and concentrated rigidity parameters, showed to be efficacious and efficient, compared to the SMA (astructural matrice analisis) and the FEM (finite elements methode), because of the minor work to develop its formulations end the reduced computer time to its prosecution.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo analisar o processo de transiÃÃo entre duas funÃÃes possÃveis que um grupo assume: espaÃo de interaÃÃo simbÃlica para seus membros (1) e ferramenta cultural de mediaÃÃo (2). No caso desta segunda conformaÃÃo grupal, a sua dinÃmica assume o papel de instrumento mediador para os participantes do grupo. Para alcanÃar o objetivo acima foi feita uma pesquisa de cunho etnogrÃfico, a partir da inserÃÃo em uma disciplina optativa do curso de Psicologia da Universidade Federal do CearÃ, com observaÃÃo participante no decorrer de todo o semestre letivo e realizaÃÃo de videogravaÃÃes de quatro aulas especÃficas, relativas à atividade prÃtica de facilitaÃÃo grupal. A principal abordagem teÃrica utilizada foi a Psicologia HistÃrico-Cultural. Participaram da disciplina dezenove estudantes jovens adultos, de ambos os sexos, que se constituÃram tambÃm os participantes da pesquisa. Nos encontros videogravados, facilitados pelos prÃprios estudantes, foram realizadas dinÃmicas de grupo com temas diversos, como comunicaÃÃo, competiÃÃo e motivaÃÃo. O exame das videogravaÃÃes foi feito por meio de uma anÃlise interpretativa com foco no funcionamento grupal e nas caracterÃsticas que sugeriam indÃcios da transiÃÃo entre as duas funÃÃes assumidas pelo grupo como instÃncia coletiva. As categorias teÃricas de anÃlise foram os conceitos de grupo e de mediaÃÃo e as categorias empÃricas identificadas nas observaÃÃes das filmagens foram a relaÃÃo entre competiÃÃo e a cooperaÃÃo, bem como a consciÃncia do processo grupal, observando-se os momentos em que houve a transiÃÃo do grupo funcionando como espaÃo de interaÃÃo para aquele em que assumiu a funÃÃo de ferramenta mediadora. A tal fenÃmeno foi dado o nome de transiÃÃo F1 â F2. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a competiÃÃo aliada à cooperaÃÃo em um contexto grupal favorece a transiÃÃo F1 â F2. Outro fator que pode potencializar essa transiÃÃo decorre da reflexÃo e consciÃncia de todas as etapas do processo grupal. / This study aimed to analyze the process of transition between two possible functions that a group assumes: an interactional symbolic space for its members (1) and a meditational cultural tool (2). In the case of this second group conformation, their dynamics assumes the role of mediator instrument to the participants of the group. To achieve the goal above, the research used was influenced by the ethnography and took place in a Psychology class in the Federal University of Cearà (UFC), with participant observation during the entire semester and the video recording of four specific classes which were facilitated by the students themselves. The main theory used was the Historical-Cultural Psychology. Nineteen young adults of both genders students were both the discipline and research participants. In videotaped meetings, group dynamics were performed with various topics such as communication, competition and motivation. The examination of the video recordings were made through an interpretative analysis focusing on group functioning and characteristics that suggest evidence of the transition between the two functions assumed by the group. Theoretical analysis categories were the concepts of group and mediation. The empirical categories identified in the observation of the recordings was the relationship between competition and cooperation, and the awareness of the group process, observing the times when there was a transition between the group space interaction function to the mediating tool function. To this phenomenon was given the name of transition F1 - F2. The results indicate that the competition together with the cooperation in a group context favors the transition F1 - F2. Another factor that can leverage this transition arises from reflection and awareness of all the stages of group process.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T15:57:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo3212_1.pdf: 6659432 bytes, checksum: 29ec979f8895b39460684d09a38f9764 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta uma ferramenta de autoria para auxiliar a criação de aplicações de Realidade Aumentada que fazem uso de renderização fotorrealística. A ferramenta, denominada RPR-SORS Editor, utiliza uma API de fotorrealismo (RPR-SORS) e tem como foco a criação e edição de objetos virtuais. A ferramenta desenvolvida é capaz de manipular de forma interativa os parâmetros de materiais do RPR-SORS e do motor de renderização utilizado (OGRE), com a opção de visualizar os objetos fotorrealistícos em Realidade Aumentada. O resultado final da edição pode ser exportado para uma outra aplicação que utilize a API de fotorrealismo e o motor de renderização citados. Um estudo de caso referente a uma aplicação de Realidade Aumentada para arquitetura foi realizado de forma a avaliar a ferramenta desenvolvida