Transmissibility is the most common metric used for isolator characterization. However, engineers are becoming increasingly concerned about energy transmission through an isolator at high frequencies and how the compliance of the machine and foundation factor into the performance. In this study, the transfer matrix approach for isolator characterization is first reviewed. Two methods are detailed for determining the transfer matrix of an isolator using finite element simulation. This is accomplished by determining either the mobility or impedance matrix for the isolator and then converting to a transfer matrix. One of the more useful metrics to characterize the high frequency performance of an isolator is insertion loss. Insertion loss is defined as the difference in transmitted vibration in decibels between the unisolated and isolated cases. Insertion loss takes into account the compliance on the source and receiver sides. Accordingly, it has some advantages over transmissibility which is a function of the damping and mounted resonant frequency. A static analysis is to preload the isolator so that stress stiffening is accounted for. This is followed by modal and forced response analyses to identify the transfer matrix of the isolator. In this paper, the insertion loss of spring isolators is examined as a function of several geometric parameters including the spring diameter, wire diameter, number of active coils, and height. Results demonstrate how modifications to these parameters affect the insertion loss and the first surge frequency.

The purpose of this essay is to analyze how certain elements of panopticism manage to dismantle the notion of privacy in George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. By reading the text through a lens of panopticism, a theory introduced by Jeremy Bentham, I give examples on how the surveillance methods used by the Party share similarities with the system of surveillance within a Panoptic prison, but also in what ways that they differ. In the end, it is obvious that the society of Oceania cannot be considered to be a complete Panopticon, although several elements of panopticism are present within the text and that they dismantle the aspect of privacy in the novel.

