Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Robin Boyd'

According to architect Robin Boyd (1952 rev. ed. 1968), ʹthe Australian country house took its pattern, not directly from the English countryside, but second‐hand from the Australian cityʹ in the nineteenth century. This thesis explores the introduction of domestic architectural ideas in the Shoalhaven Local Government Area (LGA) from the 1840s to the 1890s, and concludes that Boydʹs premise, including his five principal plan types, applied in general, subject to regional geographical parameters. The Illawarra and South Coast districts dominated New South Wales dairy farming by the 1860s. The transfer of architectural ideas to the Shoalhaven LGA was facilitated by steam shipping lines from 1855, as the dominant vector, which provided access to the Sydney markets. Architectural development began with a masonry construction boom during the 1860s and 1870s, followed by a timber construction boom in the 1880s and 1890s. In the Ulladulla District development was influenced by local stonemasons and Sydney architects from the 1860s‐1870s, as well as regional developments in the Illawarra, which also influenced Kangaroo Valley in the 1870s. The Nowra Area, the administrative and commercial focus of the Shoalhaven District from 1870, was where architectural developments in timber and masonry were greatest, influenced by regional developments, Sydney architects and carpenters and builders of German origin and training. A local architectural grammar and style began to develop in the 1880s and 1890s, assisted by the railway, which arrived at Bomaderry near Nowra in 1893. However, the depression and drought of the 1890s resulted in a hiatus in construction, exacerbated by the First World War 1914‐1918, in common with the rest of New South Wales.

Le but de cette thèse est double : Donner des estimations pour les valeurs propres du laplacien sur un domaine borné d'une variété riemannienne avec la condition de Robin au bord. Nos premières estimations constituent une extension de la célèbre inégalité de Kröger sur les valeurs propres du laplacien euclidien avec condition de Neumann au bord, au cas plus gé- néral d'une variété riemannienne avec la condition de Robin au bord. De plus, ces estimations sont en accord avec la loi asymptotique de Weyl en ce qui concerne la dépendance en l'ordre de la valeur propre. Un deuxième type d'estimations géométriques pour les valeurs propres de Robin est obtenu dans le cas où la courbure de Ricci de la variété considérée est minorée. En utilisant la définition des valeurs propres par la formule de min-max, on est capable de les majorer en fonction de la dimension de la variété, du minorant de la courbure de Ricci, du volume du domaine et de son bord, et enfin de l'intégrale de la fonction de Robin sur le bord du domaine. Etudier le spectre du laplacien pondéré par la présence de deux densités sur un domaine borné d'une variété riemannienne avec les conditions de Neumann au bord dans le cas où l'une des densité est une puissance positive de l'autre. On démontre l'existence d'une valeur critique pour cette puissance : si la puissance est plus petite que cette valeur critique, la valeur propre correspondante est majorée. Cependant, si la puissance dépasse cette valeur, on démontre l'existence des domaines ayant une première valeur propre aussi grande que l'on veut
The aim of my thesis is to give some estimations for the eigenvalues of the Laplacian with Robin boundary conditions the principal results are divided in two categories. The first result is based on an algebric method and give an estimation of the eigenvalues in euclidean spaces and homogeneous manifolds. The second result is an estimation of the egenvalues in terms of the Ricci curvature of the manifold

Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les propriétés spectrales du Laplacien avec la condition de bord de Robin attractive sur des domaines du plan à coins. Notre but est de comprendre l’influence des coins convexes sur l’asymptotique des valeurs propres de cet opérateur lorsque le paramètre de Robin est grand. Nous montrons en particulier que l’asymptotique des premières valeurs propres de Robin sur des polygones curvilignes est déterminée par des opérateurs modèles : les Laplaciens agissant sur les secteurs tangents au domaine. Pour une certaine classe de polygones droits, nous montrons l’existence d’un opérateur effectif sur le bord du domaine qui détermine l’asymptotique des valeurs propres suivantes. Enfin, des asymptotiques de Weyl pour différents seuils dépendant du paramètre de Robin sont obtenues
In this thesis, we are interested in the spectral properties of the Laplacian with the attractive Robin boundary condition on planar domains with corners. The aim is to understand the influence of the convex corners on the spectral properties of this operator when the Robin parameter is large. In particular, we show that the asymptotics of the first Robin eigenvalues on curvilinear polygons is determined by model operators: the Robin Laplacians acting on infinite sectors. For a particular class of polygons with straight edges, we prove the existence of an effective operator acting on the boundary of the domain and determining the asymptotics of the further eigenvalues. Finally, some Weyl-type asymptotics for different thresholds depending on the Robin parameter are obtained

Includes bibliographical references.
