1 Abstract Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradci Králové Department of: Departmanet of Pharmaceutical technology Consultant: doc. PharmDr. Zdeňka Šklubalová Ph.D. Student: Hana Machutková Title of Thesis: Influence of different types and ratios of microcrystalline cellulose and lactose on physical properties of tablet blends and tablets. In this study, the properties of tablet blends prepared from five different kinds of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel ® A-101, 102, 105, 112, 200) and three types of lactose in different proportions were evaluated. Moisture content, the bulk and tapped density and the angle of repose were compared for tablet blends. The addition of lactose to the mixtures caused the decrease in the moisture content in the tablet blends. After evaluating the flow properties, the mixtures with suitable characteristics were compacted at compression forces of 8 and 12 kN. The force required to eject the tablet, the table strength, the disintegration time and the friability of the resulting tablets were estimated. The worst compressibility was identified for mixtures with higher concentration of Avicel 105. Due to its very small and fine particles (approximately 20μm) the filling of matrix was not uniform making tablet compression unsuccessful and thus the of uniform...

Introduction: Nowadays, the data generated by global communication systems is enormously increasing.  There is a need by Telecommunication Industries to monitor and manage this data generation efficiently. Apache Cassandra is a NoSQL database that manages any formatted data and a massive amount of data flow efficiently.  Aim: This project is focused on developing a new random compaction strategy and evaluating this random compaction strategy's performance. In this study, limitations of generic compaction strategies Size Tiered Compaction Strategy and Leveled Compaction Strategy will be investigated. A new random compaction strategy will be developed to address the limitations of the generic Compaction Strategies. Important performance metrics required for the evaluation of the strategy will be studied. Method: In this study, a grey literature review is done to understand the working of Apache Cassandra, different compaction strategies' APIs. A random compaction strategy is developed in two phases of development. A testing environment is created consisting of a 4-node cluster and a simulator. Evaluated the performance by stress-testing the cluster using different workloads. Conclusions: A stable RCS artifact is developed. This artifact also includes the support of generating random threshold from any user-defined distribution. Currently, only Uniform, Geometric, and Poisson distributions are supported. The RCS-Uniform's performance is found to be better than both STCS and  LCS. The RCS-Poisson's performance is found to be not better than both STCS and LCS. The RCS-Geometric's performance is found to be better than STCS.

Resumo: A maioria dos penetrômetros e penetrógrafos utilizados no mundo e, principalmente no Brasil, são manuais, ou seja, o operador do equipamento fornece a força necessária para cravar o cone no solo. Esta operação, além de estar limitada ao esforço máximo que o operador pode fornecer, não garante a velocidade constante de penetração, faltando, portanto, sensibilidade para variar instantaneamente a força de recalque em função das variações naturais de resistência do solo ao longo do perfil avaliado. Para que os dados obtidos com este tipo de equipamento sejam confiáveis, torna-se necessário a utilização de técnicos treinados e experientes. Quando são comparados resultados obtidos em diferentes localidades, há sempre a dúvida se os operadores trabalharam da mesma maneira nas diversas situações. Assim, de acordo com o exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver um penetrômetro elétrico-eletrônico para a determinação da resistência do solo à penetração. O sistema, composto por uma cremalheira (acionada por um conjunto moto-redutor elétrico), uma célula de carga, uma haste de aço contendo uma ponteira cônica de ângulo sólido de 30° (conforme norma ASAE S 313.2), é acionado por um motor elétrico, para obtenção da pressão necessária para cravar o cone na direção normal ao solo, à uma velocidade constante de acordo com ASAE S313.2. A velocidade constante de 1896 mm/min, independentemente da resistência do solo, foi obtida através da instalação de redutores e da cremalheira projetada. A obtenção, registro e armazenamento dos dados de resistência do solo à penetração são realizados por um sistema eletrônico, formado pelos seguintes componentes: sensor de força (célula de carga), potenciômetro utilizado como sensor de profundidade , sistema de aquisição de dados ("microlloger") ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The great majority of penetrometers and penetrographers used in the world and, mainly in Brazil, they are manual, in other words, the operator of the equipment supplies the necessary force to nail the cone in the soil. This operation, besides being limited to the maximum effort that a person can supply, doesn't guarantee the constant speed of penetration, being difficult that the operator is enough sensitive to vary the force instantly of it presses down in function of the natural variations of resistance of the soil along the wanted profile. So that the lifted up data with this equipment type are more reliable, he/she becomes necessary the trained technicians' use and experts. When results are compared obtained at different places, it is been in doubt if the operators worked in the same way in the several situations. The present work had as objective develops an electric-electronic penetrometer for the determination of the resistance of the soil to the penetration. The system, composed by a pothook and chain (worked by a group electric motorcycle-reducer), a load cell, a stem of steel containing a conical ferrule of solid angle of 30° (according to norm ASAE S 313.2), it is worked by an electric motor, for obtaining of the necessary pressure to nail the cone in the normal direction (perpendicular) to the soil, according to demand of the norm. The constant speed of 1896 mm/min, independently of the resistance of the soil, it is obtained through the installation of reducers and of the pothook and chain. The obtaining, registration and storage of the resistance data to the penetration of the soil are accomplished by an electronic system, formed by the following components: sensor of force (load cell), potenciometers used as sensor of depth, system of acquisition of data (microlloger "), system of storage of data, microcomputer and it programs for analysis... (Complete abstract, click eletronic address below) / Orientador: João Eduardo Guarnetti dos Santos / Coorientador: Kleber Pereira Lanças / Banca: Reginaldo Barbosa da Silva / Banca: Nilson Salvador / Mestre

