VisMashup: streamlining the creation of custom visualization applications

Journal ArticleVisualization is essential for understanding the increasing volumes of digital data. However, the process required to create insightful visualizations is involved and time consuming. Although several visualization tools are available, including tools with sophisticated visual interfaces, they are out of reach for users who have little or no knowledge of visualization techniques and/or who do not have programming expertise. In this paper, we propose VISMASHUP, a new framework for streamlining the creation of customized visualization applications. Because these applications can be customized for very specific tasks, they can hide much of the complexity in a visualization specification and make it easier for users to explore visualizations by manipulating a small set of parameters. We describe the framework and how it supports the various tasks a designer needs to carry out to develop an application, from mining and exploring a set of visualization specifications (pipelines), to the creation of simplified views of the pipelines, and the automatic generation of the application and its interface. We also describe the implementation of the system and demonstrate its use in two real application scenarios

Enabling advanced visualization tools in a web-based simulation monitoring system

Journal ArticleSimulations that require massive amounts of computing power and generate tens of terabytes of data are now part of the daily lives of scientists. Analyzing and visualizing the results of these simulations as they are computed can lead not only to early insights but also to useful knowledge that can be provided as feedback to the simulation, avoiding unnecessary use of computing power. Our work is aimed at making advanced visualization tools available to scientists in a user-friendly, web-based environment where they can be accessed anytime from anywhere. In the context of turbulent combustion for example, visualization is used to understand the coupling between turbulence and the turbulent mixing of scalars. Although isosurface generation is a useful technique in this scenario, computing and rendering isosurfaces one at a time is expensive and not particularly well-suited for such a web-based framework. In this paper we propose the use of a summary structure, called contour tree, that captures the topological structure of a scalar field and guides the user in identifying useful isosurfaces. We have also designed an interface which has been integrated with a web-based simulation monitoring system, that allows users to interact with and explore multiple isosurfaces

Marine benthic algae from Uruçuca, Bahia, Brazil.

Algas marinas bentónicas del municipio de Urupica, Bahia, Brasil.Key words. Bahia, Brasil, check-list, scaweeds.Palabras clave. Algas marinas, catálogo, Bahía, Brasil

Planejamento estratégico da Empresa UPP For Fashion

TCC (graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Sócio Econômico, Curso de Administração.Este trabalho não possui resumo

Curso para elaboração de projeto de pesquisa como proposta metodológica para a iniciação científica no contexto da educação profissional e tecnológica

