Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are educational institutions owned by Native American tribes intended to address the failure of the education system to support Indigenous students. Significant research has been done on the value of culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) and on TCUs, but little has been done to examine whether and how TCUs implement CSP. This study aims to fill that gap by examining teaching at Chief Dull Knife College (CDKC), a tribal college on the Northern Cheyenne reservation. Interviews were conducted with eight white faculty members and four Cheyenne administrators at CDKC. Analysis of the interviews revealed that the instructors saw building personal connections with students as the foundation of teaching at CDKC and that they engaged in attempts at individual adaptation and structural change to support such teaching. The Cheyenne administrators found these efforts valuable, but suggested that more needed to be done to foster a connection between the white faculty members and the Cheyenne community and culture. Ultimately, this study reveals that instructors at CDKC are attempting to implement CSP, but that there are still gaps in that implementation. The interviews suggest that further structural changes are needed at CDKC to better support CSP and ensure that students are receiving the support they need to succeed.

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We study inverse treatment planning approaches for stereotactic radiosurgery using Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion (PFX, Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) to treat brain cancer and tumour patients. PFX is a dedicated head-and-neck radiation delivery device that is commonly used in clinics. In a PFX treatment, the patient lies on a couch and the radiation beams are emitted from eight banks of radioactive sources around the patient's head that are focused at a single spot, called an isocentre. The radiation delivery in PFX follows a step-and-shoot manner, i.e., the couch is stationary while the radiation is delivered at an isocentre location, and only moves when no beam is being emitted. To find a set of well-positioned isocentres in tumour volumes, we explore fast geometry-based algorithms, including skeletonization and hybrid grassfire and sphere-packing approaches. For the selected set of isocentres, the optimal beam durations to deliver a high prescription dose to the tumour are later found using a penalty-based optimization model. We next extend our grassfire and sphere-packing isocentre selection method to treatments with homogenous dose distributions. Dose homogeneity is required in multi-session plans where a larger volume is treated to account for daily setup errors, and thus large overlaps with surrounding healthy tissue may exist. For multi-session plans, we explicitly consider the healthy tissue overlaps in our algorithms and strategically select many isocentres in adjacent volumes to avoid hotspots. There is also interest in treating patients with continuous couch motion to decrease the total treatment session and increase plan quality. We therefore investigate continuous dose delivery treatment plans for PFX. We present various path selection methods along which the dose is delivered using Hamiltonian paths techniques, and develop mixed-integer and linear approximation models to determine the configuration and duration of the radiation time along the paths. We consider several criteria in our optimization models, including machine speed constraints and movement accuracy, preference for single or multiple paths, and smoothness of movement. Our plans in all proposed approaches are tested on seven clinical cases and can meet or exceed clinical guidelines and usually outperform clinical treatments.

Auswertung von 1300 Messern aus deutschen, niederländischen, skandinavischen, baltischen; nordrussischen und polnischen archäologischen Ausgrabungen, die über ein eigens dafür entwickeltes Klassifizierungsmodell von Klingen- und Griffformen erfolgte. Ausgewertet wurden Maße, Formen, Verzierungen und Marken. Die Ergebnisse werden zunächst in Diagrammen dargestellt und im beschreibenden Teil der Arbeit ausführlicher diskutiert. Die Entwicklung der Griffkonstruktionen und ihrer damit einhergehenden Formen werden exemplarisch dargestellt. Dabei wird besonders auf das Auftreten und die Verbreitung der Griffzungenkonstruktionen eingegangen, als Beispiel einer technischen Innovation mit römisch-kaiserzeitlichen Wurzeln, die im späten Mittelalter ihre Hochblüte erreichte. Verzierungselemente an Griffangel- und Griffzungenkonstruktionen werden als Übersichten getrennt nach Materialien sowie in besonders aussagekräftigen Einzelbeispielen näher spezifiziert dargestellt. Mittelalterliche Personendarstellungen auf beinernen Vollgriffen (Hilzen) oder die zeitgleiche Griffplättchentechnik als Beispiel einer auf Metall basierenden Verzierungsart werden in ihrem historischen Kontext behandelt. An Messerklingen werden Verzierungselemente und Marken separat diskutiert. Die Verteilung verschiedener Gruppen von Klingenformen innerhalb unterschiedlicher Fundorte ist ein Versuch, soziologische Bedingungen in offenen und geschlossenen bzw. befestigten Siedlungen unterschiedlicher Regionen an Beispielen der materiellen Kultur nachzuzeichnen. Nach Exkursen zu völkerwanderungszeitlichen Messern und Falt- oder -Klappmessern wird abschließend zu den Themen Herstellungsverfahren und Funktionszuweisung Stellung genommen, wobei das Messer als archäologische Quelle in naturwissenschaftlichen /(metallurgischen) Analysen ebenso dargestellt wird wie im Vergleich mit kunsthistorischen / (bildlichen) Quellen bzgl. einer Annäherung an Aussagen zu Funktion und Gebrauch im Untersuchungsraum.