Resumo: Os solos agricolas tem sofrido grande alteracao na sua estrutura devida a compressao causada pelo trafego de equipamentos pesados, muitas vezes com carga superior aquelas que eles podem suportar, principalmente quando se encontram em umidades acima do seu limite de plasticidade, e isto tem sido um fator determinante na obtencao da produtividade agricola. O presente trabalho teve por objetivos estudar o impacto do manejo e da rotacao de cultura sobre a sustentabilidade estrutural de solo localizado na Bacia do Alto Paranapanema, em areas da fazenda Buriti Mirim, areas 1 e 2, irrigadas com sistema de pivo central em Argissolo Acinzentado de textura franco arenosa. Dois sistemas de cultivo foram avaliados: Plantios Convencional e Direto. Os impactos foram conhecidos por meios da quantificacao das Pressoes de Contatos (PC) do parque de maquinas e de alteracoes estruturais avaliadas pela resistencia do solo a penetracao, medidas pelo o Indice de Cone (IC), Pressao de Preconsolidacao (Ðp), e outros indices fisicos relativos a massa e volume do solo. Para isso, foram elaborados mapas e modelos matematicos, para obter dados qualitativos e quantitativos do comportamento estrutural do solo. Obteve-se modelos de capacidade de suporte de carga do solo (CSCS) por meio do ajuste dos dados de Ðp, em funcao de U, utilizando-se do modelo exponencial ( 10(a bU ) p Ð = + ), proposto por Dias Junior. As avaliacoes foram realizadas nas camadas superficial (CS) do solo, de 0 a 0,10 m e subsuperficial ou camada de maxima resistencia mecanica (CMRM), defina pelo IC. Os resultados permitiram concluir que o impacto dos sistemas de cultivos alterou a estrutura dos solos agrícolas da Bacia do Alto Paranapanema, sendo que a rotação de cultura, após um período de 2 anos, não foi capaz de produziu reduções significativas nos valores de resistência do solo à penetração para minimizar os efeitos da compactação. (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Agricultural soils have undergone high alterations in its structure because of the necessary use of heavy equipment with a higher axle load mainly when it is found in humid conditions higher than its plasticity limit. This has been a limiting agricultural productivity factor. The present work evaluated management and crop rotation impact over structural sustainability of soils from Alto Paranapanema watershed in areas 1 and 2 at Buriti Mirim farm irrigated with a pivot central system in frank sandy texture Grayish Argisoil. Two cultivation systems were evaluated: Convention Planting and Direct Planting. The impacts became known by means of Contact Pressure (CP) quantification of machinery and structural alterations evaluated by resistance to soil penetration measured by Cone Index (CI), Pre-consolidation Pressure (óp) and other physical indexes related to mass and volume of soil. Maps and mathematical models were done which allowed qualitative and quantitative evaluations of soil structural behavior. Soil load support capacity (SLSC) models were obtained by óp data adjustments according to U using exponential model ( 10(a bU ) p ó = + ) proposed by Dias Junior. The evaluations were performed on the superficial soil layer (SP), i.e., from 0 to 0,10 m and sub superficially, or on the layer of maximum mechanical resistance (CMRM) defined by CI. The results concluded that management impact altered agricultural soils at Alto Paranapanema but culture rotation after 2 years did not produce significant reductions on soil resistence values to penetration to minimize compactation effects.The areas cultivated with conventional planting showed a more intense compactation when compared to direct planting areas. Spatial variability maps of soil properties were important tools to localize compacted areas. CSCS models were able to identify the management system most affected layers. When one associates... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Kleber Pereira Lanças / Coorientador: Reginaldo Barbosa da Silva / Banca: Saulo Philipe Sebastião Guerra / Banca: Marlene Cristina Alves / Banca: Antonio Gabriel Filho / Banca: Edmilson Renato da Silva Ruiz / Doutor