The present work results of a master's research in education of the Program of Post Graduation in Professional and Technological Education (ProfEPT). The objective of this work was to offer a course for the elaboration of scientific research projects, intitled: “Research now”, given in such a way in the face to face modality how much online, searching, through questionnaires, to understand the importance of the research and the scientific initiation for the integral formation of the students of the Federal Institute of Tocantins (IFTO) - Palmas Campus. Therefore, intention research was carried through having invited the students to carry through the course, the application of the activity properly said, the evaluation of the results through comparison with the intended research, and the verification of the interest of these students after the activity. The course was structuralized in an accessible language to secondary education, in the light of the theory of the didactic transposition proposal for Yves Chevallard and of the guiding principles of the Professional and Technological Education (EPT). The proposal of education of “Research now” was applied to the entailed students to Integrated Secondary Education of the IFTO – Campus Palmas in accordance with the stages that compose a scientific research project. At the end of it, a comparative evaluation was carried out (before and after) to assess the students' perception of the proposed educational product and on the elaboration of the scientific research project after having known both more deeply. The applied methodology was quanti qualitative. The data were obtained through the use of questionnaires and analyzed by the categorization method. The research of intention in participating in the course for the elaboration of the research project identified the necessity of the students to be instigated to participate in research incentive programs. So that the learning could construct its proper projects, it was applied “Research now” to 60 students being that the construction of the projects was concluded by nineteen students in the face-to-face modality and eight in the online modality. As final considerations, emphasizes the importance of the entire academic community at the programs of incentive to the research in the on school scope is stood out it, given the reaction positive and familiar of the students after the application of the Educational Product. Overall, it was distinguished relevance of the paper of the teacher in the direction to develop didactic and methodological teaching proposals of education that instigate the students to the practical one of the research, since secondary education, requiring, for in such a way, autonomy, creativity and disciplines, characteristics that they need to be stimulated along the student path.O presente trabalho resulta de uma pesquisa de mestrado em ensino do Programa de Pós Graduação em Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (ProfEPT). O objetivo deste trabalho foi ofertar um curso para a elaboração de projetos de pesquisa científica, intitulado: “Pesquise já”, ministrado tanto na modalidade presencial quanto online, buscando, por meio de questionários, compreender a importância da pesquisa e da iniciação científica para a formação integral dos estudantes do Instituto Federal do Tocantins (IFTO) - Campus Palmas. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa de intenção convidando os estudantes a realizarem o curso, a aplicação da atividade propriamente dita, a avaliação dos resultados por meio de comparação com a pesquisa de intenção e a verificação do interesse desses estudantes após a atividade. O curso foi estruturado em uma linguagem acessível ao Ensino Médio, à luz da teoria da transposição didática proposta por Yves Chevallard e dos princípios norteadores da Educação Profissional e Tecnológica (EPT). A proposta de ensino do “Pesquise Já” foi aplicada aos estudantes vinculados ao Ensino Médio Integrado do IFTO – Campus Palmas de acordo com as etapas que compõem um projeto de pesquisa científica. Ao findá-la, realizou se uma avaliação comparativa (antes e depois) para aferir a percepção dos estudantes sobre o produto educacional proposto e sobre a elaboração de projetos de pesquisa científica após terem conhecido ambos mais profundamente. A metodologia aplicada foi de natureza quanti qualitativa. Os dados foram obtidos por meio da utilização de questionários e analisados pelo método da categorização. A pesquisa de intenção em participação no curso para elaboração de projeto de pesquisa identificou a necessidade de os estudantes serem instigados à participação de programas de incentivo à pesquisa. A fim de que os estudantes pudessem construir seus próprios projetos, aplicou-se o “Pesquise Já” a 60 estudantes sendo que a construção dos projetos foi concluída por dezenove estudantes na modalidade presencial e oito na modalidade online. Como considerações finais, ressalta-se a importância do envolvimento de toda comunidade acadêmica tendo em vista a reação positiva e familiarizada dos estudantes após a aplicação do Produto Educacional. Sobretudo, destacou-se a relevância do papel do docente no sentido de desenvolver propostas de ensino didáticas e metodológicas que instiguem os estudantes à prática da pesquisa, desde o Ensino Médio, requerendo, para tanto, autonomia, criatividade e disciplina, características que precisam ser estimuladas ao longo do percurso estudantil

Real-Time Human Pose Estimation on a Smart Walker using Convolutional Neural Networks

Rehabilitation is important to improve quality of life for mobility-impaired patients. Smart walkers are a commonly used solution that should embed automatic and objective tools for data-driven human-in-the-loop control and monitoring. However, present solutions focus on extracting few specific metrics from dedicated sensors with no unified full-body approach. We investigate a general, real-time, full-body pose estimation framework based on two RGB+D camera streams with non-overlapping views mounted on a smart walker equipment used in rehabilitation. Human keypoint estimation is performed using a two-stage neural network framework. The 2D-Stage implements a detection module that locates body keypoints in the 2D image frames. The 3D-Stage implements a regression module that lifts and relates the detected keypoints in both cameras to the 3D space relative to the walker. Model predictions are low-pass filtered to improve temporal consistency. A custom acquisition method was used to obtain a dataset, with 14 healthy subjects, used for training and evaluating the proposed framework offline, which was then deployed on the real walker equipment. An overall keypoint detection error of 3.73 pixels for the 2D-Stage and 44.05mm for the 3D-Stage were reported, with an inference time of 26.6ms when deployed on the constrained hardware of the walker. We present a novel approach to patient monitoring and data-driven human-in-the-loop control in the context of smart walkers. It is able to extract a complete and compact body representation in real-time and from inexpensive sensors, serving as a common base for downstream metrics extraction solutions, and Human-Robot interaction applications. Despite promising results, more data should be collected on users with impairments, to assess its performance as a rehabilitation tool in real-world scenarios.Comment: Accepted for publication in Expert Systems with Application

Diversidade e estrutura da comunidade lenhosa de uma restinga no litoral de Alcântara, Maranhão, Brasil

