The present PhD project was carried out as part of an EPSRC Leadership Fellowship for the study of irradiation damage in zirconium alloys. The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) directly supported the project in terms of additional funding and insightful discussions regarding irradiation damage in zirconium alloys. The research carried out within the project aims to gain a better understanding of both a- and c-loops, formed during irradiation damage in zirconium alloys. A range of techniques have been utilised to assess the morphology and density of the dislocation loops after proton-irradiations. These techniques include transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and line profile analysis (LPA) using synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) profiles and analysing the data utilizing the extended convolutional multiple whole profile (CMWP) analysis software. The effect of experimental conditions on dislocation loop formation and stability of a-loops during post-irradiation annealing have also been investigated. Proton-irradiations were carried out on the commercial alloys Zircaloy-2, Optimized ZIRLOTM and also on binary Zr-0.1Fe and Zr-0.6Fe alloys. A mechanism has been proposed as to the effect of Fe redistribution on dislocation loop formation. By comparing proton-irradiated Zr-0.1Fe and Zircaloy-2 alloys it was possible to investigate the effect of increased amount of Fe redistribution, which occurs from secondary phase particle (SSP) dissolution, on the microstructural features that develop during irradiation. Zircaloy-2 has a higher density of SPPs and these are more homogenously distributed throughout the matrix in comparison to the Zr3Fe SPPs found in the Zr-0.1Fe alloy. It was found that Fe redistribution facilitates the formation of Fe-rich nano-precipitation. Bright-field STEM imaging has been used to image a- and c-loops and it was found that Zircaloy-2 had a lower dislocation line density compared to Zr-0.1Fe for both types of loops at similar damage levels. Therefore it has been proposed that Fe redistributed from SPPs precipitates in the matrix and the subsequent irradiation-induced precipitates act as annihilation sites for point defects; therefore preventing the formation of new dislocation loops and the growth of existing loops. In order to assess the effect of proton-irradiation temperature on a-loops, Zircaloy-2 and Optimized ZIRLOTM were proton irradiated to 2.3 dpa at 280°C, 350°C and 450°C. It was found that the a-loop density dropped in both alloys as irradiation temperature was increased and the a-loop diameter decreased. The changes in the density and size were more dramatic in Zircaloy-2 and this was explained by the presence of fine irradiation induced clustering of Nb seen in Optimized ZIRLOTM. These trends were calculated from both STEM imaging and CMWP, highlighting the suitability of using CMWP to investigate irradiation-induced dislocations. Finally the stability of the a-loops in proton-irradiated Zr-Fe binary alloys were investigated using novel in-situ SXRD and TEM annealing experiments. From CMWP analysis of the profiles generated during the in-situ annealing of a Zr-0.6Fe 3 dpa sample it was shown that the majority of the annealing takes place between 300°C-400°C. This was highlighted by a period of no change in the dislocation density up to 300°C, after which the density drops dramatically. In-situ annealing of a 1.5 dpa Zr-0.1Fe sample in the TEM allowed for the observation of a-loop gliding along prismatic planes enabling the annealing process taking place between 280°C-450°C, i.e. a similar temperature range at which SXRD analysis indicates the greatest level of annealing.

<p> The paper indicates, by a review of the early growth centre literature and the later spatial analysis literature, how little is known, particularly in quantitative terms, about the spatial impacts of growth centres. A regression model is then presented by which several aspects of the spatial impacts of growth centres in Ontario are investigated. Generally, it was found that growth was polarised around a set of designated growth centres and this growth diffused away from the growth centres quite gradually. The exceptions were for large centres, growing slowly, where growth rates increased sharply as distance to growth centres increased and for small centres , growing rapidly, where growth rates decreased rapidly with distance from growth centres. </p> <p> From the regression model, a further model was derived which was used to investigate the extent of spread effects from growth centres in Ontario. The approximate mean maximum distance of the diffusion of spread effects from growth centres was found to be 163 miles. This could have important implications for the spacing of growth centres and government policies relating to growth centres. </p> <p> The analysis also investigates the relationship between growth rates and population size and this was found to be non-linear. Generally, for small centres, population. size and growth rates were negatively related: for intermediate-sized centres the relationship was positive; and for large centres the relationship was again negative. </p> / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Diplomová práce se zabývá návrhem metodiky výpočtu závislého šíření trhlin ve více konstrukčních částech s využitím programu AFGROW. Prezentována metodika, která také zahrnuje stanovení zbytkové pevnosti, byla aplikována v damage tolerance analýzách vybraných míst na konstrukci křídla L 410 NG.

