Rozprawy doktorskie na temat „EPG graph”

Orientador : Dr. Antônio Ricardo Panizzi
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Entomologia). Defesa: Curitiba, 08/03/2017
Inclui referências ao final de cada capítulo
Área de concentração : Entomologia
Resumo: O comportamento alimentar de cinco espécies de percevejos pentatomídeos foi caracterizado em diferentes plantas hospedeiras por meio da técnica de EPG (Electrical Penetration Graph). Estudos histológicos foram realizados para correlacionar as ondas elétricas com seus locais de penetração. Os percevejos (Pentatomidae) são insetos robustos e ativos, e isso dificulta a sua fixação ao eletrodo em estudos com EPG. Além disso, os lipídios cuticulares podem reduzir a eficácia da fixação. Foi observado que a remoção dos lipídios cuticulares via raspagem da cutícula com uma lixa melhorou a fixação do eletrodo ao longo do tempo. O comportamento do percevejo parece ser mais importante para o sucesso da fixação do que o peso corporal. O comportamento alimentar dos percevejos avaliados foi dividido em dois tipos de atividades: de não-alimentação e de alimentação. O primeiro é representado pelas seguintes atividades: parado, movendo-se, tocando a superfície da planta com o rostro (labium) e oviposição. A segunda representa todas as atividades registradas após a inserção dos estiletes no tecido vegetal. E. meditabunda (F.) em haste de soja gerou seis diferentes formas de onda de alimentação agrupadas em quatro fases: inserção e penetração dos estiletes (onda Em1), onda X, ingestão (Em2 e Em3) e interrupção (Em4 e Em5). Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), alimentando-se em plantas de soja, produziu oito ondas de alimentação, as quais foram agrupadas em três fases: inserção e penetração dos estiletes (ondas Pg1a, Pg1b, Pg1c e Pg1d), ingestão (Pg2, Pg3a e Pg3b), e interrupção (onda Pg4). Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) em colmo de plântulas de milho produziu quatro ondas de alimentação agrupadas em duas fases: inserção e penetração dos estiletes (onda Dm1) e ingestão (Dm2, Dm3a e Dm3b). Dichelops furcatus (F.) em plantas de trigo produziu sete ondas de alimentação agrupadas em duas fases: inserção e penetração dos estiletes (ondas Df1a e Df1b) e ingestão (Df2, Df3a, Df3b, Df4a e Df4b). Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) alimentando-se em folhas de couve chinesa produziu duas ondas de alimentação agrupadas em uma única fase: ingestão (ondas Bh1 e Bh2). Para todas as espécies, a fase de inserção e penetração dos estiletes representou o movimento profundo dos estiletes nos tecidos e a secreção da bainha salivar, assim como a fase de interrupção que representou breves interrupções durante a ingestão no xilema e/ou floema. E. meditabunda ingeriu seiva do xilema (onda Em2) e do floema (Em3) na haste de soja. A ingestão do floema foi sempre precedida por uma onda X (representa o primeiro contato com os vasos do floema). E. meditabunda repetiu os eventos de ingestão (xilema e floema) mais de 4X por percevejo durante as 8 horas de gravação, com uma duração média de 50 min por evento. P. guildinii ingeriu seiva do xilema em folíolo, haste e vagem de soja (onda Pg2). Em vagens (endosperma da semente), seus estiletes também se moveram durante uma forma de onda (Pg3a) para romper as células (ruptura celular), e permaneceram imóveis em outra (Pg3b), a qual representa a ingestão. P. guildinii alimentando-se da haste de soja repetiu cada evento de ingestão 1,2X por percevejo por cerca de 40 min por evento. No endosperma da semente, alimentou-se durante cerca de 80 min por evento, cada evento repetido 0,5X por percevejo. D. melacanthus ingeriu seiva do xilema em colmo de milho (onda Dm2). Em outra forma de onda (Dm3a) seus estiletes moveram-se dentro do tecido vegetal (ruptura celular), mas estavam imóveis em outra (Dm3b), que representou ingestão. D. melacanthus repetiu cada evento de alimentação (xilema e ruptura celular) mais de 3X por percevejo por cerca de 24 min por evento. D. melacanthus quando alimentado com plântulas de milho, expeliu mais excretas (9,9 gotas por percevejo) e também maior quantidade de saliva e/ou alimento líquido regurgitado do que quando se alimentou de sementes de soja (1,4 gotas por percevejo). B. hilaris usa apenas a alimentação via ruptura celular em folha de couve chinesa, onde na onda Bh1 os estiletes moveram-se dentro do tecido foliar (ruptura celular), e a onda Bh2 provavelmente representou a atividade de ingestão. Independentemente do sinal aplicado (AC [corrente alternada] ou DC [corrente contínua]) e nível de impedância (107 ou 109 Ohms), B. hilaris passou a maior parte do tempo em atividades de não alimentação (87%) e apenas 13% em atividades alimentares. Alta voltagem associada com diferentes sinais elétricos e impedâncias de entrada foram mais perturbadores durante as atividades de não-alimentação do que em atividades de alimentação do percevejo B. hilaris. Estudos com EPG revelaram que uma ou até duas estratégias de alimentação diferentes são empregadas por um mesmo percevejo pentatomídeo, dependendo da espécie de percevejo e do sítio de alimentação explorado. Palavras chaves: Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, comportamento alimentar, monitor de alimentação eletrônica, gráfico de penetração elétrica, eletropenetrografia, metodologia de fixação de insetos
Abstract: The feeding behavior of five different species of pentatomids were characterized on different host plants via electronic monitoring using the EPG (Electrical Penetration Graph) technique. Histological studies were done to correlated specific waveforms with their penetration sites. Stink bugs (Pentatomidae) are robust and restless insects, making them difficult to wire for electropenetrography (EPG) studies. Moreover, cuticular lipids may reduce wire effectiveness. Results indicated that removal of cuticular lipids by sanding greatly improved attachment of the gold wire over time. Behavior appears to be more important for successful wiring than body weight. For all stink bug species evaluated the non-probing phase was represented by the following activities: standing still, walking, touching the plant surface with rostrum (labium), and egg deposition. Whereas, probing waveforms represented all activities recorded after the insertion of stylets into plant tissue. EPG of E. meditabunda on soybean stems generated six probing waveforms grouped into four phases: pathway (wave Em1), Xwave, ingestion (Em2 and Em3), and interruption (Em4 and Em5). For Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) feeding on soybean plants, eight probing waveforms were recorded and grouped into three phases: pathway (waves Pg1a, Pg1b, Pg1c, and Pg1d), ingestion (Pg2, Pg3a, and Pg3b), and interruption (Pg4). Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) on stem of maize seedlings produced four probing waveforms grouped into two phases: pathway (wave Dm1), and ingestion (Dm2, Dm3a and Dm3b). Dichelops furcatus (F.) on wheat plants produced seven probing waveforms grouped into two phases: pathway (waves Df1a and Df1b), and ingestion (Df2, Df3a, Df3b, Df4a and Df4b). Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) feeding on leaves of Napa cabbage produced two probing waveforms grouped in one phase: ingestion (Bh1 and Bh2). For all species, pathway phase represented deep stylet penetration e secretion of salivary sheath, as well as, interruption phase which represented brief interruptions during xylem/phloem ingestion. E. meditabunda ingested xylem (wave Em2) and phloem sap (Em3) on soybean stem, and phloem ingestion was always preceded by an X-wave (first contact with phloem vessels). E. meditabunda repeated ingestion (xylem and phloem) over 4X/bug during the 8-hours of recording for ca. 50 minutes/event. P. guildinii ingested xylem sap on soybean leaves, stems, and pods (Pg2); and on pods (seed endosperm), its stylets also moved/lacerated during one waveform (Pg3a - cell rupture), but were motionless in another (Pg3b), which represented ingestion. P. guildinii feeding on soybean stem repeated each ingestion 1.2X/bug for ca. 40 minutes/event. On seed endosperm, it fed for ca. 80 minutes/event, each event repeated only 0.5X/bug. D. melacanthus ingested xylem sap on maize stems (Dm2); in other waveform (Dm3a) its stylets moved/lacerated inside tissue (cell rupture), but were motionless in another (Dm3b), which represented ingestion. D. melacanthus repeated each feeding event (xylem and cell rupture) over 3X/bug for ca. 24 minutes/event. D. melacanthus feeding on maize seedling excreted more drops (9.9 drops/bug) and also larger amount of saliva/regurgitate liquid food than when feeding on soybean seed (1.4 drops/bug). B. hilaris uses only cell rupture feeding, where in waveform Bh1 the stylets moved/lacerated inside the leaf tissue (cell rupture), and waveform Bh2 probably represented ingestion. Independently of the signal (AC [alternating current] or DC [direct current]) and Ri level (107 or 109 Ohms) applied, B. hilaris spent most of the time in non-probing activities (87%), and only 13% in probing activities. High voltage associated with variable signals and input impedances were more disturbing during non-probing activities than during probing activities. EPG studies revealed that one or two different feeding strategies are used by a same pentatomid, depending upon species and feeding site exploited. Key words: Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, feeding behavior, electronic feeding monitor, electrical penetration graph, electropenetrography, insect wiring methodology

L'objectif global de cette thèse est d'étudier le phénomène de la propagation de l'activité électrique utérine par une approche basée sur la théorie de graphe. La première étape dans cette thèse est de trouver de nouveaux paramètres extraits des graphes qui conviennent pour représenter les évolutions physio-pathologiques de l'utérus. Ces paramètres seront testés directement sur les signaux EHG enregistrés au niveau de l'abdomen puis au niveau des sources identifiées à partir des EHG. Cette analyse sera appliquée sur le signal EHG i) globalement (en utilisant toute la contraction) et ii) dynamiquement (en utilisant des fenêtres temporelles dans la contraction pour caractériser à chaque fois le graphe correspondant). La deuxième étape sera de développer une nouvelle méthode basée sur les réseaux de neurones et de l'appliquer sur tous les paramètres déjà utilisés afin de sélectionner les meilleurs paramètres qui peuvent différencier les contractions de grossesse et de travail. Les résultats attendus seront utilisés à la fois pour enrichir les connaissances scientifiques dans ce domaine et pour essayer d'améliorer les performances de la prédiction de la prématurité chez les femmes
The overall objective of this thesis is to study the phenomenon of the propagation of uterine electrical activity by a approach based on graph theory. The first step in this thesis is to find new parameters extracted from the graphs which are suitable to represent the physio-pathological evolutions of the uterus. These parameters will be tested directly on th EHG signals recorded at the level of the abdomen then at the level of the sources identified from the EHGs. This analysis will be applied to the EHG signal i) globally (using the entire contraction) and ii) dynamically (using time windows in the contraction to characterize each time the corresponding graph). The second step will be to develop a new method based on neural networks and apply it on all the parameters already used in order to select the best parameters that can differentiate pregnancy and labor contractions. The expected results will be used both to enrich scientific knowledge in this field and to try to improve the performance of the prediction of prematurity in women