This qualititative, interdisciplinary study predominantly focuses on the South African choreographer Robyn Orlin and her deconstructions of classical ballet. To inform a gender-centred investigation of Orlin’s work, attention is given to the origins of patriarchal dualisms and the way in which these manifest in contemporary Western culture. Emphasis is placed on the institutional repression of the body as a way to preserve particular power structures. In this instance the theories of Michel Foucault, in particular, are referenced. His concepts serve to illuminate a consideration of Western concert dance, with a particular focus on classical ballet, as an institution that sustains gender as a system of power. The origins of the aesthetic of the ballerina as an icon of femininity, and the way in which certain values and expectations impact on the bodies of female ballet dancers, particularly but not exclusively, provides a context for the discussion of Orlin’s work – how and why her form and content questions and undermines the perpetuation of traditional gender stereotypes in classical ballet. This dissertation examines Orlin’s work in order to expand discourse around the subversive potential of the female body, informed by an understanding of the body as an ever-changing entity that resists definition by way of essentialist meanings.

Dans cette thèse, on étudie la contrôlabilité à zéro par le bord de quelques systèmes paraboliques linéaires couplés par des termes de couplage intérieur et/ou au bord. Le premier chapitre est une introduction à l'ensemble du manuscrit. Dans le deuxième chapitre, on rappelle les principaux concepts et résultats autour des notions de contrôlabilité qui seront utilisés dans la suite. Dans le troisième chapitre, on étudie principalement la contrôlabilité par le bord d'un système couplé 2x2 de type cascade avec des conditions au bord de Robin. En particulier, on prouve que les contrôles associés satisfont des bornes uniformes par rapport aux paramètres de Robin et convergent vers un contrôle de Dirichlet lorsque les paramètres de Robin tendent vers l'infini. Cette étude fournit une justification, dans le contexte du contrôle, de la méthode de pénalisation qui est couramment utilisée pour prendre en compte des données de Dirichlet peu régulières en pratique. Dans le quatrième et dernier chapitre, on étudie d'abord la contrôlabilité à zéro d'un système 2x2 en dimension 1 contenant des termes de couplage à la fois à l'intérieur et au bord du domaine. Plus précisément, on considère une condition de type Kirchhoff sur l'un des bords du domaine et un contrôle de Dirichlet sur l'autre bord, dans l'une ou l'autre des équations. En particulier, on montre que les propriétés de contrôle du système diffèrent selon que le contrôle agisse sur la première ou sur la seconde équation, et selon les valeurs du coefficient de couplage intérieur et du paramètre de Kirchhoff. On étudie ensuite un modèle 3x3 avec un ou deux contrôle(s) aux limites de Dirichlet à une extrémité et une condition de type Kirchhoff à l'autre extrémité ; ici la troisième équation est couplée (couplage intérieur) avec la première. Dans ce cas, on obtient ce qui suit : en considérant le contrôle sur la première équation, on a contrôlabilité conditionnelle dépendant des choix du coefficient de couplage intérieur et du paramètre de Kirchhoff, et en considérant le contrôle sur la deuxième équation, on obtient toujours une contrôlabilité positive. En revanche, considérer un contrôle sur la troisième équation conduit à un résultat de contrôlabilité négative. Dans cette situation, on a besoin de deux contrôles aux limites sur deux des trois équations pour retrouver la contrôlabilité. Enfin, on expose quelques études numériques basées sur l'approche pénalisée HUM pour illustrer les résultats théoriques, ainsi que pour tester d'autres exemples
In this thesis, we study the boundary null-controllability of some linear parabolic systems coupled through interior and/or boundary. We begin by giving an overall introduction of the thesis in Chapter 1 and we discuss some essentials about the notion of parabolic controllability in the second chapter. In Chapter 3, we investigate the boundary null-controllability of some 2x2 coupled parabolic systems in the cascade form where the boundary conditions are of Robin type. This case is considered mainly in space dimension 1 and in the cylindrical geometry. We prove that the associated controls satisfy suitable uniform bounds with respect to the Robin parameters, which let us show that they converge towards a Dirichlet control when the Robin parameters go to infinity. This is a justification of the popular penalization method for dealing with Dirichlet boundary data in the framework of the controllability of coupled parabolic systems. Coming to the Chapter 4, we first discuss the boundary null-controllability of some 2x2 parabolic systems in 1-D that contains a linear interior coupling with real constant coefficient and a Kirchhoff-type condition through which the boundary coupling enters in the system. The control is exerted on a part of the boundary through a Dirichlet condition on either one of the two state components. We show that the controllability properties vary depending on which component the control is being applied; the choices of interior coupling coefficient and the Kirchhoff parameter play a crucial role to deduce positive or negative controllability results. Thereafter, we study a 3x3 model with one or two Dirichlet boundary control(s) at one end and a Kirchhoff-type boundary condition at the other; here the third equation is coupled (interior) through the first component. In this case we obtain the following: treating the control on the first component, we have conditional controllability depending on the choices of interior coupling coefficient and the Kirchhoff parameter, while considering a control on the second component always provides positive result. But in contrast, putting a control on the third entry yields a negative controllability result. In this situation, one must need two boundary controls on any two components to recover the controllability. Further in the thesis, we pursue some numerical studies based on the penalized Hilbert Uniqueness Method (HUM) to illustrate our theoretical results and test other examples in the framework of interior-boundary coupled systems

This mini-thesis is situated in the discourse on patriarchy, nationhood and its artistic forms. It is argued that an uncritical pursuit of commonality as a political aesthetic strategy for dance in South Africa repeats the metaphysical foundationalism of this discourse. It is further suggested that a postmodern ethos subverts this heritage, while at the same time offering a viable alternative for accommodating and representing the cultural diversity and plurality characteristic of current theatre dance in South Africa. Chapter One examines the way dance has historically structured its patriarchal form the postmodern discourses Chapter Two as a site and practice through explores the potential of deconstruction and destabilisation of this dance heritage. This chapter also assesses the relevance of a postmodern alternative in a South African dance context. Chapter Three analyses the postmodern choreographic strategies of two South African choreographers, Gary Gordon and Robyn Orlin, in order to reveal how their dance vision to patriarchal aesthetic form and offers an uncritical alternative notions of commonality. In conclusion, it is argued postmodern ethos embodied in the work that the of these choreographers provides viable directions for formulating and articulating new dance directions for theatre dance in South Africa while, at the same time, bearing witness to the diversity that will always structure expressions of commonality in South African dance.