For my thesis I have chosen the analysis of the current state of the company called „Stavební doprava a mechanizace, Praha a. s.” in the area of the economic growth and human resources and its impacts for the customers. The theoretical part of the thesis is focused on the latest knowledge in this issue, present trends and the explanation of the basic perception. In the practical part of the thesis there is shown the evaluation of the current state of the company and are included suggestions for maintaining the long-term development of the company.

In this thesis we examine methodologies for determining free energy differences (FEDs) of phases via Monte Carlo simulation. We identify and address three generic issues that arise in FED calculations; the choice of representation, the choice of estimator, and the choice of sampling strategy. In addition we discuss how the classical framework may be extended to take into account quantum effects. Key words: Phase Mapping, Phase Switch, Lattice Switch, Simulated Tempering, Multi-stage, Weighted Histogram Analysis Method, Fast Growth, Jarzynski method, Umbrella, Multicanonical, Path Integral Monte Carlo, Path Sampling, Multihamiltonian, fluctuation theorem.

Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'économie de développement, et tente de traiter la question de blocage économique dans la région arabe, une situation qui a longtemps marqué cette zone. Nous proposons une nouvelle carde d'analyse qui adopte la notion de l'économie fondée sur la connaissance (EFC), qui a été élaboré par la Banque Mondiale, dans laquelle cette économie est composée de quatre piliers, a savoir : incitation économique et régime institutionnel, éducation et ressources humaines, Système d'innovation et l'infrastructure d'information (TIC). La thèse emploie le concept de l'EFC afin d'inspecter, d'analyser et d'évaluer la situation économiques dans les pays arabes depuis l'indépendance et jusque la veille des révolutions arabes, nommé : le printemps arabe. A travers de cette thèse nous élaborons plusieurs types d'analyse, et à la fin de thèse nous proposons un modèle économétrique permettant l'évaluation de la contribution de la connaissance à la croissance et au développement dans ces pays. / This thesis is part of the economics of development. It addresses the issue of the economic morass in which the Arab region has been mired for decades. We suggest a new analytical framework that builds upon the concept of knowledge-based economies and its four pillars – economic incentive and institutional regime, education and human resources, innovation system, and, finally, information infrastructure (ICT) - as conceived by the World Bank. Our thesis mobilizes this concept of knowledge-based economies in order to analyze and evaluate the state of the economy in the Arab region from the independence period to the eve of the revolution in Arab countries ' Arab spring'. Throughout the thesis, we develop several types of analysis and we conclude with an econometric model, that assesses the contribution of knowledge to growth and development in the Arab region.