This dissertation deals with the problematic of the free space optical link availability determination. For the presumption of the free space optical link unavailability we have to know statistical distribution of the atmospheric attenuations. In this work is also presented the measurement of these atmospheric attenuations with the specially designed optical link. Measurement is using switching of the two separate transmitters with wavelengths of 830 nm and 1550 nm. Presented statistic distribution let us determine the suitability of the link in the chosen locality during its design. Comparison of our measurement with other models like model based on the meteorological visibility is also presented. The last part of this work is focused on the preconditions for the hi-speed network bit error rate determination. Sample of the bit error rate measurement obtained by our designed bit error rate tester is attached.

This dissertation is focused on the determination of turbulent atmospheric transmission media properties. The concept of new method for turbulent attenuation designation is presented – the method of available power. This method comes from laser beam intensity profile analysis. The next point of this work is relative variance of optical intensity study. On the basis of experimental measurements relative variance of optical intensity is non-uniformly distributed in laser beam intensity profile. This non uniform distribution is subordinated to angular coefficient of intensity profile curve. Due to this information we can determine optimal laser beam shape to minimize influence of turbulent atmosphere.

Der Geschlechtervertrag beschreibt einen fiktiven Vertrag zwischen Männern und Frauen, der diesen unterschiedliche Rechte und Pflichten zuweist. Im Anschluss an Pateman entwickelte McRobbie die Vorstellung eines Neuen Geschlechtervertrags postfeministischer Gesellschaften, in dem Frauen das Angebot unterbreitet wird, am öffentlichen, wirtschaftlichen und ökonomischen Leben zu partizipieren, wenn sie auf feministische Politiken verzichten. Gleichsam gerät mit dem Neuen Geschlechtervertrag die (Un-)Sichtbarkeit verschiedener Weiblichkeitsentwürfe ins Zentrum der Analyse.

In den wissenschaftlichen Disziplinen der Mathematik, Physik, Philosophie, Geschichte und der Geografie ist der Raum sowohl als Untersuchungsgegenstand als auch als Analyseinstrument von zentralem Interesse. Er kann als soziales Phänomen und Produkt sozialer Praktiken und Handlungen gelten. Theoretische Annahmen solcher Art qualifizieren Raum als analytische Kategorie und sorgen für seine Anschlussfähigkeit an die Geschlechterdifferenzierungsforschung sowie die Gender und Queer Studies. In den Fokus gerät dabei die Interdependenz von Raum- und Geschlechterordnungen.

Text has abstracts in English, Afrikaans and isiZulu / Translators give us access to texts written in other languages, yet they remain mostly invisible to us. The translator’s preface therefore becomes the most important paratext where their voices are heard and where the text is identified as a translation. Research on South African paratexts is scarce and the study contributes to filling this gap. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of South African translatorial prefaces by determining the characteristics, content and functions of the prefaces and describing how translators are visible in their prefaces. A qualitative study was done where Genette’s (1997) conceptual framework was fitted into the overarching theory of Descriptive Translation Studies, making use of thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke (2013) to analyse the data. The data consisted of 65 South African literary texts with translatorial prefaces, published between 1945 and 2016 in the official South African languages. The study found that South African translators are mostly invisible through the absence of translatorial prefaces, but when they do write prefaces, they become highly visible and write about a wide variety of topics that make their prefaces a rich documentary source of valuable information for readers, translation studies students and scholars. The study provides a foundation for further research on South African translatorial prefaces. Translatorial prefaces should be included in the curricula for Translation Studies students and in a multilingual country like South Africa, no translation should be without a preface. Translators are encouraged to write comprehensive prefaces that will increase their visibility and situate translations in the polysystem of South African literature. / Vertalers gee ons toegang tot tekste