Orientador: Maria do Socorro Nogueira Rangel
Banca: Samuel Jurkiewicz
Banca: Cleonice Fátima Bracciali
Resumo: O objetivo desse trabalho é apresentar o problema de coloração em grafos sob diferentes perspectivas. Caracterizamos o polinômio cromático de um grafo e enunciamos algumas de suas propriedades. Apresentamos duas formulações matemáticas para o problema de coloração de vértices e um método de solução para cada formulação. Apresentamos e discutimos propostas de atividades para o desenvolvimento de uma Oficina de Coloração para alunos do Ensino Médio e Fundamental.
Abstract: In this work the graph coloring problem was presented under di erent perspectives. We define the chromatic polynomials of a graph and describe some of its properties. Furthermore, two solution methods for the vertex coloring problem, through integer programming formulation, has been presented. We propose and discuss some activities for the development of a Workshop for students of secondary school.
Mestre

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology
This study sought to prepare and characterise activated carbons from Vitis vinifera (grape) leaf litter, and assess the efficiency and potential application of the adsorbent for the removal of four phenolic compounds (phenol (P), 2-nitrophenol (2-NP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and 2-chlorophenol (2-CP)) from synthetic and industrial wastewaters. Vitis vinifera (grape) leaf litter (GL) was obtained locally, and washed, dried and pulvirized. Chemically activated carbons were prepared using H3PO4 (GLA) and NaOH (GLB). The adsorbents were characterized with SEM, FTIR, EDX and proximate analysis was also carried out. Phenols were extracted from water samples with SPE and analysed with HPLC. The prepared adsorbents were used in sorption of phenols from simulated phenolic wastewaters for optimization of adsorption. Optimal adsorption conditions were then applied for removal of phenols from wastewater samples collected from influents of treatment plants. Column and desorption studies were also carried out. The surface texture and morphology micrographs (using SEM) of the prepared materials/adsorbents showed that the prepared activated carbons possess improved pore structure, cavities and heterogeneous irregular surfaces capable of providing enhanced adsorption. EDX spectroscopy was used for elemental microanalysis and showed that the major constituent of the adsorbent is carbon. FTIR analysis revealed changes and absorption waveband drifts of surface functional groups after activation and adsorption. The proximate analysis of the prepared precursors demonstrated good quality of the active carbons. They had low moisture content (< 12%) and their inorganic matter content (ash) was less than 9% for the three sorbents. Iodine number value of the adsorbents was 342, 1065, and 571 mg/g for GL, GLA and GLB respectively. Excellent recoveries (92.60 – 102.85%) were obtained for the phenolic compounds (P, 2-NP, 4-NP and 2-CP) using polymeric SPE cartridges. Phosphoric acid activation yielded the most efficient activated carbon material relative to the non-treated biomass and those chemically activated with NaOH. Percentage removal was 92.70%, 99.92%, 99.98% and 99.90% for P, 2-NP, 4-NP and 2-CP respectively using GLA. Optimal pH for adsorption was 8, 4 and 7 for GLA, GLB and GL respectively at an equilibration time of 240 min. The evaluation of adsorption kinetics showed the adsorption process of GLA and GLB followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model while adsorption using GL was best described by intraparticle diffusion model. Adsorption equilibrium data were well fitted with Freundlich isotherm model for all three adsorbents. Adsorption capacity of GLA (for removal of phenols) was found to decrease with increase in temperature. In contrast, the sorption efficiency of GL and GLB increased when temperature was increased. Thermodynamic parameters of adsorption (ΔGo, ΔHo & ΔSo) were evaluated. Results revealed favourability and exothermic nature of adsorption of the phenols using GLA. Adsorption processes using GLB and GL were spontaneous and endothermic. Vitis vinifera leaf litter yielded good activated carbons and was effective in remediation of P, 2-NP, 4-NP and 2-CP from contaminated wastewaters.

L’accouchement prématuré est l’un des problèmes majeurs en obstétrique. Par suite, il a été un sujet d'intérêt pour de nombreux chercheurs. Parmi les nombreuses méthodes utilisées pour enregistrer la contractilité utérine, le plus utilisé est l'EHG abdominal, comme étant un outil facile à utiliser et non invasif. De nombreuses études ont indiqué que l'utilisation de ce signal pourrait être un outil très puissant pour surveiller la grossesse et pour détecter le travail. Il permet en effet d'accéder à l'utérus ainsi que la synchronisation de l'activité utérine, en utilisant des signaux multiples. Il a été démontré que l'analyse de connectivité des signaux EHG a donné des résultats prometteurs en application clinique, comme la classification des contractions de travail et de grossesse. Cependant, dans presque toutes les études antérieures, les matrices de corrélation EHG étaient souvent réduites en ne gardant que leur moyenne et les écarts-types, ce qui a peut aboutir à perdre des informations pertinentes en raison de ce moyennage, ce qui peut induire le taux de classification relativement faible jusqu'à présent. Pour caractériser précisément la matrice de corrélation et quantifier la connectivité associée, nous avons proposé dans cette thèse d'utiliser une technique de mesure de réseau basée sur la théorie des graphes. Selon cette approche, la matrice de corrélation obtenue peut être représentée sous forme de graphiques constitués d'un ensemble de nœuds (électrodes) interconnectés par des arêtes (valeurs de connectivité / corrélation entre électrodes). La nouvelle procédure de l'analyse des signaux EHG enregistrés pendant la grossesse et le travail se base sur la caractérisation de la corrélation entre les activités électriques utérines et sur sa quantification précise en utilisant l'approche de la théorie des graphes. Le pipeline de traitement inclut i) l'estimation des dépendances statistiques entre les différents signaux EHG enregistrés, ii) la quantification des matrices de connectivité obtenues à l'aide de l'analyse théorique des graphes et iii) l'utilisation clinique des mesures de réseau pour la surveillance de la grossesse ainsi que la classification entre les éclosions d'EHG de grossesse et de travail. Une comparaison avec les paramètres déjà existants utilisés pour la détection du travail et la détection d’accouchement prématuré sera également effectuée. Nous étudions également une nouvelle méthode pour étudier la connectivité source EHG, afin de surmonter le problème du calcul de la connectivité au niveau de la surface abdominale. Les résultats de cette thèse montrent que cette approche basée sur la théorie de graphe est un outil très prometteur pour quantifier la synchronisation utérine, lorsqu'elle est appliquée à l'abdomen, pour une meilleure surveillance de la grossesse. Nous espérons que cette approche soit utilisée pour le suivi de la grossesse et contribuerait ainsi à la prédiction précoce de l’accouchement prématuré
Preterm birth remains a major problem in obstetrics. Therefore, it has been a topic of interest for many researchers. Among the many methods used to record the uterine contractility, the most used is the abdominal EHG, as being an easy to use and a non-invasive tool. Many studies have reported that the use of this signal could be a very powerful tool to monitor pregnancy and to detect labor. It indeed permits to access the uterine as well as the synchronization of the uterine activity, by using multiple signals. It has been shown that the connectivity analysis gave promising results when using EHG recordings in clinical application, such as the classification labor/pregnancy contractions. However, in almost all previous studies EHG correlation matrices were often reduced keeping only their mean and standard deviations thus relevant information may have been missed due to this averaging, which may induce the relatively low classification rate reported so far. To characterize precisely the correlation matrix and quantify the associated connectivity, we proposed in this thesis to use a network measure technique based on graph theory. According to this approach, the obtained correlation matrix can be represented as graphs consisting of a set of nodes (electrodes) interconnected by edges (connectivity/correlation values between electrodes). The new framework, to analyze the EHG signals recorded during pregnancy and labor, is based on the characterization of the correlation between the uterine electrical activities and on its precise quantification by using graph theory approach. The processing pipeline includes i) the estimation of the statistical dependencies between the different recorded EHG signals, ii) the quantification of the obtained connectivity matrices using graph theory-based analysis and iii) the clinical use of network measures for pregnancy monitoring as well as for the classification between pregnancy and labor EHG bursts. A comparison with the already existing parameters used in the state of the art for labor detection and preterm labor prediction will also be performed. We also investigate a new method to study the EHG source connectivity, to overcome the problem of computing the connectivity at the abdominal surface level. The results of this thesis showed that this network-based approach is a very promising tool to quantify uterine synchronization, when applied at the abdominal level, for a better pregnancy monitoring. We expect this approach to be further used for the monitoring of pregnancy and would thus help for the early prediction of preterm labor

Orientador: Auro aparecido Mendes
Banca: Silvia Guarnieri Ortigoza
Banca: Odaléia Telles Marcondes Machado Queiroz
Resumo: Os estudos dos diferentes modelos de aglomerações produtivas, seja na forma de pólos, distritos, clusters ou APL's (Arranjos Produtivos Locais) devem ser realizados a partir da análise estrutural de suas cadeias produtivas e da compreensão dos processos sociais responsáveis pela promoção das estratégias produtivas e organizacionais. No meio rural, encontramos condições muito significativas para a caracterização de Arranjos Produtivos, onde a proximidade geográfica dos empreendimentos é capaz de intensificar as trocas de saberes e informações, fortalecidas pela presença da solidariedade orgânica, fundamentada nas relações de parentesco e de vizinhança. Esses questionamentos serão discutidos na presente pesquisa, que busca o entendimento do modelo de organização produtiva dos pequenos e médios viticultores do município de Jundiaí-SP, que acenam para um modelo de desenvolvimento endógeno pautado nos aspectos da ruralidade.
Abstract: The studies of the different models of productive agglomerations, either in the form of polar regions, districts, clusters or APL's (Local Productive Arrangements), must be realized from the course of the structural analysis of its productive chains and the apprehension of the social processes that are responsable in promote productive organization strategies. In the rural areas, we can see some main characteristics for the conceptualization of these enterprises, such are considered as geographic concentratation that improve the exchanges of knowledge and information, with cooperation and local leadership in some cases based on description-cultural relations. These questionings will be argued in the present research, that searches the agreement of the model of productive organization of small the average grape producers of the city of Jundiai-SP, that are creating an endogenous and supported development, based on the local and rural aspects.
Mestre

