Tesi sul tema "General criteria"

Civilisation has depended on welded structures to facilitate production and improve the quality of life. Welds are used to create infrastructure upon which we rely, such as transportation, oil and gas piping, shipbuilding, bridges and buildings, and to produce the equipment that makes all of this happen. In short, the joining of two metals through welding has immensely contributed to our society. A critical factor in the strength of welded joints is the geometry of the joints, and for this reason a robust optimisation of geometrical parameters of welded joints has been conducted in order to establish the optimum and most robust design in the presence of variation amongst geometrical parameters. A parametric finite element analysis, using Python script, has been performed with the objective to investigate the effect of the welded joint parameters on the stress concentration factors under tensile and bending load. The results indicate that the parametric model, which is generated by Python script, can be used in a wide range of welded geometry, and has the capacity to reduce the time of computation. Additionally, an experimental study, including the geometrical identification of the welded joints, tensile test, hardness test and fatigue, has also been performed. In order to select the best optimisation algorithms, different optimisation algorithms and performance metrics with various types of problem were examined in this study. The results from this part show the accuracy of Circumscription Metric (CM) in comparison to Pair wise Metric (PW) - which is used widely in optimisation studies. Furthermore, the results show that the Fast Multi-objective Optimisation Algorithm (FMOGA-II) outperformed other optimisation algorithms used during this study. In this study, a new methodology for selecting the most robust designs from within the Pareto set has been developed. Finally, a traditional and robust optimisation of a butt welded joint has been performed by establishing a link between an optimisation software package and parametric finite element, the results of which show the ability of this approach to extract the robust optimal designs from the Pareto front.

Nanotechnology is currently emerging as the next industrial revolution. It enables the production of goods (i.e. nanoproducts, NPs) with enhanced functionalities, which have nonetheless caused mounting concerns about the potential implications they can have on the environment, economy and society. This thesis employs Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding (MCDA), one form of decision support, to aid the sustainable development of nanotechnology. The first original contribution of this doctoral research is the development of a framework of sustainability assessment criteria for NPs, through a three-phase procedure based on the MCDA process, including a literature review, a pilot and a main survey. It lead to a comprehensive framework of 68 criteria, ranked according to their relative importance, allocated to six main domain areas: (i) economic performance; (ii) environmental impacts; (iii) environmental risk assessment; (iv) human health risk assessment; (v) social implications; and (vi) technical performance. All the criteria are reliable and can be used in real case studies to increase the knowledge about the sustainability of NPs. The second original contribution presented in this thesis is a robust model (DRSA-based model) based on green chemistry principles implementation for the classification of synthesis processes of nanomaterials in preference-ordered classes. This tool was developed through knowledge elicitation techniques based on coconstructive MCDA with the collaboration of two experts (the decision makers) in synthesis of nanomaterials. The robustness of the ensuing model was assessed (and confirmed) by means of another model developed ad hoc (ELECTRE-based model), structured on an MCDA method implementing a stochastic multiple criteria classification strategy. The results confirm that MCDA is an effective decision support approach to foster sustainable development of nanotechnology, providing that the analysts who apply it take these considerations into account. They must ensure that (1) multidisciplinary teams are created to perform comprehensive and credible sustainability evaluations; (2) problem structuring and model construction are as important as (if not more important) than the results (i.e. decision recommendations) themselves; (3) identification of the appropriate MCDA method depends on the problem at hand and not vice-versa; and (4) the credibility of the decision recommendations is subject to the preferences of the decision-makers. If these considerations are accounted for, the possibility of advancing nanotechnology on a sustainable path is very concrete and realistic.

Business angels are widely acknowledged as being a key source of risk finance for growth-oriented enterprises. Their importance has become even more significant since the onset of the financial crisis. Research on business angels goes back some 30 years, focusing primarily on two themes: (i) their characteristics and (ii) the investment process. It has become clear that business angels are not a homogeneous population. Various studies have sought to develop typologies of business angels based on their personal characteristics, competence, motivations, investment approach and types of investment made. However, this stream of research remains limited and has not progressed beyond establishing typologies. Moreover, the possibility that typologies are dynamic, with angels shifting between categories over time remains largely unexplored. Neither has it been considered how different types of business angels approach the process of making investment decisions or managing the post-investment relationship. The aim of this research is to further develop this line of research on angel typologies to explore differences between types of angel investors in terms of their approach to investment, looking in particular, at their decision-making criteria. This dissertation starts by questioning the methodologies used in research on business angel decision making. In particular, how comparable are results that arise from different methodologies. Using a sample of 51 business angels (21 gatekeepers and 30 individual investors), the findings indicate that the results are methodologically dependent. The next stage used data collected through an online survey with 472 investment decisions made by 238 angel investors. These data were used in the subsequent analysis. Firstly, a two-step cluster analysis procedure was conducted to cluster the investment decisions by the criteria weights. Three clusters were identified. The investment experience and the level of influence of others are both helpful in explaining the differences across groups. Secondly, the cluster membership was used to evaluate if angel investors change their investment criteria. A logistic model was developed. The results indicate that the likelihood of a business angel’s change the investment criteria depend on three key areas: investment specific area (ISA), angel specific area (ASA) and group specific area (GSA).

Artificial general intelligence is not well defined, but attempts such as the recent listof “Ingredients for building machines that think and learn like humans” are a startingpoint for building a system considered as such [1]. Numenta is attempting to lead thenew era of machine intelligence with their research to re-engineer principles of theneocortex. It is to be explored how the ingredients are in line with the design princi-ples of their algorithms. Inspired by Deep Minds commentary about an autonomy-ingredient, this project created a combination of Numentas Hierarchical TemporalMemory theory and Temporal Difference learning to solve simple tasks defined in abrowser environment. An open source software, based on Numentas intelligent com-puting platform NUPIC and Open AIs framework Universe, was developed to allowfurther research of HTM based agents on customized browser tasks. The analysisand evaluation of the results show that the agent is capable of learning simple tasksand there is potential for generalization inherent to sparse representations. However,they also reveal the infancy of the algorithms, not capable of learning dynamic com-plex problems, and that much future research is needed to explore if they can createscalable solutions towards a more general intelligent system.

In this study, we propose two biobjective mathematical models based on PROMETHEE V method for project selection problems. We develop an interactive approach (ib-PROMETHEE V) including data mining techniques to solve the first proposed mathematical model. For the second model, we propose NSGA-II with constraint handling method. We also develop a Preference Based Interactive Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm (IMGA) to solve the second proposed mathematical model. We test the performance of NSGA-II with constraint handling method and IMGA on randomly generated test problems.

This study is concerned with a sorting problem
the placement of alternatives into preference classes in the existence of multiple criteria. An interactive model is developed to address the problem, assuming that the decision maker has an underlying utility function which is linear. A recent methodology, Even-Swaps, which is based on value tradeoff is utilized in the model for both making an estimation of the underlying utility function and generating possible dominance among the alternatives on which it is performed. Convex combinations, dominance relations, weight space reduction, Even-Swaps and direct decision maker placements are utilized to place alternatives in preference classes. The proposed algorithm is experimented with randomly generated alternative sets having different characteristics.

In 2001, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), in consultation with the professional body for Podiatry in the U. K., the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SoCAP), issued a list of benchmark statements that could be expected of new graduate podiatrists. This provided a list of threshold competences expected of students prior to achieving independent practitioner status. These statements are essentially outcomes based judgements based on the students' performance. Evidence within the literature searches suggests that the achievement of competences alone is not enough on which to base such quality judgements and it would follow that the measurement of the quality of podiatry education is therefore incomplete. This study sought to identify a complementary set of statements to supplement the QAA benchmark statement in the education of podiatrists. The pathway leaders of the schools of podiatry from the U. K., Australia, South Africa and New Zealand were asked to cooperate in the formation of a set of criteria that they felt could be considered as being appropriate. This included the subject areas taken from the literature originating in medical education, namely the staff, the resources, the students themselves and the pathway as a whole, each considered as key considerations. The outcome of these discussions served to form a more inclusive set of criteria that may be included to complete the quality circle of standards of podiatry education and hopefully these will be debated further at a later stage for consideration in tandem with the existing competence statements. The study employed an action research methodology and the data was collected in cycles from the participants. Initially a request was made to the professional body for details of any existing guidelines regarding such statements. This was followed using questionnaires, then semi-structured interviews involving the pathway leaders. A list of 32 criteria was distilled from the two rounds of data collection. These were subjected to Likert scale attitude measures, to create the final list of 28 criteria that were agreed by all participants to influence the education of podiatrists. These criteria were sent to the professional body for further debate, to make them aware of a potential weakness in the measurement of the quality of education for podiatrists. It is hoped that further discussions will include all or some of these findings to supplement the existing benchmark initiatives. It may or may not be considered to be appropriate at a later stage to widen the debate to include other groups such as the NHS managers (as employers) and the students (as consumers). The initial feedback from the Director Of Education of SoCAP, the professional body in the UK was positive, in that the potential value of such data was recognised. The response interpreted that the data satisfied the need for the collection of qualitative information, which could be used to balance and support the quantitative data, on which the QAA and professional body had determined the outcome- based benchmark statements.

Optical interferometry is a technique for obtaining high-resolution imagery of a distant target by interfering light from multiple telescopes. Image restoration from interferometric measurements poses a unique set of challenges. The first challenge is that the measurement set provides only a sparse-sampling of the object’s Fourier Transform and hence image formation from these measurements is an inherently ill-posed inverse problem. Secondly, atmospheric turbulence causes severe distortion of the phase of the Fourier samples. We develop array design conditions for unique Fourier phase recovery, as well as a comprehensive algorithmic framework based on the notion of redundant-spaced-calibration (RSC), which together achieve reliable image reconstruction in spite of these challenges. Within this framework, we see that classical interferometric observables such as the bispectrum and closure phase can limit sensitivity, and that generalized notions of these observables can improve both theoretical and empirical performance. Our framework leverages techniques from lattice theory to resolve integer phase ambiguities in the interferometric phase measurements, and from graph theory, to select a reliable set of generalized observables. We analyze the expected shot-noise-limited performance of our algorithm for both pairwise and Fizeau interferometric architectures and corroborate this analysis with simulation results. We apply techniques from the field of compressed sensing to perform image reconstruction from the estimates of the object’s Fourier coefficients. The end result is a comprehensive strategy to achieve well-posed and easily-predictable reconstruction performance in optical interferometry.
Engineering and Applied Sciences - Engineering Sciences

We aim to classify alternatives evaluated in multiple criteria among preference ordered classes assuming an underlying additive utility function. We develop a probabilistic classification method by calculating the probability of an alternative being in each class. We assign alternatives to classes based on threshold probabilities. We require the decision maker to place an alternative to a class when no alternatives satisfy the required thresholds. We find new probabilities for unassigned alternatives in the light of new information and repeat the procedure until all alternatives are classified. We implemented our algorithm to classify MBA programs among preference ordered groups. We evaluate our algorithm based on the number of misclassified alternatives and the number of alternatives placed by the decision maker.

