The Theory of Characteristic Modes is being adopted by many research groups around the world in the last decade. This topic and their use in different metallic antenna design is growing very fast. However, most of the applications has been only concentrated on conducting surfaces without any physical knowledge about its limitations and its physical interpretation. As far as dielectric bodies are concerned, there have not been so many published articles. The reason is that there are different integro-differential formulations and the interpretation of their solutions is not as obvious as in conducting bodies. Here, a theoretical interpretation considering loss-less conducting and dielectric bodies is presented. The conclusions drawn in this thesis will allow us to better understand the solutions of the Theory of Characteristic Modes and their limitations. This is important for antenna engineering. In addition, this analysis will allow to develop a novel method for the design of antennas based on dielectric resonators, DRA. This method is called Substructure based-PMCHWT method, and is based on the implementation of the Schur complements of the method of moments matrix operator. This study permits to optimize the radiation bandwidth in the same analysis process for both, the dielectric and the feed, e.g. slot. Moreover, it allows to understand how the slot behaves in the presence of the dielectric resonator and vice versa. This method can also be used to design DRA using low permittivities. This is important in the design of DRA because the feed perturbs the system and produces a shift in the resonances of the characteristic modes. So, therefore, by considering the feed system in the characteristic modes analysis a more realistic results than a conventional analysis is obtained. On the other hand, the resonances of the characteristic modes at low permittivities are displaced from what are the natural resonances of the dielectric resonator and also the corresponding S11 resonance. Thus, designing with this new method it can draw new conclusions about the design of DRA using the Theory of Characteristic Modes. / En la última década, la teoría de los modos característicos está siendo utilizada por muchos grupos de investigación en todo el mundo. Este tema y su uso en diferentes diseños de antenas metálicas está creciendo muy rápido. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las aplicaciones se han concentrado únicamente en antenas metálicas sin ningún conocimiento físico acerca de sus limitaciones y su interpretación física. En lo que se refiere a cuerpos dieléctricos, no han habido tantos artículos publicados como en metales. La razón es que existen diferentes formulaciones integro-diferenciales y la interpretación de sus soluciones no es tan obvia como en cuerpos metálicos. En esta tesis se presenta una interpretación física de las soluciones de la Teoría de Modos Característicos al considerar cuerpos metálicos y dieléctricos sin pérdidas. Las conclusiones de esta tesis nos permitirán comprender mejor las soluciones de la Teoría de Modos Característicos y sus limitaciones. Esto es importante en ingeniería de antenas. Además, este análisis permitirá desarrollar un nuevo método para el diseño de antenas basadas en resonadores dieléctricos, DRA. Este método está basado en la formulación PMCHWT y la función de Green multicapa utilizada en el método de los momentos (MoM). A este nuevo método se le ha denominado "Substructure Characteristic Mode method", y está basado en la implementación de los complementos Schur sobre las submatrices del operador del MoM. Este estudio permite optimizar el ancho de banda de radiación de un DRA en el mismo proceso de análisis tanto para el dieléctrico como para la alimentación, como por ejemplo una ranura. Además, este método permite comprender como se comporta la ranura en presencia del resonador dieléctrico y viceversa. Este método también puede usarse para diseñar DRA usando permitividades bajas. Esto es importante en el diseño de DRA porque la alimentación perturba el sistema y produce un cambio en las resonancias de los modos característicos. Por lo tanto, al considerar la alimentación en el análisis de modos característicos se obtienen resultados más realistas comparándolos con los obtenidos mediante un análisis convencional. Así, diseñando con el "Substructure Characteristic Mode method" se pueden extraer nuevas conclusiones sobre el diseño de DRA mediante la Teoría de Modos Característicos. / En l'última dècada, la teoria dels modes característics està sent utilitzada per molts grups d'investigació en tot el món. Este tema i el seu ús en diferents dissenys d'antenes metàl·liques està creixent molt ràpid. No obstant això, la majoria de les aplicacions s'han concentrat únicament en superfícies conductores sense cap coneixement físic sobre les seues limitacions i la seua interpretació física. Pel que fa a cossos dielèctrics, no hi ha hagut tants articles publicats com en metalls. La raó és que hi ha diferents formulacions integro- diferencials i la interpretació de les seues solucions no és tan òbvia com en cossos conductors. En esta tesi es presenta una interpretació teòrica considerant cossos conductors i dielèctrics sense pèrdues. Les