wat in ander tale geskryf is, maar tog bly hulle meestal onsigbaar vir ons. Die vertalersvoorwoord word dus die belangrikste teks waar hul stemme gehoor kan word en waar die teks as ’n vertaling geïdentifiseer kan word. Navorsing oor Suid-Afrikaanse parateks is skaars en die studie dra daartoe by om hierdie leemte te vul. Die doel van die studie was om die aard van Suid-Afrikaanse vertalersvoorwoorde te ondersoek deur die kenmerke, inhoud en funksies van die voorwoorde te bepaal en te beskryf hoe vertalers sigbaar is in hulle voorwoorde. ’n Kwalitatiewe studie is gedoen waar die konseptuele raamwerk van Genette (1997) in die oorkoepelende teorie van Beskrywende Vertaalstudies toegepas is, met behulp van tematiese analise soos beskryf deur Braun en Clarke (2013) om die data te ontleed. Die data bestaan uit 65 Suid-Afrikaanse letterkundige tekste met vertalersvoorwoorde, wat tussen 1945 en 2016 in die amptelike Suid-Afrikaanse landstale gepubliseer is. Die studie het bevind dat Suid-Afrikaanse vertalers hoofsaaklik onsigbaar is deur die afwesigheid van vertalersvoorwoorde, maar wanneer hulle wel voorwoorde skryf, word hulle hoogs sigbaar en skryf hulle oor ’n wye verskeidenheid van onderwerpe wat hul voorwoorde ’n ryk dokumentêre bron van inligting vir lesers, studente in vertaalstudies en vakkundiges maak. Die studie bied ’n basis vir verdere navorsing oor Suid-Afrikaanse vertalersvoorwoorde. Vertalersvoorwoorde behoort opgeneem te word in die kurrikula van vertaalstudie studente en in ’n veeltalige land soos Suid-Afrika behoort geen vertaling sonder ’n vertalersvoorwoord te wees nie. Vertalers word aangemoedig om omvattende voorwoorde te skryf wat hul sigbaarheid sal verbeter en hul vertalings in die polisisteem van Suid-Afrikaanse letterkunde sal plaas. / Abaguquli beelwimi basenza sikwazi ukufikelela kwiimbalo ezifumaneka ngezinye iilwimi, kodwa bahlala befihlakele kuthi. Iimbulambethe zabaguli zilwimi ngoko ke ziba yingcaciso ebaluleke kakhulu ethi ibaveze ivakalise amazwi abo, kwaye yenza iimbalo ezo zibe nokuphawulwa okanye zichazwe njengeenguqulelo. Uphando malunga neembulambethe okanye iingabulazigcawu eMzantsi Afrika lunqabile kungoko olu phando lunegalelo ekuvaleni esi sikhewu. Injongo yolu phando kukuphonononga ubume beembulambethe zeenguqulelo ezifumaneka eMzantsi Afrika ngokufumanisa iimpawu zazo, umxholo kunye nemisebenzi yeembulambethe, kwakunye nokuchaza indlela abazibonakalisa ngayo abaguquli kwiimbulambethe zabo. Kwenziwe uphando lohlobo oluchazayo (qualitative), apho kuysetyenziswe inkqubosikhokelo yengqiqo kaGenette (1997) ndawonye nethiyori esisikhokelo yeziFundo zoGuqulo loLwimi eziChazayo (Descriptive Translation Studies), nolusebenzisa uhlahlelo lwethematiki njengoko luchaziwe nguBraun noClarke (2013) ekuhlalutyeni idatha. Idatha iqulathe iimbalo zoncwadi ezingama-65 zaseMzantsi Afrika ezineembulambethe zeenguqulelo ezapapashwa phakathi konyaka ka-1945 no-2016 ngeelwimi ezisemthethweni eMzantsi Afrika. Olu phando lufumanise ukuba abaguquli beelwimi ikakhulu, ababonakali ngenxa yokungabikho kweembulambethe zezi nguqulelo, kodwa xa bathe bazibhala iimbulambethe, bayabonakala kakhulu kunjalonje batsho babhale ngenqwaba yezihloko ezahlukeneyo nezenza iimbulambethe zabo zibe ngamaxwebhu angoovimba abaqulethe ubutyebi bolwazi olubalulekileyo kubafundi zincwadi, abafundi bezifundo zoguqulo kunye nezifundiswa. Olu phando lwakha isiseko solunye uphando olunokwenziwa ngeembulambethe zeenguqulelo zaseMzantsi Afrika. Ngolu phando kuhlatyw’ ikhwelo lokuba iimbulambethe zeenguqulelo zibe yinxalenye yekharityhulam yabafundi beziFundo zoGuqulo kananjalo, kwilizwe elineelwimi ngeelwimi njengoMzantsi Afrika, makungabikho nguqulelo ingenambulambethe. Abaguquli bayakhuthazwa ukuba babhale iimbulambethe ezityebileyo eziya kubatyhila ngakumbi babonakale kubafundi neziya kubeka iinguqulelo kwisixokelelwano soluhlu loncwadi lwaseMzantsi Afrika. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Linguistics)

This thesis deals with representation of large and complex 3D scenes which are usually used by modern computer games. Main aim is design and implementation of data driven rendering system. Proper rendering is directed (driven) by scene description. This description is also designed with respect to scene creators whose typically do not have deep knowledge of programming languages in contrast to game programming developers. First part is focused on design of efficient scene description and its possible applications at scene rendering. Second part is focused on proper system implementation. Finally, consequently important system optimizations are mentioned too.