Au sein de notre contemporanéité mondialisée, la vitesse des flux, des échanges et des transferts culturels se sont accrus. Dans ce contexte caractéristique de notre modernité, il existe des figures dominant le paysage: les figures du déplacement. Elles s'incarnent en de multiples identités et représentations et se retrouvent face à une forme de flexibilité ou d'urgence où la question de la frontière a pris une place prépondérante. Dans ce contexte, la question de la déterritorialisation des corps, des identités et des imaginaires est devenue un enjeu important qui altère et transforme les notions de constance et de stabilité dans la création et les langages scéniques. Les transferts artistiques et culturels peuvent ainsi être perçus comme le résultat de déplacement dont la nature aléatoire mettrait à l'épreuve la création et ses processus. Dès lors, l’œuvre scénique serait à envisager comme un lieu de convergence au sein duquel se rencontreraient de multiples visions du monde et de l'humain. Il deviendrait alors essentiel d'appréhender la question du déplacement physique et symbolique dans une dynamique relationnelle où le rétrécissement des espaces et du temps n'aurait de sens que dans une conscience de notre appartenance au Tout-Monde, conceptualisé par Édouard Glissant. Réfléchir aux formes et aux mutations des représentations et des écritures inscrites dans la "Mondialité" serait donc participer au décryptage de la complexification des modalités et des processus de création scénique en posant comme condition à ces processus une pensée du déplacement et de la traduction. Cette pensée, à la fois esthétique et éthique, ouvrirait la voie à la sauvegarde de la diversité des imaginaires nécessaires à toute création
In our globalized contemporaneity, the speed of flows, exchanges and cultural transfers have increased. In this characteristic context of our modernity, there are figures dominating the landscape: the figures of travel and movement. They are incarnated in many identities and representations and meet some form of flexibility or emergency where the question of the frontier has taken a significant place. In this context, the question of the deterritorialisation of bodies, identities and imaginaries has become an important issue that alters and transforms the notions of constancy and stability in creation and scenic languages. Artistic and cultural transfers can consequently be perceived as the result of moving whose random nature would test the creation and its processes. In this way, the stage work should be considered as a place of convergence in which many visions of the world and the human are to be found. Then it would become essential to grasp the question of physical and symbolic move in a relational dynamic in which the narrowing of spaces and time would have meaning only in a consciousness of our belonging to the Tout-Monde, conceptualized by Édouard Glissant. To reflect on the forms and mutations of the representations and writings, inscribed in the "Mondialité", it would be to participate in the making sense of the complexification of the modalities and processes of scenic creation, by positing as a condition to these processes a thought of move and translation. This aesthetic and ethical thought would open the way to safeguarding the diversity of imaginaries necessary for all creation
Em nossa contemporaneidade globalizada, a velocidade dos fluxos, trocas e transferências culturais aumentou. Neste contexto, característico da nossa modernidade, há figuras que dominam a paisagem: as figuras do deslocamento. Elas são encarnadas em múltiplas identidades e representações e encontram-se diante de uma forma de flexibilidade ou urgência, onde a questão da fronteira ocupa um lugar predominante. Neste contexto, a questão da desterritorialização de corpos, identidades e imaginários tornou-se uma questão importante que altera e transforma as noções de constância e estabilidade na criação e nas lingagens cênicas. As transferências artísticas e culturais podem assim ser percebidas como resultado do deslocamento cuja natureza aleatória testaria a criação e seus processos. Daqui em diante, o trabalho do palco deve ser considerado como um lugar de convergência em que muitas visões do mundo e do ser humano estão encontradas. Seria então essencial compreender a questão do deslocamento físico e simbólico em uma dinâmica relacional em que o estreitamento dos espaços e do tempo teria significado apenas na consciência de nossa pertença ao Tout-Monde, conceituado por Édouard Glissant. Refletir sobre as formas e mutações das representações e escrituras inscritas na "Mondialité", seria participar na decriptagem da complexificação das modalidades e dos processos de criação cênica, propondo como condição para esses processos um pensamento de deslocamento e de tradução. Este pensamento, tanto estético como ético, abriria o caminho para preservar a diversidade dos imaginários necessários para qualquer criação
