To address the need to improve student achievement in STEM disciplines, effort has been made to develop a new of tools for STEM education (Bybee, 2013). The Robotics and Engineering Design Curriculum (REDC) provides students an opportunity to develop systems thinking abilities while integrating science and mathematics concepts. Using an exploratory case study approach within a situated cognition framework, this study examines the effects of using REDC on 54 eighth grade students’ performance and engagement during 5-week integrative STEM instruction in the mathematics and science class. Situational factors that contribute to students’ success in learning STEM concepts are also examined. This study employed mixed-methods techniques. The quantitative data collected included pre/post achievement tests and pre/post motivation and engagement scale (MES) surveys. Quantitative data analysis included reliability analyses and paired sample t-tests. The results of the reliability analyses for the achievement test and MES survey report acceptable Cronbach’s alpha (.843 and .787, respectively). Qualitative data collected included semi-structured interviews, field notes and student artifacts (engineering notebook and printed prototypes). Qualitative data analysis used coding procedures suggested by Saldana (2012) where patterns were identified and grouped to allow the emergence of themes. Collectively, the data was triangulated to support six emerging themes. The emerging themes regarding the effect of using the curriculum are as follows: (1) the developing anthropomorphic relationship with the robot enhances engagement, (2) engagement is impacted by purposeful and intentional physical action, and (3) purposeful collaboration promotes engagement through the construction of meaning and interaction. Three themes emerged identifying factors that contribute to success: (1) learning environment must have transformative learning potential, (2) learning experiences underpinned by design thinking contribute to success and (3) contextual relevance is enhanced when students have the freedom to their design learning journey. This study addresses the need for research into the implementation of 3-D design and manufacturing in the middle school classroom. Bybee, R. W. (2013). The case for STEM education: Challenges and opportunities. National Science Teachers Association. Saldaña, J. (2012). The coding manual for qualitative researchers (No. 14). Los Angeles, Ca: Sage.

Throughout recent years, computer based programs have been applied to solve and analyse industrial problems encountered global fields such as automobile design for reduction of CO2-gas, designing wind parks aimed at increasing power output etc. One of these developed programs is Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) which numerically solves complex flow behaviour based on computer power. As there is an ongoing expansion of CFD usage in industry, certain issues need to be addressed as they are becoming more frequently encountered. The general demand for the simulation of larger control volumes and more advanced flow processes result in an extensive requirement of computer resources. Moreover, the implementation of commercial CFD codes in small-scaled industrial companies seems to generally be utilised as a black box based on the knowledge of fluid mechanic theory. Increased partnerships between industry and the academic world involving various CFD based design processes generally yield to a verbal communication interface, which is a crucial step in the process given the level of dependency between both sides. Based on these notions, a method for establishing time efficient CFD-models with implementation of volume forces as sink terms in the momentum equation is presented. The internal structure, or parts of the structure, in the simulation domain is removed which reduces the geometrical complexity and along with it, computational demand.  These models are the basis of assessing the benefits of utilizing a numerical based design process in industry in which the CFD code is used as a communication tool for knowledge sharing with counterparts in different fields. / As there is an ongoing expansion of CFD usage in industry, certain issues need to be addressed as they are becoming more frequently encountered. The general demand for the simulation of larger control volumes and more advanced flow processes result in an extensive requirement of computer resources. Moreover, the implementation of commercial CFD codes in small-scaled industrial companies seems to generally be utilised as a black box based on the knowledge of fluid mechanic theory. Increased partnerships between industry and the academic world involving various CFD based design processes generally yield to a verbal communication interface, which is a crucial step in the process given the level of dependency between both sides. Based on these notions, a method for establishing time efficient CFD-models with implementation of volume forces as sink terms in the momentum equation is presented. The internal structure, or parts of the structure, in the simulation domain is removed which reduces the geometrical complexity and along with it, computational demand.  These models are the basis of assessing the benefits of utilizing a numerical based design process in industry in which the CFD code is used as a communication tool for knowledge sharing with counterparts in different fields.

Les ED deviennent des composants incontournables dans les entreprises et les organisations.Le thème de conception des ED a fait l’objet de recherches actives ces dernières années. Laprincipale limitation des approches proposées est le manque d’une vision globale s’inscrivantdans le cadre du cycle de conception des ED, même si la communauté reconnait toutes lesphases de ce cycle. Nos principales contributions dans cette thèse portent sur la proposition d’uneméthode de conception adaptée aux récentes évolutions qu’a connu le cycle de conception, etenglobant l’ensemble de ses phases. Le cycle de conception a connu une diversification importantedes modèles de stockage de données et des architectures de déploiement possibles offrant deschoix de conception variés. Ce cycle reconnait l’importance des besoins des utilisateurs dansle processus de conception, et l’importance d’accès et de représentation de la sémantique desdonnées. Notre première proposition présente une méthode de conception suivant une approcheà base d’ontologies de domaine, permettant de valoriser les besoins des utilisateurs en leur offrantune vue persistante au sein de l’ED. Cette vue permet d’anticiper diverses tâches de conceptionet de simuler les différents choix de conception. Notre deuxième proposition revisite le cycle deconception en exécutant la phase ETL (extraction-transformation-chargement des données) dèsla phase conceptuelle. Cette proposition permet de fournir un moyen de déploiement multiplesur différentes plateformes disponibles. / Data Warehouses (DWs) become essential components for companies and organizations.DWdesign field has been actively researched in recent years. The main limitation of the proposedapproaches is the lack of an overall vision covering the DW design cycle. Our main contributionin this thesis is to propose a method adapted to recent evolutions of the DW design cycle,and covering all its phases. These evolutions have given rise to new data storage models andnew deployment architectures, which offers different design choices for designers and administrators.DW literature recognizes the importance of user requirements in the design process, andthe importance of accessing and representing data semantics. We propose an ontology drivendesign method that valorizes users’ requirements by providing them a persistent view in theDW structure. This view allows anticipating diverse design tasks and simulating different designchoices. Our second proposal revisits the design cycle by executing the ETL phase (extractiontransformation-loading of data) in the conceptual stage. This proposal allows a deployment à lacarte of the DW using the different deployment platforms available.

Cycling contributes to public health because it requires physical effort [1] and offers economic and environmental advantages over motorized transport [2]. However, 41,000 cyclists die every year in traffic crashes, 3% of the total worldwide [3]. Most fatal bicycle crashes are collisions with motor vehicles. Severe injuries among cyclists, however, are mostly due to single bicycle crashes and their numbers are increasing [4, 5]. An international review showed that the share of hospitalised casualties due to single-bicycle crashes varied from 3% to 41 % of the total number of hospitalised casualties [ 6]. ... The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between cycle track width and lateral position. We conducted an experiment in which the cycle track width was manipulated to determine its effect on lateral position. The results have been compared with previous findings from literature. [From: Introduction]

This chapter provides an overview of existing approaches for cycle network planning in research and in practice. First, main requirements for cycle networks are described, which are safety, cohesion, directness, comfort, attractiveness and adaptability. Second, an overview of traditional and emerging data sources for cycle network planning is presented and compared with the initially formulated requirements. Third, two approaches for the multi-modal functional classification of street networks including cycling are introduced, followed by a presentation of specific guidance for developing cycle networks and related academic studies. Three approaches for cycle network design are described. (1) The development of cycle networks based on desire lines and cycle routes connecting relevant origins and destinations as suggested by most guidelines is a suitable basis for cycle network design. (2) It should be combined with data-driven demand-focused approaches in order to optimally adjust the cycle networks with user patterns and preferences. (3) Optimization concepts and network growth strategies help to prioritize investments. The main challenge that is hardly addressed in any of the identified references is the coordination of cycle network development with the other transport modes and street functions. We therefore propose an integrated multi-modal approach for cycle network design, an approach that considers all transport modes, street users, street functions and usages and is also coordinated with street design and space availability.

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Submitted by Ricardo Cedraz Duque Moliterno (ricardo.moliterno@uefs.br) on 2016-09-27T00:02:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLigia_Disserta??o_completa.pdf: 3275012 bytes, checksum: 3fbf17a121f3ccc63ae9e4e137889710 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T00:02:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AnaLigia_Disserta??o_completa.pdf: 3275012 bytes, checksum: 3fbf17a121f3ccc63ae9e4e137889710 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-25 / This dissertation deals an analysis of the cyclical changes of the design of industrial products, its relations with long cycles of economy and technology and its implications for local material culture. This research was conducted based on the model used by Langrish, work published in England in 1982. In his work, examine published magazines advertisements, with an emphasis on motivational spirit of society. We questioned if the Brazil, as a semi-peripheral country, has optimism cycles in design as it appears in England. The main objective is the analysis of how behaves the motivation of products design in the country, between the cyclical fluctuations of economy and technology. To achieve our goals was carried out an analysis of selected periods announcements in accordance with the variation of the national political-economic framework of the VEJA Magazine, between 1968 to 2015 years. After evaluating the results, this research reveals the perception of cyclical changes the products design in function of changes techno-economics paradigms and a heavy reliance of the design produced in the leading countries economically. In chapter one, the introduction to the survey is presented. The chapter two provides a brief historical and theoretical overview of the design, the economic cycles and technological changes. In the third chapter, we discuss the design changes opportunities and the economic situation of the peripheral countries. Analyzes and contributions is in the fourth chapter. In the fifth chapter are cited some final considerations of the research. / sta disserta??o faz uma an?lise sobre as mudan?as c?clicas do Desenho de produtos industrializados, suas rela??es com os ciclos longos de economia e tecnologia e o que isto implica como cultura material local. A pesquisa foi realizada com base no modelo utilizado por Langrish, em 1982, em seu artigo publicado na Inglaterra, que consiste em analisar imagens dos an?ncios de revistas ou peri?dicos publicados, com ?nfase no esp?rito motivacional da sociedade. Questionamos se o Brasil, como um pa?s semiperif?rico, possui Ciclos de otimismo em Desenho tal qual apresentado na Inglaterra. O objetivo principal ? a an?lise de como se comporta a motiva??o do desenho de produtos, no Pa?s, entre as oscila??es c?clicas de economia e tecnologia. Para atingir nossos objetivos foi realizada uma an?lise dos an?ncios de per?odos selecionados em conformidade com a varia??o do quadro pol?ticoecon?mico nacional, da Revista VEJA, entre os anos de 1968 a 2015. Ap?s os resultados auferidos, a pesquisa revela a percep??o das mudan?as c?clicas do desenho de produtos em fun??o das mudan?as dos paradigmas tecnoecon?micos no Pa?s e uma forte depend?ncia de desenhos produzidos em pa?ses l?deres economicamente. No cap?tulo um, encontra-se a parte introdut?ria da pesquisa. O cap?tulo dois traz um breve panorama hist?rico e te?rico sobre o Desenho, os Ciclos Econ?micos e as mudan?as tecnol?gicas. No terceiro cap?tulo, abordamos as oportunidades de mudan?as do Desenho e da situa??o econ?mica dos pa?ses perif?ricos. As an?lises e contribui??es, fruto da pesquisa, encontra-se no quarto cap?tulo. No quinto cap?tulo as considera??es finais da pesquisa.

The challenge of interoperability is to retain model integrity when different software applications exchange and interpret model data. Transferring CAD data between heterogeneous CAD systems is a challenge because of differences in feature representation. A study by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) performed in 1999 made a conservative estimate that inadequate interoperability in the automotive industry costs them $1 billion per year. One critical part of eliminating the high costs due to poor interoperability is a neutral format between heterogeneous CAD systems. An effective neutral CAD format should include a current-state data store, be associative, include the union of CAD features across an arbitrary number of CAD systems, maintain design history, maintain referential integrity, and support multi-user collaboration. This research has focused on extending an existing synchronous collaborative CAD software tool to allow for a neutral, current-state data store. This has been accomplished by creating a Neutral Parametric Canonical Form (NPCF) which defines the neutral data structure for many basic CAD features to enable translation between heterogeneous CAD systems. The initial architecture developed begins to define a new standard for storing CAD features neutrally. The NPCF's for many features have been implemented in a multi-user interoperability program and work between NX and CATIA CAD systems. The 2D point, 2D line, 2D arc, 2D circle, 2D spline, 3D point, extrude, and revolve NPCF's will be specifically defined. Complex models have successfully been modeled and exchanged in real time and have validated the NPCF approach. Multiple users can be in the same part at the same time in different CAD systems and create and update models in real time.

The research is conducted in the area of Software Engineering, with emphasis on the design phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The object-oriented paradigm is the point of departure. The investigation deals with the problem of creating support for the design phase of object-oriented system development. This support must be able to guide the system designer through the design process, according to a sound design method, highlight opportunities for prototyping and point out where to re-iterate a design step, for example. A solution is proposed in the form of a knowledge-based support system. In the prototype this support guides a designer partially through the first step of the System Design task for object-oriented design. The intention is that the knowledge-based system should capture the know-how of an expert system designer and assist an inexperienced system designer to create good designs. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)