Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Universal characteristic'

Determining the characteristics of piston engines with a propeller is a complex task. Accurate calculations are based on engine and propeller characteristics from the manufacturers, which are, however, quite demanding. It is also possible to use simplified models that can predict the achievable values of propeller efficiency and fuel consumption. They are based on a simple propeller efficiency and maximum power. However, these models are often very inaccurate, which is a significant disadvantage. Therefore, it is possible to use the universal characteristics of propeller propulsion units, which offers a more accurate calculation of power and fuel consumption using a relatively simple model. The diploma thesis deals with a summary description of all characteristics of reciprocating internal combustion engines and propellers. A mathematical model was created here, which works according to a certain algorithm based on the joint work of the engine and the propeller. This model can predict the required power and fuel consumption in different flight modes much more accurately. The results were applied to the performance of ultralight aircraft, especially to the range, which was significantly increased.

Research indicates a significant rise in child and adolescent mental health difficulties over the past few decades (Mental Health Foundation, 2015). Evidence-based programmes are becoming increasingly favoured as a preventative measure to address these difficulties, given that a large number of interventions delivered in schools have been shown to be effective (Domitrovich et al., 2008). While schools offer an ideal stage for the prevention of mental health difficulties, research suggests that the outcomes of evidence-based programmes are heavily moderated by implementation variability (Durlak, 2015). A key driver of effective implementation and therefore, positive outcomes, is the implementer - who in the case of school-based preventative programmes is almost exclusively the class teacher. The aim of the current study was to investigate the influence of individual level teacher characteristics on implementation variability in a universal social and emotional learning programme, using data drawn from the evaluation of the PATHS to Success trial (Humphrey et al., under review). A concurrent embedded mixed methods design was used to gain a fuller appreciation of the individual level factors that affect implementation variability. A total of 183 teachers were included in the analyses, who completed surveys regarding their professional and psychological characteristics, as well as their perceptions of and attitudes towards interventions. Data were analysed using multiple regression, including a series of interaction terms. Missing data were addressed by means of multiple imputation. There were twelve focus teachers in the qualitative strand, with interviews conducted to investigate the individual level barriers and facilitators associated with implementation variability. Teachers' interview data was analysed thematically. Results indicated that teachers' characteristics did have an influence on implementation variability, although this varied depending on the aspect of implementation. A series of multiple regression analyses indicated that implementer characteristics accounted for 9% of the variance in the fidelity model, 21% in the dosage model, and 15% in the quality model. No individual predictors were significant, although there were some marginally non-significant trends. There was also no reported increase in the variance across the three models when a series of interaction terms were added. The qualitative interviews aided the clarification of some of the quantitative findings, adding substantial depth to some of the conclusions drawn, with school leadership emerging as a significant factor in the successful implementation of the programme. There were a number of implications as a result of the findings from the current study for researchers, programme developers, and schools in understanding implementation variability at the individual level. Directions for future research are discussed in light of these findings.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1993.
Title from title page screen, viewed February 24, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Richard A. Salome (chair), Frances Anderson, William Rau, Marilyn Newby, Thomas Malone, Barry Moore. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-77) and abstract. Also available in print.

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária
A evolução que tem caraterizado a Endodontia, permitiu avanços significativos tanto ao nível dos materiais utilizados para o fabrico de instrumentos, bem como o modo que estes são fabricados. O aumento da eficiência, resistência à fadiga cíclica e torção e diminuição do risco de acidentes durante a instrumentação têm sido as orientações dos principais fabricantes de instrumentos. Este trabalho de revisão bibliográfica, tem como principal objetivo a comparação de 3 sistemas de instrumentação, ProTaper Universal®, HyFlex® CM e RECIPROC®. Para tal procedeu-se à sua descrição e analisou-se as vantagens e desvantagens de cada um. A recolha de material bibliográfico foi feita recorrendo a motores de busca introduzindo/conjugando as seguintes palavras-chave: “endodontics”, “ProTaper Universal”, “RECIPROC”, “HyFlex”, “Níquel-Titânio”, “technique”, “M-Wire”, “CM-Wire”, “cyclic fatigue”, “study”, “characteristics” e “instrumentation”. Foi feita também a consulta de livros em bibliotecas. Depois de feita a análise dos resultados não se pode considerar que exista um instrumento ideal. Contudo o sistema HyFlex® CM tem claras vantagens no que respeita a fraturas por fadiga cíclica e elasticidade, o que pode ser vantajoso na instrumentação de canais estreitos e curvos. No que respeita à remoção de dentina, conformação do sistema de canais radiculares e rapidez e facilidade de instrumentação são fatores a favor das limas RECIPROC®. O recurso ao sistema ProTaper® Universal revelou-se eficiente, embora se tenha mostrado inferior aos demais. The evolution characterized Endodontic has allowed significant improvements in terms of both materials used for manufacturing instruments, and the way they are manufactured. Increased efficiency, resistance to cyclic fatigue and torsional and decreased risk of accidents during instrumentation. This bibliographical review aims is compare 3 instrumentation systems, ProTaper® Universal, HyFlex® CM and RECIPROC®. For this to happen, its description and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of each. The research of bibliographic material was done using search engines and introducing/combining the following key-words: "endodontics", "ProTaper Universal", "RECIPROC", "HyFlex", "Nickel-Titanium", "technique", "M -Wire", "CM-Wire", "cyclic fatigue", "study", "characteristics" and "instrumentation". It was also made to consult the books in libraries. Having made the analysis of the results cannot be considered that there is an ideal instrument. However, the HyFlex® CM system has clear advantages with respect to cyclic fatigue fracture and elasticity, which may be advantageous in instrumentation of curved root canals. With regard to the removal of dentin, root canal forming, system quickly and easily instrumentation are factors in favor of RECIPROC® files. The use of ProTaper® Universal system proved to be efficient, although it has shown inferior to the other.

