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Drilled shafts are deep foundation elements created by excavating cylindrical shafts into the ground and filling them with concrete. Given the types of structures they support, failure to meet their performance criteria can jeopardize public safety and cause severe financial losses. Consequently, quality control measures are warranted to ensure these foundations meet design specifications, particularly with respect to their structural integrity and geotechnical capacity. Due to their inaccessibility, non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques have received much attention for drilled shaft quality control. However, there are limitations in the NDT tools currently used for structural integrity testing. Moreover, there is no current NDT tool to evaluate conditions underlying drilled shaft excavations and aid in verifying geotechnical capacity. The main objective of this research is to examine the development of new NDT methodologies to address some of the limitations in the inspection of drilled shaft structural integrity and geotechnical conditions underlying their excavations. The use of stress waves in large laboratory models is first examined to evaluate the performance of ray-based techniques for detecting anomalies. The study then continues to investigate the improvements offered by using a full waveform inversion (FWI) approach to analyze the stress wave data. A hybrid, multi-scale FWI workflow is recommended to increase the chance of the convergence of the inversion algorithms. Additionally, the benefits of a multi-parameter FWI are discussed. Since FWI is computationally expensive, a sequential optimal experimental design (SOED) analysis is proposed to determine the optimal hardware configurations for each application. The resulting benefit-cost curves from this analysis allow for designing an NDT survey that matches the available resources for the project. / Civil Engineering

Bakgrund: Smärta från axelleden är vanligt förekommande hos simmare, därav finns begreppet ”simmaraxel”. Etiologin till tillståndet och smärtan är dock ännu inte fastställd, flertalet studier visar på varierande orsaker och symtom. Den oklara etiologin, skapar delade meningar sett till lämplig behandling för simmaraxlar. Flera teorier finns kring den bästa behandlingsmetoden för axelsmärta hos simmare. Många olika studier har gjorts med syfte att undersöka sambandet mellan axelspecifik styrketräning på axelfunktion hos simmare med axelsmärta. Få studier har gjorts med syfte att undersöka effekten av axelspecifik styrketräning på just smärtan vid simmaraxlar. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att på individnivå undersöka hur axelspecifik styrketräning påverkar simmare med axelsmärta gällande smärta och funktion. Metod: Studien baseras på single-case experimentell design (SCED), med en AB-design. I studien medverkade tre deltagare från en simklubb i Stockholm. Deltagarna fick under totalt nio veckor skatta smärta via Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) och axelfunktion via Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), för att undersöka förändringen på smärta och funktion över tid. Resultatsammanfattning: En deltagare uppnådde signifikant förbättring sett till självskattad smärta. Sett till självskattad funktion fanns signifikant försämring hos två deltagare. En deltagare uppnådde en stabil baslinje. Resterande två deltagare uppgav spridda värden under samtliga faser för NRS och WOSI.  Slutsats: Inga specifika slutsatser går att dras utifrån studiens resultat eftersom endast en deltagare uppnådde en stabil baslinje och på grund av oklarheten kring orsakerna till deltagarnas smärta. / Background: Pain originating from the shoulder joint is frequent among swimmers, therefore the term “swimmer’s shoulder” was constructed. However, the etiology of the condition has not yet been established and numerous studies indicate varying origins. Divided opinions have formed about effective interventions due to the confusion regarding swimmer’s shoulder. Several studies have investigated the interaction between various interventions and their effect on swimmer’s shoulders, however only a few have studied the effect strength training has on pain in the shoulder joint due to the condition.  Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate at an individual level, how strength training of the shoulders affects active swimmers with shoulder pain, concerning pain and function. Method: This study is designed after a single-case experimental design (SCED), with an AB-design. Three swimmers from a swimming club in Stockholm participated. During a total of nine weeks, the participants had to assess pain via the numeric rating scale (NRS) and shoulder function via the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI). Results: One participant acquired significant improvement in self-rated pain. Regarding self-rated function two participants showed significant impairment. One participant acquired a stable baseline. The remaining two participants reported scattered values during all phases for both NRS and WOSI.  Conclusion: No specific conclusions can be made based on the results of the study as only one participant achieved a stabile baseline, and there is ambiguity regarding the causes of pain among the swimmers.

Performing arts consist of live arts shows, rehearsals, classes, or workshops and participating as a professional, amateur, or an audience person. Benefits of participating in performing arts for youth and adults include access to peer social groups, increases in one’s own self-concept, and improved physical coordination. This systematic and quality review was conducted to identify applications of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) interventions designed to improve performing arts skills. The search yielded 10 articles with single case experimental designs (SCEDs) from four different ABA journals across five databases. Results yielded 19 ABA interventions across nine different intervention categories for 62 participants. Varying degrees of quality and methodological effectiveness were identified in ABA procedures to increase a range of performing arts skills. Limitations and future directions for the application of ABA interventions in the performing arts are discussed. / Applied Behavioral Analysis

