Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 1996. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Purdue University, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-141).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-184).

Thesis (M. S.)--Florida State University, 2006. / Advisor: James J. O'Brien, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Meteorology. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 21, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 40 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

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The T2K experiment is a long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment, in which a muon neutrino beam is directed over a 295 km baseline from the J-PARC facility to the Super-Kamiokande detector. This allows neutrino oscillation to be studied in two channels: disappearance of &nu;_&mu; and appearance of &nu;_e. The T2K beam can be run either in neutrino or antineutrino configuration, for a neutrino beam which is predominantly composed of &nu;_&mu; or anti -&nu;_&mu; respectively. This thesis presents the first oscillation analysis to combine neutrino-mode and antineutrino-mode data sets, giving the first ever sensitivity to the CP-violating phase &delta;_CP from T2K data alone, as well as the most precise T2K measurement of the other neutrino oscillation parameters. The analysis uses a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to construct a sample from the Bayesian posterior distribution, from which the oscillation parameters of interest and their uncertainties are estimated. Data samples from the T2K near detector, ND280, are fit simultaneously with data from the far detector in order to reduce the uncertainty in the far-detector prediction. When fitting the T2K data alone, the best-fit oscillation parameter values are sin² &theta;₂₃= 0.519^+0.031<sub style='position: relative; left: -2.8em;'>-0.059</sub>, sin² &theta;₁₃= 0.0257^+0.0106<sub style='position: relative; left: -3.2em;'>-0.0440</sub>, &Delta;m²<sub style='position: relative; left: -0.4em;'>32</sub>= 2.54^+0.12<sub style='position: relative; left: -2em;'>-0.10</sub> x 10^-3eV²,and &delta;_CP=-1.91 rad. The 90&percnt; credible interval for &delta;_CP excludes values around &pi;/2: &delta;_CP &notin; [0.38, 2.60] rad. When fitting the T2K data with a constraint on sin² &theta;₁₃ from measurements by reactor experiments, the best-fit oscillation parameter values are sin² &theta;₂₃= 0.519^+0.061<sub style='position: relative; left: -2.8em;'>-0.029</sub>, sin² &theta;₁₃= ^+0.0014<sub style='position: relative; left: -3.2em;'>-0.0014</sub>, Dm²<sub style='position: relative; left: -0.4em;'>32</sub>= 2.54^+0.12<sub style='position: relative; left: -2em;'>-0.12</sub> x 10^-3eV², and &delta;_CP=-1.72 rad. The 90&percnt; credible interval for &delta;_CP contains values &delta;_CP &isin; [-3.10,-0.17] rad, excluding the CP-conserving values 0 and ± &pi; at 90&percnt; probability.

No description available.

This thesis presents a novel compliant mechanism with adjustable force output. The force comes from the bending of a rectangular cross section beam within the mechanism. By rotating this beam with a stepper motor, the force output of the mechanism changes. A model was made to simulate this mechanism, and a prototype was made based off of this data. A test apparatus was constructed around this mechanism, and a series of tests were performed. These tests adjusted parameters such as beam rotation speed and weight in order to characterize the system. Adjustments were made based on this information and the mechanism was refined. The results suggest the following. The speed has a negligible effect on the behavior of the system, while the weight, length of top link r3, and position of bottom stop have a significant effect. Also, there is a large, consistent amount of hysteresis in the system. This is likely caused by the beam storing torsion or friction from the slider.