Today, it is well known that galaxies like the Milky Way consist not only of stars but also of gas and dust. The galactic halo, a sphere of gas that surrounds the stellar disk of a galaxy, is especially interesting. It provides a wealth of information about in and outflowing gaseous material towards and away from galaxies and their hierarchical evolution. For the Milky Way, the so-called high-velocity clouds (HVCs), fast moving neutral gas complexes in the halo that can be traced by absorption-line measurements, are believed to play a crucial role in the overall matter cycle in our Galaxy. Over the last decades, the properties of these halo structures and their connection to the local circumgalactic and intergalactic medium (CGM and IGM, respectively) have been investigated in great detail by many different groups. So far it remains unclear, however, to what extent the results of these studies can be transferred to other galaxies in the local Universe. In this thesis, we study the absorption properties of Galactic HVCs and compare the HVC absorption characteristics with those of intervening QSO absorption-line systems at low redshift. The goal of this project is to improve our understanding of the spatial extent and physical conditions of gaseous galaxy halos in the local Universe. In the first part of the thesis we use HST /STIS ultraviolet spectra of more than 40 extragalactic background sources to statistically analyze the absorption properties of the HVCs in the Galactic halo. We determine fundamental absorption line parameters including covering fractions of different weakly/intermediately/highly ionized metals with a particular focus on SiII and MgII. Due to the similarity in the ionization properties of SiII and MgII, we are able to estimate the contribution of HVC-like halo structures to the cross section of intervening strong MgII absorbers at z = 0. Our study implies that only the most massive HVCs would be regarded as strong MgII absorbers, if the Milky Way halo would be seen as a QSO absorption line system from an exterior vantage point. Combining the observed absorption-cross section of Galactic HVCs with the well-known number density of intervening strong MgII absorbers at z = 0, we conclude that the contribution of infalling gas clouds (i.e., HVC analogs) in the halos of Milky Way-type galaxies to the cross section of strong MgII absorbers is 34%. This result indicates that only about one third of the strong MgII absorption can be associated with HVC analogs around other galaxies, while the majority of the strong MgII systems possibly is related to galaxy outflows and winds. The second part of this thesis focuses on the properties of intervening metal absorbers at low redshift. The analysis of the frequency and physical conditions of intervening metal systems in QSO spectra and their relation to nearby galaxies offers new insights into the typical conditions of gaseous galaxy halos. One major aspect in our study was to regard intervening metal systems as possible HVC analogs. We perform a detailed analysis of absorption line properties and line statistics for 57 metal absorbers along 78 QSO sightlines using newly-obtained ultraviolet spectra obtained with HST /COS. We find clear evidence for bimodal distribution in the HI column density in the absorbers, a trend that we interpret as sign for two different classes of absorption systems (with HVC analogs at the high-column density end). With the help of the strong transitions of SiII λ1260, SiIII λ1206, and CIII λ977 we have set up Cloudy photoionization models to estimate the local ionization conditions, gas densities, and metallicities. We find that the intervening absorption systems studied by us have, on average, similar physical conditions as Galactic HVC absorbers, providing evidence that many of them represent HVC analogs in the vicinity of other galaxies. We therefore determine typical halo sizes for SiII, SiIII, and CIII for L = 0.01L∗ and L = 0.05L∗ galaxies. Based on the covering fractions of the different ions in the Galactic halo, we find that, for example, the typical halo size for SiIII is ∼ 160 kpc for L = 0.05L∗ galaxies. We test the plausibility of this result by searching for known galaxies close to the QSO sightlines and at similar redshifts as the absorbers. We find that more than 34% of the measured SiIII absorbers have galaxies associated with them, with the majority of the absorbers indeed being at impact parameters ρ ≤160 kpc.
Galaxien bestehen nicht nur aus Planeten und Sternen, sondern sind u.a. auch von einer Hülle aus Gas und Staub, dem Halo, umgeben. Dieser Halo spielt für die Entwicklung der Galaxie eine zentrale Rolle, da er mit der galaktischen Scheibe wechselwirken kann. Für das Verständnis des galaktischen Materiekreislaufs ist es daher entscheidend, die Prozesse und Vorgänge sowie das Zusammenspiel der verschiedenen Gasphasen in diesem Übergangsbereich zum intergalaktischen Medium charakterisieren und verstehen zu können. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden lokale Phänomene, die sogenannten Hochgeschwindigkeitswolken (HVCs), im Halo der Milchstraße mit Hilfe des Hubble-Weltraumteleskops analysiert und ausgewertet. Im Gegensatz zu dem normalen Halo Gas bewegen sich diese HVCs mit ungewöhnlich hohen Geschwindigkeiten durch die ̈ äußeren Bereiche der Milchstraße. Sie passen daher nicht in das Galaktische Ge- schwindigkeitsmodell und stellen eine eigene, wichtige Klasse von Objekten dar, welche mit der Galaxie wechselwirken und diese beeinflussen. Für die Analyse dieser HVCs werden mehr als 40 Spektren von extragalaktischen Hintergrundquellen statistisch untersucht, um u.a. den Bedeckungsanteil von verschiedenen niedrig-/mittel- und hochionisierten Metallen zu ermitteln. Wegen der Ähnlichkeit der Ionisationsparameter von einfach ionisiertem Silizium, SiII, und einfach ionisiertem Magnesium, MgII, ist es möglich, den Beitrag von HVCs zum Wirkungsquerschnitt von starken MgII Absorbern im lokalen Universum zu bestimmen. Es stellt sich heraus, dass, würde man von außen auf die Milchstraße schauen, Galaktische HVCs etwa 52 % zum totalen Wirkungsquerschnitt von starken MgII Absorptionssystemen in der Milchstraße beitragen. Weiterhin ergibt sich, dass nur etwa ein Drittel der starken MgII Absorptionssysteme in der Umgebung von Milchstraßen-ähnlichen Galaxien als HVC Gegenstücke identifziert werden kann. Betrachtet man die große Anzahl an bekannten MgII Absorptionssystemen folgt daraus, dass das HVC-Phänomen nicht alleine auf unsere Galaxie beschränkt ist, sondern im Gegenteil, weit verbreitet zu sein scheint. Weiterhin werden die Eigenschaften von Metallsystemen bei niedriger Rotverschiebung in Quasarspektren analysiert. Die Suche nach extragalaktischen Metallsystemen in einer Vielzahl von Spektren und deren statistische Auswertung bezogen auf ihre Ursprungsgalaxien ermöglicht es, neue Erkenntnisse über die typische Struktur von Halos Milchstraßen-ähnlicher Galaxien zu erlangen. Eine der Hauptfragestellungen ist die Identifizierung von entfernten Metallsystemen als HVC-Analoga. Dazu wurden weitere Quasarspektren des Hubble-Teleskops ausgewertet und mit den Ergebnissen über Galaktische HVCs verglichen. Es zeigt sich hierbei, dass z.B. in der Säulendichteverteilung von neutralem Wasserstoff eine deutliche zweikomponentige Struktur zu erkennen ist. Diese könnte das Resultat von zwei verschiedenen Absorber Populationen sein, wobei eine HVC-ähnliche Eigenschaften aufweist. Diese Absorptionssysteme besitzen im Mittel sehr ähnliche Eigenschaften wie Galaktische Absorber, z.B. in Bezug auf die Eigenschaften des Gases oder dessen Zusammensetzung. Das impliziert u.a., dass sich auch dazugehörige Galaxien innerhalb eines bestimmten Abstandes um diese Absorber befinden sollten. Diese Vermutung wird anhand der Daten exemplarisch für zweichfach ionisiertes Silizium, SiII, untersucht. Es stellt sich heraus, dass sich in mehr als 34 % der Fälle zugehörige Galaxien bei SiIII Absorbern befinden, wobei die Mehrheit sogar innerhalb des von uns ermittelten mittleren Detektionsradius von 160 kpc zu finden ist. Allgemein können wir viele Hinweise darauf finden, dass das HVC-Phänomen nicht nur auf die Milchstraße beschränkt, sondern weit verbreitet ist. Zusätzlich scheinen Metallsysteme in Quasarspektren gute Indikatoren für HVC-Analoga in der Umgebung von anderen entfernten Galaxien zu sein.

