The nineteenth and twentieth centuries witnessed the rapid growth of musical culture in Russia. This resulted in a large repertoire of piano music — ranging from miniatures to virtuosic etudes and sonatas. Growing out of the nineteenth century romantic tradition, and highly influenced by the social conditions of the time, Russian composers developed a distinctive style which closely reflected their culture, personalities and ideologies. There are several approaches to studying performance practice. One is to study the interpretations of other pianists. While this does have many advantages, it has not been adopted in this paper as it has one flaw: it still fails to capture the distinctive language of these composers. Rather, the paper will study the social and musical influences on the composers, and, more importantly, their philosophies about pianism and the purpose of music. This will be related to interpretative issues in the works. The repertoire has been divided into four areas. The paper commences with a study of the miniature, which is valuable in finding the ‘essence’ of a composer’s musical language expressed on a small scale. Here, the ‘elementary’ considerations in performance practice will be studied. The second chapter discusses etudes. This is useful in gaining an insight into composers’ conception of technique, and how this relates to performance practice. The third chapter deals with music that has extra-musical themes. This provides opportunity for a more detailed cultural and biographical study of the composers. To represent the large-scale repertoire of Russian composers, the sonata will be studied. Here, a detailed analysis of the composers’ musical language and its relationship to expression will be discussed. / Masters Thesis

Le travail présenté dans ce mémoire constitue une ébauche des différentes études nécessaires au développement d'un microrobot d'exploration intratubulaire autonome inédit. Constitué d'un assemblage de cinq modules locomoteurs identiques, le futur microrobot devra inspecter des réseaux de tubes industriels de diamètre inférieur à 15 mm, présentant des coudes et des bifurcations. L'actionnement judicieux des différents modules permettra sa progression dans le tube, à la manière du lombric. Nos efforts se sont portés sur l'étude, la fabrication et la mise au point du module locomoteur, en cherchant à optimiser le paramètre 'vitesse de déplacement' du futur microrobot. Cet actionneur, de conception originale, est constitué d'un cadre forcé en postflambement, à deux états d'équilibre stable, dont le basculement d'un état à l'autre est commandé par des fils en Alliage à Mémoire de Forme (AMF). Une étude théorique à l'état d'équilibre, puis un modèle statique simplifié aux éléments finis, prenant en compte les grands déplacements de post-flambement lors du chargement menant au basculement, ont facilité le dimensionnement du cadre et le choix du matériau. Ensuite, des tests de caractérisation mécanique réalisés sur un prototype du module, à une échelle supérieure, ont été nécessaires pour l'adaptation de fils AMF éduqués. L'effet Joule étant le moyen de chauffage qui a été retenu pour engendrer la contraction de ces fils, nous évoquons quelques aspects liés à la commande d'un module, et au contrôle de la transformation des AMF par la mesure de leur résistance électrique. Enfin, une étude expérimentale du comportement au contact d'un module nous permet d'évaluer l'influence de différents paramètres sur les conditions de maintien du robot dans un tube vertical. Nous en déduisons alors les possibilités de charge embarquée par le futur microrobot, dans l'optique de le munir de capteurs et de sources d'énergie nécessaires à son autonomie.

Soil suction is one of the main state parameters that governs unsaturated soil behaviour. Tensiometers are the only type of probe that can measure soil suction directly, but only up to 90 kPa. In the past two decades, a new type of tensiometer with much greater measurement range (up to 2 MPa) has appeared in the literature. The measurement range (i.e. capacity) of a tensiometer is limited by (i) how well it is saturated, and (ii) the air entry value of its porous interface. In this study, the first high capacity tensiometer of Turkey was designed and built. For the purpose of increasing the measurement capacity of the tensiometers, a novel saturation setup that uses a hydraulic pressurization system with capacity of 10 MPa was designed and built. A vacuum-and-pressure saturation procedure was developed. To calibrate the 10 MPa pressure transducers that form the core of the tensiometers, a high-pressure calibration setup capable of pressurizing up to 11 MPa was designed and built. By varying designs of tensiometer bodies, porous interfaces and seals, ways of increasing the suction capacity are investigated. Over a dozen tensiometer design variations are developed, and tried by exposing to atmospheric evaporation. A maximum suction measurement of 870 kPa was achieved with a conventional design / however, none of the new designs were successful. 3 successful designs were also briefly tried on soil samples