Nella nostra contemporaneità globalizzata, la velocità dei flussi, degli scambi e dei trasferimenti culturali è aumentata. In questo contesto caratteristico della nostra modernità, ci sono figure che dominano il paesaggio: le figure dello spostamento. Sono incarnate in molte identità e rappresentazioni e si trovano di fronte a una forma di flessibilità o urgenza in cui la questione della frontiera ha preso un posto di rilievo. In questo contesto, la questione della deterritorializzazione dei corpi, delle identità e degli immaginari è diventata una questione importante che altera e trasforma le nozioni di costanza e stabilità nella creazione e nei linguaggi scenici. I trasferimenti artistici e culturali possono perciò essere percepiti come conseguenza dell' spostamento in cui la natura casuale avrebbe messo alla prova la creazione e suoi processi. D'ora in poi, il lavoro scenico dovrebbe essere considerato come un luogo di convergenza in cui si possono trovare molte visioni del mondo e del essere umano. In questo, sarebbe diventato essenziale de capire la questione del spostamento fisico e simbolico in una dinamica relazionale in cui il restringimento dello spazio e del tempo avrebbe senso solo nella coscienza di appartenenza nel Tout-Monde, concettualizzato da Édouard Glissant. Riflettere sopra le forme e trasformazioni delle rappresentazione e scritture incisi nella "Mondialité" sarebbe quindi partecipare della decrittazione della complessità dei termini e processi delle creazione sceniche, posizionando come condizione per questi processi un pensiero di spostamento e traduzione. Questo pensiero, sia estetico che etico, apre la strada a salvaguardare la diversità degli immaginari necessari per qualsiasi creazione

Dans cette thèse, tout d’abord, nous faisons l’Analyse Mathématique du modèle exact du chauffage radiatif d’un corps semi-transparent $\Omega$ par une source radiative noire qui l’entoure. Il s’agit donc d’étudier le couplage d’un système d’Equations de Transfert Radiatif avec condition au bord de réflectivité indépendantes avec une équation de conduction de la chaleur non linéaire avec condition limite non linéaire de type Robin. Nous prouvons l’existence et l’unicité de la solution et nous démontrons des bornes uniformes sur la solution et les intensités radiatives dans chaque bande de longueurs d’ondes pour laquelle le corps est semi-transparent, en fonction de bornes sur les données, Deuxièmement, nous considérons le problème du contrôle optimal de la température absolue à l’intérieur du corps semi-transparent $\Omega$ en agissant sur la température absolue de la source radiative noire qui l’entoure. À cet égard, nous introduisons la fonctionnelle coût appropriée et l’ensemble des contrôles admissibles $T_{S}$, pour lesquels nous prouvons l’existence de contrôles optimaux. En introduisant l’espace des états et l’équation d’état, une condition nécessaire de premier ordre pour qu’un contrôle $T_{S}$ : t ! $T_{S}$ (t) soit optimal, est alors dérivée sous la forme d’une inéquation variationnelle en utilisant le théorème des fonctions implicites et le problème adjoint. Ensuite, nous considérons le problème de l’existence et de l’unicité d’une solution faible des équations de la thermoviscoélasticité dans une formulation mixte de type Hellinger- Reissner, la nouveauté par rapport au travail de M.E. Rognes et R. Winther (M3AS, 2010) étant ici l’apparition de la viscosité dans certains coefficients de l’équation constitutive, viscosité qui dépend dans ce contexte de la température absolue T(x, t) et donc en particulier du temps t. Enfin, nous considérons dans ce cadre le problème du contrôle optimal de la déformation du corps semi-transparent $\Omega$, en agissant sur la température absolue de la source radiative noire qui l’entoure. Nous prouvons l’existence d’un contrôle optimal et nous calculons la dérivée Fréchet de la fonctionnelle coût réduite
This thesis begins with a rigorous mathematical analysis of the radiative heating of a semi-transparent body made of glass, by a black radiative source surrounding it. This requires the study of the coupling between quasi-steady radiative transfer boundary value problems with nonhomogeneous reflectivity boundary conditions (one for each wavelength band in the semi-transparent electromagnetic spectrum of the glass) and a nonlinear heat conduction evolution equation with a nonlinear Robin boundary condition which takes into account those wavelengths for which the glass behaves like an opaque body. We prove existence and uniqueness of the solution, and give also uniform bounds on the solution i.e. on the absolute temperature distribution inside the body and on the radiative intensities. Now, we consider the temperature $T_{S}$ of the black radiative source S surrounding the semi-transparent body $\Omega$ as the control variable. We adjust the absolute temperature distribution (x, t) 7! T(x, t) inside the semi-transparent body near a desired temperature distribution Td(·, ·) during the time interval of radiative heating ]0, tf [ by acting on $T_{S}$. In this respect, we introduce the appropriate cost functional and the set of admissible controls $T_{S}$, for which we prove the existence of optimal controls. Introducing the State Space and the State Equation, a first