Due to widespread bank scandals and failures around the world, there has been renewed interest in the effect of corporate governance on bank performance. The majority of research concerning corporate governance and its effect on bank performance has been undertaken in developed countries and markets, particularly the USA and European Union but relatively little evidence is provided in Sub Saharan Africa, specifically, Ghana. This study investigates the effects of corporate governance on financial performance of Ghanaian universal banking companies during the period 2006- 2014. This study primarily employs relevant governance theories to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and bank performance. Multiple regression panel data analysis and other appropriate methods are the main tools of analysis in this study. The empirical investigation revealed a mixed set of results. The findings showed that board size, board composition, bank size and foreign ownership are positively but insignificantly related to profitability in terms of return on asset and return on equity, while board committees have a positive and statistically significant impact on financial performance which is consistent with the monitoring hypothesis of agency theory which argues that board committees are an important mechanism of corporate governance in Ghana which impact on bank performance. This study contributes to the increasing number of research studies on the link between bank performance and corporate governance. The lacked of clarity, mixed and permanent relationships provided, show that the association the association between bank performance and different corporate governance mechanisms is complex and dynamic optimal governance arrangements may differ from bank to bank in relation to governance characteristics.

Due to widespread bank scandals and failures around the world, there has been renewed interest in the effect of corporate governance on bank performance. The majority of research concerning corporate governance and its effect on bank performance has been undertaken in developed countries and markets, particularly the USA and European Union but relatively little evidence is provided in Sub Saharan Africa, specifically, Ghana. This study investigates the effects of corporate governance on financial performance of Ghanaian universal banking companies during the period 2006- 2014. This study primarily employs relevant governance theories to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and bank performance. Multiple regression panel data analysis and other appropriate methods are the main tools of analysis in this study. The empirical investigation revealed a mixed set of results. The findings showed that board size, board composition, bank size and foreign ownership are positively but insignificantly related to profitability in terms of return on asset and return on equity, while board committees have a positive and statistically significant impact on financial performance which is consistent with the monitoring hypothesis of agency theory which argues that board committees are an important mechanism of corporate governance in Ghana which impact on bank performance. This study contributes to the increasing number of research studies on the link between bank performance and corporate governance. The lacked of clarity, mixed and permanent relationships provided, show that the association the association between bank performance and different corporate governance mechanisms is complex and dynamic optimal governance arrangements may differ from bank to bank in relation to governance characteristics.

As a universal screening method, teacher nominations have been found to both miss and misidentify a substantial proportion of students with internalizing disorders such as anxiety and depression (Cunningham & Suldo, 2014; Gelley, 2014; Moor et al., 2007). Although some research has explored the accuracy of teacher nominations when used to identify students with anxiety and depression, no research examined the teacher characteristics that are potentially related to accuracy. The current study conducted a secondary analysis of an archival dataset (Gelley, 2014) to determine which characteristics of teachers (N= 19) are more closely related to accuracy in identifying middle school students (N = 233) with elevated levels of anxiety or depression. Teacher characteristics examined include: teacher self-efficacy beliefs in identifying students with anxiety and depression, teacher acceptance of the general method of asking teachers as a whole to identify students with anxiety and depression, teacher gender, years teaching, and subject taught. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between the aforementioned teacher characteristics and teacher accuracy, defined by the conditional probability indices sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). The combined predictors explained 38 to 69% of the variance in those indicators of accuracy. Results indicated that in predicting sensitivity, being a language arts or math teacher (as compared to being a social studies teacher), having fewer years of professional experience, and reporting greater acceptance of method may predict higher sensitivity rates. In regards to specificity, higher teacher self-efficacy, being a social studies teacher, being male, and having fewer years of professional experience predicted higher specificity rates. In terms of PPV, having higher acceptance of method and more self-efficacy may explain higher PPV rates. Finally, in terms of NPV, having fewer years of professional experience may explain higher NPV rates. Results from this study may be used to guide collaboration and consultation with teachers in universal screenings, and may inform teacher training programs aimed to increase teacher knowledge and confidence identifying students experiencing emotional distress at school.

