Human operators often employ discontinuous or "bang-bang" control strategies when performing large-amplitude acquisition tasks. The current study applies Variable Structure Control (VSC) techniques to model human operator behavior during acquisition tasks. The result is a coupled, multi-input model replicating the discontinuous control strategy. In the VSC formulation, a switching surface is the mathematical representation of the operator's control strategy. The performance of the Variable Strategy Model (VSM) is evaluated by considering several examples, including the longitudinal control of an aircraft during the visual landing task. The aircraft landing task becomes an acquisition maneuver whenever large initial offsets occur. Several different strategies are explored in the VSM formulation for the aircraft landing task. First, a switching surface is constructed from literal interpretations of pilot training literature. This approach yields a mathematical representation of how a pilot is trained to fly a generic aircraft. This switching surface is shown to bound the trajectory response of a group of pilots performing an offset landing task in an aircraft simulator study. Next, front-side and back-side landing strategies are compared. A back-side landing strategy is found to be capable of landing an aircraft flying on either the front side or back side of the power curve. However, the front-side landing strategy is found to be insufficient for landing an aircraft flying on the back side. Finally, a more refined landing strategy is developed that takes into the account the specific aircraft's dynamic characteristics. The refined strategy is translated back into terminology similar to the existing pilot training literature. / Ph. D.

This thesis examines William Dean Howells' two most notable novels of business, The Rise of Silas Lapham (1885) and A Hazard of New Fortunes (1890), suggesting that the business of literature, in its dissemination of success myths and its ultimate internalization of these myths, was complicit in America's industrial strife during the 1880s. Both novels operate meta-critically. In Silas Lapham, for instance, Howells dramatizes several unhealthy business behaviors that derive from prosperity tropes found in newspapers and other popular writings. In this novel, the focus is on the ways these tropes affect the individual - both the reader who consumes them and the writer who must produce them. Meanwhile, Hazard explores the effects of these myths within the industry of literary production, showing how the publishers themselves are susceptible to the same romanticized economic ideals they disseminate. These novels do not correct the problematic behaviors that popular writing likely had a role in inspiring. They certainly do not resolve the seemingly contradictory values within the publishing industry. But Silas Lapham and Hazard generate a clearer picture of the complex relationship between literature and business, in a time punctuated by literary disputes between realists and romantics, and violent strikes between the labor class and the capital class. / Master of Arts

No

Sjöfartsverket är idag huvudansvarigt för all sjöräddning i Sverige där lotsbåten är ett av de fartyg som deltar. Det nuvarande systemet för bärgning anses dock ha vissa brister beträffande räddning av personer som i vattnet är medvetslösa eller svårt skadade. Syftet med studien var att efter en inledande kartläggning av olika system för bärgning av medvetslösa eller svårt skadade personer, undersöka vad besättningsmän från Sjöfartsverkets lotsbåtar anser om systemen samt svårigheterna vid bärgning. I intervjuerna framkom det att dagens system varken är byggt för övning eller för räddning av någon som är medvetslös eller svårt skadad. Resultatet visar även att rådande väderförhållanden samt tiden är avgörande faktorer för en lyckad räddning. Majoriteten av besättningsmännen anser att ett system placerat i aktern tillsammans med det nuvarande systemet är den kombination av system som skulle kunna göra räddningsarbetet ombord på lotsbåtarna både enklare och effektivare. / The Swedish Maritime Administration is today the authority with the main responsibility inSweden regarding search and rescue where the pilot boat is one of the vessels involved.However, the current system of salvage is considered to have some deficiencies regarding therescue of persons from the water whom are unconscious or severely injured. The purpose of this study was that after an initial survey of the different systems for rescuing unconscious or severely injured people, examine what crew members from the Swedish Maritime Administrations pilot boats thinks about the systems and the difficulties surrounding the salvage. The interviews revealed that today's current system is not built to be practiced with orfor the rescue of someone who is unconscious or badly injured. The investigation also shows that the prevailing weather conditions and time are crucial factors for a successful rescue. The majority of the crewmembers consider that a system located in the stern with today's existing system is the combination of systems that could make the rescue work aboard the pilot boats easier and more efficient.

