<p>Aircrafttrajectory optimization is traditionally used forminimizing fuel consumption or time when going from one flightstate to another. This thesis presents a possible approach toincorporate tactical constraints in aircraft trajectoryoptimization.</p><p>The stealth technology of today focuses on making thetactics already in use more effective. Since tactics andstealth are closely interrelated, new and better results may beobtained if both aspects are considered simultaneously. Simplyreducing the radar cross section area in some directionswithout considering tactical aspects may result in little, ifany, improvement.</p><p>Flight tests have been performed in cooperation withEricsson Microwave Systems and the Swedish Air Force FlightAcademy. The aircraft used was the subsonic jet trainer Saab105, designated SK60 by the Swedish Air Force. The results showa decrease of 40% in the time interval between the instant theaircraft was first detected until it could pass above the radarstation. This corresponds to a reduced radar cross section(RCS) in the direction from the aircraft to the radar of almost90%, if classical RCS reduction techniques would have beenapplied.</p><p>If a modern aircraft with stealth properties would be used,the proposed methodology is believed to increase the possibleimprovements further. This is because the variation of themagnitude of RCS in different directions is greater for a shapeoptimized aircraft, which is the property exploited by thedeveloped method.</p><p>The methods presented are indeed an approach utilizing theideas of the network centric warfare (NCW) concept. Themethodology presented depends on accurate information about theadversary, while also providing up-to-date information to theother users in the information network.</p><p>The thesis focuses on aircraft but the methods are generaland may be adapted for missiles, shipsor land vehicles. Theproposed methods are also economically viable since they areuseful for existing platforms without costly modifications. Themethods presented are not limited to radar threats only. Thereasons for using radar in this thesis are the availablenon-classified data and that radar is known to pose a majorthreat against aircraft.</p>

A quasi experimental study tested a contextual teaching and learning (CTL) model for integrating reading and mathematics competencies through 13 introductory Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. Volunteer CTE Lead Teachers with assistance from academic teachers, developed integrated units. The purpose of this study was to determine whether students who participated in CTE courses that integrated core mathematics and reading standards performed better on a test of mathematics and reading skills compared to students who participated in traditional, non-integrated courses. The treatment group consisted of students in the 13 introductory courses taught by the CTE Lead Teachers and the control group consisted of students in all other sections of the 13 introductory courses not taught by CTE Lead Teachers. After a 26-week intervention, 9th and 10th grade student Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) reading and mathematics scores were analyzed to determine if the mean change in post-test scores was greater in the treatment group than the mean change in scores in the control group. An ANCOVA and multiple regression analysis of quantitative data revealed that the integrated CTE courses were statistically significant in improving reading treatment group scores, but not statistically significant in improving mathematics treatment group scores. The study is significant because it seeks to address a gap in the literature on academic and CTE integration and to provide evidence that a partnership between academics and CTE can contribute to student achievement as measured by state assessments.

We live in a scientific society. Science is all around us. We take scientific principles for granted every time we use technology, such as a car, a computer, or a cell phone. Paradoxically, the scientific literacy of the population is minimal at best. Having a basic knowledge of scientific principles is no longer a luxury but, in today's complex world, a necessity. To increase the scientific literacy of non-science majors, an astrobiology course was developed at the Center for Science and Mathematics Education at The University of Texas at Austin. The course subscribes to an educational philosophy that promotes the significance of teaching science to non-science majors, endorses the importance of multidisciplinary content knowledge, supports the teaching of the nature of science in an implicitly mode, advances the discussion of socio-scientific issues, and includes competent thinking-based teaching strategies using the dynamic discipline of astrobiology. The thesis reviews the problems in scientific literacy, outlines the characteristics of this innovative course, proposes a novel standard - competent thinking - to evaluate scientific literacy and analyzes the results of this course in terms of competent thinking. Data collected provided evidence of an increase of competent thinking skills among the students, especially in terms of self-reflection. Both the first and the second pilot study showed strong evidence that students transitioned from naive to competent thinking arguments. The main study demonstrated that students greatly improve their self-reflecting skills. The final study confirmed improvement in terms of self-reflecting skills, and showed that students gradually improve their arguments based on logic, reason, sophistication, and evidences. Therefore, the results show that this innovative astrobiology course is an effective tool for enhancing competent thinking skills among non-science major students. / text