Computer haben fast jeden Lebensbereich durchdrungen, was viele Vorteile - aber auch Herausforderungen - für ihre Nutzer mit sich bringt. Dies wird vor allem bei der Benutzung von Fahrkartenautomaten (FKA) oder anderer Technik im öffentlichen Raum deutlich, denn diese sollten spontan benutzbar sein, stellen gerade ältere Benutzer aber oft vor Probleme. Sind sie zu alt, um Technik zu benutzen? Diese Dissertation verfolgt zwei Ziele: Zum einen soll die Gebrauchstauglichkeit eines Fahrkartenautomaten (FKA) verbessert werden, indem zwei einander ergänzende Ansätze angewandt werden und die daraus entstehenden drei FKA-Varianten (Original, Video, Wizard) hinsichtlich der Kriterien der Gebrauchstauglichkeit Effektivität, Effizienz und Zufriedenstellung verglichen werden. Zum anderen wird der Einfluß des Alters und alterskorrelierter Benutzermerkmale auf die erfolgreiche Benutzung dieser funktional equivalenten FKA-Gestaltungsvarianten unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Merkmals Computerwissen geschätzt. In einem zweifaktoriellen quasi-experimentellen Versuchsplan mit zwei (Alter: jung, alt) mal drei (experimentelle Bedingung: Kontrolle, Video, Wizard) Faktorstufen lösten 62 ältere (M=68 Jahre) und 62 jüngere (M=25 Jahre) Versuchsteilnehmer die selben elf Aufgaben: Die Kontrollgruppe nutzte einen simulierten FKA der BVG (Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe), die Videogruppe sah ein kurzes Instruktionsvideo bevor sie den selben FKA nutzte und die Wizardgruppe nutzte statt dessen eine umgestaltete graphische Benutzungsschnittstelle. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, daß Technik im öffentlichen Raum durch die Integration einer minimalen Videoinstruktion oder eines aufgabenorientierten Wizards mit angemessenem Aufwand universell nutzbar gestaltet werden kann und daß nicht das chronologische Alter die erfolgreiche Nutzung des FKA beeinflußt, sondern altersbezogene Nutzermerkmale, welche gemessen werden können und sollten, um eine nutzungsgerechte Gestaltung zu ermöglichen.
Computer technology has permeated almost every sphere of daily living, bringing about many advantages - and challenges - for its users. This becomes particularly apparent for older people’s use of public access systems like ticket vending machines (TVM), which should be „walk-up and use systems“ but often pose challenging problems for them. Are they too old to use IT? This thesis aims to (a) improve the usability of a ticket vending machine (TVM) following two different approaches (teach or design) and to compare the resulting three TVM designs (original, video, wizard) regarding the usability criteria effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction, and to (b) estimate the impact of age and age-correlated user characteristics on the successful use of these functionally equivalent TVM designs with a special focus on computer literacy. In a two (young, old) by three (control, video, wizard) factorial quasi experimental research design, 62 older (M=68 years) and 62 younger (M=25 years) participants solved the same eleven tasks: The control group used a simulated TVM of the BVG (public transportation in Berlin, Germany), the video group watched a brief instructional video integrated into the same TVM before using it and the wizard group used a redesigned wizard interface instead. MANOVA indicates that video and wizard substantially improved TVM usability, increasing effectiveness for the older groups from 52% to 80% and 88% respectively. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that user characteristics had a strong effect on effectiveness of BVG-TVM use, but a weaker effect in the video (36%) and wizard (5%) conditions (universal usability). Results suggest that integration of minimal video instruction or a task oriented wizard design can make public access systems truly universally usable with reasonable effort and that not chronological age itself predicts successful TVM use, but age related user characteristics, which can - and should - be measured and designed for.

Absorption profiles are found in the observed spectra from quasars, and the most prominent of these are the Damped Lyman-alpha Absorbers (DLAs). They are caused by large collections of neutral hydrogen (HI) gas, which are thought to be housed in galaxies that lie along the line-of-sight to quasars. HI gas associated with DLAs contains most of the HI gas in the Universe during 2 < z < 5, and hence details about DLAs are important for understanding the history of star formation, as well as the formation and evolution of galaxies. Wyithe (2008) proposed a method of determining the characteristic mass of dark matter haloes that host DLAs. This involves generating an analytic power spectrum of the fluctuations in 21cm brightness temperature caused by the HI gas in the Universe. Calculating this analytic 21cm power spectrum requires a formalism for the HI mass weighted clustering bias of DLAs on both large and small scales. We include this DLA clustering bias by firstly generating an analytic galaxy power spectrum using the halo model of Peacock & Smith (2000), as well as including the occupation of haloes by galaxies -- using the Halo Occupation Distribution (HOD) weighting of Peacock (2003). This weighting is then adapted to account for the occupation of haloes by HI gas.
We then fit the analytic 21cm power spectrum generated using this formalism to a simulated 21cm power spectrum, with the characteristic mass of DLA host haloes being used as a fitting parameter. The DLA host halo mass is in turn dependent upon two parameters in our model: the minimum mass of haloes M_{min} included in our formalism, and the HI weighting index alpha_{HI}. The neutral hydrogen fraction is another parameter, which we can choose to be the same as that from our simulation volume. If we also choose a value for alpha_{HI} that is motivated by analysis of the dark matter and HI gas content of the haloes in the simulation, then we are able to fit the 21cm power spectrum at both large and small scales, with an M_{min} that is the same or similar to the lowest mass in the simulation's halo catalogue. This in turn gives a similar value for the DLA host halo mass that is known to be the case in the simulation. This demonstrates the viability of the Wyithe (2008) method for determining the DLA host halo mass using observations of 21cm fluctuations. However, degeneracies in the free parameters of our analytic formalism would hinder an accurate determination of the DLA host halo mass from actual future observations. This is due to the fact that the real space, spherically averaged 21cm power spectrum is used throughout this thesis. However, extending our analytic formalism to the redshift space, angular-dependent 21cm power spectrum should be capable of breaking the degeneracy between DLA host halo mass and neutral hydrogen fraction.