Resumo: Neste trabalho estudou-se a influência de pré-tratamentos químicos, com emulsões a base de óleo e lecitina de soja e carbonato de potássio, sobre a cinética de secagem da uva Rubi. A secagem foi conduzida em um secador de leito fixo, à temperatura fixa de 60ºC, velocidade de ar de 0,9 m/s e umidade relativa do ar de secagem do ambiente na faixa de 18 a 20 %. A umidade inicial das amostras de uva Rubi variou entre 81 a 84% (base seca) e o conteúdo de sólidos solúveis ficou em torno de 11o Brix. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar um pré-tratamento alternativo a base de lecitina e óleo de soja na cinética de secagem da uva Rubi, otimizando as concentrações dessas substâncias de modo a minimizar o tempo de secagem. Foram calculados os coeficientes de difusividade aparente a partir do ajuste dos dados experimentais de secagem pela solução analítica da 2a Lei de Fick para uma esfera. A desconsideração do encolhimento da fruta levou ao péssimo ajuste dos dados pela 2a Lei de Fick. As curvas de secagem foram ajustadas pelo modelo de Page. A avaliação deste modelo foi feita pelo cálculo do R2 (> 0,99) e do RMS (< 30%). Este ajuste representou satisfatoriamente os dados experimentais às curvas. A cinética de secagem foi avaliada pela análise estatística dos efeitos das condições do pré-tratamento químico - tempo de imersão da uva e concentração de lecitina, carbonato de potássio e óleo de soja nas emulsões - sobre o parâmetro K do modelo de Page. Observou-se que o tempo de imersão e suas interações com as concentrações dos componentes em estudo não foram significativos no nível de 5%. Quando todos os componentes são empregados nas máximas e mínimas concentrações testadas, mesmo para o mínimo tempo de imersão (3 minutos), há um aumento no valor do parâmetro K, o qual está diretamente ligado... Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The influence of pretreatments of emulsions of lecithin, soya oil and potassium carbonate on drying kinetic of grape Rubi was studied in this work. The drying was carried out in a fixed bed dryer, at 60ºC, air velocity of 0,9 m/s and relative humidity of drying air in range from 18 to 20%. The initial moisture varied from 81 to 84% and soluble solids content was 11º Brix. The objective was to study an alternative pretreatment with lecithin, soya oil and potassium carbonate, optimizing the concentration of these substances with the aim of decrease the drying time. The apparent diffusion coefficients were calculated by the adjustment of the experimental data of drying by the analytical solution of the second Fick's Law for a spherical geometry. The fruit shrinkage wasn't taken in consideration. These carried out the bad adjustment of data by the second Fick's Law. The drying curves were adjustment by Page's model. The evaluation was goodness fit was shown through the analysis of the coefficient of determination (R2 > 0,99) and RMS (< 30%). This adjustment was good. The drying kinetics was valued through the statistical analysis of chemical pretreatment effects - dipping time of grape and concentration of lecithin, potassium carbonate and soya oil - on the parameter k of Page's model. It was checked that dipping time and their interactions with the concentrations of the components in study were not significant in the level of 5%. When all components are spent in maximum and minimum concentration tested, even for the minimum dipping time (3 minutes), there is an increase in value of parameter K, which is straight into to the drying rate and reduction of drying time. The equilibrium moisture used in the calculation of adimensional for drying curves was obtained by isotherms data of Rubi grape without... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Orientador: Javier Telis Romero
Coorientador: Vânia Regina Nicoletti Telis
Banca: José Roberto Dalalíbera Finzer
Banca: José Antônio Gomes Vieira
Mestre

Orientador: Rogério Lopes Vieites
Banca: Regina Marta Evangelista
Banca: Ricardo Alfredo Kluge
Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliar o uso da radiação gama e o emprego da atmosfera modificada na conservação pós-colheita de uvas Itália, verificando também a sua viabilidade econômica. Foram utilizadas nessa pesquisa uvas Itália, sendo provenientes de parreirais comerciais da colônia Pinhal da região de São Miguel Arcanjo - SP. A colheita foi realizada com os frutos em completo desenvolvimento fisiológico e, posteriormente, os cachos foram transportadas ao Laboratório de Frutas e Hortaliças, pertencente ao Departamento de Gestão e Tecnologia Agroindustrial, da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas - UNESP - Campus de Botucatu, SP. Para melhor quantificar o efeito isolado da irradiação e o efeito combinado com a atmosfera modificada, na conservação pós-colheita da uva, o presente trabalho foi dividido em dois experimentos. Foram realizadas as seguintes análises: perda de massa fresca, índice de doença, desgrana natural, bagas rachadas, avaliação da conservação pós-colheita das frutas em função da sua qualidade comercial, firmeza, pH, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez titulável, Ratio, respiração, açúcar total, açúcar redutor, sacarose, aroma, textura e sabor. Os tratamentos a que os cachos foram submetidos no primeiro experimento visando quantificar o efeito isolado da irradiação foram: 0,0 (testemunha); 0,2; 0,4; 0,6; 0,8 e 1,0 kGy, onde as uvas, colocadas em bandejas fechadas com filme plástico, receberam a aplicação de raios gama. Após os tratamentos, os cachos foram transportados a Botucatu, onde foram armazenados sob refrigeração, a 5l1ººC e 85 - 90% de UR, em câmara fria, por 28 dias. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado, sendo 6 tratamentos e 7 repetições, utilizando análise de regressão. Os tratamentos a que os cachos foram submetidos no segundo experimento visando quantificar o efeito... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The objective of this work consisted of evaluating the use of the gamma radiation and the use of modified atmosphere in the postharvest conservation of Itália grapes, verifying economical viability. Itália grapes were used in this research, being coming of an area of São Miguel Arcanjo - SP colony Pinhal. The harvest was accomplished with the fruit in complete physiologic development and, later, the clusters were transported to the of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory, belonging to the Administration and Agroindustrial Technology Department, of University of Agronomic Sciences - UNESP - Campus of Botucatu, SP. For a best to quantifification of the isolated effect of the irradiation and the combined effect with the modified atmosphere, in the grape postharvest conservation, the present research was divided in two experiments. Being accomplished the following analyses: mass loss, index of disease, natural shatter, split berries, evaluation of fruits postharvest conservation in function of commercial quality, firmness, pH, total soluble solids, titrable acidity, Ratio, breathing, total sugar, reducer sugar, sucrose, aroma, texture and flavor. The treatments which the clusters were submitted in the first experiment seeking to quantify the isolated effect of the irradiation were: 0.0 (control); 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8 and 1.0 kGy, where the grapes, put in closed trays with plastic film received gamma rays application. After the treatments, the clusters were transported to Botucatu, where they were stored under cooling, to 5l1ºC and 85 - 90% RH, in cold chamber, during 28 days. The statistical layout was randomized entirely, being 6 treatments and 7 repetitions, using regression analysis. The treatments which the clusters were submitted in the second experiment seeking to quantify the combined effect of the best irradiation dose... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

Orientador: Erasmo José Paioli Pires
Resumo: tratamentos. Em todos os experimentos o delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com 6 repetições e 2 cachos por parcela. A coleta dos cachos foi realizada quando o tratamento testemunha atingiu teor de sólidos solúveis totais mínimo de 14ºBrix. Para cada cacho foram avaliados: massa, comprimento e largura dos cachos, bagos e engaços; relação comprimento/largura dos bagos; número de bagos e número de sementes por bago. Para cada parcela foram realizadas análises de teor de sólidos solúveis totais, acidez total titulável e pH do mosto de 100 bagos. Pelos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que para o cultivar Vênus, o thidiazuron apresentou como principal efeito o aumento do número de bagos. O ácido giberélico, quando aplicado após o florescimento, aumentou a massa dos cachos; a massa e o comprimento dos bagos; e reduziu o número de sementes-traço. Os maiores aumentos das dimensões dos bagos foram obtidos quando realizaram-se duas aplicações. Houve efeito sinérgico entre ácido giberélico e thidiazuron, em aplicações pós-florescimento, incrementando a massa, o comprimento e o número dos bagos. Os melhores resultados, em aplicações combinadas, foram verificados quando realizaram-se duas aplicações de ácido giberélico, com thidiazuron na dose de 5mg.L-1. O thidiazuron, em aplicações pósflorescimento, reduziu o teor de sólidos solúveis totais, principalmente quando associado ao ácido giberélico. Para o cultivar Centennial Seedless, os melhores resultados, foram verificados para aplicações de thidiazuron 10mg.L-1 ou ácido giberélico 30mg.L-1, aos 14 dias após o florescimento, levando ao aumento da massa dos cachos; da massa e largura dos bagos; e da massa dos engaços. Para este cultivar, o thidiazuron também reduziu o teor de sólidos...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: With the objective of studying the effects of thidiazuron and gibberellic acid on the cluster characteristics of the vine cultivars Venus, Centennial Seedless and Niagara Rosada, three experiments were carried out, for each cultivar, in commercial vineyards at different regions of São Paulo State. For the first trial, carried out in 1999, thidiazuron at 5 or 10mg.L-1 and gibberellic acid were applied, associated or not, with all possible combinations of three development stages: before bloom, at full bloom and 14 days after full bloom, totalizing 36 treatments. The following doses of gibberellic acid were applied: 40mg.L-1 for Venus cultivar, 30mg.L-1 for Centennial Seedless cultivar, and 100mg.L-1 for Niagara Rosada cultivar. In the second trial, carried out in 2000, the growth regulators doses were the same of those in the first one, excepted that of GA3 for Niagara Rosada cultivar that was 35mg.L-1. The applications were done 14, 21 and 28 days after full bloom, with all combinations of the three epochs...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)
Doutor

Orientador: João Domingos Rodrigues
Banca: Sarita Leonel
Banca: Elizabeth Orika Ono
Banca: Manuel Abilio de Queiroz
Banca: Teresinha Costa Silveira de Albuquerque
Resumo: O Brasil possui vantagens competitivas que, no caso da uva, se resumem na possibilidade de produção e exportação da fruta durante alguns meses, quase sem concorrência. Porém, alguns fatores têm limitado a expansão do cultivo para áreas tropicais, como por exemplo, a baixa produtividade de cultivares pouco adaptados. Assim, este projeto de pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar o efeito da aplicação de novos produtos visando uniformizar a brotação e aumentar a produtividade e a qualidade de bagas do cultivar de uva sem sementes Superior Seedless. Os experimentos foram conduzidos na Fazenda Koshiyama, localizada no município de Juazeiro/BA, no período de 15/05 a 21/09/2006. Com a finalidade de avaliar o efeito do biorregulador Stimulate® (0,009% de cinetina (citocinina), 0,005% de ácido giberélico (GA3), 0,005% de ácido indolilbutírico (IBA-auxina) e 99,981% de ingredientes inertes) e de X-Cyte® (0,04% de cinetina (citocinina) e 99,96% de ingredientes inertes) na uniformidade de brotação e dos biorreguladores Stimulate®, X-Cyte® e N-Large® (4% de ácido giberélico (GA3) e 96% de ingredientes inertes) no desenvolvimento das bagas, foram conduzidos três experimentos. Experimento 1: T1: Dormex® (5%); T2: Dormex® (5%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T3: Stimulate® (0,5%); T4: Stimulate® (0,5%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T5:Stimulate® (1,0%); T6: Stimulate® (1,0%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T7: X-Cyte® (0,25%); T8: XCyte ® (0,25%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T9: X-Cyte® (0,50%); T10: X-Cyte® (0,50%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T11: X-Cyte® (0,25%) + Stimulate® (0,5%) e; T12: X-Cyte® (0,25%) + Stimulate® (0,5%) + Nitro Plus 9®. Experimento 2: T1: Pro-Gibb®; T2: Stimulate® (Dose 1); T3: Stimulate® (Dose 2); T4: Stimulate® (Dose 3); T5: Pro-Gibb® + X-Cyte® (Dose Baixa - DB); T6: Pro-Gibb® + X-Cyte® (Dose Média - DM); T7: Pro-Gibb® + X-Cyte®... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Brazil has some competitive advantages in grape production, specially harvesting all-year-around in almost the whole of the country. Therefore, Brazilian fruits can be exported for a few months practically without international competition. However, some factors have been limiting grape growing expansion in tropical areas. For example, low yields of less adapted cultivars. The field trials of this work were performed between May 15th and September 21st 2006, at Koshiyama farm, in Juazeiro municipality (Bahia State / Northeastern Brazil). The main goal was to analyze the effect of new commercial products intended to uniformizar sprouting, increasing yields and berry quality for Superior Seedless grapes. It was evaluated the effect of the following bioregulators in sprouting uniformity: Stimulate® (0,009% de kinetin (cytokinin), 0,005% of gibberellic acid (GA3), 0,005% indolbutiric acid (IBA-auxin); 99,981% of inert ingredients); X-Cyte® (0,04% kinetin (cytokinin) and 99,96% of inert ingredients). Three field trials were also performed, to verify the effect of Stimulate®, X-Cyte® e N-Large® (4% gibberellic acid (GA3) and 96% inert ingredients) on berry development: Trial 1: T1: Dormex® (5%); T2: Dormex® (5%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T3: Stimulate® (0,5%); T4: Stimulate® (0,5%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T5: Stimulate® (1,0%); T6: Stimulate® (1,0%)+ Nitro Plus 9®; T7: X-Cyte® (0,25%); T8: X-Cyte® (0,25%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T9: X-Cyte® (0,50%); T10: X-Cyte® (0,50%) + Nitro Plus 9®; T11: X-Cyte® (0,25%) + Stimulate® (0,5%)e; T12: X-Cyte® (0,25%) + Stimulate® (0,5%) + Nitro Plus 9®. Trial 2: T1: Pro-Gibb®; T2: Stimulate® (Dose 1); T3: Stimulate® (Dose 2); T4: Stimulate® (Dose 3); T5: Pro-Gibb® + XCyte ® (Low Dose - DB); T6: Pro-Gibb® + X-Cyte® (Intermediate Dose- DM); T7: Pro-Gibb® + X-Cyte® (High Dose- DA); T8: N-Large®; T9: N-Large® + X-Cyte® (DB); T10: N-Large®... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

