Virtual sensor networks: collaboration and resource sharing

This thesis contributes to the advancement of the Sensing as a Service (SeaaS), based on cloud infrastructures, through the development of models and algorithms that make an efficient use of both sensor and cloud resources while reducing the delay associated with the data flow between cloud and client sides, which results into a better quality of experience for users. The first models and algorithms developed are suitable for the case of mashups being managed at the client side, and then models and algorithms considering mashups managed at the cloud were developed. This requires solving multiple problems: i) clustering of compatible mashup elements; ii) allocation of devices to clusters, meaning that a device will serve multiple applications/mashups; iii) reduction of the amount of data flow between workplaces, and associated delay, which depends on clustering, device allocation and placement of workplaces. The developed strategies can be adopted by cloud service providers wishing to improve the performance of their clouds. Several steps towards an efficient Se-aaS business model were performed. A mathematical model was development to assess the impact (of resource allocations) on scalability, QoE and elasticity. Regarding the clustering of mashup elements, a first mathematical model was developed for the selection of the best pre-calculated clusters of mashup elements (virtual Things), and then a second model is proposed for the best virtual Things to be built (non pre-calculated clusters). Its evaluation is done through heuristic algorithms having such model as a basis. Such models and algorithms were first developed for the case of mashups managed at the client side, and after they were extended for the case of mashups being managed at the cloud. For the improvement of these last results, a mathematical programming optimization model was developed that allows optimal clustering and resource allocation solutions to be obtained. Although this is a computationally difficult approach, the added value of this process is that the problem is rigorously outlined, and such knowledge is used as a guide in the development of better a heuristic algorithm.Esta tese contribui para o avanço tecnológico do modelo de Sensing as a Service (Se-aaS), baseado em infraestrutura cloud, através do desenvolvimento de modelos e algoritmos que resolvem o problema da alocação eficiente de recursos, melhorando os métodos e técnicas atuais e reduzindo os tempos associados `a transferência dos dados entre a cloud e os clientes, com o objetivo de melhorar a qualidade da experiência dos seus utilizadores. Os primeiros modelos e algoritmos desenvolvidos são adequados para o caso em que as mashups são geridas pela aplicação cliente, e posteriormente foram desenvolvidos modelos e algoritmos para o caso em que as mashups são geridas pela cloud. Isto implica ter de resolver múltiplos problemas: i) Construção de clusters de elementos de mashup compatíveis; ii) Atribuição de dispositivos físicos aos clusters, acabando um dispositivo físico por servir m´ múltiplas aplicações/mashups; iii) Redução da quantidade de transferência de dados entre os diversos locais da cloud, e consequentes atrasos, o que dependente dos clusters construídos, dos dispositivos atribuídos aos clusters e dos locais da cloud escolhidos para realizar o processamento necessário. As diferentes estratégias podem ser adotadas por fornecedores de serviço cloud que queiram melhorar o desempenho dos seus serviços.(…

Resource allocation model for sensor clouds under the sensing as a service paradigm

The Sensing as a Service is emerging as a new Internet of Things (IoT) business model for sensors and data sharing in the cloud. Under this paradigm, a resource allocation model for the assignment of both sensors and cloud resources to clients/applications is proposed. This model, contrarily to previous approaches, is adequate for emerging IoT Sensing as a Service business models supporting multi-sensing applications and mashups of Things in the cloud. A heuristic algorithm is also proposed having this model as a basis. Results show that the approach is able to incorporate strategies that lead to the allocation of fewer devices, while selecting the most adequate ones for application needs.FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) from Portugal within CEOT (Center for Electronic, Optoelectronic and Telecommunications) UID/MULTI/00631/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Allocation of resources in SAaaS Clouds managing thing mashups

The sensing and actuation as-a-service is an emerging business model to make sensors, actuators and data from the Internet of Things more attainable to everyday consumer. With the increase in the number of accessible Things, mashups can be created to combine services/data from one or multiple Things with services/data from virtual Web resources. These may involve complex tasks, with high computation requirements, and for this reason cloud infrastructures are envisaged as the most appropriate solution for storage and processing. This means that cloud-based services should be prepared to manage Thing mashups. Mashup management within the cloud allows not only the optimization of resources but also the reduction of the delay associated with data travel between client applications and the cloud. In this article, an optimization model is developed for the optimal allocation of resources in clouds under the sensing and actuation as-a-service paradigm. A heuristic algorithm is also proposed to quickly solve the problem.FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) from Portugal within CEOT (Center for Electronic, Optoelectronic and Telecommunications) [UID/MULTI/00631/2020]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sistema de informação integrado de apoio à gestão hospitalar