A oscilação em malhas de controle é um problema frequente na indústria, atingindo cerca de 30% das malhas, entre as causas, o agarramento em válvulas de controle possui maior incidência. O agarramento é a resistência ao movimento da haste da válvula devido à presença de atrito estático, a combinação desse fator com a utilização de controladores com ação integral causa o ciclo limite no processo, onde a oscilação é mantida até que alguma ação seja tomada. A literatura apresenta diversos métodos para a detecção do agarramento, apesar disso, não existe método aplicável a qualquer tipo de processo que apresente resultado preciso, um dos principais problemas para a aplicação das técnicas é a presença de referência variável no sinal a ser analisado. A referência variável é uma característica comum dentro de processos industriais, principalmente para processos controlados por malha cascata ou que apresentam distúrbios externos. Para a identificação nesses casos, duas alternativas podem ser seguidas: criação de nova metodologia para a identificação do agarramento para sinais com referência variável ou a adaptação das técnicas existentes de modo que essas sejam aplicáveis a esse tipo de sinal, neste trabalho, as duas alternativas foram consideradas. Primeiramente, duas novas técnicas baseadas na forma do sinal foram criadas, a primeira diferencia o sinal pela inclinação dos picos e a segunda pela distribuição dos dados. Posteriormente, foi considerada a adaptação de quatro métodos de detecção já consolidados pela literatura e por suas aplicações industriais. A adaptação dos métodos é basicamente feita através do pré-processamento dos sinais de modo que esses sejam corretamente tratados antes da aplicação das técnicas de detecção. As duas alternativas foram aplicadas a dados simulados e industriais, comprovando a eficiente para a detecção em sinais com referência variável. / Oscillation in control loops is a frequent problem in industrial processes, reaching about 30% of the control loops, among the causes, stiction in control valves have the higher incidence. Stiction is the resistance to movement in the valve stem due to the presence of static friction, the combination of this factor with the use of controller with integral action induces the limit cycle, where the oscillation is sustained until some control action is taken. The literature presents several methods for stiction detecting. However, there is no universal method applicable for all process that produces accurate results. The main problems for the application of the techniques are the presence of variable reference in the signal to be analyzed. The reference variable is a common feature in industrial processes, especially for processes controlled by cascade loop or submitted to external disturbances. For stiction identification in these cases, two choices can be followed: a creation of a new methodology for the identification of stiction for signals with variable reference or the modification of existing techniques so that they could be applied to this type of signal. In this work, the two alternatives were considered. First, two new techniques based on the signal form were created, the first differentiates the signal by the slope of the peaks and the second by data segmentation. Later the adaptation of four detection methods already established in the literature and by its industry applications was considered. The adaptation is done by preprocessing the signals so that they are properly treated before application. The two alternatives were applied to simulated and industrial data, proving to be effective for the stiction detection of signals with variable references.