The behavior of the asphalt mixtures under large deformations, for example an unconfined compaction is of high practical importance. Quantitative measurement of the spatial distribution of internal structure of asphalt mixtures is crucial to study deformation behavior of asphalt mixtures. Deformation of granular material under an unconfined compaction is investigated in this study, as a groundwork for further research on deformation behavior of asphalt mixtures. Two sets of 3D images of specimens are obtained using X-Ray computed tomography (CT) under an unconfined compaction. Digital image analysis procedure is developed to segment different phases for characterizing spatial distribution of internal structure. Comparative volumetric relationship before and after compaction showed that air void distribution is not changed heavily due to absence of interlocking. Initial and final spatial positions of individual granules are investigated to trace their movement under compaction. It is shown that X-Ray CT could be a useful tool to characterize internal structure of asphalt mixtures and its evolution during deformation.

Hot mix asphalt pavements require adequate compaction to achieve the required density to resist rutting. The amount of energy required to achieve the optimum degree of compaction depends on the type of gradation, bitumen content, filler type and shape, type of compaction equipment etc. In this study, the net energy required to reduce the specimen volume (size) after each gyration of the superpave gyratory compactor is used as the compaction energy index (CEI) to measure the compactability of the samples. Samples with different filler types and content are used for the analysis. Effect of fillers on the viscosity of the mastic has been studied previously. Viscosity of mastics in return affects the compactability of the mix in general. In this regard this paper tries to study the effect of fillers on the compaction of hot mix asphalt with the help of the superpave gyratory compactor. Moreover, resistance of the asphalt mix samples against rutting is evaluated using the simple performance test. In this test, the sample is subjected to a hydraulic loading while strain transducers attached to the sample measure the displacement. A computer program receives the displacement data at various frequencies and calculates the dynamic modulus and flow number which are used for the evaluation of the pavement performance.     :

