Title: Psychomotor games as a mean of graphomotorics development in preschool children Objectives: The aim of this master thesis is to evaluate the level of graphomotor skills in kindergarten for preschool children and also evaluate the effect of psychomotor exercises and games on preschool children. . Methods: This is a quasi-experiment, which works with a targeted selection of a group of probands,children from a specific kindergarten. Twelve children were selected and dividend into research and kontrol group. Both groups included six probands, four boys and two girls.The level of graphomotor skills was tested by using the figure drawing test and tests from the MABC-2 battery. At the same time, it is a qualitative research, where the quality of execution of individual tasks and the hygiene of writing is monitored on the basis of non-standardized observation. Results: The results of the final testing showed an improvement in the control group of children in whom no psychomotor games were applied. Both groups had better final results in figure drawing test and in fine motor skills tests from the MABC- 2 battery. Keywords: psychomotor activities, children draw, preschool age, graphomotorics skills, figure drawing, fine motor skills

The master thesis deals with the influence of heat treatment and storage time on microstructure and mechanical properties of 26MnB5 steel, which is used in the production of tubular components in the quenched and tempered state. The objective was to increase the plasticity of the steel by the definition of new process parameters of the induction heat treatment line. New tempering diagrams of 26MnB5 steel for two various speeds of the heat treatment line were established and used to determine new tempering temperature and speed of the heat treatment line. Observation of the influence of storage time on mechanical properties of the steel did not reveal that it is liable to ageing.

In diesem Paper werden Untersuchungen eines Tiefziehwerkzeugs aus Mineralguss vorgestellt. Der Grund für die Verwendung von Mineralguss als alternativen Werkstoff für schnelle Werkzeuge liegt in den relativ geringen Initialkosten zur Herstellung und seiner Eignung für Kleinserien und Prototypenversuche. Ähnliche Konzepte mit Werkzeugen aus Mineralguss haben gezeigt, dass eine entscheidende Grenze in der Tribologie und dem bei diesem Werkstoff großen Oberflächenverschleiß liegt. Daher fokussiert das vorliegende Paper auf die Ergebnisse der Analyse verschiedener Mineralgussmischungen unter Anwendung von Streifenzugbiegeversuchen. Die Reibzahl wurde hierbei berechnet und vergleichend einem Stahlwerkzeug gegenübergestellt. / This paper presents the investigation of polymer concrete drawing tools for deep drawing operations. The goal of using polymer concrete as an alternative material is a rapid tooling process at relatively low initial tools costs that is suitable for small batch production. Similar concepts based on hydraulic concrete and polymer composites have shown that the surface tri-bology and consequently wear is the main limiting factor. Therefore, this paper focusses on the results of strip draw-bending tests with different polymer concrete mixtures. The friction coefficient is calculated and compared to a steel tool.

The optimization of the spinning process and adjustment of the machine settings involve “Trial and Error” method resulting in the wasting of production time and material. This situation becomes worse in the spinning mills where the speed and material changes are frequent. This research includes the use of artificial neural networks to provide the thinking ability to the spinning machines to improve the yarn spinning process. Draw frame, being the central part of the spinning preparation chain and last machine to rectify the variations in the fed slivers is the main focus of the research work. Artificial neural network have been applied to the leveling action point at auto-leveler draw frame and search range of leveling action point has been considerably reduced. Moreover, the sliver and yarn characteristics have been predicted on the basis of draw frame settings using the artificial neural networks. The results of present research work can help the spinning industry in the direction of limiting of “Trial and Error” method, reduction of waste and cutting down the time losses associated with the optimizing of machines. As a vision for the future research work the concept of intelligent spinning machines has also been proposed. / Die Optimierung des Spinnprozesses und die Maschineneinstellung erfolgen häufig mittels „Trial und Error“-Methoden, die mit einem hohen Aufwand an Produktionszeit und Material einhergehen. Diese Situation ist für Spinnereien, in denen häufige Wechsel des eingesetzten Materials oder der Produktionsgeschwindigkeit nötig sind, besonders ungünstig. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt das Potenzial Neuronaler Netze, um die Spinnmaschine zum „Denken“ zu befähigen und damit die Garnherstellung effektiver zu machen. Die Strecke ist der zentrale Teil der Spinnereivorbereitungskette und bietet die letzte Möglichkeit, Inhomogenitäten im Faserband zu beseitigen. Der Fokus der Arbeit richtet sich deshalb auf diese Maschine. Künstlich Neuronale Netze werden an der Strecke zur Bestimmung des Regeleinsatzpunktes genutzt, womit eine beträchtliche Reduzierung des Aufwands für die korrekte Festlegung des Regeleinsatzpunkts erreicht wird. Darüber hinaus können mit Hilfe der Neuronalen Netze die Band- und Garneigenschaften auf Basis der Streckeneinstellungen vorausbestimmt werden. Die Resultate der vorliegenden Arbeit machen „Trial und Error“-Methoden überflüssig, reduzieren den Ausschuss und verringern die Zeitverluste bei der Maschinenoptimierung. Als Zukunftsvision wird eine Konzeption für intelligente Spinnmaschinen vorgestellt.