This study aims to acquire knowledge about the concept of drag storytimes in public libraries. It addresses research questions regarding their relation to the libraries' mission, as well as associated experiences with and perceptions of these events. The study adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews with different stakeholders, alongside non-participatory observation, as well as media and social media analysis. The theoretical frameworks of agonistic pluralism and visibility are employed.  Findings show that drag storytimes promote accessibility, representation, and acceptance of diversity, aligning with libraries' democratic mission. They also bridge the gap between the art form drag and literature, serving as a means for libraries to encourage and facilitate children's reading. Findings also highlight misconceptions and misrepresentations of drag storytimes in media and public discourse. While libraries have encountered challenges and resistance when hosting drag storytimes, they have also received significant appreciation and support. Resistance is based on concerns about sexualization, indoctrination and unsuitability for children. These concerns are addressed with observations and interviews, which refute these notions.  This study finds that the purpose of drag storytimes lies in promoting reading and providing entertaining experiences for children, emphasizing their child-centric nature. Opinions and perceptions influenced by adults' perspectives, biases, and fears impact the power dynamics among libraries, the public, and politics. This study underscores the challenges faced by libraries in this dynamic and emphasizes their resilience. It underlines the importance of information dissemination, communication, and destigmatization of drag and drag storytimes. By engaging in open conversations, librarians can address misconceptions, confront prejudices, and broaden perspectives.

[ES] La endoscopia capsular (CE) es una ampliamente utilizada alternativa mínimamente invasiva a la endoscopia tradicional, que permite la visualización de todo el intestino delgado, mientras no es posible hacerlo fácilmente con los procedimientos más invasivos. Sin embargo, esos métodos tradicionales aún suelen ser la primera opción de tratamiento, ya que todavía existen desafíos importantes en el campo de la CE, incluyendo el tiempo necesario para el diagnóstico por vídeo después del procedimiento, el hecho de que la cápsula no se puede controlar activamente, la falta de consenso sobre una buena preparación del paciente y el coste alto. En esta tesis doctoral, nuestro objetivo es extraer más información de los procedimientos de endoscopía por cápsula para ayudar a aliviar estos problemas desde una perspectiva que parece estar subrepresentada en la investigación actual. Primero, como el objetivo principal en esta tesis, pretendemos desarrollar un método de evaluación de la limpieza en procedimientos de CE automático y objetivo para asistir la investigación médica en métodos de preparación de los pacientes. Específicamente, a pesar de que una preparación adecuada del paciente pueda ayudar a obtener una mejor visibilidad, los estudios sobre el método más efectivo son contradictorios debido a la ausencia de tal método. Por lo tanto, pretendemos proporcionar un método de ese tipo, capaz de presentar la limpieza en una escala intuitiva, con una novedosa arquitectura relativamente ligera de una red neuronal convolucional en su núcleo. Entrenamos este modelo en un conjunto de datos extensivo de más de 50,000 parches de imágenes, obtenidos de 35 procedimientos CE diferentes, y lo comparamos con métodos de clasificación del estado del arte. A partir de la clasificación, desarrollamos un método para automáticamente estimar las probabilidades a nivel de píxel y deducir los puntos en la escala de la evaluación de la limpieza a través de umbrales aprendidos. Después, validamos nuestro método en un entorno clínico en 30 videos de CE obtenidos nuevamente, comparando las puntuaciones resultantes con las asignadas de forma independiente por especialistas humanos. Obtuvimos la mayor precisión de clasificación para el método propuesto (95,23%), con tiempos de predicción promedios significativamente más bajos que para el segundo mejor método. En la validación, encontramos un acuerdo aceptable con dos especialistas humanos en comparación con el acuerdo interhumano, mostrando su validez como método de evaluación objetivo. Adicionalmente, otro objetivo de este trabajo es detectar automáticamente el túnel y ubicar el túnel en cada fotograma. Para este objetivo, entrenamos un modelo basado en R-CNN, concretamente el detector ligero YOLOv3, en un total de 1385 fotogramas, extraídos de procedimientos de CE de 10 pacientes diferentes. De tal manera, alcanzamos una precisión