V diplomové práci je prezentovaná literární rešerše na téma termochromní pigmenty a jejich aplikace v polymerních matricích. Výzkum byl zaměřen na hlubší pochopení termochromního efektu v pigmentech na bázi molekulárních komplexů. Termochromní pigmenty byly aplikovány do polyuretanového textilního zátěru a bylo zjištěno optimální nastavení podmínek zátěru. Textilní zátěry byly podrobeny termickým zkouškám a zároveň byla pozorována jejich stálobarevnost.

This project deals with the issue of simulation of dose irradiation. This principle is used in a radiotherapeutic device known as a Leksell Gamma Knife for the treatment of intracranial tumours. With regard to the theoretical observations obtained by studying this device, the project suggests the use of analytical geometry for the creation of a mathematical model for calculation of the intensity in the rayed area. A demonstration program Leksell_xvecer08 has been created for this model in a MatLab software background, which enables the user to change various input arguments and simulate a picture of the dosage spread in the target scanned areas.

Ce travail vise à faire une pré-évaluation des paramètres de contrôle en vue de réduire la traînée sur véhicule réel. Deux mécanismes d’actionnement différents (Murata micro-blower et couteau d’air) ont été caractérisés et comparés en vue de déterminer leurs qualités ainsi que leurs limites. Les micro-blowers ont pour but d’exciter la couche limite en vue de perturber directement les structures tourbillonnaires formées dans la couche de cisaillement. Le couteau d’air étudié, à surface arrondie, pourrait être considéré comme un dispositif actif de réduction de la traînée à effet Coanda équivalent au dispositif passif de type boat-tail. Différentes stratégies de contrôle en boucles ouverte et fermée sont examinées, telles que le soufflage continu, le forçage périodique, le contrôle du mode glissant (SMC) et le contrôle par apprentissage (MLC). La SMC est un algorithme robuste en boucle fermée permettant de suivre, d’atteindre et de maintenir une consigne prédéfinie; cette approche présente l’intérêt d’avoir une capacité d’adaptation prenant en compte les perturbations extérieures inconnues. Le contrôle par apprentissage est un contrôle sans modèle qui permet de définir des lois de contrôle efficaces qualifiées et optimisées via une fonction coût/objectif spécifique au problème donné. Une solution hybride entre MLC et SMC peut également fournir un contrôle adaptatif exploitant les mécanismes d’actionnement non linéaires les plus adaptés au problème. L’ensemble de ces techniques de contrôle ont été testées sur diverses applications expérimentales allant d’une simple configuration académique de marche descendante jusqu’à des géométries présentant une structure d’écoulement représentatives de véhicules réels. Pour la configuration de marche descendante, l’objectif était de réduire expérimentalement la zone de recirculation via une rangée de micro-jets et de l’estimer par des capteurs de pression. Les contrôles d’écoulement ont été réalisés par forçage périodique ainsi que par MLC. On démontre dans ce cas que la MLC peut surpasser le contrôle par forçage périodique. Pour la configuration sur corps épais (corps d’Ahmed), l’objectif était de réduire et/ou de maintenir la traînée aérodynamique via un couteau d’air placé sur la partie supérieure du hayon arrière et évalué par le biais d’une balance aérodynamique. Le soufflage continu et le forçage périodique ont été utilisés dans ce cas comme stratégies de contrôle en boucle ouverte permettant ainsi de faire une comparaison avec les algorithmes SMC et MLC. La pré-évaluation des paramètres de contrôle a permis d’obtenir des informations importantes en vue d’une réduction de la traînée sur un véhicule réel. Dans ce cadre, les premiers essais de caractérisation sur véhicules réels ont été réalisés sur piste et un dispositif d’actionnement ainsi qu’un protocole expérimental sont également présentés en perspective à ce travail. / The present work aims to pre-evaluate flow control parameters to reduce the drag in a real vehicle. Two different actuation mechanisms (Murata’s micro-blower, and air-knives) are characterized and compared to define their advantages and limitations. Murata