Governments have a choice whether to intervene in the transport infrastructure sector to manage, finance and own the assets of the sector, or to rely on markets and private sector actors for the provision of these systems. In this article the development of rail and road infrastructure in Sweden and the choice between government and market provision of these systems are analyzed from a co-evolutionary perspective. Technology, economics, and politics have influenced the government’s policy formation and decisions on organizational models over time, such as the nationalization of roads and railroads in the 1930s-40s. The aim for improved economic efficiency and reduction of cost differences between different parts of the country rather than political ideology explain why roads and railroads were nationalized. Through adjusting its ownership role and policy content the government has, over time, accommodated to the different influences from technology, economics and politics. The government’s ownership of transport infrastructure has not been challenged since the nationalization. This could be seen as a sign of a successful gradual policy adjustment from the government’s side, thereby avoiding private sector solutions. / <p>QC 20130614</p>

Anaerobic co-digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), with thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) and primary sludge (PS) has the potential to enhance (biodegradation) of solid waste, increase longevity of existing landfills and lead to more sustainable development by improving waste to energy production. This study reports on mesophilic batch anaerobic biological methane potential (BMP) assays carried out with different concentrations and combinations (ratios) of OFMSW, TWAS (microwave (MW) pre-treated and untreated) and PS to assess digester stability and potential improved specific biodegradability and potential increased specific biogas production by digestion of OFMSW with PS and TWAS in various tri-substrate mixtures. Results indicated improvements in specific biogas production with concomitant improvements in COD and volatile solid (VS) removal for co-digestion of OMSW, TWAS and PS vs. controls. In terms of improvements in biogas production and digester stability the OFMSW:TWAS:PS:50:25:25 ratio with or without TWAS MW treatment was deemed best for further continuous digester studies. At a 15d HRT which is the regulatory policy in the province of Ontario for municipal mesophilic anaerobic TWAS:PS treatment, co-digestion of OFMSW:TWAS:PS, and OFMSW:TWASMW:PS resulted in a 1.38 and 1.46 fold relative improvement in biogas production and concomitant waste stabilization when compared to TWAS:PS and TWASMW:PS digestion at the same HRT and volumetric VS loading rate respectively. Treatment of OFMSW with PS and TWAS provides beneficial effects that could be exploited at MWWTP that are being operated at loading rates less than design capacity.

This thesis lays the foundations for the development of a small autonomous coaxial helicopter. This is an helicopter with two propellers mounted on the same axis and revolving in opposite directions. To steer the helicopter, this thesis proposes a mechanism that moves the helicopter’s centre of mass. Although such a mechanism has already been investigated experimentally in the literature, it has never been rigorously modeled, and a theoretical analysis has never been performed. This thesis, for the first time, presents an accurate mathematical model of the coaxial helicopter which takes into account the gyroscopic effects of the rotors, the reaction forces and torques exerted by the moving mass actuator on the helicopter body, and the fact that the inertia of the helicopter is time-varying. A nonlinear controller is rigorously derived which makes the helicopter hover at desired positions in three-space. A number of physical prototypes are discussed. None of them is capable of autonomous flight yet, but the experimental and simulation results provide reassurances that the proposed methodology is viable.

This thesis lays the foundations for the development of a small autonomous coaxial helicopter. This is an helicopter with two propellers mounted on the same axis and revolving in opposite directions. To steer the helicopter, this thesis proposes a mechanism that moves the helicopter’s centre of mass. Although such a mechanism has already been investigated experimentally in the literature, it has never been rigorously modeled, and a theoretical analysis has never been performed. This thesis, for the first time, presents an accurate mathematical model of the coaxial helicopter which takes into account the gyroscopic effects of the rotors, the reaction forces and torques exerted by the moving mass actuator on the helicopter body, and the fact that the inertia of the helicopter is time-varying. A nonlinear controller is rigorously derived which makes the helicopter hover at desired positions in three-space. A number of physical prototypes are discussed. None of them is capable of autonomous flight yet, but the experimental and simulation results provide reassurances that the proposed methodology is viable.