Thesis (MDram)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The appearance of actresses on stage during the seventeenth century gave rise to the discarding of gender boundaries and the exploration of male characters. By investigating the cause and effect and the critical value of actresses assuming breeches parts (“broekrolle”) within specific historical time lines and theatrical traditions, and a comparative study of the creation and portrayal of breeches parts within a South African context, I will endeavour to assess the success of the assumption of male characters on the stage. Actresses performing breeches parts were not necessarily in competition with their male counterparts, but were often influenced by their socio-economic situations, as well as their natural inclination to male identities. The appearance or beauty of the female performer has almost always been a defining factor in the casting of a part and it is therefore possible that some actresses chose to perform breeches parts because their natural attributes might not have fallen within the general concept of beauty. Although the assumption of male characters was often categorized as sensation seeking and selfglorification, it was accepted during certain historical periods and the theatrical traditions of the time. Breeches parts contributed towards the actress’s level of skills, and thus to their financial gain. Within a South African context a comparative and personal perception will be investigated in relation to the experiences of the above-mentioned actresses. Because of the hybrid quality of the character of Ella/Max Gericke in As die Broek Pas (Man to Man), in other words, the duality of her performed identity, the breeches part of Ella/Max differs from the traditional concept of breeches performances. This aspect contributes to the process of self-assessment through performance as research – situated knowledge. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vroulike toneelspeler het reeds gedurende die laat sewentiende eeu oor geslagsgrense heen manskarakters (broekrolle) begin vertolk. Deur ondersoek in te stel na die oorsake, gevolge en kritiese waarde van aktrises se aanneming van broekrolle binne ’n spesifieke tydruimte en teaterkonvensies en ’n vergelykende proses wat hierdie skepping en uitbeelding van ’n broekrol in kontemporêre Suid-Afrika belig, kan gepoog word om te bepaal hoe suksesvol hierdie geslagsaanneming op die dramatiese ruimte van die verhoog was en is. Die emansipasie van die vrou en die ontbanning van vroulike toneelspelers het dit vir aktrises moontlik gemaak om buite hulle tradisionele geslagsraamwerk die toneelkarakters van die man te betree en te ontgin. Hierdie toetrede tot broekrolle (“breeches parts”) was nie noodwendig ’n poging om met die man op sy gebied te wedywer nie, maar kan toegeskryf word aan sosio-ekonomiese toestande, sowel as ’n natuurlike voorkeur vir ’n manlike identiteit. Die aktrise se voorkoms is en was nog altyd ’n bepalende faktor ten opsigte van die rolle waarin sy beset word. Dit is dus verstaanbaar dat sommige aktrises uit die aard van hulle ingesteldheid teenoor hul eie voorkoms die keuse maak om manskarakters te vertolk. Die gevolge van hierdie aanneming van manlike karakters is soms as sensasionele vertoon en selfverheerliking beskou, maar is steeds aanvaar binne die teaterkonvensies van sekere tydperke. Daarbenewens het dit die betrokke aktrises se aansien ten opsigte van hulle vaardighede op die verhoog en hul ekonomiese status positief beïnvloed. Die persoonlike gewaarwordinge wat ten opsigte van ’n vergelykende proses binne ’n Suid- Afrikaanse konteks gevolg is, sluit aan by die navorsing oor genoemde broekrolvertolkers. Daar is wel verskille, aangesien die geval van Ella/Max Gericke in As die Broek Pas, nie binne die tradisionele opset van die broekrol val nie, as gevolg van die dualiteit wat in die broekrol teenwoordig is, en dit as ’n hibriede karakter gesien kan word. Hierdie aspek leen hom tot kritiese selfevaluasie binne die gebruik van “performance” as navorsing – “situated knowledge”.

Nos últimos trinta anos observa-se uma abertura gradativa de espaços para cantores e cantoras de Rap e Funk nos grandes meios de comunicação em massa. Percebe-se, também, conforme essas culturas musicais extrapolaram os limites de circulação do seu lugar de origem, a periferia, um aumento do interesse de jovens e intelectuais oriundos da classe média. Principalmente depois do fenômeno de projeção dos Racionais MC\'s, ocorrido nos últimos vinte anos. E, atualmente, com o sucesso de Criolo, Rael, Emicida, Rincón Sapiência, Baco Exú do Blues, Raffa Moreira, Coruja BC1, Rico Dalasam, Karol Conka, entre outras e outros. Quais interesses, conflitos e perspectivas estão em jogo nessa movimentação? Rastreando a construção e transformação da originalidade artística de Athalyba-Man, um dos primeiros artistas de Rap nacional a assinar contrato com gravadora multinacional, o referente trabalho busca compreender como se deu a formação e a introdução da cultura musical Rap no mercado fonográfico hegemônico, assim como sua difusão, conflitos e perspectivas. / In the last thirty years, there has been opening of spaces for Rap and Funk singers in the mass media. It is also perceived, as these musical cultures extrapolated the limits of circulation from their places of origin, the periphery, an increase in the interest of young and intellectuals coming from the middle class. Mainly, after the gradual phenomenon of projection of the Racionais MC\'s, occurred in the last twenty years. And now, with the success of Criolo, Rael, Emicida, Rincón Sapiência, Baco Exú do Blues, MV Bill, Raffa Moreira, Coruja BC1, Rico Dalasam, Karol Conka, among others. What interests, conflicts and perspectives are at stake in this movement? Tracking the construction and transformation of Athalyba-Man\'s artistic originality, one of the first national Rap artists to sign a contract with a multinational record company, the aim is to understand how the making of and introduction of rap music culture in the hegemonic phonographic market took place, as well as its diffusion, conflicts and perspectives.