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2018-11-29T17:41:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Emerson Dalla Chieza.pdf: 3379954 bytes, checksum: 59d75d0f24fddc7d958c8e981de2274a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-29T17:41:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Emerson Dalla Chieza.pdf: 3379954 bytes, checksum: 59d75d0f24fddc7d958c8e981de2274a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-25 / The objective of this study was to establish an organic management form of corn and Crotalaria juncea intercropping, which allows to optimize production "in situ" by fabaceae plant biomass with nitrogen input to the system, without the competition that presence of green manure can to exercise, follow to compromise the performance of cereal. Three experiments were conducted in the experimental field of Embrapa Agrobiology in Serop?dica - RJ, between of November 2010 to March 2012. The experimental design was randomized blocks with six treatments and four replications (Experiments 1 and 3) or three replicates (experiment 2). The first experiment took place between November 2010 and March 2011 and had the following treatments: T1 - C. juncea seeded seven days before corn crop and managed at 33 days after emergence (33 DAE), T2 ? C. juncea seeded at the same date of corn sowing (29 DAE), T3 - C. juncea seeded 14 days after corn sown (102 DAE), T4 - C. juncea seeded 28 days after corn sown (88 DAE), T5 and T6 - corn cropping alone. Experiment 2: T1 - C. juncea seeds seven days before the corn (43 DAE), T2 - C. juncea seeded at the same date of corn sowing (37 DAE), T3 - C. juncea seeded seven days after corn sown (74 DAE), T4 - C. juncea seeded 14 days after corn sown (67 DAE), T5 and T6 - corn cropping alone. To first and second experiments, T3, T4 and T6 had been received 70 kg ha-1 of nitrogen by castor bean pie. Treatments of the third experiment consisted: T1 and T2 - C. juncea seeded at the same date of corn sowing (30 DAE) at the single row, T3 and T4 ? corn cropping alone at the single row, T5 and T6 - C. juncea seeded at the same date of corn sowing (30 DAE) at the double rows. For T2 and T6 treatments the green manure was managed and removed from the area, and had been added castor bean pie (70 kg of N ha-1). Also T4 received castor bean pie as a N source for corn. Also in the first experiment, for T1 and T2 trataments proceeded up studies of decomposition and release of nutrients from waste C. juncea by litter bags with 8 intervals collections. For the third test is conducted studies agronomic performance of corn and nitrogen losses through ammonia volatilization to waste C. juncea, castor bean pie and cattle manure through static cameras semi open. When corn sown simultaneously, regardless of the time of sowing, C. juncea did not affect the yield of cereal, promoted the addition of nitrogen to the system able of promoting positive balances for this nutrient. When the green manure was sown 7 days before or 14 days after sowing corn in the summer period, exerted a negative influence on growth and yield of maize. The waste C. juncea showed high rates of decomposition and nutrient release, with half-life for N less than 14 days. Were found discrepant emission rates for ammonia and castor bean pie residue C. juncea, with accumulated losses of about 46 and 14 %, respectively. The arrangement in double rows corn planting did not influence the yield of cereal. The results post the consortium in corn and C. juncea sown simultaneously as a promising culture system, capable of producing corn grain above the average yield of Rio of Janeiro state. / O objetivo geral deste trabalho foi estabelecer uma forma de manejo org?nico do cons?rcio entre as culturas de milho e Crotalaria juncea, que possibilite otimizar a produ??o ?In situ? de biomassa vegetal pela fabaceae, com aporte de nitrog?nio ao sistema, sem que a presen?a do adubo verde exer?a competi??o capaz de comprometer o rendimento do cereal. Foram conduzidos tr?s experimentos no campo experimental da Embrapa Agrobiologia em Serop?dica ? RJ, entre os meses de novembro de 2010 e mar?o de 2012. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e quatro repeti??es (experimentos 1 e 3) ou tr?s repeti??es (experimento 2). O primeiro experimento ocorreu entre novembro de 2010 e mar?o de 2011 e teve os seguintes tratamentos: T1?C. juncea semeada sete dias antes da cultura do milho e manejada aos 33 dias ap?s emerg?ncia (33 DAE); T2?C. juncea semeada simult?nea ao milho (manejo aos 29 DAE); T3?C. juncea semeada 14 dias ap?s o milho (manejo aos 102 DAE) + 70 kg N ha-1; T4?C. juncea semeada 28 dias ap?s o milho (manejo aos 88 DAE) + 70 kg N ha-1; T5-milho em monocultivo e T6-milho em monocultivo + 70 kg N ha-1. Experimento 2 (abril a setembro de 2011): T1?C. juncea semeada sete dias antes da cultura do milho (manejo aos 43 DAE); T2?C. juncea semeada simult?nea ao milho (manejo aos 37 DAE); T3?C. juncea semeada sete dias ap?s o milho (manejo aos 74 DAE) + 70 kg N ha-1; T4?C. juncea semeada 14 dias ap?s o milho (manejo aos 67 DAE) + 70 kg N ha-1; T5- milho em monocultivo e T6?milho em monocultivo+ 70 kg N ha-1. Os tratamentos do 3? Experimento (novembro de 2011 a mar?o de 2012) consistiram em: T1-C. juncea semeada simult?nea ao milho em fila simples com manejo aos 30 DAE e a biomassa da C. juncea mantida na ?rea; T2?C. juncea semeada simult?nea ao milho em fila simples com manejo aos 30 DAE com remo??o da parte a?rea de C. juncea e aplica??o de 70 kg N ha-1 via torta de mamona; T3- milho monocultivo em fila simples; T4 ?milho monocultivo em fila simples + 70 kg N ha-1; T5- C. juncea semeada simult?nea ao milho em fila dupla com manejo aos 30 DAE e a biomassa da C. juncea mantida na ?rea; T6 ? C. juncea semeada simult?nea ao milho em fila dupla com remo??o da parte a?rea de C. juncea e aplica??o de 70 kg N ha-1. Para todos os experimentos, o nitrog?nio aplicado em cobertura teve como fonte a torta de mamona. Nos dois primeiros ensaios foram realizados estudos morfofisiol?gicos dos cultivos a partir da an?lise funcional do crescimento de plantas, al?m do balan?o monet?rio e balan?o aparente de nitrog?nio. Tamb?m no experimento I, para T1 e T2, procederam-se estudos de decomposi??o e libera??o de nutrientes dos res?duos de C. juncea via sacolas de decomposi??o, com 8 intervalos de coletas. Para o terceiro ensaio procederam-se estudos de desempenho agron?mico do milho, an?lise econ?mica e balan?o de nitrog?nio. Tamb?m foram feitos estudos das perdas de nitrog?nio via volatiliza??o de am?nia para res?duos de C. juncea, torta de mamona e esterco bovino, atrav?s de c?meras est?ticas semi abertas em oito intervalos de coleta. Quando semeada simultaneamente ao milho, independente da ?poca de semeadura, a C. juncea n?o comprometeu o rendimento do cereal, promoveu a adi??o de nitrog?nio ao sistema capaz de promover balan?os positivos para este nutriente. Quando o adubo verde foi semeado 7 dias antes ou 14 dias ap?s a semeadura do milho, no per?odo de ver?o, esse exerceu influ?ncia negativa no crescimento e na produ??o de gr?os do milho. Os res?duos de C. juncea apresentaram elevadas taxas de decomposi??o e libera??o de nutrientes, com tempo de meia vida para N de menos de 14 dias. Foram encontradas discrepantes taxas de emiss?o de am?nia para torta de mamona e res?duos de C. juncea, com perdas acumuladas de cerca de 46 e 14%, respectivamente. O arranjo em fileiras duplas de plantio de milho n?o influenciou no rendimento do cereal. Os resultados encontrados postam o cons?rcio em milho e C. juncea semeados simultaneamente como um promissor sistema de cultivo, capaz de proporcionar produ??o de gr?os de milho acima da m?dia produtiva do estado do Rio de Janeiro.

O presente trabalho avaliou o uso do lodo residual (biossólido) produzido nas Estações de Tratamento de Esgoto (ETEs) da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP) como fertilizante em florestas de eucaliptos. Os aspectos estudados foram demanda potencial, resposta à fertilização em termos de produção madeireira, crescimento das árvores e viabilidade econômica. Foi verificada uma elevada demanda potencial pelo biossólido em povoamentos de eucaliptos localizados a curtas distâncias de transporte rodoviário no entorno da RMSP. Verificou-se também que o biossólido, complementado com P e K minerais no plantio, acelerou a ritmo de crescimento das árvores, aumentou o nível de produção madeireira e reduziu o ciclo de produção de Eucalyptus grandis em proporções semelhantes às observadas para a fertilização mineral convencional. Na avaliação aos 99 meses de idade, foi verificado que a maior dose de biossólido (40 Mg ha-1) não resultou na maior produção de madeira. Se considerada a diferença estatística entre as curvas de crescimento, os modelos testados podem ser divididos em apenas dois grupos: (i) testemunha e dose de 10 Mg ha-1; e (ii) demais tratamentos. A análise econômica (valor presente líquido anualizado e a taxa de juros de 12% ao ano) recomenda a dose de 5 Mg ha-1, com complementação com K mineral no plantio, se utilizado como critério de definição de corte a escolha da idade que maximiza o incremento médio anual em cada tratamento. Para as condições do trabalho concluiu-se que o biossólido não substitui totalmente a fertilização mineral convencional. Economicamente, confirmou-se a expectativa de que elevadas taxas de aplicação do biossólido são inviáveis, devido principalmente à alta umidade natural desse material que encarece significativamente o transporte. / This work evaluates the use of the residual sludge (biosolids) produced by sewage treatment units located in the Metropolitan Region of the City of São Paulo (MRSP) as a fertilizer in Eucalyptus grandis forest plantations. The aspects studied were potential demand, wood production response to the fertilization, trees growth and economic viability. A high level of potential demand was observed for the biosolids on forest eucalyptus plantations located at short ground transportation distances in the MRSP. It was also observed that biosolids, complemented by phosphorous and potassium at the planting stage, increased the growth rate of the trees, resulted in more wood output and reduced the rotation age at levels similar to those observed for conventional mineral fertilization. When evaluated 99 months after planting, it was observed that the highest dosage of biosolids did not result on the highest wood production output. The adjusted models can be separated in only two groups according to the statistical differences among them: (i) control and dosage 10 Mg ha-1; and (ii) all other treatments. The economic analysis (annualized net present value at 12% return rate) recommended dosage 5 Mg ha-1 complemented with K, for rotation lengths defined by the age that maximizes mean annual increment. The use of biosolids does not substitute totally the use of mineral fertilizers. Economically, it was confirmed that the highest biosolid dosages were not viable, due mainly to its high levels of water content and consequently high transportation cost.

O presente trabalho avaliou o uso do lodo residual (biossólido) produzido nas Estações de Tratamento de Esgoto (ETEs) da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP) como fertilizante em florestas de eucaliptos. Os aspectos estudados foram demanda potencial, resposta à fertilização em termos de produção madeireira, crescimento das árvores e viabilidade econômica. Foi verificada uma elevada demanda potencial pelo biossólido em povoamentos de eucaliptos localizados a curtas distâncias de transporte rodoviário no entorno da RMSP. Verificou-se também que o biossólido, complementado com P e K minerais no plantio, acelerou a ritmo de crescimento das árvores, aumentou o nível de produção madeireira e reduziu o ciclo de produção de Eucalyptus grandis em proporções semelhantes às observadas para a fertilização mineral convencional. Na avaliação aos 99 meses de idade, foi verificado que a maior dose de biossólido (40 Mg ha-1) não resultou na maior produção de madeira. Se considerada a diferença estatística entre as curvas de crescimento, os modelos testados podem ser divididos em apenas dois grupos: (i) testemunha e dose de 10 Mg ha-1; e (ii) demais tratamentos. A análise econômica (valor presente líquido anualizado e a taxa de juros de 12% ao ano) recomenda a dose de 5 Mg ha-1, com complementação com K mineral no plantio, se utilizado como critério de definição de corte a escolha da idade que maximiza o incremento médio anual em cada tratamento. Para as condições do trabalho concluiu-se que o biossólido não substitui totalmente a fertilização mineral convencional. Economicamente, confirmou-se a expectativa de que elevadas taxas de aplicação do biossólido são inviáveis, devido