Positive systems, which carry the well known property of confining the state, output, and/or input variables to the nonnegative orphant, are of great practical importance, as the nonnegative property occurs quite frequently in numerous applications and in nature. These type of systems frequently occur in hydrology where they are used to model natural and artificial networks of reservoirs; in biology where they are used to describe the transportation, accumulation, and drainage processes of elements and compounds like hormones, glucose, insulin, and metals; and in stocking, industrial, and engineering systems where chemical reactions, heat exchanges, and distillation processes take place. The interest of this dissertation is in two key problems: positive stabilization and the positive servomechanism problem. In particular, this thesis outlines the necessary and sufficient conditions for the stabilization of positive linear time-invariant (LTI) systems using state feedback control, along with providing an algorithm for constructing such a stabilizing regulator. Moreover, the results on stabilization also encompass the two problems of the positive separation principle and stabilization via observer design. The second, and most emphasized, problem of this dissertation considers the positive servomechanism problem for both single-input single-output (SISO) and multi-input multi-output (MIMO) stable positive LTI systems. The study of the positive servomechanism problem focuses on the tracking problem of nonnegative constant reference signals for unknown/known stable SISO/MIMO positive LTI systems with nonnegative unmeasurable/measurable constant disturbances via switching tuning clamping regulators (TcR), linear quadratic clamping regulators (LTQcR), and ending with MPC control. Finally, all theoretical results on the positive servomechanism problem are justified via numerous experimental results on a waterworks system.

The dissociation of hydrogen molecules at surfaces is the first step in the absorption process. If the absorbing material is covered by an oxide, this layer will determine the effective uptake rate of an underlying absorbing material. This effect is illustrated when determining the rate of transport of hydrogen through amorphous aluminium oxide layers. The transport rate was determined to be strongly thickness dependent. Hydrogen absorbed in a transition metal causes a volume expansion generated by a strain field around the absorbed hydrogen. This strain field causes a self-trapping of the hydrogen and a temperature dependent distribution in the atomic distances. The local strain field generated by the self-trapping process is found to be crucial for understanding both the hydrogen induced volume expansion as well as the diffusion of hydrogen. Ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations were used to reveal the temperature dependence of the unbinding of the hydrogen and the local strain field and its influence on the diffusion rate. The symmetry of the local strain field is also important for phase formation in metallic films and superlattices which are clamped to a substrate. As the thicknesses reduced from 50 to 10 nm thick vanadium films, substantial finite size effects become apparent in the phase diagrams. The volume change associated with the strain field cannot be accurately measured using x-ray diffraction because of its sensitivity to local arrangements of atoms. X-ray and neutron reflectivity were found to be more reliable probes of global effects of the sumof the local strainfields. Finite size effects in extremely thin V layers were also explored in metallic superlattices composed of iron and vanadium. The co-existence region, composed of a hydrogen gas and a solid-like phase, was found to be suppressed by at least 100 K to below 300 K. The hydrogen-hydrogen interaction can also be influenced by the electronic states in the non hydrogen absorbing layers, as demonstrated when comparing hydrogen absorption in Fe/V and Cr/V superlattices. / Felaktigt tryckt som Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 728

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[Abstract]Over the last few decades, there has been a rapid increase in the volume and weight of heavy vehicles using national road networks. More than half of the bridges around the world are over forty years old. The deterioration of these existing bridges due to increased traffic loading, progressive structural aging, and reinforcement corrosion from severe environmental conditions has become a major problem in most countries. Several techniques have been used to strengthen these structures around the world. External post-tensioning is one of the widely used strengthening techniques in many countries due to its advantages over other methods. Furthermore, flexural strengthening using external post-tensioning has become a well established technique over the past few decades. However, when external post-tensioning is used to strengthen shear damaged reinforced concrete members, unlike flexural damage, the efficiency is significantly reduced by existing shear cracks.This