The world health organization has identified cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of non-accidental deaths in the world. The heart is identified as diseased when it is not operating at peak efficiency. Early diagnosis of heart disease can impact treatment and improve a patient's outcome. An early sign of a diseased heart is a reduction in its pumping ability, which can be measured by performing functional evaluations. These are typically focused on the ability of the ventricles to pump blood to the lungs (right ventricle) or to the rest of the body (left ventricle). Non-invasive imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance have allowed the use of quantitative methods for ventricular functional evaluation. The evaluation still requires the tracing of the ventricles in the end-diastolic and end-systolic phases. Even though manual tracing is still considered the gold standard, it is prone to intra- and inter-observer variability and is time consuming. Therefore, substantial research work has been focused on the development of semi- and fully automated ventricle segmentation algorithms. In 2009 a medical imaging conference issued a challenge for short-axis left ventricle segmentation. A semi-automated technique using polar dynamic programming generated results that were within human variability. This is because a path in a polar coordinate system yields a circular object in the Cartesian grid and the left ventricle can be approximated as a circular object. In 2012 there was a right ventricle segmentation challenge, but no polar dynamic programming algorithms were proposed. One reason may be that polar dynamic programming can only segment circular shapes. To use polar dynamic programming for the segmentation of the right ventricle we first expanded the capability of the technique to segment non-circular shapes. We apply this new polar dynamic programming in a framework that uses user-selected landmarks to segment the right ventricle in the four chamber view. We also explore the use of four chamber right ventricular segmentation to segment short-axis views of the right ventricle.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Within southern Africa, the widely distributed four-striped mouse Rhabdomys is parasitized by, amongst others, the host-specific ectoparasitic sucking louse, Polyplax arvicanthis. The present study investigated this parasite-host association from a phylogenetic and phylogeographic perspective utilizing mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers. The findings support the existence of four species within Rhabdomys (three distinct lineages within the previously recognized arid-adapted R. pumilio and the mesic-adapted R. dilectus). These species have distinct geographic distributions across vegetational biomes with two documented areas of sympatry at biome boundaries. Ecological niche modelling supports a strong correlation between regional biomes and the distribution of distinct evolutionary lineages of Rhabdomys. A Bayesian relaxed molecular clock suggests that cladogenesis within the genus coincides with paleoclimatic changes (and the establishment of the biomes) at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. Strong evidence was also found that the sucking louse P. arvicanthis consists of two genetically divergent lineages, which probably represent distinct species. The two lineages have sympatric distributions throughout most of the sampled range across the various host species and also occasionally occur sympatrically on the same host individual. Further, the absence of clear morphological differences among these parasitic lineages suggests cryptic speciation. Limited phylogeographic congruence was observed among the two P. arvicanthis lineages and the various Rhabdomys species and co-phylogenetic analyses indicated limited co-divergence with several episodes of host-switching, despite the documented host-specificity and several other traits predicted to favour congruence and co-divergence. Also, despite the comparatively smaller effective population sizes and elevated mutational rates found for P. arvicanthis, spatial genetic structure was not more pronounced in the parasite lineages compared to the hosts. These findings may be partly attributed to high vagility and social behaviour of Rhabdomys, which probably promoted parasite dispersal among hosts through frequent inter-host contact. Further, the complex biogeographic history of Rhabdomys, which involved cyclic range contractions and expansions, may have facilitated parasite divergence during periods of host allopatry, and host-switching during periods of host sympatry. Intermittent contact among Rhabdomys lineages could also have prevented adaptation of P. arvicanthis to specific host lineages, thus explaining the lack of host-specificity observed in areas of host sympatry. It is thus evident that the association between Polyplax arvicanthis and Rhabdomys has been shaped by the synergistic effects of parasite traits, biogeography, and host-related factors over evolutionary time. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Binne suidelike-Afrika word die wyd-verspreide gestreepte veldmuis, Rhabdomys, onder andere deur die gasheer-spesifieke ektoparasitiese luis, Polyplax arvicanthis, geparasitiseer. Die huidige studie het hierdie parasiet-gasheer interaksie vanuit ‘n filogenetiese en filogeografiese oogpunt ondersoek deur van beide mitokondriale en nukluêre merkers gebruik te maak. Die bevindinge dui op die bestaan van vier spesies binne Rhabdomys, waaronder drie nuwe genetiese groepe binne die voorheen erkende R. pumilio asook R. dilectus. Hierdie spesies het nie-oorvleulende geografiese verspreidings binne spesefieke plantegroei biome met twee geidentifiseerde areas van simpatriese voorkoms by bioom grense. Ekologiese nis modellering ondersteun ‘n sterk korrelasie tussen biome en die verspreiding van die evolusionêre groepe binne Rhabdomys. ‘n Bayesiaanse verslapte molekulêre klok dui daarop dat kladoginese binne die genus gedurende paleoklimatiese veranderinge, wat tot die totstandkoming van die huidige biome gelei het, by die Mioseen-Plioseen grens plaasgevind het. Sterk bewyse is ook gevind dat die parasitiese luis P. arvicanthis uit twee geneties verskillende groepe, wat heel moontlik afsonderlike spesies verteenwoordig, bestaan. Hierdie genetiese groepe het simpatriese verspreidings oor meeste van die gebestudeerde geografiese area op die verskeie gasheer spesies en mag ook soms simpatries op dieselfde gasheer individu voorkom. Verder dui die afwesigheid van duidelike morfologiese verskille tusssen die parasiet genetiese groepe op moontlike kriptiese spesiasie. Beperkte filogeografiese ooreenstemming is tussen die P. arvicanthis genetiese groepe en die Rhabdomys spesies waargeneem en die vergelykende-filogenetiese analises het aangedui dat daar beperkte gesementlike-divergensie plaasgevind het met verskeie episodes van gasheer-wisseling, ten spyte van die gasheer-spesifieke aard van die parasiete asook verskeie ander kenmerke wat veronderstel is om filogeografiese ooreenstemming en gesementlike-divergensie te bevorder. Ten spyte van die vergelykbaar kleiner effektiewe bevolking groottes en verhoogde mutasie tempo wat vir P. arvicanthis gevind is, is die geografiese genetiese struktuur nie meer gedifferensieёrd in die parasiet groepe as in die gasheer nie. Hierdie bevindinge mag deels verklaar word deur die hoё beweeglikheid asook die sosiale gedrag van Rhabdomys, wat waarskynlik parasiet beweging tussen gashere bevorder deur gereelde tussen-gasheer kontak. Die komplekse biogeografiese geskiedenis van Rhabdomys, wat sikliese inkrimping en uitsetting van die geografiese verspreiding behels het, het heel moontlik parasiet divergensie tydens tydperke van gasheer allopatrie asook gasheer-wisseling tydens tydperke van gasheer simpatrie, gefasiliteer. Tussentydse kontak tussen Rhabdomys genetiese groepe kon aanpassing van P. arvicanthis tot sekere gasheer genetiese groepe verhoed het en verklaar dus die afwesigheid van waargenome gasheer-spesifisiteit in areas van gasheer simpatrie. Dit is dus duidelik dat die assosiasie tussen P. arvicanthis en Rhabdomys deur die sinergistiese uitwerking van parasiet kenmerke, biogeografie, asook gasheer-verwante faktore oor evolusionêre tyd gevorm is. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Notre travail est consacré à l'étude des matériaux carbonés utilisés comme réducteurs pour la production des alliages de manganèse dans le four électrique à arc immergé. Le choix du réducteur est important pour l'optimisation du procédé métallurgique et sa réactivité au CO2 est le paramètre le plus important utilisé par les producteurs de ferroalliages pour évaluer sa qualité. Les objectifs de notre travail sont : ? d'établir les critères de sélection du coke métallurgique ou réducteur de remplacement, utilisés pour la production des alliages de manganèse dans le four électrique, en utilisant la réactivité au CO2 comme le principal paramètre pour évaluer sa qualité ; ? d'un point de vue plus fondamental, apporter une meilleure compréhension des réactions du carbone dans le réacteur industriel. Dans l'optique d'une modélisation globale du four électrique, notre travail fournit des paramètres cinétiques d'une des réactions les plus importantes du procédé : la réaction de Boudouard. L'étude de la réductibilité des oxydes de manganèse pourrait donc être une nouvelle étape vers la construction d'un modèle global du réacteur industriel. Un troisième volet d'expériences utile à la modélisation serait l'étude de l'influence de la nature et du calibre du réducteur sur la résistivité électrique de la charge.