del 86,55% y una recuperación del 88,79% en nuestro conjunto de datos de test. Ampliando este objetivo, también pretendemos visualizar la motilidad intestinal de una manera análoga a una manometría intestinal tradicional, basada únicamente en la técnica mínimamente invasiva de CE. Para esto, alineamos los fotogramas con similar orientación y derivamos los parámetros adecuados para nuestro método de segmentación de las propiedades del rectángulo delimitador del túnel. Finalmente, calculamos el tamaño relativo del túnel para construir un equivalente de una manometría intestinal a partir de información visual. Desde que concluimos nuestro trabajo, nuestro método para la evaluación automática de la limpieza se ha utilizado en un estudio a gran escala aún en curso, en el que participamos activamente. Mientras gran parte de la investigación se centra en la detección automática de patologías, como tumores, pólipos y hemorragias, esperamos que nuestro trabajo pueda hacer una contribución significativa para extraer más información de la CE también en otras áreas frecuentemente subestimadas. / [CA] L'endoscòpia capsular (CE) és una àmpliament utilitzada alternativa mínimament invasiva a l'endoscòpia tradicional, que permet la visualització de tot l'intestí prim, mentre no és possible fer-lo fàcilment amb els procediments més invasius. No obstant això, aqueixos mètodes tradicionals encara solen ser la primera opció de tractament, ja que encara existeixen desafiaments importants en el camp de la CE, incloent el temps necessari per al diagnòstic per vídeo després del procediment, el fet que la càpsula no es pot controlar activament, la falta de consens sobre una bona preparació del pacient i el cost alt. En aquesta tesi doctoral, el nostre objectiu és extraure més informació dels procediments de endoscopía per càpsula per a ajudar a alleujar aquests problemes des d'una perspectiva que sembla estar subrepresentada en la investigació actual. Primer, com l'objectiu principal en aquesta tesi, pretenem desenvolupar un mètode d'avaluació de la neteja en procediments de CE automàtic i objectiu per a assistir la investigació mèdica en mètodes de preparació dels pacients. Específicament, a pesar que una preparació adequada del pacient puga ajudar a obtindre una millor visibilitat, els estudis sobre el mètode més efectiu són contradictoris a causa de l'absència de tal mètode. Per tant, pretenem proporcionar un mètode d'aqueix tipus, capaç de presentar la neteja en una escala intuïtiva, amb una nova arquitectura relativament lleugera d'una xarxa neuronal convolucional en el seu nucli. Entrenem aquest model en un conjunt de dades extensiu de més de 50,000 pegats d'imatges, obtinguts de 35 procediments CE diferents, i el comparem amb mètodes de classificació de l'estat de l'art. A partir de la classificació, desenvolupem un mètode per a automàticament estimar les probabilitats a nivell de píxel i deduir els punts en l'escala de l'avaluació de la neteja a través de llindars apresos. Després, validem el nostre mètode en un entorn clínic en 30 vídeos de CE obtinguts novament, comparant les puntuacions resultants amb les assignades de manera independent per especialistes humans. Vam obtindre la major precisió de classificació per al mètode proposat (95,23%), amb temps de predicció mitjanes significativament més baixos que per al segon millor mètode. En la validació, trobem un acord acceptable amb dos especialistes humans en comparació amb l'acord interhumà, mostrant la seua validesa com a mètode d'avaluació objectiu. Addicionalment, un altre objectiu d'aquest treball és detectar automàticament el túnel i situar el túnel en cada fotograma. Per a aquest objectiu, entrenem un model basat en R-CNN, concretament el detector lleuger YOLOv3, en un total de 1385 fotogrames, extrets de procediments de CE de 10 pacients diferents. De tal manera, aconseguim una precisió del 86,55% i una recuperació del 88,79% en el nostre conjunt de dades de test. Ampliant aquest objectiu, també pretenem visualitzar la motilitat intestinal d'una manera anàloga a una manometría intestinal tradicional, basada únicament en la tècnica mínimament invasiva de CE. Per a això, alineem els fotogrames amb similar orientació i derivem els paràmetres adequats per al nostre mètode de segmentació de les propietats del rectangle delimitador del túnel. Finalment, calculem la grandària relativa del túnel per a construir un equivalent d'una manometría intestinal a partir d'informació visual. Des que concloem el nostre treball, el nostre mètode per a l'avaluació automàtica de la neteja s'ha utilitzat en un estudi a gran escala encara en curs, en el qual participem activament. Mentre gran part de la investigació se centra en la detecció automàtica de patologies, com a tumors, pòlips i hemorràgies, esperem que el nostre treball