<p>Studiens syfte var att öka kunskapen och förståelsen för hur det fungerar att ha en förälder som god man utifrån den enskildes perspektiv. De frågeställningar som låg till grund för syftet rörde hur relationen påverkades av att föräldern var god man, hur personen upplever sitt beroende av föräldern och fördelar och nackdelar med föräldern som god man. I studien användes socialkonstruktionismen som visar på omgivningens betydelse, interpersonell makt och integreringsteorin. Fem kvalitativa intervjuer ligger till grund för undersökningen. Till intervjuerna användes en temainriktad intervjuguide för att underlätta. Litteraturgranskningen visade att det fanns ont om rapporter som tar upp temat förälder som god man och att det då främst lade perspektivet ur den gode mannens synvinkel. Den tidigare forskningen visar att det finns fördelar och nackdelar med föräldrar som gode män men att det kan vara svårt när man vill känna sig självständig. Resultatet har visat att det kan vara bättre med en utomstående god man än en förälder bland annat för att det kan hämma individens möjlighet att bli självständig.</p>

Studiens syfte var att öka kunskapen och förståelsen för hur det fungerar att ha en förälder som god man utifrån den enskildes perspektiv. De frågeställningar som låg till grund för syftet rörde hur relationen påverkades av att föräldern var god man, hur personen upplever sitt beroende av föräldern och fördelar och nackdelar med föräldern som god man. I studien användes socialkonstruktionismen som visar på omgivningens betydelse, interpersonell makt och integreringsteorin. Fem kvalitativa intervjuer ligger till grund för undersökningen. Till intervjuerna användes en temainriktad intervjuguide för att underlätta. Litteraturgranskningen visade att det fanns ont om rapporter som tar upp temat förälder som god man och att det då främst lade perspektivet ur den gode mannens synvinkel. Den tidigare forskningen visar att det finns fördelar och nackdelar med föräldrar som gode män men att det kan vara svårt när man vill känna sig självständig. Resultatet har visat att det kan vara bättre med en utomstående god man än en förälder bland annat för att det kan hämma individens möjlighet att bli självständig.

Att penisen inte haft en betydande roll inom den socialpsykologiska forskningen rörande mäns identitetsskapande, samtidigt som manskroppen blivit en tydligare fokuspunkt i media och samhället de senaste åren, är utgångspunkten för denna studie. En studie som syftar till att se hur män konstruerar sin identitet utifrån sin kropp. I denna studie antogs ett diskursanalytiskt angreppssätt för att söka svar på hur män i åldern 20-30 år konstruerar sin identitet utifrån sin kropp med ett särskilt fokus på penisen och dess inverkan. Det utfördes åtta stycken semistrukturerade intervjuer, som transkriberades och kodades i programmet Nvivo. Utsagorna analyserades utifrån valda delar av olika diskursanalytiska angreppssätt och även Goffmans dramaturgiska perspektiv och hans teori om stigma, samt Butlers performativa idé om kön och Connells teori om hegemonisk maskulinitet. Analysen visade att männen i studien konstruerade sin identitet i förhållande till de upplevda rådande samhällsidealen. Samtliga av männen talade om vikten av att vara vältränad, ett kroppsligt tillstånd som ansågs högst eftersträvansvärt. Männen använde sig av olika diskursiva resurser när de talade om kroppen och när de talade om penisen. Penisens betydelse konstruerades utifrån dess funktion, och det var vid väldigt få sociala interaktioner som penisen hade en central roll för den uppvisade identiteten. / The fact that the penis haven’t had a central role in the social psychological field in aspect to men’s identity, although the male body has gotten more attention in media and the society as a whole, is the starting point for this study. We wanted to find out how Swedish males in the age of 20-30 years constructed their identities from their bodies and penises. The eight interviews that were conducted in a semi-structural way were analyzed by using parts of three different discursive analysis approaches, and also in aspect to Goffmans dramaturgical perspective and his theory about stigma, as well as Butlers performative idea about gender and Connells theory concerning the hegemonic masculinity. The analysis showed that the men constructed their identities in regards to what they thought was the prevailing ideals in society regarding the male body. All of the men talked about the importance of being fit, a bodily condition they strived to gain. The men used different discursive resources in their talk about the body and in their talk about the penis. Function was the main theme when it came to the penis and what it was used for, and it was in very few social interactions that the penis had a central role in the construction of the men’s identity.

This thesis aims to discuss the heroic and the monstrous aspects of Beowulf. In the heroic part, I will discuss Beowulf as a culture hero and a mythological hero; in the monstrous part, I will discuss Beowulf as a monster-man and monsters as man-monsters. Beowulf is about a hero who intends to prove himself by killing malicious monsters. The victory over the villains further brings Beowulf the character to the Geatish throne, though Beowulf¡¦s obsession with glory finally results in the fall of his kingdom. Beowulf¡¦s rise represents the rise of the Geatish kingdom and meritocracy; and his fall also triggers the fall of the kingdom. Beowulf¡¦s journey to the Danish kingdom also resembles Joseph Campbell¡¦s theories of mythological heroes. Beowulf has been regarded as a hero for decades, but however heroic, Beowulf embodies some monstrous tendencies. His rationale to kill repugnant monsters and gain glory in return does not work on the combat with Grendel¡¦s mother and the fire dragon, since the ogress kills Aeschere in order to avenge her only son¡¦s death; and the dragon causes strife because of the theft. The monsters, on the other hand, are somewhat heroic since they know the ethics of vengeance.