This thesis report presents the work of analysing current challenges in Multidisciplinary Analysis systems. Exemplary the system of an aerospace supplier, GKN Aerospace Sweden AB, is examined and several suggestions for improve- ment are implemented. The Multidisciplinary Analysis system, with company internal name Engineering Workbench, employs a set-based approach in exploring the design-space for jet engine components. A number of design cases with varied geometrical and environmental parameters is generated using Design of Experiment sampling methods. Each design case is then subjected to a set of analyses. Using the analyses results, a surrogate model of the parts behaviour in relation to the input parameters is created. This enables the product developer to get a general view of the model’s behaviour and also to react to changes in product requirements. Design research methodology is applied to further develop the Engineering Workbench into a versatile design support system and expand the functionality to include producibility assessment. In its original state, the execution of a study requires explicit domain knowledge and programming skills in several disciplines. The execution of a study is often halted by minor process errors. Several methods to improve this status are suggested and tested. Among those are the introduction of an interface to improve the usability and expand the range of possible users. Further the integration of a four level system architecture supporting a modular structure. Producibility assessment is enabled by developing an expert system where geometrical and simulation results can be caught, analysed and evaluated to produce producibility metrics. Evaluation of the implemented solutions indicate a step in the right direction. Further development towards Multidisciplinary Optimisation, involving experts in information technologies as well as case- based reasoning techniques is suggested and discussed.

As the feature size of the transistor shrinks into nanometer scale, it becomes a grand challenge for semiconductor manufacturers to achieve good manufacturability of integrated circuits cost-effectively. In this dissertation, we aim at layout optimization algorithms from both manufacturing and design perspectives to address problems in this grand challenge. Our work covers three topics in this research area: a redundant via enhanced maze routing algorithm for yield improvement, a shuttle mask floorplanner, and optimization of post-CMP topography variation. Existing methods for redundant via insertion are all post-layout optimizations that insert redundant vias after detailed routing. In the first part of this dissertation, we propose the first routing algorithm that conducts redundant via insertion during detailed routing. Our routing problem is formulated as a maze routing with redundant via constraints and transformed into a multiple constraint shortest path problem, and then solved by Lagrangian relaxation technique. Experimental results show that our algorithm can find routing solutions with remarkably higher rate of redundant via insertion than conventional maze routing. Shuttle mask is an economical method to share the soaring mask cost by placing different chips on the same mask. Shuttle mask floorplanning is a key step to pack these chips according to certain objectives and constraints related to mask manufacturing and cost. In the second part of this dissertation, we develop a simulated annealing based floorplanner that can optimize these objectives and meet the constraints simultaneously. Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) is a crucial manufacturing step to planarize wafer surface. Minimum post-CMP topography variation is preferred to control the defocus in lithography process. In the third of this dissertation, we present several studies on optimization of the variation. First, we enhance the shuttle mask floorplanner to minimize the post-CMP topography variation. Then we study the following singleblock positioning problem: given a shuttle mask floorplan, how to determine a movable block's optimal position with respect to post-CMP topography variation. We propose a fast incremental algorithm achieving 6x to 9x speedup. Finally, we formulate a novel CMP dummy fill problem that targets at minimizing the height variance, which is key to reduce the image distortion by defocus. Experimental results show that with the new formulation, we can significantly reduce the height variance without sacrificing the height spread much.