Nitrocellulose is the main component in many types of ammunition, propellants and explosives. The principles of production for nitrocellulose have not changed much since the 19th century when it started being industrially produced for this purpose. The character of the nitrocellulose has a large effect on the end products abilities. The aim of this study was to develop a method that would be able to characterise and distinguish between nitrocellulose from different manufacturers to be able to relate the character of the nitrocellulose to the properties of ammunition, propellants and explosives. Samples were dissolved in acetone and analysed by GC/MS and data were then analysed by multivariable statistics. FTIR was also used to characterise the nitrocellulose. Results from both methods showed very small differences when chromatograms and spectra were analysed. This study shows that GC/MS and FTIR are not suitable for this type of characterisation. The differences between the data were not sufficient to be able to separate the samples from each other.
Nitrocellulosa är den viktigaste komponenten i många typer av ammunition, drivmedel och sprängämnen. Principerna för produktionen av nitrocellulosa har inte förändrats mycket sedan det börjades produceras industriellt för detta ändamål på 1800 talet. Karaktären av nitrocellulosa har en stor inverkan på slutproduktens egenskaper. Syftet med denna studie var att utveckla en metod som skulle kunna karaktärisera och skilja mellan nitrocellulosa från olika tillverkare för att kunna relatera karaktären av nitrocellulosa till egenskaperna hos ammunition, drivmedel och sprängämnen. Proverna löstes i aceton och analyserades med GC/MS och data analyserades med multivariabel statistik. FTIR användes också för att karakterisera nitrocellulosan. Resultaten för båda proverna visade mycket små skillnader när kromatogram och spektra analyserades. Denna studie visar att GC/MS och FTIR inte är lämpliga för denna typ av karaktärisering. Skillnaderna i data var inte tillräckliga för att kunna skilja proverna från varandra.

Дат је детаљан преглед садашњих концепцијских решења и начинамонтаже савремених универзалних зупчастих редуктора.Карактеристике ових решења анализиране су посредством јединичних икомплексних показатеља квалитета. Резултати те анализе приказани суна систематичан и јасан начин, коришћењем табела, дијаграма и схема.Тумачење резултата је јасно и адекватно, с нагласком на значајнеделове који су од посебне важности. Предложено решење зупчастогредуктора за усвојену осну висину је коректно дефинисано ипостављено на основу претходно извршених анализа. Начин усвајањазупчастих парова, као и појединих конструкционих решења извршен јена јасно образложен начин. Такође, дат је предлог за увођење зубаца саповећаном теменом висином.
Dat je detaljan pregled sadašnjih koncepcijskih rešenja i načinamontaže savremenih univerzalnih zupčastih reduktora.Karakteristike ovih rešenja analizirane su posredstvom jediničnih ikompleksnih pokazatelja kvaliteta. Rezultati te analize prikazani suna sistematičan i jasan način, korišćenjem tabela, dijagrama i shema.Tumačenje rezultata je jasno i adekvatno, s naglaskom na značajnedelove koji su od posebne važnosti. Predloženo rešenje zupčastogreduktora za usvojenu osnu visinu je korektno definisano ipostavljeno na osnovu prethodno izvršenih analiza. Način usvajanjazupčastih parova, kao i pojedinih konstrukcionih rešenja izvršen jena jasno obrazložen način. Takođe, dat je predlog za uvođenje zubaca sapovećanom temenom visinom.
Detailed overview of current solutions and conceptual mounting ways ofmodern universal helical gear reducer is presented. The characteristics ofthese solutions are analyzed by means of the unit and complex qualityindicators. The results of this analysis are presented in a systematic andclear way, using tables, charts and diagrams. Interpretation of the results isclear and appropriate, with an emphasis on the important parts of which areof particular importance. The proposed solution of gear reducer for adoptedshaft height is correctly defined and set to the previously performed analysis.The way the adoption of gear pairs, as well as some innovative designs areexecuted on clearly reasoned manner. Also, a proposal for the introduction ofhigh contact ratio is given.

Most of Eastern Africa has arid and semi-arid climate with high space-time variability in rainfall. The droughts are very common in this region, and often persist for several years, preceded or followed by extreme floods. Most of the livelihoods and socio-economic activities however remain rain-dependent leading to severe negative impacts during the periods of occurrence of climate extremes. It has been noted that one extreme event was capable of reversing national economic growth made over a period of several years. Thus no sustainable development can be attained in eastern Africa without effective mainstreaming of climate information in the development policies, plans and programmes. Many past studies in the region have focused on rainfall variability at seasonal, annual and decadal scales. Very little work has been done at intraseasonal timescale that is paramount to most agricultural applications. This study aims at filling this research gap, by investigating the structure of rainfall season in terms of the distribution of wet and dry spells and how this distribution varies in space and time at interannual time scale over Equatorial Eastern Africa. Prediction models for use in the early warning systems aimed at climate risk reduction were finally developed. The specific objectives of the study include, delineate and diagnose the some aspects of the distribution of the wet and dry spells at interannual timescale; investigate the linkages between the aspects of the distribution of wet and dry spells identified and dominant large scale climate fields that drive the global climate; and assess the predictability of the various aspects of wet and dry spells for the improvement of the use in the early warning systems of the region.Several datasets spanning a period of 40 years (1961 - 2000) were used. The data included gauged daily rainfall amount for the three Eastern Africa countries namely Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania; Hadley Centre Sea Surface Temperature (SST); re-analysis data and radiosonde observations from Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangui (Central Africa Republic) upper air stations. The indices of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole and SST gradients which constituted the predefined predictors were also used [...]