conclusions d'esta tesi ens permetran comprendre millor les solucions de la Teoria de Modes Característics i les seues limitacions. Açò és important en enginyeria d'antenes. Açò és important en enginyeria d'antenes. A més, esta anàlisi permetrà desenrotllar un nou mètode per al disseny d'antenes basades en ressonadors dielèctrics, DRA. Este mètode està basat en la formulació PMCHWT i la funció de Green multicapa utilitzada en el mètode dels moments (MoM) . A este nou mètode se li ha denominat "Substructure Characteristic Mode method", i està basat en la implementació dels complements Schur sobre les submatrius de l'operador del MoM. Este estudi permet optimitzar l'amplada de banda de radiació d'un DRA en el mateix procés d'anàlisi tant per al dielèctric com per a l'alimentació, com per exemple una ranura. A més, este mètode permet comprendre com es comporta la ranura en presència del ressonador dielèctric i viceversa. Este mètode també pot usar-se per a dissenyar DRA usant baixes permitivitats. Açò és important en el disseny de DRA perquè l'alimentació pertorba el sistema i produïx un canvi en les ressonàncies dels modes característics. Per tant, al considerar l'alimentació en l'anàlisi de modes característics s'obtenen resultats més realistes comparant-los amb els obtinguts per mitjà d'una anàlisi convencional. Així, dissenyant amb el "Substructure Characteristic Mode method" es poden extraure noves conclusions sobre el disseny de DRA per mitjà de la Teoria de Modes Característics. / Bernabeu Jiménez, T. (2017). Contribution to the physical interpretation of characteristic mode resonances. Application to dielectric resonator antennas [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/86177

Master of Science / Department of Mathematics / David Auckly / This report introduces the fiber bundles. It includes the definitions of fiber bundles such as vector bundles and principal bundles, with some interesting examples. Reduction of the structure groups, and covering homotopy theorem and some specific computation using obstruction classes, Cech cohomology, Stiefel-Whitney classes, and first Chern classes are included.

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Thesis (PhD) -- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This work considers the efficient numerical analysis of large, aperiodic finite antenna arrays. A Method of Moments (MoM) based domain decomposition technique called the Domain Green's Function Method (DGFM) is formulated to address a wide range of array problems in a memory and runtime efficient manner. The DGFM is a perturbation approach that builds on work initially conducted by Skrivervik and Mosig for disjoint arrays on multi-layered substrates, a detailed review of which will be provided in this thesis. Novel extensions considered for the DGFM are as follows: a formulation on a higher block matrix factorisation level that allows for the treatment of a wider range of applications, and is essentially independent of the elemental basis functions used for the MoM matrix formulation of the problem. As an example of this, both conventional Rao-Wilton-Glisson elements and also hierarchical higher order basis functions were used to model large array structures. Acceleration techniques have been developed for calculating the impedance matrix for large arrays including one based on using the Adaptive Cross Approximation (ACA) algorithm. Accuracy improvements that extend the initial perturbation assumption on which the method is based have also been formulated. Finally, the DGFM is applied to array geometries in complex environments, such as that in the presence of finite ground planes, by using the Numerical Green's Function (NGF) method in the hybrid NGF-DGFM formulation. In addition to the above, the DGFM is combined with the existing domain decomposition method, viz., the Characteristic Basis Function Method (CBFM), to be used for the analysis of very large arrays consisting of sub-array tiles, such as the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) for radio astronomy. Finally, interesting numerical applications for the DGFM are presented, in particular their usefulness for the electromagnetic analysis of large, aperiodic sparse arrays. For this part, the accuracy improvements of the DGFM are used to calculate quantities such as embedded element patterns, which is a major extension from its original formulation. The DGFM has been integrated as part of an efficient array analysis tool in the commercial computational electromagnetics software package, FEKO. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie werkstuk word die doeltre ende analise van eindige, aperiodiese antenna samestellings behandel. Eindige gebied benaderings wat op die Moment Metode (MoM) berus, word as vetrekpunt gebruik. `n Tegniek genaamd die Gebied Green's Funksie Metode (GGFM) word voorgestel en is geskik vir die analise van `n verskeidenheid van ontkoppelde samestellings. Die e ektiewe gebruik van rekenaargeheue en looptyd is onderliggend in die implementasie daarvan. Die GGFM is 'n perturbasie metode wat op die oorspronklike werk van Skrivervik en Mosig berus. Laasgenoemde is hoofsaaklik ontwikkel vir die analise van ontkoppelde antenna samestellings op multilaag di elektrikums. `n Deeglike oorsig van voorafgaande word in die tesis verskaf. In hierdie tesis is die bogenoemde werk op `n unieke wyse uitgebrei: `n ho er blok matriks vlak formulering is ontwikkel wat dit moontlik maak vir die analise van `n verskeidenheid strukture en wat onafhanklik is van die onderliggende basis funksies. Beide lae-vlak Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis funksies, asook ho er orde hierargiese basis funksies word gebruik vir die modellering van groot antenna samestellings. Die oorspronklike perturbasie aanname is uitgebrei deur akkuraatheidsverbeteringe vir die tegniek voor te stel. Die Aanpasbare Kruis Benaderings (AKB) tegniek is onder andere gebruik om spoed verbeteringe vir die GGFM te bewerkstellig. Die GGFM is verder uitgebrei vir die analise van antenna samestellings in `n komplekse omgewing, bv. `n antenna samestelling bo `n eindige grondplaat. Die Numeriese Green's Funksie (NGF) metode is hiervoor ingespan en die hibriede NGF-GGFM is ontwikkel. Die GGFM is verder met die Karakteristieke Basis Funksie Metode (KBFM) gekombineer. Die analise van groot skikkings wat bestaan uit sub-skikkings, soos die wat tans by die \Low- Frequency Array (LOFAR) " vir radio astronomie in Nederland gebruik word, kan hiermee gedoen word. In die werkstuk word die GGFM ook toegepas op `n reeks interessante numeriese voorbeelde, veral die toepaslike EM analise van groot aperiodiese samestellings. Die akkuraatheidsverbeteringe vir die GGFM maak die berekening van elementpatrone vir skikkings moontlik. Die GGFM is by the sagteware pakket FEKO geintegreer.

本研究在探討銀行業對於我國財務會計準則公報第28號公報之遵循現況，以及公司特性與遵循程度之關聯性。本研究以六項公司特性，包括負債比例、帳面價值對市值比、公司規模、盈餘水準變化、是否委任前五大會計師事務所查核以及是否委任勤業會計師事務所查核，探討與28號公報遵循程度之關係。 本研究之實證結果可分為28號公報之遵循現況、公報各條文遵循程度之差異以及遵循程度與公司特性之關聯性三部份。首先，在遵循現況方面，銀行在遵循28號公報之揭露規定並無困難。而在進一步分析後，發現銀行在第33、47與48段之遵循程度最差。 其次，在公報各條文遵循程度之差異方面，銀行在28號公報之遵循程度具有顯著差異，而在進一步分析後，發現銀行在第28、33與47段的遵循程度具有顯著差異。 最後，在遵循程度與公司特性之關聯性方面，僅是否委任勤業會計師事務所查核可解釋銀行在28號公報的遵循程度高低。 / This study investigated the disclosure status of banking industry to understand how they follow the requirements of SFAS（Taiwan’s Statements of Financial Accounting Standards） No. 28. This study designed criteria to examine how each firm followed the requirements of SFAS No. 28, and further explored the relationship between the SCORES and characteristics. This study had three main outcomes. First, banking industry had no difficulty in following the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 28. Especially, we can find the extend of accordance to SFAS No. 28 was not be completely met in the scope 33, 47, and 48. Second, empirical study of the extend of accordance to SFAS No.28 was significant different. After further investigating, we find the extend of accordance to scope 28, 33, and 48 of SFAS No.28 was significant different. Finally, only the CPA firm which was chosen by banking industry was TN Soong & Co（Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s member firm in Taiwan） or not could explain the extend of accordance to SFAS No.28.

Se recopiló una base de datos geográfica, con cartografía básica y temática, sobre la provincia de Napo (Ecuador), en la que se destacan los mapas de cobertura del suelo de los años 2002 y 2008. Como primer producto se elaboró un mapa de cobertura del suelo del año 1990 a partir de imágenes del sensor TM, (Landsat 4 y 5). Posteriormente se realizó un modelo de probabilidad de presencia de coberturas de tipo antrópico, usando la técnica de regresión logística multivariada; se evaluó el modelo con la curva ROC (Relative Operating Characteristic) y se determinó un alto poder de predicción en el modelo (AUC 0.89), distinguiendo además, que la distancia a centros poblados y a vías de comunicación son las variables más influyentes para la presencia de coberturas antrópicas. Se utilizó el mapa resultante del modelo de probabilidad como entrada en un modelo de transición de coberturas que combina Autómatas Celulares y Cadenas de Markov, entre otros aspectos, simulando un mapa de tipo de coberturas (natural o antrópico) para el año 2008. Se evaluó este mapa simulado, comparándolo con uno de referencia, a partir de índices kappa, y se obtuvo un porcentaje de concordancia general de 93%, lo cual es un buen indicador. Una vez que se ha contado con un modelo que permitía hacer simulaciones con el grado de confianza necesario, se realizaron simulaciones para los años 2015 y 2020. En estos escenarios de tipo de cobertura, se puede ver una clara presión hacia los bosques de la rivera del Rio Napo en un futuro, y también en aquellos cercanos a los principales centros poblados como Tena especialmente. Sin embargo, las áreas protegidas muestran un estado de conservación “natural” en las simulaciones, y esto se debe a sus condiciones de inaccesibilidad, en cuanto a falta de infraestructura vial, y a sus condiciones ambientales especiales. Por último, se verificó que la tasa de deforestación (cambio de natural hacia antrópico) en el período 1990-2008 fue de 4661 ha/año y en el período 2008-2020 sería de 3550 ha/año, indicando que la tendencia en el tiempo muestra en el mejor de los casos una disminución o por lo menos una estabilización de los procesos de deforestación.