research study was carried out to investigate the behaviour of reinforced concrete beams with existing shear cracks when strengthened by external means. The study consists of two parts: experimental investigations of reinforced concrete beams with different parameters and numerical analysis of reinforced concrete beams usingsimplified theoretical formulation and finite element modelling.To study the behaviour of shear damaged concrete beams, two different strengthening techniques, namely external post-tensioning and external clamping, were used. In addition to the strengthening, the effect of cracks on the behaviour of reinforced concrete beams was investigated by repairing such cracks using epoxy resin injection. Experimental results showed that existing shear cracks have a substantial effect on the member capacity when strengthened by external posttensioning. Although there are concerns about the practical applications of externalclamping, the experimental results suggest that external clamping could be a more effective technique than external post-tensioning to reduce the effect of existing shear cracks on the behaviour of concrete beams. Furthermore, proper repair of the shear cracks could significantly reduce their impact.In the numerical analysis, a simplified mathematical approach was developed to estimate the capacity of shear damaged reinforced concrete beam by expanding themodified compression field theory (MCFT). In addition to the simplified theoretical formulation, a finite element model was developed using the commercial finite element package, Abaqus. Comparison between the predicted behaviour using finite element analysis (FEA) and the experimental data illustrated that the developed finite element model could be used as a reliable tool to estimate the capacity of shear damaged reinforced concrete beams. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of different parameters such as concrete strength, amount of shear reinforcement and crack width, using the developed finite element model. From the numerical study, it was concluded that the simplified approach developedin this study can be used as a reliable and conservative technique to predict the member capacity of a cracked reinforced concrete beam strengthened by external means. Furthermore, the parametric study showed that crack width is the most sensitive parameter that affects the capacity of a cracked beam strengthened by external post-tensioning.Based on this research study it can be concluded that existing shear cracks have a substantial effect on the behaviour of reinforced concrete beams strengthened byexternal post-tensioning. The simplified mathematical approach developed in this study can be used to estimate the capacity of such beams.

INTRODUÇÃO: A reperfusão que segue um insulto isquêmico aumenta o dano tecidual, promove inflamação local e, conforme o território comprometido, pode desencadear resposta inflamatória sistêmica e progredir com disfunção de múltiplos órgãos. O intestino é particularmente vulnerável ao fenômeno de isquemia e reperfusão e tem sido implicado na gênese da resposta inflamatória sistêmica e da disfunção de múltiplos órgãos em pacientes graves. Os benefícios cardiovasculares, microcirculatórios e imunomoduladores da solução salina hipertônica a 7,5% (HS) e as propriedades hemorreológicas da pentoxifilina são atraentes para modular os efeitos nocivos da reperfusão. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos metabólicos e hemodinâmicos (sistêmicos e regionais) da infusão da solução salina hipertônica 7,5% com pentoxifilina (HS+Ptx), em modelo experimental de isquemia e reperfusão, induzido pelo clampeamento da aorta supracelíaca em suinos. MÉTODOS: Trinta e um suínos mestiços, anestesiados e sob ventilação mecânica, foram randomizados em 4 grupos: grupo controle (n=8, sem tratamento), grupo ringer com lactato (n=7; 32ml/kg), grupo HS (n=8; 4ml/kg) e grupo HS+Ptx (n=8; 4ml/kg+25mg/kg). Foram submetidos a clampeamento da aorta supracelíaca durante 30 minutos, ocasião em que receberam o tratamento tendo sido observados por 240 minutos após reperfusão. As variáveis metabólicas e hemodinâmicas sistêmicas foram obtidas por meio de um cateter posicionado na aorta torácica, carótida direita e de um cateter de Swan-Ganz na artéria pulmonar. Para a avaliação regional, foram posicionados cateteres na veia porta e hepática e fluxômetros ultrassônicos ao redor da veia porta, artéria hepática e da veia renal direita. Os níveis de lactato e as variáveis de oxigenação sistêmica e regional foram obtidos com amostras de sangue arterial, venoso misto, hepático e porta. RESULTADOS: O clampeamento da aorta promoveu um estado hiperdinâmico sistêmico caracterizado por hipertensão, taquicardia, aumento do débito cardíaco (DC) e da oferta de oxigênio sistêmico com redução do consumo, da taxa de extração sistêmica de oxigênio e do gradiente venoarterial de CO2, com paradoxal aumento do lactato e redução do excesso de base. A súbita queda dos fluxos porta, hepático e renal foi acompanhada pela redução da oferta e do consumo com aumento da extração de oxigênio, do gradiente