The tearing mode (TM) is a resistive instability that can arise in magnetically confined plasmas. The TM can be driven unstable by the gradient of the plasma current. When the mode grows it destroys the magnetic field symmetry and reconnects the magnetic field in the form of a so-called magnetic island. The TMs are inherent to a type of device called the reversed-field pinch (RFP), which is a device for toroidal magnetic confinement of fusion plasmas. In the RFP, TMs arise at several resonant surfaces, i.e. where the field lines and the perturbation have the same pitch angle. These surfaces are closely spaced in the RFP and the neighboring TM islands can overlap. Due to the island overlap, the magnetic field lines become tangled resulting in a stochastic magnetic field, i.e. the field lines fill a volume instead of lying on toroidal surfaces. Consequently, a stochastic field results in an anomalously fast transport in the radial direction. Stochastic fields can also arise in other plasmas, for example, the tokamak edge when a resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) is applied by external coils. This stochastization is intentional to mitigate the edge-localized modes. The RMPs are also used for control of other instabilities. Due to the finite number of RMP coils, however, the RMP fields can contain sidebands that decelerate and lock the TMs via electromagnetic torques. The locking causes an increased plasma-wall interaction. And in the tokamak, the TM locking can cause a plasma disruption which is disastrous for future high-energy devices like the ITER. In this thesis, the TM locking was studied in two RFPs (EXTRAP T2R and Madison Symmetric Torus) by applying RMPs. The experiments were compared with modern mode-locking theory. To determine the viscosity in different magnetic configurations where the field is stochastic, we perturbed the momentum via an RMP and an insertable biased electrode. In the TM locking experiments, we found qualitative agreement with the mode-locking theory. In the model, the kinematic viscosity was chosen to match the experimental locking instant. The model then predicts the braking curve, the short timescale dynamics, and the mode unlocking. To unlock a mode, the RMP amplitude had to decrease by a factor ten from the locking amplitude. These results show that mode-locking theory, including the relevant electromagnetic torques and the viscous plasma response, can explain the experimental features. The model required viscosity agreed with another independent estimation of the viscosity. This showed that the RMP technique can be utilized for estimations of the viscosity. In the momentum perturbation experiments, it was found that the viscosity increased 100-fold when the magnetic fluctuation amplitude increased 10-fold. Thus, the experimental viscosity exhibits the same scaling as predicted by transport in a stochastic magnetic field. The magnitude of the viscosity agreed with a model that assumes that transport occurs at the sound speed -- the first detailed test of this model. The result can, for example, lead to a clearer comparison between experiment and visco-resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) modeling of plasmas with a stochastic magnetic field. These comparisons had been complicated due to the large uncertainty in the experimental viscosity. Now, the viscosity can be better constrained, improving the predictive capability of fusion science. / <p>QC 20171122</p>

La perception est une entrée fondamentale des systèmes robotiques, en particulier pour la localisation, la navigation et l'interaction avec l'environnement. Or les données perçues par les systèmes robotiques sont souvent complexes et sujettes à des imprécisions importantes. Pour remédier à ces problèmes, l'approche multi-capteurs utilise soit plusieurs capteurs de même type pour exploiter leur redondance, soit des capteurs de types différents pour exploiter leur complémentarité afin de réduire les imprécisions et les incertitudes sur les capteurs. La validation de cette approche de fusion de données pose deux problèmes majeurs.Tout d'abord, le comportement des algorithmes de fusion est difficile à prédire,ce qui les rend difficilement vérifiables par des approches formelles. De plus, l'environnement ouvert des systèmes robotiques engendre un contexte d'exécution très large, ce qui rend les tests difficiles et coûteux. L'objet de ces travaux de thèse est de proposer une alternative à la validation en mettant en place des mécanismes de tolérance aux fautes : puisqu'il est difficile d'éliminer toutes les fautes du système de perception, on va chercher à limiter leurs impacts sur son fonctionnement. Nous avons étudié la tolérance aux fautes intrinsèquement permise par la fusion de données en analysant formellement les algorithmes de fusion de données, et nous avons proposé des mécanismes de détection et de rétablissement adaptés à la perception multi-capteurs. Nous avons ensuite implémenté les mécanismes proposés pour une application de localisation de véhicules en utilisant la fusion de données par filtrage de Kalman. Nous avons finalement évalué les mécanismes proposés en utilisant le rejeu de données réelles et la technique d'injection de fautes, et démontré leur efficacité face à des fautes matérielles et logicielles. / Perception is a fundamental input for robotic systems, particularly for positioning, navigation and interaction with the environment. But the data perceived by these systems are often complex and subject to significant imprecision. To overcome these problems, the multi-sensor approach uses either multiple sensors of the same type to exploit their redundancy or sensors of different types for exploiting their complementarity to reduce the sensors inaccuracies and uncertainties. The validation of the data fusion approach raises two major problems. First, the behavior of fusion algorithms is difficult to predict, which makes them difficult to verify by formal approaches. In addition, the open environment of robotic systems generates a very large execution context, which makes the tests difficult and costly. The purpose of this work is to propose an alternative to validation by developing fault tolerance mechanisms : since it is difficult to eliminate all the errors of the perceptual system, We will try to limit impact in their operation. We studied the inherently fault tolerance allowed by data fusion by formally analyzing the data fusion algorithms, and we have proposed detection and recovery mechanisms suitable for multi-sensor perception, we implemented the proposed mechanisms on vehicle localization application using Kalman filltering data fusion. We evaluated the proposed mechanims using the real data replay and fault injection technique.