order necessary condition for a control $T_{S}$ : t 7! $T_{S}$ (t) to be optimal is then derived in the form of a Variational Inequality by using the Implicit Function Theorem and the adjoint problem. We come now to the goal problem which is the deformation of the semi-transparent body $\Omega$ by heating it with a black radiative source surrounding it. We introduce a weak mixed formulation of this thermoviscoelasticity problem and study the existence and uniqueness of its solution, the novelty here with respect to the work of M.E. Rognes et R. Winther (M3AS, 2010) being the apparition of the viscosity in some of the coefficients of the constitutive equation, viscosity which depends on the absolute temperature T(x, t) and thus in particular on the time t. Finally, we state in this setting the related optimal control problem of the deformation of the semi-transparent body $\Omega$, by acting on the absolute temperature of the black radiative source surrounding it. We prove the existence of an optimal control and we compute the Fréchet derivative of the associated reduced cost functional

Sizing (hydrophobization) is one of the most important process steps within the added-value chain of about 1/3rd of the worldwide produced paper & board products. Even though sizing with so-called reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) was implemented in the paper industry decades ago, there is no total clarity yet about the detailed chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to their performance. Previous research was carried out on the role of different factors influencing the sizing performance, such as bonding between ASA and cellulose, ASA hydrolysis, size revision as well as the most important interactions with stock components, process parameters and additives during the paper making process. However, it was not yet possible to develop a holistic model for the explanation of the sizing performance given in real life application. This thesis describes a novel physico-chemical approach to this problem by including results from previous research and combining these with a wide field of own basic research and a newly developed method that allows tracing back the actual localization of ASA within the sheet structure. The carried out measurements and trial sets for the basic field of research served to evaluate the stock and process parameters that most dominantly influence the sizing performance of ASA. Interactions with additives other than retention aids were not taken into account. The results show that parameters, such as the content of secondary fibers, the degree of refining, the water hardness as well as the suspension conductivity, are of highest significance. The sample sets of the trials with the major impacting parameters were additionally analyzed by a newly developed localization method in order to better understand the main influencing factors. This method is based on optical localization of ASA within the sheet structure by confocal white light microscopy. In order to fulfill the requirements at magnification rates of factor 100 optical zoom, it was necessary to improve the contrast between ASA and cellulose. Therefore, ASA was pretreated with an inert red diazo dye, which does not have any impact on neither the sizing nor the handling properties of ASA. Laboratory hand sheets that were sized with dyed ASA, were analyzed by means of their sizing performance in correlation to measurable ASA agglomerations in the sheet structure. The sizing performance was measured by ultrasonic penetration analysis. The agglomeration behavior of ASA was analyzed automatically by multiple random imaging of a sample area of approx. 8650 µm² with a minimum resolution for particles of 500 nm in size. The gained results were interpreted by full factorial design of experiments (DOE). The trials were carried out with ASA dosages between 0% and 0.8% on laboratory hand sheets, made of 80% bleached eucalyptus short fiber kraft pulp and 20% northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, beaten to SR° 30, produced with a RDA sheet former at a base weight of 100 g/m² oven dry. The results show that there is a defined correlation between the ASA dosage, the sizing performance and the number and area of ASA agglomerates to be found in the sheet structure. It was also possible to show that the agglomeration behavior is highly influenced by external factors like furnish composition and process parameters. This enables a new approach to the explanation of sizing performance, by making it possible to not only examine the performance of the sizing agent, but to closely look at the predominant position where it is located in the sheet structure. These results lead to the explanation that the phenomenon of sizing is by far not a pure chemical process but rather a more physical one. Based on the gained findings it was possible so far to optimize the ASA sizing process in industrial-scale by means of ~ 50% less ASA consumption at a steady degree of sizing and improved physical sheet properties.

Includes bibliographical references.
2 v. : ill. ; 30 cm.