Design problems involve finding optimal plans that minimize cost and maximize information about the effects of changing experimental variables on some response. Information is typically measured through statistically meaningful functions, or criteria, of a design's corresponding information matrix. The most common criteria implicitly assume equal interest in all effects and certain forms of information matrices tend to optimize them. However, these criteria can be poor assessments of a design when there is unequal interest in the experimental effects. Morgan and Wang (2010) addressed this potential pitfall by developing a concise weighting system based on quadratic forms of a diagonal matrix W that allows a researcher to specify relative importance of information for any effects. They were then able to generate a broad class of weighted optimality criteria that evaluate a design's ability to maximize the weighted information, ultimately targeting those designs that efficiently estimate effects assigned larger weight. This dissertation considers a much broader class of potential weighting systems, and hence weighted criteria, by allowing W to be any symmetric, positive definite matrix. Assuming the response and experimental effects may be expressed as a general linear model, we provide a survey of the standard approach to optimal designs based on real-valued, convex functions of information matrices. Motivated by this approach, we introduce fundamental definitions and preliminary results underlying the theory of general weighted optimality. A class of weight matrices is established that allows an experimenter to directly assign weights to a set of estimable functions and we show how optimality of transformed models may be placed under a weighted optimality context. Straightforward modifications to SAS PROC OPTEX are shown to provide an algorithmic search procedure for weighted optimal designs, including A-optimal incomplete block designs. Finally, a general theory is given for design optimization when only a subset of all estimable functions is assumed to be in the model. We use this to develop a weighted criterion to search for A-optimal completely randomized designs for baseline factorial effects assuming all high-order interactions are negligible.
Ph. D.

This study addresses sorting problems with predefined ordinal classes. We develop a new method based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, which is mainly used for nominal binary or multi-class classification processes. In the proposed method, the SVM model is extended to include the preferences of the decision maker and the ordinal relationship between classes in sorting problems. New sets of constraints are added to the SVM model. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed method through several data sets. We compare the results with those of classical SVM model and UTADIS method, a well-known multiple criteria sorting method. We also analyze the effect of feature space mapping by Kernel Trick utilization on the results.

In this EngD thesis the phenomenon of sustained macroscopic deflected crack growth (SMDCG) during fatigue in Nickel based Superalloys is discussed, also referred to as ‘teardrop’ cracking in previous work. In a corner notched bend (CNB) specimen a fatigue crack usually grows in a quarter-circular plane perpendicular to the stress axis, the SMDCG however exhibits considerable deflection from this plane at the free surfaces, so that a central planar region is enclosed by large shear terraces (thus forming the ‘teardrop’). This is difficult to characterise in terms of component lifing (both in terms of crack path and crack growth rates), and this thesis aims to further understanding of the underlying mechanisms and to develop assessment methodologies for lifing of such cracks in aeroengine components. The SMDCG effect has been observed under externally applied mode I loading in Udimet 720Li with relatively fine grain sizes of 6-18μm, which are candidate materials for aero engine turbine discs. CNB and single edge bend notch bend (SENB) fatigue tests have been carried out on cast and wrought and powder metallurgy variants of Udimet 720Li and SMDCG was observed at 300°C in air and at 300, 600 and 650°C in vacuum. A consistent measure of the onset of deflection has been defined; this is the crack tip stress intensity factor range K at which the sustained deflection from the free surface exceeds the expected shear lip area, which is estimated as the distance of the monotonic plane stress plastic zone size from the free surface. This has been used to characterise samples from other research programmes and aeroengine components from rigtests, that have shown some form of deflected crack growth, to assess whether they exhibit SMDCG or whether the apparent deflection was caused by the expected plane stress region, or other factors such as tunnelling due to creep effects or complex overall loading conditions. Fracture surfaces exhibiting SMDCG have been studied via SEM and the fractographic analysis shows a competition between local shear crack growth and mode I crack growth occurs in both the macroscopically deflected and planar regions. This indicates that the macroscopic deflection is triggered by the stress state at the free surface. Further detailed analysis of the deflected crack tip with focussed ion beam (FIB) serial sectioning combined with EBSD analysis has allowed a detailed 3D reconstruction of the crack tip interaction with local microstructure. This, together with TEM foils extracted via FIB in the same region, have confirmed that the SMDCG in these systems is not linked to any local texture effects or surface microstructural differences. Lifetime predictions for the CNB samples have been carried out based on Paris law coefficients from the SENB tests, and showed shorter lifetimes than the actual samples with deflected crack growth. Whilst this could be partially due to unaccounted for initiation effects, it could also indicate that significant extrinsic shielding caused by the deflected crack growth may actually increase fatigue lifetimes. To assess the driving force evolving during SMDCG, an Alicona Infinite Focus profilometre has been used to map the complex 3D crack shapes, from where tilt angles could be measured to define a mixed mode plane stress SENB test, with the aim of replicating the stress state that had given rise to the locally deflected shear growth and to explicitly measure crack growth behaviour in the deflected regions. However this was not achieved with this test set-up, as the achievable ΔKeff was not high enough to trigger the deflection throughout the sample. As a result the 3D map was next used to define Finite Element model to assess the local crack tip stress state of the complex deflected crack path. Crack driving forces that have been identified at the point the deflected crack path becomes self-sustaining, could be used in a lifing model to predict crack paths in aeroengine components, together with the measured onset of deflection.

Protein Structure Comparison (PSC) is at the core of many important structural biology problems. PSC is used to infer the evolutionary history of distantly related proteins; it can also help in the identification of the biological function of a new protein by comparing it with other proteins whose function has already been annotated; PSC is also a key step in protein structure prediction, because one needs to reliably and efficiently compare tens or hundreds of thousands of decoys (predicted structures) in evaluation of 'native-like' candidates (e.g. Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiment). Each of these applications, as well as many others where molecular comparison plays an important role, requires a different notion of similarity, which naturally lead to the Multi-Criteria Protein Structure Comparison (MC-PSC) problem. ProCKSI (www.procksi.org), was the first publicly available server to provide algorithmic solutions for the MC-PSC problem by means of an enhanced structural comparison that relies on the principled application of information fusion to similarity assessments derived from multiple comparison methods (e.g. USM, FAST, MaxCMO, DaliLite, CE and TMAlign). Current MC-PSC works well for moderately sized data sets and it is time consuming as it provides public service to multiple users. Many of the structural bioinformatics applications mentioned above would benefit from the ability to perform, for a dedicated user, thousands or tens of thousands of comparisons through multiple methods in real-time, a capacity beyond our current technology. This research is aimed at the investigation of Grid-styled distributed computing strategies for the solution of the enormous computational challenge inherent in MC-PSC. To this aim a novel distributed algorithm has been designed, implemented and evaluated with different load balancing strategies and selection and configuration of a variety of software tools, services and technologies on different levels of infrastructures ranging from local testbeds to production level eScience infrastructures such as the National Grid Service (NGS). Empirical results of different experiments reporting on the scalability, speedup and efficiency of the overall system are presented and discussed along with the software engineering aspects behind the implementation of a distributed solution to the MC-PSC problem based on a local computer cluster as well as with a GRID implementation. The results lead us to conclude that the combination of better and faster parallel and distributed algorithms with more similarity comparison methods provides an unprecedented advance on protein structure comparison and analysis technology. These advances might facilitate both directed and fortuitous discovery of protein similarities, families, super-families, domains, etc, and also help pave the way to faster and better protein function inference, annotation and protein structure prediction and assessment thus empowering the structural biologist to do a science that he/she would not have done otherwise.

The Alto Rio Lerma Irrigation District (ARLID), located in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, is an agricultural area whose sustainability depends partially upon groundwater withdrawal for crop irrigation. Because of high pumping demands and current land-management practices, water levels in the regional groundwater aquifers have declined severely, resulting in aquifer overdraft. The potential adverse consequences of this overdraft cannot be overstated, as the long-term economic viability and environmental integrity of the region is threatened. In order to analyze this economic, environmental, and water use problems in this region, simulation of the agricultural system was performed and associated water use impacts quantified under different management scenarios. Linear programming identified the 12 optimal cropping patterns, and then multi-criteria decision-making methodologies were applied to rank and identify the best cropping pattern (satisficing solution). The GLEAMS model was used to simulate the amounts of water, nitrate, and pesticides in both runoff and percolation for each cropping pattern. In order to quantify the economic and environmental impacts of aquifer overdraft, two attributes were used; pumping costs and an aquifer exploitation coefficient. Three multiple criteria methods: Q-analysis, ELECTRE II, and the Range of Value Method, were evaluated and the latter method was selected to analyze the payoff matrix for the ARLID, where 12 alternatives, each with 13 attributes, were considered. The results show the best alternative for effectively balancing environmental with economic considerations was the farming practice, consisting of land leveling, growing vegetables such as red tomato, and controlled groundwater withdrawals to preserve aquifer sustainability. Low water availability does not necessarily reduce farmer's profits, if new water saving alternatives are applied, combined with more profitable crops. Given that ROV method only considers full compensation between objectives, this research contemplate an extension for the nonlinear case in order to assess the whole range of values of the objective function. The final findings suggest that the best methodology was to apply L1 in the lower levels and then L2 for the highest level in the hierarchy. In this manner, the partial compensation between objectives is considered and also the decrease in the uncertainty of alternatives selection.

