Generation of abstract geometric art based on exact aesthetics, gestalt theory and graphic design principles

In this thesis artificial intelligence ideas are applied to the domain of fine arts and especially modern art. First, we take a closer look at avant garde art movements of the late 19th and first half of the 20th century. After that, we make an analysis of the knowledge on which this art movement is partly based by considering the fields of aesthetics, gestalt psychology and graphic design. Having formalised general ideas about what a well-formed painting should consist of, we then look at ways of incorporate these ideas in a model for generating a composition. We design a formal framework to which we map the domain concepts. Based on the framework, we make a top-down knowledge decomposition. To demonstrate how our ideas can be applied in a practical situation, we have implemented a prototype system. Theoretically, this system is split up into the front-end part, in which the actual output is generated, and the back-end part, in which artificial intelligence techniques are applied to the actual concepts of composing an artwork. The front-end is partly based on the multimedia generation system called Cuypers, which was developed at the Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica (CWI) in Amsterdam. Cuypers was made to generate dynamic presentations and therefore generates XML, which subsequently is transformed into a desired format (XHTML, TIME, SMIL) using XSLT transformation stylesheets. Our system generates output in the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format, which is an XML based standard for vector graphics and animation. The back-end part is based on the formal ideas about art described above. It is implemented in Eclipse Prolog. Finally, we discuss the artistic significance of our results. We conclude this thesis by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the conceptual decisions, as well as suggesting directions for future research, including ideas for the evaluation of the generated composition

SensorShoe: Mobile Gait Analysis for Parkinson's Disease Patients

We present the design and initial evaluation of a mobile gait analysis system, SensorShoe. The target user group is represented by Parkinson's Disease patients, which need continuous assistance with the physical therapy in their home environment. SensorShoe analyses the gait by using a low-power sensor node equipped with movement sensors. In addition, SensorShoe gives real-time feedback and therapy assistance to the patient, and provides the caregivers an effective remote monitoring and control tool

Mercado inmobiliario y acceso a la vivienda formal en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, y su contexto metropolitano, entre 2003 y 2013

El sostenido crecimiento económico con inclusión social y la notable expansión de la oferta residencial privada y de interés social de la última década no fueron acompañados por una mejora en el acceso al suelo y la vivienda en las ciudades de Argentina. Por el contrario, el problema habitacional y de acceso al suelo formal, bien ubicado, con buenos servicios y ambientalmente seguro se ha agravado. La Región Metropolitana de Buenos Aires (RMBA) es una de las ciudades del país donde más se manifiesta esta paradoja. En este artículo se desarrollan las bases conceptuales y empíricas para comprenderla. El funcionamiento de los mercados de suelo y el desarrollo inmobiliario de la RMBA será analizado en el período 2003-2013 en relación al contexto macroeconómico, el esfuerzo monetario para la compra y alquiler de una vivienda formal y determinadas lógicas de desarrollo urbano.The sustained economic and social inclusion growth along with the noticeable expansion of social and private housing supply over the last decade have not been accompanied by an improvement in the access to land and housing in the cities of Argentina. On the contrary, the housing problem and the access to well-located formal land, with good facilities and environmentally safe conditions have worsened like never before. The Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires (rmba, for its acronym in Spanish) is one of the cities in the country where this paradox is most manifest. In this article conceptual and empirical bases are developed in order to understand the contradiction. The functioning of land markets and the real estate development in the rmba will be analyzed, considering the period 2003- 2013 in relation to the macroeconomic context, the monetary effort for the acquisition and rent of a formal dwelling and certain logics of urban development.Fil: Baer, Luis Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Geografía ; ArgentinaFil: Kauw, Mark. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Geografía ; Argentin

Communication: key factor in multidisciplinary system design

System design research often looks at ways to model the system that is developing. Many modelling techniques and model representations exist. Another aspect these models can be used for is to enable, facilitate and improve communication among the developers during the process. The young System Design Group at the faculty of Engineering Technology of the University of Twente, the Netherlands, aims at focusing on this communication aspect in system design.\ud In the paper, a few finished and running projects undertaken in close cooperation with industry are described concisely. From these projects three research themes are derived. These are: creation of high-level models, combining model representations and condense information. The paper ends with plans for future research

YAG:Nd crystals as possible detector to search for double beta and alpha decay of neodymium

Energy resolution, alpha/beta ratio, pulse-shape discrimination for gamma rays and alpha particles, radioactive contamination were studied with neodymium doped yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG:Nd). Applicability of YAG:Nd scintillators to search for double beta decay and alpha activity of natural neodymium isotopes are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 4 fig

Pillows as adaptive interfaces in ambient environments

We have developed a set of small interactive throw pillows containing intelligent touch-sensing surfaces, in order to explore new ways to model the environment, participants, artefacts, and their interactions, in the context of expressive non-verbal interaction. We present the overall architecture of the environment, describing a model of the user, the interface (the interactive pillows and the devices it can interact with) and the context engine. We describe the representation and process modules of the context engine and demonstrate how they support real-time adaptation. We present an evaluation of the current prototype and conclude with plans for future work

Applications of power to gas technologies in emerging electrical systems

Abstract The energy sector is undergoing substantial changes in order to promote better efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy, reduce emissions and effectively deploy technologies to trade off costs and benefits One emerging solution is the application of the Power-to-Gas technology, which can be used for different purposes. In recent years, Power-to-Gas has been studied to understand the role it could play in the electrical system. This paper has the aims of analysing the existing literature about the Power-to-Gas technology in detail, by considering some solutions that have a direct impact on the electrical system (in particular electrolyser and CO2 production) and applications in the different sectors of the electricity value chain (i.e., generation, transmission, distribution and utilisation). This paper sets out the conceptual aspects that are necessary to include Power-to-Gas facilities in a more comprehensive analysis framework of the operation of the electrical system in various sectors. Some perspectives concerning new Power-to-Gas applications are also presented for each sector, and some promising aspects that are expected to play a relevant role in the future technical and economic evolution of electrical systems are discussed