A Framework for Analyzing Fog-Cloud Computing Cooperation Applied to Information Processing of UAVs

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a relatively new technology. Their application can often involve complex and unseen problems. For instance, they can work in a cooperative-based environment under the supervision of a ground station to speed up critical decision-making processes. However, the amount of information exchanged among the aircraft and ground station is limited by high distances, low bandwidth size, restricted processing capability, and energy constraints. These drawbacks restrain large-scale operations such as large area inspections. New distributed state-of-the-art processing architectures, such as fog computing, can improve latency, scalability, and efficiency to meet time constraints via data acquisition, processing, and storage at different levels. Under these amendments, this research work proposes a mathematical model to analyze distribution-based UAVs topologies and a fog-cloud computing framework for large-scale mission and search operations. The tests have successfully predicted latency and other operational constraints, allowing the analysis of fog-computing advantages over traditional cloud-computing architectures.Comment: Volume 2019, Article ID 7497924, 14 page

Variação da Cobertura do Solo no Pantanal de 2000 a 2015 por Sensoriamento Remoto com Software e Dados Gratuitos

Due to the great environmental importance and the advance of the agro pastoralist activities in Pantanal, the aim of the current study is to analyze the modifications that occurred in the land cover, considered one of the richest areas in biodiversity of the planet. The work is justified on the importance of preserving the Pantanal, since it plays a very important role in the maintenance of such biodiversity. As the livestock is the basis of the local economy, and knowing that it is the activity that most promote deforestation, one should intensify the monitoring to ensure the conservation and predict potential impacts on forest vegetation. Thus, for this work we used TERRA satellite images, MODIS sensor, which are available for free, and also NDVI data (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), MOD13Q1 product, from the same sensor of two distinct years - 2000 and 2015. Such data were analyzed on QGIS 2.8 (QGIS Development Team, 2015) freely available, where through false color multitemporal reclassification, the change in the land cover was verified between the two years. The results show a reduction of 28.8% of the forest vegetation and an increasing of 11.6% of undergrowth (fields or pastures). It is interesting to highlight that it is possible to apply the methodology used in this work elsewhere without financial cost, since there was no need to purchase the images and software.Devido à grande importância ambiental e diante do avanço das atividades agropastoris no Pantanal, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as modificações ocorridas na cobertura do solo na região, considerada uma das áreas mais ricas em biodiversidade do planeta. O trabalho justifica-se na relevância da preservação do Pantanal, já que este desempenha papel importantíssimo na manutenção de tal biodiversidade. Sendo a pecuária a base da economia local, e sabendo que é a atividade que mais promove o desmatamento, deve-se redobrar o monitoramento para garantir a conservação e prever possíveis impactos na vegetação. Assim, para a realização deste trabalho utilizaram-se imagens do satélite TERRA, sensor MODIS, as quais estão disponíveis de forma gratuita na rede, utilizando-se também dados de NDVI (índice de vegetação da diferença normalizada), produto MOD13Q1, do mesmo sensor e também gratuito, de dois anos distintos -- 2000 e 2015. Tais dados foram analisados no SIG (sistemas de informações geográficas) livre e gratuito QGIS versão 2.8 (QGIS Development Team, 2015), onde através de composições falsa-cor multitemporais e de reclassificação verificou-se a mudança na cobertura do solo do Pantanal entre os dois anos. O resultado apresentou a redução de 28,8% de vegetação arbóreo-arbustiva e o aumento de 11,6% de vegetação rasteira (campos ou pastagens). É interessante destacar que a metodologia utilizada neste trabalho é passível de ser aplicada em outros locais sem custo, visto que não houve a necessidade de gastos com compra de imagens e softwares