Microvalves are essential components of the miniaturization of the fluidic systems to control of fluid flow in a variety of applications as diverse as chemical analysis systems, micro-fuel cells, and integrated fluidic channel arrangements for electronic cooling. Using microvalves, these systems offer important advantages: they can operate using small sample volumes and provide rapid response time. This PhD dissertation presents the world first electromagnetically actuated microvalve fabricated on a single wafer with CMOS compatibility. In this dissertation, the design, fabrication, and testing results of two different types of electromagnetic microvalves are presented: the on/off microvalve and the bistable microvalve with latching mechanism. The microvalves operate with power consumption of less than 1.5 W and can control the volume flow rate of DI water, or a 50% diluted methanol solution in the range 1 - 50 µL in. The leaking rate of the on/off microvalve is the order of 30 nL/min. The microvalve demonstrated a response time for latching of 10 ms in water and 0.2 ms in air. This work has resulted in a US patent, application no. 10/699,210.Other inventions that have been developed as a result of this research are bidirectional, and bistable-bidirectional microactuators with latching mechanism, that can be utilized for optical switch, RF relay, micro mirror, nano indenter, or nano printings.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is possibly the best available technique in designing and predicting the performance of Stirling and pulse tube refrigerators (PTR). One of the limitations of CFD modeling of these systems, however, is that it requires closure relations for the micro porous materials housed within their regenerators and heat exchangers. Comprehensive prediction of fluid-solid interaction through this media can be obtained only by direct pore level simulation, a process which is time consuming and impractical for system level examination. Through the application of empirical correlations including the Darcy permeability and Forchheimer's inertial coefficient, the microscopic momentum equations governing fluid behavior within the porous structure can be recast as viable macroscopic governing equations. With these constitutive relationships, CFD can be an efficient and powerful tool for system modeling and optimization. The purpose of this study is to determine the hydrodynamic parameters of two mesh fillers relevant to miniature PTRs; stacked screens of 635 mesh stainless steel and 325 mesh phosphor-bronze wire cloth. Experimental setups were designed and fabricated to measure steady and oscillatory pressures and mass flow rates of the working fluid, research-grade helium. Hydrodynamic parameters for the two mesh fillers were determined for steady-state and steady periodic flow in both the axial and radial directions for a range of flow rates, operating frequencies and charge pressures. The effect of average pressure on the steady axial flow hydrodynamic parameters of other common PTR filler materials was also investigated. The determination of sample hydrodynamic parameters and their subsequent computational and experimental methodologies utilized are explained.

