1,827 research outputs found
Distance-Dependent Kronecker Graphs for Modeling Social Networks
This paper focuses on a generalization of stochastic
Kronecker graphs, introducing a Kronecker-like operator and
defining a family of generator matrices H dependent on distances
between nodes in a specified graph embedding. We prove
that any lattice-based network model with sufficiently small
distance-dependent connection probability will have a Poisson
degree distribution and provide a general framework to prove
searchability for such a network. Using this framework, we focus
on a specific example of an expanding hypercube and discuss
the similarities and differences of such a model with recently
proposed network models based on a hidden metric space. We
also prove that a greedy forwarding algorithm can find very short
paths of length O((log log n)^2) on the hypercube with n nodes,
demonstrating that distance-dependent Kronecker graphs can
generate searchable network models
Performance Modelling and Optimisation of Multi-hop Networks
A major challenge in the design of large-scale networks is to predict and optimise the
total time and energy consumption required to deliver a packet from a source node to a
destination node. Examples of such complex networks include wireless ad hoc and sensor
networks which need to deal with the effects of node mobility, routing inaccuracies, higher
packet loss rates, limited or time-varying effective bandwidth, energy constraints, and the
computational limitations of the nodes. They also include more reliable communication
environments, such as wired networks, that are susceptible to random failures, security
threats and malicious behaviours which compromise their quality of service (QoS) guarantees.
In such networks, packets traverse a number of hops that cannot be determined
in advance and encounter non-homogeneous network conditions that have been largely
ignored in the literature. This thesis examines analytical properties of packet travel in
large networks and investigates the implications of some packet coding techniques on both
QoS and resource utilisation.
Specifically, we use a mixed jump and diffusion model to represent packet traversal
through large networks. The model accounts for network non-homogeneity regarding
routing and the loss rate that a packet experiences as it passes successive segments of a
source to destination route. A mixed analytical-numerical method is developed to compute
the average packet travel time and the energy it consumes. The model is able to capture
the effects of increased loss rate in areas remote from the source and destination, variable
rate of advancement towards destination over the route, as well as of defending against
malicious packets within a certain distance from the destination. We then consider sending
multiple coded packets that follow independent paths to the destination node so as to
mitigate the effects of losses and routing inaccuracies. We study a homogeneous medium
and obtain the time-dependent properties of the packet’s travel process, allowing us to
compare the merits and limitations of coding, both in terms of delivery times and energy
efficiency. Finally, we propose models that can assist in the analysis and optimisation
of the performance of inter-flow network coding (NC). We analyse two queueing models
for a router that carries out NC, in addition to its standard packet routing function. The
approach is extended to the study of multiple hops, which leads to an optimisation problem
that characterises the optimal time that packets should be held back in a router, waiting
for coding opportunities to arise, so that the total packet end-to-end delay is minimised
Computer-aided detection and diagnosis of breast cancer in 2D and 3D medical imaging through multifractal analysis
This Thesis describes the research work performed in the scope of a doctoral research program
and presents its conclusions and contributions. The research activities were carried on in the
industry with Siemens S.A. Healthcare Sector, in integration with a research team.
Siemens S.A. Healthcare Sector is one of the world biggest suppliers of products, services and
complete solutions in the medical sector. The company offers a wide selection of diagnostic
and therapeutic equipment and information systems. Siemens products for medical imaging and
in vivo diagnostics include: ultrasound, computer tomography, mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis,
magnetic resonance, equipment to angiography and coronary angiography, nuclear
imaging, and many others.
Siemens has a vast experience in Healthcare and at the beginning of this project it was strategically
interested in solutions to improve the detection of Breast Cancer, to increase its competitiveness
in the sector.
The company owns several patents related with self-similarity analysis, which formed the background
of this Thesis. Furthermore, Siemens intended to explore commercially the computer-
aided automatic detection and diagnosis eld for portfolio integration. Therefore, with the
high knowledge acquired by University of Beira Interior in this area together with this Thesis,
will allow Siemens to apply the most recent scienti c progress in the detection of the breast
cancer, and it is foreseeable that together we can develop a new technology with high potential.
The project resulted in the submission of two invention disclosures for evaluation in Siemens
A.G., two articles published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in ISI Science Citation Index,
two other articles submitted in peer-reviewed journals, and several international conference
papers. This work on computer-aided-diagnosis in breast led to innovative software and novel
processes of research and development, for which the project received the Siemens Innovation
Award in 2012.
It was very rewarding to carry on such technological and innovative project in a socially sensitive
area as Breast Cancer.No cancro da mama a deteção precoce e o diagnóstico correto são de extrema importância na
prescrição terapêutica e caz e e ciente, que potencie o aumento da taxa de sobrevivência à
doença. A teoria multifractal foi inicialmente introduzida no contexto da análise de sinal e a
sua utilidade foi demonstrada na descrição de comportamentos siológicos de bio-sinais e até
na deteção e predição de patologias. Nesta Tese, três métodos multifractais foram estendidos
para imagens bi-dimensionais (2D) e comparados na deteção de microcalci cações em mamogramas.