The amount of total and relative sway of a framed or a composite (frame-shear wall) building is of utmost importance in assessing the seismic resistance of the building. Therefore, the design engineer must calculate the sway profile of the building several times during the design process. However, it is not a simple task to calculate the sway of a three-dimensional structure. Of course, computer programs can do the job, but developing the three-dimensional model becomes necessary, which is obviously tedious and time consuming. An easy to apply analytical method is developed, which enables the determination of sway profiles of framed and composite buildings subject to seismic loading. Various framed and composite three-dimensional buildings subject to lateral seismic loads are solved by SAP2000 and the proposed analytical method. The sway profiles are compared and found to be in very good agreement. In most cases, the amount of error involved is less than 5 %. The analytical method is applied to determine sway magnitudes at any desired elevation of the building, the relative sway between two consecutive floors, the slope at any desired point along the height and the curvature distribution of the building from foundation to roof level. After sway and sway-related properties are known, the requirements of the Turkish Earthquake Code can be evaluated and / or checked. By using the analytical method, the amount of shear walls necessary to satisfy Turkish Earthquake Code requirements are determined. Thus, a vital design question has been answered, which up till present time, could only be met by rough empirical guidelines. A mathematical derivation is presented to satisfy the strength requirement of a three-dimensional composite building subject to seismic loading. Thus, the occurrence of shear failure before moment failure in the building is securely avoided. A design procedure is developed to satisfy the stiffness requirement of composite buildings subject to lateral seismic loading. Some useful tools, such as executable user-friendly programs written by using &ldquo
Borland Delphi&rdquo
, have been developed to make the analysis and design easy for the engineer. A method is also developed to satisfy the ductility requirement of composite buildings subject to lateral seismic loading based on a plastic analysis. The commonly accepted sway ductility of &
#956
&
#916
=5 has been used and successful seismic energy dissipation is thus obtained.

Spatial Arch Bridges (SABs) are defined as bridges in which vertical deck loads produce bending moments and shear forces not contained in the arch plane due to their geometrical and structural configuration. Moreover, the arch itself may not be contained in a plane. A wide compilation of examples of this bridge type has been made. Different benchmarks have been developed to assure the validity of the analysis methods employed in the present research. An in-depth study of planar and non-planar Inferior Deck Arch Bridges With Imposed Curvature (IDABWIC) has been carried out. In this type of spatial arch bridges the arch and the deck centroid lines are both contained in the same vertical cylinder. The aim of the study is to propose the most appropriate design for controlling the out-of-plane response. In order to understand the behaviour of these arches, different frame 3D models have been developed and analyzed with commercial software. The arch definition, the deck and arch plan curvature, the arch sag and cross-sections rigidity of arch, deck and hangers, as well as arch cross-section area and different hanger/deck and hanger/arch connection types, have been studied as variables under both symmetrical and asymmetrical vertical loading. Both flexible and rigid hangers have been analysed. A thorough study for different geometries and boundary conditions at deck abutments of superior deck true SABs under vertical loading and temperature variation has been conducted. The purpose of the study is to understand the structural behaviour of different geometries of this bridge type and to establish the best boundary conditions at abutments in each case. Vertical planar arch bridges with a curved superior deck are spatial arch bridges (SABs) with a very characteristic structural behaviour and many interesting structural and aesthetic possibilities. A thorough parametric analysis has been conducted in order to establish efficient values of different parameters for this bridge type according to different criteria. The objective is to minimize the total amount of structural materials. An appropriate range of values for the different parameters (arch/deck eccentricity, arch rise, arch/deck vertical distance, inclination of struts and the cross-section of the different elements) is given and it is established which parameters are key to the bridge behaviour. The changes in the structural behaviour according to the different parameters are explained. The stability of SABs with a curved deck is studied and compared with that of planar vertical arch bridges with a straight deck. For different models of this bridge type geometrically non-linear analyses with and without imperfections have been conducted. The sensibility to imperfections has also been studied, considering the coded imperfections based on the behaviour of planar vertical arch bridges. Most SABs are footbridges. Therefore, the dynamic behaviour of this bridge type is an important aspect to be considered. The dynamic behavior of this type of footbridges has been hence also conducted for a SAB example with curved superior deck.
Definimos como Puentes Arco Espaciales (PARES) todo puente arco en el que, por su configuración geométrica y estructural, las cargas gravitatorias generan flexiones y cortantes no contenidos en el plano del arco. Además, el propio arco puede no estar contenido en un plano. Se ha llevado a cabo una amplia recopilación de realizaciones de este tipo de puentes. se han desarrollado varios benchmarks para asegurar la validez de los métodos de análisis empleados en la presente investigación. Se ha realizado un amplio estudio de los Puentes Arco de Tablero Inferior con Curvatura Impuesta planos y no planos. En este tipo de puentes arco espaciales el eje del arco y del tablero están contenidos en el mismo cilindro vertical. El objetivo del estudio es proponer el diseño más apropiado para controlar la respuesta fuera del plano del arco. Con el fin de entender el comportamiento de estos arcos, se han desarrollado y analizado diferentes modelos de barras en 3D marco con un software comercial. La definición del arco, de la curvatura del tablero y de la curvatura del arco en planta, la flecha horizontal del arco ceder y la rigidez de las secciones transversales del arco, del tablero y de las péndolas, así como el área de la sección transversal del arco y distintos tipos de conexión péndolas/ tablero y péndolas/arco, se han estudiado como variables bajo tanto carga vertical simétrica como asimétrica en tablero. Se ha considerado el uso tanto de péndolas flexibles como rígidas. Se han estudiado diferentes geometrías y condiciones de contorno en los estribos del tablero para PARES de tablero superior bajo carga vertical y variación de temperatura. El propósito del estudio es entender el comportamiento estructural de distintas geometrías de este tipo puentes y establecer las condiciones de contorno más convenientes en estribos de tablero para cada caso. Los puentes con un arco plano vertical con tablero superior curvo son PARES con un comportamiento estructural muy característico e interesantes posibilidades estructurales y estéticas. Se ha realizado un amplio análisis paramétrico con el fin de establecer valores eficientes para diferentes parámetros en este tipo de puentes de acuerdo con distintos criterios. El objetivo es minimizar la cantidad total de materiales estructurales empleados. Se da un rango adecuado de los valores de diferentes parámetros (excentricidad arco/ tablero, flecha del arco, distancia vertical arco/tablero, inclinación de pilas y la sección transversal de los diferentes elementos) y se establece qué parámetros son fundamentales para el comportamiento de estos puentes. Se explica la influencia de la variación de los distintos parámetros estudiados en la respuesta estructural. La estabilidad de los PARES con tablero se estudia y compara con la de los puentes en arco planos verticales con tablero recto. Se ha llevado a cabo un análisis no lineal geométrico con y sin imperfecciones para diferentes modelos de este tipo puentes. La sensibilidad a las imperfecciones también ha sido estudiada, teniendo en cuenta las imperfecciones estipuladas en los Eurocódigos, basados en el comportamiento de los puentes en arco planos verticales con tablero recto. La mayoría de los PARES son pasarelas. Por lo tanto, el comportamiento dinámico de este tipo puente es un aspecto importante a considerar. Así pues, se ha llevado a cabo un análisis dinámico para un ejemplo PARES con el tablero superior curvo

Deep uncertainty exists when there is disagreement on how to model inter-relationships between variables in the external/controllable and internal/controllable environment; how to specify probability distributions to represent threats; and/or how to value various consequences. The evaluation of strategic options under deep uncertainty involves structuring the decision problem, specifying options to address that problem, and assessing which options appear to consistently perform well by achieving desirable levels of performance across a range of futures. The integrated use of scenarios and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) provides a framework for managing these issues, and is an area of growing interest. This thesis aims to explore such integrated use, suggesting a new method for combining MCDA and scenario planning, and to test such proposal through a multi-method research strategy involving case study, behavioural experiment and simulation. The proposal reflects the three key areas of confluence of scenarios and MCDA in the decision making process. The first is based on systematic generation of a larger scenario set, focused on extreme outcomes, for defining the boundaries of the decision problem. The second proposal is based on providing less scenario detail than the traditional narrative, in favour of explicitly considering how uncertainties affect positive and negative outcomes on key objectives. This backward logic seeks to better address the challenge of estimating the consequences of each option and the trade-offs involved. Finally, it is proposed that option selection be based on a concern for robustness through cost-equivalent regret. The empirical findings reflect that the key benefit of integration appears to be a mechanism to improve the efficiency of elicitation and the robustness of options. However, effective application of scenarios and MCDA requires awareness of the desired degree of accuracy required and risk attitude of decision makers.

Extreme risks associated with natural and man-made disasters involve disruptions in the production of goods or provision of services in interdependent systems. The reduced supply of critical goods and services will degrade "as planned" production outputs and create ripple effects of direct and indirect disruptions. Input-output modeling evaluates the propagation of disaster consequences by quantifying the associated economic risks of disruption, namely economic loss and inoperability, for multi-sectoral economic regions. The thesis enhances the reliability of these risk estimates by formulating a stochastic inventory-based risk assessment model using a multi-objective optimization framework for minimizing (i) economic losses, and (ii) sector inoperability. The research utilizes inventory-to-sales ratio data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis for modeling uncertainty in the levels of finished goods inventory and the beta distribution to integrate uncertainty in decision-maker preferences associated with the multi-objective framework. The framework focuses on the development of a holistic, flexible and scalable decision support system through a Dynamic Cross Prioritization Plot (DCPP) for identifying inventory enhancement opportunities among critically disrupted systems that is applicable to different regions and disaster scenarios.