portaarterial de CO2 e do lactato regional. Em todos os grupos, a reperfusão foi caracterizada por hipotensão imediata e sustentada, retorno do DC aos valores iniciais, mas com progressivo aumento do gradiente veno arterial de CO2 e da taxa de extração sistêmica de oxigênio. Regionalmente, houve recuperação inicial dos fluxos com redução do gradiente porta-arterial de CO2 e da taxa de extração regional de oxigênio, seguido, por redução gradual dos fluxos com alargamento do gradiente e aumento da extração regional de oxigênio no decorrer do experimento. Durante a reperfusão, os níveis de lactato sistêmico e regional retornaram aos basais. CONCLUSÕES: A isquemia e a reperfusão da aorta supracelíaca promoveram significativas alterações hemodinâmicas sistêmicas e regionais semelhantes em todos os grupos. A expansão volêmica administrada durante a isquemia promoveu discretas e transitórias melhorias sistêmicas e regionais, semelhantes nos grupos tratados, mas não evitou a magnitude da hipotensão observada durante a reperfusão. Uma discutível vantagem da utilização de menores volumes nos grupos HS, um possível benefício adicional da pentoxifilina nos fluxos, assim como o melhor momento para a administração dos fluidos necessitam melhor investigação / INTRODUTION: Reperfusion, following an initial ischemic insult, increases tissue damage, causes inflammation and, depending on the affected area, can trigger the systemic inflammatory response and progress toward a multiple organ dysfunction. The intestine is particularly vulnerable to ischemia/reperfusion phenomena and has also been implicated in the genesis of systemic inflammatory syndrome and the syndrome of multiple organ dysfunctions in critically ill patients. The cardiovascular, microcirculatory and immunomodulatory systems benefit from the use of hypertonic saline solution at 7.5% (HS); the hemorheological properties of pentoxifylline are attractive to modulate the harmful effects of reperfusion. The present study evaluated the hemodynamic and metabolic effects (systemic and regional) of hypertonic 7.5% in association of hypertonic 7.5% with pentoxifylline (HS +Ptx) in experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by supraceliac aortic clamping in swines. METHODS: Thirty-one crossbred pigs, anesthetized and mechanically ventilated, were randomized into 4 groups: control group (n = 8, no treatment), lactate ringer\'s group (n = 7; 32ml/kg), HS group (n = 8; 4 ml/kg) and HS+Ptx group (n = 8; 4ml/Kg+25mg/kg); they were submitted to ischemia by supraceliac aortic clamping for 30 minutes. All groups received treatment during the clamping procedure and were observed for 240 minutes post reperfusion. The systemic hemodynamic and metabolic variables were obtained through catheters positioned in the thoracic aorta, the right carotid and through a Swan-Ganz catheter in the pulmonary artery. For a regional evaluation, catheters were placed in the portal and hepatic veins and ultrassonic flowmeters were placed around the portal vein, hepatic artery and right renal vein. Lactate levels and systemic and regional oxygenation variables were obtained with samples of arterial blood, hepatic, portal and mixed venous. RESULTS: The aortic clamping produced a systemic hyperdynamic state characterized by hypertension, tachycardia, increased cardiac output (CO) and systemic oxygen delivery with the reduction of consumption and systemic oxygen extraction rate and of venous-arterial CO2 gradient with a paradoxical increase in lactate and reduction of base excess. All animals presented a sudden reduction in portal, hepatic and renal flows with oxygen delivery and consumption reduction, increase in oxygen extraction and portal-arterial CO2 gradient, and regional hiperlactatemia. In all groups, reperfusion was characterized by an immediate and maintained hypotension, while CO returned to baseline values, but by a progressive increase in the venous-arterial CO2 gradient and by an increase in the systemic oxygen extraction rate. Regionally, there was an initial flow recovery with a decrease of portal arterial CO2 gradient and regional oxygen extraction rate, followed by a gradual decrease with an increase of gradient and of regional oxygen extraction during the experiment. During reperfusion, regional and systemic lactate levels returned to baseline values. CONCLUSION: Supraceliac aortic ischemia produced significant hemodynamic (systemic and regional) alterations, which were similar in all groups. The volemic expansion produced by infused fluids during ischemia promoted discrete and transitory systemic and regional improvements similar in all groups but unable to prevent the hypotension observed during reperfusion. A possible advantage of using smaller volumes in both HS groups, an equally possible additional Ptx benefit in regional blood flows, as well as the best time for fluids infusion remains to be investigated by further studies

Práce se zabývá změnou výrobního procesu výroby tlakového zásobnku system Common Rail. Předmětem práce je take návrh a úprava upínacího přípravku pro výrobu kovaných tlakových zásobníků pro obráběcí centra ELHA.