Dissertação de mest. em Gestão Empresarial, Faculdade de Economia, Univ. do Algarve, 2005No actual contexto dos Hospitais, S.A., os problemas da aquisição de informação, fiável e em tempo útil, para uma melhor e mais célere tomada de decisão, tornaram-se mais prementes e de preponderante importância. Os sistemas informação que actualmente funcionam nos Hospitais não estão preparados para dar resposta às novas necessidades criadas com os Hospitais/Empresa. É precisamente sobre estes problemas que incide o estudo desenvolvido nesta dissertação: o caso do Hospital do Barlavento Algarvio. S.A. Num primeiro momento e após uma caracterização dos sistemas de informação e do Hospital, é proposta uma avaliação dos sistemas de informação actuais, para aferir qual a informação que efectivamente pode beneficiar a tomada de decisão. Constatada a dificuldade de distribuir informação atempadamente aos órgãos decisores através de uma estrutura burocratizada e da existência de vários sistemas que não disponibilizam informação de gestão, procede-se à elaboração de um sistema de informação que integre os sistemas vitais em funcionamento no HBA, S.A. e que em tempo real possa distribuir a informação necessária para a tomada de decisão. Em resultado da elaboração do sistema de informação SIIAGH (Sistema de Informação Integrado de Apoio à Gestão Hospitalar), com base no estudo das necessidades expressas pelos órgãos gestores e das lacunas encontradas nos sistemas em funcionamento, disponibilizam-se indicadores de gestão (produtivos, económicos e financeiros, de qualidade e de recursos humanos), cruzando diversas variáveis de forma a produzir a informação pretendida para a melhor tomada de decisão.Nowadays in HospitaTs conlext, lhe acquisition problems of reliable information gathercd in time, for a better and faster judgemenl in lhe managemenl ol an organization. became much more important. The information systems in íunetion in lhe Hospital are not prepared lo answer to lhe new needs created wilh lhe Hospital s/I irms. It is precisely this subject that lhe sludy in this disscrtation is aboul, lhe case study ot lhe Hospital do Barlavento Algarvio, S.A. Firstly, followed by a characterization of the information systems and from the Hospital ilself, an evaluation of the Hospital information systems is proposcd, to eslablish the laek of information, and what information are crucial and useful for a managemenl dccision. Having recognized the structural difficulties in delivering on time the information lo the HospitaTs managemenl, and the existence of several inlormalion systems lhal doesn t producc managemenl inlormalion, it is proposcd the erealion of an information syslem that inlcgrate the vital systems that are functioning in the HBA, S.A. and in real time can effectivcly deliver lhe needed information for a managemenl decision. As a result of lhe erealion of the information systcm SIIAGH (Intcgrated Information System for the HospitaTs Management), based on the information needs expressed by the managemenl, and on lhe lack of information found in the HospitaTs working systems, the production of managemenl indicators such as HospitaTs production, HospitaTs economics e financial, HospitaTs qualily and human resources, result in a reliable information lo hclp for a better managemenl decision