Orientador: Luís Henrique Bassoi
Banca: Sarita Leonel
Banca: Antonio Odair Santos
Resumo: A irrigação é uma prática importante no cultivo de espécies frutíferas no Semiárido brasileiro, devido à precipitação pluvial com baixa magnitude, distribuição temporal irregular e insuficiente para atender a demanda hídrica das culturas agrícolas. Assim, o presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes manejos de irrigação na videira de vinho cv. Syrah/1103P, no comportamento ecofisiológico da cultura e em seus aspectos quantitativos e qualitativos da produção de uvas. O experimento foi conduzido na Embrapa Semiárido, em Petrolina - PE, durante o primeiro ciclo de produção da cultura (13 de abril a 6 de agosto de 2010). O espaçamento da cultura foi de 3m entre linhas de plantas e 1 m entre plantas. O sistema de irrigação utilizado foi o de gotejamento, com emissores espaçados a 0,5 m na linha de plantio com vazão de 2,5 Lh-1. O delineamento estatístico foi o de blocos casualizados, com 4 repetições e 3 tratamentos: irrigação plena (IP) - irrigação durante todo o ciclo da cultura; irrigação deficitária (ID) - interrupção da irrigação a partir dos 45 dias após a poda de produção (dapp) até a colheita; e irrigação com déficit controlado (IDC) - interrupção da irrigação aos 45 dapp e irrigações eventuais para o aumento da umidade do solo na profundidade efetiva do sistema radicular (0,6 m). O manejo da irrigação foi baseado na evapotranspiração da cultura (ETc) estimada pela relação entre a evapotranspiração de referência (ETo) e coeficientes da cultura (Kc). A partir de 45 dapp e até a colheita (115 dapp), a umidade do solo até a profundidade de 1,20 m foi menor nos tratamentos IDC e ID em relação ao tratamento IP
Abstract: Irrigation is important practice in the fruit crop growing in the Brazilian Semiarid region, due to low magnitude raintall, with irregular time distribuition, which is not enough to supply water demand by plants. Hence, a research work was designed to evoluate the effects of different irrigation schedulings on wine grapevine, particularly on plant ecophysiological behavior and yield. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Tropical Semi-Arid, in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, during the first crop growing season (April 13 to August 6, 2010) of grapevine cv. Syrah grafted on Paulsen 1103 rootstock, planted on grid spacing of 3 m between rows and 1m between plants. Drip irrigation system was used with 2.5 L.h-1 flow emitter spaced in 0.5 m. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, with 4 replications and 3 irrigation treatments: full irrigation (FI) - irrigation throuhgtout the entire growing season; deficit irrigation (DI) - water application interrupted since 45 days after pruning (dap) until harvest; e regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) - irrigation interrupted since 45 dapp but occasionally performed to increase soil water storage in the effective root zone (0,6 m depth). Irrigation scheduling was performed based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc), which was estinated by the relationship between reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and crop coefficients (Kc). Soil water content at 1.2 m depth from 45 dap to 115 dap (harvest), was lower in DI and RDI treatments, when compared with FI treatment. Higher pre-daw leaf water potential values were found in RDI treatment at 56 dap (-4.2 MPa), and in DI treatment at 99 dap (-5 MPa)
Mestre

Orientador: Thiago de Melo
Banca: Elíris Cristina Rizziolli
Banca: Luiz Roberto Hartmann Junior
Resumo: Neste trabalho estudamos a Teoria de Grafos e a aplicamos na solução de alguns problemas clássicos, como por exemplo O Problema das Pontes de Königsberg, O Problema do Caixeiro Viajante, Classificação dos Poliedros Regulares e Coloração de Mapas. As ferramentas básicas foram Topologia Geral e Álgebra
Abstract: In this work we study Graph Theory and we apply it in the solution of some classical problems, for example Königsberg Bridges Problem, Travelling Salesman Problem, Classification of Regular Polyhedra and Map Coloring. The prerequisites are General Topology and Algebra
Mestre

The determination of anthocyanins in red grapes and wines has been of increasing interest in the last years, as they play an important role in colour quality of red wines revealing also many human health beneficial effects. They contribute e.g. to the reduction of coronary heart disease, but exhibit also antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties. In this doctoral thesis, the complex study of grape skin alcoholic and water extracts, prepared from Alibernet and St. Laurent wine grape varieties is presented. Extracts were prepared from three different amounts (0,5; 1,0 and 1,5 g) of lyophilized grape skin powder using the Pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) and the Pressurized Hot Water Extraction (PHWE) at different temperatures ranging from 40 up to 120°C and pressure of 15 MPa. Methanol, ethanol and water were used as a solvents. Total phenolic compound content (TPC) of individual extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau assay and their tristimulus color values (CIE Lab) were estimated, using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The identification and quantification of anthocyanins by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was performed. In addition, pH values of all extracts were also measured using the combinated glass electrode. Antioxidant activity of extracts was tested by EPR spectroscopy in Fenton system (H2O2/Fe2+) generating reactive radicals (•OH, O2-•, •CH3) followed by spin trapping technique, using 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as spin trap. In addition, radical scavenging activity of extracts was assessed applying 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (•DPPH) free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) cation radical (ABTS•+) assays. All the experimental data were processed with principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) to specify the optimum extraction conditions for extract preparation from the perspective of the potential further application of the extracts as food supplements or food colour enhancers. The results indicated that grape skins of both varieties are a promising source of anthocyanins with prospective application in food industry.

Orientador: Erasmo José Paioli Pires
Banca: Sarita Leonel
Banca: Aparecida Conceição Boliani
Banca: Maurilo Monteiro Terra
Banca: Marco Antonio Tecchio
Resumo: O experimento foi conduzido em um vinhedo comercial de uva 'Benitaka' com oito anos de idade, localizado no município de Jales-SP, durante o período de novembro de 2003 a outubro de 2004, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de métodos para a renovação das plantas de uva cv. Benitaka. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação entre dois tipos de poda; e quatro formas de adubação orgânica a saber: 50 litros de esterco de curral; 25 litros de esterco de curral mais 10 kg de esterco de galinha, 15 kg de esterco de galinha e o controle sem esterco O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2x4. As características avaliadas foram: número de ramos na formação; massa verde da parte aérea (g); número total de gemas por planta após a poda de produção; número total de brotos por planta após a brotação; porcentagem de gemas brotadas com cachos; número de gemas por ramo na poda de produção, que representa o comprimento de poda dos ramos; número de cachos por planta; comprimento dos cachos (cm); largura dos cachos (cm); massa de cachos (g); produção por planta (kg); massa de bagos (g); sólidos solúveis totais ºBrix e acidez total titulável. Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos permitiram a renovação das plantas.
Abstract: The experiment was carried in a commercial vineyard of grape 'Benitaka' with eigth years age, located in Jales-SP, Brazil, during the period of November of 2003 to October of 2004, with the objective to evaluate the effect of methods for the renewalof the plants of grape cv. Benitaka. The treatments had consisted of the combination enter two types of pruning and four forms of organic fertilization (without application, 50 liters of manure of corral; 25 liters of manure of corral more 10 kg of manure of 15 hen and finally kg of manure of hen) number of branches in the formation; green mass of the aerial part (g); total yolk number for plant after the pruning of production; total number of sprouts for plant after the bud breaking; yolk percentage sprouted with clusters; yolk number for branch in the pruning of production, that it represents the length of pruning of the branches; number of clusters for plant; length of the clusters (cm); width of the clusters (cm); mass of clusters (g); production for plant (kg); solid soluble totals ºBrix and total titulable acidity. The results they had shown that the treatments had allowed the renewal of the plants.
Doutor

Orientador: Elson Luciano Silva Pires
Banca: Bernadete Aparecida Caprioglio de Castro Oliveira
Banca: Claudete de Castro Silva Vitte
Resumo: A presente pesquisa busca avaliar a territorialização do processo recente de revitalização da cadeia vitivinícola do estado de São Paulo por meio da análise das ações conjuntas empreendidas pelas instituições e organizações envolvidas, do papel dos atores sociais e da regulação do setor. Tem o intuito de investigar os mecanismos de implantação e gestão da coordenação territorial dos agentes envolvidos na cadeia produtiva do setor e o projeto de desenvolvimento local/regional implícito. Tem como foco os quatro municípios que fazem parte do programa "Pró-Vinho", (Jarinu, Jundiaí, São Miguel Arcanjo e São Roque) e que compõe a Câmara Setorial Especial da Uva e Vinho do estado de São Paulo. Nesta perspectiva, deve-se analisar a densidade das aglomerações produtivas e as estratégias recentes que podem promover o desenvolvimento territorial/local e regional, focando o período 1994-2009
Abstract: This research seeks to evaluate the regionalization of the recent process of revitalization of the chain's wine São Paulo state by analyzing the joint actions undertaken by the institutions and organizations involved, the role of social actors and regulation the sector. Aims to investigate the mechanisms for implementing and managing the coordination of local actors involved in the production chain and design of local / regional development implied. Focuses on the four municipalities that are part of the "Pró-Vinho", (Jarinu, Jundiaí, São Miguel Arcanjo e São Roque) and comprising the Sectorial Chamber of Grape and Wine of the state of São Paulo. In this perspective, one must analyze the density of productive aglomerations and the recent strategies that can promote regional development / local and regional level, focusing on the period 1994-2009
Mestre