O crescimento do percentual de idosos na população ocorre mundialmente tornando necessário conhecer o impacto do processo de envelhecimento, neste contexto, do sistema respiratório. O desconhecimento do impacto do envelhecimento associado a diferentes graus de exposição a poluentes e a presença de comorbidade(s) dificulta a diagnose das pneumopatias acarretando aos idosos piora da qualidade de vida. São vantagens da Técnica de Oscilações Forçadas (FOT): alto potencial de aplicação em idosos, fácil realização, análise detalhada da mecânica respiratória, desempenho de papel complementar, bem como de alternativa na impossibilidade de realização dos exames tradicionais. Foi realizado um estudo experimental comparativo que objetivou investigar o impacto do envelhecimento no sistema respiratório pela FOT e pela espirometria entre grupos de diferentes faixas etárias, sendo a idade a variável independente e as variáveis dependentes, os parâmetros oscilométricos resistência em regime contínuo (R0) e das vias aéreas centrais (Rm), inclinação da resistência (S), frequência de ressonância (fr), reatância média (Xm), complacência dinâmica (Cdin,sr) e os parâmetros espirométricos (VEF1, CVF, VEF1/CVF e FEF/CVF). Foram realizados entrevista, exame clínico, radiografia torácica, avaliação da mecânica respiratória pela FOT e da função pulmonar pela espirometria. 255 indivíduos com idades entre 20 e 86 anos foram entrevistados. Destes, 175 foram excluídos, restando os 80 voluntários analisados, que foram divididos em 6 grupos de acordo com a faixa etária (A: 20 a 29 anos; B: 30 a 39 anos; C: 40 a 49 anos; D: 50 a 59 anos; E: 60 a 69 anos; F: 70 anos ou mais). Foram utilizados os testes de Shapiro-Wilkins, na avaliação da normalidade dos dados biométricos em cada grupo, Oneway ANOVA, na comparação entre os grupos, e Tukey HSD na comparação entre as classes subjacentes. A análise da associação entre duas variáveis foi realizada inicialmente pela regressão univariada entre os parâmetros oscilométricos, a idade e a altura. A regressão múltipla entre os parâmetros oscilométricos, idade e altura foi realizada em conjunto. Foi realizada a análise de confundimento ou modificação de efeito sobre o parâmetro altura na relação entre a idade e os parâmetros oscilométricos. A correção pelo fator altura foi realizada quando sua análise apresentava fator de confundimento. Quanto aos parâmetros resistivos, não foram observadas alterações em R0 e Rm com o envelhecimento enquanto que o declínio observado em S é discreto e não-significativo. Em relação aos parâmetros reativos, verificouse que Cdin,sr e Xm diminuem enquanto que fr aumenta com o processo de envelhecimento. Todas estas alterações são significativas. Todavia, a diminuição da Cdin,sr não apresenta relação com a idade e sim com a altura, que constituiu modificação do efeito. Nos demais parâmetros oscilométricos, a altura constituiu fator de confundimento. Quanto à espirometria, observou-se declínio significativo do VEF1, do VEF1/CVF e da CVF. O índice FEF/CVF apresentou declínio nãosignificativo. Concluindo, a resistência do sistema respiratório e a complacência dinâmica não se modificam enquanto a homogeneidade do sistema respiratório diminui com o processo de envelhecimento. / The increase in the elderly percentage in the population occurs worldwide. To know the impact of the aging process, in this context, on the respiratory system, is crucial. The unawareness of the impact of aging, with different exposure degrees to pollution and the presence of commorbities introduces difficulty in the pneumopathies diagnosis make worsen the elderlys quality of life. The Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) has as advantages a high application potential in elderly people, detailed analysis of the respiratory mechanics, plays complementary role and alternative in the impossibility to perform the traditional exams, as well. A comparative experimental study was done with the purpose of analyze the impact of aging in the respiratory system by FOT and spirometry between groups of different ages. Age is the independent variable and the dependent variables are the oscillometric parameters continuum regime resistance (R0), central airways resistance (Rm), slope of resistance (S), resonant frequency (fr), average reactance (Xm), dynamic compliance (Cdin,sr) and the spirometry parameters (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/CVF and FEF/FVC). Interviews, clinical examination, thoracic roentgenograms, mensuration of the respiratory mechanics by FOT and of the pulmonary function by spirometry were performed. 255 individuals aged from 20 to 86 years were interviewed. From these, 175 were excluded and the 80 remaining volunteers were analyzed and divided into six groups according to age (A: 20-29 years old; B: 30-39 years old; C: 40-49 years old; D: 50-59 years old; E: 60-69 years old; F: 70 or more years old). The Shapiro-Wilkins test was used in the analysis of the normality of the biometric data in each group. Oneway ANOVA was used in the comparison between groups and the Tukey HSD test was used in the comparison between the underlying classes. The analysis of the association between two variables was done initially between the oscilometric parameters, age and height. Multiple regressions between oscilometric parameters, age and height was performed in conjunction. Confounding analysis or effect modification over height and oscilometric parameters was done. The correction by the height factor was done when its analysis presented confounding factor. There were not changes in the resistive parameters R0 and Rm with age while the decrease seen in S is slight and not significant. In the reactive parameters, it was found that Cdin,sr and Xm decrease while fr increases with the aging process. All of these changes are significant. However, the decrease in Cdin,sr is not related to the aging process but with height, which was a confounding factor. It was found that the spirometric parameters FEV1, FVC and CVF presented a significant decrease and the index FEF/CVF presented a not significant decrease. Concluding, the resistance and the dynamic compliance of the respiratory system do not change while the homogeneity of the respiratory system decreases with the aging process.