micro-blowers energized the boundary layer to directly perturb the vortex structures formed in the shear layer region. The air-knife has a rounded surface, adjacent to the slit exit, that could be considered as an active boat-tail (Coanda effect) for drag reduction. Different open-loop and closed-loop control strategies are examined, such as continuous blowing, periodic forcing, sliding mode control (SMC) and machine learning control (MLC). SMC is a robust closed-loop algorithm to track, reach and maintain a predefined set-point; this approach has on-line adaptivity in changing conditions. Machine learning control is a model-free control that learns an effective control law that is judged and optimized with respect to a problem-specific cost/objective function. A hybrid between MLC and SMC may provide adaptive control exploiting the best non-linear actuation mechanisms. Finally, all these parameters are brought together and tested in real experimental applications representative of the mean wake and shear-layer structures related to control of real cars. For the backward-facing step, the goal is to experimentally reduce the recirculation zone. The flow is manipulated by a row of micro-blowers and sensed by pressure sensors. Initial measurements were carried out varying the periodic forcing. MLC is used to improve performance optimizing a control law with respect to a cost function. MLC is shown to outperform periodic forcing. For the Ahmed body, the goal is to reduce the aerodynamic drag of the square-back Ahmed body. The flow is manipulated by an air-knife placed on the top trailing edge and sensed by a force balance. Continuous blowing and periodic forcing are used as open-loop strategies. SMC and MLC algorithms are applied and compared to the open-loop cases. The pre-evaluation of the flow control parameters yielded important information to reduce the drag of a car. The first real vehicle experiments were performed on a race track. The first actuator device concept and sensor mechanism are presented.

This thesis focuses on the increasingly popular shareware Blender which has growing application possibilities in various branches. The thesis aims at a general description of basic modelling techniques working with mesh objects as well as curves used for creating models and computer graphics. Part of the thesis is dedicated to a description of animation abilities of the programme, an outline of dierent methods and a more detailed description of correspondent modules. The central point of the thesis is to introduce the reader to the basic and advanced modelling techniques and their use in Blender, in the form of a tutorial.

The aim of my work is to describe high-voltage switchgear type UniGear 500R, which is part of UniGear switchgears family. I will focus on heating issue of one 500R unit and its parts during operation. Maximum values of this heating is limited by standards and can´t be exceed to ensure safe and reliable operation. That is why the heating tests are necessary part of designing and developing switchgears. Calculation will be made by two different ways. First is classic one-pole heating net method and second is numerical simulation in Solidworks flow simulation program. Except the theoretical description there will be presented also used 3D model and explanation of both method, used to calculation and simulation. Last point of this work is measuring of this type of switchgear and getting real data. The main point there is to compare measured values with values calculated and decide if is possible to simulate tests with appropriate accuracy. Then would be also possible to substitute the real test in laboratory, which costs many thousand crowns and takes lots hours of time. This work is collaborated with EJF division of ABB Company, where I am employed. Heating issues in this company is always on process, because of developing and improving of their products. So this work could be helpful in this field. ABB provides all materials needed, especially technical catalogues, 3D model and final values from laboratory measuring. Support from college faculty is mainly in study consultations and proposing of calculations making. In the end of work will be make final comparison and evaluation of achieved results.