Clínica e cirurgia de espécies pecuárias

O presente relatório, inerente ao estágio curricular do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária da Universidade de Évora, tem como objetivo descrever as atividades desenvolvidas durante o estágio na área da clínica e cirurgia de espécies pecuárias. A primeira parte do relatório consiste na descrição do local de estágio e na distribuição casuística das atividades acompanhadas. A segunda parte consiste numa revisão bibliográfica e no desenvolvimento de dois casos clínicos ocorridos em bovinos, relacionados com o tema, “necrobacilose hepática bovina” (NHB). A NHB é uma doença infecciosa de grande impacto económico, principalmente em explorações de bovinos de engorda intensiva. Carateriza-se pela formação de abcessos hepáticos, cujo agente etiológico primário é Fusobacterium necrophorum. É de difícil diagnóstico em vida, raramente demonstra sinais clínicos e o seu tratamento é pouco eficaz. A prevenção baseia-se na adição de antimicrobianos na alimentação, num correto maneio alimentar e eventualmente vacinação; Abstract: Medical and Surgical Pathology of livestock species The present report, inherent of the master in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Évora, aims to describe the activities carried out during the internship in the field of clinic and surgery of livestock species. The first part of the report is the description of the local of internship and the statistical distribution of activities. The second part consists of a literature review and the development of two clinical cases in cattle, related to the theme, “hepatic bovine necrobacillosis "(HBN). The HBN is an infectious disease of great economic impact, especially in feedlot cattle. It is characterized by the formation of liver abscesses, whose primary etiological agent is Fusobacterium necrophorum. It is difficult to diagnose in life, rarely show clinical signs and their treatment is ineffective. Prevention is based on the addition of antimicrobials in food, a correct feed management and eventually vaccination

Rare coding variants in PLCG2, ABI3, and TREM2 implicate microglial-mediated innate immunity in Alzheimer's disease

We identified rare coding variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in a 3-stage case-control study of 85,133 subjects. In stage 1, 34,174 samples were genotyped using a whole-exome microarray. In stage 2, we tested associated variants (P<1×10-4) in 35,962 independent samples using de novo genotyping and imputed genotypes. In stage 3, an additional 14,997 samples were used to test the most significant stage 2 associations (P<5×10-8) using imputed genotypes. We observed 3 novel genome-wide significant (GWS) AD associated non-synonymous variants; a protective variant in PLCG2 (rs72824905/p.P522R, P=5.38×10-10, OR=0.68, MAFcases=0.0059, MAFcontrols=0.0093), a risk variant in ABI3 (rs616338/p.S209F, P=4.56×10-10, OR=1.43, MAFcases=0.011, MAFcontrols=0.008), and a novel GWS variant in TREM2 (rs143332484/p.R62H, P=1.55×10-14, OR=1.67, MAFcases=0.0143, MAFcontrols=0.0089), a known AD susceptibility gene. These protein-coding changes are in genes highly expressed in microglia and highlight an immune-related protein-protein interaction network enriched for previously identified AD risk genes. These genetic findings provide additional evidence that the microglia-mediated innate immune response contributes directly to AD development

Discovery and functional prioritization of Parkinson's disease candidate genes from large-scale whole exome sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) has been successful in identifying genes that cause familial Parkinson's disease (PD). However, until now this approach has not been deployed to study large cohorts of unrelated participants. To discover rare PD susceptibility variants, we performed WES in 1148 unrelated cases and 503 control participants. Candidate genes were subsequently validated for functions relevant to PD based on parallel RNA-interference (RNAi) screens in human cell culture and Drosophila and C. elegans models. RESULTS: Assuming autosomal recessive inheritance, we identify 27 genes that have homozygous or compound heterozygous loss-of-function variants in PD cases. Definitive replication and confirmation of these findings were hindered by potential heterogeneity and by the rarity of the implicated alleles. We therefore looked for potential genetic interactions with established PD mechanisms. Following RNAi-mediated knockdown, 15 of the genes modulated mitochondrial dynamics in human neuronal cultures and four candidates enhanced α-synuclein-induced neurodegeneration in Drosophila. Based on complementary analyses in independent human datasets, five functionally validated genes-GPATCH2L, UHRF1BP1L, PTPRH, ARSB, and VPS13C-also showed evidence consistent with genetic replication. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating human genetic and functional evidence, we identify several PD susceptibility gene candidates for further investigation. Our approach highlights a powerful experimental strategy with broad applicability for future studies of disorders with complex genetic etiologies