puga fer una contribució significativa per a extraure més informació de la CE també en altres àrees sovint subestimades. / [EN] Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a widely used, minimally invasive alternative to traditional endoscopy that allows visualisation of the entire small intestine, whereas more invasive procedures cannot easily do this. However, those traditional methods are still commonly the first choice of treatment for gastroenterologists as there are still important challenges surrounding the field of CE. Among others, these include the time consuming video diagnosis following the procedure, the fact that the capsule cannot be actively controlled, lack of consensus on good patient preparation and the high cost. In this doctoral thesis, we aim to extract more information from capsule endoscopy procedures to aid in alleviating these issues from a perspective that appears to be under-represented in current research. First, and as the main objective in this thesis, we aim to develop an objective, automatic cleanliness evaluation method in CE procedures to aid medical research in patient preparation methods. Namely, even though adequate patient preparation can help to obtain a cleaner intestine and thus better visibility in the resulting videos, studies on the most effective preparation method are conflicting due to the absence of such a method. Therefore, we aim to provide such a method, capable of presenting results on an intuitive scale, with a relatively light-weight novel convolutional neural network architecture at its core. We trained this model on an extensive data set of over 50,000 image patches, collected from 35 different CE procedures, and compared it with state-of-the-art classification methods. From the patch classification results, we developed a method to automatically estimate pixel-level probabilities and deduce cleanliness evaluation scores through automatically learnt thresholds. We then validated our method in a clinical setting on 30 newly collected CE videos, comparing the resulting scores to those independently assigned by human specialists. We obtained the highest classification accuracy for the proposed method (95.23%), with significantly lower average prediction times than for the second-best method. In the validation of our method, we found acceptable agreement with two human specialists compared to interhuman agreement, showing its validity as an objective evaluation method. Additionally, we aim to automatically detect and localise the tunnel in each frame, in order to help determine the capsule orientation at any given time. For this purpose, we trained an R-CNN based model, namely the light-weight YOLOv3 detector, on a total of 1385 frames, extracted from CE procedures of 10 different patients, achieving a precision of 86.55% combined with a recall of 88.79% on our test set. Extending on this, we additionally aim to visualise intestinal motility in a manner analogous to a traditional intestinal manometry, solely based on the minimally invasive technique of CE, through aligning the frames with similar orientation and using the bounding box parameters to derive adequate parameters for our tunnel segmentation method. Finally, we calculate the relative tunnel size to construct an equivalent of an intestinal manometry from visual information. Since we concluded our work, our method for automatic cleanliness evaluation has been used in a still on-going, large-scale study, with in which we actively participate. While much research focuses on automatic detection of pathologies, such as tumors, polyps and bleedings, we hope our work can make a significant contribution to extract more information from CE also in other areas that are often overlooked. / Noorda, RA. (2022). Clearing the Way in Capsule Endoscopy with Deep Learning and Computer Vision [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/183752 / TESIS

This text is about visibility and invisibility of work and labor through research from history and present time and through my own work, process and thinking. Through these topics I want to raise discussions and make comments in the field of craft and glass. To evoke our senses and feelings through video, sound and perception of the work and installations together with the properties of glass. To discuss that there are underlying layers of a work of glass that we see in a museum or gallery space. Why some information is visible, and some is lost by the presented state. Is the material and finished product that we see more important than the underlying layers and process? Can we change how we present and document our pieces with information better? Together with the labor of my interest, there is also about the loss of an industry and a personal loss of the time I had there coming to an end.

