Structural fire design represents one important aspect of the design of reinforced concrete buildings. The work presented in this thesis seeks to elucidate the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete slabs during exposure to heating from below, as would occur in the case of a building fire, with a particular focus on structural fire modelling using finite element analysis. The focus in on validating finite element models against experimental results and quantifying the sensitivity of model outputs to relevant thermal and mechanical input parameters. A primary goal of the work is to provide recommendations to structural fire engineering analysts and designers considering the performance-based design of reinforced concrete slabs for structural fire resistance using available finite element software. A critical review of the available knowledge of the structural fire response of reinforced concrete structures in general and concrete slabs in particular is presented, along with an awareness as to the importance of understanding structural response of concrete structures exposed to fires. Current techniques for structural fire design of concrete structures are reviewed, and shortcomings highlighted. Available experimental data are presented, and various finite element models of these slabs are developed and interrogated to identify important aspects for understanding, as well as for future improvement of similar studies (both experimental and numerical) with the intention of supporting future progress in structural fire engineering, in particular as regards performance based structural fire design of concrete slabs. A range of thermal and mechanical parameters that are potentially important and influential in the structural fire design of reinforced concrete slabs is then studied, including: fire scenario, thermal properties of materials (thermal conductivity and specific heat), heat transfer parameters (coefficient of convection and emissivity) and assumptions, restraint conditions at the supports, variations of span-to-depth ratio, reinforcement detailing, as well as plan aspect ratio are all investigated; their influence on the structural fire response of reinforced concrete slabs is studied and discussed. A key issue in validating finite element models against experimental results lies in defining the temperature inputs to the structural finite element models correctly. Variation of available thermal and mechanical input parameters, as recommended in Eurocodes, influences the predictive performance of thermal and structural finite element models, however these are not the main contributing factors in obtaining a credible prediction of response from the finite element models. The most challenging aspect in performing heat transfer analysis for fire furnace tested reinforced concrete slabs lies in defining the correct thermal boundary condition. For simply supported one-way spanning and two-way spanning slabs, increasing slab's thickness (lowering span-depth ratio) does not improve fire resistance rating for the slabs when both limiting deflection criteria and limiting tensile plastic strain are set as acceptance criteria. Two-way slabs with higher span-depth ratio have better fire resistance ratings, judging from the overall trends and magnitudes of mid-span deflections. The formation of plastic hinges is likely to occur for one-way spanning slabs modelled with finite rotational spring stiffness at supports, but not for two-way spanning slabs. A yield line mechanism in two-way slabs means that the behaviour is more complex as compared to the simple flexural mechanism for one-way slabs. In one-way slabs, plastic hinges potentially occur at the location where top reinforcement is curtailed, highlighting the importance of properly understanding the nuances in response of concrete slabs in fire. Investigation of the influence of aspect ratio in two-way spanning slabs confirms that slabs with lower aspect ratios have better structural fire resistance than slabs with higher aspect ratios when both limiting deflection criteria and limiting tensile strain in reinforcing steel were used as the performance indicators. A combination of both limiting mid-span deflection criteria as well as limiting tensile plastic strain is recommended for specifying acceptance criteria for both one-way and two-way slabs, since it gives more accurate and comprehensive assessment on the structural response of the slabs under exposure to severe heating from below.