<p> </p><p>The aim of this paper is to analyse the urban development in Dubai by means of the fourquadrant model, presented by DiPasquale and Wheaton, which represents the market for real estate use and assets. The focus is on factors such as economic growth, access to oil, population growth and the incentive of the government to promote developments in Dubai, to study how they affect the real estate market. It is observed how all these factors contribute to the expansion of the construction sector and thereby the stock of space. However, because Dubai's economy is independent of the oil sector, access to oil is solely assumed to contribute to a higher amount of disposable capital and therefore does not have any upward pressure on the rent and the price level as the remaining factors.</p><p> </p>

The aim with this thesis is to fill a knowledge gap regarding how young adults (20-25 year old) views and experience video games in libraries and how they feel libraries work and uses videogames. This because the problem lays in the fact that very few studies has been made regarding young adults and their experience and views with videogames. There have been studies concerning the libraries work, handling and views regarding young adults and videogames. The theory model use in this thesis is Jochumsen, Hvenegaard &amp; Skot-Hansens model that divides libraries into four spaces. Its use here is to see the functions videogames can have in the public library through young adults own thoughts and experiences on the matter. It was used together with a qualitative semi-structured group interview, with three groups and in total six informants. The results showed that while the informants viewed positive on videogames in the library it also showed the informants didn’t have a need for borrowing or using the videogames in the public library. In conclusion we can see that the social aspects are regarded highly but sorely missed according by the informants. More social factors may be of more interests. Borrowing videogames are not something the informants’ feelt they needed but they do view it as a positive function of the library. However a social activity that allows users to be able to meet and talk with likeminded about videogames felt the informants was maybe needed today more than just borrowing and/or playing videogames.

