Abstract
The effort of generating large city scenes is greatly reduced when using procedural modelling techniques. Nonetheless. users are limited to defining rules and tuning parameters in a define-generation reanalyse cycle, reducing direct control. Describing buildings with split-based operations may disrupt the creative process by forcing the user to focus on how to describe a building instead of how a building should look. We use planar shapes and two-dimensional boo lean operations allowing procedural descriptions that are More aligned with humans' perceptions of buildings while letting users directly manipulate shapes (e.g., by dragging) in an interactive application.

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Abstract
In this work we address the Hop-Constrained Minimum cost Flow Spanning Tree (HMFST) problem with nonlinear costs. The HMFST problem is an extension of the Hop-Constrained Minimum Spanning Tree problem since it considers flow requirements other than unit flows. We propose a hybrid heuristic, based on ant colony optimization and on local search, to solve this class of problems given its combinatorial nature and also that the total costs are nonlinearly flow dependent with a fixed-charge component. We solve a set of benchmark problems available online and compare the results obtained with the ones reported in the literature for a Multi-Population hybrid biased random key Genetic Algorithm (MPGA). Our algorithm proved to be able to find an optimum solution in more than 75 % of the runs, for each problem instance solved, and was also able to improve on many results reported for the MPGA. Furthermore, for every single problem instance we were able to find a feasible solution, which was not the case for the MPGA. Regarding running times, our algorithm improves upon the computational time used by CPLEX and was always lower than that of the MPGA.

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This paper aims at presenting the main results of an energy audit performed to a gypsum production plant, in Portugal, which due to the amount of energy consumed must comply with the Portuguese program SGCIE (Intensive Energy Consumption Management System). The program was created in 2008 to promote energy efficiency and energy consumption monitoring in intensive energy consuming facilities (energy consumption higher than 500 toe per year). Facilities operators are required to perform energy audits and take actions to draw up an action plan for energy efficiency, establishing targets for energy consumption reduction and greenhouse gases emissions indexes. An energy audit was carried out to identify potential energy conservation measures for improving energy efficiency, and also typical energy consumption patterns, sector/equipment load profiles and thermal equipment performance. This tool gives managers the information to support decision making on improving energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A number of tangible targets and measures were devised and set to be implemented in the next few years. Results show that there is a considerable potential for reduction in the energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions of gypsum manufacturing plants. Here, as elsewhere in the industrial sector, energy efficiency can only be achieved through a continuous energy monitoring and management system.

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This paper discusses the problem of learning a global model from local information. We consider ubiquitous streaming data sources, such as sensor networks, and discuss efficient learning distributed algorithms. We present the generic framework of distributed sources of data, an illustrative algorithm to monitor the global state of the network using limited communication between peers, and an efficient distributed clustering algorithm.

Abstract
BackgroundSeveral studies link the seamless fit of implant-supported prosthesis with the accuracy of the dental impression technique obtained during acquisition. In addition, factors such as implant angulation and coping shape contribute to implant misfit. PurposeThe aim of this study was to identify the most accurate impression technique and factors affecting the impression accuracy. Material and MethodsA systematic review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted analyzing articles published between 2009 and 2013. The following search terms were used: implant impression, impression accuracy, and implant misfit. A total of 417 articles were identified; 32 were selected for review. ResultsAll 32 selected studies refer to in vitro studies. Fourteen articles compare open and closed impression technique, 8 advocate the open technique, and 6 report similar results. Other 14 articles evaluate splinted and non-splinted techniques; all advocating the splinted technique. Polyether material usage was reported in nine; six studies tested vinyl polysiloxane and one study used irreversible hydrocolloid. Eight studies evaluated different copings designs. Intraoral optical devices were compared in four studies. ConclusionsThe most accurate results were achieved with two configurations: (1) the optical intraoral system with powder and (2) the open technique with splinted squared transfer copings, using polyether as impression material.