principalmente à alta umidade natural desse material que encarece significativamente o transporte. / This work evaluates the use of the residual sludge (biosolids) produced by sewage treatment units located in the Metropolitan Region of the City of São Paulo (MRSP) as a fertilizer in Eucalyptus grandis forest plantations. The aspects studied were potential demand, wood production response to the fertilization, trees growth and economic viability. A high level of potential demand was observed for the biosolids on forest eucalyptus plantations located at short ground transportation distances in the MRSP. It was also observed that biosolids, complemented by phosphorous and potassium at the planting stage, increased the growth rate of the trees, resulted in more wood output and reduced the rotation age at levels similar to those observed for conventional mineral fertilization. When evaluated 99 months after planting, it was observed that the highest dosage of biosolids did not result on the highest wood production output. The adjusted models can be separated in only two groups according to the statistical differences among them: (i) control and dosage 10 Mg ha-1; and (ii) all other treatments. The economic analysis (annualized net present value at 12% return rate) recommended dosage 5 Mg ha-1 complemented with K, for rotation lengths defined by the age that maximizes mean annual increment. The use of biosolids does not substitute totally the use of mineral fertilizers. Economically, it was confirmed that the highest biosolid dosages were not viable, due mainly to its high levels of water content and consequently high transportation cost.

The demand for flat glass is high and increasing significantly in the building industry as a direct result of architectural requirements for lightness, transparency and natural light. Current architectural trends require glass in curvilinear forms for smooth free-form façades. Two principal challenges arise from this: to cost-effectively produce the desired curvature and; to ensure its safe performance after exposure to ageing. The recent availability of high strength glass provides an opportunity to address the first challenge by developing cold bent glass. Cold bending involves the straining of relatively thin glass components, at ambient temperatures, and is a low energy and cost effective manner of creating curvilinear forms. However, cold bending is not yet widely established as a reliable method. The aim of this thesis is to develop the understanding of cold bent glass during the bending process and to evaluate its post-ageing performance. This thesis, firstly, investigates the mechanical response of monolithic glass plates during the cold bending process. The stability of cold bent glass is investigated experimentally by bending it in double curved anticlastic shapes. A parametric numerical analysis involves different boundary conditions, geometrical plate characteristics and bending parameters. The principal outcome is that a local instability, now termed cold bending distortion, occurs when certain displacement limits are exceeded and could degrade the optical quality of the glass. An evaluation procedure is also formulated to set limits and aid designers/manufacturers to predict the mechanical response and the optical quality of the glass. Cold bent glass is subjected to permanent bending stresses throughout its service life and therefore, its strength degradation after ageing needs to be quantified. Analytical, experimental and numerical investigations are undertaken in this thesis to identify the most effective method for estimating glass strength (evaluation of destructive tests, required number of specimens, statistical analysis methods and sub-critical crack growth). The limited availability of naturally aged toughened glass and the absence of a reliable ageing standard impede the evaluation of its aged performance. Therefore, a parametric experimental investigation of artificial ageing methods on glass is undertaken in this thesis. A procedure for the evaluation of the strength of aged glass is finally, formulated to allow the selection of artificial ageing parameters that correspond to a target level of erosion. The knowledge on artificial ageing and strength prediction acquired above is finally implemented on different types of glass to determine their strength after ageing and assess their safe use in cold bending / load bearing applications. The investigation showed that fully toughened glass has a superior performance to chemically toughened or annealed glass. Overall, the research presented in this thesis demonstrates that high quality cold bent toughened glass can be created when certain applied displacement limits are respected. These can be used as a safe, cost-effective and energy efficient replacement to the more conventional hot bent glass. However, cold bending / load bearing applications in which the stressed glass surface is exposed to ageing, require glass with a relatively high case depth such as fully toughened or bi-tempered glass.