Derived from centuries-old English laws, Australian laws ascribe criminal responsibility to children according to their age and their assumed level of understanding of the rightness and wrongness of certain acts. This project first charts the creation and development of the English and Australian positions. Then, using insights from postmodernity and the idea of deconstruction, the law is critically assessed to reveal practical, theoretical and moral limits in the law's attempt to do justice. The justifiability of the current Australian legal positions is questioned by demonstrating the law's internal inconsistencies, by revealing the law's historical and philosophical preferences, and by contrasting the law's restricted ambit of inquiry with contemporary knowledge from other disciplines including developmental psychology and sociology.

Dur At Talah sedimentary sequence, located at the southern side of the Sirt Basin in central Libya, is composed of 150 m thick of mainly siliciclastic rocks. The importance of this sequence is linked to the importance of the Sirt Basin as one of large hydrocarbon reservoirs in Libya. The sequence is also an excellent site for vertebrate fossils of Late Eocene, the age of the sequence. Previous studies, though very limited compared to the importance of this area, are focused on its paleontological content. Sedimentology received only scant attention before this project. This thesis is an outcrop based study in which the focus is given to the sedimentary and biogenic (trace fossils) structures, aiming at defining and interpreting depositional facies which building up the sequence. The study is mainly based on field data which are analyzed on the light of related published literature and on the comparison with modern sedimentary environments. Results of facies analysis have led to splitting the entire sequence into three genetically related intervals. The oldest, we called the New Idam Unit (around 80m), is composed of very fine sandstones to mudstones. New Idam Unit is unconformably overlain by the Sarir Unit (around 50m), composed of medium grained cross bedded sandstones (the lower 25-30 m) changes up to very coarse and microconglomeratic sandstone (the upper 20-30 m). Thus, the Sarir Unit is split into the lower Sarir Subunit and upper Sarir subunit. The New Idam Unit presents both classical and unusual sedimentary and biogenic indicators that attribute this unit to estuarine depositional environment. It starts with outer estuarine (the lower 35 m) and ends up with inner estuarine (the upper 45 m). Maximum flooding surface is located in between. Above this surface the fluvial indicators increase and tidal indicators decrease, thus providing clue for basinward (North) migration of the shoreline. The lower Sarir subunit which was previously interpreted as fluvial deposits, preserves multi-scale sedimentary structures that undoubtedly belong to tidal processes. This is especially evidenced at the lower part of the lower Sarir Subunit (LLS). Fluvial indications over dominates the tidal ones in the upper part of the lower Sarir (ULS). Due to this configuration the whole lower Sarir subunit is interpreted as shallow marine, deltaic, depositional system, occurred during sea level ¨normal¨ regression. This time, maximum flooding surface is located between the LLS and ULS. The lower Sarir subunit is terminated by subaerial unconformity, with evidences of subaerial exposure preserved at the top of the ULS. These are intruded by the upper Sarir subunit which presents clear evidences of strictly fluvial environment of deposition. The deposits of the upper Sarir subunit record the low stand system tract part of the Dur At Talah sequence. In addition to the outlined results, the sequential pattern of the depositional events is suggested for the entire sequence of Dur At Talah. This study provides a valuable information regarding the depositional and sequential aspects of the Sirt Basin during the late Eocene, it also provide an unique case study for the better understanding of the shallow marine tidal deposits.

La réduction des inégalités sociales de santé (ISS) est un axe majeur des politiques de santé publiques qui définissent le système de santé d’un pays. L’European Deprivation Index (EDI) est un indice écologique européen, reflétant au mieux l’expérience individuelle de défavorisation sociale, qui permet de réaliser des comparaisons entre régions et pays européens.Ce travail s’est intéressé à l’étude des ISS, estimées par l’EDI, dans le domaine de la néphrologie. A l’aide de l’EDI, nos études ont montré que 32 % des patients transplantés rénaux résidaient dans les zones les plus défavorisées et que leur risque de décès était plus élevé comparativement aux sujets les moins défavorisés.En France, il existe des disparités d’accès à la greffe rénale avec donneur vivant en fonction des centres de greffe. Le sexe féminin et la défavorisation sociale estimée par l’EDI sont associés à une plus faible probabilité de greffe avec donneur vivant. Le nombre de néphrologues et de coordinateurs de greffe par centre ainsi que la réalisation de greffe ABO incompatibles sont des facteurs qui influencent la proportion de greffes avec donneur vivant.Les ISS sont associées à la dialyse autonome en France. Il existe à nouveau une surreprésentation, comparativement à la population générale, de la défavorisation sociale dans la population incidente en dialyse.Les ISS en néphrologie pourraient être réduites par des interventions précoces dans le parcours du patient insuffisant rénal. Il est nécessaire d’élaborer des interventions novatrices individuelles mais aussi au sein des centres de dialyse et de greffe rénale afin d’améliorer l’autonomie du patient et l’accès à la greffe rénale
Reducing social inequalities in health is an important objective internationally. An European transnational index, European Deprivation Index (EDI), estimates the individual experience of social deprivation and allows comparison between regions and countries.This work focuses on the social deprivation estimated by EDI in nephrology. Using EDI, our studies showed that 32% of transplanted patients lived in the most deprived areas. Social deprivation was associated with the increased risk of death in renal transplanted patients.In France, there was heterogeneity between transplant centers regarding living-donor kidney transplantation. Gender and social deprivation estimated by EDI were associated with lower likelihood of LDKT. Number of senior nephrologists or coordinators and the existence of ABO incompatible program could influence the use of LDKT.In France, social deprivation estimated by the EDI is associated with self-care dialysis in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing replacement therapy. Compared with the general population, ESRD patients treated by dialysis experienced a high level of social deprivation.Social inequalities in nephrology could be reduced by early interventions during healthcare pathway. New approaches targeted ESRD patients should be explored at the dialysis or transplantation centers levels