[pt] Nesta tese, estudamos algumas propriedades dinâmicas e geométricas do fluxo geodésico de certas variedades compactas sem pontos conjugados. A tese tem duas partes principais. Primeiro estendemos o trabalho de Gelfert-Ruggiero sobre a existência de um fator expansivo para o fluxo geodésico ao caso de superfícies compactas sem pontos conjugados e gênero maior que um. A idéia principal é definir uma relação de equivalência que colapsa as órbitas bi-asintóticas do fluxo geodésico. Isto induz um fator que preserva o tempo e é semi-conjugado ao fluxo geodésico sob o mapa do quociente. Além disso, o fator é expansivo, topologicamente misto e tem uma estrutura de produto local. Estas propriedades implicam que o fator tem uma única medida de máxima entropia. Levantamos esta medida para o fibrado tangente unitário e nos certificamos de que é a única medida de máxima entropia para o fluxo geodésico. Isto fornece uma prova alternativa do teorema de Climenhaga-Knieper-War para o resultado de unicidade. Na última parte da tese, estendemos alguns resultados de Gelfert e Ruggiero de superfícies compactas do gênero superior e sem pontos conjugados para n-variedades compactas sem pontos conjugados e recobrimento universal Gromov hiperbólico. Assumindo que os fibrados de Green são contínuos e a existência de uma geodésica fechada hiperbólica, mostramos que os fibrados de Green são tangentes às foliações horósfericas. Além disso, as foliações horósfericas são as únicas foliações contínuas do fibrado tangente unitário, invariantes pelo fluxo geodésico e que satisfazem uma condição de transversalidade local. Este fato só foi conhecido para superfícies compactas sem pontos conjugados pelo trabalho de Barbosa-Ruggiero, e em dimensões mais elevadas assumindo a condição mais forte de assíntota limitada pelo trabalho de Eschenburg. / [en] In this thesis, we study some dynamical and geometrical properties of the geodesic flow of certain compact manifolds without conjugate points. The thesis has two main parts. We first extend Gelfert-Ruggiero s work about the existence of an expansive factor for the geodesic flow to the case of compact surfaces without conjugate points and genus greater than one. The main idea is to define an equivalence relation that collapses biasymptotic orbits of the geodesic flow. This induces a factor time-preserving semi-conjugate to the geodesic flow under the quotient map. Moreover, the factor is expansive, topologically mixing and has a local product structure. These properties imply that the factor has a unique measure of maximal entropy. We lift this measure to the unit tangent bundle and make sure that it is the unique measure of maximal entropy for the geodesic flow. This provides an alternative proof of Climenhaga-Knieper-War’s theorem for the uniqueness result. In the last part of the thesis, we extend some results of Gelfert and Ruggiero from compact higher genus surfaces without conjugate points to compact n-manifolds without conjugate points and Gromov hyperbolic universal covering. Assuming that Green bundles are continuous and the existence of a hyperbolic closed geodesic, we show that Green bundles are tangent to the horospherical foliations. Moreover, the horospherical foliations are the only continuous foliations of the unit tangent bundle, invariant by the geodesic flow and satisfying a condition of local transversality. This fact was only known for compact surfaces without conjugate points by Barbosa-Ruggiero s work, and in higher dimensions assuming the stronger condition of bounded asymptote by Eschenburg s work.