The aim of this thesis is to observe the implementation of the Copenhagen criteria in the context of &lsquo
respect for and protection of minority rights&rsquo
during the accession process of Slovakia. EU&rsquo
s membership conditionality enforces candidate countries to improve the situation of minority groups within their borders. The main motivation of the EU in this process is to eliminate the reasons which cause ethnic conflicts in the continent and to prevent the escalation of minority-related problems into the EU territory. Slovakia which experienced a difficult accession process depending on the fulfilment of political criterion, constitutes an important case for the evaluation of minority clause. This thesis examines minority issue in a historical framework and specifically investigates the implementation of the Copenhagen criteria&rsquo
s minority clause in the EU&rsquo
s enlargement process. EU&rsquo
s conditionality which is its main tool in the enlargement, lacks clear-cut norms and standards regarding minority rights. Furthermore, there is a duality between internal and external policies of the Union on the issue of minority rights. In addition to this duality, the approach of the Union towards minority issue acquires a different character in different accession processes. This thesis argues that the lack of well-defined norms and standards, the duality between EU&rsquo
s internal and external minority policies and changing approaches of the Union in different accession processes complicate the implementation and the monitoring of minority clause giving rise to allegations of double standards in the enlargement process.

During a drug's lifecycle, evidence must demonstrate that the benefits of the product continue to outweigh the risks. Benefit-risk (B-R) assessment is a vital stage of the drug approval process and is an important task for regulators. Involving patients in B-R assessment is a recent development. Patients may view benefits and risks very differently when compared with the views of pharmaceutical companies or regulatory assessors. The aim of this research was to investigate this topic to ultimately propose a framework for involving patients in this process. The research strategy involved three phases. In phase I, a survey was submitted to (1) pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies and (2) patient advocacy groups across Europe, to obtain their opinions on involving patients in B-R assessment. Phase I of the research identified several challenges, including: how to ensure adequate representation of patients and a lack of an established method. It was also identified that to date, only patient advocacy groups were directly involved in B-R assessment discussions. However, some companies were developing initiatives to involve patients. Based on these findings, phase II was implemented, where individuals from regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies and patient advocacy groups participated in semi-structured interviews to identify themes around patient involvement and to establish rich data around the current challenges. This data was used to inform the development of a novel framework, one element of which was tested in phase III of the research; where qualitative focus groups were conducted with patients. The framework proposed from this research, therefore, involves qualitative focus groups, enabling patients to provide insight into their disease and treatment. The information obtained, when presented alongside quantitative preference elicitation data, may then be used to contribute to B-R discussions by regulators, to ultimately support their decision-making.

This study is concerned with a neglected aspect of the study of L2 English writing: the processes which teachers engage in when rating essays written by their own students for class practice, not exams, with no imposed rating/assessment scheme. It draws on writing assessment process research literature, although, apart from Huot (1993) and Wolfe et al. (1998), most work has been done on scoring writing in exam conditions using a set scoring rubric, where all raters rate the same essays. Eight research questions were answered from data gathered from six teachers, with a wide range of relevant training, but all teaching university pre-sessional or equivalent classes. Instruments used were general interviews, think aloud reports while rating their own students' essays, and follow up immediate retrospective interviews. Extensive qualitative coding was undertaken using NVivo. It was found that the teachers did not vary much in the core features that they claimed to recognise in general as typical of ‘good writing’, but varied more in what criteria they highlighted in practice when rating essays, though all used a form of analytic rating. Two thirds of the separate criteria coded were used by all the teachers but there were differences in preference for higher versus lower level criteria. Teachers also differed a great deal in the scales they used to sum up their evaluations, ranging from IELTS scores to just evaluative adjectives, and most claimed to use personal criteria, with concern for the consequential pedagogical value of their rating for the students more than achieving a test-like reliable score. A wide range of information sources was used to support and justify the rating decisions made, beyond the essay text, including background information about the writer and classmates, and teacher prior instruction. Teacher comments also evidenced concern with issues arguably not central to rating itself but rather exploring implications for the teacher and writer. Similar to Cumming et al. (2002), three broad stages of the rating process were identified: reading and exploiting information such as the writer’s name and the task prompt as well as perhaps skimming the text; reading and rereading parts of the essay, associated with interpretation and judgment; achievement of a summary judgment. In detail, however, each teacher had their own individual style of reading and of choice and use of criteria.

U radu je razvijen složeni model vrednovanja i rangiranja varijanti rešenja koridora infrastrukturnih linijskih objekata. Model karakteriše višeakterski i višekriterijumski pristup. Model je baziran na kriterijumima vrednovanja koji su razvrstani u pravilnu hijerarhiju i čija je relevantnost verifikovana naučnim metodama. Metoda vrednovanja odabrana je inteligentnim pristupom uz pomoć drveta odlučivanja. Model predviđa i analizu osetljivosti odabranog optimalnog rešenja na promenu težina pojedinih (ili svih) kriterijuma vrednovanja. Naučni doprinos istraživanja ogleda se u primeni AHP metode koja je u Srbiji po prvi put primenjena kao podrška odabiru optimalnog rešenja koridora infrastrukturnih objekata kao i prikazanoj integraciji sa drugim metodama (stakeholder analiza, anketa, deskriptivna statistika, faktorska analiza).
In this paper a complex model evaluation and ranking of alternative solutions of linear infrastructure corridor structure characterized multi-actor and multi-criteria approach, which is based on the evaluation criteria whose relevance was verified by scientific methods and are sorted in the correct hierarchy. Valuation method chosen is an intelligent approach using the tree decision. The model predicts, and a sensitivity analysis of the selected optimal solution to weight change some (or all) of evaluation criteria. The scientific contribution of the research is the application of AHP method that is in Serbia for the first time applied to support the selection of the optimal solutions corridor infrastructure as shown integration with other methods (stakeholder analysis, survey, descriptive statistics, factor analysis)

Disertační práce se věnuje problematice obecných koncentrátorů napětí v anisotropních prostředích. Zejména se jedná o problém trhlin končících na rozhraní dvou různých materiálů, či problém obecného více-materiálového klínu. Cílem práce je vytvořit komplexní nástroj pro posuzování obecných koncetrátorů napětí tj, popis pole napětí v jeho okolí, zahrnutí případného vlivu přemostění trhliny do výsledného pole napětí a definici lomových kritérií pro obecný koncentrátor v anisotropním prostředí. U popisu pole napětí je využit tzv. Lechnického-Strohův formalismus a technika spojitě rozložených dislokací využívající teorii komplexních potenciálů. V práci je rovněž široce uplatněn tzv. dvoustavový "psí"-integrál (pro výpočet různých součinitelů asymptotického rozvoje pro napětí), založený na Bettiho recipročním teorému v kombinaci s metodou konečných prvků. Pro formulaci lomových kritérií je použita teorie tzv. „konečné lomové mechaniky“ a teorie sdružených asymptotických rozvojů. Studován je především vztah mezi ohybem trhliny podél rozhraní a její případnou pentrací do základního materiálu. Veškeré potřebné výpočty jsou prováděny v matematických softwarech MAPLE 10.0, MATLAB 7.1 a konečnoprvkovém systému ANSYS 10.0.

In this study, for the well-known Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method a new approach to interval priority weight generation from interval comparison matrix is proposed. This method can be used for both inconsistent and consistent matrices. Also for the problems having more than two hierarchical levels a synthesizing heuristic is presented. The performances of the methods, interval generation and synthesizing, are compared with the methods that are already available in the literature on randomly generated matrices.

This novel, preliminary study developed an infant 3DMA technical protocol to collect infant movement data using the latest three-Dimensional Motion Analysis technology. The collected data were used to quantify Prechtl's General Movements Assessment (GMsA) classifications using mathematical pattern recognition techniques, in a small cohort of healthy full term infants. These mathematical pattern recognition techniques included Fourier transform analysis, Cross Correlation and Fuzzy entropy. Fuzzy entropy is a measure of regularity in time series data and was found for this cohort to be the most useful mathematical pattern recognition technique to separate GMsA movement classifications.

Most of the older reinforced concrete (RC) buildings have columns that are deficient when the current code requirements are considered. Therefore, performance of the columns determines the performance of the structure under the effects of earthquake induced lateral loads. It is recognized that no provision is proposed in TEC2007 to estimate the failure type called flexure-shear. Behavior of columns having probability of failing in flexure-shear failure mode is mostly underestimated by TEC2007 procedures. In addition, failure type classification of columns performed according to the linear and nonlinear procedures of TEC2007 needs to be examined with respect to the test results to cover all failure types including flexure-shear failure in order to lead the engineers develop economical and realistic retrofit solutions. In this study, different methods are explored to obtain reliable estimates for the performance of code deficient shear critical RC columns. Special considerations are given to Axial-Shear-Flexure interaction (ASFI) approach due to its mechanical background. After examination of different approaches, ASFI method with proposed modifications was selected as the most reliable model and lateral load-displacement analyses were performed on a database of shear critical columns. Findings were compared with the estimations of the nonlinear procedure given in Turkish Earthquake Code (TEC2007) for database columns. In addition, drift capacity equations and simplified safe drift capacity equations are proposed in light of statistical studies on the selected column specimens. In the last part of the study, performance evaluation of columns according to nonlinear procedures of FEMA 356, TEC2007, ASCE/SEI 41 update supplement, and EUROCODE 8 were conducted.

iv In this study, an Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based approach was developed in order to measure the performance of customer-based Research and Development projects being executed in TÜ
BTAKSAGE, Defense Research and Development Institute, under the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey. In order to evaluate project performance, many criteria, containing various subcriteria were determined. In order to handle the interdependencies among the criteria and the sub-criteria, ANP was used. The ANP model generated in this study is a hybrid model consisting of both a hierarchy and a network. The pairwise comparison matrices that were built up for defining the importance and influences of the criteria/sub-criteria in the ANP model were formed as interval judgments from a group decision making process, based on data obtained from a questionnaire conducted among the experts in the Institute. From the interval pairwise comparison matrices, weight intervals for the sub-criteria were determined and these bounds were used as assurance region constraints in a super-efficiency DEA model, through which the project ranking was obtained. Taking into consideration that there may occur some missing values in some projects for some of the sub-criteria, the superefficiency DEA model was extended to handle missing data. The model was applied to a real case study on performance evaluation of the ongoing customer-based projects in the Institute. For comparison purposes, the case study was also solved by two other approaches.