Orientador: Aparecida Conceição Boliani
Coorientador: Luiz de Souza Corrêa
Banca: Pedro Cesar dos Santos
Banca: Sônia Maria Nalesso Marangoni Montes
Resumo: A produção de uvas da região Noroeste paulista tem preferência em atender a entressafra, com podas entre os meses de maio e junho. Nesse período as condições climáticas são desfavoráveis à brotação das gemas; solucionada com a aplicação de cianamida hidrogenada (CH2N2). Mesmo eficiente na quebra de dormência, a utilização da CH2N2 tem sido questionada pela alta toxicidade, cujo registro está sob revisão pelas autoridades da União Européia, preconizando a utilização de produtos alternativos que não agridam o aplicador. Pelo exposto o objetivo do trabalho foi testar substâncias alternativas na superação de dormência de gemas, produção e qualidade dos frutos de 'Niagara Rosada'. O experimento foi realizado em duas etapas. A primeira, de 24/07/2009 a 17/09/2009, para verificar eficiência na quebra de dormência de gemas pelos tratamentos: 1) Sem aplicação de produto; 2) Óleo mineral (OM) (2%); 3) OM (3%); 4) OM (4%); 5) Extrato de alho (EA) (2%); 6) EA (4%); 7) EA (6%); 8) OM (2%) + KNO 3 (3%); 9) OM (3%) + KNO3 (3%); 10) OM (4%) + KNO 3 (3%); 11) EA (2%) + KNO 3 (3%); 12) EA (4%) + KNO 3 (3%); 13) EA (6%) + KNO3 (3%) e 14) CH2N2 (5%). A segunda etapa se deu na ocasião da colheita dos frutos dia 09/12/2009 na qual foram avaliadas as variáveis: número de cachos por ramos, massa de cachos, massa média de bagas, diâmetro de bagas, comprimento de bagas, número médio de bagas, massa do engaço e teor de sólidos solúveis totais. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, uma planta por parcela. Em todos os tratamentos ocorreram brotações de forma proporcional no decorrer das avaliações. Não houve efeito das doses dos produtos nos tratamentos, apresentando diferença significativa apenas pelo teste de Tukey para a CH2N2 com melhor antecipação... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The production in the northwest of São Paulo has a preference to attend the offseason, with pruning between the months of May and June. During this period the climatic conditions are unfavorable to shoot buds; solved with the application of hydrogenated cyanamide (CH 2N2). Although effective in breaking dormancy, the use of CH2N2 has been questioned by its high toxicity, that is under review by EU officials, suggesting the use of alternative products that do not harm the applicator. For these reasons the objective of this study was to test alternative products for breaking bud dormancy, production and fruit quality of 'Niagara Rosada'. The experiment was conducted in two stages. the first one, from 07/24/2009 to 09/17/2009, to check efficiency of buds break dormancy by the treatments: 1) No product application; 2) mineral oil (MO) (2%); 3) MO (3%); 4) MO (4%); 5) Garlic extract (GE) (2%); 6) GE (4%); 7) GE (6%); 8) MO (2%) + KNO 3 (3%); 9) MO (3%) + KNO3 (3%); 10) OM (4%) + KNO 3 (3%); 11) GE (2%) + KNO 3 (3%); 12) GE (4%) +KNO3 (3%); 13) GE (6%) + KNO 3 (3%); and 14) CH2N2 (5%). The second stage was at the time of fruit harvest day 09/12/2009 in which the variables were evaluated: number of clusters per branch, the mass of clusters, average weight of berries, average berry diameter, average berry length, average number of berries, average mass of the stalk and soluble solids. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replications, one plant per plot. In all treatments the budding occurred in similar proportions during the evaluations. There was no effect of doses of the products in the treatments, only significant differences by Tukey test for CH2N2 with better anticipation on the 7th day after pruning (DAP), an average of 2.26 sprouted buds per branch, superior budding at 14 th... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

Nel corso dell’ultimo secolo la definizione di “autismo” è cambiata in maniera significativa rispetto a quella inizialmente proposta da Kanner, pioniere nell’ambito della ricerca sull’autismo. Il più significativo cambiamento è in particolare costituito dal passaggio da una definizione dicotomica a una visione continua dell’autismo, con il conseguente conio del termine “disturbi dello spettro autistico” (abbr. DSA). Questo cambiamento paradigmatico è associato alla presa di coscienza che questi disturbi si presentano con caratteristiche ed entità diverse da individuo a individuo. Inoltre, sono crescenti le evidenze che suggeriscono la presenza di tratti autistici anche al di fuori della popolazione clinica. In linea con queste osservazioni, l’obbiettivo del mio lavoro di tesi è stato quello di verificare come i pattern di connettività variano fra soggetti ad alto e basso tratto autistico non affetti da disturbi psichiatrici o clinici, nonché di verificare se questi pattern di connettività esibiscono una continuità con quanto osservato in letteratura su soggetti diagnosticati con DSA. A tale scopo, sono stati ottenuti i tracciati EEG da quaranta partecipanti allo studio. Per mezzo della causalità di Granger sono state ottenute le connettività. Le connettività sono state sottoposte sia a test di tipo statistico (Monte Carlo testing) che ad una analisi della centralità mediante l’impiego della teoria dei grafi. I risultati ottenuti per soggetti a basso tratto autistico sembrano accordarsi con quanto riportato in letteratura. Cionondimeno, la presenza nel gruppo ad alto tratto autistico di alcuni importanti outlier (soggetti con connettività estremamente elevate in una sola direzione) impedisce di raggiungere risultati definitivi. In particolare, i p-value elevati associati sia alle misure di centralità che alle connessioni sembrerebbero essere sintomatici di risultati non statisticamente significativi.

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The Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick, 1909) (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) is often found damaging vineyards and other temperate fruit orchards, in the Serra Gaucha region. This work was conducted to study seasonal occurrence of A. sphaleropa adults in vineyards using sexual synthetic pheromone, the effect of commercial formulations of insecticides with emphasis on that allowed in the organic production (neem, natural piretro, pirolenhoso extract and Bacillus thuringiensis) to control A. sphaleropa and their effects on the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum adults. Based on weekly evaluation A. sphaleropa adults catched in Delta trap baited with synthetic sexual pheromone (Z11,13-14Ac + Z11,13-14Al + Z11-14Al in a ratio of 4:4:1, 1000μg/septum) during 2003/2004 season, it was observed four populational peaks in a Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. The first population peak occurred in the beginning of October, the second in the beginning of February, the third occurred in middle of March and the forth in June. In the experiments conducted in the laboratory using grapevine leaves with artificial infestations of 3st to 4th instars) and in commercial vineyard, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Dipel DF 50, 75 and 100 g/100L), fenitrothion (Sumithion 500 CE, 150 mL/100L) and triclhorfon (Dipterex 500, 300 mL/100L) were efficient to control A. sphaleropa larvae reducing insect population upper to 90%. In laboratory, the insecticides Natuneem® (1500 ppm of azadirachtin/L) and the pirolenhoso extract (Biopirol 7 M®) (250 and 500 mL/100L) were not efficient in the control of A. sphaleropa when applied over grapevine leaves. Natural piretro (250 and 500 mL/100L) resulted in a mortality of 77,65 and 85,88% of insects, respectively 120 hours after application. Natuneem® (0,25 e 0,50%) incorporated to A. sphaleropa artificial diet increased larval phase, reduced larval and pupae viability producing males with a reduces lifespan. Biopirol 7M® in the concentration of 0,50% increased larval duration, reduced male longevity and the oviposition period without affecting fecundity. Baseding on the fertility life table, it was verified that Natuneem® and Biopirol®, both in 0,25 and 0,50% added to artificial diets increase modified the duration in days of a generation, the liquid tax of reproduction, the infinitesimal reason of population increase and the finite reason of increase of A. sphaleropa, when compared with diet without insecticides. Secondary effects of insecticides allowed in organic production (Natuneem®, natural piretro, Biopirol 7M® and Dipel DF®) and the phosphorous compounds used in grapevine (triclorfon and fenitrotion) were evaluated on adults of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum following IOBC methodology. The experiments were conducted exposing adults (more sensible period) of T. pretiosum to dry pesticide residues sprayed on glass plates. It was observed that Natuneem® (500 mL/100L), Biopirol 7 M® (500 mL/100L) and Dipel DF® (100g/100L) had been innocuous (<30% parasitism reduction) while natural piretro (250 mL/100L) was classified as moderad harmful (80-99% of parasitism reduction). Natural piretro in the higher dose (500 mL/100L) showed a parasitism deduction in more than 99%equivalent to fenthiom (Lebaycid 500, 100.
Avaliação de inseticidas para o controle de Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick, 1909) na cultura da videira (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) e efeito secundário sobre Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley, 1879) (Hymenoptera:Trichogrammatidae). Orientador: Dr. Marcos Botton. Co-orientador: Dr. Anderson Dionei Grützmacher. A lagarta-das-fruteiras Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick, 1909)(Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) é uma espécie freqüentemente encontrada danificando a cultura da videira e outras frutíferas temperadas na região da Encosta Superior do Nordeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Neste trabalho, foi estudado a variação sazonal de machos adultos de A. sphaleropa na cultura da videira com emprego do feromônio sexual sintético, o efeito de formulações comerciais de inseticidas com ênfase para os permitidos na produção orgânica (nim, piretro natural, extrato pirolenhoso e Bacillus thuringiensis) para o controle do inseto e seu efeito sobre o parasitóide de ovos Trichogramma pretiosum. Com base na avaliação semanal de machos de A. sphaleropa capturados em armadilha Delta contendo o feromônio sexual sintético (formulação Z11,13-14Ac + Z11,13-14Al + Z11- 14Al na proporção 4:4:1, impregnada em liberadores de borracha na dose de 1000μg/septo) durante a safra 2003/2004 foram observados quatro picos populacionais na cultura da videira cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon. O primeiro pico populacional ocorreu no início do mês de outubro, o segundo no início de fevereiro e o terceiro teve o acme em meados do mês de março sendo quarto no mês de junho. Em experimentos conduzidos em laboratório com discos de folhas de videira com lagartas de 3-4 ínstar e em pomar comercial de videira, observou-se que os inseticidas Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Dipel DF 50, 75 e 100 g/100L) fenitrothion (SumithionÒ 500 CE, 150 mL/100L), e triclorfon (DipterexÒ 500, 300 mL/100L) foram eficientes no controle de A. sphaleropa, reduzindo a população em níveis superiores a 90%. Em laboratório, os inseticidas Natuneem® (1500 ppm de Azadiracta indica por litro) e o extrato pirolenhoso (Biopirol 7 M®) nas doses (250 e 500 mL/100L) não foram eficientes no controle de A. sphaleropa quando aplicados sobre folhas de videira enquanto que o piretro natural (250 e 500 mL/100L) resultou em mortalidade significativa, controlando o inseto em 77,65 e 85,88% respectivamente, 120 horas após a aplicação. O Natuneem® nas concentrações testadas (0,25 e 0,50%) incorporados à dieta artificial de A. sphaleropa provoca um aumento na duração da fase de lagarta, menor viabilidade das fases de lagarta e pupa e menor longevidade de machos enquanto que o Biopirol 7M® na concentração de 0,50% provoca aumento na duração da fase de lagarta, reduz a longevidade de machos e o período de oviposição sem afetar a fecundidade. Com base na tabela de vida de fertilidade verificou-se que a presença do Natuneem® e do Biopirol® dietas artificiais nas concentrações de 0,25% e 0,50% aumentaram a duração em dias de uma geração, a taxa líquida xiii de reprodução, a razão infinitesimal de aumento populacional e a razão finita de aumento de A. sphaleropa quando comparado com a dieta sem os inseticidas. O efeito secundário dos inseticidas (Natuneem®, piretro natural, Biopirol 7M® e Dipel DF®) e do organo-fosforado fenthiom foi avaliado sobre adultos do parasitóide de ovos Trichogramma pretiosum seguindo a metodologia da IOBC. Os testes foram conduzidos expondo-se os adultos (estágio mais sensível) de T. pretiosum a resíduos secos de pesticidas pulverizados sobre placas de vidro. Foi observado que o Natuneem® (500 mL/100L), Biopirol 7 M® (500 mL/100L) e Dipel DF® (100g/100L) foram inócuos (<30% de redução no parasitismo) enquanto o piretro natural na dose de 250 mL/100L foi classificado como moderamente nocivo (80-99% de redução no parasitismo) e nocivo (>99% de redução no parasitismo) na dose de 500 mL/100L equivalendo-se ao organo-fosforados.