This is a foundational study that applies Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to the evaluation of a chronic disease model that utilizes Remote Monitoring (RM) devices to identify clinical deterioration in a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) population. Background: RM programmes in Disease Management (DM) are proliferating as one strategy to address management of chronic disease. The need to validate and quantify evidence-based value is acute. There is a need to apply new methods to better evaluate automated RM systems. ROC analysis is an engineering approach that has been widely applied to medical programmes but has not been applied to RM systems. Evaluation of classifiers, determination of thresholds and predictive accuracy for RM systems have not been evaluated using ROC analysis. Objectives: (1) apply ROC analysis to evaluation of a RM system; (2) analyse the performance of the model when applied to patient outcomes for a COPD population; (3) identify predictive classifier(s); (4) identify optimal threshold(s) and the predictive capacity of the classifiers. Methods: Parametric and non-parametric methods are utilized to determine accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and predictive capacity of classifiers Saturated Peripheral Oxygen (SpO2), Blood Pressure (BP), Pulse Rate (PR) based on event-based patient outcomes that include hospitalisation (IP), accident & emergency (A&E) and home visits (HH). Population: Patients identified with a primary diagnosis of COPD, monitored for a minimum of 183 days with at least one episode of in-patient (IP) hospitalisation for COPD in the 12 months preceding the monitoring period. Data Source: A subset of retrospective de-identified patient data from an NHS Direct evaluation of a COPD RM programme. Subsets utilized include classifiers, biometric readings, alerts generated by the system and resource utilisation. Contribution: Validates ROC methodology, identifies classifier performance and optimal threshold settings for the classifier, while making design recommendations and putting forth the next steps for research. The question answered by this research is that ROC analysis can provide additional information on the predictive capacity of RM systems. Justification of benefit: The results can be applied when evaluating health services and planning decisions on the costs and benefits. Methods can be applied to system design, protocol development, work flows and commissioning decisions based on value and benefit. Conclusion: Results validate the use of ROC analysis as a robust methodology for DM programmes that use RM devices to evaluate classifiers, thresholds and identification of the predictive capacity as well as identify areas where additional design may improve the predictive capacity of the model.

Counter-Current Flow Limitation (CCFL) is of importance for PWR safety analyses in several accident scenarios connected with loss of coolant. Basing on the experiences obtained during a first series of hot leg tests now new experiments on counter-current flow limitation were conducted in the TOPFLOW pressure vessel. The test series comprises air-water tests at 1 and 2 bar as well as steam-water tests at 10, 25 and 50 bar. During the experiments the flow structure was observed along the hot leg model using a high-speed camera and web-cams. In addition pressure was measured at several positions along the horizontal part and the water levels in the reactor-simulator and steam-generator-simulator tanks were determined. This report documents the experimental setup including the description of operational and special measuring techniques, the experimental procedure and the data obtained. From these data flooding curves were obtained basing on the Wallis parameter. The results show a slight shift of the curves in dependency of the pressure. In addition a slight decrease of the slope was found with increasing pressure. Additional investigations concern the effects of hysteresis and the frequencies of liquid slugs. The latter ones show a dependency on pressure and the mass flow rate of the injected water. The data are available for CFD-model development and validation.