This paper presents a design of the production process for the clamping nut by cold extrusion. The nut, which is made of material ČSN 12 050, is used to clamp the injection nozzle to the injection system. Subsequently different variants of production were processed, from which the variant B was chosen. For slug a rod with diameter size of 24 mm with toleration f9 made by the company Ferona a. s was chosen. Calculations of process parameters were made for this variant. Based on the parameters the automatic forming machine TPD 630 with nominal force of 6 000 kN was chosen. For the selected machine, operational tools were designed for each forming operation, whose geometry is shown in the drawing documentation. Based on the technical and economical evaluation, the final price of the formed part was set at CZK 18,48.

This paper studies a method for active electrohydraulic force compensation in industrial scale high power applications. A valve controlled cylinder moves a mass using the force of inertia to compensate for the reaction forces of an industrial process. Two strategies for force compensation are developed and investigated in a 160 ton clamping unit of an injection moulding machine to significantly reduce the excitation. Results of the different strategies are shown and evaluated. Advantages and drawbacks of the developed electrohydraulic force compensation are discussed.

In today’s situation new methods are constantly evolving in the construction industry where the sustainability of a construction is of utmost importance. Prefabricated concrete is a type material that is highly durable in terms of long life without producing damaging effects. As a result, the material has been used increasingly in the manufacture of construction. Construction industry is continuously developing, which means new ways to construct buildings. Within construction, usage of prefabricated concrete is a method that has become increasingly successful. With this method, the construction period is shortened considerably and the construction process will be more beneficial for the environment and the various safety aspects. This master thesis was written in cooperation with AB Strängbetong, is one of the largest companies in Sweden that uses prefabricated elements. The company has a concept called TempoDeck and is currently building a parking garage in Ullared, with the life with a life expectancy of 50 years, that is life class L50. The objective of the study was to check whether the construction work fulfilled the requirements of the standards. In addition, the purpose was also to investigate the possibility of a different type of facade design by reducing the height of the joists and beams. The thesis includes a literature review, a case study, an archive analysis as well as calculations with the Norwegian program E – bjelke. A guidance from AB Strängbetong has also been used. The results showed that the existing structure fulfilled the life class L50 according to the requirements. In addition, the results showed that it was aesthetically possible to modify the car park, to make it more appealing. However, it would be more profitable to keep the design as it is to the future constructions. / I dagsläget utvecklas ständigt nya metoder inom byggbranschen där hållbarheten i en konstruktion är av ytterst stor vikt. Betong är ett material som är mycket hållbart då det har en väldigt lång livslängd utan att det ger större skadeverkan. Detta resulterar i att materialet brukas allt mer i tillverkning av byggnationer. Byggnadsteknik är i kontinuerlig utveckling vilket medför nya sätt att uppföra byggnader. Byggverksamhet går mer och mer åt att använda prefabricerade betongelement, en byggmetod som har blivit allt mer framgångsrik. Med denna metod kan byggtiden kortas ner väsentligt, byggprocessen blir även hälsosammare för omgivningen och är bättre ur olika arbetsmiljöaspekter. Detta examensarbete skrevs i samarbete med AB Strängbetong som är ett av de största företagen i Sverige som använder sig av prefabricerade element. Företaget har ett koncept vid namn TempoDeck och har byggt ett parkeringshus med en förväntad livslängd på 50 år, det vill säga livslängdsklassen L50. Uppdraget som gavs var att kontrollera om denna byggnation klarade av kraven enligt normerna. Syftet var även att kunna utveckla en annan typ av fasadutformning genom att minska höjden på bjälklaget och balkar. Avgränsningen inom studien är att den endast gjorts på ett företag, AB Strängbetong, och fokuseras bara på parkeringshus med hänsyn till betongens täckskiktskrav. Examensarbetet fullföljdes genom inläsning av litteratur, fallstudie såsom arkivanalys och beräkningar, med det norska programmet E-bjelke, samt handledning från AB Strängbetong. Resultaten visade att den befintliga konstruktionen klarade av livslängdsklassen L50 med hänsyn till kraven. Det fanns även möjligheter till att estetiskt sätt ändra på parkeringshusets utseende, för att få den mer tilltalande. Det skulle dock vara mer ekonomiskt lönsamt att behålla utformningen som konceptet har till de framtida byggnationerna.