Describes the purification and characterization of human polyamine oxidases found in rectoplacental serum.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Paediatrics and Women's and Children's Hospital Dept. of Immunopathology, 1998

This thesis seeks to address the work of Australian mid-century modern furniture designers, focusing on four Melbourne-based designers, from 1946-60. Melbourne was a creative centre during this fourteen-year period, with some of the best-known modern Australian artists and designers working out of the city. This thesis will examine the furniture designed by Fred Ward (1900-1990), Fred Lowen (1919-2005), Grant Featherston (1922-1995), and Clement Meadmore (1929-2005), during this time, and will answer the question of how international design as well as Australian post-war aesthetics and society were manifested through their furniture. There has yet to be a definitive account written of the work these designers produced in the post-war era, and how Melbourne as a city responded to the emerging modernism of these designers. This thesis seeks to address this gap. It will also explore the craftsmanship of the designers, the materials and production techniques used, and the styling and marketing of the furniture. It will be shown that the majority of the furniture produced by these designers sold in large quantities and was used extensively throughout Melbourne and other cities. It will also examine the legacy of mid-century modern furniture and its resurgence in popularity in recent years.

Clefts of orofacial komplex are the most common birth development defects. One of them is Pierre Robin sequence, which is characterized by presence of micrognathia, glossoptosis and upper airway obstruction. Because of these symptoms, isolated cleft palate "U" or "V" shaped can be part of the diagnose. Other clinical manifestations are feeding difficulties, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and / or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The aim of the treatment is to secure the airway and the child's thriving after birth by using conservative or invasive treatment methods. Choosing of methods and procedures should be established by multidisciplinary cooperation. The other part of diploma thesis is trying to find out, which clinical manifestation are the most common in patients from the Czech Republic compare to foreign patients and the differences in management of the treatment. Furthermore we are trying to investigate, whether there is higher percentage of patients with delayed neuromotor development among PRS patients, which are under physical therapy. The last part is trying to find out the relationship between the poor posture and PRS diagnose in children age 4 - 6 years.

Sizing (hydrophobization) is one of the most important process steps within the added-value chain of about 1/3rd of the worldwide produced paper & board products. Even though sizing with so-called reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) was implemented in the paper industry decades ago, there is no total clarity yet about the detailed chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to their performance. Previous research was carried out on the role of different factors influencing the sizing performance, such as bonding between ASA and cellulose, ASA hydrolysis, size revision as well as the most important interactions with stock components, process parameters and additives during the paper making process. However, it was not yet possible to develop a holistic model for the explanation of the sizing performance given in real life application. This thesis describes a novel physico-chemical approach to this problem by including results from previous research and combining these with a wide field of own basic research and a newly developed method that allows tracing back the actual localization of ASA within the sheet structure. The carried out measurements and trial sets for the basic field of research served to evaluate the stock and process parameters that most dominantly influence the sizing performance of ASA. Interactions with additives other than retention aids were not taken into account. The results show that parameters, such as the content of secondary fibers, the degree of refining, the water hardness as well as the suspension conductivity, are of highest significance. The sample sets of the trials with the major impacting parameters were additionally analyzed by a newly developed localization method in order to better understand the main influencing factors. This method is based on optical localization of ASA within the sheet structure by confocal white light microscopy. In order to fulfill the requirements at magnification rates of factor 100 optical zoom, it was necessary to improve the contrast between ASA and cellulose. Therefore, ASA was pretreated with an inert red diazo dye, which does not have any impact on neither the sizing nor the handling properties of ASA. Laboratory hand sheets that were sized with dyed ASA, were analyzed by means of their sizing performance in correlation to measurable ASA agglomerations in the sheet structure. The sizing performance was measured by ultrasonic penetration analysis. The agglomeration behavior of ASA was analyzed automatically by multiple random imaging of a sample area of approx. 