Although Maranhão State has the second longest coastline of Brazil, phytosociological studies are necessary to expand the knowledge of the restinga vegetation therein. Thus, the present study characterizes structural parameters of the woody component of a restinga in Alcântara city, west coast of Maranhão State. The phytosociological sampling included thirteen 100 m parallel transects, totaling 50 points. The inclusion criterion established for the species was perimeter at ground level ≥ 10 cm. We sampled 34 species, 26 genera, and 17 families, totaling 200 individuals. The species with the highest importance value (IV) were Guettarda angelica Mart. ex Müll.Arg., Anacardium occidentale L., Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Cenostigma bracteosum (Tul.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis, Fridericia sp., Eugenia stictopetala Mart. ex DC., and Mouriri guianensis Aubl. The average height of the specimens was 4.44 m, and the average diameter was 12.6 cm. The Shannon diversity index found in the restinga was 2.92 nat. ind-1, and Pielou’s evenness was 0.83. It is worth mentioning the presence of Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong and Manilkara bidentata (A.DC.) A.Chev, which are common species of the Cerrado and the Amazonian forest, respectively. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of diversity, generating data for the development of conservation studies, besides reinforcing the influence of the flora of neighboring ecosystems in the colonization of the restingas of Maranhão State.Apesar do Maranhão ser considerado o segundo maior litoral do país, estudos fitossociológicos são necessários para ampliar o conhecimento da vegetação das restingas do Estado. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os parâmetros estruturais do componente lenhoso de uma restinga no município de Alcântara, Maranhão. Para a amostragem fitossociológica foram instalados 13 transectos de 100 m paralelos, totalizando 50 pontos com critério de inclusão de espécies foi o Perímetro à Altura do Solo ≥ 10 cm. Foram amostradas 34 espécies, 26 gêneros e 17 famílias, em um total de 200 indivíduos. As espécies de maior valor de importância foram Guettarda angelica Mart. ex Müll.Arg., Anacardium occidentale L., Myrcia splendens (Sw.) DC., Cenostigma bracteosum (Tul.) E. Gagnon & G.P. Lewis, Fridericia Mart. sp., Eugenia stictopetala Mart. ex DC. e Mouriri guianensis Aubl. A altura média dos espécimes foi de 4,44 m e o diâmetro médio foi de 12,6 cm. O índice de diversidade de Shannon foi de 2,92 nat. ind-1 e a equabilidade de 0,83. Cabe ressaltar a presença de Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong e Manilkara bidentata (A.DC.) A.Chev., que são espécies comuns de áreas de Cerrado e de Floresta Amazônica, respectivamente. Os dados apresentados contribuem para o conhecimento da diversidade, gerando dados para o desenvolvimento de estudos direcionados a conservação, além de reforçar a influência da flora dos ecossistemas vizinhos na colonização das áreas de restinga do Maranhão