INTRODUÇÃO: O limite de tempo de isquemia renal sem causar um dano permanente à função ainda é um questionamento pertinente na prática cirúrgica urológica. Algumas cirurgias requerem um campo cirúrgico menos sangrante, necessitando de uma interrupção temporária do fluxo sanguíneo para o parênquima renal através de clampeamento do pedículo. Este estudo objetivou avaliar qual técnica de clampeamento em isquemia isotérmica é superior, em termos de preservação da função renal. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo, foram utilizados 28 coelhos da raça New Zealand distribuídos em quatro grupos de forma randomizada e submetidos à laparotomia com interrupção do fluxo sanguíneo renal esquerdo, conforme grupo: grupo 1 - Controle, sem isquemia (4 animais), grupo 2 - Isquemia seletiva (8 animais), grupo 3 - Isquemia não-seletiva (8 animais) e grupo 4 - Isquemia não-seletiva intermitente (8 animais). Os animais foram submetidos à análises cintilográficas da função renal com mercaptoacetiltriglicina (MAG3) e dosagens séricas de creatinina no pré-operatório, no primeiro, terceiro e sétimo dias pós-operatórios. Após 15 dias da cirurgia, os animais foram sacrificados e os rins submetidos à análise histológica. RESULTADOS: A análise cintilográfica da função renal mostrou que os três grupos submetidos à isquemia apresentaram um agravo semelhante, nas primeiras 24 horas; não havendo diferença estatística entre eles no tocante a perda de função renal do rim esquerdo (p= 0,165), neste período. No exame do terceiro dia pós-operatório, houve diferença estatística (p= 0,006) entre os grupos não-seletivo (3) e o intermitente (4), mostrando uma superioridade do fator desclampeamento na proteção à função renal. No sétimo dia pós-operatório, o grupo do clampeamento seletivo (2) mostrou-se superior (p< 0,001) ao grupo não-seletivo (3), mas não apresentou diferença estatística em relação ao grupo intermitente (4). Este último, por sua vez, também apresentou-se superior ao grupo 3, com diferença estatística (p< 0,001). Após sete dias não foi observada diferença estatística entre os grupos 2 e 4. A histologia e a creatinina não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos isquêmicos. Do ponto de vista funcional, a isquemia seletiva e a intermitente foram superiores em relação a não-seletiva. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo utilizado neste estudo mostrou uma superioridade da isquemia isotérmica seletiva e da intermitente em relação a não-seletiva na proteção da função renal. Não houve diferença entre o clampeamento seletivo e o intermitente não-seletivo na função do rim / INTRODUCTION: The time limit of renal ischemia with no permanent damage to renal function still remains as a pertinent question in urologic surgical practice. Several procedures require a bloodless surgical field most of time needing an interruption of blood flow to the renal parenchyma and they can require hilum control and clamping. This study assessed which normothermic clamping technique is superior in order to preserve kidney function. METHODS: In this project, 28 New Zealand rabbits were distributed in four groups by randomization and submitted to laparotomy and blood flow interruption of left kidney: Group 1 - Control, no ischemia (four animals), Group 2 Selective ischemia (eight animals), Group 3 Nonselective ischemia (eight animals) e Group 4 intermittent nonselective ischemia (eight animals). The animals were submitted to renal scintigraphy with mercaptoacetiltriglicin (MAG3) and serum creatinine analysis preoperatively and at days 1, 3 and 7 after left hilum clamping. The animals were submitted to nephrectomy and immediately sacrificed and the kidneys subjected to blinded evaluation by a nephropathologist. RESULTS: Renal scintigraphy showed equal damage in the three groups in first 24 hours, with no statistical difference in loss of left kidney function (p= 0,165) in this period. At third day examination, there was statistical difference (p= 0,006) between the nonselective group (3) and intermittent one (4), demonstrating a superiority of declamping factor in renal function protection. At seventh postoperative day, selective group (2) proved to be better (p< 0,001) than nonselective one (3), however there was not statistical difference between group 2 and the intermittent group (4). The intermittent clamping group was also superior to group 3 (p< 0,001). Histopathology and serum creatinine did not demonstrate statistical difference among groups. Functionally, selective and intermittent warm ischemia techniques are better than nonselective one. CONCLUSION: The model used in this study presented a superiority of selective clamping and intermittent arteriovenous clamping in shielding the renal function. No difference occurred between selective clamping and intermittent nonselective one