The vast distribution and long duration of the Late Mesozoic magmatism in the eastern part of South China presents a unique case in the world. This offers a natural laboratory to study the process of magma genesis, the magma emplacement mode, the relationship between magmatism and tectonics, the geodynamic role on the magma emplacement and lithospheric evolution. Since 50's, particularly 90's of the last century, geoscientists have made important efforts in geological cartography and carried out numerous studies with remarkable scientific achievements, building a solid background to understand the tectonic evolution of the South China Block (SCB). However, certain fundamental questions mentioned above remain unsolved and/or are in hot debate. In order to make progress in these scientific issues, we have carried out in a multi-disciplinary study in the Late Mesozoic Qingyang-Jiuhua massif, Hengshan massif and Fujian coastal zone according to their distance with respect to the paleo subduction zone of the Paleo-Pacific plate, the ages of granitic massifs and related tectonics, including field observation on the structure geology, micro-observation on thin section, U-Pb dating on monazite, AMS, paleomagnetism, gravity modeling and P condition concern the granite emplacement. In the view of deformation in these granitic massifs and their country rocks, mode and influence of regional tectonics on the emplacement, though each studied zone reveals its distinguished characteristics, they show some intrinsic and common relationships between them. With our new results and integrating previous data, in this thesis, we discuss the tectonic context of emplacement of these Late Mesozoic magmatic massifs and the geodynamic evolution of the SCB., We propose a 3-step geodynamic model: (1) during 145-130 Ma period, the Paleo-Pacific plate subducted northwestwardly, the West Philippines micro-continent, approaching to SCB, important subduction-related arc volcanism was produced in the coastal areas of Southeast China coast (Zhejiang-Fujian-Guangdong), forming a back-arc extension tectonic system in SCB; (2) during 130-110 Ma period, due to the collision between the West Philippines microcontinent and SCB, the compressional tectonic structures were developed in the Changle-Na'ao coastal zone, producing ductile deformation zones. However, the inland of the eastern part of SCB was under a NW-SE extensional tectonic regime; (3) during 105-90 Ma period, a new subduction zone was developed in the SE flank of the West Philippines micro-continent, the subducting slab reached the Changle-Nan'ao tectonic belt, with the possible break-off of slab, the asthenospheric ascent was responsible for the important emplacement of plutonic massifs and dykes. The tectonics of the eastern part of SCB was characterized by a general extensional system in this period. This tectonic pattern has been significantly disturbed by the Oligocene-Eocene opening of the South China sea,and the Miocene shortening of the SCB margin in Taiwan. Of course, this model should be improved by more geological, geophysical and geochemical investigations.

For the moduli stack $\mathcal{M}_{g,n/\mathbb{F}_p}$ of smooth curves of type $(g,n)$ over Spec $\mathbb{F}_p$ with the function field $K$, we show that if $g\geq3$, then the only $K$-rational points of the generic curve over $K$ are its $n$ tautological points. Furthermore, we show that if $g\geq 3$ and $n=0$, then Grothendieck's Section Conjecture holds for the generic curve over $K$. A primary tool used in this thesis is the theory of weighted completion developed by Richard Hain and Makoto Matsumoto.

Dissertation

碩士
國立臺灣大學
物理學研究所
88
In this M.S. thesis, we investigate the behavior of a hydrogen atom in the expanding universe making use of the appropriate Dirac equation in the Robertson-Walker (RW) metric. The equation is obtained by incorporating the electromagnetic potential of a static point-like charge, via gauge principle, into the Dirac equation phrased in the curved spacetime. The solutions to such equation are obtained by the perturbation method. The results are presented and briefly discussed.

碩士
國立臺北科技大學
設計學院創意與永續建築研究外國學生專班
102
As an important part of disaster preparedness strategies, tsunami signage is one of the key elements for an effective tsunami evacuation planning and also for optimizing the emergency procedures in case of tsunami occurrence. This kind of strategy is required to assist and help communities during tsunami occurrences, especially in Banda Aceh City, Aceh Province, Indonesia, where the last tsunami in 2004 devastated the whole area and according to the United Nations (2006), the death toll stood at 130.736 with 37.000 people listed as missing in Indonesia. When another massive earthquake occurred in Aceh on April 11th of 2012, several of the available tsunami evacuations route signages in Cot Lamkuweuh village were not well-maintained and even led people to a direction which was different from the expected evacuation place. In the study area there are three types of tsunami signages: 1) Tsunami information boards, 2) tsunami evacuation route and 3) tsunami sign boards. This research focuses on describing and analyzing the physical characteristics and current conflicts associated with these three types of signages, especially those problems that provoke visual distraction and misinterpretation among the users, including lack of consistencies in the use of symbols and colors, issues of signages that either had posters for local election campaigns pasted on it or were faded due to the weather conditions, among others. Considering the main purpose of tsunami signages, which is to guide people away from the danger of a tsunami, it is vital to find out if the current tsunami signages are already fulfilling their purpose. Therefore, two qualitative methods, observation (walk-through evaluation) and interview (focused interviews), were conducted in the study area in order to assess key issues on physical characteristics of tsunami signages that are affecting user when perceiving the signages. These methods were derived from post-occupancy evaluation methods (as a method for data collection and analysis), and were conducted with consideration for Universal Design principles. The data collected using qualitative methods were also analyzed and compared in relation to the principles of Universal Design. This study was aimed on evaluating the three types of tsunami signages in study area, and also on identifying which visual aspects of their physical characteristics can be improved to allow people to perceive correct and pertinent information. To achieve these aims, this study presents an analysis on individual perception on four types of users: school age-children, adolescence, adults and early old-age. Also, written reports about tsunami signages from government agencies and local communities were analyzed. It was observed that there are significant differences among these 4 types of users on how they perceive and interpret signages, depending on their abilities and visual preferences. Finally, in order to improve tsunami signages efficiency on transmitting its message, a set of recommendations were drawn, which can also be used to encourage future studies on the development of the tsunami signages system in Banda Aceh city, Aceh Province - Indonesia. These recommendations were based on Universal Design principles and also considered several cultural aspects of the local community, past experiences using evacuation signage during tsunami drill, massive earthquake events and real tsunami events, how government institutions and community members are used to cooperate in terms of signage maintenance and how the current education and training programs on the subject of evacuation are being conducted.