For many products, the design process is a complex system involving the interaction of many distributed design activities that need to be carefully coordinated. This research develops a new tool, called a Bayesian network classifier, to improve one specific aspect of this challenge: quantitatively capturing a consensus of which designs are feasible options for meeting system-wide engineering requirements. Classifiers enable designers to independently develop and share maps of the feasible regions of their design space, enabling set-based collaborative design. The method is set-based in that resources are used to thoroughly understand design tradeoffs before commitment is made to a final design. The method is collaborative because the maps are coordinated between design teams to represent the mutually feasible design space of all stake-holders. The benefits are a more thorough understanding of the system-wide design problem across team boundaries as well as knowledge capture for future re-use, potentially leading to faster product development and higher quality products. / text

Η μελέτη αυτή έχει ως στόχο την ανάλυση του περιεχομένου σχολικών βιβλίων Χημείας Δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης που διδάσκονται στo Γυμνάσιο και στο Λύκειο στην Ελλάδα. Αρχικά, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τη βιβλιογραφία και τα αντίστοιχα αναλυτικά προγράμματα σπουδών ανιχνεύτηκαν κάποια κριτήρια, σύμφωνα με τα οποία η διδασκαλία και η μάθηση της Χημείας γίνεται πιο αποδοτική, αποτελεσματική και χρήσιμη για τους μαθητές. Μερικά από αυτά τα κριτήρια είναι: η σύνδεση των παρεχόμενων γνώσεων με την καθημερινή ζωή (κοινωνία - τεχνολογία), η διαθεματικότητα και διεπιστημονικότητα της γνώσης, η συσχέτιση μεταξύ των μελετώμενων εννοιών, η χρηστικότητα της γνώσης - "need to know", η ύπαρξη συγκεκριμένου "πλαισίου" διδασκαλίας, αλλά και το να κατανοούν ουσιαστικά οι μαθητές γιατί πρέπει να μελετήσουν τη διδακτέα ύλη. Το δείγμα της έρευνας αποτελείται από τα βιβλία Χημείας μαθητή Γ΄ Γυμνασίου (ημερομηνία έκδοσης 2011) και Α΄ Λυκείου (ημερομηνία έκδοσης 2011). Στην παρούσα μελέτη επιλέχθηκε να γίνει ανάλυση και σύγκριση των δύο σχολικών εγχειριδίων βάσει των κριτηρίων της διεπιστημονικότητας και της σύνδεσης των παρεχόμενων γνώσεων με την καθημερινή ζωή. Καταρχάς, διερευνήθηκε αν τα ανωτέρω βιβλία πληρούν τα αναφερόμενα κριτήρια, και σε ποιο βαθμό, μέσω της καταγραφής και κατηγοριοποίησης σχετικών με τα αναφερόμενα κριτήρια στοιχείων που περιλαμβάνονται στα μελετώμενα εγχειρίδια όπως κεφαλαίων, ενοτήτων, φράσεων, λέξεων, εικόνων, ερωτήσεων, ασκήσεων κλπ. Επιχειρήθηκε ακόμη η σύγκριση μεταξύ των δύο διδακτικών βιβλίων Χημείας Γ' Γυμνασίου και Α' Λυκείου, με σκοπό να διερευνηθεί αν υπερτερεί κάποιο εγχειρίδιο μιας από τις δύο βαθμίδες, ως προς την πλήρωση των τιθέμενων κριτηρίων, με στόχο να αναδειχθεί η ύπαρξη ή όχι συνέχειας και συνοχής στην εκπαίδευση των μαθητών στο μάθημα της Χημείας. Η σημασία της παρούσας έρευνας είναι εμφανής αν ληφθεί υπόψη το γεγονός πως τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης αυτής θα μπορούσαν να παρέχουν κατευθύνσεις στον εκπαιδευτικό σχεδιασμό και τον καθορισμό της ύλης των σχολικών μαθημάτων Χημείας αλλά και να βοηθήσουν τους εκπαιδευτικούς στην επιλογή του κατάλληλου εκπαιδευτικού υλικού και την οργάνωση της διδασκαλίας. Επιπρόσθετα η μελέτη αυτή θα μπορούσε να χρησιμοποιηθεί για να αναδειχθούν μέθοδοι, διαδικασίες και τρόποι για την προσέλκυση του ενδιαφέροντος των μαθητών και τη βελτίωση της κατανόησης του μαθήματος της Χημείας. / This study aims to analyze the content of school Chemistry books taught in the High School in Greece. Initially, given the literature and corresponding curricula detected some criteria according to which the teaching and learning of chemistry becomes more efficient, effective and useful for students. Some of these criteria are: the supplied knowledge to everyday life (society - technology), the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary knowledge, the correlation between the studied concepts, usability of knowledge - "need to know", the existence of specific "frame" of teaching, but also students to understand why should study the curriculum. The sample consists of third High school class Chemistry student books (date 2011) and first of Lyceum (date 2011). This study analyzed and compared the two student books based on the criteria of interdisciplinarity and the connection of the provided knowledge to everyday life. First, we investigated whether the above books meet the listed criteria, and to what extent, through mapping