[pt] A tese Cidade em fragmentos: Imagens urbanas nas crônicas de C.D.A. para o Correio da Manhã propõe investigações sobre a produção escrita de Carlos Drummond de Andrade elaborada para a coluna Imagens, no período de 1954 a 1968, no jornal Correio da Manhã, cujos textos foram arquivados pelo próprio autor. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar, sobretudo, crônicas, tendo em vista a construção de um pensamento por imagens do cotidiano urbano, realizada pelo cronista, o qual investiu na representação de temas banais e comuns para elaborar uma escrita que descreve a cidade em fragmentos. Desse modo, pretende-se trabalhar com um quadro teórico sob uma perspectiva comparatista que permita ler essas imagens como miniaturas metropolitanas, bem como discutir a profusão da experiência urbana. Nesse contexto, as crônicas que revelam um imaginário da cidade, reproduzidas nas séries Imagens urbanas, Imagens de rua, Imagens de pedestre e Imagens de lotação, são o foco desta exposição interpretativa, e fazem circular os textos drummondianos em um contexto diferenciado da sua produção (circulação) no jornal. Assim, atualizam leituras possíveis a partir dos desdobramentos do suporte e das suas materialidades que permitem ressignificar a crítica sobre crônica moderna no Brasil, em especial, no que concerne à produção de C.D.A. / [en] The thesis City in fragments: Urban images in the chronicles of C.D.A for the Correio da Manhã proposes investigations on the written production of Carlos Drummond de Andrade elaborated for the column Images, that maintained, between the period of 1954 to 1968, in the newspaper Correio da Manhã and filed by the own author. The present study aims to analyze, mainly, chronicles, in view of the construction of a thought by images of urban daily life, carried out by the chronicler, who invested in the representation of banal and common themes to elaborate a writing that describes the city in fragments. In this way, we intend to work with a theoretical framework from a comparative perspective that allows us to read these images as metropolitan miniatures, as well as to discuss the profusion of the urban experience. In this context, the chronicles that reveal an imaginary of the city, reproduced in the series urban images, street images, pedestrian images and bus images, are the focus of this interpretative exhibition and circulate the texts of Drummond in a differentiated context of its production (circulation) in the newspaper. Thus, they update possible readings from the unfolding of the support and its materialities that allow to re-signify the critique about modern chronicle in Brazil, in special, of the production of C.D.A. / [es] La tesis Ciudad en fragmentos: Imágenes urbanas en las crónicas de C.D.A para el Correio da Manhã propone investigaciones sobre la producción escrita de Carlos Drummond de Andrade elaborada para la columna Imágenes, que mantuvo, entre el período de 1954 a 1968, en el Correio da Manhã y archivado por el propio autor. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar, principalmente, crónicas, teniendo en vista la construcción de un pensamiento por imágenes del cotidiano urbano, realizado por el cronista, que invirtió en la representación de temas banales y comunes para elaborar una escritura que describa la ciudad. en fragmentos. De esta forma, pretendemos trabajar con un referencial teórico a partir de una perspectiva comparativa que nos permita leer esas imágenes como miniaturas metropolitanas, así como discutir la profusión de la experiencia urbana. En este contexto, las crónicas que revelan un imaginario de la ciudad, reproducidas en las series imágenes urbanas, imágenes de calle, imágenes de peatones y imágenes de lotación, son el foco de esta exposición interpretativa y circulan los textos de Drummond en un contexto diferenciado de su producción (circulación) en el periódico. Así, actualizan lecturas posibles a partir del desdoblamiento del soporte y sus materialidades que permiten resignificar la crítica sobre la crónica moderna en Brasil, en especial, de la producción de C.D.A.