Cette thèse porte sur l'étude du comportement hydromécanique des déchets biodégradables à deux échelles : au laboratoire et dans les sites de stockage. Après une introduction sur les Installations de Stockage et le traitement final des déchets(Chapt.1), les paramètres physiques, mécaniques et hydrauliques sont définis par analogie avec les milieux granulaires(Chapt.2).Les recherches présentées se rapportent d'une part aux propriétés de transfert et d'autre part aux propriétés mécaniques d'un déchet biodégradable. Des essais originaux de compression-perméabilité au gaz ont été réalisés sur des déchets jeunes et des déchets biodégradés au laboratoire dans le but de mesurer l'évolution de la conductivité au gaz en fonction du tassement et du degré de saturation en lixiviat (Chapt.3). Ces essais permettent de valider le modèle de double porosité proposé par Stoltz (Thèse 2009) (Chapt.4). Dans un deuxième temps, on s'intéresse aux propriétés mécaniques : une nouvelle version du logiciel ISPM est proposée, il s'agit d'un outil de modélisation destiné à la prévision du tassement des déchets -Olivier (Thèse 2003). Ce nouveau modèle appliqué à l'étude du tassement de deux alvéoles en service , a permis par méthode inverse de déterminer le coefficient de compressibilité secondaire de ces déchets (Chapt.5). Enfin, la résistance au cisaillement de déchets biodégradables issus de forages est caractérisée en fonction de différents paramètres d'état (Chapt.6) et ces valeurs sont utilisées pour un calcul de stabilité sur site.

Tesis (Lic. en Astronomía)--Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía, Física y Computación, 2016.
Se diseñó e implementó una versión del test cosmológico de Alcock-Paczyński utilizando la función de correlación cruzada void-galaxia en términos de distancias angulares en el plano del cielo y extensiones en redshift en la dirección radial de la línea de la visual. Para ello, se desarrolló un modelo dinámico-cosmológico que permite tratar, al mismo tiempo, las dos fuentes de distorsiones en los isocontornos de correlación: i) de origen dinámico: debido a la componente radial de las velocidades peculiares de las galaxias que rodean a los voids; ii) de origen cosmológico: al transformar los observables en unidades de distancia, para lo cual hay que asumir un modelo cosmológico. El modelo consta de seis parámetros: cuatro que describen el perfil medio de densidad de una muestra de voids, la dispersión media de velocidades y el parámetro adimensional de materia del universo. Para ajustar el modelo, se implemento un muestreo del espacio de parámetros mediante Cadenas de Markov. Con el fin de aplicar el test diseñado, se utilizaron halos de materia oscura y voids de la Simulación Millennium XXL. Se confeccionaron muestras de voids clasificándolos por tamaño y entorno. Se revalidaron los resultados teóricos y observacionales más importantes en lo que concierne a la naturaleza estructural y dinámica de los voids, midiendo perfiles de densidad, perfiles de velocidad, dispersión de velocidades y correlaciones entre halos y voids. Se evaluó la sensibilidad del test en función del redshift medio de las muestras, cubriendo el intervalo [0,05;2]. A redshifts bajos, donde predominan las distorsiones dinámicas, se encontraron sesgos debido a una deficiencia del modelo lineal de la velocidad de los voids. Por el contrario, a redshifts altos, donde predominan las distorsiones cosmológicas, los resultados mejoran y las incertezas disminuyen, mostrando así, el impacto que tendrá el test aplicado en los próximos relevamientos de galaxias.
We designed and implemented a version of the Alcock-Paczyński cosmological test using the void-galaxy cross-correlation function in terms of angular distances on the plane of the sky and redshift sizes through the line of sight direction (LOS). For this, we developed a dynamic-cosmological model that takes into account, at the same time, the two sources of distortions on the correlation isocontours: dynamical source: due to the LOS componente of the peculiar velocities of the galaxies that surround voids; ii) cosmological source: when we transform the observables to physical dimensions, for which we must assume a cosmological model. The model consists in six parameters: four that describe the mean density profile of a void sample, the mean velocity dispersion and the dimensionless matter parameter of the universe. To fit the model, we implemented a Markov Chain sampling. We applied the designed test using dark matter haloes and voids of the Millennium XXL Simulation. We selected void samples by size and enviroment. We ratified the most important theoretical and observational results concerning the structural and dynamical nature of voids, by measuring density profiles, velocity profiles, velocity dispersions and void-haloes correlations. We evaluated the sensitivity of the test with the mean redshift of the void samples, covering the wide range [0,05;2]. At low redshifts, where the dynamical distortions dominate, we found biasses due to a deficiency of the linear velocity model of voids. On the contrary, at high redshifts, where the cosmological distortions dominate, the results improve and the error bars decrease, showing in this way, the impact of the test applied on the future galaxy surveys.