Co-op programs bridge the gap between the academic and work worlds and provide students with practical experience in their chosen fields while they earn money between academic school terms. The Technical Communication Diploma program at Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has incorporated a co-operative education term. Instructors at the College charged with placing co-op students each year are challenged in finding such placements, and they receive little guidance from research. In this study, I interviewed 21 employers in Winnipeg who hired co-op students from the Technical Communication Diploma program at Red River College from 2003–2005, to determine their perspectives on participation in co-op programs. Important factors influencing Winnipeg employers were the productivity of students and their specialized skill sets. The major deterrent to re-hiring students was lack of funding. A Model of Employers’ Motivation to Participate in Co-op Programs is proposed. / October 2006

This thesis paper presents experiences and views on collaborative writing from interviews with university students. Analysis of these interviews, focusing on problems with coordination and technological tools,  shows that problems to some extent can be avoided with knowledge of the tools used and knowledge of coordination.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the magnetic properties of the Co/graphene/Pt(111). Firstly, we used the annealing technique to prepare graphene. The car- bon atoms were segregated from the bulk of the Pt(111) to form graphene eager on the surface. After the preparation of graphene, we confirmed its quality by using STM and LEED. Secondly, we deposited 3 to 25 ML (monolayer) Co on graphene/Pt(111) by electron beam evaporator at low temperature ( 200 K). Then, we measured the ferromagnetic properties of different thickness of Co on graphene / Pt(111) by XMCD, and studied the growth behavior of few monolayer Co on graphene by STM. By serial analysis no ferromagnetic property of few monolayer Co was detected on graphene / Pt(111) by X-ray absorption spectra. The STM image show that the few monolayer Co on graphene mucleates as clusters.

ABSTRACT From August 1, 1999, ¡§Co-payment For the Frequent-Visit Outpatients¡¨ has gone into effect. Frequent visit outpatients have to pay more medical expenses out of their own pocket. How did the new co-payment scheme affect the medical expenditure and utilization of the outpatients, especially frequent-visit outpatients? Can this new co-payment scheme work efficiently and reach its goal: reduce the unnecessary waste of the medical resources? At Taiwan, Central Healthcare and Medical Service (CHMS) has a large outpatient database, which contains the basic information of the outpatients. This study chose the database about the ¡§Frequent Outpatients¡¨ from August-December 1998, and August-December, 1999 as population. Such data included the 157,613 cases from 1998 and 160,870 cases from 1999. By analyzing the 1998 and 1999 data provided by the Central Healthcare and Medical Service, this study found the followings have been changed since new scheme took effect: 1. Co-payment had broad and deep effect on the patients¡¦ medical care utilization. Due to the additional High Medical Utilization Co-payment Fee, NT 50 or NT 100, outpatients would be more cautious before they go to see the doctors. At the same time, trying to get more for what they pay, outpatients would rather go to the major regional hospitals or centers in the medical system than small hospitals or clinics. As for the prescribed drug, outpatients were inclined to ask doctors for prescription drugs that can be taken for more days, so they can reduce their visits and therefore save some co-payment fees. This study also found prescribed drug expenses per patient dramatically increase when the average drug expenses per day decrease. Apparently, the increased drug expenses were form the more prescribed-drug days per visit. With the drug expenditures going up, average outpatient expenses per visit increased and the detailed and combination of medical bill varies. 2. Male and female had different responses to this new co-payment scheme. The gender-oriental differences were found in the following areas: ¡]1¡^Regional hospitals (centers) or small clinics. ¡]2¡^The average prescribed-drug days for each visit. ¡]3¡^Drug expenditure per day per patient.¡]4¡^Total expenses per outpatient visit. ¡]5¡^The detailed breakdown of each outpatient visit¡¦s expenses. 3. No effect on the following outpatient age segments:¡¨ age 6-14 teenager¡¨,¡¨ age 15-24 young people¡¨, and ¡§age 25-44 adults¡¨. The new co-payment system had no effect on the above-mentioned age groups, but it did have big and deep influence on the ¡§age 45-64 mid-age adult¡¨ and ¡§age 65 + elderly¡¨, especially on the elderly. The elderly were the major medical service user, and a lot of them lived on their retire and lived on their pensions, so they got hit badly by the high co-payment. 4. In general the higher co-payment had big effect on following three groups: ¡]1¡^¡§Media-utilization Outpatient Group¡¨, ¡]2¡^¡§High- utilization Outpatient Group¡¨ ¡]3¡^¡§Extremely- utilization Outpatient Group¡¨ To save money, outpatients, whatever group they belong to, would reduce their doctor visit. After analyzing all of the above-mentioned aspects, impacts, differences, changes and effects this high co-payment have had on the different age and gender groups since August 1999, this study concluded that the new co-payment regulation had significantly reduced the medical service demands, especially from female or male age 45+.

Texte remanié de: Dissertation--Kulturwissenschaftliche Fakultät--Frankfurt--Europa-Universität Viadrina, 2001.

Thesis (M.A.)--Queen's University at Kingston, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.