Turkey is located on a seismically active region and ranks high among all countries that have suffered losses of life and property due to earthquakes over many centuries. In addition, its building stock has usually poor construction quality with seismically improper structural systems. These lead to a need for rapid and reliable assessment and retrofit procedures. In the 2007 Turkish Earthquake Code, a new chapter is included for assessment and retrofit of existing buildings. The assessment procedures proposed in the Code are classified as linear elastic and nonlinear procedures. An engineer is allowed to choose one of these two procedures without any restriction. In this study, a research was undertaken in order to clarify the differences between the seismic assessment procedures in the 2007 Turkish Earthquake Code. For this purpose, two pairs of existing and retrofitted residential buildings were assessed according to the principles of both procedures proposed in the 2007 Turkish Earthquake Code. The assessment results were also compared with the actual performance observations from a 5-storey building which suffered damage during the 1999 Dü
zce earthquake. In addition, an anchorage design methodology was developed for the exterior coupled shear wall retrofit solution, and tested on a 6-storey case study building.

Les critères pour la participation et pour l’exclusion aux procédures d’appels d’offres : une approche comparée entre Brésil, France et Italie. Le procès de sélection des fournisseurs est un défi fondamental pour toute organisation. Dans l’administration publique ce thème devient encore plus complexe, compte tenu des dispositions légales en vigueur qui visent essentiellement à garantir le respect du principe constitutionnel de l’égalité, "pierre angulaire" de tout système juridique. L’administration publique a le droit de définir les critères de participation et de comparer les offres avancées par les différentes parties intéressées à exercer un emploi, fournir un bien ou un service afin de choisir l’offre la plus avantageuse. De l’autre côté, les parties concernées ont le droit de participer à une procédure administrative appropriée qui prévoit un traitement égalitaire et non discriminatoire pour les différents soumissionnaires. Contrairement aux particuliers, les administrations publiques n’ont pas la liberté de choisir de manière discrétionnaire les acteurs avec qui négocier, mais elles doivent prendre cette décision dans le domaine de procédures garantissant, d’un côté, l’accord le plus favorable et l’exécution dans de meilleures conditions de tranquillité et de sécurité et, de l’autre côté, la possibilité pour les opérateurs économiques de concourir sur un pied d’égalité pour l’attribution du marché. Le pouvoir discrétionnaire est souvent considéré comme le remède nécessaire contre la rigidité des règles, les automatismes qui ne permettent pas d’adapter l’appel d’offres et l’adjudication aux exigences concrètes de l’administration, le formalisme dominant qui souvent sépare inévitablement la décision légitime de celle correcte et efficace. L’objectif est de fixer les limites du pouvoir discrétionnaire dont l’administration publique dispose afin de déterminer l’objet, établir les conditions nécessaires pour participer aux appels d’offres et leurs hypothèses d’exclusion. Ces conditions doivent être appliquées sans violer le principe d’égalité et en fonction de critères de logique, du raisonnable et de proportionnalité non discriminatoires, de manière à ne pas représenter une restriction illégitime au droit des entreprises opérant sur le marché. Le but de la thèse est de trouver la ligne de séparation entre le droit de l’administration publique de garantir les conditions de capacité technique, d’organisation, économique et financière, ainsi que d’établir les causes de l’exclusion de l’appel d’offres et le droit des entreprises de ne pas les empêcher d’y participer à cause de critères horribles qui violent les principes d’égalité et de la libre concurrence. L’étude se compose de deux parties. La Première Partie aborde les thèmes qui permettront aux lecteurs des trois pays de connaitre les aspects généraux concernant la discipline dans chacun d’eux par l’analyse de l’évolution historique et réglementaire du système des sources du droit de l’Union européenne (l’étude des différences entre l’UE et le Mercosur, la transposition des règles communautaires et leur mise en œuvre, le dialogue des sources) et l’analyse de la procédure de sélection du contractant (qui contient une petite description des procédures dans les trois pays). Il s’agit, donc, d’une partie plus conceptuelle et "introductive" au sens large. La Deuxième Partie analyse les critères de participation et d’exclusion des procédures d’appels d’offres, à travers l’étude des critères généraux (ou de moralité), les critères spéciaux (critères techniques, économiques et financiers) et les règles de procédure qui permettent de mettre en œuvre la procédure de sélection du contractant. On examine également le rôle des responsables de la procédure et de la commission d’appel d’offres, les caractéristiques du document unique de marché européen (DUME), la régularisation des offres irrégulières et la notation d’entreprise qui est prévue uniquement dans la législation italienne
Eligibility and exclusion requirements for bidding: a comparative approach between Brazil, France and Italy: The supplier selection process is a fundamental challenge for any organization. In public administration this subject becomes even more complex, taking into account the legal provisions in force which essentially aim at guaranteeing respect for the constitutional principle of equality, "cornerstone" of any legal system. The public administration has the right to define the criteria for participation and to compare the offers put forward by the different parties interested in exercising a job, providing a good or service in order to choose the most advantageous offer. On the other hand, the parties concerned have the right to participate in an appropriate administrative procedure which provides for equal and non-discriminatory treatment for the various tenderers. Unlike individuals, public administrations do not have the freedom to choose the actors with whom to negotiate in a discretionary manner, but they must take this decision in the area of procedures guaranteeing, on the one hand, the most favorable agreement and the 'execution in better conditions of tranquility and security and, on the other hand, the possibility for economic operators to compete on an equal footing for the award of the contract. Discretionary power is often considered the necessary remedy against the rigidity of the rules, the automatic mechanisms which do not allow the tendering and adjudication to be adapted to the concrete requirements of the administration, the dominant formalism which often inevitably separates the legitimate decision of the correct and effective one. The objective is to set the limits of the discretionary power that the public administration has in order to determine the subject, establish the conditions necessary to participate in tenders and their exclusion hypotheses. These conditions must be applied without violating the principle of equality and on the basis of criteria of logic, reasonableness and non-discriminatory proportionality, so as not to represent an illegitimate restriction on the rights of undertakings operating on the market. The aim of the thesis is to find the dividing line between the right of the public administration to guarantee the conditions of technical, organizational, economic and financial capacity, as well as to establish the causes of the exclusion of tendering and the right of companies not to prevent them from participating because of horrible criteria which violate the principles of equality and free competition. The study consists of two parts. The First Part addresses the themes which will enable readers from the three countries to know the general aspects concerning the discipline in each of them by analyzing the historical and regulatory evolution of the system of sources of European Union law (l study of the differences between the EU and Mercosur, the transposition of Community rules and their implementation, the dialogue of sources) and the analysis of the contractor selection procedure (which contains a short description of the procedures in the three country). It is, therefore, a more conceptual and "introductory" part in the broad sense. The Second Part analyzes the criteria for participation and exclusion from tendering procedures, through the study of general criteria (or of morality), special criteria (technical, economic and financial criteria) and the rules of procedures which allow the contractor selection procedure to be implemented. We also examine the role of those responsible for the procedure and the tender committee, the characteristics of the single European market document (ESPD), the regularization of irregular tenders and the company rating which is only provided for in the Italian legislation

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die Arbeitsgruppe Persönlichkeit und Persönlichkeitsstörung für das DSM-5 erarbeitete aufgrund der umfangreichen Kritik an der DSM-IV-TR Klassifikation von Persönlichkeitsstörungen hinsichtlich der kategorialen Diagnosen und Konstruktvalidität eine neue Klassifikation, die als alternatives DSM-5 Modell im Abschnitt III des Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, integriert wurde. Dies schloss auch die Entwicklung neuer allgemeiner Kriterien für Persönlichkeitsstörung ein. Die Kriterien A und B dieser allgemeinen Kriterien stellen die notwendigen Merkmale (essential features) von Persönlichkeitsstörung dar. Die Kriterien C bis G definieren den zeitlichen und situationalen Geltungsbereich der notwendigen Merkmale. Kriterium A der allgemeinen Kriterien umfasst die Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung Selbstpathologie und interpersonale Pathologie. Diese Kernmerkmale gehen zurück auf die Definition von Persönlichkeitsstörung von Livesley. Das alternative DSM-5 Modell geht des Weiteren davon aus, dass sich Selbstpathologie und interpersonale Pathologie in einer eindimensionalen Skala der Funktionsniveaus der Persönlichkeit integrieren lassen, welche die Einschätzung des Beeinträchtigungsgrades auf einer fünfstufigen Skala erlaubt. Neben Kriterium A muss außerdem gemäß Kriterium B des alternativen DSM-5 Modells der allgemeinen Kriterien für Persönlichkeitsstörung zumindest ein pathologisches Persönlichkeitstrait vorliegen. Dahinter steht die Annahme, dass die Dysfunktion von Persönlichkeit (Kriterium A) getrennt von der Beschreibung der Persönlichkeitspathologie (Kriterium B) erfasst werden kann. Letztendlich stützt sich die empirische Basis zu den aktuell vorgeschlagenen Kernmerkmalen von Persönlichkeitsstörung Selbstpathologie und interpersonale Pathologie im alternativen DSM-5 Modell lediglich auf eine Studie. Ziele: Die vorliegende Doktorarbeit setzte sich in Anbetracht der geringen empirischen Basis zum Ziel, die Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung des alternativen DSM-5 Modells empirisch zu überprüfen. Auf der Grundlage der Definition von Persönlichkeitsstörung, die auch die theoretische Grundlage für die Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung im alternativen DSM-5 Modell bildete, wurde ein Fragebogen entwickelt: Das General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD). Das GAPD wurde für den deutschen Sprachraum adaptiert und zeigte eine zufriedenstellende Reliabilität hinsichtlich interner Konsistenz. Dieser Fragebogen hat 85 Items mit jeweils vier Skalen zu Selbstpathologie und Interpersonaler Pathologie. Das GAPD wurde erstens herangezogen, um zu überprüfen, ob die Kernmerkmale Selbstpathologie und interpersonale Pathologie Patienten mit und ohne Persönlichkeitsstörung differenzieren können und zweitens ob diese Merkmale tatsächlich die Bandbreite von Persönlichkeitspathologie abbilden können. Außerdem sollte drittens geprüft werden, ob die Integration von Selbstpathologie und interpersonaler Pathologie innerhalb einer Skala auch empirisch gerechtfertigt werden kann. Viertens sollte untersucht werden, ob die Dysfunktion von Persönlichkeit (Kriterium A) getrennt von der näheren Beschreibung der Persönlichkeitspathologie (Kriterium B) erfasst werden kann. Hierzu wurde der Zusammenhang der Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung (Kriterium A), operationalisiert durch den GAPD, mit den Persönlichkeitstraits (Kriterium B), erfasst mit dem Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP-BQ) und mit dem NEO-Persönlichkeitsinventar nach Costa und McCrae, Revidierte Fassung (NEO-PI-R), untersucht. Ergebnisse: (1) Sowohl für die Selbstpathologie-Skalen als auch für die Interpersonalen Pathologie-Skalen des GAPD konnte gezeigt werden, dass sie zwischen Patienten mit (n = 75) und ohne Persönlichkeitsstörung (n = 74) differenzierten. Ausnahme bildete hier die Skala (P3) Prosoziales Verhalten. Das GAPD konnte 82 % der Patienten richtig als Patienten mit und ohne Persönlichkeitsstörung zuordnen beruhend auf Diagnosen, die mit dem Strukturierten Klinischen Interview für DSM-IV, Achse II: Persönlichkeitsstörungen (SKID-II) ermittelt wurden. (2) Außerdem zeigten sich für neun der zwölf DSM-IV Persönlichkeitsstörungen mittlere bis hohe Korrelationen mit den Skalen des GAPD. Ausnahmen bildeten hier die zwanghafte, antisoziale und histrionische Persönlichkeitsstörung. Ebenso ergaben sich hohe Korrelationen zwischen GAPD, DAPP und NEO-PI-R hinsichtlich aller korrespondierender Traits auf Domain Ebene des DSM-5 Traitmodells (Negative Affektivität, Bindungslosigkeit, Feindseligkeit, Enthemmung und Psychotizismus). (3) Des Weiteren ergab sich ein Ein-Faktorenmodell für die Skalen des GAPD mit einer Varianzaufklärung von 61,4 %. Die Selbstpathologie Skalen hatten höhere Ladungen auf dem Faktor (.88 - .93) als die Interpersonalen Pathologie-Skalen (.66 - .78). Lediglich die Skala (P3) Prosoziales Verhalten zeigte eine niedrige Ladung (.31). (4) Inkrementelle Validität ergab sich für den DAPP und NEO-PI-R über den GAPD. Umgekehrt zeigte sich dies nur für den GAPD über den NEO-PI-R. Diskussion und Ausblick: Auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse zum GAPD konnte gezeigt werden, dass erstens die Skalen des GAPD, die die Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung (1) Selbstpathologie und (2) Interpersonale Pathologie des alternativen DSM-5 Modells zum großen Teil erfassen, das Vorliegen einer Persönlichkeitsstörung gut vorhersagen können. Zweitens wiesen die Ergebnisse daraufhin, dass die Skalen des GAPD, zum einen mit hohen Traitausprägungen sowohl von normalen als auch pathologischen Traitmodellen, in der vorliegenden Arbeit erfasst durch NEO-PI-R und DAPP, korrelierten und zum anderen mit neun der zwölf DSM-IV Persönlichkeitsstörungen. Damit können die Kernmerkmale eine große Bandbreite von Persönlichkeitspathologie abbilden. Drittens wurde die Integration von Selbstpathologie und interpersonaler Pathologie in einer eindimensionalen Skala faktorenanalytisch bestätigt. Viertens konnte eine getrennte Erfassung von Dysfunktionen von Persönlichkeitsstörung und Persönlichkeitsbeschreibungen, wie sie in den Kriterien A und B des alternativen DSM-5 Modells gefordert wird, in der vorliegenden Arbeit nur zum Teil empirisch Bestätigung finden, da zwar sowohl normale als auch pathologische Persönlichkeitstraits zu den Kernmerkmalen Informationen hinzufügen konnten bei der Untersuchung der inkrementellen Validität, aber andersherum die Kernmerkmale, erfasst durch das GAPD, nur bei normalen Persönlichkeitstraits, erfasst durch das NEO-PI-R, Informationen hinzufügen konnte. Das DAPP als pathologisches Traitmodell deckte bereits die Informationen des GAPD fast vollständig ab. Insgesamt untermauern die Ergebnisse zum GAPD die Validität der Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung des Kriteriums A und die Skala der Funktionsniveaus der Persönlichkeit des alternativen DSM-5 Modells. Die Skala (P3) Prosoziales Verhalten scheint wenig Relevanz für die Diagnostik von Persönlichkeitsstörung zu besitzen. Bei der Interpretation der Ergebnisse zum GAPD sollten folgende Einschränkungen beachtet werden. Zum einen erfasst das GAPD nicht vollständig die Facetten der Kernmerkmale des Kriteriums A des alternativen DSM-5 Modells. Des Weiteren beruht das GAPD auf Selbstauskünften, was aufgrund der Störung in der Selbstwahrnehmung dieser Patienten ein Nachteil bei der Diagnostik von Persönlichkeitsstörung darstellt. Probleme für die Interpretation der Ergebnisse des GAPD ergeben sich außerdem daraus, dass als Vergleichskriterium die DSM-IV Persönlichkeitsstörungen erhoben wurden. Diese Klassifikation gilt an sich als wenig valide und daher die Erfassung als nicht reliabel. Daher wird es in zukünftigen Studien wichtig sein, die neuen Kriterien der spezifischen Persönlichkeitsstörungen des alternativen DSM-5 Modells bzw. das DSM-5 Traitmodell und das hierzu neu entwickelte Erfassungsinstrument Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) zugrunde zu legen. Nichtsdestotrotz ist das GAPD das erste Instrument, welches die Kernmerkmale von Persönlichkeitsstörung des alternativen DSM-5 Modells psychometrisch überhaupt erfassbar macht. Es bot die Grundlage dieser Doktorarbeit, die Validität der Kernmerkmale für Persönlichkeitsstörung des alternativen DSM-5 Modells empirisch zu untermauern. Es wird vorgeschlagen, eine kürzere Version des GAPD als Screening im ersten Schritt des Diagnoseprozesses von Persönlichkeitsstörung anzuwenden, gegebenenfalls gefolgt im zweiten Schritt von einem strukturierten Interview
Theoretical Background: The DSM-5 Work Group for personality and personality disorders developed a new classification of personality disorder based on extensive critiques concerning categorical diagnoses and construct validity of the DSM-IV classification. The new classification was integrated as alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders into section III of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. The alternative DSM-5 model for personality disorders also includes new general criteria for personality disorder in DSM-5. The criteria A and B of the general criteria are the essential features of personality disorder. The general criteria C through G define the scope concerning time and situations and exclusion criteria. Criterion A encompasses the core features of personality disorder: self and interpersonal pathology. These core features are based on the definition of personality disorder from Livesley. The DSM-5 model assumes that self and interpersonal pathology can be integrated into a unidimensional Personality Functioning Scale, which enables a five-level rating of impairment in self / interpersonal functioning. Next to criterion A, criterion B of the general criteria for personality disorder requires at least one pathological personality trait to be fulfilled. This entails the assumption that personality dysfunction alone can be measured, independent of personality traits. Finally, the empirical foundation for the proposed core features of personality disorder, self and interpersonal functioning, is based on only one study. Aims: The current doctoral thesis is aimed at validating the core features of personality disorder in the DSM-5, in light of the small empirical foundation existing today. Livesley\'s definition of personality disorder, which is the theoretical basis of criterion A of the general criteria for personality disorder in the DSM-5, was also used to develop a self-report questionnaire: the General Assessment of Personality Disorder (GAPD). The GAPD was translated into German and showed sufficient reliability in terms of internal consistency. The questionnaire has 85 items with four scales for self pathology and four scales for interpersonal pathology. First, the GAPD was used to investigate whether the core features of personality, self and interpersonal pathology, are able to differentiate between patients with and without personality disorder. Second, whether the core features cover the full range of personality pathology was examined. Third, the integration of self and interpersonal pathology into a unidimensional scale was empirically validated. Fourth, whether functional impairment (criterion A) can be assessed separately from personality traits (criterion B) was investigated. This last investigation was carried out by analyzing the relationship between the core features of personality disorder (criterion A) and pathological personality traits (criterion B). Criterion A was operationalized by the GAPD; criterion B was measured by the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology (DAPP-BQ) and additionally by the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). Results: (1) The patients (n = 75) with personality disorder differed significantly from patients without personality disorder (n = 74) in all Self Pathology and Interpersonal Pathology scales of the GAPD, except (P3) Prosocial Behaviour. The GAPD identified 82 % of patients correctly, as patients with or without personality disorder diagnoses, based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Personality Disorders (SKID-II). (2) Furthermore, the GAPD scales showed moderate to high correlations for nine of twelve DSM-IV personality disorders. The exceptions were obsessive-compulsive, antisocial and histrionic personality disorders. Similarly, there were moderate to high correlations between GAPD, DAPP and NEO-PI-R, with regard to all corresponding DSM-5 trait model domains (Negative Affectivity, Detachment, Antagonism, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism). (3) Additionally, the analysis yielded a one-factor model with an explained variance of 61.4 %. The Self Pathology scales showed higher factor loadings (.88 - .93) than the Interpersonal Pathology scales (.66 - .78). But (P3) Prosocial Behaviour showed a low loading (.31). (4) The DAPP and NEO-PI-R showed incremental validity over the GAPD, but the GAPD only over the NEO-PI-R. Discussion and outlook: Based on the results it could be shown that, first, the scales of the GAPD, which largely measure the core features of personality disorder in the DSM-5, (1) self pathology and (2) interpersonal pathology, were able to predict the presence of personality disorder well. Second, the results showed large correlations between the GAPD-scales and high trait expressions in both normal and abnormal trait models, measured by the DAPP and NEO-PI-R, as well as large correlations between the GAPD scales and nine of twelve DSM-IV personality disorders. Thus, the core features of personality disorder covered a wide range of personality pathology. Third, factor-analytic studies confirmed the integration of self and interpersonal pathology into a unidimensional scale. Fourth, it could be shown in part that functional impairment can be assessed separately from personality traits, as demanded by criteria A and B of the DSM-5. Normal and abnormal trait models were able to add information to the core features of personality disorder when assessing the incremental validity, but the core features could only add information to normal personality traits. The DAPP as a pathological trait model already covers the information of the GAPD. In summary, the results of the GAPD confirm the validity of the core features of personality disorder of criterion A and the Personality Functioning Scale in the DSM-5. The scale (P3) Prosocial Behaviour seems to have little significance for the diagnosis of personality disorders. The following limitations need to be considered in the interpretation of the results. The GAPD does not capture all facets of the core features of criterion A of the DSM-5. Furthermore, the GAPD is based on self-reporting, which is a disadvantage in the diagnosis of personality disorders, because of a distortion in the self-perception of those patients. Problems in the interpretation of the results might also be due to the use of the DSM-IV personality disorder as the comparison criterion. This classification is regarded as invalid and its assessment as less reliable. Thus, the new criteria of the individual DSM-5 personality disorders and the DSM-5 trait model, as well as the newly developed assessment tool Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), should be included in future studies. Nevertheless, the GAPD is the first tool to allow an assessment of the core features of personality disorder in the DSM-5. It provided the foundation of the current doctoral thesis to confirm the validity of the core features of personality disorder in the DSM-5. It is proposed that a shorter version of the GAPD could be used to screen for personality disorder in the first step of the diagnostic process, followed by a structured interview in the second step, if necessary

Due to their great importance, both from the fundamental and from the practical points of view, it is imperative that the various facets of the concepts of information and entanglement are explored systematically in connection with diverse physical systems and processes. These concepts are at the core of the emerging field of the Physics of Information. In this Thesis I investigate some aspects of the dynamics of information in both classical and quantum mechanical systems and then move on to explore entanglement in fermion systems by searching for novel ways to classify and quantify entanglement in fermionic systems. In Chapter 1 a brief review of the different information and entropic measures as well as of the main evolution equations of classical dynamical and quantum mechanical systems is given. The conservation of information as a fundamental principle both at the classical and quantum levels, and the implications of Landauer's theorem are discussed in brief. An alternative and more intuitive proof of the no-broadcasting theorem is also provided. Chapter 2 is a background chapter on quantum entanglement, where the differences between the concept of entanglement in systems consisting of distinguishable subsystems and the corresponding concept in systems of identical fermions are emphasized. Different measures of entanglement and relevant techniques such as majorization, are introduced. To illustrate some of the concepts reviewed here I discuss the entanglement properties of an exactly soluble many-body model which was studied in paper (E) of the publication list corresponding to the present Thesis. An alternative approach to the characterization of quantum correlations, based on perturbations under local measurements, is also briefly reviewed. The use of uncertainty relations as entanglement indicators in composite systems having distinguishable subsystems is then examined in some detail. Chapter 3 is based on papers (A) and (B) of the list of publications. Extended Landauer-like principles are developed, based amongst others on the conservation of information of divergenceless dynamical systems. Conservation of information within the framework of general probabilistic theories, which include the classical and quantum mechanical probabilities as particular instances, is explored. Furthermore, Zurek's information transfer theorem and the no-deleting theorem are generalized. Chapter 4 is based on articles (C) and (D) mentioned in the publication list, and investigates several separability criteria for fermions. Criteria for the detection of entanglement are developed based either on the violation of appropriate uncertainty relations or on inequalities involving entropic measures. Chapter 5 introduces an approach for the characterization of quantum correlations (going beyond entanglement) in fermion systems based upon the state disturbances generated by the measurement of local observables. Chapter 6 summarizes the conclusions drawn in the previous chapters. The work leading up to this Thesis has resulted in five publications in peer reviewed science research journals.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012.
Physics
unrestricted

The purpose of the thesis is to develop a parallel implementation of the General Block Min Max Criterion (GBMM). This thesis deals with two kinds of parallel overheads: Redundant Calculations Parallel Overhead (RCPO) and Communication Parallel Overhead (CPO).

The article analyzes the implications of shifting from modernto a welfare state according with the definition of equality principle, then explains the consequences of promoting the non discrimination principle and its structure as surety element of free competition. On that basis, the author presents the main tools of non discrimination in European law and then gives details about three components of discrimination: “tracto, criterium and spatium”. Finally, the article explores the debate surrounding the notion of evidence when it is related to discrimination, emphasizing States duty on promoting equality in European law.
El artículo analiza las consecuencias del tránsito del Estado moderno al Estado de bienestar en la definición del principio de igualdad, paraposteriormente explicarnos las implicancias de la promoción del principio de no-discriminación y su configuración como factor de caución de la libre competencia. A partir de ello nos aproxima a los principales instrumentosdel derecho europeo de la no-discriminación, para seguidamente explicarnos detalladamente los tres componentes de la discriminación: tracto, criterium y spatium. Finalmente, aborda la problemática de la prueba en materia de discriminación y la obligación de promover la igualdad que tienen los Estados en el derecho europeo.

Didėjant urbanizacijos mastams, būtina akcentuoti darnų miestų vystymąsi. Dažniausiai literatūroje nagrinėjami ekologiško ir kompaktiško miestų modeliai. Analizė atskleidžia, jog pagrindiniai jų principai yra mišrios paskirties žemės naudojimas, išvystytas visuomeninis transportas bei dviračių takai, didelis tankumas, viešųjų erdvių prieinamumas, gamtos resursų išsaugojimas, ekonominis, socialinis ir ekologinis stabilumas. Baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjami šie du miestų modeliai, socialiniai veiksniai bei nurodoma monitoringo svarba planuojant miesto plėtros tendencijas. Elektrėnų savivaldybės pavyzdžiu išskiriami situacijos vertinimo indikatoriai, naudojami bendrajame savivaldybės plane. Baigiamajame darbe išanalizuoti pagrindiniai principai ir išskirti pagrindiniai subalansuotos plėtros įvertinimo kriterijai, bei nustatyta, kad galima išsami miesto subalansuotumo analizė kombinuojant išskirtus kriterijus.
With increasing the scale of urbanization, it is necessary to focus on sustainable development of the city. The ecological and compact models of the city are common issue in the literature. Main principles of these models are mixed land use, good quality of public transport and opportunity for bicycling, high density, access of public spaces, and conservation of natural resources, economical, ecological and social stability. There are distinguished indicators of state evaluation of Elektrenai municipality as an example. The article examines two urban models, social factors and the importance of monitoring in the urban planning process. In the article, basic principles are analyzed and main sustainable development evaluation criteria are emphasized.

This thesis examines the links between economic time-series innovations and statistical risk factors in the UK stock market using principal components analysis (PCA) and the general-to-specific (Gets) approach to econometric modelling. A multi-factor risk structure for the UK stock market is assumed, and it is found that the use of economic 'news' (innovations), PCA, the Gets approach, and different stock grouping criteria helps to explain the relationships between stock returns and economic variables. The Kalman Filter appears to be more appropriate than first-differencing or ARIMA modelling as a technique for estimating innovations when applying the Gets approach. Different combinations of economic variables appear to underpin the risk structure of stock returns for different sub-samples. Indications of a possible influence of firm size are found in principal components when different stock sorting criteria are used, but more definite conclusions require simultaneous sorting by market value and beta. Overall it appears that the major factor affecting the identification of specific explanatory economic variables across different sub-samples is the general economic context of investment. The influence of firm size on stock returns seems in particular to be highly sensitive to the wider economic context. There is an apparent instability in the economic underpinnings of the risk structure of stock returns (as measured by principal components) that might also be a result of changing economic conditions.

La demanda de servicios de telecomunicaciones ha estado siempre en un constante aumento, y además los usuarios van requiriendo nuevos servicios, por este motivo, las redes existentes necesitan periódicamente renovarse aumentando su capacidad e implementando nuevas tecnologías que soporten estos nuevos servicios. Lo anterior lleva a que las empresas estén obligadas a realizar enormes inversiones. La tarea del planificador es proponer un tamaño, capacidad, topología, tecnologías y ubicación de las redes de telecomunicaciones de manera que se adapten de la mejor manera a la situación de demanda actual y futura, para así invertir lo justo y necesario. El futuro de las telecomunicaciones se enfoca en las redes NGN las cuales están orientadas principalmente al protocolo IP, la calidad de servicio, la utilización de una única red para soportar múltiples servicios y la adaptación a cualquier tecnología de acceso. El trabajo realizado en este documento consiste en presentar una metodología de planificación general de plataformas de telecomunicaciones, separadas en plataformas cableadas e inalámbricas. Para esto primero se generalizan los elementos presentes en una red, llegando a la conclusión de que se compone de equipos de conmutación, servidores de red, equipos terminales y gateways. Luego se especifica cuáles son las entradas, salidas, restricciones y recursos que intervienen en el proceso de planificación, primero de manera general y luego de forma más detallada en la obtención de las salidas del sistema. A lo anterior se le debe agregar una descripción de las características que deben poseer las herramientas de planificación, que se separan principalmente en un bloque de optimización, otro de simulación y por último uno de análisis de resultados. Considerando el enfoque general que presenta esta memoria, la metodología conseguida en este documento, para redes cableadas como inalámbricas, consiste en el planteamiento de un problema de optimización que considera los principales aspectos que intervienen en la planificación, expresados de una manera que se adecua a cualquier solución tecnológica. Para probar el método propuesto se realizan dos ejemplos, uno de una red cableada y otro de una red inalámbrica, observando y comentando los resultados obtenidos. Además, estas metodologías pueden ser adaptadas a cualquier situación, agregando nuevas variables al problema, y usualmente dejando casi intacto el planteamiento inicial que se muestra en este documento. En el futuro, se pretende que está memoria sea la base para la creación de un software de planificación que permita ayudar al planificador. También, este documento puede ser la base de un curso de planificación en donde se enseñen los conceptos más generales de este proceso. Finalmente se le puede realizar mejoras al modelo de planificación planteado, para ir complementándolo con nuevas consideraciones.

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2013.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 45).
In many industrial applications, an accurate model of the initial yield surface of materials with a significant degree of anisotropy is required. Anisotropy due to preferred orientation can occur in sheet metal parts used in automotive applications due to the rolling processes used to form the sheets. Hill's quadratic yield criterion for anisotropic metals can be used to more accurately model these materials, allowing for improved constitutive models for the prediction of plastic failure and ductile fracture. In this thesis, a derivation of the equivalent plastic strain for plane stress in matrix notation is presented using associated plastic flow and work conjugation. A similar method is attempted for the general three-dimensional case; however, a singularity appears as the six components of the strain increment vector are not independent under plastic incompressibility. To remedy this, a reduced-order system was defined in terms of deviatoric stress, with one normal component eliminated, so that the previous method could be applied; the eliminated component was reintroduced in the final expression. This result was also further expanded to introduce the possibility of defining different plastic potentials and yield criteria under non-associated flow. The result is two expressions for equivalent plastic strain for the Hill's yield criterion in both plane stress and three-dimensional cases that have been partially validated analytically through testing limiting cases such as material isotropy.
by Rebecca B. Colby.
S.B.

El 18 de junio de 2008, se publicó en el Diario Oficial de la Federación el decreto por el que se reforman diversos dispositivos de la Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos en materia penal, a estas reformas se les identifica genéricamente, como la reforma de justicia penal, la cual, a decir de muchos tratadistas, es la más importante en las últimas décadas ya que se está incursionando con los juicios predominantemente orales, en los cuales, se considera inocente al inculpado hasta que se demuestre lo contrario

The objective of this research is to investigate the ignition behavior of combustible solid materials in fire. Three key tasks were conducted for it: (1) a new theoretical temperature profile prediction model, referred as General Thermal Thickness (GTT) model, was proposed and then validated by the experimental data from E-glass/polyester composite panels at different heat fluxes; (2) a new ignition criterion (the Heating Rate-related Ignition Temperature (HRIT) criterion) was proposed and its accuracy under various heat fluxes was shown by comparing with experimental data of different materials; (3) uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were conducted on a new integrated ignition prediction model (i.e. the GTT combined with the HRIT ignition criterion), to investigate the variations in ignition and identify key affecting factors.

A simplified heat transfer model was constructed and solved in order to theoretically predict the temperature profile of the GTT combustible solid materials subjected to one-sided heating. The theoretical solution of the GTT model was validated by experimental data from intermediate-scale calorimeter fire tests of E-glass fiber reinforced polyester composite panels at three heat flux levels. The GTT model was also verified by results from finite element modeling predictions. Compared with the classical theoretical models (such as thermally thick (TTK) and thermally thin (TTN) models), the GTT model is more accurate and it is valid through the whole range of thermal thickness.

Since existing ignition criteria cannot handle the variations of external heat flux and surrounding environmental conditions, a new ignition criterion referred as Heating Rate-related Ignition Temperature (HRIT) criterion, was proposed, developed and validated. In the new HRIT ignition criterion both the surface temperature and its increasing rate are used to determine ignition. The accuracy of the HRIT ignition criterion under different external heat fluxes was validated by the piloted ignition data of a thermoplastic material (Black PMMA), a thermoset composite material (E-glass fiber reinforced polyester composite) and a cellulosic material (Red Oak) subjected to different external heat fluxes. The adaptability of the HRIT criterion in different surrounding environmental conditions was also discussed.

Both local and global sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were performed to understand the variations and identify important factors affecting the ignition process. First, the local sensitivity analysis was applied to the GTT model and the HRIT criterion separately. Then a Monte Carlo analysis using the Latin Hypercube Sampling method was performed on the integrated ignition prediction model (the GTT model combined with HRIT ignition criterion), yielding the global sensitivity coefficients (or important index) and uncertainty ranges of the ignition.

In summary, unlike classical temperature profile prediction models such as thermally thick or thermally thin models whose applications are restricted by thermal thickness, the new GTT model proposed in this research is valid within the whole range of thermal thickness. The challenge of the existing ignition criteria handling varying heat fluxes and surrounding environment was resolved by the new HRIT ignition criterion, and the accuracy of the HRIT criterion was validated by experimental data from three materials. The important affecting factors and uncertainties during ignition process were identified in this research through the uncertainty and sensitivity study, which can serve as a guideline for fire safety design

Memoria para optar al grado de Licenciado en Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Dentro de nuestro país cohabitan diversos pueblos indígenas que han subsistido hasta la actualidad. Sin embargo, el desarrollo del mundo moderno y sus proyectos económicos, en tanto manifestación concreta de éste, han ido crecientemente entrando en conflicto con estos pueblos, los que durante largos años se vieron desprotegidos y algunos incluso exterminados, como es el caso de los Onas en el extremo sur de Chile. En este contexto, presente en diversas partes del mundo, el año 1989 la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) adopta el Convenio 169 sobre pueblos indígenas y tribales. Éste constituye en la actualidad el principal instrumento internacional sobre derechos de los pueblos indígenas y fue ratificado por nuestro país el año 2008, entrando finalmente en vigencia en septiembre del año siguiente. Con ello el Estado de Chile ha adquirido el deber de llevar a cabos procesos de consulta indígena cada vez que se prevea la emisión de medidas legislativas o administrativas susceptibles de afectar en forma directa a uno o más pueblos indígenas. Deber que, desde su entrada en vigencia ha sido altamente controvertido, respecto de su obligatoriedad, forma de aplicación, entre otros aspectos. El objeto del presente trabajo consiste en el análisis del deber de consulta indígena en nuestro país definiendo su concepto, analizando la normativa correspondiente que la regula y configura sus elementos, para llegar a su aplicación específica por los órganos de la Administración del Estado en las distintas áreas desde la perspectiva que ha ido adoptando la Contraloría General de la República por medio de la jurisprudencia administrativa y así poder confirmar o refutar la hipótesis de que los dictámenes de la Contraloría General de la República, en materia de Consulta Indígena, no han sido uniformes

I fegati provenienti dai donatori a criteri estesi sono associati a un rischio elevato di dysfunction dopo trapianto. La HOPE potrebbe ridurre l’incidenza di tale complicanza, benché i dati emersi da studi prospettici siano carenti. In questo studio monocentrico randomizzato i pazienti da sottoporre a trapianto di fegato con graft proveniente da donatore marginale sono stati randomizzati a ricevere un fegato dopo HOPE o a riceverne uno conservato in statica ipotermica (gruppo SCS). L’endpoint primario era la valutazione dell’incidenza dell’early allograft dysfunction. Gli endpoint secondari includevano la valutazione della sopravvivenza del ricevente e del graft, così come le complicanze post-trapianto. I pazienti del gruppo HOPE avevano un tasso significativamente più basso di EAD. L’analisi di sopravvivenza confermava che quei pazienti avevano una sopravvivenza del graft superiore, con inferiori tassi di re-ricovero e di complicanze post-operatorie, in particolare di natura cardio-vascolare.
Liver grafts from extended criteria brain death donors are associated with higher dysfunction rates after transplantation. HOPE of the liver can reduce the incidence of graft dysfunction and failure in ECD grafts, although data from prospective studies are very limited. In this monocentric, open-label, randomized study, patients undergoing transplantation from an ECD liver graft were randomized to receive a liver after HOPE or after static cold storage alone (SCS group). The primary endpoint was the incidence of early graft dysfunction. The secondary endpoints included graft and patient survival and the rate of graft or other graft-related complications. Patients in the HOPE group had a significantly lower rate of early graft dysfunction. The survival analysis confirmed that patients in the HOPE group were associated with higher graft survival, with lower re-admission and overall complication rates, in particular cardio-vascular adverse events.

Bone destruction occurs in cases when the amount of absorbed energy exceeds limits of physiological strength of a given bone site. The amount of energy that bone can absorb without fracture depends on its strength and stiffness. The stiffer bone is, the less energy can be absorbed by it without fracture. The architectonics of cancellous bone is an individual integral response of bone to stress and deformation, which it undergoes at various loads. According to its mechanical properties cancellous bone tissue is heterogeneous, nonlinear and anisotropic. Besides, these properties can significantly change depending on age, sex, structural-functional condition of bone tissue, the existence of local and systemic pathological processes

Memoria (licenciado en ciencias jurídicas y sociales)
La presente memoria ofrece un análisis del régimen general de responsabilidad por daño ambiental chileno. Específicamente, nuestro estudio se centra en el daño ambiental, requisito insoslayable de la acción de reparación, y en la presunción de culpa ambiental como elemento configurador de la responsabilidad. Para lo anterior, el trabajo se estructura en base a dos grandes capítulos: por una parte, un título dedicado en extenso al daño ambiental, y otro concerniente exclusivamente al factor de imputación en materia de daños ecológicos puros. En este sentido, el primer capítulo explica lo controvertido de la naturaleza jurídica del daño ambiental y cómo éste influye en la tarea de su valoración; también, se presentan los criterios más frecuentes que ha invocado la Corte Suprema para dotar de contenido al concepto de daño ambiental “significativo” y, finalmente, se aborda el tema de los límites a la reparación ambiental. Por su parte, el segundo capítulo se avoca al estudio de la extensión de la presunción de culpa ambiental consagrada en la Ley N° 19.300. De este modo, intentamos plantear límites -desde la jurisprudencia y doctrina- sobre los supuestos de hecho que la hacen aplicable. Asimismo, se examina la posibilidad de hacer operativa la presunción cuando un titular de una RCA incurre en infracción de la misma. Por último, describimos nuestros argumentos de por qué no sería aplicable, supletoriamente, la presunción de culpa por el hecho propio contenida en el Código Civil en materia de daños ecológicos puros. Finalmente, se presenta un capítulo de conclusiones donde se plasman los resultados de la presente investigación, así como nuestra opinión fundada frente a todas las interrogantes que se han ido trazando a lo largo del estudio. Palabras claves: Responsabilidad por daño ambiental – daño ambiental significativo – naturaleza jurídica del daño ambiental – valoración del daño ambiental - presunción de culpa ambiental – aplicación supletoria presunciones de culpa código civil.