The main purpose of this quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental study was to explore the perceptions of nurses in supervisory roles (NSRs) regarding competence of novice professional nurses (NPNs) in health education. The study’s conceptual frameworks were the objectives of the Regulation R.425 programme and the scope of practice of professional nurses. The study sought to reveal whether the NPNs were competent in health education and in identifying barriers to health education, and to make recommendations. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection from the professional nurses in supervisory roles. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 program. The results revealed that NPNs were competent in health education, however, paid less attention to family involvement and patients’ level of education (a barrier to health education). The study recommended assessment of the level of education of patients and involvement of family members when giving health education / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Buildings have a significant impact on energy usage and the environment. Much of the research in architectural sustainability has centered on economically advanced countries because they consume the most energy and have the most resources. However, sustainable architecture is important in developing countries, where the energy consumption of the building sector is increasing significantly. Currently, developing countries struggle with vaccine storage because vaccines are typically warehoused in old buildings that are poorly designed and wasteful of energy. This thesis created and studied a decision support tool that can be used to aid in the design of economically feasible Net Zero Energy vaccine warehouses for the developing world. The decision support tool used a simulation-optimization approach to combine an optimization technique with two simulation softwares in order to determine the cost-optimal design solution. To test its effectiveness, a new national vaccine storage facility located in Tunis, Tunisia was used. Nine building parameters were investigated to see which have the most significant effect on the annual energy usage and initial construction cost of the building. First, tests were conducted for two construction techniques, five different climates in the developing world, and three photovoltaic system prices to gain insight on the design space of the optimal solution. The results showed the difference between an economically efficient and economically inefficient Net Zero Energy building and the results were used to provide generalized climatic recommendations for all the building parameters studied. The final test showed the benefits of combining two optimization techniques, a design of experiments and a genetic algorithm, to form a two-step process to aid in the building design in the early stages and final stages of the design process. The proposed decision support tool can efficiently and effectively aid in the design of an economically feasible Net Zero Energy vaccine warehouse for the developing world.

In this era of globalisation and fierce competition amongst businesses, there is a need to improve advanced operations management philosophies such as just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing to enhance business performance. Literature review shows that there is no mechanism so far to identify key JIT drivers relevant to a given organisation and its production processes, and their impact on enterprise performance. The research carried out here therefore involved the development of a generic performance measurement model to identify and capture the influence of JIT practices on enterprise performance. A conceptual performance measurement model, which was designed based on comprehensive literature review and informal interviews/discussions with both academic researchers and industry practitioners describes the link between JIT drivers (Xi) and measurable performance (Y). This mathematically determined model is aimed at assisting managers in the systematic identification of the influence of key JIT drivers on enterprise performance using a multidimensional tool such as the extended balanced scorecard. The case study approach was selected as the most suitable methodology for testing and validating the conceptual model in JIT enabled production plant and was applied to the production process of Denso Manufacturing (UK) Ltd., a global automotive component manufacturer. A novel eight-step implementation procedure was designed to collect data, which were analysed and validated by design of experiments, linear mathematical modelling, computer based dynamic simulation and analytic hierarchy process tool. The performance measurement model was then successfully applied to a non-automotive component production plant (Risane Ltd.). In conclusion, the performance measurement model can now be suitably applied to JIT enabled manufacturing environments using relevant organisation specific JIT drivers and key performance indicators to optimise system performance. The contribution to knowledge is an innovative, user friendly, robust and multidimensional performance measurement model enabling industry practitioners to optimise JIT processes with substantial performance enhancement. The model could also be applied by future researchers to other operations management philosophies and industries, and at a higher level could be developed into a self-optimising software package, which will enable rapid determination of the key control parameters needed to optimise process performance just in time.