La tendance à la miniaturisation des produits n'est pas sans influence sur l'évolution de leurs moyens de production et d'assemblage. En effet, dû à la réduction d'échelle, l'assemblage de petits composants (appelé microassemblage) est perturbé par les forces de surface comme les forces de capillarité. Ces forces, exercées par le pont liquide reliant manipulateur et composant, sont habituellement négligeables (et négligées) dans l'assemblage conventionnel dominé par les forces de gravité. L'approche originale suivie dans ce travail consiste à tirer parti de ces effets et à les utiliser pour la manipulation de microcomposants, c'est-à-dire de composants dont la taille va de quelques dizaines de microns à quelques millimètres. Ce travail tente donc d'apporter quelques réponses aux problèmes de conception posés par un tel choix: quels sont les avantages d'une telle approche? Comment ces forces `fonctionnent-elles'? Sont-elles suffisamment grandes pour manipuler des microcomposants? Comment, dans ce cas, relâcher le composant? Quel rôle la tension de surface joue-t-elle? En quoi le choix des matériaux est-il important? Comment optimiser la conception du manipulateur? Tout au long de ce travail, le lecteur trouvera un inventaire des principes de manipulation existants, les éléments nécessaires à la modélisation des forces de capillarité, ainsi que la description de la simulation et du banc d'essai développés par l'auteur dans le but d'étudier ces paramètres de conception. Les résultats présentés dans cette thèse recouvrent essentiellement deux thèmes: quelles sont les règles de conception à suivre pour maximiser les forces de capillarité (problème de la préhension) et comment choisir une stratégie de relâche adéquate (problème de la relâche)? / Doctorat en sciences appliquées / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The dissertation thesis studies the extension of the context of the term model as a means of interpretation for Czech and Slovak post-conceptual works of art. Based on result of a historical excursion into the history of painting, sculpture and architecture, the thesis offers a new typology of a model which is exemplified on particular work of art of Czech and Slovak post-conceptual era in the first two decades of the 21st century. The historical part of the thesis concludes the following: model in the art is an emancipated form originating from different academic as well as layman discourse; emancipated model has a methaphorical layer and thus it reflects wide historical, cultural and social relations. The categories proposed include: a linear model, a physical model, a cognitive model and an immersive model. The linear model encompases the sketch themes and so-called visualization metaphors (graphs, charts, schemes, etc) and originates as a reaction to information saturation and complicated networks. The physical model is a form to architecture and hobby modelling, it is characterised by a simple, „sketchy“ structure reacting to social themes and individual and collective memory. The cognitive model points to the cognitive turn of the society, it evaluates the materialisation of mental space and explains the emancipated model as an open category. Finally, the immersive model interprets the medium of exhibition as a model form which is articulated by and artisitic manifesto or an architectural interference. Another form of immersion that is being discussed in the chapter about immersive models, is a photographic or 3 D computer illusion as a reaction to society‘s virtualisation. Simultaneously to theoretical-historical research, an artistic research was taking place which became the basis for the creation of different categories and typologies of model. Each proposed category thus includes a so-called author‘s note reflecting the practical part of the dissertation thesis.

Capability of a prototype of miniature collection device based on a strip of the molybdenum foil for collecting hydride forming elements (As, Se, Sb and Bi) was studied. The device was combined with a miniature hydrogen diffusion flame for detection by atomic absorption spectrometry. The conditions for trapping and subsequent vaporization of analytes of interest were optimized. A twin-channel hydride generation system was used for study of mutual interference effects of co-generated hydride forming elements. The influence of modification of the molybdenum surface with noble metals - Rh, Pt and Ir on trapping and vaporization processes was also studied and changes of microstructure of the foil surface after modification were investigated using scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive x-ray analyzer and electron backscattered diffraction system. Complementary radiotracer and radiography experiments were performed in order to determine trapping efficiency and to assess the spatial distribution of collected analytes within the device. Practical application of the method was demonstrated on determination of antimony in water samples at trace level. Possibility of multi-element analysis was demonstrated by combining the collection device with atomization and excitation of the analyte in microwave induced plasma and with detection by atomic emission spectrometry method. The results of the experiments proved that tested miniature collection device is capable of trapping analytes that form volatile hydrides. This device can be coupled to various types of atomizers, typically used in spectrometry methods. Thus, very sensitive and specific detection of hydride forming elements can be performed.

This master's thesis deals with the optimization of conditions of chemical hydride generation (HG) of bismuth, its atomization and detection by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Two types of atomizers were used for atomization of volatile species, a miniature diffusion flame for AAS as well as for AFS and a flame-in-gas-shield atomizer for AFS. At first, the parameters of HG in a flow injection mode were optimized - the concentration of hydrochloric acid, the concentration of sodium borohydride and the volume of the reaction coil. Subsequently, the atomization conditions were optimized using both atomizers. The parameters optimized were hydrogen fraction, total gas flow rate and observation height. Due to the more complicated construction of the FIGS atomizer, more parameters were studied, such as the oxygen flow rate through the capillary and the flow rate of shielding argon required for shielding the free atoms. A special part of the thesis dealt with the optimization of the optical path of the atomic fluorescence spectrometer, the selection of an interference filter and the optimization of a power supply of an electrodeless discharge lamp. It was found that under optimum conditions of generation, atomization and detection excellent detection limits...