Estudo do desempenho motor grosso de lactentes com microcefalia por zika vírus

Introduction: In the year 2015, there was an increase in microcephaly cases in Brazil related to vertical transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV). Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome (SCZ) is characterized by microcephaly and several other symptoms, including altered neuromotor development. Children affected by them require monitoring by a multidisciplinary team in early intervention programs. Objectives: I) to characterize the gross motor performance of infants with microcephaly due to ZIKV infection, comparing it to infants without involvement; II) to identify opportunities for motor stimulation in the home environment; and III) to identify the impact of early intervention programs on the development of children with SCZ. Methods: The proposed methodology involved an observational, unpaired case-control study and a systematic literature review. In the case-control study, 40 infants with microcephaly due to ZIKV infection (GM) and 40 infants without microcephaly (CG), seen at public services in the states of Alagoas and Sergipe, participated. Maternal birth, gestational and sociodemographic data of the infants were collected, and the following tests were applied: Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development (AHEMD), and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Fisher's exact test for continuous variables, the t-test for independent samples, and univariable and multivariable linear regression were used for the analyses. An alpha value of 5% was adopted. SPSS v 21.0 was used. In the systematic review, studies were collected in October 2020 in the databases: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINHAL, using the MeSH terms "zika virus infection", "early educational intervention", "rehabilitation", "child development", "infant" and "child", as well as the corresponding synonyms/keywords. Results: In the case-control study, significant differences (p<0.001) between groups were evidenced for all dimensions of GMFM and AHEMD, with values always lower in GM. Level V of the GMFCS occurred in 85% of the infants with microcephaly due to ZIKV, considered the level of greatest motor impairment. The CG showed 190.5 points more than the GM (p<0.001) in the GMFM, and the "Group" model proved to be a good explanatory factor. Maternal sociodemographic data, such as income and residence, are the main determinants for AHEMD scores. In the systematic review, four studies were included, addressing the following early intervention programs: intensive physical therapy training with therapeutic dressing, a program based on the GAME protocol, and conventional multidisciplinary therapy. These studies evidenced impaired motor and cognitive development, stabilization or little improvement in motor skills and functional performance of children with SCZ, even after these interventions. The program based on the GAME protocol showed positive impacts on family participation in the care provided to infants with SCZ. Conclusion: Infants with microcephaly due to ZIKV showed severe impairment of gross motor development and low opportunities for motor stimulation in the home environment. In parallel, a lack of publications on early intervention programs for this population was identified. We foresee the need to develop new early intervention programs that provide positive impacts for the development of this population.Introdução: No ano de 2015, houve aumento dos casos de microcefalia no Brasil relacionados à transmissão vertical do Zika vírus (ZIKV). A Síndrome Congênita do Zika vírus (SCZ), caracteriza-se pela microcefalia e diversos outros sintomas, incluindo a alteração do desenvolvimento neuromotor. As crianças por elas acometidas necessitam de acompanhamento por equipe multiprofissional em programas de intervenção precoce. Objetivos: I) caracterizar o desempenho motor grosso de lactentes com microcefalia por infecção do ZIKV, comparando-o ao de lactentes sem acometimento; II) identificar as oportunidades de estimulação motora no ambiente domiciliar; e III) identificar o impacto de programas de intervenção precoce no desenvolvimento de crianças com SCZ. Métodos: A metodologia proposta envolveu um estudo observacional, do tipo caso-controle não-pareado, e uma revisão sistemática da literatura. No estudo caso-controle, participaram 40 lactentes com microcefalia por infecção do ZIKV (GM) e 40 lactentes sem microcefalia (GC), atendidos em serviços públicos dos estados de Alagoas e Sergipe. Foram coletados dados de nascimento dos lactentes, gestacionais e sociodemográficos maternos, e aplicados os testes: Medida da Função Motora Grossa (GMFM), Affordances no ambiente domiciliar para o desenvolvimento motor (AHEMD), e Sistema de Classificação da Função Motora Grossa (GMFCS). Para as análises foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher para variáveis contínuas, o teste “t” para amostras independentes, e regressão linear univariável e multivariável. Adotou-se um valor de alfa igual à 5%. Utilizou-se o SPSS v 21.0. Na revisão sistemática, os estudos foram coletados em outubro de 2020 nas bases de dados: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINHAL, utilizando os termos MeSH “zika virus infection”, “early educational intervention”, “rehabilitation”, “child development”, “infant” e “child”, além dos sinônimos/palavras-chave correspondentes. Resultados: No estudo caso-controle, diferenças significativas (p<0,001) entre os grupos foram evidenciadas para todas as dimensões do GMFM e do AHEMD, com valores sempre menores em GM. Nível V do GMFCS ocorreu em 85% dos lactentes com microcefalia por ZIKV, considerado o nível de maior comprometimento motor. O GC apresentou 190,5 pontos a mais que o GM (p<0,001) no GMFM, e o modelo “Grupo” mostrou-se ser um bom fator explicador. Os dados sociodemográficos maternos, como renda e residência, são os principais determinantes para pontuação no AHEMD. Na revisão sistemática foram incluídos quatro estudos que abordam os seguintes programas de intervenção precoce: treinamento intensivo fisioterapêutico com traje terapêutico, programa baseado no protocolo GAME, e terapia convencional multidisciplinar. Estes estudos evidenciaram comprometimento do desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo, estabilização ou pouca melhora nas habilidades motoras e desempenho funcional de crianças com SCZ, mesmo após essas intervenções. O programa baseado no protocolo GAME evidenciou impactos positivos sobre a participação da família no cuidado prestado aos lactentes com SCZ. Conclusão: Lactentes com microcefalia por ZIKV apresentaram grave comprometimento do desenvolvimento motor grosso e baixas oportunidades de estimulação motora no ambiente domiciliar. Paralelamente, identificou-se carência de publicações sobre programas de intervenção precoce para essa população. Vislumbra-se a necessidade de desenvolver novos programas de intervenção precoce que proporcionem impactos positivos para o desenvolvimento motor dessa população.Aracaj