A novel Alzheimer disease locus located near the gene encoding tau protein

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordAPOE ε4, the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD), may mask effects of other loci. We re-analyzed genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project (IGAP) Consortium in APOE ε4+ (10 352 cases and 9207 controls) and APOE ε4- (7184 cases and 26 968 controls) subgroups as well as in the total sample testing for interaction between a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and APOE ε4 status. Suggestive associations (P<1 × 10-4) in stage 1 were evaluated in an independent sample (stage 2) containing 4203 subjects (APOE ε4+: 1250 cases and 536 controls; APOE ε4-: 718 cases and 1699 controls). Among APOE ε4- subjects, novel genome-wide significant (GWS) association was observed with 17 SNPs (all between KANSL1 and LRRC37A on chromosome 17 near MAPT) in a meta-analysis of the stage 1 and stage 2 data sets (best SNP, rs2732703, P=5·8 × 10-9). Conditional analysis revealed that rs2732703 accounted for association signals in the entire 100-kilobase region that includes MAPT. Except for previously identified AD loci showing stronger association in APOE ε4+ subjects (CR1 and CLU) or APOE ε4- subjects (MS4A6A/MS4A4A/MS4A6E), no other SNPs were significantly associated with AD in a specific APOE genotype subgroup. In addition, the finding in the stage 1 sample that AD risk is significantly influenced by the interaction of APOE with rs1595014 in TMEM106B (P=1·6 × 10-7) is noteworthy, because TMEM106B variants have previously been associated with risk of frontotemporal dementia. Expression quantitative trait locus analysis revealed that rs113986870, one of the GWS SNPs near rs2732703, is significantly associated with four KANSL1 probes that target transcription of the first translated exon and an untranslated exon in hippocampus (P≤1.3 × 10-8), frontal cortex (P≤1.3 × 10-9) and temporal cortex (P≤1.2 × 10-11). Rs113986870 is also strongly associated with a MAPT probe that targets transcription of alternatively spliced exon 3 in frontal cortex (P=9.2 × 10-6) and temporal cortex (P=2.6 × 10-6). Our APOE-stratified GWAS is the first to show GWS association for AD with SNPs in the chromosome 17q21.31 region. Replication of this finding in independent samples is needed to verify that SNPs in this region have significantly stronger effects on AD risk in persons lacking APOE ε4 compared with persons carrying this allele, and if this is found to hold, further examination of this region and studies aimed at deciphering the mechanism(s) are warranted

Aplicação de filtros ativos multiníveis em sistemas elétricos de aeronaves em regime de frequência variável

Orientador: José Antenor PomilioDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de ComputaçãoResumo: Filtros Ativos de Potência Aeronáuticos (FAPA) são geralmente utilizados para melhoria da Qualidade da Energia em Sistemas Elétricos de Potência Aeronáuticos (SEPA). Os FAPA compensam os harmônicos de corrente, aumentam o fator de potência e minimizam os efeitos de cargas desbalanceadas. Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento, simulação e implementação de um FAPA pra um SEPA avançado de velocidade e frequência variável. O SEPA é muito diferente dos sistemas elétricos residenciais e industriais, nesses sistemas a frequência pode variar de 360 Hz a 800 Hz, além do mais a carga se reconfigura repetidamente. Deste modo, uma estratégia avançada de filtragem ativa é necessária para SEPAs, O FAPA proposto neste trabalho é composto por um inversor multinível do tipo cascata assimétrica, o algoritmo de controle é implementado utilizando a teoria da potência conservativa e a sincronia do FAPA com o SIPA é realizada por meio de um algoritmo PLL com filtro de Kalman. Um protótipo trifásico é implementado para validar ambos o FAPA e as simulaçõesAbstract: Aircraft Active Power Filters (AAPFs) are most commonly used to improve energy quality in Aircraft Electrical Power Systems (AEPS by means of mitigating current harmonics, improving the source power factor and minimizing the effects of unbalanced loads. This work presents the design, simulation and implementation of a Multilevel AAPF for a Variable Speed Variable Frequency (VSVF) advanced aircraft electric power system. The AEPS is very different than the residential and industrial power systems, in these systems, the frequency may vary between 360 Hz and 800 Hz, and the load dynamics is often modified. For aircraft purposes an enhanced filtering technique is required. The proposed AAPF topology is composed by an Asymmetrical Multilevel Inverter (AMI), controlled by the Conservative Power Theory (CPT) and synchronized by a Kalman Filter Phase-Locked Loop (KF-PLL). A three phase AAPF prototype was implemented in order to investigate the proper system operation and accurateness to the simulationsMestradoEnergia EletricaMestre em Engenharia Elétric