調焦焦點理論將人的特質區分成促進型目標定向( Promotion focus)與防禦型目標定向( Prevention focus)。促進型目標定向經理人的動機在於推動正面結果的產生，因此對於公司的成長與業績較為敏感；防禦型目標定向的經理人則是為了防止發生負面結果而兢兢業業，對於公司的經營偏好維持現狀。本篇研究假設促進型目標定向的經理人因為較為關注正面結果的出現與否，因而使得公司能夠有較佳的經營結果。故本篇研究假設借款公司的經理人若偏向促進型目標定向，可從銀行得到較低的聯貸利差，借款金額較高以及較長的借款期間，需要提供擔保品的機率則較低。樣本來自於S&P1500，並排除金融業及保險業；經理人的調節焦點則是藉由分析經理人所寫的致股東信所衡量。研究結果顯示擁有促進型目標定向經理人的借款公司，與聯貸利差呈現負相關，顯示這類型的公司可以得到較優惠的利率。至於非利率條件，包含借款金額、借款期間以及提供擔保品的機率，本研究並未發現擁有促進型目標定向經理人的借款公司與較優惠的非利率條件之間具有關聯性。 / This study investigates the relationship between CEO regulatory focus and syndicated features. Regulatory focus theory divides people into promotion and prevention focus. Promotion-focused people are demonstrated to pay more attention to accomplishments and growth, while prevention-focused people are more concerned about safety and security. Based on the assumption that CEOs who are more inclined to be promotion-focused are more concerned about the presence and absence of positive outcomes, the operating results would be better compared to that of the prevention-focused CEOs’. Therefore, I hypothesize that borrowing firms with CEOs who are more inclined to be promotion-focused would have lower syndicate spread, larger loan amount, longer maturity and lower possibility of providing security. The sample consists of S&P 1500 non-financial firms, and CEO regulatory focus is captured by conducting content analysis of the letters that CEOs write to shareholders. The results suggest that borrowers with CEOs that are more inclined to be promotion-focused are associated with lower loan spreads, after controlling for several firm-specific and loan-specific controls. However, I do not find evidence that CEO regulatory focus is related to non-pricing loan contract terms, including loan amount, loan maturity and the possibility of providing security.

Une exposition aux nanoparticules (NP) de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) peut entraîner un remodelage matriciel, dans lequel la Matrix Metalloprotéase-1 (MMP-1) notamment pourrait jouer un rôle important. Pour vérifier cette hypothèse, nous avons 1/ mesuré l' expression de la MMP-1 sur des fibroblastes pulmonaires humains après exposition à des particules de TiO2 de différentes tailles, formes et variétés cristallines, ainsi qu' une NP de noir de carbone (NC), et 2/ administré des NP de TiO2 et de NC sur un modèle d‟emphysème pulmonaire induit par l' élastase chez le rat. Sur les fibroblastes pulmonaires humains, certaines NP de TiO2 induisent l' expression de la MMP-1 via l' interleukine-1β (IL-1β) et augmentent son activité. Les particules de TiO2 micrométriques induisent l' expression de la MMP-1 sans lien avec l' IL-1β et les NP de NC ne modulent pas l' expression de la MMP-1. L' exposition des rats aux NP de TiO2 n' entraîne pas d' effet ; l' exposition aux NP de NC entraîne une inflammation et une induction de l' expression de la MMP-12. Cette exposition aggrave, de plus, l' inflammation provoquée par l' élastase, ce qui n' est pas observé avec les NP de TiO2. Au total, notre travail montre bien un rôle pour les NP de TiO2 dans le remodelage matriciel, via l' induction et l' activation de la MMP-1 in vitro. In vivo, les NP de NCpeuvent aggraver ceertaines réponses à l' élastse. La composition chimique et la taille des particules semblent être des déterminants importants de leurs effets. / Exposure to titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NP) can lead to matrix remodeling, a phenomenon in which Matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) notably could play an important role. To validate this hypothesis, we 1/ studied MMP-1 expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts after exposure to TiO2 particles of different sizes, shapes and crystal phases and one Carbon Black (CB) NP, and 2/ measured the effect of TiO2 CB NP on an elastase-induced emphysema model in rats.On human lung fibroblasts, some TiO2 NP induced MMP-1 through an interleukin-1β (IL-1β) dependent mechanism, and increased MMP-1 activity. TiO2 micrometric particles induced MMP-1 without IL-1β implication, and CB NP did not induce MMP-1. Rat exposure to TiO2 NP had no effect but exposure to NC NP induced inflammation and MMP-12 expression. TiO2 NP did not modulate elastase effects. NC NP aggravated elastase-induced inflammation.In total, our work shows a role for TiO2 NP in matrix remodeling, via MMP-1 induction and activation in vitro. In vivo, CB NP can aggravate some elastase-induced effects. Particles composition and size seem to be important determinants of their effect.