Motor control of any movement task involves the integration of neural, muscular and skeletal systems. This integration must occur throughout the sensorimotor system and focus its efforts on controlling the system endpoint, e.g. the foot during locomotion. A person with a uni-lateral trans-tibial amputation has lost the foot, ankle joint, and muscles crossing those joints, hence the residuum becomes the new terminus of the motor system. The amputee must now adjust to the additional challenges of utilizing a compromised motor system as well as the challenges of controlling an external device, i.e. prosthesis, through the mechanical interface between the residuum and prosthetic socket. The obvious physical and physiologic asymmetries between the sound and amputated limbs are also involved in strategies for locomotion involving kinematic and kinetic asymmetries (Winter&Sienko, 1988). There are many questions as to why these asymmetric locomotor strategies are selected and what factors may be influencing that strategy. Factors influencing a change in locomotor strategy could be related to 1) the central nervous system accounting for the loss of sensorimotor feedback, 2) the altered mechanics of this new human/prosthetic system, or some combination of these factors. Understanding how the human motor system adjusts to the amputation and to the addition of an external mechanical device can provide useful insight into how robust the human control system may be and to adaptations in human motor control. This research uses a group of individuals with a uni-lateral trans-tibial amputation and a group of intact individuals using an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) performing a cycling task to understand the "motor adjustments" necessary to utilize an external device for locomotion. Results of these experiments suggest 1) the motor system does account for the activation-contraction dynamics when coordinating muscle activity post amputation, 2) the motor system also changes joint kinetics and muscle activity, 3) these changes are related to control of the interface between the limb and the external device, and 4) the motor system does not alter kinetic asymmetries when kinematic asymmetries are minimized, contrary to a common practice in rehabilitation (Kapp, 2004). Results suggest that control of the external device, i.e. prosthesis or AFO, via the interface between the limb and the device reflect "motor adjustments" made by the nervous system and may be viewed in the context of tool use. Clinical goals in rehabilitation currently focus on minimizing gait deviations whereas the clinical application of these results suggest these deviations from normal locomotion are motor adjustments necessary to control a tool, i.e. prosthesis, by the motor system. Examining amputee locomotion in the context of tool use changes the clinical paradigm from one designed to minimize deviations to one intended to understand this behavior as related to interface control of the device thereby shifting the focus to improving function of the limb/prosthesis system. Kapp SL. (2004) Atlas amp limb def: surg pros rehab princ. 3rd ed: 385 - 394. Winter&Sienko. (1988) J Biomech, 21: 361 - 367.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Este trabalho propÃe-se a um estudo do livro Quarto de despejo (1960), de Carolina Maria de Jesus, associando-o à modalidade de criaÃÃo literÃria e perspectiva conceitual que optamos por chamar de literatura vista de baixo. Entendemos por esta Ãltima categoria a produÃÃo literÃria das camadas sociais subalternas e marginalizadas socialmente e, simultaneamente, uma perspectiva teÃrica que valorize as diferenÃas entre esse tipo de literatura e a literatura erudita, historicamente associada Ãs elites sociais e culturais em diferentes espaÃos e perÃodos. Na obra em questÃo à narrado o dia-a-dia miserÃvel e violento da autora, na hoje extinta favela do Canindà e tambÃm nos percursos que faz pela cidade de SÃo Paulo, entre os anos de 1955 a 1960, dentro do quadro polÃtico e ideolÃgico conhecido em nossa historiografia como âdesenvolvimentismoâ, pautado por vertiginoso crescimento urbano e industrializaÃÃo do paÃs. Nosso objetivo geral Ã, alÃm de investigar como a criaÃÃo literÃria, nos planos do conteÃdo e da expressÃo, foi condicionada, no livro Quarto de despejo, pela origem de classe e a situaÃÃo de misÃria de sua autora, desenvolver a noÃÃo de âliteratura vista de baixoâ como uma chave teÃrica para explicar os limites da representaÃÃo da pobreza pela literatura culta do Brasil. Procuramos, ao mesmo tempo, traÃar um breve panorama da representaÃÃo da pobreza na literatura brasileira pÃs semana de 22, a partir de autores e obras-chave de nossas letras, analisando de que forma o universo erudito literÃrio relacionou-se com o mundo material e mental das classes subalternas. Tentamos tambÃm mostrar as consequÃncias temÃticas e formais que advÃm da inversÃo de lugar do pobre, quando este passa de objeto para sujeito de sua prÃpria representaÃÃo literÃria. As bases teÃricas principais das anÃlises realizadas nesse projeto serÃo os estudos de Antonio Candido sobre a relaÃÃo entre literatura e sociedade (CANDIDO, 1965) e de Roberto Schwarz sobre a representaÃÃo da pobreza na literatura brasileira (SCHWARZ et alli, 1983), bem como a consulta de obras historiogrÃficas e sociolÃgicas que abordam a literatura e as questÃes de poder, como os trabalhos de Carlo Guinzburg (2006) e Pierre Bourdieu (2009) sobre a micro-histÃria e o poder simbÃlico, respectivamente.

Master of Science / Department of Agronomy / Gary M. Pierzynski / Soil chemical and physical properties beneath cattle feedlot pens are largely unstudied. This project was conducted to survey select soil chemical and physical properties of soil beneath active open air cattle feedlots. At four cattle feedlots in Kansas, the concentrations of NH4-N, organic-N, organic-C, Cl-, and P were high at the surface and rapidly decreased within 1.00 m. At three of the four feedlots, NO3-N was generally below background concentration (4.1 mg kg-1) while one feedlot had a >75 mg kg-1 increase in the top 1.00 m. Based on feeding data, only a small percent (7.9 to 1.2) of the total N deposited on the surface was found in the top 1.00 m below the pen surface for a range of 25 to 60 years of operation. While in use, these feedlots do not appear to have a high potential for groundwater pollution from NO3-N leaching. However, if they were to become inactive they may pose a severe threat to groundwater quality from organic-N mineralization and NH4-N nitrification. If feedlots were closed and the land could be largely remediated by removing a layer of soil, these feedlots would have an average 48% profile N removed in a 0.25 m thick layer. A chamber, a modified vacuum desiccator, was tested for the investigation of NH3 volatilization from soil in the laboratory. Ammonia volatilization at the soil surface is dependent on air flow, soil and air temperatures, soil water content, pH, the concentrations of NH3 and NH4+ in the air and soil solution, and factors affecting soil temperature including humidity. This chamber was built to control and/or quantify as many of these variables as possible. A technique for quantifying and predicting NH3 volatilization is important because AFOs are one of the largest contributors of NH3 to the atmosphere, which can cause acid precipitation and particulate matter deposition downwind from the operation. The chambers created allowed for repeated measurements with little error and appear to be a feasible, inexpensive apparatus to investigate NH3 volatilization mechanisms. Using synthetic urine as an N source, NH3 volatilization was affected by initial soil moisture content and soil texture and may be affected by initial soil pH. This chamber has promise to provide excellent data to assist the efforts being made to understand and model NH3 volatilization from feedlot pens.