The paper deals with the creation of interface based on multiple input signals, i.e. multimodal interface. For this purpose analyzes the benefits of the approach to communicate with the device that way. The work also includes an overview of the level at which you can perform data fusion, and different approaches to the layout of the system architecture for multimodal data processing. The important part is the actual design of the system, where for the interface was chosen distributed architecture using software agents for processing inputs. As a method for data integration was picked hybrid fusion based on dialog driven and unification strategy. The result should be an interface for media center control and interaction with other devices around the user.

This master's thesis describes the process of the design and instrument selection for a future optical table, part of a plasma flow monitor diagnostic system at the international thermonuclear experimental reactor, ITER. The diagnostic system is designed to detect the presence of edge localized mode, low to high confinement mode transition of plasma, and plasma flow velocity in the divertor region of the reactor. It accomplishes this by performing spectroscopic measurements of visible light radiating from specific elements inside the reactor. The selection of these elements are based on previous experiments performed at the joint european torus (JET). The light is transported via a system of lenses and mirrors to the optical table where it is directed through a series of optical instruments. Finally, the light is subsequently captured by cameras who live stream the images via the internal network to a control center. To aid the development of the schematic and instrument selection, optical design simulations of the light transmission path were performed to ensure that the design could provide sufficient level of light itensity to the cameras at a defined trajectory. The selection of instruments, light transmission results, computer aided design- and simulation models of the optical table are presented in this report. While the selected components satisfied most criteria specified by its predefined system requirements, the project also serves as a foundation for future improvements of the optical table, including changes to any of the instruments, schematics, and optical design simulations.