This study attempts to establish a connection between the moral philosophy of F. H. Bradley, particularly as expressed in his Ethical Studies and modified in the teaching of Josiah Royce, and the moral thought of Eliot's poetic writings, beginning with "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," culminating in Four Quartets, and finding a new mode of expression in the dramas. By tracing Eliot's moral thought to the nineteenth century anti-utilitarian moral controversies out of which Bradley's Ethical Studies grew, this study clarifies Eliot's position in the history of moral philosophy. For Bradley, the end of morality is not self-gratification; it is the realization of the universal will in the will of the individual. Hence the aim of moral action must be away from self-concern and toward the duties that society imposes on the individual. The Absolute, in which all individuals and societies culminate, invites us to true self-realization, while the egotistic self solicits us to physical and spiritual self-indulgence. Royce modifies Bradley's Absolute by making it a redemptive community in which the selfish actions of the past are given new meaning by heroic sacrifices in the present and future. The moral thought of Eliot's poetry and drama closely parallels this ethical system. In these works, Eliot dramatizes situations in which selfless motives are scarcely distinguishable from egotistic needs, merited suffering from heroic martyrdom. In Murder in the Cathedral, for instance, Thomas the Archbishop cannot will his martyrdom for the good of God's kingdom without also willing the gratification of his personal vanity. Four Quartets presents the same moral dilemma working itself out in Eliot's thoughts about his own life. He wonders if he has chosen his life as poet and critic as an unselfish response to duty--and hence as a path to God--or if he has chosen it out of personal vanity. In his considerations of time and eternity he comes to the conclusion that it is possible to redeem past mistakes by the present right intention.

The home should represent safety and security for the person who lives there, and this is an important factor for independence and autonomy in very old age. With aging populations, the needs for long-term care increase, care provided by spouses and/or from the growing home care sector. Injuries among these groups are common. In this study, an ergonomics perspective was applied in the analysis of some basic daily activities performed by old persons and by home care workers, assisting. The postures and movements of home care staff assisting at toilet visits, and transferring persons from wheelchair to toilet, were measured and analysed. Some daily activities related to making food and washing clothes, performed by a group of persons between the age of 75 and 100, were measured and analysed. The task of getting up from the floor – on your own and with the help of a walker equipped with a lifting device – was analysed with the help of older persons and nursing staff. The design was built on the knowledge gained from analysing how older people get up from floor. Requirements for access with a four-wheeled walker in the local built environment were investigated. Observations were made with the help of video recording. Postures were recorded with the CUELA measurement system. The VIDAR ergonomics evaluation instrument was used to register the participants’ experiences of discomfort and pain during getting up from the floor with or without the walker with a lifting device. Structured interviews were used to find out about older peoples’ experience of using the four-wheel walker. It is concluded that ageing at home requires improved architectural and technical bathroom design and improved access in the local built environment. / <p>QC 20140124</p>

A good work environment is important for the individual, for industry and for society. The work environment research has, predominantly, targeted identification of problems and the measurement of the size of these problems. Innovations to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorder, MSD, have been introduced in different branches of industry, but with limited success. Few of the ergonomic innovations developed for the building and construction industry have reached a sufficient level of adoption. Ergonomic innovations in the health care sector are of an incremental character and seem to have similar problems of adoption as the ones in the building and construction industry. Three examples of ergonomic innovation are examined in the thesis: a glue spreader for floor layers a four-wheel walker with a lifting device a sonographer’s scanning support device The studies show that an ergonomic innovation is not adopted for prevention of occupational injury unless the innovation also has other relative advantages apart from the ergonomic ones. For the group who already has sustained an injury, it is enough that the ergonomic problems are solved, while the other, symptom-free group, requires other advantages in order to adopt the innovation; increased production economy seems to be the most prominent potential advantage. / <p>QC 20150114</p>