CARACTERIZAÇÃO FÍSICA E HIDROLÓGICA DA BACIA DE CONTRIBUIÇÃO DA UHE DE ITAPEBI

Nos estudos atuais relacionados aos recursos hídricos, as ferramentas de geoprocessamento, sensoriamento remoto e análises estatísticas, vem apresentando grande potencial no auxílio à caracterização morfométrica e hidrológica em bacias hidrográficas. Esse trabalho tem por objetivo utilizar essas ferramentas para realizar uma caracterização morfométrica e hidrológica da bacia hidrográfica à montante da usina hidrelétrica de Itapebi, localizada na bacia hidrográfica do rio Jequitinhonha. Os resultados mostram, sob o ponto de vista morfométrico, que a bacia é pouco susceptível a picos de enchentes, com predominâncias de baixas velocidades de escoamento e boa tendência à acumulação de água na rede de drenagem. O relevo é predominantemente ondulado a fortemente ondulado em toda a bacia. As classes de uso e cobertura do solo predominantes foram pastagem, savana arborizada e floresta. Do ponto de vista hidrológico os testes estatísticos apontaram para uma tendência da diminuição na magnitude das vazões médias e mínimas da bacia ao longo do tempo. Já sob o ponto de vista do comportamento sedimentométrico, a bacia apresentou uma baixa descarga de sedimentos em suspensão, com magnitudes da ordem de 35,7 t/ano.km².  Palavras-chave: Hidrologia, Sensoriamento Remoto, Geoprocessamento, Morfometria, Hidrossedimentologia

Programming of thermoelectric generation systems based on a heuristic composition of ant colonies

a b s t r a c t Studies related to biologically inspired optimization techniques, which are used for daily operational scheduling of thermoelectric generation systems, indicate that combinations of biologically inspired computation methods together with other optimization techniques have an important role to play in obtaining the best solutions in the shortest amount of processing time. Following this line of research, this article uses a methodology based on optimization by an ant colony to minimize the daily scheduling cost of thermoelectric units. The proposed model uses a Sensitivity Matrix (SM) based on the information provided by the Lagrange multipliers to improve the biologically inspired search process. Thus, a percentage of the individuals in the colony use this information in the evolutionary process of the colony. The results achieved through the simulations indicate that the use of the SM results in quality solutions with a reduced number of individuals

Influência da variação da produtividade das usinas hidroelétricas no cálculo da energia firme

In the present work, the problem associated to the firm energy evaluation is treated as a non linear optimization model, which allows the representation of the productivity variation of the hydro plants. The proposed model takes into account the individualized representation of the plants and the historical series of flows since the month of January of 1931. The proposed optimization problem will be solved using the Primal-Dual Interior Point Method. A case study will be presented including the Brazilian Interconnected National System. The results obtained show that the proposed methodology is promising, since it presents an energy market value more realistic when compared with existing methodologies.No presente trabalho, o problema associado ao cálculo da energia firme é tratado como um modelo não linear de otimização, o que permite a representação da variação da produtividade das usinas. No modelo proposto é considerada a representação individualizada das usinas bem como a série histórica de vazões desde o mês de janeiro de 1931. O problema de otimização proposto é resolvido através do método primal-dual de pontos interiores. Adicionalmente, é apresentado um estudo de caso abrangendo o Sistema Interligado Nacional Brasileiro. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a metodologia proposta é promissora, tendo em vista que apresenta um valor de mercado de energia mais realista quando comparado com outras metodologias

Geodesia as a Support Tool for the Pantanal Neotectonics Understanding: the Corumbá Fluviometric Station Example, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) were initially designed to extend the coverage and accuracy of navigation systems, but given the possible applications, it is possible to analyze the different terrestrial phenomena from a specific methodology. how to estimate the speed and direction of the plate tectonics or blocks where the stations rest. In the present work we sought to extend and derive GNSS applications, seeking to better understand the regional geotectonics of the Pantanal Sedimentary Basin. In this sense, the combination of SIRGAS (Geocentric Reference System for the Americas) GNSS speed data with water surface data in times of flood and drought was modeled. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the variation in the volume and weight of the water during the times of flood and of drought are reflected in the position of the height ruler located in Corumbá-MS. This volume of water, in addition to promoting the reactivation of tectonic structures, exerts a lubricating effect on regional faults and fractures, and may act as a facilitator or inducer of regional earthquake

The Italian Draft Law on the \u2018Provisions Concerning the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage\u2019

Intangible cultural heritage in Italy is still in need of a unified approach, capable of providing reliable criteria for identifying its assets and for indicating timescales and means by which they should be safeguarded. In the continued absence of up-to-date, ad hoc state legislation (since the content of those laws which do implement international Conventions is too generic in nature to be sufficiently effective), the Regions have proceeded to act in a somewhat scattered manner, giving rise to an extremely fragmented and very disorderly regulatory framework. The draft law N. 4486, "Provisions Concerning the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage", presented on 12th May 2017 at the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic - as the result of the work of an interdisciplinary and inter-university research team coordinated by Marco Giampieretti, who has drafted the final text with the collaboration of Simona Pinton - seeks to fill the serious void that exists in Italian legal system by aligning it to the principles of international and European law, by redirecting the relevant State and Regional legislation, and by satisfying the fundamental requirements of the national community