8650 µm² with a minimum resolution for particles of 500 nm in size. The gained results were interpreted by full factorial design of experiments (DOE). The trials were carried out with ASA dosages between 0% and 0.8% on laboratory hand sheets, made of 80% bleached eucalyptus short fiber kraft pulp and 20% northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, beaten to SR° 30, produced with a RDA sheet former at a base weight of 100 g/m² oven dry. The results show that there is a defined correlation between the ASA dosage, the sizing performance and the number and area of ASA agglomerates to be found in the sheet structure. It was also possible to show that the agglomeration behavior is highly influenced by external factors like furnish composition and process parameters. This enables a new approach to the explanation of sizing performance, by making it possible to not only examine the performance of the sizing agent, but to closely look at the predominant position where it is located in the sheet structure. These results lead to the explanation that the phenomenon of sizing is by far not a pure chemical process but rather a more physical one. Based on the gained findings it was possible so far to optimize the ASA sizing process in industrial-scale by means of ~ 50% less ASA consumption at a steady degree of sizing and improved physical sheet properties.:Acknowledgment I Abstract III Table of Content V List of Illustrations XI List of Tables XVI List of Formulas XVII List of Abbreviations XVIII 1 Introduction and Problem Description 1 1.1 Initial Situation 1 1.2 Objective 2 2 Theoretical Approach 3 2.1 The Modern Paper & Board Industry on the Example of Germany 3 2.1.1 Raw Materials for the Production of Paper & Board 5 2.2 The Sizing of Paper & Board 8 2.2.1 Introduction to Paper & Board Sizing 8 2.2.2 The Definition of Paper & Board Sizing 10 2.2.3 The Global Markets for Sized Paper & Board Products and Sizing Agents 11 2.2.4 Physical and Chemical Background to the Mechanisms of Surface-Wetting and Penetration 13 2.2.4.1 Surface Wetting 14 2.2.4.2 Liquid Penetration 15 2.2.5 Surface and Internal Sizing 17 2.2.6 Sizing Agents 18 2.2.6.1 Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) 19 2.2.6.2 Rosin Sizes 19 2.2.6.3 Alkylketen Dimer (AKD) 23 2.2.6.4 Polymeric Sizing Agents (PSA) 26 2.2.7 Determination of the Sizing Degree (Performance Analysis) 28 2.2.7.1 Cobb Water Absorption 29 2.2.7.2 Contact Angle Measurement 30 2.2.7.3 Penetration Dynamics Analysis 31 2.2.7.4 Further Qualitative Analysis Methods 33 2.2.7.4.1 Ink Stroke 33 2.2.7.4.2 Immersion Test 33 2.2.7.4.3 Floating Test 34 2.2.7.4.4 Hercules Sizing Tester (HST) 34 2.2.8 Sizing Agent Detection (Qualitative Analysis) and Determination of the Sizing Agent Content (Quantitative Analysis) 35 2.2.8.1 Destructive Methods 35 2.2.8.2 Non Destructive Methods 36 2.3 Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) 36 2.3.1.1 Chemical Composition and Production of ASA 37 2.3.1.2 Mechanistic Reaction Models 39 2.3.1.3 ASA Application 42 2.3.1.3.1 Emulsification 42 2.3.1.3.2 Dosing 44 2.3.1.4 Mechanistic Steps of ASA Sizing 46 2.3.2 Physico-Chemical Aspects during ASA Sizing 48 2.3.2.1 Reaction Plausibility 48 2.3.2.1.1 Educt-Product Balance / Kinetics 48 2.3.2.1.2 Energetics 51 2.3.2.1.3 Sterics 52 2.3.2.2 Phenomena based on Sizing Agent Mobility 53 2.3.2.2.1 Sizing Agent Orientation 54 2.3.2.2.2 Intra-Molecular Orientation 55 2.3.2.2.3 Sizing Agent Agglomeration 55 2.3.2.2.4 Fugitive Sizing / Sizing Loss / Size Reversion 56 2.3.2.2.5 Sizing Agent Migration 58 2.3.2.2.6 Sizing Reactivation / Sizing Agent Reorientation 59 2.3.3 Causes for Interactions during ASA Sizing 60 2.3.3.1 Process Parameters 61 2.3.3.1.1 Temperature 61 2.3.3.1.2 pH-Value 62 2.3.3.1.3 Water Hardness 63 2.3.3.2 Fiber Types 64 2.3.3.3 Filler Types 65 2.3.3.4 Cationic Additives 66 2.3.3.5 Anionic Additives 67 2.3.3.6 Surface-Active Additives 68 2.4 Limitations of State-of-the-Art ASA-Sizing Analysis 69 2.5 Optical ASA Localization 71 2.5.1 General Background 71 2.5.2 Confocal Microscopy 72 2.5.2.1 Principle 72 2.5.2.2 Features, Advantage and Applicability for Paper-Component Analysis 74 2.5.3 Dying / Staining 75 3 Discussion of Results 77 3.1 Localization of ASA within the Sheet Structure 77 3.1.1 Choice of Dyes 77 3.1.1.1 Dye Type 78 3.1.1.2 Evaluation of Dye/ASA Mixtures 80 3.1.1.2.1 Maximum Soluble Dye Concentration 80 3.1.1.2.