and classifying with the listed criteria items included in planned books as chapters, sections, phrases, words, pictures, questions, exercises, etc. Even attempted a comparison between the two teaching Chemistry books third class of high school and firt class of Lyceum, in order to investigate whether outweighs one of the books in criteria in order to demonstrate the existence or not of continuity and consistency in the chemistry education of students. The importance of this research is evident considering the fact that the results of this analysis could provide guidance on educational planning and determining the matter of school chemistry courses and this study could assist teachers in choosing the appropriate educational material and organizing teaching. Additionally, the study could be used to highlight methods, procedures and ways to attract the interest of students and to improve understanding of chemistry.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Individuals with chronic illnesses must manage long-term uncertainty and decision making as they cope with the ways the illness influences almost every aspect of their lives. In the context of pediatric illnesses, parents assume the burden of uncertainty management and decision making during the diagnosis and treatment of their child’s illness. It is common for children with complex chronic illnesses to see multiple specialists for the treatment of their condition. The first visit to a specialist is often more elaborate than a routine primary care visit. While previous research has explored parents’ decision making and uncertainty management during a child’s diagnosis and during end-of-life care, less is known about these experiences during the long-term management of a chronic illness through the care of multiple specialists. The aim of the current study was to explore uncertainty and decision making during parents’ first visit to a multidisciplinary clinic for the care of their child’s complex chronic illness. Data were collected through survey measures and semi-structured interviews with 30 parents after their first visit to a vascular anomaly clinic at a large Midwestern children’s hospital. The results suggest parents’ communication with the team of specialists helps them reappraise uncertainty, engage in effective uncertainty management, and feel validated in their decision making. However, the findings also indicate that parents face multiple uncertainty management dilemmas, including not wanting certain types of information, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive, and having different information preferences than their spouses. Ultimately, the results also have important implications for existing uncertainty theories and their application to parents’ uncertainty experiences.

This is a mixed-methods study investigating parental satisfaction and wait times as parents inquire about an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis for their child in a Northern Ontario community. Satisfaction and wait times of those diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by a single practitioner were compared to satisfaction and wait times of those diagnosed by the multidisciplinary assessment team in the Sudbury/Manitoulin region (the Autism Diagnostic Team; ADT). No significant differences were noted between groups on satisfaction or wait times. However, ADT group received much more consistent service, with less variation in wait times between clients, and more consistent provision of comprehensive services prior to the diagnostic meeting. Points of interest are noted for practitioners including increased wait times for parents of children with milder forms of ASD and for girls. No differences in wait time or satisfaction were noted between language groups. Content analysis of the qualitative interviews representing mainly single practitioners saw the emergence of themes including difficulty activating the assessment process, concerns regarding the wait, and appointment demands. The importance of professional expertise, empathy, and respectful communication also emerged. Parents felt the experience was deeply distressing and they often experienced abandonment following the diagnostic process. Additionally, parents whose children did not receive a diagnosis often felt confusion about what to do next. Reducing wait times, increasing professional expertise, completing comprehensive assessments, and using truly interdisciplinary teams should continue to be the focus of service improvements that may translate into improved satisfaction.