The Gamma Knife is a non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery system used for treatments of deep targets in the brain. Accurate patient positioning is needed for precise radiation delivery to the target. The two latest versions of the Gamma Knife allow fractionated treatment by co-registering Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the patient's position in the Gamma Knife with a diagnostic magnetic resonance (MR) image used for treatment planning. However, CBCT images often suffer from artifacts that degrade image quality, which may result in less accurate co-registration. This thesis project investigates the potential of a new reconstruction framework developed by Elekta, which incorporates scattering correction and noise filters, for the reconstruction of Gamma Knife CBCT images. The performance of the new reconstruction framework, along with its noise filter and scatter correction, is quantified using image quality metrics of phantoms, including contrast, uniformity, spatial resolution, and CT-number accuracy. Additionally, brain CBCT images of five patients are co-registered with their diagnostic MR images, and the mean target registration error is measured. The results indicate that the new reconstruction framework, without using scatter correction and noise filtering, performs equally well as the current framework in reconstructing Gamma Knife CBCT images, as it achieved similar image quality and co-registration accuracy. However, when the scatter correction was used, there were improvements in image uniformity and CT-number accuracy without compromising spatial resolution. Additionally, the introduction of a noise filter resulted in an improved contrast-to-noise ratio and low contrast visibility with minimal compromise of spatial resolution. Despite these image quality enhancements, there were no consistent improvements in co-registration accuracy, indicating that the co-registration is not sensitive to scatter or noise artefacts. / Gammakniven är en medicinteknisk apparat som används för icke-invasiv stereotaktisk strålkirurgi vid behandling av djupa mål i hjärnan. För att uppnå precision i strålbehandlingen krävs noggrann patientpositionering. De två senaste versionerna av Gammakniven tillåter fraktionerad behandling genom att co-registrera cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-bilder av patientens position i Gammakniven med en diagnostisk magnetresonans (MR)-bild som används för behandlingsplanering. Tyvärr lider CBCT-bilder ofta av artefakter som kan försämra bildkvaliteten och därmed minska precisionen i co-registreringen. Detta examensarbete undersöker ett nytt rekonstruktionsramverk som utvecklats av Elekta. Det nya rekonstruktionsramverket och dess tillhörande brusfilter och spridningskorrigering utvärderas för rekonstruktion av Gammaknivens CBCT bilder med hjälp av bildkvalitetsmått för fantomer, såsom kontrast, uniformitet, spatial upplösning och noggrannhet i CT-nummer. Dessutom co-registreras CBCT-bilder från fem patienter med deras diagnostiska MR-bilder, och det genomsnittliga registreringsfelet mäts. Resultaten visar att det nya rekonstruktionsramverket, utan användning av spridningskorrigering och brusfiltrering, presterar lika bra som det nuvarande ramverket för rekonstruktion av CBCT-bilder från Gammakniven. Båda ramverken ger liknande bildkvalitet och noggrannhet i co-registreringen av bilderna. Vid användning av spridningskorrigering observerades förbättringar i uniformiteten och noggrannheten i CT-nummer utan att den spatiala upplösningen försämrades. Införandet av brusfilter resulterade i ett förbättrat kontrast-brus-förhållande och synlighet av svaga kontrastskillnader med endast lite avkall på den spatiala upplösningen. Trots dessa förbättringar i bildkvaliteten observerades ingen konsekvent förbättring av noggrannheten i co-registreringen av bilderna, vilket tyder på att co-registreringen inte påverkas av spridnings- eller brusartefakter i stor utsträckning.