S tím, jak se neustále vyvíjejí nové technologie pro energeticky náročná průmyslová odvětví, stávající zařízení postupně zaostávají v efektivitě a produktivitě. Tvrdá konkurence na trhu a legislativa v oblasti životního prostředí nutí tato tradiční zařízení k ukončení provozu a k odstavení. Zlepšování procesu a projekty modernizace jsou zásadní v udržování provozních výkonů těchto zařízení. Současné přístupy pro zlepšování procesů jsou hlavně: integrace procesů, optimalizace procesů a intenzifikace procesů. Obecně se v těchto oblastech využívá matematické optimalizace, zkušeností řešitele a provozní heuristiky. Tyto přístupy slouží jako základ pro zlepšování procesů. Avšak, jejich výkon lze dále zlepšit pomocí moderní výpočtové inteligence. Účelem této práce je tudíž aplikace pokročilých technik umělé inteligence a strojového učení za účelem zlepšování procesů v energeticky náročných průmyslových procesech. V této práci je využit přístup, který řeší tento problém simulací průmyslových systémů a přispívá následujícím: (i)Aplikace techniky strojového učení, která zahrnuje jednorázové učení a neuro-evoluci pro modelování a optimalizaci jednotlivých jednotek na základě dat. (ii) Aplikace redukce dimenze (např. Analýza hlavních komponent, autoendkodér) pro vícekriteriální optimalizaci procesu s více jednotkami. (iii) Návrh nového nástroje pro analýzu problematických částí systému za účelem jejich odstranění (bottleneck tree analysis – BOTA). Bylo také navrženo rozšíření nástroje, které umožňuje řešit vícerozměrné problémy pomocí přístupu založeného na datech. (iv) Prokázání účinnosti simulací Monte-Carlo, neuronové sítě a rozhodovacích stromů pro rozhodování při integraci nové technologie procesu do stávajících procesů. (v) Porovnání techniky HTM (Hierarchical Temporal Memory) a duální optimalizace s několika prediktivními nástroji pro podporu managementu provozu v reálném čase. (vi) Implementace umělé neuronové sítě v rámci rozhraní pro konvenční procesní graf (P-graf). (vii) Zdůraznění budoucnosti umělé inteligence a procesního inženýrství v biosystémech prostřednictvím komerčně založeného paradigmatu multi-omics.

Representation of graphs as the intersection graphs of geometric objects has a long history. The objective is to a nd a collection of \simple" sets S such that a given graph G is its intersection graph. We are interested in two types of intersection representations motivated by VLSI circuit layout problem. In these models, vertices are represented by polygonal paths with alternating horizontal and vertical segments. The measure of the complexity of a path is de fined by the number of bends it has. The objective is to minimise the maximum number of bends used by any path in a representation. This minimum number (over all possible representations) is called the bend number of the graph. In the first model, two vertices share an edge if and only if corresponding paths intersect. A graph that can be represented in such a way is called a VPG graph. We study a subclass of the planar graphs on this model. In the second model, two vertices of the graph share an edge if and only if corresponding paths overlap on a non-zero length segment. A graph that can be represented in such a way is called an EPG graph. We study Halin graphs which is a subclass of the planar graphs, fully subdivided graphs and minimally 2-connected graphs for this model. Using one of these results, we show optimization problems such as maximum independent set, minimum dominating set are APX-hard on 1-bend EPG graphs. We devise a polynomial time algorithm for the colouring and maximum independent set problem on two-sided boundary generated EPG graphs which is a subclass of 1-bend EPG graphs. We also establish NP-hardness and inapproximability result on three-sided boundary generated EPG graphs and four-sided boundary generated EPG graphs. In the second part, we study the notion of circular separation dimension which was introduced recently by Douglas West. Formally, a pair of non-adjacent edges is said to be separated in a circular ordering of vertices if the endpoints of the two edges do not alternate in the ordering. The circular separation dimension (CSD) of a graph G is the minimum number of circular orderings of the vertices of G such that every pair of non-adjacent edges is separated in at least one of the circular orderings. We establish a new upper bound for CSD in terms of the chromatic number of the graph. We further study this question for special graph classes such as series-parallel graphs and two-outerplanar graphs. In the nal part, we study maximum edge 2-colouring problem. For a graph G, the maximum edge 2-colouring problem seeks the maximum possible colours that can be used to colour the edges of the graph such that edges incident on a vertex span at most two distinct colours. The problem is well studied in combinatorics, in the context of the anti-Ramsey number. Algorithmically, the problem is known to be NP-hard. It is also known that no polynomial time algorithm can approximate to a factor less than 3=2 assuming the unique game conjecture. The obvious but the only known algorithm issues different colours to the edges of a maximum matching and different colours to remaining connected components. We establish an improved approximation bound of 8=5 for the algorithm, for triangle-free graphs with perfect matching.

Grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch, Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) is a worldwide pest of the viticulture industry due to damage caused to the root system of the European grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae). The main management option for radicicolae grape phylloxera is the use of resistant rootstocks, however due to the success of this management option a range of questions relating to the biology, nutrition and feeding behaviour of the pest insect remain unanswered. This thesis addressed a number of these questions in order to extend the current knowledge of the biological characteristics of grape phylloxera and the possible influences on host-plant responses...
Grape and Wine Research Corporation

Crowdsourcing has emerged as a convenient mechanism to collect human judgments on a variety of tasks, ranging from document and image classification to scientific experimentation. However, in recent times crowdsourcing has evolved from solving simpler tasks, like recognizing objects in images, to more complex tasks such as collaborative journalism, language translation, product designing etc. Unlike simpler micro-tasks performed by a single worker, these complex tasks require a group of workers and greater resources. In such scenarios, where groups of participants are the atomic units, it is a non-trivial task to distinguish workers (who contribute positively) from idlers (who do not contribute to group task) among the participants using only group's performance. The first part of this thesis studies the problem of distinguishing workers from idlers, without assuming any prior knowledge of individual skills and considers \groups" as the smallest observable unit for evaluation. We draw upon literature from group-testing and give bounds over minimum number of groups required to identify quality of subsets of individuals with high confidence. We validate our theory experimentally and report insights for the number of workers and idlers that can be identified for a given number of group-tasks with significant probability. In most crowdsourcing applications, there exist dependencies among the pool of Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs) and often in practical scenarios there are far too many HITs available than what can realistically be covered by limited available budget. Estimating the accuracy of automatically constructed Knowledge Graphs (KG) is one such important application. Automatic construction of large knowledge graphs has gained wide popularity in recent times. These KGs, such as NELL, Google Knowledge Vault, etc., consist of thousands of predicate-relations (e.g., is Person, is Mayor Of) and millions of their instances (e.g., (Bill de Blasio, is Mayor Of, New York City)). Estimating accuracy of such KGs is a challenging problem due to their size and diversity. In the second part of this study, we show that standard single-task crowdsourc- ing is sub-optimal and very expensive as it ignores dependencies among various predicates and instances. We propose Relational Crowdsourcing (RelCrowd) to overcome this challenge, where the tasks are created while taking dependencies among predicates and instances into account. We apply this framework in the context of large-scale Knowledge Graph Evaluation (KGEval) and demonstrate its effectiveness through extensive experiments on real-world datasets.

The topic of my dissertation is Comparison of the quality of eggs depending on the method of feeding. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the quality of hen eggs changes after adding crushed grape seeds in the compound feed of the hens. Grape seeds are formed as a side product during wine making processes and contain large amounts of biologically active substances and suitable acids, which can improve the feed conversion and subsequently also improve the technological properties of eggs. With processing of grape seeds the effective utilization of crop residues in vineyards comes about. The experiment was conducted in two experimental periods and in each period 100 laying hens were surveyed. They were separated into two groups an experimental and a control one. In the control group the hens were fed with a standard mixture of N2 feed and in the experimental group there was a supplement of 5 weight percent of crushed grape seeds in the compound feed. Eggs were collected daily and once every two weeks an analysis of technological properties of eggs was conducted. The results of the experiment showed that the addition of crushed grape seeds containing a biologically active substance did not have a statistically significant effect on the quality and selected technological parameters of eggs.