Die Entwicklung eines effektiven HIV-Impfstoffes ist bis heute nicht gelungen.Konventionelle Immunisierungsstrategien mit rekombinant hergestellten Hüllproteinen des Virus in verschiedensten Formen induzierten keine subtypenübergreifende, protektive Immunantwort gegen HIV. Die Gewinnung und Charakterisierung der gp41-spezifischen breit neutralisierenden monoklonalen Antikörper 2F5 und 4E10 bildete die Grundlage einer Reihe neuer epitopgerichteter Ansätze für die HIV-Impfstoffentwicklung. Bisherige Immunisierungsstudien basierten auf der Verwendung des linearen Hauptepitopes (E2) der beiden Antikörper aus dem C-terminalen Teil der Ektodomäne von gp41. Nach neueren Erkenntnissen, reicht für eine effektive Neutralisation durch 2F5 oder 4E10 die Bindung dieser Antikörper an ihr lineares Epitop in der membran proximalen externen Region (MPER) von gp41 allein nicht aus. Vielmehr wurde die Beteiligung einer N-terminalen Domäne (E1) von gp41 an der neutralisationsaktiven Bindung von 2F5 bzw. 4E10 postuliert. In dieser Arbeit wurden die beiden 2F5 und 4E10 spezifischen Epitopbereiche E1 und E2 des gp41 erstmals in das strukturell verwandte transmembrane Hüllprotein des Koala Retrovirus (KoRV) eingebracht. Die Applikation der hergestellten Antigene erfolgte sowohl in Form der codierenden DNA mittels ballistischer Immunisierung (GeneGun®) als auch durch bakteriell exprimierte Proteine. Mit beiden Strategien konnten für drei Hybridproteine in den ersten Studien eine HIV-1 gp41 spezifische, breit neutralisierende humorale Immunantwort induziert werden. Diese Ergebnisse konnten jedoch in späteren Studien nicht reproduziert werden. Die Analyse der induzierten Immunantworten zeigte eine Verlagerung der Hauptimmunantwort als deren Ursache eine bakterielle Fremdinfektion der Versuchtiere diskutiert wurde. Zur Evaluierung der Immunisierungsstudien wurde ein neuartiger real time PCR basierter in vitro Neutralisationstest um Kontrollen zur Virusspezifität und Cytotoxizität erweitert. / The development of an effective HIV vaccine is considered the to play a key role in controlling the HIV pandemic. Conventional immunisation strategies using recombinant envelope proteins of the virus did not lead to the induction of a broad range protective immunity. A new target sequence for the induction of a broadly neutralising humoral immune response has been discovered through the characterization of the gp41 specific broadly neutralising monoclonal antibodies 2F5 and 4E10. Until now all attempts to induce 2F5/4E10 like neutralising antibodies failed. So far only the linear main epitope (E2) of 2F5 and 4E10, located in the C-terminal part of the gp41 ectodomain was used as the target sequence. However, it was recently shown that an N-terminal domain (E1) of gp41 increases the avidity of 2F5 to its epitope. The E1 domain may therefore be involved in the mediation of a neutralisation active binding. For the first time immunisation strategies have been developed that target both previously identified domains (E1 and E2) of gp41. The sequences corresponding to E1 and E2 have been introduced at homologous positions in the structurally related transmembrane envelope protein p15E of the Koala Retrovirus (KoRV). These generated hybrid antigens have been used for immunisation of wistar rats. They were applied as recombinant proteins expressed in E.coli and as DNA using a ballistic immunisation (GeneGun®) approach. Although in first trials neutralising antibodies specific for gp41 of HIV-1 were induced, these results could not be reproduced. Analysis of the induced antibodies showed a shift of their binding specifity. A bacterial infection of the used animals was identified as the cause of the unexpected shift in the antigen specific humoral immune response. For evaluation of the immunisation studies a new neutralisation assay based on the measurement of provirus integration by duplex real time PCR has been extended for controls of virus specifity and cytotoxicity.

No description available.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 18-21, 2004 / Town & Country Resort, San Diego, California / Sensor networks can demand large amounts of bandwidth if the raw sensor data is transferred to a central location. Feature recognition and sensor fusion algorithms can reduce this bandwidth. Unfortunately the designers of the system, having not yet seen the data which will be collected, may not know which algorithms should be used at the time the system is first installed. This paper describes a flexible architecture which allows the deployment of data reduction algorithms throughout the network while the system is in service. The network of sensors approach not only allows for signal processing to be pushed closer to the sensor, but helps accommodate extensions to the system in a very efficient and structured manner.