Bakgrund: Vid idiopatisk lungfibros (IPF) är dyspné det dominerande symtomet, vilket påverkar gångsträckan. Andra patientkategorier har ökat gångsträckan och minskat dyspnén efter inspirationsmuskelträning (IMT). Endast två studier angående IMT för personer med IPF har hittats och ingen av dessa studier har IMT som enda studieintervention.   Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka om IMT ökar andningsmuskelstyrkan (MIP), om gångsträcka och dyspné förändras efter träningen samt om det finns ett samband mellan MIP och gångsträcka, MIP och dyspné samt gångsträcka och dyspné.   Metod: Single-subject experimentell design användes. Sex personer med IPF deltog. IMT genomfördes under åtta veckor. Under baslinje, intervention och cirka sex veckor efter interventionsslutet mättes MIP med Micro RPM® och gångsträcka med sex-minuters gångtest. Dyspnén skattades med Borg CR-10-skala och University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ).   Resultat: Resultatet varierade mellan studiedeltagarna. Fyra deltagare ökade MIP. Fem studiedeltagare hade en kliniskt relevant ökning av gångsträcka. Fyra deltagare hade en kliniskt relevant minskad dyspné vid skattning med Borg CR-10 i vila eller UCSD SOBQ. Korrelationen mellan MIP och gångsträcka var signifikant för två studiedeltagare med rs 0,88 respektive 0,99.   Konklusion: IMT kan öka MIP och ge kliniskt relevanta förbättringar av gångsträcka och dyspné. Alla studiedeltagare drar ej nytta av träningen. Fortsatta studier behövs för att undersöka vilka som har nytta av IMT och vilken träningsmängd som behövs för att uppnå förbättring. / Introduction: In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), dyspnoea is the predominant symptom that affects walking distance. In other patient categories, walking distance has been increased and dyspnoea has been reduced after inspiratory muscle training (IMT). Only two studies on IMT for people with IPF have been found and none of these studies have IMT as the sole study intervention. Purpose: The purpose was to investigate whether IMT increases respiratory muscle strength (MIP), if walking distance and dyspnoea alter after practice, and if there is a relation between MIP and walking distance, MIP and dyspnoea and walking distance and dyspnoea. Method: Single-subject experimental design was used. Six people with IPF participated. IMT was carried out in eight weeks. During baseline, intervention and about six weeks after the intervention, MIP was measured with Micro RPM® and walking distance with a six-minute walk test. Dyspnoea was estimated with Borg CR 10-scale and the University of California, San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ). Results: The results varied among the study participants. For four participants, the MIP increased. Five study participants had a clinically relevant increase in walking distance. Four participants had a clinically relevant reduction in dyspnoea on measuring with Borg CR 10 at rest or UCSD SOBQ. The correlation between MIP and walking distance was significant for two study participants with rs 0.88 and 0.99, respectively. Conclusion: IMT can increase MIP and provide clinically relevant improvements in walking distance and dyspnoea. All study participants do not benefit from exercise. Further studies are needed to determine which ones have the advantage of IMT and the amount of exercise needed to achieve improvement.

L'objectif de ce travail a été l'utilisation d'une méthodologie de formulation des formes à libération prolongée. Le choix de «matrices hydrophiles» a été fait en raison de l'intérêt et de l'importance des travaux qui lui sont consacrés, mais surtout en raison de la possibilité d'utilisation de la technologie simple de fabrication des comprimés par compression directe.Le principe actif choisi est le diclofenac de sodium, un anti-inflammatoire largement utilisé dont la molécule est tombée dans le domaine public. Utilisé  à raison de 100 mg par comprimé. La première partie bibliographique résume l'intérêt des formes à libération prolongée, décrit les différentes formes galéniques existantes pour la voie orale et fait le point sur les formules et les propriétés des agents matriciels hydrophiles parmi les plus utilisés, notamment les éthers de celluloses, hydroxypropymethylcellulose (METOLOSES®) (1). Dans la partie expérimentale, nous avons réalisé les différentes étapes nécessaires au développement d'une forme à libération prolongée qui correspondant aux étapes classiques  de pré-formulation, formulation et optimisation. Dans une première étape d'essais préliminaires  nous avons étudiés le comportement d'un point de vue pharmacotechnique des matières premières utilisés seuls et en mélange. Ce qui a permis de faire des orientations en ce qui concerne les différents types de METOLOSES, la nature du diluant, et leurs concentrations. Dans une deuxième étape, nous avons réalisé un premier plan d'expériences de criblage des facteurs, qui permet de déterminer le poids de chacun et leurs éventuelles interactions. Ce qui nous a permis de conclure sur l'effet des différents facteurs en formulation. Dans une troisième étape, nous avons réalisé un deuxième plan d'expériences d'optimisation de la formulation  en utilisant un plan composite centré constitué de 9 expériences ce qui a permis de sélectionner une zone de formules optimales. Enfin, la réalisation d'une formule optimale nous a permis de confirmer les résultats obtenus dans les travaux de développement et dont l'objectif été une libération sur 12 heures. / The objective of this work was the use of a formulation methodology of prolonged release dosage forms. The choice of “hydrophilic matrices” was done because of the interest and the numbered works which is devoted to it, but also for the use of a simple manufacture technology by direct compression. The selected active pharmaceutical ingredient is one of the most largely used nonsteroidial anti-inflammatory drug, the sodium diclofenac which is out of patent and used at 100 Mg per tablet. The first bibliographical part summarizes the interest of the prolonged release dosage forms, described the existing oral dosage forms and gives a progress report on the formulas and the properties of hydrophilic matrices agents among most used, in particular the cellulose ethers, hydroxypropymethylcellulose (METOLOSES®) (1). In the experimental part, we carried out the various steps necessary to the development of a prolonged release dosage form which correspond to the traditional steps of pre-formulation, formulation and optimization. In a first step of pharmaceutics preliminary tests we studied the behavior of raw materials used alone and in mixture. What made orientations with regard to the various types of METOLOSES, the nature of diluents, and their concentrations. In a second step, we carried out a first screening factors experimental design, which enabled us to conclude on the effect of the various factors in formulation. In a third step, we carried out a second optimization experimental design using a centered composite plan consisted of 9 experiments which lead us to define a space design of optimal formulas. Lastly, the manufacture of a formula from the design space enabled us to confirm the results to development work and for which the objective was a sustained release over 12 hours.