Physiological signals, electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV), are generated by complex self-regulating systems. These signals are extremely inhomogeneous and nonstationary, and fluctuate in an irregular and highly complex manner. These fluctuations are due to underlying dynamics of the system. The synchronous neural activity measured as scalp EEG indicates underlying neural dynamics of the brain. Hence, quantitative EEG analysis has become a very useful tool in interpreting results from physiological experiments. The analysis of HRV provides valuable information to assess the autonomous nervous system (ANS). The HRV can be significantly affected by physiological state changes and many disease states. Hence, HRV analysis is becoming a major experimental and diagnostic tool. In this thesis, we focus on the study of EEG and HRV time series using tools from nonlinear time series analysis with special emphasis on its implications in detecting physiological state changes such as, in diseases like epileptic seizure and schizophrenia, and in altered states of consciousness as in sleep and meditation. The proposed nonlinear techniques are used in discriminating different physiological states from control states. Artifact processing of EEG signal Interferences (artifacts) from various sources unavoidably contaminate EEG recordings. In quantitative analysis, results can differ significantly by these artifacts, which may lead to wrong interpretation of the results. In this part of the thesis, we have devised methods to minimize ocular and muscle artifacts in EEG. The artifact correction methods are based on blind source separation (BSS) techniques such as singular value decomposition (SVD), algorithm for multiple signal extraction (AMUSE), canonical correlation analysis (CCA), information maximization (INFOMAX) independent component analysis (ICA) and joint approximate diagonalization of eigen-matrices (JADE) ICA. We have proposed a method to simulate clean and artifact corrupted EEG data based on the BSS methods. In order to enhance the performance of BSS methods, a technique called wavelet-filtered component inclusion method has been introduced. In addition, second-order statistics (SOS) and higher-order statistics (HOS) based BSS methods have been studied considering less number of EEG channels; and performance comparison of these methods has also been made. We have also addressed the problem of simultaneous correction of ocular and muscle artifacts in EEG recordings using the BSS methods. Irrespective of the BSS methods, the component elimination method has introduced high spectral error in all the bands after reconstruction of clean EEG. However, the wavelet filtered component inclusion method has retained almost all spectral powers of EEG channels in theta, alpha, and beta bands after ocular artifact minimization. When the number of EEG channels is very less, the enhanced CCA (SOS BSS) has given superior artifact minimization results than HOS BSS methods, especially in delta band. The component elimination method is used in muscle artifact minimization, and hence the SVD method cannot be used for this purpose since it leads to large spectral distortion of reconstructed EEG. The AMUSE and CCA methods have given comparable performance in muscle artifact minimization. In addition, the JADE method has introduced less mean spectral error compared to other methods. The CCA method has shown superior performance in simultaneous minimization of ocular and muscle artifacts, and AMUSE and JADE methods have given comparable results. Furthermore, the less computation time of wavelet enhanced SOS BSS methods make them very useful in real clinical environments. Fractal characterization of time series In biomedical signal analysis, fractal dimension (FD) is used as a quantitative measure to estimate complexity of physiological signals. Such analysis helps to study physiological processes of underlying systems. The FD can also be used to study dynamics of transitions between different states of systems like brain and ANS, in various physiological and pathological states. In this part, we have proposed a method to estimate FD of time series, called multiresolution box-counting (MRBC) method. A modification of this method resulted in multiresolution length (MRL) method. The estimation performance of the proposed methods is compared with that of Katz, Sevcik, and Higuchi methods, by simulating mathematically defined fractal signals, and also the computation time is compared between the methods. The MRBC and MRL methods have given comparable performance to that of Higuchi method, in estimating FD of waveforms, with the advantage of less computational time. In addition, various properties of the FD are studied and discussed in connection with classical signal processing concepts such as amplitude, frequency, sampling frequency, effect of noise, band width, correlation, etc. The FD value of signals has increased with number of harmonics, noise variance, band-width, and mid-band frequency, and decreased with degree of correlation in AR signal. An analogy between Katz FD and smoothed Teager energy operator has also been made. Application of fractal analysis to EEG and HRV time series The fluctuation of EEG potentials normally depends upon degree of alertness, and varies in amplitude and frequency. Hence, the EEG is an important clinical tool for studying sleep and sleep related disorders, epileptic seizures, schizophrenia, and meditation. In this part of the thesis, we have used FD which gives signal complexity, and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) which gives multiscale exponent of time series to quantify EEG. We have extended the concept of FD to multiscale FD to compute complexity of time series at multiple scales. The main applications of the proposed method are epileptic seizure detection, sleep stage detection, schizophrenia EEG analysis, and analysis of heart rate variability during meditation. For seizure detection, we have used intracranial EEG recordings with seizure-free and seizure intervals. In sleep EEG analysis, whole-night sleep EEG is used and results are compared with the manually scored hypnogram. The schizophrenia symptom is further categorized into positive and negative symptoms and complexity is estimated using FD and DFA. We have also analyzed HRV data of Chi and Kundalini meditation using FD and DFA techniques. In all the applications considered, we have tested for statistical significance of the computed parameters, between the case of interest and corresponding control cases, to discriminate between the physiological states. The ocular artifact has reduced FD while muscle artifact increased FD of EEG. The FD of seizure EEG has shown high value compared to that of seizure-free EEG. In addition, the seizure-free EEG has more DFA exponent-1 than seizure EEG. The value of FD of EEG is decreased with deepening of sleep, wake state having high FD value. The FD of REM state sleep EEG showed value between that of wake and state-1. The DFA exponent-1 has increased with deepening of sleep state, having small value for wake state. The REM state has given exponent-1 value between wake and state-1. The schizophrenia subjects have shown lower FD value than healthy controls in all the EEG channels except the bilateral temporal and occipital regions. The positive symptom sub-group has shown comparatively high FD values than healthy controls as well as overall schizophrenia sample in the bilateral tempero-parietal-occipital region. In addition, the positive symptom sub-group has shown significantly higher regional FD values than negative symptom sub-group especially in right temporal region. The overall schizophrenia samples as well as the positive and negative subgroup have shown least FD values in the bilateral frontal region. The values of DFA exponent-2 have shown significant high value in schizophrenia samples. In addition, the schizophrenia group has shown less DFA exponent-1 in bilateral temporal region than healthy control. The FD, multiscale FD, DFA exponents have shown significant performance in discriminating different physiological states from control states. The FD value of HRV time series during meditation is less compared to pre-meditation state in both Chi and Kundalini meditation. Irrespective of the type of meditation, meditation state has shown significantly high DFA exponent-1 than pre-meditation state, and significantly high DFA exponent-2 in pre-meditation state compared to meditation state. Functional connectivity analysis of brain during meditation In functionally related regions of the brain, even in those regions separated by substantial distances, the EEG fluctuations are synchronous, which is termed as functional connectivity. In this part, a novel application of functional connectivity analysis of brain using graph theoretic approach has been made on the EEG recorded from meditation practitioners. We have used 16 channel EEG data from subjects while performing Raja Yoga meditation. The pre-meditation condition is used as control state, against which meditation state is compared. For finding connectivity between EEG of various channels, we have computed pair-wise linear correlation and mutual information between the EEG channels, to form a connection matrix of size 16x16. Then, various graph parameters, such as average connection density, degree of nodes, characteristic path length, and cluster index, are computed from the connection matrix. The computed parameters are projected on to the scalp to get topographic head maps that give spatial variation of the parameter, and results are compared between meditation and pre-meditation states. The meditation state has shown low average connection density, less characteristic path length, and high average degree in fronto-central and central regions. Furthermore, high cluster index is shown in frontal and central regions than pre-meditation state. The parameters such as complexity, characteristic path length and average connection density are used as features in quadratic discriminant classifier to classify meditation and pre-meditation state, and have given good accuracy performance. Connectivity analysis using mutual information has given high average connection density in meditation state in theta, alpha and beta bands compared to pre-meditation state. The characteristic path length is high in delta, alpha and beta bands in meditation state. In addition, the meditation state has shown high degree and cluster index in theta and beta bands compared to pre-meditation state. Nonlinear dynamical characterization of HRV during meditation The cardiovascular system is influenced by internal dynamics as well as from various external factors, which makes the system more dynamic and nonlinear. In this part of the thesis, a novel application of using HRV data for studying Chi and Kundalini meditation has been made. The HRV time series are embedded into higher dimensional phase-space using Takens’ embedding theorem to reconstruct the attractor. After estimating the minimum embedding dimension to unfold the attractor dynamics, the complexity of the attractor is computed using correlation dimension, Lyapunov exponent, and nonlinearity scores. In all the analyses, the pre-meditation state is used as control state against which meditation state is compared. The statistical significance of the parameters estimated is tested to discriminate meditation state from control state. The HRV time series of both pre-meditation and meditation have shown similar minimum embedding dimensions in both Chi and Kundalini meditation. Irrespective of the type of meditation, the meditation state has shown high correlation dimension, largest Lyapunov exponent, and low nonlinearity score compared to pre-meditation state. Recurrent quantification analysis of HRV during meditation In this part, a novel application of recurrent quantification analysis (RQA) to HRV during meditation is studied. Here, the time series is embedded into a higher dimensional phase-space and Euclidean distance between the embedded vectors is calculated to form a distance matrix. The matrix is converted into binary matrix by applying a suitable threshold, and plotted as image to get recurrence plot. Various parameters are extracted from the recurrence plot such as percent recurrence rate, diagonal parameters (determinism, divergence, entropy, ratio), and vertical or horizontal parameters (laminarity, trapping time, maximal vertical line length). The procedure is applied to HRV data during meditation and pre-meditation (control) to discriminate between the states. The HRV of meditation state has shown more diagonal line structure whereas more black patches are observed in pre-meditation state. In addition, at low embedding dimensions, the meditation state has shown low recurrence rate, high determinism, low divergence, low entropy, high ratio, high laminarity, high trapping time, and less maximal vertical line length compared to pre-meditation state. These RQA parameters have shown superior performance in discriminating meditation state from control state.

Physiological signals, electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV), are generated by complex self-regulating systems. These signals are extremely inhomogeneous and nonstationary, and fluctuate in an irregular and highly complex manner. These fluctuations are due to underlying dynamics of the system. The synchronous neural activity measured as scalp EEG indicates underlying neural dynamics of the brain. Hence, quantitative EEG analysis has become a very useful tool in interpreting results from physiological experiments. The analysis of HRV provides valuable information to assess the autonomous nervous system (ANS). The HRV can be significantly affected by physiological state changes and many disease states. Hence, HRV analysis is becoming a major experimental and diagnostic tool. In this thesis, we focus on the study of EEG and HRV time series using tools from nonlinear time series analysis with special emphasis on its implications in detecting physiological state changes such as, in diseases like epileptic seizure and schizophrenia, and in altered states of consciousness as in sleep and meditation. The proposed nonlinear techniques are used in discriminating different physiological states from control states. Artifact processing of EEG signal Interferences (artifacts) from various sources unavoidably contaminate EEG recordings. In quantitative analysis, results can differ significantly by these artifacts, which may lead to wrong interpretation of the results. In this part of the thesis, we have devised methods to minimize ocular and muscle artifacts in EEG. The artifact correction methods are based on blind source separation (BSS) techniques such as singular value decomposition (SVD), algorithm for multiple signal extraction (AMUSE), canonical correlation analysis (CCA), information maximization (INFOMAX) independent component analysis (ICA) and joint approximate diagonalization of eigen-matrices (JADE) ICA. We have proposed a method to simulate clean and artifact corrupted EEG data based on the BSS methods. In order to enhance the performance of BSS methods, a technique called wavelet-filtered component inclusion method has been introduced. In addition, second-order statistics (SOS) and higher-order statistics (HOS) based BSS methods have been studied considering less number of EEG channels; and performance comparison of these methods has also been made. We have also addressed the problem of simultaneous correction of ocular and muscle artifacts in EEG recordings using the BSS methods. Irrespective of the BSS methods, the component elimination method has introduced high spectral error in all the bands after reconstruction of clean EEG. However, the wavelet filtered component inclusion method has retained almost all spectral powers of EEG channels in theta, alpha, and beta bands after ocular artifact minimization. When the number of EEG channels is very less, the enhanced CCA (SOS BSS) has given superior artifact minimization results than HOS BSS methods, especially in delta band. The component elimination method is used in muscle artifact minimization, and hence the SVD method cannot be used for this purpose since it leads to large spectral distortion of reconstructed EEG. The AMUSE and CCA methods have given comparable performance in muscle artifact minimization. In addition, the JADE method has introduced less mean spectral error compared to other methods. The CCA method has shown superior performance in simultaneous minimization of ocular and muscle artifacts, and AMUSE and JADE methods have given comparable results. Furthermore, the less computation time of wavelet enhanced SOS BSS methods make them very useful in real clinical environments. Fractal characterization of time series In biomedical signal analysis, fractal dimension (FD) is used as a quantitative measure to estimate complexity of physiological signals. Such analysis helps to study physiological processes of underlying systems. The FD can also be used to study dynamics of transitions between different states of systems like brain and ANS, in various physiological and pathological states. In this part, we have proposed a method to estimate FD of time series, called multiresolution box-counting (MRBC) method. A modification of this method resulted in multiresolution length (MRL) method. The estimation performance of the proposed methods is compared with that of Katz, Sevcik, and Higuchi methods, by simulating mathematically defined fractal signals, and also the computation time is compared between the methods. The MRBC and MRL methods have given comparable performance to that of Higuchi method, in estimating FD of waveforms, with the advantage of less computational time. In addition, various properties of the FD are studied and discussed in connection with classical signal processing concepts such as amplitude, frequency, sampling frequency, effect of noise, band width, correlation, etc. The FD value of signals has increased with number of harmonics, noise variance, band-width, and mid-band frequency, and decreased with degree of correlation in AR signal. An analogy between Katz FD and smoothed Teager energy operator has also been made. Application of fractal analysis to EEG and HRV time series The fluctuation of EEG potentials normally depends upon degree of alertness, and varies in amplitude and frequency. Hence, the EEG is an important clinical tool for studying sleep and sleep related disorders, epileptic seizures, schizophrenia, and meditation. In this part of the thesis, we have used FD which gives signal complexity, and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) which gives multiscale exponent of time series to quantify EEG. We have extended the concept of FD to multiscale FD to compute complexity of time series at multiple scales. The main applications of the proposed method are epileptic seizure detection, sleep stage detection, schizophrenia EEG analysis, and analysis of heart rate variability during meditation. For seizure detection, we have used intracranial EEG recordings with seizure-free and seizure intervals. In sleep EEG analysis, whole-night sleep EEG is used and results are compared with the manually scored hypnogram. The schizophrenia symptom is further categorized into positive and negative symptoms and complexity is estimated using FD and DFA. We have also analyzed HRV data of Chi and Kundalini meditation using FD and DFA techniques. In all the applications considered, we have tested for statistical significance of the computed parameters, between the case of interest and corresponding control cases, to discriminate between the physiological states. The ocular artifact has reduced FD while muscle artifact increased FD of EEG. The FD of seizure EEG has shown high value compared to that of seizure-free EEG. In addition, the seizure-free EEG has more DFA exponent-1 than seizure EEG. The value of FD of EEG is decreased with deepening of sleep, wake state having high FD value. The FD of REM state sleep EEG showed value between that of wake and state-1. The DFA exponent-1 has increased with deepening of sleep state, having small value for wake state. The REM state has given exponent-1 value between wake and state-1. The schizophrenia subjects have shown lower FD value than healthy controls in all the EEG channels except the bilateral temporal and occipital regions. The positive symptom sub-group has shown comparatively high FD values than healthy controls as well as overall schizophrenia sample in the bilateral tempero-parietal-occipital region. In addition, the positive symptom sub-group has shown significantly higher regional FD values than negative symptom sub-group especially in right temporal region. The overall schizophrenia samples as well as the positive and negative subgroup have shown least FD values in the bilateral frontal region. The values of DFA exponent-2 have shown significant high value in schizophrenia samples. In addition, the schizophrenia group has shown less DFA exponent-1 in bilateral temporal region than healthy control. The FD, multiscale FD, DFA exponents have shown significant performance in discriminating different physiological states from control states. The FD value of HRV time series during meditation is less compared to pre-meditation state in both Chi and Kundalini meditation. Irrespective of the type of meditation, meditation state has shown significantly high DFA exponent-1 than pre-meditation state, and significantly high DFA exponent-2 in pre-meditation state compared to meditation state. Functional connectivity analysis of brain during meditation In functionally related regions of the brain, even in those regions separated by substantial distances, the EEG fluctuations are synchronous, which is termed as functional connectivity. In this part, a novel application of functional connectivity analysis of brain using graph theoretic approach has been made on the EEG recorded from meditation practitioners. We have used 16 channel EEG data from subjects while performing Raja Yoga meditation. The pre-meditation condition is used as control state, against which meditation state is compared. For finding connectivity between EEG of various channels, we have computed pair-wise linear correlation and mutual information between the EEG channels, to form a connection matrix of size 16x16. Then, various graph parameters, such as average connection density, degree of nodes, characteristic path length, and cluster index, are computed from the connection matrix. The computed parameters are projected on to the scalp to get topographic head maps that give spatial variation of the parameter, and results are compared between meditation and pre-meditation states. The meditation state has shown low average connection density, less characteristic path length, and high average degree in fronto-central and central regions. Furthermore, high cluster index is shown in frontal and central regions than pre-meditation state. The parameters such as complexity, characteristic path length and average connection density are used as features in quadratic discriminant classifier to classify meditation and pre-meditation state, and have given good accuracy performance. Connectivity analysis using mutual information has given high average connection density in meditation state in theta, alpha and beta bands compared to pre-meditation state. The characteristic path length is high in delta, alpha and beta bands in meditation state. In addition, the meditation state has shown high degree and cluster index in theta and beta bands compared to pre-meditation state. Nonlinear dynamical characterization of HRV during meditation The cardiovascular system is influenced by internal dynamics as well as from various external factors, which makes the system more dynamic and nonlinear. In this part of the thesis, a novel application of using HRV data for studying Chi and Kundalini meditation has been made. The HRV time series are embedded into higher dimensional phase-space using Takens’ embedding theorem to reconstruct the attractor. After estimating the minimum embedding dimension to unfold the attractor dynamics, the complexity of the attractor is computed using correlation dimension, Lyapunov exponent, and nonlinearity scores. In all the analyses, the pre-meditation state is used as control state against which meditation state is compared. The statistical significance of the parameters estimated is tested to discriminate meditation state from control state. The HRV time series of both pre-meditation and meditation have shown similar minimum embedding dimensions in both Chi and Kundalini meditation. Irrespective of the type of meditation, the meditation state has shown high correlation dimension, largest Lyapunov exponent, and low nonlinearity score compared to pre-meditation state. Recurrent quantification analysis of HRV during meditation In this part, a novel application of recurrent quantification analysis (RQA) to HRV during meditation is studied. Here, the time series is embedded into a higher dimensional phase-space and Euclidean distance between the embedded vectors is calculated to form a distance matrix. The matrix is converted into binary matrix by applying a suitable threshold, and plotted as image to get recurrence plot. Various parameters are extracted from the recurrence plot such as percent recurrence rate, diagonal parameters (determinism, divergence, entropy, ratio), and vertical or horizontal parameters (laminarity, trapping time, maximal vertical line length). The procedure is applied to HRV data during meditation and pre-meditation (control) to discriminate between the states. The HRV of meditation state has shown more diagonal line structure whereas more black patches are observed in pre-meditation state. In addition, at low embedding dimensions, the meditation state has shown low recurrence rate, high determinism, low divergence, low entropy, high ratio, high laminarity, high trapping time, and less maximal vertical line length compared to pre-meditation state. These RQA parameters have shown superior performance in discriminating meditation state from control state.

Les patients pharmaco-résistants sont des candidats pour la chirurgie de l'épilepsie. Le but de cette chirurgie est d'enlever les zones à l'origine de la crise (SOZ) sans créer de nouveaux déficits neurologiques. Pour localiser les SOZs, une des meilleures approches consiste à analyser des électroencéphalogrammes intracérébraux (iEEG). Toutefois, l'enregistrement des crises, qui sont des événements rares et critiques, est compliqué contrairement à l'enregistrement de décharges épileptiques intercritiques (IED), qui sont généralement très fréquentes et anodines. La prévision des SOZs, par estimation des régions à l'origine des IEDs, est donc une alternative très intéressante, et la question de savoir si l'estimation des régions IED peut être utile pour prédire les SOZs, a été au coeur de plusieurs études. Malgré des résultats intéressants, la question reste ouverte, notamment en raison du manque de fiabilité des résultats fournis par ces méthodes. L'objectif de cette thèse est de proposer une méthode robuste d'estimation des régions à l'origine des IEDs (notées LIED) par analyse d'enregistrements intracérébraux iEEG. Le point essentiel de cette nouvelle méthode repose sur la détermination d'un graphe de connectivité différentiel (DCG), qui ne conserve que les noeuds (électrodes) associées aux signaux iEEG qui changent de façon significative selon la présence ou l'absence d'IEDs. En fait, on construit plusieurs DCGs, chacun étant caractéristique d'une échelle obtenue après transformée en ondelettes. La fiabilitié statistiques des DCGs est obtenue à l'aide des tests de permutation. L'étape suivante consiste à mesurer les quantités d'information émise par chaque noeud, et d'associer à chaque connexion (arête) du graphe une orientation qui indique le transfert d'information du noeud source vers le noeud cible. Pour celà, nous avons introduit une nouvelle mesure nommée Local Information (LI), que nous avons comparée à des mesures classiques de graphes, et qui permet de définir de façon robuste les noeuds sources pour les graphes de chaque échelle. Les LIEDs sont finalement estimées selon une méthode d'optimisation multi-objectifs (de type Pareto, peu utilisée dans la communauté signal-image) construite à partir des valeurs des LI des DCG dans les différentes bandes de fréquences. La méthode proposée a été validée sur cinq patients épileptiques, qui ont subi une chirurgie d'exérèse et sont déclarés guéris. L'estimation des régions LIED a été comparée avec les SOZs détectées visuellement par l'épileptologue et celles détectées automatiquement par une méthode utilisant une stimulation destinée à provoquer des crises. La comparaison révèle des résultats congruents entre les SOZs et les régions LIED estimées. Ainsi, cette approche fournit des LIED qui devraient être des indications précieuses pour l'évaluation préopératoire en chirugie de l'épilepsie.

A Graphical User Interface (GUI) is the most widely used method whereby information systems interact with users. According to ACM Computing Surveys, on average, more than 45% of software code in a software application is dedicated to the GUI. However, GUI testing is extremely expensive. In unit testing, 10,000 cases can often be automatically tested within a minute whereas, in GUI testing, 10,000 simple GUI test cases need more than 10 hours to complete. This thesis effectively addresses the challenges of existing GUI testing methods and provides a unified solution to GUI testing automation. The three main contributions of this thesis are the proposal of the Graphic User Interface Testing Automation Model (GUITAM), the development of GUI Defect Classification and the proposal of the Long Use Case Closure Envelope Model.