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 81 3.1.1.2.3 FTIR-Spectroscopy 82 3.1.1.3 Evaluation of the D-ASA Emulsion 84 3.1.1.4 Paper Chromatography with D-ASA & F-ASA Emulsions 85 3.1.1.5 Evaluation of the D-ASA Emulsion’s Sizing Efficiency 86 3.1.2 The Localization Method 87 3.1.2.1 The Correlation between ASA Distribution and Agglomeration 88 3.1.2.2 Measurement Settings 89 3.1.2.3 Manual Analysis 90 3.1.2.4 Automated Analysis 92 3.1.2.4.1 Automated Localization / Microscopy Measurement 92 3.1.2.4.2 Automated Analysis / Image-Processing 93 3.1.2.5 Result Interpretation and Example Results 96 3.1.2.6 Reproducibility 97 3.1.2.7 Sample Mapping 98 3.1.3 Approaches to Localization-Method Validation 102 3.1.3.1 Raman Spectroscopy 102 3.1.3.2 Confocal Laser Scanning Fluorescent Microscopy 102 3.1.3.3 Decolorization 103 3.2 Factors Impacting the Sizing Behavior of ASA 104 3.2.1 ASA Type 105 3.2.2 Emulsion Parameters 107 3.2.2.1 Hydrolyzed ASA Content 107 3.2.2.2 ASA/Starch Ratio 109 3.2.2.3 Emulsion Age 110 3.2.3 Stock Parameters 111 3.2.3.1 Long Fiber/Short Fiber Ratio 111 3.2.3.2 Furnish Type 112 3.2.3.3 Degree of Refining 114 3.2.3.4 Filler Type/Content 116 3.2.4 Process Parameters 119 3.2.4.1 Temperature 119 3.2.4.2 pH-Value 120 3.2.4.3 Conductivity 122 3.2.4.4 Water Hardness 123 3.2.4.5 Shear Rate 125 3.2.4.6 Dwell Time 127 3.2.4.7 Dosing Position & Dosing Order 128 3.2.4.8 Drying 130 3.2.4.9 Aging 131 3.3 Factors Impacting the Localization Behavior of ASA 132 3.3.1 Degree of Refining 132 3.3.2 Sheet Forming Conductivity 135 3.3.3 Water Hardness 136 3.3.4 Retention Aid (PAM) 137 3.3.5 Contact Curing 138 3.3.6 Accelerated Aging 139 3.4 Main Optimization Approach 141 3.4.1 Optimization of ASA Sizing Performance Characteristics 142 3.4.2 Emulsion Modification 144 3.4.2.1 Lab Trials / RDA Sheet Forming 146 3.4.2.2 TPM Trials 147 3.4.2.3 Industrial-Scale Trials 149 3.4.2.4 Correlation between Sizing Performance Optimization and Agglomeration Behavior on the Example of PAAE 152 3.5 Holistic Approach to Sizing Performance Explanation 154 4 Experimental Approach 157 4.1 Characterization of Methods, Measurements and Chemicals used for the Optical Localization-Analysis of ASA 157 4.1.1 Characterization of used Chemicals 157 4.1.1.1 Preparation of Dyed-ASA Solutions 157 4.1.1.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 157 4.1.1.3 Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy 157 4.1.1.4 Emulsification of ASA 158 4.1.1.5 Paper Chromatography 159 4.1.1.6 Particle Size Measurement 159 4.1.2 Optical Analysis of ASA Agglomerates 160 4.1.2.1 Microscopy 160 4.1.2.2 Automated Analysis 163 4.1.2.2.1 Adobe Photoshop 163 4.1.2.2.2 Adobe Illustrator 164 4.1.2.3 Confocal Laser Scanning Fluorescent Microscopy 166 4.2 Characterization of Used Standard Methods and Measurements 166 4.2.1 Stock and Paper Properties 166 4.2.1.1 Stock pH, Conductivity and Temperature Measurement 166 4.2.1.2 Dry Content / Consistency Measurement 167 4.2.1.3 Drainability (Schopper-Riegler) Measurement 167 4.2.1.4 Base Weight Measurement 168 4.2.1.5 Ultrasonic Penetration Measurement 168 4.2.1.6 Contact Angle Measurement 169 4.2.1.1 Cobb Measurement 169 4.2.1.2 Air Permeability Measurements 170 4.2.1.3 Tensile Strength Measurements 170 4.2.2 Preparation of Sample Sheets 171 4.2.2.1 Stock Preparation 171 4.2.2.2 Laboratory Refining (Valley Beater) 171 4.2.2.3 RDA Sheet Forming 171 4.2.2.4 Additive Dosing 173 4.2.2.5 Contact Curing 174 4.2.2.6 Hot Air Curing 174 4.2.2.7 Sample Aging 174 4.2.2.8 Preparation of Hydrolyzed ASA 175 4.2.2.9 Trial Paper Machine 175 4.2.2.10 Industrial-Scale Board Machine 177 4.3 Characterization of used Materials 178 4.3.1 Fibers 178 4.3.1.1 Reference Stock System 178 4.3.1.2 OCC Fibers 179 4.3.1.3 DIP Fibers 179 4.3.2 Fillers 180 4.3.3 Chemical Additives 180 4.3.3.1 ASA 180 4.3.3.2 Starches 181 4.3.3.3 Retention Aids 181 4.3.3.4 Poly Aluminum Compounds 181 4.3.3.5 Wet Strength Resin 181 4.3.4 Characterization of used Additives 182 4.3.4.1 Solids Content 182 4.4 Description of Implemented Advanced Data Analysis- and Visualization Methods 183 4.4.1 Design of Experiments (DOE183 4.4.2 Contour Plots 184 4.4.3 Box-Whisker Graphs 185 5 Conclusion 186 6 Outlook for Further Work 191 7 Bibliography 192 Appendix 207 7.1 Localization Method Reproducibility 207 7.2 DOE - Coefficient Lists 208 7.2.1 Trial 3.3.4 – Impact of Retention Aid (PAM) on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 208 7.2.2 Trial 3.3.5 – Impact of Contact Curing on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 208 7.2.3 Trial 3.3.6 – Impact of Accelerated Aging on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 209