Um destes métodos foi também adaptado para a classi cação de massas da mama, em
cortes transversais 2D obtidos por ressonância magnética (RM) de mama, em grupos de massas
provavelmente benignas e com suspeição de malignidade. Um novo método de análise multifractal
usando a lacunaridade tri-dimensional (3D) foi proposto para classi cação de massas da
mama em imagens volumétricas 3D de RM de mama. A análise multifractal revelou diferenças
na complexidade subjacente às localizações das microcalci cações em relação aos tecidos normais,
permitindo uma boa exatidão da sua deteção em mamogramas. Adicionalmente, foram
extraídas por análise multifractal características dos tecidos que permitiram identi car os casos
tipicamente recomendados para biópsia em imagens 2D de RM de mama. A análise multifractal
3D foi e caz na classi cação de lesões mamárias benignas e malignas em imagens 3D de RM de
mama. Este método foi mais exato para esta classi cação do que o método 2D ou o método
padrão de análise de contraste cinético tumoral. Em conclusão, a análise multifractal fornece
informação útil para deteção auxiliada por computador em mamogra a e diagnóstico auxiliado
por computador em imagens 2D e 3D de RM de mama, tendo o potencial de complementar a
interpretação dos radiologistas
Integrated methodological frameworks for modelling agent-based advanced supply chain planning systems: a systematic literature review
Purpose: The objective of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review of recent developments in methodological frameworks for the modelling and simulation of agent-based advanced supply chain planning systems.
Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review is provided to identify, select and make an analysis and a critical summary of all suitable studies in the area. It is organized into two blocks: the first one covers agent-based supply chain planning systems in general terms, while the second one specializes the previous search to identify those works explicitly containing methodological aspects.
Findings: Among sixty suitable manuscripts identified in the primary literature search, only seven explicitly considered the methodological aspects. In addition, we noted that, in general, the notion of advanced supply chain planning is not considered unambiguously, that the social and individual aspects of the agent society are not taken into account in a clear manner in several studies and that a significant part of the works are of a theoretical nature, with few real-scale industrial applications. An integrated framework covering all phases of the modelling and simulation process is still lacking in the literature visited.
Research limitations/implications: The main research limitations are related to the period covered (last four years), the selected scientific databases, the selected language (i.e. English) and the use of only one assessment framework for the descriptive evaluation part.
Practical implications: The identification of recent works in the domain and discussion concerning their limitations can help pave the way for new and innovative researches towards a complete methodological framework for agent-based advanced supply chain planning systems.
Originality/value: As there are no recent state-of-the-art reviews in the domain of methodological frameworks for agent-based supply chain planning, this paper contributes to systematizing and consolidating what has been done in recent years and uncovers interesting research gaps for future studies in this emerging fieldPeer Reviewe
Decomposing the queue length distribution of processor-sharing models into queue lengths of permanent customer queues
We obtain a decomposition result for the steady state queue length distribution in egalitarian processor-sharing (PS) models. In particular, for an egalitarian PS queue with customer classes, we show that the marginal queue length distribution for class factorizes over the number of other customer types. The factorizing coefficients equal the queue length probabilities of a PS queue for type in isolation, in which the customers of the other types reside \textit{ permanently} in the system. Similarly, the (conditional) mean sojourn time for class can be obtained by conditioning on the number of permanent customers of the other types. The decomposition result implies linear relations between the marginal queue length probabilities, which also hold for other PS models such as the egalitarian processor-sharing models with state-dependent system capacity that only depends on the total number of customers in the system. Based on the exact decomposition result for egalitarian PS queues, we propose a similar decomposition for discriminatory processor-sharing (DPS) models, and numerically show that the approximation is accurate for moderate differences in service weights. \u
Financial Modeling and Prediction as a Service
© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media DordrechtThis paper describes our proposal for Quality of Service (QoS) for Financial Modeling and Prediction as a Service (FMPaaS), since a majority of papers does not focus on SaaS level. We focus on two factors for delivering successful QoS, which are performance and accuracy for FMPaaS. The design process, theories and models behind the FMPaaS service have been explained. To support our FMPaaS service, two APIs have been developed to improve on performance and accuracy. Two major experiments have been illustrated and results show that each API processing can be completed in 2.12 seconds and 100,000 simulations can be completed in an acceptable period of time. Accuracy tests have been performed while using Facebook as an example. Three points of comparisons between actual and predicted prices have been undertaken. Results support accuracy since results are between 93.72 % and 99.63 % for Facebook. Three case studies have been used and results can support the accuracy and validity of the high level of accuracy offered by FMPaaS
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