Forward osmosis (FO) is an emerging technology for water treatment due to their ability to draw freshwater using an osmotic pressure gradient across a semi-permeable membrane. However, the lack of draw agents that could both produce reasonable flux and be separated from the draw solution at a low cost stand in the way of widespread implementation. This study had two objectives: evaluate the performance of three materials — peptone, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) — as potential draw agents, and to use multi-criteria decision matrices to systematically prioritize known draw agents from literature for research investigation. Peptone showed water flux and reverse solute flux values comparable to other organic draw agents. CMC’s high viscosity made it impractical to use and is not recommended as a draw agent. Fe3O4 NPs showed average low fluxes (e.g., 2.14 LMH) but discrete occurrences of high flux values (e.g., 14 LMH) were observed during FO tests. This result indicates that these nanoparticles have potential as draw agents but further work is needed to optimize the characteristics of the nanoparticle suspension. Separation of the nanoparticles from the product water using coagulation was shown to be theoretically possible if only electrostatic and van der Waals forces are taken into account, not steric repulsion. If coagulation is to be considered for separation, research efforts on development of nanoparticle suspensions as FO draw agents should focus on development of electrostatically stabilized nanoparticles. A combination of Fe3O4 NP and peptone showed a higher flux than Fe3O4 NPs alone, but did not produce additive or synergistic flux. This warrants further research to investigate more combinations of draw agents to achieve higher flux than that obtained by individual draw agents. Potential draw agents were prioritized by conducting a literature review of draw agents, extracting data on evaluation criteria for draw agents developed over the past five years, using these data to rank the draw agents using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS). The evaluation criteria used in the ranking matrices were water flux, reverse solute flux, replenishment cost, regeneration cost, and regeneration efficacy. The results showed that the top five ranked draw agents were P-2SO3-2Na, TPHMP-Na, PEI-600P-Na, NaCl, and NH4-CO2. The impact of the assumption made during the multi-criteria decision analysis process was evaluated through sensitivity analyses altering criterion weighting and including more criteria. This ranking system provided recommendations for future research and development on draw agents by highlighting research gaps.

The development of lightweight design for automotive applications has lasted for many years and is still increasing. Vehicles with light structures use less fuel, emit less CO2, and are better for the environment. The next generation of lightweight vehicle structures will be realized using materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and high bending stiffness such as high-strength aluminium alloys. Increased formability, lower spring-back, and the ability to incorporate age-hardening heat treatments into the process are all advantages of the hot forming of aluminium alloys. However, because aluminium is prone to adhesion even at low temperatures, it can be difficult to avoid its transfer onto the tool. When forming aluminium, lubrication is always required to lower the interfacial shear strength and avoid direct contact between the interacting surfaces, to promote low friction and wear. However, lubricants can fail and significant issues with material transfer arise. Because of this, interruptions are needed for tool refurbishing, this issue affects process efficiency. Developing new or improved lubrication technologies to prevent adhesion and high friction, surface engineering solutions, as well as effective testing platforms related to aluminium forming, are vital. A significant challenge when studying the interaction between lubricant, aluminium, and tools often result in poor reproducibility of tests and uncertainties regarding the effect of lubricant thickness/weight on the friction behavior. Problems associated with reproducibility also affect modelling and simulations of the forming operation, as there are many uncertainties in the experimental campaigns, thus affecting the validation stages. The current study aim is to optimize the tribology test methodology used in the hot strip drawing method, with emphasis on the lubricant application methodology, to improve the reproducibility of tribological tests. Lubricant application methodology was developed by using air-brush equipment, and a consistent amount of lubricant. Different lubricant weights were characterized using two different types of lubricants (graphite-based and polymer-based lubricants), and then the tribological response was evaluated after the tribological tests. Lubricants were applied on cast iron and tool steel (CrN coated) to take into consideration the effect of the surface material and topography on the reproducibility, and consistency of the lubricant application methodology. The hot strip drawing method was used to perform tests at 350°C temperature, 10MPa pressure and 100mm sliding distance. To simulate the forming conditions encountered in hot stamping of aluminium, solubilization of a 6XXX aluminium alloy at 540°C was done before testing. An optical microscope, 3D optical profilometry, and SEM were used for the characterization of specimens after the tribological tests. With the lubricant application method, good reproducibility was obtained and it was determined that, in the case of cast iron, as the amount of both lubricants (polymer-based, graphite-based) increases the effective sliding also increases, but tool steel (CrN coated) shows slightly good results only when lubricant amounts are highest.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) academic programs and career fields continue to lack representation among females and minorities. STEM learning programs that engage youth in culturally relevant and personally meaningful experiences in STEM have been shown to develop participant self-concept as a scientist, as well as increase interest in related careers. This study uses the Draw-a-Scientist Checklist (DAST-C) instrument, as well as the Draw-a-Scientist Growth (DAST-G) instrument, which was developed and implemented by the author as part of this research. The DAST-C and DAST-G instruments were used to examine the science-related perceptions of youth before and after participation in a residential STEM geosciences program. An analysis found that the program produced statistically significant (p<.05) reductions to the DAST-C scientist stereotype scores in all twelve cycles of the program between 2018 and 2019, and statistically significant gains to the DAST-G scientist perception growth scores in eleven of the cycles.

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The thesis deals with the developmental period of preschool-aged and early school- aged children and their drawing of a figure. The theoretical part describes the children's development at this time and also their developmental oddities and determinants that influence the development. It follows up the children's drawing, its developmental stages and especially the drawing of a human figure. The practical part focuses on the drawing of a human figure created by children in kindergartens and elementary schools. It's divided into two stages. At the first stage there is the drawing evaluated according to the Draw-a-person Test written in 1982 by J. Šturm and M. Vágnerová. The discovered values are interpreted from the qualitative and quantitative point of view. The attention is paid to remarkable events at the second stage. The practical part validates or disproves given hypotheses. The whole dissertation, its contribution to research and use for pedagogical workers are summarized in the conclusion. Key words: Preschool-age, early school-age, children's development, development of a drawing, drawing of a human figure, draw-a-person test, evaluation, case study