The topic of the thesis deals with BTL marketing communication and its importance for brand building. The aim is to analyze tools of BTL marketing communication on the Czech market and identify the most effective tools that can be used to build brand in the FMCG environment. The thesis should provide more details about below the line communication and its increase use market positioning. Also identify appropriate tool for building brand image, quality and raising customer awareness. Research, expert interviews and case studies were used to prove the objective of this thesis.

This thesis explores how people struggle to make livable lives in the conditions of existence of seeking asylum in the UK. The study is based on ethnographic research, conversations and participant observation, with people seeking asylum in Manchester. Grounding the research in their narratives is a contribution to decolonizing knowledge and doing justice to the sentience of people who are marginalized and pathologized. The narratives are brought into dialogue with feminist and decolonial philosophy and political theory, and with empirical studies of 'refugeedom' from a number of disciplines, to produce a new field of connection from which to map the terrain involved in theorizing livability. While the whole thesis seeks to respond to the narratives, there is a detailed focus on three dimensions which participants emphasize as crucial to livability: settlement in Manchester; the prohibition of employment; the asylum application procedures. These are moments in which livability is claimed as both ethics and practice. From the perspective of the narratives and the ethics which permeate them, livability opens up into questions of recognition, social justice and care. People claim commonality: recognition as human, equality and inclusion in social goods, and care in public settings. These are the practical and ethical supports of livability. The narratives point also towards critiques of 'refugeedom', the policies and practices that form the discursive and material conditions within which people seeking asylum attempt to make livable lives.

The thesis works with Czech translation of apofthegmats - stories of fathers of desert. The thesis focuses on topic of sadness, anger and acedia. The thesis is based on apofthegmats and on the spirituality of desert. From this point of view the thesis makes analysis of the structure of pastoral work with sadness, anger and acedia. The thesis is following some actual authors who are working with spirituality of desert, too. Due to immanent dimension of spirituality of desert the thesis is reflecting psychological approach and refers to actual psychological methods which help a man to live with sadness, anger and acedia.

Pentecostalism has always been regarded as a movement that does not have all the ecclesiastical qualities that qualify it to be called a fully-fledged tradition alongside other major streams of Protestantism. Contrary to popular theologies that undermine the great role that the Pentecostal tradition can play in the global church, modern Pentecostal theologies agree that most of the misconceptions and assumption are misplaced because the Pentecostal tradition is a rich tradition with vital elements and symbols necessary to advance the ecumenical goal of unity and reconciliation. Based on this perception that Pentecostal ecclesiology is ecumenical, this research critically analyses Pentecostal ecclesiology as portrayed by Kärkkäinen in order to determine its ecumenicity or relevance to the ecumenical goals of unity, tolerance and reconciliation. This research confronts the paternalistic assumptions and misconception that regard Pentecostalism as simply a superstitious and naive sect which is only relevant to the lower class by bringing out the different elements and symbols within the tradition that are vital for the success and development of the global church in a modern global context. Some of the critical elements and symbols within the Pentecostal tradition that are explored within this study include÷ unity in diversity, the mission nature of the church, experiences of the Spirit as portrayed in its Pneumatological Christology and Soteriology, its rapid adaptation to new global south contexts and critical elements of inclusivity and plurality as portrayed in the foundations of the tradition. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology

Modelling studies have shown that 1.5 and 3.0 MW wind turbines with blade sweep have an increased annual energy production (AEP) of approximately 5% when compared to straight-blade wind turbines. The objective of the research was to further increase below-rated, variable speed, power capture when using swept-blades. When operating in the variable speed region, the turbine’s torque is proportional to the square of the generator speed, and k is the proportionality constant (T = kΩ 2 ). Initial studies indicated that the value of k needed to be lowered from the original value to increase AEP. This proved to be slightly beneficial for the 3.0 MW turbine but not for the 1.5 MW turbine. The optimal tip speed ratio was too high for both turbines and limited the ability to increase AEP. Original swept-blade chords were designed to fit a linear pattern for manufacturing purposes, but it is believed this is no longer a necessary constraint. The blades were redesigned to have a non-linear chord distribution, which is based on the Betz optimal design method, and the resultant increase in solidity proved to be the solution for slowing down the blades’ rotational speed. The change in chord design proved to be beneficial for both 1.5 and 3.0 MW wind turbines and had immediate, measurable increases to AEP. An effort to further increase AEP was then conducted by using an alternative torque-speed controller, which used a different equation to relate speed and torque. This method only resulted in an increase of AEP for the 1.5 MW turbine. In conclusion, the highest recorded AEP increases from straight-blade values were 6.9% and 8.9% for the 1.5 and 3.0 MW turbines, respectively. The 1.5 MW turbine benefited from the custom controller and redesigned chords, whereas the 3.0 MW turbine only benefited from redesigned chords.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第21412号 / 理博第4432号 / 京都大学大学院理学研究科数学・数理解析専攻 / (主査)教授 堤 誉志雄, 教授 泉 正己, 教授 上 正明 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM