The design, analysis, and control of Disc-type Linear Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines are presented in this dissertation. The machine is designed in order to have the features of high power density, high efficiency, direct drive without extra transmission device, simple mechanical structure, and wide operating speed range for the electric vehicle applications. The Feasible Triangle Technique for permanent magnet synchronous machine design is employed to increase torque density and reduce torque ripple. Magnetic theory and the finite element method are involved to establish machine mathematical model to simulate and analyze the proposed machine. The coupling field between rotor and stator can be analyzed from flux distribution by using three-dimensional finite element method. The numerical simulation and experimental results are used to verify the machine model and the operational characteristics of machine. The dissertation provides the procedures for design, analysis, and control of the proposed machine.

Purpose: To investigate venous total retinal blood flow (TRBF) and retinal blood flow (RBF) in the superior and the inferior retinal hemifields in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with, and without, disc hemorrhage (DH). Methods: RBF measurements were obtained from 10 POAG with DH and 19 POAG without DH using Doppler SD-OCT (RTVue) as well as bi-directional laser Doppler flowmetry (CLBF). Results: RBF was not different between the superior and inferior hemifields for either of the two groups. Venous TRBF in the POAG with DH group was significantly lower than in the age-matched stable POAG without DH group (p=0.009). In the POAG with DH group, venous TRBF was significantly lower in the DH eye compared to contralateral eye without DH (p=0.015). Conclusions: Venous TRBF was significantly lower in the POAG with DH group compared to both the POAG without DH group and the contralateral eye of the POAG with DH group.

Purpose: To investigate venous total retinal blood flow (TRBF) and retinal blood flow (RBF) in the superior and the inferior retinal hemifields in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients with, and without, disc hemorrhage (DH). Methods: RBF measurements were obtained from 10 POAG with DH and 19 POAG without DH using Doppler SD-OCT (RTVue) as well as bi-directional laser Doppler flowmetry (CLBF). Results: RBF was not different between the superior and inferior hemifields for either of the two groups. Venous TRBF in the POAG with DH group was significantly lower than in the age-matched stable POAG without DH group (p=0.009). In the POAG with DH group, venous TRBF was significantly lower in the DH eye compared to contralateral eye without DH (p=0.015). Conclusions: Venous TRBF was significantly lower in the POAG with DH group compared to both the POAG without DH group and the contralateral eye of the POAG with DH group.

This investigation is concerned with the assessment of the performance of a novel spinning disc reactor (SDR) for the polymerisation of chemically initiated freeradical polymerisation of styrene. The application of high acceleration fields such as those created on the surface of the grooved rotating disc to the polymerising system is aimed at intensifying the polymerisation rate and producing a better quality polymer product. As part of the experimental programme, four separate sets of experimental runs were conducted on a 360 mm diameter grooved rotating disc at a fixed temperature of 88-90°C to explore the effects of disc rotational speed and prepolymer feed conversion/viscosity on the extent of monomer conversion and molecular weight properties (M., MW and MWD) of the product from the SDR. The performance data of the SDR was compared with conventional batch polymerisation data. Both the disc rotational speed and prepolymer feed conversion/viscosity variables were found to have a profound influence on the performance of the SDR. A steady increase in conversion, rate of polymerisation and hence time saving in one pass in the SDR were observed with a rise in the prepolymer feed conversion and rotational speed until, for the latter, an optimal speed of rotation which gave the highest rate of polymerisation was reached. The results have been explained in relation to the effect of disc speed and prepolymer feed viscosity on mean film thickness, mean residence time and film surface instabilities. Furthermore, the SDR product is seen to have generally improved characteristics in terms of narrower molecular weight distribution when compared to polymer prepared in the batch at the same conversion. The large enhancement of the rate of styrene polymerisation in the SDR was discussed in terms of a possible improvement in the BPO initiator efficiency f and non-stationary state polymerisation conditions likely to be prevalent on the rotating disc. The general improvement in SDR product quality was ascribed to the combined effects of a reduced diffusion path length and an intense mixing mechanism within the thin film. A separate experimental study exploring the effects of micromixing efficiency on the conversion and molecular weight properties of styrene polymerisation in the batch was also undertaken. The opposing effects of enhanced micromixing in batch and continuous polymerisation systems were contrasted in a theoretical manner. A theoretical case study highlighting the energy efficiency of the SDR was also carried out. Savings in energy of more than 70% was calculated for a semi-batch process using an industrially adapted spinning disc reactor in comparison to a purely batch process. Finally, a two-stage continuous industrial process for free-radical polymerisation has been proposed consisting of an enhanced tubular reactor in the first stage followed by a parallel arrangement of several rotating disc surfaces. Improvements in intrinsic safety and minimised risks of polymer degradation and thermal runaways are the expected potential benefits. Keywords: Process Intensification, Thin Film, Spinning Disc Reactor, Free Radical Polymerisation, Polystyrene

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, August, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-70)

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1989.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1989. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, August, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-70)

Thesis (M.E. Physics and Electronic Engineering)--University of Waikato, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-112) Also available via the World Wide Web.

AIMS: Multiple studies have shown that arthrocentesis is an effective treatment for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint. However, it is not known which patient groups will respond to this procedure. It is often difficult for surgeons to preoperatively the outcome of athrocentesis. This had led some researchers to analyze and evaluate specific variables which could possibly be used as prognostic factors to predict the outcome of arthrocentesis. None of those studies used the amount of disc displacement as a prognostic factor to assess the treatment outcome of arthrocentesis. Therefore, our study objective was to evaluate the amount of disc displacement as a prognostic factor for the outcome of arthrocentesis in patients with Internal derangement of the tempromandibular joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved a retrospective review of the treatment records of 46 patients who underwent arthrocentesis of the TMJ by a single surgeon between 2010 and 2013. A prognostic factor evaluated for its effect on the treatment outcome of TMJ arthrocentesis in this study was the degree of disc displacement. For study purposes, patients were divided into two groups: 1) Success group, and, 2) Failure group. Patients were categorized as successful if they met the success criteria prescribed by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in 1995. MRI of TMJ was performed in two steps. Initially, oblique parasagittal sections were scanned with a 1.5 T MRI machine. The amount of disc displacement was analyzed from sagittal oblique views of the MRI scans in closed mouth positions by measuring the angle between the posterior band of the articular disc and the center of the condylar head. The disc is considered to be in its normal position when the thicker portion of its posterior band lies within ±10° on the 12 o'clock position. First, the condylar head was identified, and a circle was established to describe the outline of the anterior, posterior, and superior surfaces of the condylar head; this allowed separation of the condylar head from the neck region. Second, the center of the circle was identified and a vertical line was drawn from the center of the circle. The last step was to measure the degree of displacement from this vertical line to the posterior band of the disc. Findings were compared for patients in the two groups for the following variables: age (continuous), disc displacement (continuous), and gender (female or male). P-value were calculated for differences in continuous or categorical variables using a T-test or Pearson's chi-squared test, respectively. The mean MMO, pain and diet scores were also reported in the preoperative group and 12 months postoperative group by outcome status. Statistical significance was set at p < .05 based on a two-tailed test. SPSS was used for all statistical analyses (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, 1997). RESULTS: 46 patients with 46 joints were evaluated in the present study. Average age of patients was 31 years with arrange of 24 to 46 years. 35 cases (76.1%) were classified as successful and 11 cases (23.9%) were classified as unsuccessful based on the criteria described earlier. In the successful group, the mean MMO score was found to be greater at the 12 months postoperative interval when compared to the preoperative examination. In the unsuccessful group, the mean MMO score was also greater than preoperatively at the 12 months postoperative group but to a lesser extent than seen in the successful group. Pain level improved more in the successful group compared to the unsuccessful group. Diet scores showed improvement in chewing ability in the successful group but remain unchanged in the unsuccessful group There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the degree of anteriorly disc displacement. CONCLUSION: In summary, it has been shown that the degree of disc displacement, preoperative pain level, diet score, and MMO can be used as prognostic factors for the outcome of TMJ arthrocentesis. Future investigations should more carefully evaluate the validity of other variables. Identifying prognostic factors for the outcome on arthrocentesis will help with guiding surgeons in the planned evaluation of TMJ cases. More specifically, clinicians will be able to create tailored treatment modalities based upon prognostic factors.