Abstract

Abstract
Mapping the seabed represents a fundamental task for many applications. A key technology for that goal is SideScan Sonar (SSS) imaging, which offers a large operating range and high resolutions. However, SSS often suffers from echo decay due to water absorption, producing undesired intensity non-uniformities in the image. We propose here a new inhomogeneity correction technique for SSS imagery that exploits two-dimensional information to estimate and remove this nonuniformity. Our approach achieves results similar or better than other recent techniques, and it enjoys a great computational efficiency, being a good candidate for a real-time implementation.

Abstract
Movement is one of the most important characteristics of glaciers which can cause serious natural disasters. For this reason, monitoring this massive blocks is a crucial task. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can operate all day in any weather conditions and the images acquired by SAR contain intensity and phase information, which are irreplaceable advantages in monitoring the surface movement of glaciers. Moreover, a variety of techniques like DInSAR and offset tracking, based on the information of SAR images, could be applied to measure the movement. Sangwang lake, a glacial lake in the Himalayas, has great potentially danger of outburst. Shie glacier is situated at the upstream of the Sangwang lake. Hence, it is significant to monitor Shie glacier surface movement to assess the risk of outburst. In this paper, 6 high resolution COSMO-SkyMed images spanning from August to December, 2016 are applied with offset tracking technique to estimate the surface movement of Shie glacier. The maximum velocity of Shie glacier surface movement is 51 cm/d, which was observed at the end of glacier tongue, and the velocity is correlated with the change of elevation. Moreover, the glacier surface movement in summer is faster than in winter and the velocity decreases as the local temperature decreases. Based on the above conclusions, the glacier may break off at the end of tongue in the near future. The movement results extracted in this paper also illustrate the advantages of high resolution SAR images in monitoring the surface movement of small glaciers. © Authors 2017.

Abstract
The symmetric/constrained fuzzy power flow (SFPF/CFPF) models are suitable to quantify the adequacy of transmission network in satisfying “reasonable demands for the transmission of electricity” as defined, in the European Directive 2009/72/EC. In this paper, SFPF/CFPF is mainly used to identify the basic repressions (inappropriate definition of reasonable demands) of fuzzy data (generation or load) when the adequacy of a transmission system is assessed. This situation arises essentially in cases where the network configuration does not fully support the requested power specifications. It means that these requests are inadequately formulated and lead to the creation of artificial repression in the results (artificial inadequacy of the transmission system). In this article, it is intended to show how these cases can be identified. For this purpose, the SFPF will be used, which does not consider branch limits. With this study, it is also shown how the reference power flows of the system are obtained in order to identify the congested branches.

Abstract
All Higher Education Institutions play a decisive role in adapting the new courses to the needs of society and the world of work. ICTs widen the possibilities of uses, at a relatively low cost; therefore, additional measures need to be taken in terms of methodologies to implement flexible learning processes, at their own special pace. The possibility of performing real life experiments is essential to consolidate concepts taught in theoretical classes of scientific and technical curricular units. Real labs are seldom available, posing restrictions to learning and experimentation. New internet-based technologies can be used to improve the access to these experiences using laboratories with simulated experiments. This paper aims at presenting the development of a prototype using tools to create virtual learning environments. It uses virtual experimentation to perform laboratory practices and as an alternative tool to meet the needs of access to a Measurement and Instrumentation laboratory. The basis of the project was the creation of a 3D laboratory where all the equipment and its components may be observed and manipulated and virtual experimentation was chosen to facilitate all laboratory practices. A creative tool or authoring tool was used for the development of the program called VEMA -Virtual Electric MAnual. The use of WireFusion 5.0 ® authoring tool and an educational license explain the low cost of construction of the virtual reality (VR) program. This project was developed to demonstrate how a VR desktop prototype may be applied to an engineering curricular unit and also to increase safety and resourcefulness in the use of electrical equipment. From the educational point of view, VEMA should not be seen as a substitute of traditional teaching methods, but only as a complementary resource that can meaningfully improve students' understanding and motivation. The main objective of VEMA was to develop a prototype of a VR simulator to demonstrate the potential benefits of combining virtual reality to improve learning and measurement of electrical circuits in a specific controlled environment. No browser plug-in is required to show the presentations. © 2017 IEEE.

Abstract
The reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions is a priority all around the globe. The investment on renewable energy sources is contributing for new opportunities in the context of the smart grids and microgrids. Recent advances are transforming the consumer into a prosumer, being able to adapt the consumption depending on its own generated power, and selling the surplus or buying the missing power. In this context, home management systems are emerging as an effective means to support the management of energy resources in the context of communication between functions/devices of a smart home. This paper presents a new agent-based home energy management approach, using ontologies to enable semantic communications between heterogeneous multi-agent entities. The main goal is to support an efficient energy management of end consumers in the context of microgrids, obtaining a scheduling for both real and virtual resources. A case study is presented, which simulates a 25-bus microgrid that includes a laboratorial controlled house (with real and simulated resources), which is managed by the proposed energy management system.