L'adoption de la Loi sur les Agences de développement des réseaux locaux, en 2003, a mené à la création des Centres de Santé et Services Sociaux (CSSS); les CSSS regroupent à la fois un Centre Local de Services Communautaires (CLSC), un Centre d'Hébergement et de Soins de Longue Durée (CHSLD) et un Centre Hospitalier (CH). L'intégration de ces organisations au sein d'un même établissement suppose des changements significatifs dans les orientations d'établissement, les structures organisationnelles et les pratiques professionnelles. Afin de relever les défis inhérents à ces fusions, les comités de gestion doivent élaborer une vision partagée de ce qu'elles souhaitent véhiculer au sein du nouvel établissement, et ce, tout en tenant compte des particularités propres à chacun des milieux fusionnés. L'élaboration d'une vision partagée nécessite des processus de déconstruction et de reconstruction mentale soutenu par un environnement suffisamment sécuritaire et soutenant permettant aux individus de remettre en question leurs constructions. Les objectifs de cette étude sont doubles : d'une part, générer des connaissances sur les composantes de l'environnement soutenant l'élaboration d'une vision partagée et, d'autre part, explorer l'apport d'une méthode inspirée de la recherche évaluative de 4e génération de Guba et Lincoln pour assister un comité de gestion dans l'élaboration d'une telle vision. Les données sont recueillies à partir de deux cycles d'entrevues individuelles réalisés auprès de six (6) gestionnaires travaillant au sein d'un comité de gestion et deux discussions de groupes. Elles sont analysées à partir des procédés de l'analyse de contenu appelées « analyse thématique en continu » et « analyse à partir des catégories conceptualisantes ». L'analyse permet d'identifier trois composantes de l'environnement qualifiées de soutenantes dans le cadre de ce projet : la délimitation des éléments de négociation, la réaction diligente et la mobilisation dans la liberté de création et de dégager en sept (7) points l'apport de la méthode : l'occasion de s'arrêter, l'espace de dialogue sécuritaire, la neutralisation des émotions, la mise à niveau des connaissances, la gestion des interfaces, l'opportunité de prendre sa place et l'alimentation de la curiosité.

Neutron diagnostics will play a fundamental role in future fusion plasma machines,where the harsh environment will make the use of many other type of diagnos-tics practically impossible. Complex techniques to measure the neutron spectrumemitted from tokamk plasmas have been developed over the years, producing stateof the art neutron spectrometers. However, recently compact neutron spectrom-eters have been gaining the interest of the research community. They are muchsimpler to operate and maintain, have lower cost and they can be employed in thechannels of a neutron camera, providing profile measurements. The drawbacks arethat they have a worse resolution and a response to neutrons that is not optimalfor spectroscopy.The goal of the work presented in this thesis is to estimate to which extenta compact detector such as a NE213 liquid scintillator can be used to performneutron emission spectroscopy analysis.The detector used for this study was installed in the back of the MPRu spec-trometer at JET in 2012. The characterization of the response of the detector wasdone using a combination of MCNPX simulations and real measurements. Thedata analysis was performed using the forward fitting approach: a model of theneutron spectrum is produced, then folded with the response of the detector andfinally compared with the data. Two types of plasma scenarios were analyzed, onewith NBI heating only, and another with NBI and third harmonic radio-frequencyheating. In both cases the TOFOR spectrometer was used as a reference to esti-mate the parameters in the model of the neutron spectrum.The results are promising and suggest that neutron spectroscopy can be per-formed with NE213 scintillators although the quality of the results, as given byperformance indicators such as uncertainties, is much lower than the performanceof high resolution spectrometers.

Measurements of neutron emission from a fusion plasma can provide a wealth of information on the underlying temporal, spatial and energy distributions of reacting ions and how they are affected by a wide range of magneto-hydro-dynamic (MHD) instabilities. This thesis focuses on the interpretation of the experimental measurements recorded by neutron flux monitors with and without spectroscopic capabilities installed on the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak (MAST). In particular, the temporally and spatially resolved measurements of the neutron rate measured by the neutron camera, which also possesses spectroscopic capabilities, are combined with the temporally resolved measurements of the total neutron rate provided by the absolutely calibrated fission chamber in order to study the properties of the fast ion distributions in different plasma scenarios. The first part of the thesis describes in detail the two forward modelling methods, which employ the set of interconnected codes developed to interpret experimental observations such as neutron count rate profiles and recoil proton pulse height spectra provided by the neutron camera. In the second part of the thesis the developed methods are applied to model the neutron camera observations performed in a variety of plasma scenarios. The first method, which involves only TRANSP/NUBEAM and LINE2 codes, was used to validate the neutron count rate profiles measured by the neutron camera in three different plasma scenarios covering the wide range of total neutron rate typically observed on MAST. In addition, the first framework was applied to model the changes in the total and local neutron rates caused by fishbone instability as well as to estimate the Hydrogen and Deuterium ion ratio. The second modelling method, which involves TRANSP/NUBEAM, LINE2, DRESS and NRESP, was used to validate the measured recoil proton pulse height spectra in a MHD-quiescent plasma scenario.