This licentiate thesis considers the modelling, simulation and experimental investigation of a rammer compactor machine. The purpose is to develop an efficient and verified method for simulation of rammer compactor machines to be used in the product development process. The experience gained through this work is also intended to be useful for studying other types of dynamic compactor machines. Rammer compactor machines perform impact soil compaction. This is more efficient than static compaction. The machines are often used in places where a high degree of compaction is needed, and where the space for operation is limited. The complexity of this type of machine makes design optimisation through traditional prototype testing impractical. This has pointed to the need for a theoretical model and simulation procedure for predicting the dynamic behaviour of the machine. To be useful for optimisation the theoretical model and simulation procedure must be verified. By concurrently working with theoretical modelling, simulations, experimental verifications, and optimisation an efficient analysis support for product development is achieved. This co-ordination works both ways in an iterative manner: experimental investigations are used to verify theoretical models and simulations; and theoretical models and simulations are used to design good experiments. This Complete Approach concept enables better decisions to be made earlier on in the development process, resulting in a decrease in time-to-market and improved quality. In this thesis, the Complete Approach concept is applied to a rammer soil compactor machine. An introductory iteration is described. The good agreement between theoretical and experimental results indicates that the theoretical model and simulation procedure should prove useful in introductory optimisation studies. The thesis discusses reasons for the remaining discrepancy and suggests improvements in both the theoretical model and the experimental set-up for future iterations. / I arbetet studeras det dynamiska beteendet av en jordpackningsmaskin. Syftet är att bygga upp en verifierad modell som kan ligga till grund för vidare produktutveckling. Ett samordnat arbetsätt, Complete Aproach / <p>http://epubl.luth.se/1402-/02/index.html</p>

In soil, where trees and crops grow, heavy vehicles shear and compact the soil, leading to reduced plant growth and diminished nutrient recycling. Computer simulations offer the possibility to improve the understanding of these undesired phenomena. In this thesis, soils were modelled as large collections of contacting spherical particles using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the physics engine AGX Dynamics, and these entities were analyzed. In the first part of the thesis, soils, which were considered to be continua, were subjected to various controlled deformations and fields for quantities such as stress and strain were visualized using coarse graining (CG). These fields were then compared against analytical solutions. The main goal of the thesis was to evaluate the usefulness, accuracy, and precision of this plotting technique when applied to DEM-soils. The general behaviour of most fields agreed well with analytical or expected behaviour. Moreover, the fields presented valuable information about phenomena in the soils. Relative errors varied from 1.2 to 27 %. The errors were believed to arise chiefly from non-uniform displacement (due to the inherent granularity in the technique), and unintended uneven particle distribution. The most prominent drawback with the technique was found to be the unreliability of the plots near the boundaries. This is significant, since the behaviour of a soil at the surface where it is in contact with e.g. a vehicle tyre is of interest. In the second part of the thesis, a vehicle traversed a soil and fields were visualized using the same technique. Following a limited analysis, it was found that the stress in the soil can be crudely approximated as the stress in a linear elastic solid.

Increased snowmobile use in mountainous terrain has been highlighted as a conservation concern for some Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations. Snow compaction resulting from winter recreation may potentially facilitate access by coyotes (Canis latrans) to habitats used by lynx during winter. Increased interactions could result in either exploitation or interference competition between the two species. Two recent, yet geographically distinct, studies showed contrasting findings regarding coyote movements and their use of snow-compacted trails during the winter. These findings suggest coyote association with snow-compacted trails may be regionally specific and dependent upon ecosystem dynamics and snow characteristics. The objectives of this study were to document diet, space use, and movements of coyotes occupying deep snow regions and explore whether a potential existed for increased interactions between coyotes and lynx due to snowmobile activity. We documented seasonal variation in coyote diets using scat collections to assess dietary overlap with lynx. Coyote resource use within and among habitats containing snowmobile activity was examined using coyote backtrack surveys during two consecutive field seasons in northwestern Wyoming. Although scat analysis findings suggest dietary overlap was not significant between coyotes and lynx during the winter or overall (all seasons combined), we lacked adequate sample size of lynx scats to determine if dietary overlap occurred during the fall, when coyote use of snowshoe hare peaked (24.1 % of all fall occurrences). Coyote backtrack surveys revealed that coyotes not only persisted in habitats used by lynx throughout the winter, but that snow compaction resulting from winter recreation use appeared to influence coyote movements during the winter months. Microhabitat analysis revealed that snow conditions influenced coyote behaviors and habitat use. This research provided insight into the impacts of winter recreation on coyote diet and habitat use during the winter months in northwestern Wyoming. In addition, these results have implications for local lynx populations in the southern periphery of their natural range. These results may assist land management agencies in planning and implementing management strategies to enhance lynx recovery, and may be used to guide decisions regarding areas designated for winter recreation and areas proposed for expansion of winter activities.

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